"May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your heart be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy one…." (Ephesians 1: 17-18)
Lord, bless me with the spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Bless me with a strong hope.
"It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1: 7-8)
You will receive power from the Holy Spirit.
You will be my witnesses everywhere.
When will these promises be fulfilled? Wait for the Lord. Wait patiently for the Lord.
"While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak, for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1: 4-5)
Wait for the promises of the Father. (122108)
Wait for the promises of the Enterprise.
Teach me to wait. Help me to wait.
How to wait: Wait with oil burning in your lamp: the 7-Way Plan.
"If our God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power, Your Majesty, he will save us; and even if he does not, then you must know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:17 – 18)
A good paraphrase of the above scripture which I like is this: "If we live, we live; if we perish, we perish."
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26: 39) Again, we can paraphrase Christ's sentiments thus: "If I live, I live; if I die, I die."
"For though the fig tree blossom not | nor fruit be on the vines, |Though the yield of the olive fail| and the terraces produce no nourishment, | Though the flock disappear from the fold | and there be no heard in the stalls, | Yet will I rejoice in the Lord |and exult in my saving God. (Habakkuk 3: 17 – 18) Prophet Habakkuk's word can me summarized with - "If we live, we live; if we perish, we perish."
"If you make my word your home |you will indeed be my disciples; | you will come to know the truth, | and the truth will make you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)
When we are faithful to the teachings of Jesus, we will have the faith and courage to appropriate the above scriptures. We will know that God is faithful come what may.
"Father in heaven, our minds were prepared for the coming of your kingdom when you took Christ beyond our sight so that we might seek him in his glory. May we follow where he has led and find our hope in his glory…." (Mass of the Ascension)
The ascension took Christ beyond our sight. Now we can see Christ with the eyes of faith. Where Christ is, there is the kingdom of God.
"The Lord says, I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15: 16, 19)
Lord, if you have chosen me, I will go. Fill me with the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of evangelization so that I can go and bear spiritual fruits for you.