Open our minds and hearts to the Scriptures O Christ our Teacher!
“Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it." (Luke 9: 44 - 45 NIV)
"Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?" (Luke 24:32 MSG)
“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.”
“But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” (Luke 9:18-20 NLT)
Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and my Redeemer. You are my Good Shepherd. You are my Security in everything. Without You, life is completely meaningless.
How to be content and satisfied:
“Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!"
(Haggai 1:4-6 NLT)
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
(Matthew 6:33 NLT)
Amazing Grace is my Portion.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
He scourges and then has mercy;
he casts down to the depths of the nether world,
and he brings up from the great abyss.
No one can escape his hand.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles,
for though he has scattered you among them,
he has shown you his greatness even there.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you,
and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
and exalt the King of ages.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In the land of my exile I praise him
and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,
and may all of you praise his majesty.
Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
(Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8 RM)
"How joyful are those who fear the LORD— all who follow his ways!"
(Psalm 128:1 NLT)
"Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it." (Luke 11: 28 RM)
"Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."
(John 13:17 NLT)
"On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health." (CCC 2185)
Jesus invites you to use your talent and time to serve Him.
"Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him."
(Matthew 9:9 MSG)
"And he said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19 BBE)
Blessed are you if you do this.
"I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing."
(1 Timothy 6:13-14 NKJV)
"Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance." (Luke 8: 15 RM)
It was predicted that the Messiah would suffer before His glory.
"Leaving there, they went through Galilee. He didn't want anyone to know their whereabouts, for he wanted to teach his disciples. He told them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed to some people who want nothing to do with God. They will murder him. Three days after his murder, he will rise, alive." They didn't know what he was talking about, but were afraid to ask him about it." (Mark 9:30 MSG)
"But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him." (Acts 2: 23 NLT)
Be content with what God has given you.
"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction."
(1 Timothy 6:6-9 NLT)
More love for Jesus more debt cancellation.
"Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.
Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other.
But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
"Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said." (Luke 7:40 - 43 NLT)
"So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7: 47-48 RM)
Will compromising with the world get you anything? Only sorrows and disappointments.
“To what can I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “How can I describe them? They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t weep.’ (Luke 7:31-32 NLT)
#MLKCenter There is no religion higher than truth and righteousness.
Seekfirst.blogspot.com
Jesus is the Father of widows and orphans. Call on Him in desperate situations.
"A funeral procession was coming out as Jesus approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said.
“Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
(Luke 7:12-15 NLT)
"I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy." (Job 29: 13 NLT)
Life is a Journey. The destination is Jesus. Do not allow yourself to be impatient on the way.
"With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses,
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!” (Numbers 21: 4 - 5 RM)
"And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3: 14 - 15 RM)
For this reason I was born: to bear witness to the truth and to save sinners.
"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life."
(1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT)
"Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus."
(1 Timothy 1:14 NLT)
God is the Guardian of my rights.
"The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right." (Isaiah 50: 7 NABRE)
"See, the Sovereign LORD is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!" (Isaiah 50: 9 NLT)
When Jesus calls, He qualifies completely.
"I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief." (1 Timothy 1: 12 - 13 RM)
"The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
(1 Timothy 1:14 NIV)
Happy Birthday 🎂 Most beautiful and Most holy Mother. We your grateful children love you so much.
Be kind to each other. Take delight in honoring one another.
"Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do." (Colossians 3: 12-13 RM)
"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good." (Romans 12: 9 NLT)
To believe in Jesus and to share in His life and suffering is an awesome privilege.
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. (Luke 6: 20-21 RM)
"For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf."
(Philippians 1: 29 AMP)
Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."
(Romans 8:28-29 NLT)
Where are you feeling insecure?
In God is my safety and my glory.
"Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge! (Psalm 62: 6 - 8 RM)
In God is my safety and my glory.
Looking for a secured refuge?
You have found one in the Sacred Heart ♥ of Jesus.
#4: "They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death."
No fear. No worry. No doubt.
"Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God, he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense he comes to save you." (Isaiah 35:4 RM)
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
(Ephesians 6:10 NLT)
You will lose your salvation if you do not persevere. Stand firm in the truth.
"You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message." (Col 1:21 - 23 MSG)
"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will hve the light of life." (John 8: 12 RM)
"He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name."
(Psalm 23:2-3 NLT)
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5: 4 RM)
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing." (Luke 5: 5 - 6 RM)
"Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5: 10 RM)
I AM THE EVERGREEN CYPRESS TREE. IT IS BECAUSE OF ME THAT YOU ARE FAITHFUL
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
"I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
bef your faithful ones." (Psalm 52, 10, 11 RM)
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
If the Lord is with you, why should you be afraid?
"He went down to Capernaum, a village in Galilee. He was teaching the people on the Sabbath. They were surprised and impressed—his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to."
(Luke 4:31- 32 MSG)
"The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?"
(Psalm 27:1 NLT)
Anointed for service
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because I am marked out by him to give good news to the poor; he has sent me to make well those who are broken-hearted; to say that the prisoners will be let go, and the blind will see, and to make the wounded free from their chains, To give knowledge that the year of the Lord's good pleasure is come."
(Luke 4:18-19 BBE)
"The Spirit of the ʟORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the ʟORD."
(Isaiah 11:2 NKJV)
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22 NIV)
"Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like."
(James 1:22 - 24 MSG)
If the Lord is with you then it is accomplished.
“Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall.
You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
(Jeremiah 1:17-19 NLT)
Thank you Father for the weapons of spiritual warfare You provided us.
"But keep watch at all times with prayer, that you may be strong enough to come through all these things and take your place before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36 BBE)
"Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil."
(Ephesians 6:11 AMP)
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy
"Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!" (Psalm 90: 14, 17 RM)
"Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!" (Psalm 90: 12-13 RM)
Our confidence in God grows as we grow in His word.
"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
(1Th 2:11-12 NIV)
"Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him." (1John 2: 5 RM)
God will Never go back on His word.
"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."
(Hebrews 4:12 AMP)
"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (Isaiah 55 : 11 NLT)
"The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth." (Psalm 145: 18 RM)
"Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might." (Psalm 145: 10 - 11 RM)
"He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him."
(Psalm Ps 91:15 NKJV)
Love God only. Fear and worship only Him.
"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God."
(Joshua 24:15 MSG)
"Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips." (Psalm 16:4 NIV)
See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
"How joyful are those who fear the LORD— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!" (Psalm 128:1-2 NLT)
"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
Seek first God, His Kingdom and manner of doing right. Then ask and receive.
"Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the ʟORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
(Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV)
Are properly dressed for the party of the King?
"When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn't properly dressed. He said to him, 'Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!' The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, 'Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn't get back in.'
"That's what I mean when I say, 'Many get invited only a few make it.'"
(Matthew 22: 11 - 14 MSG)
There is always and everywhere abundant work in the Lord’s Company.
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?" (Matthew 20: 6)
‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ (Matthew 20: 4 RM)
"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
(Matthew 9:9 NLT)
Watch carefully how you live because the days are evil.
"And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." (Ephesians 5: 18 - 19 RM)
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
When God chooses you for any work or mission, He provides everything necessary to accomplish it. Do not be afraid.
"The LORD turned to Gideon and said, “Go with the strength you have
and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.”
"But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”
“I shall be with you.” (Judges 6:14 - 15 RM)
If God is with you, it is accomplished.
Watch carefully how you live because the days are evil.
"And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." (Ephesians 5: 18 - 19 RM)
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
The Instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment.
"Because they had thus abandoned him and served Baal and the Ashtaroth, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel, and he delivered them over to plunderers who despoiled them.
He allowed them to fall into the power of their enemies round about whom they were no longer able to withstand.
Whatever they undertook, the LORD turned into disaster for them, as in his warning he had sworn he would do, till they were in great distress. (Judges 2: 14 - 15 RM)
God has raised up the lowly
"Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?"
(Luke 1:42-43 NLT)
"For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name: He has raised up the lowly."
(Luke 1:49, 52)
God knows exactly what we need. Will you trust Him today?
"I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them."
(Joshua 24:13 NLT)
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy]."
(Isaiah s 55:2 AMP)
You too must forgive unconditionally
"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
(Matthew 18:23 - 25 MSG)
"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt."
(Matthew 18:26 - 27 MSG)
Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire !
"Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue." (Psalm 66: 16 - 17)
"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies." (Psalm 103:2-4 NKJV)
If the Lord is with you, it is accomplished.
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down he won't leave you."
(Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG)
"Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
(Psalm 27:14 NKJV)
The Eucharist and the Presence of Jesus here and now.
God knows we need the Eucharist. The food for the Journey and the medicine of immortality.
