“Who do people say I am?”
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Who exactly is Jesus to you?
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"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 31 - 34 NIV)
Have you noticed that unbelievers worry a great deal?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Matthew 6: 19-21 NLT)
Do you know people who store treasures for themselves on earth? How did their lives end?
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do.... Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" (Matthew 6: 7-8 NLT)
Take delight in this truth: GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED AND WHEN YOU NEED IT.
"When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” (2 Kings 2: 9 RM)
The above word invites us to ask boldly and confidently for what we need. "Ask and you shall receive."
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (Matthew 5: 43-44 NLT)
Do you think it is impossible to love your enemy? Try this: Pray for your enemy every day for one year (365 days). I have done this and I guarantee that it works.
"Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow." (Matthew 5: 42 NABRE)
When you see a beggar at the street corner or any other location, what do you do? "He is lazy. He should get a job." Or, "He will use the money to buy booze." What does Jesus say?
"Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12: 13 NIV)
David was a man after God's heart. Why? Once he is convicted of sin, never offers excuses. When you sin, say to God immediately: "I have sinned. Have mercy on me." If your sin is very serious, pray Psalm 51 and then go for Reconciliation the very first opportunity.
"While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them [in approval and dedication] and sent them away [on their first journey]." (Acts 13: 2-3 AMP)
How do you know if the Holy Spirit has set you apart for a special ministry?
"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 29 NABRE)
"I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27: 13-14 NIV)
Waiting for the Lord to fulfill His promise is hard. The word of God that never fails advises us to be stouthearted and wait confidently. "Faith that is firm is also patient." (Isaiah 28: 16)
"The mouth of the just man utters wisdom, and his tongue tells forth what is right; the law of God is in his heart." (Psalm 37 (36): 30-31 RM)
How do you use your tongue, your power of speech? The Bible teaches that as the heart is filled, there goes the tongue.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
"Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever." (Ps 16:1b-2ab, 4, 5ab and 8, 11 RM)
"The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the LORD said to Elijah:
“Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you.” (1 Kings 17: 7-9 RM)
Have you found out God's Plan for your Provision?
"Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5: 7 NIV)
The ABC OF MERCY:
1. Ask for Mercy.
2. Be Merciful.
3. Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.
Have you passed through the Door of Mercy in this Year of Mercy? Less than 6 months remaining.
"As Jesus approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out — the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." (Luke 7: 12 NIV)
He said,“Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother."
"They were all filled with awe and praised God. “ A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” (Luke 7: 14 - 16 NLT)
"Beloved:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
" For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.
"But you, be self - possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 1, 2, 3-5 RM)
"God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
"While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly." (Romans 5: 5-6 AMP)
"But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8 AMP)
We honor the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus today. A Solemn Feast.
"This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is."
"Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them." (2 Timothy 2: 11-14 NLT)
"It is you who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom." (Luke 22: 28-30 NABRE)
Are you discouraged of living as a Christian?
"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1: 6-7 RM)
"Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God." (2 Timothy 1: 8 RM)
"I was appointed preacher and Apostle and teacher.
On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed
and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day." (2 Timothy 1: 12 RM)
"You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. (Luke 45-49 NLT)
