"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."  (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
I celebrate the faithfulness of God.  I live everyday by this promise.  I see many instances of God's faithfulness in my life everyday.  Yet, sometimes I am anxious.  I am fearful.  I am doubting Thomas.  Why?  Why do I see and forget?  Why am I so slow of heart?  Why do I still doubt?

Lord Jesus, you say:  "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8:50; Mark 5: 36)
Help me to trust in you today always and everywhere.  Amen!

Man does not live on money alone

"He said in reply, “It is written:
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4: 4)

"Man does not live on bread alone......."
Man does not live on money alone...
Man does not live on salary alone...
Man does not live on job alone...
Man does not live on health alone...
Man does not live on family alone...

There are many ways God supports His man.

"Man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God." 

Faith and only faith gives us God's promise of:

1. Pardon
2. Peace
3. Power
4. Purpose
5. Presence
6. Protection
7. Provision

What is your favorite form of physical exercise? Why?

“Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion, for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future.”  ( 1 Timothy 4: 7-8)

What is your favorite form of physical exercise? Why? ,,

Today, my favorite form of physical exercise is walking.  I thank God for my good legs.  I have enjoyed walking as long as I can remember but it has not always been my favorite exercise.  Some years ago, it was bicycling until I discovered that I missed something vital when I cycle.  I miss the joy of reflection.  You cannot do quality reflection during cycling.  You risk accident.  So, with walking, I kill two birds with one stone.  I exercise and I reflect. 

What do I reflect on during exercise?  Generally, what God is doing in my life.  I will be writing more on this.

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith." (Mark 5: 36)

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."
"On hearing this, Jesus answered him, “Do not be afraid; just have faith and she will be saved." (Luke 8:50)
"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith." (Mark 5: 36)

Statistics, expert information, poll numbers, clinical diagnosis, bank statements, etc are some of the "facts" and "numbers" that terrorize the heart and mind of man.  In Mark 5: 36. we are told that Jesus disregarded the message that the little girl is dead and said, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  And with this, He confirmed the biblical principle that faith kills fear.  So when you receive that terrible diagnosis from your doctor, you know what to do.  Take it to Jesus and lay it out before Him.

"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."  (Philippians 4: 4 - 7

You are no longer a temporary resident

"So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone."  (Ephesians 2: 19 - 20)

The Church is the household of God where all the members are full and fellow citizens.  We are citizens by choice and not by birth.  When we made the decision to be baptized or the decision was made for us by our parents, we become adopted children of God and members of God's household.  We become citizens of God's Kingdom.  As citizens, we have privileges and obligations.  Baptism makes us members of the Church and opens the door to full sacramental life.  The sacraments nourish the life of God in us and confirm and strengthen our citizenship.  As children, we love Our Father and obey His commandments.  We also love the Church and our fellow citizens in the Kingdom.

Thank you Father for the gift of your Son, Jesus.  Thank you for the Church.  Thank you for making us citizens of your Kingdom.

God indeed is my Rock of Refuge and my Stronghold. I shall not be put to shame.

"In you, LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me;
incline your ear to me;
make haste to rescue me!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to save me." (Psalm 31: 1-2)

God indeed is my Rock of Refuge and my Stronghold.  I shall not be put to shame.  I will trust Him because faithfulness is the essence of His name.

Last night I got one of the flashes of insight that I enjoy so much.  My three Mormon friends visited me and for a second Sunday, we had over an hour of discussion.  The foundation of Mormon doctrine and theology is the so-called apostasy committed by the Church after the death of the last apostle.  God waited till the mission of Prophet Joseph Smith in the early 1800 to renew His covenant with the world.  Elder Flowers saw a parallel with the Old Testament.  I was reflecting on this just before going to be at 11 pm last night when I was suddenly hit by the thought of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew.  I asked myself the question:  What is the central point of the Genealogy?  First to show that God is faithful to His promises and has the power to bring His design to fruition.  Secondly,   to demonstrate that sins and evil cannot derail the plan of God for the world.  There was just not one apostasy but many apostasies by the Chosen People in the Old Testament.   Inspite of this, God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ at the appointed time to save the world.

Just as God was faithful in the Old Testament, so is He in the New Testament and in the Church Age and ever shall be world without end.  Amen!

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust." (Luke 8: 50; Mark 5: 36)

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50; Mark 5: 36)

Jesus overheard what was said to Jairus about the death of his 12 year old daughter and said to him, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  I met people today who are terrified of end of life issues.  I said to them, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  I also added, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own perception.  In everything you do, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

The Christian has a silver bullet in his armor against fear: Faith!  Faith is generated by prayer and the word of God.  Faith destroys fear, worry and doubt.