"I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief." (1 Timothy 1: 13 NABRE)
Those who are called according to His purpose, Jesus justified. (Romans 8: 28 - 30) Jesus wiped out our sins excusing our wrongdoings and saying 'that one, he was ignorant of my will and acted in unbelief.'
What a gracious and merciful Savior. Praise Him now and always. Amen!
"Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry." (1 Corinthians 10 : 14 NABRE)
What are the common idols of our day?
1. Are you consumed with lust for money and material possessions?
2. Is your job a higher priority than worshipping God on Sunday and and observing the Sabbath?
3. Do you love wife, husband, child, friend more than you love Jesus?
4. Are you prompt to obey every law of the land while the laws of God are barely known?
Anything you place above God becomes your idol. This is forbidden by the First Commandment:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22: 37)
"I offer the gospel free of charge." (1 Corinthians 9: 18 NABRE)
Lord Jesus grant me freedom from foolish and unnecessary worries so that I can offer the Gospel free of charge.
Yes Lord, I have received freely. With the help of Your grace, I will give free of charge. (Matthew 10: 8)
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1: 21 NKJV)
A sin-filled vessel cannot hold a sinless holy God. So the first person to be saved from sin was Mary, who through the foreseen merits of Jesus Christ was conceived without sin.
"I am the Immaculate Conception", Mary said to St Bernadette.
Today is the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Happy Birthday O dear Mother. We your grateful children love you so much!
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God." (Luke 6: 20 NIV)
Most of us dread poverty. Yet Jesus says that those who are poor are not only blessed here and now but after their death will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Mother Teresa embraced poverty and the poor. She was certainly filled with joy and happiness while she lived among us. On Sunday, September 4th, she was canonized as St Teresa of Kolkata. Jesus confirmed through the Church that the Kingdom of God is truly hers forever and ever.
"You are just, O Lord, and your judgment is right;
treat your servant in accord with your merciful love." (Psalm 119: 137, 124 RM)
If the Most Merciful Heart of Jesus grants me one hour of consciousness before my death, the above Psalm will be my last prayer. Then glancing at the image of His Divine Mercy, I will whisper:
"Jesus I trust in You."
“Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored." (Luke 6: 10 NIV)
Jesus healed a man with a withered hand with a word. Not everyone in the synagogue was happy because the healing happened on a Sabbath.
Jesus wants mercy and loving-kindness and not a sacrificial or "holier than thou" attitude.
"May the favor of the Lord our God be ours.
Prosper the work of our hands!
Prosper the work of our hands!" (Psalm 90: 17 NABRE)
If the Lord does not build the house, the career, the marriage, they labor in vain who try. (Cf Psalm 127: 1)
Promotion does not come from the East or West but from God. (Psalm 75: 6)
Give us success in all we do, O Lord!
"What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4: 7)
God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. (James 1: 17)
Today is the Memorial of St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church.
"Meditate daily on the words of your Creator. Learn the Heart of God in the words of God, that your soul may be enkindled with greater longing for heavenly joys."
- (St Gregory the Great)
"People should think of us as servants of Christ, ·the ones God has trusted with his [and stewards/household managers of God’s] ·secrets [mysteries]." (1 Corinthians 4: 1 EXB)
Are you a trustworthy steward? Is Jesus the Lord of your time, talent and treasure? If not yet, the Journey of Faith is not a sprint. Be patient. Commit to Jesus your ways. Trust in His Mercy and He will see you through.
“Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5: 5 NKJV)
What is the "Obedience of Faith"? It means that Faith has direct and tangible consequence. "Stand up and walk" from Jesus, you stand up and start walking. With Faith all things are possible. Without Faith, you labor in frustration with the feeble and useless energy of the flesh. Choose Faith and live fully.
"At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them." (Luke 4: 40 NIV)
Healing the sick is core to the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is the desire of Jesus that healing ministry continues today.
Why are Christians not healing the sick? The distress of illness is opportunity for Jesus.
Has the problem of UNBELIEF anything to do with lack of healings today?
"But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2: 16)
Who has the mind of Christ?
The Church, the Family of God entrusted with the Holy Scriptures. The Christian whose mind and spirit is one with the teaching authority of the Church. He has the mind of Christ who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and does not compromise with the spirit of the world.
“Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” (Mark 6: 22 NIV)
What will you ask for if Jesus spoke the above words to you today?
Jesus Himself gave us the clue to the right answer:
"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." (Luke 11: 13 NLT)
“Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” (Mark 6: 22 NIV)
What will you ask for if Jesus spoke the above words to you today?
Jesus Himself gave us the clue to the right answer:
"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." (Luke 11: 13 NLT)
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of mercy to all who call to you." (Cf Psalm 86: 3, 5 RM)
It is great to know that God is good and merciful. I found myself in a distressing situation at work this afternoon. Then I glanced at the image of Divine Mercy and cried out, "Have mercy on me Jesus." I sensed these words in my heart: "Be merciful yourself." "Lord, whom will I be merciful to?" "The person sharing this work with you." OK. I agreed. At this point, I completely trusted Jesus for mercy and peace flooded my heart. NEVER FORGET THE ABC OF MERCY.
"He chose what the world thinks is ·unimportant [insignificant; lowly] and what the world ·looks down on [despises] and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is ·important [something special]. God did this so that no one can ·brag [boast] in his presence." (1 Corinthians 1: 28 - 29 EXB)
God's ways are not our ways. God is mindful of the humble state of His servant. (Luke 1: 48). He brings down rulers from their thrones and lifts up the humble. (Luke 1: 52).
If you consider yourself unimportant and insignificant, rejoice. God can use you.
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"Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep." (Matthew 25: 5 NABRE)
The Second Coming of Jesus is delayed on purpose so that many will be saved. The End of the age will come suddenly without warning. Delaying putting your house in order is a severe risk. A word is enough for the wise.
"Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24: 42 NABRE)
Let us stay awake through daily prayer and feeding on the word of God. Stay awake through regular fellowship with the Household of God especially on Sundays.
Do not postpone building up your most sacred faith by saying "My master is long delayed." The Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.
“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21: 9 NIV)
Who is the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb? It is the Church which is becoming for all the nations the Sacrament of Salvation. As we proclaim the salvation of God day by day and tell people His great glory, we participate actively in ushering the Kingdom of God.
Don’t be left behind.
