2013 - A definite Year of Change

"You know these things...now do them.
That is the path of blessing." (John 13:17)

Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

Remember: Christmas is a season and not a day.
May 2013 bring you much joy & peace, deep experience of faith & good health.

Peace beyond understanding

"And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful."  (Colossians 3: 15)

The peace that Christ promises is the peace that can coexist with bad news.  It is a peace that is based on faith and our knowledge of God.  It is a peace that is enhanced by understanding, that gift of the Holy Spirit that reveals to us what God is doing in our life.  Without this peace, there can be no security.

"Whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived." (1 John 2: 6)

"Whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived."  (1 John 2: 6)

How did Jesus live?  He lived the Beatitudes.
Lord, this is not easy.  Jesus knows that this is not easy.  This is why He gave us the means.  The means to live the Beatitudes are prayer, word of God and the Sacraments.

They followed the Lamb wherever He goes

"These are they who were not defiled with women; they are virgins and these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the firstfruits of the human race for God and the Lamb."  (Revelation 14: 4)

God loves purity and chastity.  Virginity in the above scripture may be a symbol for corporal or spiritual virginity and purity.  Apostasy and adulteration of doctrine is considered spiritual adultery.  The pure and wholesome milk of  Christ's teaching is fully contained in the deposit of faith which is guarded by the Church's Magisterium.  From the first beginning of the age of the Church.  this body of truth has been under attack by heretics and apostates.  But thanks to the promise of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church has remained the bulwark of truth to the present day.

He saw and believed

"Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed."  (John 20: 8)

Lord, let me tell you what I want today.  I want to see many of your little signs and believe.  I know you reach out to me constantly through little signs.  The big signs come once in a while and I appreciate these very much.  But  it is the little sign that oils the wheel of life for me.  From time to time during the day, I notice these little signs and I give you thanks.  What I ask for now is that I notice more of them if not most.

Thank you Lord for little signs.  You give them in order to connect us to you.

The Holy Spirit of your Father will speak through you

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  (Matthew 10: 19 - 20)

December 26 is the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.  Stephen's life and death shows the faithfulness of Jesus to His promise in Matthew 10: 19 - 20.  What encouragement this is to all Christian disciples.  Stephen's life and death also proves another truth from St. Augustine:
"If you pray well, you live well.  If you live well, you die well.  If you die well, all is well."
Stephen was filled with faith, fortitude and the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, on this day we remember the life of your servant, Stephen, grant us who honor his memory deep faith, courage and fill us with your precious Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The Child born today is the Savior of the world

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9: 5)

"Father, the child born today is the Savior of the world.  He made us your children.  May He welcome us into your kingdom where He lives and reigns with you for ever and ever."  (Opening Prayer - Mass of Christmas Day)

Save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us

"He has raised up a horn for our salvation
within the house of David his servant,
even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us"  (Luke 1: 69 71)

Salvation is all about deliverance "from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us."

Who are these?  Let us ask St. John the Evangelist:
"For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world."  (1 John 2: 16)

Our enemies are our natural concupiscence, the attractions of the world and Satan.

When the Son sets us free from the above, we are truly saved.

Do not stand at the door and knock

"“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me."  (Revelation 3: 20)

Dear Jesus, please do not stand at the door and knock.  My  home is always open to you.  If the door is not ajar for you when you arrive, here is the spare key so that you can let yourself in.  Whether the door is opened for you or let yourself in, you will be always welcome in my home.  I have resolved have nothing but 100% devotion and commitment to you.  Never allow this desire to weaken for any reason.  I ask for this in your name Jesus.

I do like Hannah

"Then Hannah spoke up: “Excuse me, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here near you, praying to the LORD.
I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” Then they worshiped there before the LORD."  (1 Samuel 1: 26 - 28)

Lord, following the spirit and example of Hannah, you have been very good to me.  I offer you all my time, talent and treasure as well as all my weakness.  Lead me, guide me and use all for your kingdom as long as I live.

I rejoice in my faith

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  (Luke 1: 45)

What the Lord has spoken to me:
"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." (Matthew 6: 33 - 34)

This is a promise with a condition.  What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God?  It means to seek first the King in always and everywhere.  Jesus Christ is the King.  Where Jesus reigns, there is the kingdom of God.  Jesus reigns where His word reigns. Jesus reigns  where the Beatitudes voluntarily observed as the law of the kingdom.

Righteousness is produced in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  When we welcome the Holy Spirit in our hearts, He produces righteousness in us.

 "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  (Luke 1: 45)

I believe that God will fulfill to me the promise in Matthew 6: 33.  I believe so because God is all powerful and can do anything He wants.  God is all truth.  He is not a man to lie.  Faithfulness is the very essence of God's character.

I rejoice in my belief and everyday I wait with joyful expectation to receive from God what He has promised..

Nothing will be impossible for God

"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 
for nothing will be impossible for God."  (Luke 1: 36 - 37)

Elizabeth suffered from advanced barrenness.  In the fullness of time, God made her fruitful according to His plan for her life.  I suffer too from advanced barrenness.  I am yet to be fully productive in God's vineyard.  I believe that God will make me exceedingly fruitful in the fullness of time.  For as God has promised, "Nothing will be impossible for God."  I know that God can do anything.  How do I know that He will do this for me?   I appropriated this same scripture this season last year.  When it is proclaimed again this year, I find myself yearning for the experience of Elizabeth.  This is how I know with certainty that this promise is too for me.  Wait!  Wait with courage!

Wait for God's perfect timing

“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”  (Luke 1: 25)

God fulfills His designs and promises at His own time.

"But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time."  (Luke 1: 20)

Believe what you hear. It is good to wait for God's time.

And they shall name Him Emmanuel

"“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”  (Matthew 1: 23)

Mary is predestined by God to be the Mother of Jesus Christ.  All her privileges stem from this unique choice.  Her fullness of grace, her perpetual virginity, her singular role as intercessor are all consequences of her extraordinary vocation.

We honor Mary as Mother, Virgin, Teacher and Mediatrix of all graces.  Towards the end of the 4th century, Helvidius denied the perpetual virginity of Mary, a belief that was held by the Church for centuries.  St. Damasus was pope at this time. St. Jerome was urged to answer Helvidius.  At first, he declined because he regarded the question below his dignity.  But eventually, he picked up his pen and answered him.  At this time, St. Jerome was the recognized authority in Greek and Hebrew.  He was a Church Father and Doctor of the Church. He is the foremost scripture scholar whose reputation has not deemed by the passage of time.  On the question of Mary's perpetual virginity, whom do you trust?  St. Jerome or the so called "doctors of divinity" from the so many denominations that populate the map today?   The question about Mary's perpetual virginity did not arise again till the reformation.  Heresy is cyclical..

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."  (Matthew 1: 1)

What follows Matthew 1:1 is a long list of the ancestry of Jesus Christ.  How is the roll call?  Very human.  We see saints and sinners.  There is always a black sheep in the family.  And Scripture says that Jesus Christ is not ashamed to call His disciples His brothers.  "He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”  (Hebrews 2: 11)

One great insight I got from the Genealogy of Jesus Christ is that there never was the so called Great Apostasy in Christianity.  The Mormons believe that there was one.  Protestants think that the Church forsook its ancient dogma and practice and therefore the necessity for the Reformation.

The Catholic Church has always been One, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic.  These are the four marks of the Church.

God indeed is my salvation

"God indeed is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid.
For the LORD is my strength and my might, and he has been my salvation."  (Isaiah 12: 2)

Jesus is Savior.  Wherever Jesus is, there is salvation.

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.  The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  (Exodus 14: 13 - 14)

Salvation is the experience of the profound peace of Christ.  It is deliverance from the distress of fear, worry and doubts.  Salvation comes from Christ alone.

"My strength and my refuge is the LORD, and he has become my savior. This is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him."  (Exodus 15: 2)

Jesus Christ has absolute power to save us from any evil.  He is the Rock of Salvation (Deuteronomy 32: 15)

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength."  (Isaiah 30: 15)

Salvation comes from absolute trust in Jesus.

Come Lord Jesus

"“Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds."  (Revelation 22: 12)

Come Lord Jesus.  O come quickly to save your own.

Self-denial is the first and great lesson in the School of Jesus Christ

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,* take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16: 24)

In the scripture above, Jesus Christ laid down the core principle of discipleship.  The lesson is called the first and great lesson in the school of Christ.  I have little to offer on this.  Instead, I will offer two great commentaries from John Gills Exposition and Matthew Henry Commentary:

John Gills Exposition:
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples
Knowing that they had all imbibed the same notion of a temporal kingdom, and were in expectation of worldly riches, honour, and pleasure; he took this opportunity of preaching the doctrine of the cross to them, and of letting them know, that they must prepare for persecutions, sufferings, and death; which they must expect to endure, as well as he, if they would be his disciples:

if any man will come after me:
that is, be a disciple and follower of him, it being usual for the master to go before, and the disciple to follow after him: now let it be who it will, rich or poor, learned or unlearned, young or old, male or female, that have any inclination and desire, or have took up a resolution in the strength of grace, to be a disciple of Christ,

let him deny himself:
let him deny sinful self, ungodliness, and worldly lusts; and part with them, and his former sinful companions, which were as a part of himself: let him deny righteous self, and renounce all his own works of righteousness, in the business of justification and salvation; let him deny himself the pleasures and profits of this world, when in competition with Christ; let him drop and banish all his notions and expectations of an earthly kingdom, and worldly grandeur, and think of nothing but reproach, persecution, and death, for the sake of his Lord and Master: and

take up his cross;
cheerfully receive, and patiently bear, every affliction and evil, however shameful and painful it may be, which is appointed for him, and he is called unto; which is his peculiar cross, as every Christian has his own; to which he should quietly submit, and carry, with an entire resignation to the will of God, in imitation of his Lord:

and follow me;
in the exercise of grace, as humility, zeal, patience, and self-denial; and in the discharge of every duty, moral, or evangelical; and through sufferings and death, to his kingdom and glory. The allusion is, to Christ's bearing his own cross, and Simeon's carrying it after him, which afterwards came to pass."  (John Gills Exposition)

Matthew Henry Commentary:
"
Verses 24-28 Christ, having shown his disciples that he must suffer, and that he was ready and willing to suffer, here shows them that they must suffer too, and must be ready and willing. It is a weighty discourse that we have in these verses.I. Here is the law of discipleship laid down, and the terms fixed, upon which we may have the honour and benefit of it, v. 24. He said this to his disciples, not only that they might instruct others concerning it, but that by this rule they might examine their own security. Observe,1. What it is to be a disciple of Christ; it is to come after him. When Christ called his disciples, this was the word of command, Follow me. A true disciple of Christ is one that doth follow him in duty, and shall follow him to glory. He is one that comes after Christ, not one that prescribes to him, as Peter now undertook to do, forgetting his place. A disciple of Christ comes after him, as the sheep after the shepherd, the servant after his master, the soldiers after their captain; he is one that aims at the same end that Christ aimed at, the glory of God, and the glory of heaven: and one that walks in the same way that he walked in, is led by his Spirit, treads in his steps, submits to his conduct, and follows the Lamb, whithersoever he goes, Rev. 14:4 .2. What are the great things required of those that will be Christ’s disciples; If any man will come, ei tis thelei —If any man be willing to come. It denotes a deliberate choice, and cheerfulness and resolution in that choice. Many are disciples more by chance or the will of others than by any act of their own will; but Christ will have his people volunteers, Ps. 110:3 . It is as if Christ had said, "If any of the people that are not my disciples, be steadfastly minded to come to me, and if you that are, be in like manner minded to adhere to me, it is upon these terms, these and no other; you must follow me in sufferings as well as in other things, and therefore when you sit down to count the cost, reckon upon it.’’Now what are these terms?(1.) Let him deny himself. Peter had advised Christ to spare himself, and would be ready, in the like case, to take the advice; but Christ tells them all, they must be so far from sparing themselves, that they must deny themselves. Herein they must come after Christ, for his birth, and life, and death, were all a continued act of self-denial, a self-emptying, Phil. 2:7, Phil. 2:8 . If self-denial be a hard lesson, and against the grain to flesh and blood, it is no more than what our Master learned and practised before us and for us, both for our redemption and for our instruction; and the servant is not above his lord. Note, All the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ must deny themselves. It is the fundamental law of admission into Christ’s school, and the first and great lesson to be learned in this school, to deny ourselves; it is both the strait gate, and the narrow way; it is necessary in order to our learning all the other good lessons that are there taught. We must deny ourselves absolutely, we must not admire our own shadow, nor gratify our own humour; we must not lean to our own understanding, nor seek our own things, nor be our own end. We must deny ourselves comparatively; we must deny ourselves for Christ, and his will and glory, and the service of his interest in the world; we must deny ourselves for our brethren, and for their good; and we must deny ourselves for ourselves, deny the appetites of the body for the benefit of the soul.(2.) Let him take up his cross. The cross is here put for all sufferings, as men or Christians; providential afflictions, persecutions for righteousness’ sake, every trouble that befals us, either for doing well or for not doing ill. The troubles of Christians are fitly called crosses, in allusion to the death of the cross, which Christ was obedient to; and it should reconcile us to troubles, and take off the terror of them, that they are what we bear in common with Christ, and such as he hath borne before us. Note, [1.] Every disciple of Christ hath his cross, and must count upon it; as each hath his special duty to be done, so each hath his special trouble to be borne, and every one feels most from his own burthen. Crosses are the common lot of God’s children, but of this common lot of God’s children, but of this common lot each hath his particular share. That is our cross which Infinite Wisdom has appointed for us, and a Sovereign Providence has laid on us, as fittest for us. It is good for us to call the cross we are under our own, and entertain it accordingly. We are apt to think we could bear such a one’s cross better than our own; but that is best which is, and we ought to make the best of it. [2.] Every disciple of Christ must take up that which the wise God hath made his cross. It is an allusion to the Roman custom of compelling those that were condemned to be crucified, to carry their cross: when Simon carried Christ’s cross after him, this phrase was illustrated. First, It is supposed that the cross lies in our way, and is prepared for us. We must not make crosses to ourselves, but must accommodate ourselves to those which God has made for us. Our rule is, not to go a step out of the way of duty, either to meet a cross, or to miss one. We must not by our rashness and indiscretion pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are laid in our way. We must so manage an affliction, that it may not be a stumbling-block or hindrance to us in any service we have to do for God. We must take it up out of our way, by getting over the offence of the cross; None of these things move me; and we must then go on with it in our way, though it lie heavy. Secondly, That which we have to do, is, not only to bear the cross (that a stock, or a stone, or a stick may do), not only to be silent under it, but we must take up the cross, must improve it to some good advantage. We should not say, "This is an evil, and I must bear it, because I cannot help it;’’ but, "This is an evil, and I will bear it, because it shall work for my good.’’ When we rejoice in our afflictions, and glory in them, then we take up the cross. This fitly follows upon denying ourselves; for he that will not deny himself the pleasures of sin, and the advantages of this world for Christ, when it comes to the push, will never have the heart to take up his cross. "He that cannot take up the resolution to live a saint, has a demonstration within himself, that he is never likely to die a martyr;’’ so Archbishop Tillotson.(3.) Let him follow me, in this particular of taking up the cross. Suffering saints must look unto Jesus, and take from him both direction and encouragement in suffering. Do we bear the cross? We therein follow Christ, who bears it before us, bears it for us, and so bears it from us. He bore the heavy end of the cross, the end that had the curse upon it, that was a heavy end, and so made the other light and easy for us. Or, we may take it in general, we must follow Christ in all instances of holiness and obedience. Note, The disciples of Christ must study to imitate their Master, and conform themselves in every thing to his example, and continue in well-doing, whatever crosses lie in their way. To do well and to suffer ill, is to follow Christ. If any man will come after me, let him follow me; that seems to be idem per idem—the same thing over again. What is the difference? Surely it is this, "If any man will come after me, in profession, and so have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow me in truth, and so do the work and duty of a disciple.’’ Or thus, "If any man will set out after me, in good beginnings, let him continue to follow me with all perseverance.’’ That is following the Lord fully, as Caleb did. Those that come after Christ, must follow after him.II. Here are arguments to persuade us to submit to these laws, and come up to these terms. Self-denial, and patient suffering, are hard lessons, which will never be learned if we consult with flesh and blood; let us therefore consult with our Lord Jesus, and see what advice he gives us; and here he gives us,1. Some considerations proper to engage us to these duties of self-denial and suffering for Christ. Consider,(1.) The weight of that eternity which depends upon our present choice (v. 25); Whosoever will save his life, by denying Christ, shall lose it: and whosoever is content to lose his life, for owning Christ, shall find it. Here are life and death, good and evil, the blessing and the curse, set before us. Observe,[1.] The misery that attends the most plausible apostasy. Whosoever will save his life in this world, if it be by sin, he shall lose it in another; he that forsakes Christ, to preserve a temporal life and avoid a temporal death, will certainly come short of eternal life, and will be hurt of the second death, and eternally held by it. There cannot be a fairer pretence for apostasy and iniquity than saving the life by it, so cogent is the law of self-preservation; and yet even that is folly, for it will prove in the end self-destruction; the life saved is but for a moment, the death shunned is but as a sleep; but the life lost is everlasting, and the death run upon is the depth and complement of all misery, and an endless separation from all good. Now, let any rational man consider of it, take advice and speak his mind, whether there is any thing got, at long run, by apostasy, though a man save his estate, preferment, or life, by it.[2.] The advantage that attends the most perilous and expensive constancy; Whosoever will lose his life for Christ’s sake in this world, shall find it in a better, infinitely to his advantage. Note, First, Many a life is lost, for Christ’s sake, in doing his work, by labouring fervently for his name; in suffering work, by choosing rather to die than to deny him or his truths and ways. Christ’s holy religion is handed down to us, sealed with the blood of thousands, that have not known their own souls, but have despised their lives (as Job speaks in another case), though very valuable ones, when they have stood in competition with their duty and the testimony of Jesus, Rev. 20:4 . Secondly, Though many have been losers for Christ, even of life itself, yet never any one was, or will be, a loser by him in the end. The loss of other comforts, for Christ, may possibly be made up in this world (Mk. 10:30 ); the loss of life cannot, but it shall be made up in the other world, in an eternal life; the believing prospect of which hath been the great support of suffering saints in all ages. An assurance of the life they should find, in lieu of the life they hazarded, hath enabled them to triumph over death in all its terrors; to go smiling to a scaffold, and stand singing at a stake, and to call the utmost instances of their enemies’ rage but a light affliction. [3.] The worth of the soul which lies at stake, and the worthlessness of the world in comparison of it (v. 26). What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? ten psychen autou ; the same word which is translated his life (v. 25), for the soul is the life, Gen. 2:7 . This alludes to that common principle, that, whatever a man gets, if he lose his life, it will do him no good, he cannot enjoy his gains. But it looks higher, and speaks of the soul as immortal, and a loss of it beyond death, which cannot be compensated by the gain of the whole world. Note, First, Every man has a soul of his own. The soul is the spiritual and immortal part of man, which thinks and reasons, has a power of reflection and prospect, which actuates the body now, and will shortly act in a separation from the body. Our souls are our own not in respect of dominion and property (for we are not our own, All souls are mine, saith God), but in respect of nearness and concern; our souls are our own, for they are ourselves. Secondly, It is possible for the soul to be lost, and there is danger of it. The soul is lost when it is eternally separated from all the good to all the evil that a soul is capable of; when it dies as far as a soul can die; when it is separated from the favour of God, and sunk under his wrath and curse. A man is never undone till he is in hell. Thirdly, If the soul be lost, it is of the sinner’s own losing. The man loses his own soul, for he does that which is certainly destroying to it, and neglects that which alone would be saving, Hos. 13:9 . The sinner dies because he will die; hes blood is on his own head. Fourthly, One soul is worth more than all the world; our own souls are of greater value to us than all the wealth, honour, and pleasures of this present time, if we had them. Here is the whole world set in the scale against one soul, and Tekel written upon it; it is weighed in the balance, and found too light to weigh it down. This is Christ’s judgment upon the matter, and he is a competent Judge; he had reason to know the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he under-rate the world, for he made it. Fifthly, The winning of the world is often the losing of the soul. Many a one has ruined his eternal interest by his preposterous and inordinate care to secure and advance his temporal ones. It is the love of the world, and the eager pursuit of it, that drowns men in destruction and perdition. Sixthly, The loss of the soul is so great a loss, that the gain of the whole world will not countervail it, or make it up. He that loses his soul, though it be to gain the world, makes a very bad bargain for himself, and will sit down at last an unspeakable loser. When he comes to balance the account, and to compare profit and loss, he will find that, instead of the advantage he promised himself, he is ruined to all intents and purposes, is irreparably broken.What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Note, If once the soul be lost, it is lost for ever. There is no antallagma —counter-price, that can be paid, or will be accepted. It is a loss that can never be repaired, never be retrieved. If, after that great price which Christ laid down to redeem our souls, and to restore us to the possession of them, they be so neglected for the world, that they come to be lost, that new mortgage will never be taken off; there remains no more sacrifice for sins, nor price for souls, but the equity of redemption is eternally precluded. Therefore it is good to be wise in time, and do well for ourselves.2. Here are some considerations proper to encourage us in self-denial and suffering for Christ.(1.) The assurance we have of Christ’s glory, at his second coming to judge the world, v. 27. If we look to the end of all these things, the period of the world, and the posture of souls then, we shall thence form a very different idea of the present state of things. If we see things as the will appear then, we shall see them as they should appear now.The great encouragement to steadfastness in religion is taken from the second coming of Christ, considering it,[1.] As his honour; The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels. To look upon Christ in his state of humiliation, so abased, so abused, a reproach of men, and despised of the people, would discourage his followers from taking any pains, or running any hazards for him; but with an eye of faith to see the Captain of our salvation coming in his glory, in all the pomp and power of the upper world, will animate us, and make us think nothing too much to do, or too hard to suffer, or him. The Son of man shall come. He here gives himself the title of his humble state (he is the Son of man ), to show that he is not ashamed to own it. His first coming was in the meanness of his children, who being partakers of flesh, he took part of the same; but his second coming will be in the glory of his Father. At his first coming, he was attended with poor disciples; at his second coming, he will be attended with glorious angels; and if we suffer with him, we shall be glorified with him, 2 Tim. 2:12 .[2.] As our concern; Then he shall reward every man according to his works. Observe, First, Jesus Christ will come as a Judge, to dispense rewards and punishments, infinitely exceeding the greatest that any earthly potentate has the dispensing of. The terror of men’s tribunal ch. 10:18 ) will be taken off by a believing prospect of the glory of Christ’s tribunal. Secondly, Men will then be rewarded, not according to their gains in this world, but according to their works, according to what they were and did. In that day, the treachery of backsliders will be punished with eternal destruction, and the constancy of faithful souls recompensed with a crown of life. Thirdly, The best preparative for that day is to deny ourselves, and take up our cross, and follow Christ; for so we shall make the Judge our Friend, and these things will then pass well in the account. Fourthly, The rewarding of men according to their works is deferred till that day. Here good and evil seem to be dispensed promiscuously; we see not apostasy punished with immediate strokes, nor fidelity encouraged with immediate smiles, from heaven; but in that day all will be set to rights. Therefore judge nothing before the time, 2 Tim. 4:6-8 .(2.) The near approach of his kingdom in this world, v. 28. It was so near, that there were some attending him who should live to see it. As Simeon was assured that he should not see death till he had seen the Lord’s Christ come in the flesh; so some here are assured that they shall not taste death (death is a sensible thing, its terrors are seen, its bitterness is tasted) till they had seen the Lord’s Christ coming in his kingdom. At the end of time, he shall come in his Father’s glory; but now, in the fulness of time, he was to come in his own kingdom, his mediatorial kingdom. Some little specimen was given of his glory a few days after this, in his transfiguration ch. 17:1 ); then he tried his robes. But this points at Christ’s coming by the pouring out of his Spirit, the planting of the gospel church, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the taking away of the place and nation of the Jews, who were the most bitter enemies to Christianity. Here was the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Many then present lived to see it, particularly John, who lived till after the destruction of Jerusalem, and saw Christianity planted in the world. Let this encourage the followers of Christ to suffer for him, [1.] That their undertaking shall be succeeded; the apostles were employed in setting up Christ’s kingdom; let them know, for their comfort, that whatever opposition they meet with, yet they shall carry their point, shall see of the travail of their soul. Note, It is a great encouragement to suffering saints to be assured, not only of the safety, but of the advancement of Christ’s kingdom among men; not only notwithstanding their sufferings, but by their sufferings. A believing prospect of the success of the kingdom of grace, as well as of our share in the kingdom of glory, may carry us cheerfully through our sufferings. [2.] That their cause shall be pleaded; their deaths shall be revenged, and their persecutors reckoned with. [3.] That this shall be done shortly, in the present age. Note, The nearer the church’s deliverances are, the more cheerful should we be in our sufferings for Christ. Behold the Judge standeth before the door. It is spoken as a favour to those that should survive the present cloudy time, that they should see better days. Note, It is desirable to share with the church in her joys, Dan. 12:12 . Observe, Christ saith, Some shall live to see those glorious days, not all; some shall enter into the promised land, but others shall fall in the wilderness. He does not tell them who shall live to see this kingdom, lest if they had known, they should have put off the thoughts of dying, but some of them shall; Behold, the Lord is at hand. The Judge standeth before the door; be patient, therefore, brethren."

Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by this lesson.  Grant me a heart and mind to understand and embrace fully the mystery of the cross.

I wait for you O Lord

"They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint."  (Isaiah 40: 31)

I read an interesting commentary on the above scripture from the John Gills Exposition:

"But they that wait upon the Lord
As children on their parents, to do them honour, to obey their commands, and receive food and blessings from them; as servants on their masters, to know their pleasure, do their work, and have their wages; as clients on their patrons, to have advice of them, put their cause into their hands, and know how it goes; and as beggars at the door, who knock and wait, tell their case and wait, meet with repulses, yet keep their place, and continue waiting: such an act supposes a knowledge and reverence of God, confidence in him, attendance on him, not with the body only, in public and private, but with the soul also, and with some degree of constancy, and with patience and quietness: the Lord is to be waited upon for the manifestations of himself, who sometimes hides himself, but is to be waited for, since he has his set time to show himself again, and his presence is worth waiting for; also for the performance of his promises, which may be expected from his perfections, the nature of the promises, and their being in Christ; likewise for answers of prayer, and for the fresh discoveries of pardoning grace and mercy; and as Old Testament saints waited for the first coming of Christ, so New Testament saints for his second coming, and for eternal glory and happiness: and such "shall renew their strength"; which is to be understood of spiritual! strength in the heart, and of the graces of the Spirit there: it supposes strength received already, which natural men have not, but converted men have; and yet they want more, and more they shall have; to assist them in the performance of duty, to enable them to resist Satan and his temptations, and the corruptions of nature, and to cause them to endure afflictions and persecutions patiently, and to persevere unto the end."

Scripture says everywhere that it is good to wait for the Lord.  Lord, give me the grace to wait on you till the fullness of time.

I choose the Lord as my top Reward

"The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion of the holy land, and the LORD will again choose Jerusalem."  (Zechariah 2: 16)

The Lord chose  me as His portion.  I chose the Lord as my top Reward.

"The Lord has not acted thus for any other nation; to no other people has he shown his love so clearly." (Psalm 147: 20)

The  choice, the call and the anointing.

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
*Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance." (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

Abba Father!

Your promise cannot be repealed. They stand forever.

"The grass withers, the flower wilts, but the word of our God stands forever.”  (Isaiah 40: 8)

Your word O Lord stands forever.
Your promise stands forever and cannot be repealed.
Your plan stands forever come what may.
Your gifts and your call are irrevocable. (Romans 11: 29)

Knowing all the above, my heart says to me, "trust in Him forever."

Lord, please see the faith of my prayer partners

"When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” ( Luke 5: 20)

When Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic man and the people that brought him to Jesus, he said,  “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

What is paralyzing you today?  Health, family problems, money, job, tools, food or your future?  It occurs to me that like the paralytic, we need faith partners to take us to Jesus.  While on this thought, I discerned that the Communion of the Saints offers us many powerful faith partners.  "I believe in the Communion of the Saints." This is part of the creed we recite every Sunday.

The Communion of the Saints is made of of the Church Triumphant.  These are the saints in Heaven.  The Church suffering are the holy ones in purgatory undergoing purification before they are admitted to heaven.  The Church on earth is the Church militant.  We are on pilgrimage, which involves continual warfare.  All the three groups of the Church are family.  There is an mutual and continuous interchange of goods between us.

In my prayer this morning on Luke 5: 20, I asked my faith partners, mostly the saints in heaven to carry my needs and prayers to Jesus.  Some of my patron saints in heaven are:  The Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, Saints Peter and Paul, St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, St. Augustine, St. Therese Lisieux, St. Martin de Porres and others.
After making this prayer, my hope, that is my confident expectation of an answer to my prayer was raised.  Why?  Because I know for certain that Jesus will see the faith of these people.

God will complete the Enterprise

"I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 1: 6)

Father, how it makes my heart joyful to believe from your word that the Enterprise you started will not fail.  Thank you Father.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit.  Help me to surrender completely to His total control of my life.  May I trust completely in your divine providence for me.    May the Enterprise glorify you, your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Amen!

Hope does not fail. (Romans 5: 5)

Mary is highly favored!

"And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  (Luke 1: 28)

Mary is preeminently favored by God.  She is in fact full of grace.  What does this tell us about God's plan for Mary?  Mary is endowed with such abundance of grace that it pleased God to give her a higher role in salvation history.  She is the Mother of the Son.  In the Communion of Saints, every saint can intercede and obtain favor for us.  But Mary is supremely powerful as an intercessor, as a mediator.  This is why Church tradition has called her the Mediatrix of all grace.  Every grace we receive from her Son Jesus passes through Mary to us.  How does the Church know this?  The Holy Spirit taught the Church this truth through the Magisterium of the Church.  Magisterium is the supreme teaching authority of the Church conferred on her by Christ, Himself.

The angel also greeted Mary as "The Lord is with you."  The Lord is with all Christians in the state of grace.  But as St. Augustine teaches, the Lord is with Mary more than He is with me or you.  If you are closer to the President of the United States than I am, if I need a special favor from the President, it makes sense to come to you to speak for me.

Mary is a powerful, faithful and merciful intercessor.  The honor done to her is not for her but for her children.  Us!

I wait for you O Lord!

"Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!"  (Psalm 27: 14)

Wait! - 122108
I wait for the Lord with confident expectation.  I wait in the full awareness that hope never fails.  I wait for you O Lord.  I am bold in my expectation.

Keep me O Lord in constant and perfect peace

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  (Isaiah 26: 3 - NIV)

I like the expanded Amplified Bible version of the same scripture:
"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You."

I extracted the delightful commentary of Matthew Henry on Isaiah 26: 3:

" This is here the matter of a promise (v. 3): Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace, in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all events; this peace shall he be put into, and kept in the possession of, whose mind is stayed upon God, because it trusts in him. It is the character of every good man that he trusts in God, puts himself under his guidance and government, and depends upon him that it shall be greatly to his advantage to do so. Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them. When evil tidings are abroad those shall calmly expect the event, and not be disturbed by frightful apprehensions arising from them, whose hearts are fixed, trusting in the Lord, Ps. 112:7 . It is the matter of a precept (v. 4): "Let us make ourselves easy by trusting in the Lord for ever; since God has promised peace to those that stay themselves upon him, let us not lose the benefit of that promise, but repose an entire confidence in him. Trust in him for ever, at all times, when you have nothing else to trust to; trust in him for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever.’’ Whatever we trust to the world for, it will be but for a moment: all we expect from it is confined within the limits of time. But what we trust in God for will last as long as we shall last. For in the Lord Jehovah-Jah, Jehovah, in him who was, and is, and is to come, there is a rock of ages, a firm and lasting foundation for faith and hope to build upon; and the house built on that rock will stand in a storm. Those that trust in God shall not only find in him, but receive from him, everlasting strength, strength that will carry them to everlasting life, to that blessedness which is for ever; and therefore let them trust in him for ever, and never cast away nor change their confidence."

Goodness and mercy will pursue me

"Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days."  (Psalm 23: 6)

Thank you Lord for this sweet promise.  I claim it.  Now protect me from all evil so that I can enjoy your continual presence in your Church.

Christ Jesus is a just Judge

"From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance."  (2 Timothy 4: 8)

We are called to serve a just Judge, Christ Jesus.  Have no fear or doubt of your reward.  It is guaranteed.

May your face shine upon us and be gracious to us

"O God, restore us;
light up your face and we shall be saved."  (Psalm 80: 4)

"The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!" (Numbers 6: 25 - 26)

My God, in you I trust and you have not failed me

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul,
my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be disgraced;
do not let my enemies gloat over me.
No one is disgraced who waits for you,
but only those who are treacherous without cause."  (Psalm 25: 1 - 3)

I trust in you my God.  I shall not be put to shame.  I trust in you to pardon my sins and blot out my guilt.  I trust in you to provide me the peace and power that I need to live a victorious life day by day.  I rely on you to protect me every moment and every step of my life.  I rely on you to provide  all my needs.  One thing I ask for from you, O Lord.  This one thing I trust  you for:  to enjoy your constant presence all the days of my life.  You created me with a purpose.  I trust in you to lead and guide me to this purpose.

I believe in your word.  I have trusted you in the past and you have  vindicated me.  I will wait for you joyfully till the time of fulfillment comes.  Thank you Lord.

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching

"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work."  (2 Timothy 3: 16 - 17)

On Inspiration, Knapp writes:  "An extraordinary divine agency upon teachers while giving instruction, whether oral or written, by which they were taught how and what they should speak or write."

This is my experience.

The Holy Spirit is the source of all inspiration and power.

Faith comes from hearing

"Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ."  (Romans 10: 17)

Although faith is a pure gift of God, God has nevertheless provided that the only way we obtain this treasure is through the preached or written word of God.  This is the way we received our faith.  This is the manner we can share in the mission of Christ to spread the faith.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia!)  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

How do I participate today in the Great Commission?
Lector, Teaching, Blog, Twitter, Email, Texting, and Conversation, Promised Cards.  When I become aware that these are the ordinary providence to sow the seed of faith, I am motivated to do it better.

Blessed are those who have been invited to the Wedding of the Lamb

"Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These words are true; they come from God.”  (Revelation 19: 9)

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the Eucharistic Feast, the Mass. Those who are invited to attend are to consider themselves very happy, honored and indeed to be envied.  To "eat bread in the kingdom" is one of the greatest blessings in life.

How come it that so many miss this point?  In Isaiah 55: 1 -2, God issues invitation to grace  to all in these words:

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!
Why spend your money for what is not bread;
your wages for what does not satisfy?
Only listen to me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare."  (Isaiah 55: 1 - 2)

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the Eucharist where we eat Bread in the Kingdom.  The gift, which is free is  most precious and the Giver of the best Gift offers Himself as the Gift.  In the Eucharist, We sit in table with Christ our High Priest who gives Himself to us.

Firmly resolve on this in your mind

"Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute."  (Luke 21: 14 -15)

When you wake up in the morning and stand before God in prayer, there  are a number of truths that you must affirm strongly in your mind. Here are my favorites:

This is the day the Lord has made, I shall be glad and rejoice in it.
I shall serve the Lord today.
The Lord is my Good Shepherd, I shall lack nothing today.
No fears, worries or doubts today.

Resolve in your mind from the first moment of your day and let it be a rule never to be departed to trust in God's Providence every step and every moment of this day.

I found an interesting commentary on Luke 21: 14 - 15 in Matthew Henry Online Commentary:

" "God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you, in your trials; you are his advocates, and you shall be well furnished with instructions, v. 14, v. 15. Instead of setting your hearts on work to contrive an answer to informations, indictments, articles, accusations, and interrogatories, that will be exhibited against you in the ecclesiastical and civil courts, on the contrary, settle it in your hearts, impress it upon them, take pains with them to persuade them not to meditate before what you shall answer; do not depend upon your own wit and ingenuity, your own prudence and policy, and do not distrust or despair of the immediate and extraordinary aids of the divine grace. Think not to bring yourselves off in the cause of Christ as you would in a cause of your own, by your own parts and application, with the common assistance of divine Providence, but promise yourselves, for I promise you, the special assistance of divine grace: I will give you a mouth and wisdom.’’ This proves Christ to be God; for it is God’s prerogative to give wisdom, and he it is that made man’s mouth. Note, First, A mouth and wisdom together completely fit a man both for services and sufferings; wisdom to know what to say, and a mouth wherewith to say it as it should be said. It is a great happiness to have both matter and words wherewith to honour God and do good; to have in the mind a storehouse well furnished with things new and old, and a door of utterance by which to bring them forth. Secondly, Those that plead Christ’s cause may depend upon him to give them a mouth and wisdom, which way soever they are called to plead it, especially when they are brought before magistrates for his name’s sake. It is not said that he will send an angel from heaven to answer for them, though he could do this, but that he will give them a mouth and wisdom to enable them to answer for themselves, which puts a greater honour upon them, which requires them to use the gifts and graces Christ furnishes them with, and redounds the more to the glory of God, who stills the enemy and the avenger out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. Thirdly, When Christ gives to his witnesses a mouth and wisdom, they are enabled to say that both for him and themselves which all their adversaries are not able to gainsay or resist, so that they are silenced, and put to confusion. This was remarkably fulfilled presently after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples this mouth and wisdom, when the apostles were brought before the priest sand rulers, and answered them so as to make them ashamed, Acts. 4, , 5, and 6.[3.]"

You will face an ordeal for 10 days

"Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."  (Revelation 2: 10)

The test will be for a short duration but the reward will be eternal.

 "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing* of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1: 2 - 4)

Be joyful in trial and persevere till the last because you know that the expected end will be good.

You can never outdo God in generosity

"For those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”  (Luke 21: 4)

Was this widow acquainted with the story of the widow of Zarephath?  The widow of Zarephath gave to Prophet Elijah the last morsel of food in her home.  The Lord rewarded her for this and throughout the famine she and her son never lacked food.

Complete trust in God's providence is the key to joyous living.  As you trust Jesus, your generosity to Him grows.  You then learn from experience that you can never outdo God in generosity.

I came into the world, to testify to the truth

"For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”  (John 18: 27)

Jesus is the truth, the way and the life.  If He came to the world to testify to the truth, it means that He came to bear witness to Himself and His mission.  He is the Son of God, the King of Kings and the Savior of all mankind.

The disciple of Jesus must also bear witness to the same reality.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brother."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

My Lord trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war

"Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle,
my fingers for war."  (Psalm 144: 1)

My God is my teacher.  He trains in the art of spiritual warfare.   I must endeavor to be a very docile student.

But why does my Teacher teach me?

"You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.”
Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards.
Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?
They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees."  (Hebrews 12: 5 - 12)

"Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent."  (Revelation 3: 19)

By what method does my Teacher teach me?  Divine pedagogy is pervasive and could be stressful.  It is at the same time teaching and continuous testing.  The goal is for you to score 100% like Jesus Christ.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1: 2 - 4)

The lessons are many and hard.  The core of the curriculum includes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5: 3 - 10)

When does my Teacher?

Always and Everywhere.  Using all Circumstances.

"Grant O Lord, that I too may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving you and serving the Church, the Pope and all souls with joy and simplicity; lighting up the pathways of this earth with faith and love."  [St Josemaria Escriva]

"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10: 27)

"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me."  (John 10: 27)

Yes Lord, I listen to your voice in the Bible.  I listen to it in the Eucharist.  I hear it in my heart.  Yes, I will follow you wherever you go.  Help me Jesus.

Now that you know what makes for peace

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes."  (Luke 19: 42)

Lord Jesus, what is it that makes for peace?
The Beatitudes!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5: 3 - 10)

Lord, but this is a very tall order.  Who can do this?
Nobody.  But with my grace all becomes possible.  Saints are those who know that they cannot do anything on their own.  So they ask me.  Whenever anybody approaches my throne of grace with confidence and ask me, I answer.
Thank you Lord.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord

"“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and who is, and who is to come.”  (Revelation 4: 8)

God is supremely holy.  How do we glorify God's awesome holiness?

"Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy sanctuary;
give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.
Give praise for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his great majesty.
Give praise with blasts upon the horn,
praise him with harp and lyre.
Give praise with tambourines and dance,
praise him with strings and pipes.
Give praise with crashing cymbals,
praise him with sounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
give praise to the LORD
Hallelujah!"  (Psalm 150: 1 - 6)

I am glad that the Lord chastises me

"Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent."  (Revelations 3: 19)

I am glad that the Lord  chastises me so that I may be wise.  But Lord, chastise me not in your anger for I am a weak man.

"You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards.
Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?
They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it."  (Hebrews 12: 5 - 11)

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me

"Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”  (Luke 18: 38)

The blind man was willing to take the chance as Jesus passed, while Jesus was still within earshot to make his plea, "Have pity on me."  This very day, I am expecting Jesus to pass close to me.  Will I recognize Him?  Will I seize the opportunity to plead for His mercy?

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.  I believe you are whom you say you are.  I believe you can help me.  Thank you Jesus.

My inheritance is fair indeed

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
*Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

Thank you gracious God for choosing my allotted portion and my cup for me.  Like a child, I do not know what is best for me.  You know everything.  I trust you to choose the very best for me.  Thank you for measuring out very pleasant places for me.  My inheritance is very fair indeed.  Thank you Father.

"One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the LORD’s beauty,
to visit his temple."  (Psalm 27: 4)

I ask this one thing of the Lord.  The Lord has granted this desire of my heart.

"You set a table before me
in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me
all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for endless days."  (Psalm 23: 5 - 6)

O my friends, what can I say?  This is the Lord's doing.  I shall give thanks and praise Him.

Approach the throne of mercy with confidence

"Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?"  (Luke 18: 7)

This is great assurance that persevering prayer will be answered.  If the answer is No, God will take the desire from the heart and replace it with something better.

"“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  (Matthew 7: 7 - 8)

God is not man to lie.  He is always able and always willing to come to our help.  His promise to answer prayer was not made because God owes us anything.  God is perfect truth.  If He says it, it is the truth.  The word comes forth from the mouth of God.  It is for us to capture this word with a believing heart.

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 16)

The confident prayer at the throne of mercy will be answered.

Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it."  (Luke 17: 33)

This is one of the great paradoxes of the Gospel.  To live you must die.   To be first, you must be last.  To grow more, you must first grow less.  To learn the secrets of the Kingdom, you must be childlike.

What does all this mean?  Things are not exactly the way you see it.  In the world, we walk by sight.  In the Kingdom, we walk by faith.  A childlike disposition opens us to the possibilities of sacred world around us full of mysteries.

Jesus teaches in the scripture above that to preserve your life, you must be prepared to lose it.  You must be ready to exchange what you have for something greater and higher.  Saints and martyrs have done this.  When St. Francis of Assisi abandoned his wealth and lifestyle, he found Jesus, the Pearl of great price.  St. Ignatius Loyola left behind his world and made the same discovery as St. Francis.  Every generation, thousands of people instead of preserving their lives are losing it to find new life in Jesus Christ.  Those who hold tenaciously to the old life will lose it anyway.  It is guaranteed. (Luke 17: 33)

If you abide in me, you abide in my word

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing."  (John 15: 5)

If you abide in me, you abide in my word.  If you abide in my word, you abide in me.
Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of me.
If you reject my word, you reject me.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

We do well always and everywhere to give you thanks

"In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."  (1 Thessalonians 5: 18)

The will of God for us is to give thanks in all adverse and good circumstances in everything that concerns our welfare:  health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.

I like the AMP expansive translation on the above scripture:
"Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revelator and Mediator of that will].

The People of God learn habits of faith in the School of the Mass.  For example, the Mass Preface repeats constantly the lesson of Thanksgiving:
"Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks."

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4: 6 - 7)

When we mix thanksgiving in prayer, fear, worry and doubts disappear.

Everything happens for a good reason because God is always in charge:
" We know that all things work for good for those who love God,* who are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8: 28)

"Give thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father"  (Ephesians 5: 20)

Praise and thanksgiving are powerful means of connecting to God and disposing ourselves to receive God's abundant mercies.

We are unprofitable servants

"So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”  (Luke 17: 10)

God chooses; God calls and God anoints.  God Himself empowers us for the job.  When all is from God, what can we claim?  What can we glorify in?
Now that you know, all that you need to activate the anointing is to ask at the moment of need.  Ask in faith because you know that the grace  you need is already available waiting to be activated.  After having asked, start acting as if you have received what you need.  Do not look back.

"For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good."  (Titus 2: 11 - 14)

When grace is fully activated through prayer, faith and appropriation, it transforms life.

"Trust in the LORD and do good
that you may dwell in the land and live secure.
Find your delight in the LORD
who will give you your heart’s desire."

"The valiant one whose steps are guided by the LORD,
who will delight in his way,
May stumble, but he will never fall,
for the LORD holds his hand."  (Psalm 37: 3-4, 23-24)

Let your full trust be in the Lord and then do all the good you can.  Delight yourself in the Lord, He will fulfill the desires of your heart. You may stumble but will never be allowed to fall and remain on the ground.

"In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones"  (Ephesians 6:  16 -18)

Lord, increase our faith

"And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to [this] mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you."  (Luke 17: 5 - 6)

Faith is that awesome gift of God by which we believe that God is who He says He is and that all that He teaches us is true and He does what He promises to do. Awesome gift!

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust." (Luke 8:50, Mark 5: 36)
Faith vanquishes fear, worry and doubt.

With faith, we have access to God's promises of: pardon, peace, power, purpose, presence, protection and provision.
Without faith, we languish.

• Believe what you read.
• Teach what you believe.
• Practice what you teach.

The jar of flour shall not go empty

"For the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.”  (1 Kings 17: 14)

God's providence has met the Prophet Elijah in an unusual place and time.  The same divine providence has confounded the expectations of the Widow of Zarephath

Jesus invites us to trust God completely to provide all our needs.

"One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4: 4)

"Help us to become more aware of your loving design so that we may more willingly give our lives in service to all."  The Church prays on the 2nd Sunday of the Ordinary Time.

To abandon ourselves completely to God's providence in everything, we pray:

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Amen!"

You cannot serve God and money

"No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”  (Luke 16: 13)

What is mammon?  It could be any of the following:  health, family, money, job, tools, food, future.  God is the source of all these.  For most people, mammon means one thing - money.  In the Gospels, there is a contrast between dishonest, tainted wealth and genuine riches.   The Gospel invites us to seek genuine riches which cannot rust or be stolen by thieves.

"I say to the LORD,
you are my Lord,
you are my only good.

They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips."  (Psalm 16: 2, 4)

When we serve God alone and not mammon, we abandon ourselves completely to Divine Providence. We practice total detachment from anything that can ensnare our hearts to idols.

What are some of the blessings of financial peace?

1. We avoid pride that tainted wealth brings
2. We depend fully on God for all our provisions
3. We live one day at a time
4. We avoid temptations to gluttony and lust
5. We avoid wasting time window-shopping for what to buy
6. We avoid buying things we do not need

When we serve God and not money, we learn to recognize times and seasons as God's appointments.  We learn to adapt to times and seasons joyfully.

"I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me."  (Philippians 4: 12 - 13)

God is a proved Helper in trouble

"God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress."  (Psalm 46: 1)

Has God been for me a refuge and ever present help in distress?
To answer the question, I reviewed my life from the period I had the clearest memory (1970) to date (2012)  The answer is resoundingly YES.

God has always been my refuge and ever present help in all types of distress.  He is a well-proved help in trouble. Whether the distress involves family, health, finances, job, tools, food and future.  God is a very reliable Helper.  The amazing thing is that in over half of the period under review, God had always come to my help even when I was outside His law.  He love is not only constant but to very mysterious.

The Supreme Advantage of knowing Jesus

"[But] whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.
More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ"  (Philippians 3: 7 - 8)

But whatever gains I had....:Family, Health, Education, Finance, Property, Job, Food, Friends, I gave up because of the supreme advantage of knowing Christ.  Those forgotten gains gave false confidence.  Knowledge of Christ gave the one thing that is necessary.  The one thing that is necessary is the one thing I need:  the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit reveals to me the person of Jesus, the Healer, the Feeder.  Jesus is all that we need.

There is a tide in the affairs of men.  All times and seasons are divine appointments.  Jesus is passing by today.

God is the source of all inspiration and power

"For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work."  (Philippians 2: 13)

Abba Father, you are the source of all inspiration and power.  You give everything its place in the world and nobody can make it otherwise.  Fill me today with your inspiration.  Let my every work glorify you.  Amen!

The wedding feast of the Lamb is the Eucharistic celebration

"“Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 14: 15)

The dinner is the Church gathered in the Eucharist.

The Amplified Bible has this translation for the above scripture:
"(Happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!"

The Eucharistic bread is available for us every single day.  Most of us can dine in the Kingdom of God every day.  Some do this.  But how many feel truly fortunate and to be envied for the privilege of dining in the Kingdom?

"Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb. And he said to me, “These words are true; they come from God.”  (Revelations 19: 9)

The wedding feast of the Lamb is the Eucharistic celebration.  To accept the gift to dine in the Kingdom, the Eucharist, is to accept the ultimate sign of God's favor.

"This I know: God is on my side.
I praise the word of God,
I praise the word of the LORD.
In God I trust, I do not fear.
What can man do to me?"  (Psalm 56: 10 - 12)

The Eucharist is the sign of God's abiding love for us.

Jesus is our peace

"In you O Lord, I have found my peace!" 

O Prince of Peace, you are my peace.  Let me be enveloped completely by your peace.  You promise us the peace which the world cannot understand.  Let your peace cover my family, health, finances, job, tools, food and future.

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Jesus is able to save us always and everywhere

"Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them."  (Hebrews 7: 25)

Jesus is always able to save us.  His name is Jesus, Savior.  Jesus says what it is and it does what it says.

He is supremely able to save us always and everywhere  because He is alive and lives forever.  Unlike the frail high priest, king or president, Jesus does not contend with any weakness or death.  He is always fully alive and all-powerful.

When we approach the Father through His Son Jesus Christ, we are assured of hearing and salvation.

Jesus my Savior, I trust in you.

Embrace my yoke and you will find the peace you crave for

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves."  (Matthew 11: 29)

What is this yoke of Christ to which He invites us?

Below is the yoke of Christ.  It is also called the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  (Matthew 5: 3 - 12)

The beatitudes reflect the character of Jesus Christ. This is who He is.  This is how He lived.

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11: 30)

What makes the yoke easy and the burden light is grace.  The grace of God makes easy what is most difficult and revolting to nature.  It makes light what is most burdensome.  This is the secret of the saints.  Saints suffer imprisonment, persecution and even death because they have the grace of God to help them.  Without this grace, it is impossible for human nature to embrace these crosses.

Jesus Christ has promised us His grace if we embrace Him and His teaching.  With His grace on our side, all things become possible.  With our daily bread of this grace given at the beginning of each day, we are equipped to live fully for Christ in these areas of human struggle:  health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.  Lord, give me this day my daily bread of your grace.  Amen!

If the Lord is my Good Shepherd, then I have everything I need

"The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack."  (Psalm 23: 1)

If the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not lack food, clothing, shelter and rest.  In truth, I shall have everything I need.  What is my experience?  My good shepherd has provided all that I need beyond my wildest expectations.

My Good Shepherd says to me:  "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8:50)  He also says to me:  "But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)  It grieves my heart that although not a single word of His promises has failed me, I still fear, worry and doubt.

"Why are you downcast, my soul;
why do you groan within me?
Wait for God, for I shall again praise him,
my savior and my God."  (Psalm 42: 6)

We are children of God here and now

"See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."  (1 John 3: 1)

Thank you Father for this immense privilege.  
Our response to God's love is in direct proportion of our awareness of His love for us.  Since this is true Father, grant me the grace to be fully aware of your love for me.  Grant me also the courage to respond fully.

The Lord is trustworthy in all His promises

"The LORD is trustworthy in all his words,
and loving in all his works."  (Psalm 145: 13)

This one thing I know for certainty:  The Lord is trustworthy in all His promises.  Today, I celebrate 5857 days of the Lord's faithfulness in the Enterprise.  From 1/5857 day, the Lord manifested His faithfulness one day at a time. His performance has exceeded  expectations in every area.  The one big area which has not been resolved is a WAIT situation and not a NO situation.  Thank you Jesus!  I will trust you everyday.  I will surrender every new day to your loving providence my: health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.

"Today, as you see, I am going the way of all the earth. So now acknowledge with your whole heart and soul that not one of all the promises the LORD, your God, made concerning you has failed. Every one has come true for you; not one has failed."  (Joshua 23: 14)

Most fortunate are all who fear the Lord

"Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
and who walk in his ways.
What your hands provide you will enjoy;
you will be blessed and prosper."  (Psalm 128: 1 - 2)

There are two ways to fear the Lord:
You fear offending the Lord because of punishment.  You may also fear offending Him because He may withhold His blessings.
You may fear the Lord because you are keenly aware of His love and kindness towards you.  We call this reverential fear.

Both types of fear correspond to the human analogy of stick and carrot.
Fear the Lord, the Bible screams from every page.  It is not just good to fear the Lord.  Great blessings are attached to fearing the Lord.  The word of God declares you happy and very fortunate if you fear the Lord.  The Bible also teaches that it is not difficult to obey the commandments.  They are not burdensome especially when we consider that they come from a loving Father.

Let us fear the Lord.

Be kind and compassionate to one another

"[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ."  (Ephesians 4: 32)

Lord, you have been most kind, most compassionate to me.  You have not only forgiven all my sins but you have done much more:  You have wiped out the record of my sins and freed me from all guilt.  I acknowledge all this freely.  I do not consider myself an ungrateful man.  I want to do what you ask me to do as a show of my profound gratitude to you.  But if I fail, O Great God, it is not because of ingratitude.  It may be because of forgetfulness at the material time and my human weakness.  This is why I pray O Lord.  Grant me your grace at the time of need to remember what you have done for me and to act as you expect me to act.  Amen.

"But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift."  (Ephesians 4: 7)

Lord, let me see

"Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way."  (Mark 10: 51 52)

"What do you want me to do for you, Emmanuel?"
Lord, let me see my present circumstances as you see them.
Let me see my health, my family, my finances, my job, my tools, food and future as you see them.

"Grant me Lord the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Amen."

"But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift." (Ephesians 4: 7)

"But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift."  (Ephesians 4: 7)

This grace which is given to us by the generosity and abundance of Christ is given to build up His Body, the Church.  What are these graces?  The principal one is the Holy Spirit, the One and Only thing we truly need.  But then we are given different ministries in the Church.  Some of these ministries are:  evangelization, teaching, outreach to the poor and needy in our parishes, lector, art and environment, Holy Communion ministers.  Each ministry provides a unique opportunity to serve Jesus and build up the Church.

In order to use our gifts and fulfill our mission, Jesus provides us with other gifts:  prayer, word of God, Eucharist, Penance, spiritual books.

Thank you Jesus for all these gifts.  Help me to make the best use of your gifts in building up your Church.

The Father chooses to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to little children

"At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike."  (Matthew 11: 25)

The Father chooses to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to the childlike in spirit.  The saints are saints because they know the mysteries of the kingdom.  They understand something of the inner workings of the kingdom which the rest of us don't know.  This truth is exemplified in the life of the Little Flower, St Therese of Lisieux.  Although she died at the age of twenty-four, her spiritual autobiography is a classic.  Her complete trust and abandonment to God has a lot to teach the world.  St. Therese was declared a doctor of the Church because of the profundity of her spiritual insight and the simplicity with which she taught this lesson to the world.

Lord, give me a childlike mind and heart and fill me with the mysteries of the kingdom.

God is able to accomplish far more than we ask or imagine

"Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."  (Ephesians 3: 20 - 21)

God is able to give us far more than we ask or could imagine possible.  When I reflect on the Enterprise, I find that God's blessings have exceeded expectations in almost every area:  Casa, SFJ, STM, EDU.

The two areas where things have not worked out according to plan, I now fully accept and embrace as God's will for me.  Because I accept and embrace God's will in these two areas, I see and I appreciate God's wisdom.  "Let it be done to me according to your word."

"O God, grant me the serenity to to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Amen!"

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5 )

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Amen!

My destiny is in your hands

"Riches and glory are from you,
and you have dominion over all.
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give greatness and strength to all."  (1 Chronicles 29: 12)

O My God! What a joyful truth.  All riches and glory come from you.  You are the source of all inspiration and power.  You give everything its place and nobody can make it otherwise.  In your hands are all power and might and you share it with whomsoever you please.  What you start you finish, come what may.  All things serve you.

Dearest Father, why do I allow my heart to get troubled after considering the above truth?  Grant me your peace always and everywhere in all things.  Thank you Father.

"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  (Colossians 3: 15, 16)

"Incline your ear to me;
make haste to rescue me!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to save me.

For you are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.

My destiny is in your hands;
rescue me from my enemies,
from the hands of my pursuers."
(Psalm 31: 3-4, 16)

You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you

"But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."  (Luke 12: 20 - 21)

Lord, grant me a heart for your genuine riches.  Fill me with faith, patience, wisdom, humility, courage, peace and contentment.

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)

Lord, may you exercise absolute reign and authority in my life.  100%!   Help me to trust your providence completely and never doubt that you will always and everywhere provide all that I need.

"The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack."  (Psalm 23: 1)

Thank you Jesus for the roof over my head and the food on the table this day.

"Unless the LORD build the house,
they labor in vain who build.
Unless the LORD guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch."  (Psalm 127: 1)

I like this promise.  Build my house O Lord.  Watch over all my assets.

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

O My God, how you have blessed me today with so many good promises.  Help me to remember all of these in the course of this day.