To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord.

"It will lead to your giving testimony."   (Luke 21:  13 NABRE)

Have you ever seen adversity as opportunity in disguise?  Jesus says that when you are arrested for being a Christian,  it will open a door to your bearing witness.

"I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord,
and have appointed you to go and bear fruit,  fruit that will last, alleluia." (John 15: 16, 19 RM)

"I will be a witness to You in the world O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, Alleluia! " (Psalm 18:50;  22 :23 RM)

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I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

"Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers, especially for strangers."  (3 John 5 NABRE)

The Church in America exhorts the faithful to support strangers, that is, immigrants in our midst.  It reminds all of us that we are all children of immigrants.  Our forebears came to America either as economic refugees or fleeing from religious persecution.  As you were welcomed, welcome others.

If you are kind to the "strangers"  among us, they will testify to your love before God.  (3 John 6)  "Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey."  (3 John 6)

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me."  (Matthew 25 : 35)
Consider some famous immigrants in history:  Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

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May our life be always directed by Your Holy Spirit whether in tribulation or in prosperity.

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

What can be the signs that you may be working over time to preserve your life?  Do you have excessive concern for your health, job and money?  Do you postpone the things of God till tomorrow or later?

Watch out.  You may be working too hard to preserve a life that is ebbing every second.  

May neither death nor life separate us from the love of Christ.

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Where to look for King Jesus.

"The Kingdom of God is among you."   (Luke 17: 21 NABRE)

In truth, the Kingdom of God is already here and now.  In the fullness of time, the Kingdom of God will be manifested in its fullest glory.  How is the Kingdom of God here and now?  Where is it?  Jesus Christ is the King.  Wherever He is, there is His reign.  He reigns already in every heart, mind and soul that welcomes Him.

How do you know if King Jesus is the Lord of your heart, mind and soul?  Peace, joy, contentment, etc are a few of the signs of His presence.   All these will transcend material circumstances and will surpass all understanding.  (Philippians 4: 7)

When you seek first King Jesus and His manner of doing right, He promises to provide all your needs.  (Matthew 6 : 33)

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The River of God flows through the Sanctuary of the living God.

"Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them."  (Ezekiel 47: 12 NIV)

Ezekiel describes a vision of the future Church of God in Chapter 47. What in fact is the Church? 
The Church is the People of God.
The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Church is the Body of Christ.
The Church is the Bride of Christ.

We can now understand why Christ says that the gate of hell shall never prevail against the Church.  (Matthew 16: 17 - 19l

What is the life principle of the Church?  Ezekiel describes it as the water from the Sanctuary which flow from it.  This water is the Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit is the life principle of the Church.  In the Creed, He is called the Lord and Giver of life.

Come O Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Your faithful.  Come and kindle in us the fire of Your love.

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Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and fed in security.

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  (Psalm 37: 4)

How does a child take delight in her mother?  When I was a kid, I enjoyed visiting my mother's shop on my way from school.  I was rewarded with cookies and peanuts which I still enjoy to this day.   I dashed in and out of the kitchen to the displeasure of my sisters when my mom prepared meals.  Reward: little pieces of meat and fish.

It is good to take delight in the LORD.  The rewards are higher and varied: peace, faith, understanding and presence.

King David took delight in the LORD through prayer, worship, psalms and songs.  He meditated often on the word of God.  The Lord called David "a man after my heart" (1 Samuel 13: 14) and forgave David his sins.

"The Lord makes firm the steps
 of the one who delights in him;
 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."  (Psalm 37: 23 -  24)

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To be forgiven and to receive favors from God, you must learn to forgive.

"If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him."  (Luke 17: 3 AMP)

Brother here means also sister, father, mother, children, wife, neighbor, stranger.  Sin means all actions against the  Commandments, brotherly love, gossips, calumny, etc.  Forgiveness means letting go of a hurt completely, no revenge, no grudges, no shunning, etc.

There are two core messages in the entire Bible that affects our salvation and life after death:
#1. Repentance /Conversion
#2. Forgiveness

If they seem impossible, ask for grace and mercy.  All things are possible for God. (Mark 10: 27)

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