I will bless you with wisdom.

Solomon Asked for Wisdom and God was Pleased. 

"The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.

"God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”

"Solomon answered: “O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

"The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request.

"So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right—I do as you requested.

"I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.” (1 Kings 3: 5, 7 - 12).

Sunday July 30th 2023 in the 17th Week of Ordinary Time. 

Solomon chose Wisdom above every other thing. Wisdom is the gift that helps us to make good decisions. 

Where do you need to make good decisions in your life? 

1. Health 

2. Family 

3. Money 

4. Job 

5. Tools/Possessions 

6. Food 

7. Future 

Wisdom is the premium gift of the Holy Spirit. Of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Wisdom is listed the 1st. 

Here is what the Bible says about Wisdom:

"The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; whatever else you get, get understanding.

Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her;

She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you.” (Proverbs 4: 7 - 9).

By virtue of our Baptism, we received the Holy Spirit who is resident in us. We received as well in varied measure each of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

How do we grow in Wisdom and Discernment? 

• Prayer 

• Scriptures 

• Eucharist 

• Daily Examination of conscience 

• Reconciliation 

• Spiritual Reading 

Prayer is the Activator of Power. Power is the dominant attribute of the Holy Spirit. 

This maxim is blessing me everyday:

• Pray always. 

• Pray everywhere. 

• Pray about everything. 

Honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus on July 30th. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

The Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. 

"Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].

"When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home.

"Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 

"Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.”

"Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”

"Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.

"Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world." (John 11: 19 - 27).

Saturday 29th July 2023 of the 16th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

“This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  (John 11: 4)

Our adversity is always an opportunity for God to be glorified.  Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary was dead and the sisters sent word to Jesus about it.   Jesus said to Martha:  “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”   (John 11:  40).  And Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!”  (John 11: 43). And then commanded:  “Untie him and let him go.” (John 11: 44).

The faith of Martha in the Resurrection amazes me. “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” (John 11: 27).

The whole equation of our Christian religion hinges on faith. God called Abraham and made a great promise to him.

 He responded in obedience of faith. 

God announced the Incarnation to Mary. She too responded in obedience of faith. 

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is a list of Who is Who in the Bible. The common thing among all of the saints listed is Faith.

They all accomplished impossible things because of Faith.

If you do not have faith, you are simply not in the game. You have to do everything to get faith, to increase faith and to use and enjoy your faith. 

Are you bound and "tied hand and feet" by Unbelief?  If God can raise Lazarus from the grave after four days, He certainly can restore your marriage, health, finances, job, etc.

Faith is saying YES to God so that He will do what He promises to do.

"I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word.

More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the LORD."  (Psalm 30: 5 - 6)

How strong is your faith? What are you doing on daily basis to increase your faith?

 A few examples:

•  Daily Prayer.

•  Daily Word of God.

• Frequent Eucharist 

• Daily Examination of Conscience.

• Frequent Reconciliation 

Faithfulness to the above will launch you far in the lane of big faith.

July is the Month dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The seed sown on rich soil yields a bountiful harvest.

Understanding the Word of God is Key to bearing fruit. 

"Jesus said to his disciples:

“Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.

"The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.

"The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. 

"But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” 

(Matthew 13: 18 - 23).

Friday July 28th 2023 in the 16th Week of Ordinary Time. 

The Gospel today is again from the Parable of the Sower. This Parable is so important to understanding the critical condition for bearing fruit from the word of God. 

Understanding the Word you hear or read whether from homily, reading or podcast is key to the process of bearing fruit from the word in the mind and heart of the recipient. 

I gave a testimony on this platform last week how the word of God I read from a Gideon Bible in a hotel room brought me to conversion. Others have had such experience from watching televangelists on television. 

Some conditions for a fruitful encounter with the word are:

1. Come to the Word hungry. 

2. Come with a teachable attitude. 

3. Avoid all distractions. 

4. Hear the same Word many times. 

The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Truth Shall Make You Free.

Parables Open the Truth of the Kingdom of God to the Children of God. 

"The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?”

"He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.

"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.

"This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

"You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.

"Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

 (Matthew 13: 10 - 17).

Thursday July 27th in the 16th Week of Ordinary Time. 

How much do you understand and appreciate the life and message of Jesus Christ? 

To answer the above question truthfully, consider:

How much time do you devote to the following activities Daily, weekly or monthly:

1. Prayer 

2. Scriptures 

3. Eucharist 

4. Reconciliation 

5. Examination of Conscience 

6. Spiritual Reading 

7. Ministry/ Sharing your faith. 

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ every July. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the Grandparents of Jesus Christ.

The Feast of St Joachim and Anne, the Grandparents of Jesus Christ. 

"The children of Israel set out from Elim, and came into the desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt.

"Here in the desert the whole assembly of the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

"The children of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died at the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!”

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. On the sixth day, how­ever, when they prepare what they bring in, let it be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

"Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the whole congregation of the children of Israel: Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.” When Aaron announced this to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, they turned toward the desert, and lo, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud! 

"The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the grumbling of the children of Israel. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the Lord, am your God.”

"In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.

"On ­seeing it, the children of Israel asked one another, “What is this?” for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.” 

(Exodus16:1-5, 9-15).

Wednesday 26th July 2023 in the 16th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the Grandparents of Jesus Christ. 

This is what the Church says about Anne and Joachim:

"It was in the house of Joachim and Anne that the Virgin Mary received her training to be the Mother of God. Thus, devotion to Anne and Joachim is an extension of the affection Christians have always shown toward our Blessed Mother. We, too, owe a debt of gratitude to our parents for their help in our Christain formation." (Roman Missal).

"I came to you today as the little grandchild of Joachim and Anna. Tell Me that you are happy to have Me in this house, and invite Me to rule over your heart and in your life." (IN SINU JESU page 239). 

Our first Reading continues the drama of the slow and painful trek of the Israelites to the Promised Land. Like our Journey to Heaven, expect trials, delays, obstacles. 

The grumbling and impatience of the People angered God. 

Moses became a mediator and intercessor. He became a type and figure of Jesus Christ, our Mediator. 

Let us not lose patience in our life's journey to Eternal Life. We are guaranteed delays, obstacles, trials and demonic confrontations. 

Jesus says to us:

"DO NOT BE AFRAID. I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." 

We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St James the Apostle.

Feast of St James, Apostle.

"The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.

"He said to her, “What do you wish?”

"She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” 

"Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” 

"They said to him, “We can.”

"He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 

"When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers.

"But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.

"But it shall not be so among you. Rather, ­whoever ­wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.

"Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

 (Matthew 20: 20 - 28).

Tuesday July 25th 2023 of the 16th week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St James, Apostle.

James and John are sons of Zebedee, both fishermen. They left their nets and followed Jesus when He called them from their fishing occupation.

Peter, James and John belong to the inner circle of the group of Apostles.

James was known as the Elder or Greater to differentiate him from his fellow Apostle called James. 

James was one of the Apostles with Peter and John who witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus on the Mountain. 

 The Trio were in the Garden of Gethsemane for the terrible agony.

James was condemned to death under King Agrippa I and beheaded around 44 AD.

James is the patron saint of Spain, Philippines, Guatemala, etc. He is also the patron saint of pharmacists, tanners, others.

In the West of Spain is Santiago de Compostela, a worldwide pilgrimage site where St James is venerated.

In the today's Gospel, Salome, the Mother of James and John requested that Jesus makes James Prime Minister and John Foreign Minister in His Kingdom. Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” 

"They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 

Often we do not know what we ask  from God. But to the credit of James and John, they indicated that they were ready to die for Jesus. 

James was beheaded by King Aggrippa in 44 AD.

July is the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ Month.

“I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love.”  ( St Ignatius of Antioch).

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Sharbel Makhluf, Priest.

Feast of St Sharbel Makhluf, Priest. 

Do not be afraid. The Lord will fight for you. 

"When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants changed their minds about them.

"They exclaimed, “What have we done! Why, we have released Israel from our service!”

"So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers—six hundred first-class chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all.

"So obstinate had the Lord made Pharaoh that he pursued the children of Israel even while they were marching away in triumph. 

"The Egyptians, then, pursued them; Pharaoh’s whole army, his horses, chariots and charioteers, caught up with them as they lay encamped by the sea, at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

"Pharaoh was already near when the children of Israel looked up and saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of them. In great fright they cried out to the Lord. 

"And they complained to Moses, “Were there no burial places in Egypt that you had to bring us out here to die in the desert? Why did you do this to us? Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians’?

"Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians than to die in the desert.”

"But Moses ­answered the people, “Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.”

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the children of Israel may pass through it on dry land.

"But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.” (Exodus 14: 5 - 18).

Monday July 24th 2023 of the 16th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Sharbel Makhluf. (1828 - 1898). Lebanese Catholic priest, monk and hermit. Sharbel is known for his great devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament and his filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was a great miracle worker during his life and after his earthly life. Sharbel died a Hermit in the ardor of sanctity in 1898.

Our key Scripture for today from Exodus 14: 5 - 18 is one of the greatest Scriptures in the Bible. 

Many years ago before my 2nd Chance of returning to Christ Jesus, I read this passage one night from the Gideon Bible in a hotel room. 

"But Moses answered the people, “Do not fear! Stand your ground and see the victory the Lord will win for you today. For these Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14: 13 - 14). 

This word of God embedded in my mind and heart throughout the night. As a result, I witnessed a great miracle in my life. From the jaws of a certain defeat and great loss and humiliation, the Lord rescued me. This event is the grandfather of the SeekFirstcommunity.com ministry. 

July is the Month the Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com