"Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory." (Mark 5: 9 - 10 NABRE)
“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed." (Mark 5: 19 - 20 NABRE)
"The word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." (Jeremiah 1: 4-5 NABRE)
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water—a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7 - 8 TLB)
“As theLord lives, the man who has done this deserves death!" (2 Samuel 12: 5 NABRE)
"Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7 NABRE)
"Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12: 13 NABRE)
"Nathan answered David: “For his part, theLord has removed your sin. You shall not die." (2 Samuel 12 :13 NABRE)
"A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your Holy Spirit." (Psalm 51: 12 - 13 NABRE)
What do you think of small beginnings?
"The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” (Mark 4: 31-32 NABRE)
"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 NABRE)
"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-all, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."
(Matthew 11:25-26 MSG)
"The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip." (Psalm 37:30-31 NIV)
“And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight."
(2 Samuel 7:25-26 NIV)
"The Lord swore an oath to David in truth, he will never turn back from it:
“Your own offspring I will set upon your throne." (Psalm 132: 11 NABRE)
Happy Feast Day St Thomas Aquinas.
The Seed is the word of God, Christ is the Sower ; all who come to him will live forever.
“You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom — you know how it works. But to those who can’t see it yet, everything comes in stories, creating readiness, nudging them toward receptive insight." (Mark 4: 11 MSG)
From mysteries to sacraments..
"Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain."
(Mark 4:7 NLT)
"The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced."
(Mark 4:18-19 NLT)
Use your gifts or lose them.
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you." (2 Timothy 1:6 NLT)
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well- balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
(2Tim 1:7 AMP)
"Ananias came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him! “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.
What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’"
(Acts 22:13-16 NLT)
"I chose you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord." (Cf John 15:16 RM)
"A narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us" according to (Luke 1:1 NKJV)
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”
(Luke 4:18-19 NLT)
"Jesus said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4: 21 NABRE)
"As Lydia listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!" (Acts 16:13 MSG)
Open our minds and hearts to listen to the words of Your Son.
"And we will never stop thanking God for this: that when we preached to you, you didn’t think of the words we spoke as being just our own, but you accepted what we said as the very Word of God—which, of course, it was—and it changed your lives when you believed it." (1 Thessalonians 2: 3 TLB)
"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." (1John 4:16 NLT)
"Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride." (1 Corinthians 13:4 BBE)
In God I trust, I shall not fear.
"But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me? They are always twisting what I say. All their thoughts are how to harm me." (Psalm 56: 3-5 TLB)
"My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side. I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" (Psalm 56: 9-11 NLT)
"The Lord who saved me from the claws and teeth of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine!”
Saul finally consented, “All right, go ahead,” he said, “and may the Lord be with you!” (1 Samuel 17:37 TLB)
" David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."
(1 Samuel 17:45 NLT)
"And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
(1 Samuel 17:47 NLT)
"So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword."
(1 Samuel 17:50 NLT)
I have found David my servant.
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)
"Arise, anoint him; this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward."
(1Sam 16:12-13 AMP)
Obedience Not Sacrifice!
"The Lord anointed you king of Israel and sent you on a mission." (1 Samuel 15: 17 - 18 NABRE)
"Why then have you disobeyed the Lord? You have pounced on the spoil, thus doing what was evil in the Lord’s sight.” Saul explained to Samuel: “I did indeed obey the Lord and fulfill the mission on which the Lord sent me." (1 Samuel 15: 19-20 NABRE)
"Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord in turn has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15: 23 NABRE)
The Best is yet to come. God's ways are not our ways!
“This is wonderful stuff!” he said. “You’re different from most. Usually a host uses the best wine first, and afterwards, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, then he brings out the less expensive brands. But you have kept the best for the last!” (John 2: 10 TLB)
"The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:3-5 NLT)
"You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst." (Cf Psalm 23: 5 RM)
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free. " (Luke 4:18 NLT)
" When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mark 2:17 NLT)
Jesus is our full security for health, family peace, money, job and all our needs.
"Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5 NLT)
“Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.”
(Mark 2:8-10 NLT)
“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
(Mark 2:11 NKJV)
Lord Jesus, as we adore and worship You, may we find favor with You.
"A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”
(Mark 1:40-41 NLT)
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16 NIV)
"I will bear a witness to You in the world O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers and sisters." (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23 RM)
What do you know about God and about how He works?
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The LORD puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he humbles, he also exalts.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“He raises the needy from the dust;
from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.”
(1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd RM)
Eternal life is knowing You the One True God and Jesus Christ Your Son.
15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
(Mark 1:15 NLT)
15 And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).
(Mark 1:15 AMP)
Kairos moment!
122108 - the time ⌚ of fulfillment will surely come.
What are other times of fulfillment in the Bible?
Birthday of Isaac
Premiership of Joseph in Egypt
Kingship of David
Birth of John the Baptist
Birth of Jesus
Crucifixion of Jesus
Resurrection of Jesus
Scriptures on waiting for the time of fulfillment:
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
(Is 43:19 NIV)
2 Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
(Habakkuk 2:2-3 NLT)
2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.
(Habakkuk 2:2-3 AMP)
And then God answered: “Write this.
Write what you see.
Write it out in big block letters
so that it can be read on the run.
This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what’s coming.
It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It’s on its way. It will come right on time. (Habakkuk 2: 2-3)
Habakkuk 2:2-3Living Bible (TLB)
2 And the Lord said to me, “Write my answer on a billboard,[a] large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others. 3 But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow,[b] do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!
Lord, baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.
"When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22 NKJV)
While they prayed...
14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
(Acts 1:14 NLT)
"On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
(Acts 2:1-4 NLT)
"O God, whose Only Begotten Son has appeared in our very flesh, grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformed through Him whom we recognize as outwardly like ourselves. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. "
“Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8 NLT)
"But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!" (Psalm 42 :11 TLB)
"I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”
"LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine."
(Psalm 16: 2, 5 NLT)
"When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22 NKJV)
"O God, whose Only Begotten Son has appeared in our very flesh, grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformed through Him whom we recognize as outwardly like ourselves. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. "
"And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us." (1John 5: 14 - 15 TLB)
Jesus knows what we need and when we need it. When you pray, bear this in mind. The key to effective prayer is to ask according to the will and plan of God for your life. Why waste time asking for what you will never receive? No mother gives a cup of poison to her young child when he asks for ice cream.
"Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God."
(1 John 5:4 MSG)
Faith is more precious than gold and silver.
"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."
(John 1:12 NLT)
"Beloved, we love God because He first loved us." (1John 4: 19 RM)
In what does God's love for us consist?
God is patient and long-suffering with us. He is kinder than a mother. He is not very demanding, nor is He irritable and touchy. He does not rejoice in our failures. He believes in us and always expects the best of us no matter what. He does not flaunts His mighty power. (Cf: 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7)
Love of God and love of neighbor are two sides of the the same coin.
"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"
(1John 4:20 NKJV)
"Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us."
(1John 4:11-12 NLT)
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self - seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)
"This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (1John 4:10 NLT)
"What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?" (Romans 8:31-32 AMP)
"My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world."
"Here's how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person—comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought!"
(1 John 4:1- 3 MSG)
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
(Matthew 2:2 NLT)
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
(Matthew 2:10-11 NKJV)
The three kings from the East recognized the divinity of Jesus in very humble surroundings. LORD help us to walk by faith and not by the evidence of our limited senses.
Believe and keep believing the original promise of Jesus that got you hooked to Him. For me, it is this: "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33 KJV)
"So keep on believing what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will always be in close fellowship with both God the Father and his Son." (1John 2: 24 TLB)
