Sacred memory and faith

Psalm 136:1
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

God's mercy is not a one time wonder!  What God has done once He can and will do again!
Remember God's blessings.

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God so loved the world

John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 19:33-34
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

St. Thomas More Church Sanctuary

"Family of Families"  - Check out the Church when you are in Houston Texas.

Isaiah 40:30-31

30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint."

Trust God forever as your Rock!

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The Second Coming

HIS SECOND COMING

  "It will go well with those servants whom the Master finds wide-awake on His return." —Luke 12:37  
We are often more out of touch with reality than in touch with it. For instance, many people "live in fear" (Lk 12:32) although the Lord has assured us 365 times in the Bible that we need not fear. Moreover, many people are so insecure that they think they will starve to death if they sell what they have and give alms (see Lk 12:33). They're not sure their heavenly Father will provide their "daily bread" (Mt 6:11). Furthermore, some people pretend they'll live forever. They try not to think about their deaths and the world's end. We all are inclined to get out of touch with reality.

The Lord has given us a very effective "reality check" to keep us from becoming "spaced out." The awareness that Jesus may come back at any time and bring everything to an end helps us be realistic. For instance, our fears about the things of this world fade into the background when we realize this world can pass away at any time. Also, when we are aware of the possible, imminent, and final return of Jesus, we don't hold onto our money as if it were a god. In the light of Jesus' coming, we realize that we better learn to trust our heavenly Father. We are even at peace with death because we realize the risen, glorified, and returning Christ has conquered death and taken away its sting (see 1 Cor 15:54-55). Because Jesus may return at any moment, we can live this moment and any others in touch with reality.

  Prayer: Maranatha! "Come, Lord Jesus" — today! (Rv 22:20) Promise: "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." —Heb 11:1 Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus! You welcome those who trust in You! All praise to You forever!   (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, , or our four-tape audio series starting with or two-tape video series starting with .)  
  Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013.

Planted by Water

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

The Way of the Cross

Matthew 16:24-25
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

"Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and all my will, all that I have and possess. You have given them to me; to you, O Lord, I restore them; all things are yours, dispose of them according to your will. Give me your love and your grace, for this is enough for me." (Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)

Built on solid rock

"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16: 18)

Matthew 16: 18 is the words of Jesus Christ.  It is also a prophecy.  It is one of the prophecies in the Gospels that proves the Gospel's authenticity.  Put briefly, Jesus Christ says that the Church can never fail come what may!  The question is:  Has the Church failed?  The answer is obvious.  St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is built over the tomb of St. Peter, the Apostle who was addressed in Matthew 16:18.  Pope Francis, the present Bishop of Rome is a successor of St. Peter in a long line of unbroken succession that numbers about 265 popes since St. Peter.

In the 2000 years history of the Church, the Church had faced many near death experiences.  For over 250 years, the Church lived through a period of relentless persecution by the Roman empire.  The Roman empire became defunct and extinct just like other empires in the West and in the East.

The devil, the arch enemy of the Church attacks the Church not only from the outside but also from the inside with schisms, scandals, heresies, fratricidal wars, etc.  The Church is still standing.  Many governments had risen and fallen and forgotten by history.  What makes the Church different?  The Church has no army, no police force, no large mineral resources or gold mines. The Church has faced dire financial crisis.  But the Church is standing.

The reason why the Church is still standing inspite very severe crisis in its history is the promise of Jesus:
"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16: 18)

No army, no financial crisis, no scandal, no apostasy can nullify the promise.  It is a promise built on solid and immovable rock and that rock is Jesus Christ.

Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time.
Enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.
Taking as He did, this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him forever.
(Reinhold Niebuhr)

Listen! Understand! Act!

Luke 9:35

“This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

Psalm 95:7, 8
'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

John 2:5
" His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you”

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How God provides His man

"He said in reply, “It is written:
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."  (Matthew 4: 4)

How does God support His man?
Not by bread alone.  Since God is not only God but Father, He is first and foremost a provider.  Unlike the human father, He has no limitations as to how, what, where and when of His provision.  He created the human person and therefore knows what he needs.

Man also does not live by money alone.  Money is only a means of exchange.  God can choose to provide directly what we need and bypass money altogether.  God's perennial and pervasive ability to provide whatever we need, when we need, the amount we need and where we need can only be poorly compared to a universal and unlimited credit card.  The main point of difference is that while the plastic card is an inanimate unthinking thing, God is pure thought Himself.  He knows exactly what we need, how much, when and where we need it.  And He is always able to satisfy all our needs big or small.  Read below how He taught this lesson:

"What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"  (Luke 11: 11 - 13)

God is not a wicked Father.  He knows what we need and would never give us a snake for a fish or a scorpion for an egg.

When He instructs us to pray, "Give us each day our daily bread" (Luke 11: 3), He is teaching us two lessons:  First, Prayer is the efficient cause of answer and secondly, He wants us to trust completely in Him for our provision.  One day at a time.  Because this is the most efficient means of supply and living.  If you do not wake up the next morning, you need a coffin and not bread.

Is all truly vanity?

"Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!"  (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

" 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)

What is happiness?

I like the answer below from the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1723:

1723 The beatitude we are promised confronts us with decisive moral choices. It invites us to purify our hearts of bad instincts and to seek the love of God above all else. It teaches us that true happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement - however beneficial it may be - such as science, technology, and art, or indeed in any creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love:

All bow down before wealth. Wealth is that to which the multitude of men pay an instinctive homage. They measure happiness by wealth; and by wealth they measure respectability. . . . It is a homage resulting from a profound faith . . . that with wealth he may do all things. Wealth is one idol of the day and notoriety is a second. . . . Notoriety, or the making of a noise in the world - it may be called "newspaper fame" - has come to be considered a great good in itself, and a ground of veneration.

Do you measure happiness by wealth?

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Vanity of vanities

Ecclesiastes 1:2
"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,vanity of vanities! All is vanity."

" 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)

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Let your face shine upon me

"May God be gracious to us and bless us;
may his face shine upon us.
So shall your way be known upon the earth,
your victory among all the nations."  (Psalm 67: 1 - 2)

Why did my heart latch onto this word as my scripture verse for today?  Because  this phrase   "His face shine upon us" catches my attention always and everywhere.  I noticed this phrase several years ago from the liturgy of the first of January, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  The word is contained in the first reading for the solemn Mass, the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:

"The LORD said to Moses:
Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!"  (Numbers 6: 22 - 26)

I appropriated the blessing then and had repeated it in my own words before I leave my home.

Again, I find the same phrase coming after my favorite Psalm 31:16 in Psalm 31: 17:

"My destiny is in your hands;
rescue me from my enemies,
from the hands of my pursuers.

Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your mercy."  (Psalm 31: 16 - 17)

We find it also in that great Psalm that extols the word of God, Psalm 119.

"Let your face shine upon your servant;
teach me your statutes."  (Psalm 119: 135)

With all the above, it is hardly surprising that I would jump on the phrase when I encountered it this morning.   I pray to Christ every time I leave my home thus, "Let your face shine upon me graciously and grant me abundant mercy, peace and prosperity.  Protect me from all evil and  anxiety.  Bless and protect Casa."  After this prayer, I always step out with confidence.

The Carpenter's Son

“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?"  (Matthew 13: 54)

Where do we get the wisdom and power to share the word of God?  We get the wisdom from the Holy Spirit.  He is the best Teacher.  He gives us words and vocabulary suited to our audience.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

"1845 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Christians are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord."

"When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."  (Matthew 7: 28 - 29) 

Jesus taught and performed mighty deeds in the power of the Holy Spirit.  With the Holy Spirit firmly in control of our ministry, our performance will always be in line with the measure of God's gifts to us.

EXACTLY

"Moses did exactly as the Lord had commanded him." (Exodus 40: 16) Why is my pain continuous? Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Diamond is forever

"When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."  (Matthew 13: 46)

Diamond is forever.
Jesus Christ is the pure DIAMOND.
I found the real Pearl and not counterfeit.
All that you need is the Holy Spirit.  He is the one thing that is necessary.

O Lord Jesus Christ, you are all that I have.  Do not allow me to have a buyer's remorse.

Lord come to my house

"As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him."  (Luke 10: 38)

Lord come to my house.

"“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me."  (Revelation 3: 20)

Lord, the door is always open for you.  Do not stand at the door.  No need to knock.  Come right in.

"The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed."  (Matthew 8: 8)

Your word O Lord is sufficient.  You exalted your name and your word above everything.  I rely on your word.  It is all that I have.  I have no Plan B.  I have no Alternative.  You are all that I have, O lord.

He answered me

"I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
in the presence of the angels to you I sing.
I bow low toward your holy temple;
I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness.
For you have exalted over all
your name and your promise.
On the day I cried out, you answered;
you strengthened my spirit."  (Psalm 138: 1 - 3)

A sacrifice of thanksgiving

"Offer praise as your sacrifice to God;
fulfill your vows to the Most High.
Then call on me on the day of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall honor me.” (Psalm 50: 14 - 15)

Enjoy every Sunday and you will be paid for it

"Remember the Sabbath day—keep it holy.
Six days you may labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God."  (Exodus 20: 8 - 9)

God gave His law to us for our benefit and not for His.  The law of God is perfect and trustworthy.

Sunday is the perfect illustration of the intention of God in the Ten Commandments.  If we enjoy  Sunday and honor it, God commits Himself to blessing us.  It is as if your boss says to you: "You can have every Friday in addition to Saturday and Sunday off. Enjoy yourself, have fun and you will be paid fully for the three days."  You would call him the best boss in the world.

 

Earthen vessel

"But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us."  (2 Corinthians 4: 7)

Earthen vessels, vessels of clay, weak morality, inconstancy, concupiscence, sinful nature; these are  synonyms for earthen vessel described  by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 4: 7.

How about "this treasure"?
Genuine riches, Holy Spirit, Faith, Christ in us the hope of glory, the Sacraments are some of the treasures of redemption.

I don't feel confident in securing this treasure in my fragile earthen vessel. I hand them over to the Blessed Virgin Mary to keep  safely for me.  Nothing in her safekeeping can be touched by the enemy of mankind.

The produced a hundredfold

"But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."  (Matthew 13: 8 - 9)

What makes the soil that produces much harvest rich or good?  The soil is not trodden under foot; it is not stony or full of thorns. The soil is well broken, tilled and manured.  Through the action of the Holy Spirit, it is disposed to receive the good seed.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

Who is my mother?

"For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12: 50)

I want to be the brother of Jesus today.  Only today?  I live one day at a time.  If I am alive tomorrow, I will ask for the same favor.

Lord Jesus, help me to do the will of your Father today.  Father, may your will be fully accomplished in my life today.

Double your time of prayer

“If you find that you are working so much that you don’t have enough time for your regular time of prayer, just double It!” St. John of the Cross  

The love of Christ controls us

"For the love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died.
He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."  (2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 15)

What a great day I would have today if the irresistible power of the love of Christ compels my every thought, word and deed.

"Perfect love drives out fear."  (1 John 4: 18)
O how happy I will be to grow in the awareness of Christ's perfect love for me this day.  St. Mary Magdalene whose feast we celebrate today is one who responded to the love of Christ with love.  She was the first to be at the tomb on Easter morning.  Christ rewarded her for her love by appearing to her first and then commissioning her to tell his apostles that He has risen from the dead.

O Jesus, you are the Evergreen Cypress Tree.  It is because of your irresistible love that you stay with us in the Blessed Sacrament.  Help us to respond with love for love.  Amen!

Mary has chosen the better part

Luke 10:41-42
41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

The One thing that is necessary = The HOLY SPIRIT!

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I am concerned about you

"I have observed you and what is being done to you in Egypt;
so I have decided to lead you up out of your affliction in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."  (Exodus 3: 16 - 17)

The Lord remembers His covenant.  Deliverance and salvation come from the Lord.

What does it take today to travel from Egypt to the land flowing with milk and honey?  The land flowing with milk and honey is the kingdom of God.  It is the Church, where the family of God lives and makes a home.  The milk and honey are the word of God and the Sacraments of the Church.  This land is the new creation where entrance is gained through Baptism.  The milk and honey nourish the life of God inside the citizens of the kingdom.  Everyone is welcomed in this kingdom.  But people may disqualify themselves through rejection of Jesus.

I will be with you

"But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
God answered: I will be with you; and this will be your sign that I have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will serve God at this mountain."  (Exodus 3: 11 - 12)

If God is with you, then it is accomplished.

"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10)

Awareness of the presence of God in you, with you and around you drives our fear, worry and doubt.  If this is true and it is, we must do everything to cultivate this awareness.  One of the ways to cultivate this constant awareness of the presence of God is Centering Prayer.

Below are two interesting comments on the promise of God to be with His elect in Exodus 3: 11 - 12:

"And he said, certainly I will be with theeTo encourage and strengthen him; to protect, defend, and preserve him, and to succeed and prosper him; to give him credit and respect with the people of Israel, and influence over Pharaoh to prevail upon him at length to let Israel go:"  Ex 3: 12 (John Gills Exposition)
" God answers this objection, v. 12. 1. He promises him his presence: Certainly I will be with thee, and that is enough. Note, Those that are weak in themselves may yet do wonders, being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might; and those that are most diffident of themselves may be most confident in God. God’s presence puts an honour upon the worthless, wisdom and strength into the weak and foolish, makes the greatest difficulties dwindle to nothing, and is enough to answer all objections."   Ex 3: 12 (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Turn to God in your need

"But here I am miserable and in pain;
let your saving help protect me, God,
That I may praise God’s name in song
and glorify it with thanksgiving.
That will please the LORD more than oxen,
more than bulls with horns and hooves:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, take heart!s
For the LORD hears the poor,
and does not spurn those in bondage."  (Psalm 69 29 -34)

Turn to God in your need and you will live.  My God, as I turn to you today in my need, I come to realize again that my most profound need is not more money, more health, more house, more food, more toys, more job, more family.  My greatest need is to trust in your presence in me and with me.  Let the constant awareness of your presence drive out fear, worry and doubt.  I want to trust strongly your word and your promises.  Fill my heart and my lips always with constant praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord my God.

"Offer praise as your sacrifice to God;
fulfill your vows to the Most High.
Then call on me on the day of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall honor me.”  (Psalm 50: 14 - 15)

"Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me;
I will let him whose way is steadfast
look upon the salvation of God.”  (Psalm 50: 23)

A cup of cold water

"And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”  (Matthew 10: 42)

Lord Jesus, as I go about my work knocking on doors, I have been offered "a cup of cold water" several times.  I knew the kindness is from you.  I have also experienced many of your "little ones" knocking on my door trying to evangelize me.  Most often than not, I have forgotten to offer a cup of cold water to your missionaries.  Your words this morning have convicted me. I promise that I will from today offer "a cup of cold water" to your missionaries who come to share your word with me.

"Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest under the tree.
Now that you have come to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” “Very well,” they replied, “do as you have said.”  (Genesis 18: 4 - 5)

With the above words, Abraham entertained angels.  God rewards hospitality.

Feeding on Jesus

"Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me."  (John 6: 57)

Dear Jesus, by your grace, I feed on you always.  Let me live because of you, according to your word.  You are the Evergreen Cypress Tree.  Because of you, I live.  Because of you, I come to your table constantly for nourishment.  Thank you Jesus.  I am what I am because of you.

Bearing insult for the name of Christ

"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."  (1 Peter 4: 14)

"Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
*Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  (Matthew 5:  11 - 12)

Habit & the 3rd law of motion

Habit acts as the 3rd law of motion! Grace breaks the force of habit.

Where is your Wolfland?

Matthew 10:16 16 
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

Jeremiah 1:5-8 5 
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me,“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak.8 Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you to deliver you,declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 1:17-19 17 
"But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

Where is your Wolfland? Your Wolfland is your primary Missionland. Where do you face the most challenge in your life? Family, Finances, Job, Health, Tools, Food and Future?

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You planned evil but God.....

"Come closer to me,” Joseph told his brothers. When they had done so, he said: “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
But now do not be distressed, and do not be angry with yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you."

The marvels of divine providence is beyond compare.  God sees His work from beginning to the end.  But man sees only the appearances.  Trust completely in God's providence.

"Divine providence consists of the dispositions by which God guides all his creatures with wisdom and love to their ultimate end."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #321)

"Then he called down a famine on the land,
destroyed the grain that sustained them.
He had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
They shackled his feet with chains;
collared his neck in iron,
Till his prediction came to pass,
and the word of the LORD proved him true."  (Psalm 105: 16 - 19)

"Christ invites us to filial trust in the providence of our heavenly Father (cf. Mt 6:26-34), and St. Peter the apostle repeats: "Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you" (I Pt 5:7; cf. Ps 55:23). (Catechism of the Catholic Church #322)

God is in full control

"The LORD foils the plan of nations,
frustrates the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever,
the designs of his heart through all generations"  (Psalm 33: 10 - 11)

Trust in God at all times.  His eternal purpose will always be accomplished come what may.

"But I trust in you, LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My destiny is in your hands;"  (Psalm 31: 15 - 16)

What a delightful thought that my destiny is in the hands of a God whose all powerful and loving providence directs everything.  I fell completely safe.

Please stop fighting

"The LORD will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14: 14)

What and where are you fighting today? Where do you need the Lord to fight for you?  Where do you need to surrender, to trust and obey?  Health, Family, Finances, Job, Tools and Property, Food and Future?

"I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." (Philippians 4: 13)

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Your faith has saved you

"She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured." (Matthew 9: 21 - 22)

In the Eucharist, we touch not just the cloak of Jesus, we touch Jesus substantially in His flesh, blood, soul and divinity.  This is the faith of the Church.  I believe it.  Why then are some not healed or transformed by this experience?  The answer is in Matthew 9: 22:  “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured." Faith!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Faith in #166 thus:

"166 Faith is a personal act - the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself. But faith is not an isolated act. No one can believe alone, just as no one can live alone. You have not given yourself faith as you have not given yourself life. The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others. Our love for Jesus and for our neighbor impels us to speak to others about our faith. Each believer is thus a link in the great chain of believers. I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by my faith I help support others in the faith."  (CCC #166)

Our woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus from someone whom she trusted.  She believed what she heard.  She then acted out her faith in seeking Jesus.  Her faith brought her healing.  Now that she is healed, her personal witness to what happened to her will spread faith in the name of Jesus.

Peace of Christ be with you

"And let the peace of Christ control your hearts; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  (Colossians 3: 15, 16)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid"  (John 14: 27)

In you O Lord, I have found my peace!

O Prince of Peace, you are my peace.  Let me be enveloped completely by your peace.  You promise us the peace which the world cannot understand.  Let your peace cover my family, health, finances, job, tools, food and future.  Amen

A tale of two voices

"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me."  (John 10: 27)

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16)

What return shall I make to the Lord for all that He has done for me?  This day, O Lord, I will listen to your voice.  I will trust you.  I will do whatever you tell me.  So help me God.

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  (Exodus 14: 14)

What does the Communion of Saints mean?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

"The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."⁴⁹⁵

Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.⁴⁹⁶I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth.^{497"  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #956)}

The Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The one Church is in constant fellowship with the Church triumphant, Church militant and Church suffering. 

   

Vigil Mass at St Albert Church

Marian Shrine at Holy Rosary Church Rosenberg

Shrine of Mary at Holy Rosary Church Rosenberg

Part of the Marian shrine at Holy Rosary Church Rosenberg, Texas

Inside Holy Rosary Church

Icon of Mary inside the Holy Rosary Church Houston Texas

Come to Jesus

Matthew 11:28
 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

How you come to Jesus today :

 *Eucharist
*WOG
*Blessed Sacrament
*Prayer

These things have been revealed to mere children. (Matthew 11:25)

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

My Destiny

"You are my place of refuge, you are all I really want in life." Psalm 142:5 "But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My destiny is in your hands;" (Psalm 31:15) Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Behold the Lamb of God

"Isaac spoke to his father Abraham. “Father!” he said. “Here I am,” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”
“My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the sheep for the burnt offering.” Then the two walked on together."  (Genesis 22: 7 - 8)

In the fullness of time, God made His perfect provision.  Jesus!!!

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.  Through your goodness, I have this delay, disappointment, illness, poverty, joblessness, suffering to offer.  Let it become for me a spiritual drink.  Blessed be God forever!

Believe and Grow

John 20:27 
"Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

Inspired by the words of Christ to Thomas, I choose to exercise my faith today.
 *I believe in prayer
 *I believe in the word of God
 *I believe in miracle
 *I believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
 *I believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
 *I believe in the divine providence

 I leave the rest to God

 Below is part commentary of John Gills Exposition on John 20:27

 "and be not faithless, but believing; in which words Christ dissuades him from unbelief, which is very evil in its own nature, and in its effects; it is the root of all evil; it unfits for duty, and renders the word unprofitable, and leads men off from Christ; and is the more aggravated in the people of God, by the instances, declarations, and promises of grace, and discoveries of love made unto them: and he also encourages him to believe. The exercise of the grace of faith is well pleasing to Christ; it gives glory to him, and makes for the soul's comfort; and a word from Christ, his power going along with it, will enable men to believe, as it did Thomas; which appears by what follows."

Storms are blessings in disguise

"Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.
They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us!* We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”  Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm."  (Matthew 8: 24 - 26)

Were are the storms in your life today? Family, Health, Finances, Job, Property orTools?  Or have you nothing to worry about but your future?

All storms are sanctioned by God's Providence; so they are blessings and more often than not blessings in disguise.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1: 2 - 4)

Storm times are exam times.  Where do you place your trust?  Who is the first person you call upon to help you?

"My foes treat me harshly all the day;
yes, many are my attackers.
O Most High,
when I am afraid,
in you I place my trust.
I praise the word of God;
I trust in God, I do not fear.
What can mere flesh do to me?"  (Psalm 56: 3 - 5)

The whole of sacred scripture teaches one lesson:  Love God with all your heart and put Him first in everything.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6: 33 -34)

When we put God and His interests first in our affairs, we experience a state that can be described as "No fear, No Worry, No Doubt."   Because Jesus Himself has promised that:
"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50, Mark 5: 36)

As we open our hearts and minds to the word of God with confident trust, we experience the power of faith to rule the furious storms that arise in our lives.

"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10)

Do you believe that the above word is true and applies to you?

Thank you for all your gifts

"Bless the LORD, my soul;
all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, my soul;
and do not forget all his gifts,
Who pardons all your sins,
and heals all your ills,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
and crowns you with mercy and compassion,
Who fills your days with good things,
so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."  (Psalm 103: 1 - 5)

Lord, today I will remember your gifts and thank and praise you for them.  I want to remember everyone of your precious gifts. I want to remember the big items and also the small gifts.  Your word asks me to remember all your gifts.

I thank you today for the Eucharist and Sanctuary service.  I thank you for the Rosarywalk when I looked up and saw the multicolored sky at the break of dawn. I thank you for the song of the birds and the couple of birds I saw early this morning.  The sky and the birds are testimony to your faithfulness according to the word of your Son, Jesus..

I thank you too for the nice breakfast; the coffee, toast and butter and cereal.  Thank you for my Samsung Galaxy that is becoming more and more my partner in ministry.  Thank you for my studio that opens to the Early Childhood School from where I enjoy pleasant view while I work.  Lord, there are just too many things to thank you and it is not yet even 10 am.  I will break for now and resume the thanks later on.

Christ set us free for freedom

Galatians 5:1 Christ Has Set Us Free "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

*Christ set us free from compulsive behavior
*He set us free from futile works of darkness
*Christ freed us from fear of illness 

*He set us free from fear of poverty *When Christ set us free from fear of death, He set us free from all fears. Because the fear of death is the Mother of all Fears!!

Why does Christ set us free?

 He set us free to know God, to love God, to serve God so that we shall be with Him forever!!!

Free to preach the Gospel

2 Timothy 4:17

"17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth."

"When we proclaim God's Word, we need not be chained by compulsive behavior, imprisoned by sin, or paralyzed by the fear of death (see Rv 11:11-12). The truth of God's Word sets us free (Jn 8:32). God's Word is the key to freedom. On this glorious feast, turn the key to unlock your chains, spring yourself from prison, and give yourself real freedom." (Presentation Ministries - June 29th 2013)

Yes I will do it

"And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately."  (Matthew 8: 2 - 3)

Lord Jesus, if you will, you can transform me.  You can fill me with the Holy Spirit and all His gifts.  I want you to do for me what you did for the leper.  Touch my head and say to me, "Yes, I will do it."  Now give me the faith to receive.  I ask for this in your Name Jesus.  Amen!!

"Come," says my heart, "seek his face;" Your face, Lord, do I seek."  (Psalm 27:8)

Source of blessings

"Unless the LORD build the house,

they labor in vain who build.
Unless the LORD guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch.
It is vain for you to rise early
and put off your rest at night,
To eat bread earned by hard toil—
all this God gives to his beloved in sleep."  (Psalm 127: 1 -2)

"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)

"to Egypt whose help is futile and vain.
Therefore I call her
“Rahab Sit-still.”  (Isaiah 30: 7)

"For thus said the Lord GOD,
the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved,
in quiet and in trust shall be your strength.
But this you did not will."  (Isaiah 30: 15)

"Otherwise, you might say in your heart, “It is my own power and the strength of my own hand that has got me this wealth.”
Remember then the LORD, your God, for he is the one who gives you the power to get wealth, by fulfilling, as he has now done, the covenant he swore to your ancestors."  (Deuteronomy 8: 17 - 18)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
on your own intelligence do not rely;
In all your ways be mindful of him,
and he will make straight your paths."  (Proverbs 3: 5 - 6)

"It is the LORD’s blessing that brings wealth,h
and no effort can substitute for it"  (Proverbs 10: 22)

"“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.
 If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6: 25 34)

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing."  (John 15: 5)

"Give us today our daily bread;"  (Matthew 6: 11)

Building on a foundation of rock

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock." (Matthew 7: 24 - 25)

"Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves." (James 1: 22)
Power comes from doing.

"He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11: 28)
Blessings come from obeying the word.

"I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them." (Luke 6: 47)
The man who listens to the word of Jesus and acts on them is like one who builds his home on a foundation of solid rock.  No rain, no storm, no hurricane or flood can destroy that house.

"For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified." (Romans 2: 13)
Emphasis again is on observing, acting and doing.

"Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous." (1 John 3: 7)

• Believe what you read.
• Teach what you believe.
• Practice what you teach.

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13: 17)
Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

Unless the Lord builds

Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the Lord Builds the House

127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house,those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city,the watchman stays awake in vain.2 It is in vain that you rise up earlyand go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil;for he gives to his beloved sleep."

Do good to every person

"“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7: 12)

Lord, grant me a merciful heart for every person I meet today.  Help me to bear witness to your word and wisdom by thinking of, speaking to and acting towards every person exactly the way I want them to do to me.

St. John the Baptist who is synonymous with bearing witness, pray for me.

He is the most effective witness

"A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him."  (John 1: 6 - 7)

St. John the Baptist bore a most befitting testimony to Jesus Christ.  He pointed out the Lamb of God to the world.  That is witness par excellence.  By his lifestyle and preaching, he called people to repentance.  This repentance prepare hearts and minds to receive the message of Jesus Christ.

How can we witness to Jesus Christ today?  The best practice in bearing witness is John the Baptist.  If we want to bear effective witness to Jesus Christ, we must do what John the Baptist did.  We must point people to Jesus.  By our lifestyle and word, we must invite people to conversion.

We teach people to use the word of God to deal with the daily challenges of health, family, finances, job, tools and property.   We use every opportunity to point people to the source of power, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  When we choose to be patient under the various challenges of daily living, people notice.  When we choose to be cheerful rather  than gloomy, we bear witness to a peace which the world cannot offer. Christ came to free us from the shackles of sins so that we can enjoy the freedom of the children of God.  Sin deprives us of the freedom to live the abundant life that Christ promises His disciples.

Let go and live

Luke 9:23-24

'Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."

"I let go of my desire for security." 
"I let go of my desire for affection ."
"I let go of my desire for control ."
"I let go of my desire to change the situation ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect health ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect family harmony ."
"I let go of my desire for the perfect job."

I let go and live!!

Take up your cross and follow me

"Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." (Luke 9: 23 - 24)

The Church teaches that the cross is the ladder to heaven. (CCC 618)  This is not an easy saying.  The cross comes to us through the ordinary pathways of life: Health, Family, Finances, Job, Tools/Property, Food and Future.  Each of these can be a blessing or a cross at anytime.  It is impossible to pick up one end of the stick without picking up the other.  The cross comes with the territory of life.

How do we pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus?  We read and accept the word of God on the inevitability of the cross in life.  Through prayer, we prepare for all the surprises of life.  When the cross appears, we use the tool of prayer to deal with the situation.  We ask God for help.

My grace is sufficient for you

"but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,* in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me."  (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

"The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man's extremity is God's opportunity; man's security is Satan's opportunity. God's way is not to take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up against it "  (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"

Where is your treasure?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."  (Matthew 6: 19 - 21)

We seek not tainted riches but pearl of the greatest value.

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)

We resolve to make the seeking of the pearl of the greatest value our top priority always and everywhere.  We understand that in doing so, we gain all riches at the same time.

"I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."  (Luke 6: 9)

Lord, never let our hearts be tempted by dishonest wealth.

What we sow and how we sow in the vineyard of the Lord

"Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work."  (2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 8)

Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
What do we sow and how do we sow in the vineyard of the Lord?

• We sow time (symbol is clock and watch)
• We sow talent (symbol is our key instrument of livelihood. For me, it is computer and smartphone)
• We sow treasure (symbol is savings, checking and credit accounts)
• We sow tools (symbol is property, cars, homes)

We sow the above in full realization that all that we have come from God.  We sow knowing also that we can never outdo God in generosity.  Our sowing is a product of prayer and forethought and not an accident or spontaneous reaction.  We sow joyfully knowing that God loves a cheerful giver. We sow the maximum realizing that minimum sowing produces minimum fruit.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

God is the Guardian of my rights

"Blessed the one whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God,
The maker of heaven and earth,
the seas and all that is in them,
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
who gives bread to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free;"  (Psalm 146: 5 - 7)

God secures justice for the oppressed.  He is the Guardian of my rights.  Therefore, no fear, no fury, no fight.

"LORD, guide me in your justice because of my foes;
make straight your way before me."  (Psalm 5: 9)

"The LORD does righteous deeds,
brings justice to all the oppressed."  (Psalm 103: 6)

Therefore I must trust the Lord when my rights are infringed upon.
Teach me O Lord to let go:

"I let go of my desire for security."
"I let go of my desire for affection ."
"I let go of my desire for control ."
"I let go of my desire to change the situation ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect health ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect family harmony ."
"I let go of my desire for the perfect job."

God does not delay in fulfilling His promises

"Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
“In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."  (2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 2)

There is a time for prayer, a time for waiting and a time for answer.

"I am bringing on that victory, it is not far off,
my salvation shall not tarry;
I will put salvation within Zion,
give to Israel my glory."  (Isaiah 46: 13)

God promises that His answer or salvation shall not be late.  Once the fullness of time arrives, God moves fast.

"The least one shall become a clan,
the smallest, a mighty nation;
I, the LORD, will swiftly accomplish
these things when the time comes."  (Isaiah 60: 22)

"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3: 9)

Why does the Lord appear to be slow in fulfilling His promises?  God is an excellent Father.  Delay in keeping His promises is to allow us maximum time for preparation to receive His gifts.

"Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision;
Make it plain upon tablets,
so that the one who reads it may run.
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time,
a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint.
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late."  (Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3)

Write down the promise of God and date it. Then save it in a place that you can easily retrieve it.  Wait for the fulfillment in prayer.  As you pray for its fulfillment, hope will be born in your heart and "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4: 7)

Then one day, you will taste the joy of fulfillment of this promise:
"I have left an open door before you, which no one can close."  (Revelation 3: 8)

Let go

"I let go of my desire for security."
"I let go of my desire for affection ."
"I let go of my desire for control ."
"I let go of my desire to change the situation ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect health ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect family harmony ."
"I let go of my desire for the perfect job."

The One Thing I ask for

"One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the LORD’s beauty,
to visit his temple."  (Psalm 27: 4)

The One thing you need:  The Holy Spirit.

"In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you."  (1 Kings 3: 5)

"So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—
I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you."  (1 Kings 3: 11-12)

"There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10: 42)

If I have the privilege to ask God of Only One Thing  here and now, what will that One Thing
be?

I will not hesitate.  I will ask for the Holy Spirit and all His gifts.  I will continue to wait on the Lord and ask for this until He grants me my heart's desire.

A New Creation in Christ

"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come."  (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

There are many words and concepts in the New Testament that can be verified to authenticate the claims of Christ and the Christ event.  2 Corinthians 5: 17 is one such scripture.

Any person who claims to have accepted Jesus as Lord must show evidence of being a new person.  New in thoughts and desires and therefore new in words and deeds.  The new desires, thoughts, words and deeds produce a new character.  The new character becomes evidence of a new destiny.  This metamorphosis is evident to everyone and the before the change and after the change can be verified.

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13: 17)
Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

Let your Holy Spirit fix me

"Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world,"  (Philippians 2: 14 - 15)

Your word O Lord is mirror of my soul.  I look at my soul in the light of your word above and I do not like what I see.  Lord, I do not know how to fix me.  I don't have the courage to fix me.  But I know your Holy Spirit is resident in me.  He inspires me to call God, Abba - my Father.  Lord, please ask your gentle comforting Spirit to fix me.  Help me to submit trustingly to His surgery.

"Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.  He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like."  (James 1: 22-24)

God calls to the ministry

"Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged."  (2 Corinthians 4:1)

The very fact that the call to ministry comes from the Father of mercies and God of all consolations is a tremendous cause for confidence.  Knowing too that the call is not based on any personal merit adds to the confidence.

The call to ministry comes out of God's merciful heart and also out of His mysterious providential plan.

"I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry."  (1 Timothy 1: 12)

Jesus calls.  Jesus gives the strength to serve.

"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10)

Jesus gives assurance of His presence.  It is His presence that drives out fears,worries and doubts.

"It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed."  (Deuteronomy 31: )

Again, God's presence in the Journey/Ministry is guaranteed.  Why fear? Why worry? Why doubt?

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. "  (1 Corinthians 15: 10)

Thank you Jesus.  Your grace to me will not be ineffective.

Don't Mess with the Ten Commandments

"Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 19)

Today, there is a grave temptation to redefine and reinterpret the Ten Commandments.  Jesus instructs us in Matthew 5: 19:  Do not mess with the Commandments.

Lord Jesus,save me from the temptation of diluting your word in order to make it acceptable.  May your Holy Spirit lead me to the fullness of truth and maintain me there.
 

Barnabas saw the grace of God in action

"When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,"  (Acts 11:23)

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, scripture reported that he "saw the grace of God."  What exactly did Barnabas see?  He saw the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit in action. The Church of Antioch was a Spirit-filled Church.  What are the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit?

"1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.

Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God . . . If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1831)

"1832 The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1832)

Members of a Spirit-filled Church manifest the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit as a way of life.  This is what Barnabas experienced when he arrived in Antioch.

Father of Mercies and God of all Comforts

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God."  (2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 4)

Our Father is the source of all mercies.  God our Father is Mercy Himself.
What do I do with all the mercies that the Father shows me everyday?
I thank God for His mercies.  I ask Him for a merciful heart so that I can show mercy to everybody I encounter this day.

The Lord Himself will build my house

"Unless the LORD build the house,
they labor in vain who build.
Unless the LORD guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch."  (Psalm 127: 1)

Lord, I trust in your word.  I thank you for this promise.  Yes, I look up to you to build my house.

"So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God."  (Acts 5 : 38 - 39)

This endeavor or this activity is not of human origin.  It is of God.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?"  (Psalm 27: 1)

Since the Lord is with me, I shall not fear.  His Presence drives out fear.  Thank you Jesus.

The Sign Language of God

"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."  (Luke 2: 19)

What Mary kept in her heart and pondered deeply are all the words she heard in the course of her pregnancy and birth of Jesus Christ: Angelic salutation, Joseph's dream, Elizabeth's greeting,  Simeon and Anna's words and the testimony of the shepherds.  Together these words were profound signs from God to Mary to strengthen her faith in her unique mission.

We too receive our own signs.  Sometimes, they are little signs and occasionally they are big signs.  It is a good idea to form the habit of noting all signs that we receive from God and to reflect on them frequently.  All the signs together form a critical mass that point to our destiny.

From Christ alone comes riches

"I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest—oracle of the Lord GOD.
The lost I will search out, the strays I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, and the sick I will heal; but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them in judgment."  (Ezekiel 34: 15 - 16)

From Christ alone comes my pasture, my rest, my healing and my strength.  No need to look elsewhere.

"The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me."  (Psalm 23: 1 - 4)

Do I believe all the above to be true?  ABSOLUTELY!!!

Loving God above all things

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”  (Mark 12: 30 - 31)

How can I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and with all my strength?

I know: "But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness,* and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)

When I put God first ahead of my health, family, finances, job, property and tools, food and future, I know that I love Him above all things.

Ignorance of Scripture

Mark 12:24
24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?

Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.  - St Jerome

Trust in the Presence of Jesus and do not fear

"He shall not fear an ill report;
his heart is steadfast, trusting the LORD.
His heart is tranquil, without fear,
till at last he looks down on his foes."  (Psalm 112: 7 - 8)

The man who is steadfast in trusting in the Lord with all his heart will not fear bad news from any quarters.  Whether the devil attacks him with ill tidings on family, health, finances, job, tools and property, food and future.  He will not be moved because his heart and mind are fixed on God for his security.

"God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken
and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
Though its waters rage and foam
and mountains totter at its surging."  (Psalm 46: 2 - 4)

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me."  (Psalm 23: 4)

"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10)

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4: 6 - 7)

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50; Mark 5: 36)

Trust in the Lord and refuse steadfastly any fears, worries or doubts.  What makes us fearless is the absolute certainty of the presence of Jesus with us.

The stone rejected by the builders

"Have you not read this scripture passage:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes’?”  (Mark 12: 10 - 11)

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  God is Master of surprises.  Sometimes He springs His surprises through reversals of position.  The first becomes the last; the last becomes the first.  Some other interesting reversals in the Bible are shown below:

"He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty."  Luke 1: 52 and 53)

"The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry no longer have to toil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes."  (1 Samuel 2: 5)

"He raises the needy from the dust;
from the ash heap lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.
“For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
and he has set the world upon them."  (1 Samuel 2: 8)

"He guards the footsteps of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall perish in the darkness;
for not by strength does one prevail."  (1 Samuel 2: 9)

O Lord my God, how happy I am because my destiny is completely in your hands.  I will trust you to make me whatever you like.

"My destiny is in your hands;"  (Psalm 31: 16)

This is My Body. This is My Blood.

"Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me."  (John 6: 57)

Thank you Jesus for the gift of your Body and Blood. Thank you for the undeserved and great privilege of feeding on you constantly.  Thank you too for the easy and constant access to your Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.  You are the Ever-green Cypress Tree.  Because of you, I enjoy these incredible gifts.  Lord, since you have blessed me with these gifts without any merit of mine, bless me too with the fullness of your life as you promised.  Give me too a heart full of gratitude for your blessings.  Amen!

To know the Heart of Christ intimately

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified."  (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Lord Jesus, I pray that I may know your Heart intimately; that I may love you passionately and follow you everywhere.  Amen.

Mary, the Model of Faith

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Luke 1: 45)

The promises of God are trustworthy.  They shall all be fulfilled come what may.

"Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision;
Make it plain upon tablets,
so that the one who reads it may run.

For the vision is a witness for the appointed time,
a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint.
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late."  Habakkuk 2: 2 - 4)

Even if the fulfillment is delayed, wait for it with confidence.

"For thus said the Lord GOD,
the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved,
in quiet and in trust shall be your strength."  (Isaiah 30: 15)

"Faith that is firm is also patient."  (Isaiah 28: 16)

Mary is the Midwife of Yes.  She believes deeply in the word of God.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray us that we also may believe in all the promises of your Son.

Lord, I want to see

"Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”  (Mark 10: 51)

Lord, I want to see myself as you see me.  I want to see my circumstances as you see them.  I want to see my purpose as you see it.  Lord, I believe and trust in you.  Help my unbelief.

I know what I am asking

"Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

Lord, I think I know what I am asking for.  I am asking for the promise of the Father of which you say that whoever asks for it must receive.  I am asking that you fill me with your Holy Spirit.  I am praying too that you grant me the grace to surrender completely to the Holy Spirit. I want your Holy Spirit to lead me, guide me and use me to dust.

Can I drink the cup that you drank or be baptized with the baptism that you were baptized?  With the help of your Holy Spirit I can.

I know too these two comforting truths:

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope." (Jeremiah 29: 11)

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God,* who are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8: 28)

You are a faithful God who never forsakes anybody who trusts in you.

Compensation in Genuine Riches

Matthew 19:29
" And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."

I share below part commentary of John Gills Exposition on the above :

" shall receive an hundred fold:
Mark adds, "now in this time"; and Luke likewise, "in this present time", in this world; which may be understood either in spiritual things, the love of God, the presence of Christ, the comforts of the Holy Ghost, the communion of saints, and the joys and pleasures felt in the enjoyment of these things, being an hundred times more and better to them, than all they have left or lost for Christ's sake; or in temporal things, so in Mark it seems to be explained, that such shall now receive an hundred fold"

The Lord has blessed me as He promised.  Thank you Jesus for your Holy Spirit that helps me to understand this.

All you need is Jesus

Mark 10:21

"21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

1 Chronicles 29:16

"16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own."

How sad it is to lose a great opportunity because the opportunity comes clothed as a problem?

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,

for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 

(James 1: 2 - 4)

"Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom  - that I may not be attached to the perishable things of this world - but aspire only after the things - that are eternal."  (Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:)

But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it."  (James 1: 5)

Faith gives us access to God's promises

Romans 5:1-5
Peace with God Through Faith

"5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Through Faith we have full access to God's promises of Pardon, Peace, Power, Purpose, Presence, Provision and Protection.

James 1:2-4
Testing of Your Faith

"2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."