Chosen and appointed to bear much fruit

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."  (John 15: 16)

You chose and appointed us to go and bear fruit that will last.  We shall bear witness to you in the world, O Lord.  We shall spread a knowledge of your name among our brothers.

As we labor faithfully in Christ's vineyard, whatever we ask the Father in the name of Jesus, the Father will hear and give to us.  What do we ask for?  We ask for the mother of all gifts - the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is all that we need.  He is the gift that contains every gift.

The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1831)

1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord

Christ chose and appointed us to go and bear abundant fruits.  What type of fruits?

What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1832)

1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-control
12. Chastity

Bearing these types of fruits result in abundant harvest of conversions to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ has absolute power to save us

"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 Christ has supreme power to save us from sin and all types of distress.  He is always able to save us from all types of problems arising from these human conditions:  family, health, finances, job, tools and care for the future.

When we approach Our Father who hears our prayers, through His Son, Jesus Christ Our Savior, we are assured of a successful and certain mediation on our behalf..  This  is because Jesus knows the mind of the Father with regard to our best interests. His intercession can never fail.

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable

"The LORD has sworn and will not waver:
“You are a priest forever in the manner of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110: 4)

What has the Lord said to me that I do not want Him to change?
"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."

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 29)

Enlighten our eyes to know the hope that belongs to your calling

"May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones,"  (Ephesians 1: 18)

The Holy Spirit reveals to us what God is doing in our life.  John Gill writes that those who had tasted the Spirit had begun to taste the life of the future world that God has prepared for His people.  The saints are saints because they had this experience.  The martyrs laid down their lives for Christ because they were convinced that they were exchanging their lives for something much better.

The 7-Way Plan to Peace & Serenity

The 7-Way Plan to Peace & Serenity

"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.

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1	2	3	4
The 7-Way Plan	The 7-War Zones	The 7 Promises	The 7 Fruits
1.Prayer	Health	Pardon	Faith
2.WOG	Family	Peace	Patience
3.Eucharist	Money	Power	Wisdom
4.Penance	Job	Purpose	Humility
5.Examen	Tools	Presence	Courage
6.Ministry	Food	Protection	Peace
7.Spiritual Reading	Future	Provision	Contentment

"Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and the tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans.

Help us to embrace your will, give us the strength to follow your call, so that your truth may live in our hearts and reflect peace to those who believe in your love.  We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord."

There is time to fast and time to feast

"Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day."  (Mark 2: 19 - 20) 

The Holy Spirit is the free gift of God.  The gift is given to us not because we are holy but to make us holy.  Receive joyfully what has been given from the bounty of the Father.  You grieve the Holy Spirit when you constantly whine about your unworthiness, your lack of ideas, strength, money, etc.  Trust completely in the Holy Spirit and He will direct your path.  He will tell you the moment to fast. There is time for everything. A time to fast and a time to feast.

"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.

Do whatever He tells you

"His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”  (John 2:5)

Yes, Mother, I will do everything your Son tells me.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God,* who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28)

"Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and the tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans.
Help us to embrace your will, give us the strength to follow your call, so that your truth may live in our hearts and reflect peace to those who believe in your love.  We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord."

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."  (Romans 11: 29)