“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11: 9 - 10 NLT)
Prayer Never Fails! God answers thus: Receive. Wait. I have something better for you.
Abba Father knows exactly what you need and when you need it.
"Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Reform your ways and your deeds so that I may dwell with you in this place." (Jeremiah 7: 3 NABRE)
Jesus teaches us to live in the habit of continuous repentance. (Matthew 4: 17) His Mercy is limitless.
"Do you think you can steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, sacrifice to Baal, follow other gods that you do not know. and then come and stand in my presence in this house, which bears my name?" Jeremiah 7: 9 NABRE)
"The Lord said to Mary Magdalene: 'Go to my brothers and tell them: 1 am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." (John 20: 17 RM)
"Whom shall I send?" Send me. (Isaiah 6: 8)
Will you go if Jesus sends you to announce the great joy of the Resurrection?
"To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them." (Matthew 13: 12 NLT)
How hungry are you for the word of God? Come to the table of the word of God starving and you will be filled.
The seed planted in rich soil will yield abundant harvest. (Matthew 13: 8)
“Before I shaped you in the womb,
I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations —
that’s what I had in mind for you.” (Jeremiah 1: 5 MSG)
God has set you apart for a particular mission. What are your excuses? Too old? Too young? Too busy? No money? No education?
God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called. (Romans 8: 30)
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3: 20 NKJV)
Do not be afraid to open your door to Jesus.
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95: 8 RM)
"No, he has told you what he wants, and this is all it is: to be fair, just, merciful, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6: 8 TLB)
What does the Lord require of us today?
THE ABC OF MERCY:
1. Ask Jesus for Mercy
2. Be Merciful
3. Completely trust Jesus for Mercy
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95: 8 RM)
"Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance." (Cf Luke 8: 15 RM)
Fruitfulness in the kingdom comes through perseverance. How do we persevere in living the Christian life? One single day at a time. At the beginning of the day, ask for the grace to be faithful. Give thanks at the end of the day. Repeat the same the next day. Forget the past. Entrust the future into the loving hands of God.
"But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to put him to death.
"When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place." (Matthew 12: 14 - 15 NABRE)
How do you deal with conflict? Even Jesus can walk away from conflict. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to handle conflict.
"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.
I will heal you." (Isaiah 38: 5 RM)
"Those live whom the LORD protects; yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and life." (Isaiah 38: 16 RM)
The Lord gives both life and health. Jesus still heals today. Ask for healing with expectant faith.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30 NKJV)
What is your yoke/burden today? Why does Jesus say that your yoke is easy and your burden light?
Because the yoke and burden He has designed for you are tailor-made to fit you precisely.
"At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." (Matthew 11:25 NABRE)
How do you see yourself before God? Wise and learned or childlike?
St Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church is one of the childlike whom God revealed tons of wisdom. Example:
"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)
"You don’t believe me? If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say.” (Isaiah 7: 9 TLB)
If your faith is firm, no upheaval in your family, health, finances, job will shake you.
Faith is taking seriously the promises of God. Faith is a firm conviction that the promises of God will be fulfilled come what may.
Think of Abraham, Elijah, Mary, Peter and Paul.
"If you love your father and mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will save it. (Matthew 10: 37 - 39 TLB)
Tough prescriptions from Jesus. Believe. Do not argue. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to live out these truths.
"But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me." (Psalm 69: 13, 16 NIV
"The humble shall see their God at work for them. No wonder they will be so glad! All who seek for God shall live in joy. For Jehovah hears the cries of his needy ones and does not look the other way." (Psalm 69: 32-33 TLB)
Wait for the Lord with courage. Do not despair.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6: 9 NIV)
I will bear witness to You in the world O Jesus. I will spread the knowledge of Your name among my brothers and sisters.
"When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking — it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10: 19-20 NLT)
The Holy Spirit is the Helper who is always present to aid us. Be aware of this. He is the Voice that speaks in court.
"Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me." (Psalm 51: 11)
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28 NLT)
Come to Jesus in prayer. He is waiting for you. Come to Him in His word. He is the word. He is in the word. Come to Him in the Eucharist, which is the source, center and summit of our life. Come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His inexhaustible Mercy is waiting to embrace you. Murmur His sweet and powerful Name always. It is terror to demons.
"Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness." (Matthew 10: 1 NLT)
Lord we believe. Increase our faith that in Your Name, even in 2016 we can still drive out demons and cure every disease and illness.
"The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my approval.
By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction." (Hosea 8: 4 NLT)
In the year of election, Hosea is warning the nation about electing president without consulting the Lord. Hitler was elected.
