"The Lord is my inheritance and my cup; he alone will give me my reward. The measuring line has marked a lovely place for me; my inheritance is my great delight." (Psalm 16: 5-6)
"My grace is sufficient for you." God alone is my reward. I trust in Him. My destiny is secure. It is in His hand. He is my light and my salvation. What can mortal man do to me?
"Do not store treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and woodworm destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them." (Matthew 6: 19)
How illusory are material treasures! They are there one minute. They are gone in a second. Does this truth of blessed experience prevent us from coveting material goods and storing them in every space of lives? Our Father in heaven gave us a pearl of wisdom when He taught us to ask Him each day for our daily bread.
"I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34: 5)
What are you afraid of?
Psalm 34: 5 promises that if we seek the Lord, He will deliver us from all these fears.
Jesus promises that if we "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things will be given you besides."
(Matthew 6:33)
"I have worked with unsparing energy, for many nights without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty, and often altogether without food and drink; I have been cold and lacked clothing." (2 Corinthians 11:27)
St. Paul's zeal for the Gospel is inimitable. When I consider the trifles that I call problems, I become ashamed of myself. True, I have not resisted to the point of blood. The only way to follow Christ and imitate the zeal of St. Paul is to be attentive to one day at a time. To use my strengths as I try to minimize my weaknesses in exploiting the opportunities I see to bear witness to Christ.
"Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either." (Matthew 6: 14 – 15)
Forgive others and when you ask for forgiveness, be confident that God will hear you.
How to forgive: forgive as soon as the offence occurs. Forgive and if it is possible, inform the offending person that you have forgiven him and so you will not be tempted to go back on your word. Forgive and pray that God will bless the offender. Ask God also the grace to make your forgiveness true and genuine.
Forgiveness and reconciliation are two related important concepts in the kingdom.