Ask something of Me and I will give it to you.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8: 28)
All things serve your plans, O Great God and Father!

"I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered."  (Job 42: 2)

Our God is almighty.  Whatever He wills, He does, come what may.  Nothing can resist Him.
Father, I delight in the truth that all things serve you.  (Psalm 119: 91)
Nothing that concerns our purpose is too marvelous for God to do for us.  (Genesis 18: 14).

"I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth" (John 18: 37).

Jesus defined His purpose on earth as bearing testimony to the truth.

What is your purpose in life? Do you feel in your heart that you are destined, chosen, called and sealed with the Holy Spirit for this purpose?

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

"The Lord will accomplish his purpose for me." (Psalm 138: 8).

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."   (Ephesians 1: 17 - 18  NIV)

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Welcome Jesus to Martha's Vineyard!

"Jesus entered a village,
where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home."  (Cf Luke 10: 38 RM).

Today is the Memorial of St Martha, sister of Mary and one of the powerful women of the Bible.  After her is named Domus Sanctae Martha, or Casa Santa Martha, the Guest House in the Vatican where Pope Francis lives.

A week ago, the Church celebrated the feast of St Mary Magdalene. Let us consider the lives of two great women in the life of Jesus:  Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene.  She was possibly a high class prostitute with considerable income.  She belonged to a group of women who traveled with Jesus and His apostles and provided financial support. (Luke 8: 2 - 3).
Mary Magdalene is distinguished in Christian history for being the first person to see Jesus after the Resurrection and the person sent by Jesus to take the message to the Apostles.

Martha on the other hand is renowned for her hospitality.  Whenever Jesus wanted to have a good meal with some wine and relax with friends, He headed to Casa Martha.  Martha's Vineyard was always a welcome home for Jesus and His Apostles.

"Almighty ever-living God,
whose Son was pleased to be welcomed in Saint Martha’s house as a guest, grant, we pray, that through her intercession,
serving Christ faithfully in our brothers and sisters, we may merit to be received by you in the halls of heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect on the feast of St Martha).

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The Commandments of the Lord are true, all of them just.

"In those days:
God delivered all these commandments:"  (Exodus 20: 1 RM).

We shall deal today with the 2nd Commandment:

"You shall not invoke the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. For the Lord will not leave unpunished anyone who invokes his name in vain."  (Exodus 20: 7).

A quiet examination of conscience:
Have I used God’s name in vain:  lightly or carelessly?  Have I been angry with God?  Have I wished evil upon another person?  Have I insulted a sacred person or abused a sacred object?  Did I curse or swear? Have I used foul language or jokes?

"The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple."  (Psalm 19: 8).

"Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance."  (Cf Luke 8: 15).

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When you use your talent, you will have more talent and grow rich.

"To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away."  (Matthew 13: 12).

Jesus is speaking here of genuine riches and not what the Bible describes as filthy lucre or dishonest wealth.  (Titus 1: 11;  1 Timothy 3: 3).

Examples of spiritual riches are faith, hope and charity.  Others are:  patience, wisdom, humility, courage, peace and contentment. When you exercise your gifts, they grow and you will become rich in what matters. When you fail to use your talent, they diminish and atrophy and then die.

Gracious Lord, grant us the grace to be grateful for the gifts You have given us and help us to use them in Your service. Amen.

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Do not grumble against God.

"And the whole community of Israelites began complaining about Moses and Aaron in the desert…." (Exodus 16: 2).

The Journey of Faith is a journey through the desert. This is by the intentional purpose of gracious will of God. Things may get rough and tough on the way. A good principle is never to complain, criticize or condemn. Instead,  take whatever problem to Jesus in prayer. Have I always lived up to this principle? I wish I could answer in the affirmative. But alas, my record here is abysmal. I am not discouraged. I keep working to eliminate complaining, criticizing and condemning from my character.

"O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come to you. Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily." (Psalm 102: 2-3)

Father Almighty, do not allow us to tempt You in our hearts by demanding the food [things] we crave. When we call, answer us speedily.

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The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

"And the whole community of Israelites began complaining about Moses and Aaron in the desert…." (Exodus 16: 2).

The Journey of Faith is a journey through the desert. Things may get rough and tough on the way. My principle is never to complain, criticize or condemn. Instead, I take whatever problem to Jesus in prayer. Have I always lived up to this declaration? I wish I could answer in the affirmative. But alas, my record here is abysmal. I am not discouraged. I keep working to eliminate complaining, criticizing and condemning from my character.

"O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come to you. Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily." (Psalm 102: 2-3)

Father Almighty, do not allow us to tempt You in our hearts by demanding the food we crave. When we call, answer us speedily.

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My grace is sufficient for you.

"But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves."  (2 Corinthians 4 : 7 AMP).

"We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us."  (2 Corinthians 4: 7 CEV).

We see here the interplay between human weakness and divine power. The more our weakness, the more God can pour His power into us.
Where do you store [hide] your treasure? Bank, bunker?  God hides His treasure in you and me!

"My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.”  (2 Corinthians 12: 9 GNT).

Today is the feast of St James the Apostle.  Happy feast day to all my friends called James, Jim and Jimmy.

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Be calm and watch what the LORD will do for you today.

"Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.” (Exodus 14: 13-14 AMP).

"Cast your care upon the LORD,
who will give you support.
He will never allow
the righteous to stumble."  (Psalm 55: 22).

Since the LORD Himself initiated this Journey, why not cast your cares on Him and watch what He will do for you.  Be calm. Let the LORD be the Actor. You be the spectator.

"Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices."  (St Teresa of Avila).

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.  Trust Him.

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