"No, he has told you what he wants, and this is all it is: to be fair, just, merciful, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6: 8 TLB)
What does the Lord require of us today?
THE ABC OF MERCY:
1. Ask Jesus for Mercy
2. Be Merciful
3. Completely trust Jesus for Mercy
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95: 8 RM)
"Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance." (Cf Luke 8: 15 RM)
Fruitfulness in the kingdom comes through perseverance. How do we persevere in living the Christian life? One single day at a time. At the beginning of the day, ask for the grace to be faithful. Give thanks at the end of the day. Repeat the same the next day. Forget the past. Entrust the future into the loving hands of God.
"But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to put him to death.
"When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place." (Matthew 12: 14 - 15 NABRE)
How do you deal with conflict? Even Jesus can walk away from conflict. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to handle conflict.
"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.
I will heal you." (Isaiah 38: 5 RM)
"Those live whom the LORD protects; yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and life." (Isaiah 38: 16 RM)
The Lord gives both life and health. Jesus still heals today. Ask for healing with expectant faith.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30 NKJV)
What is your yoke/burden today? Why does Jesus say that your yoke is easy and your burden light?
Because the yoke and burden He has designed for you are tailor-made to fit you precisely.
"At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." (Matthew 11:25 NABRE)
How do you see yourself before God? Wise and learned or childlike?
St Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church is one of the childlike whom God revealed tons of wisdom. Example:
"Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices." (St Teresa of Avila)
"You don’t believe me? If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say.” (Isaiah 7: 9 TLB)
If your faith is firm, no upheaval in your family, health, finances, job will shake you.
Faith is taking seriously the promises of God. Faith is a firm conviction that the promises of God will be fulfilled come what may.
Think of Abraham, Elijah, Mary, Peter and Paul.
"If you love your father and mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will save it. (Matthew 10: 37 - 39 TLB)
Tough prescriptions from Jesus. Believe. Do not argue. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to live out these truths.
"But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me." (Psalm 69: 13, 16 NIV
"The humble shall see their God at work for them. No wonder they will be so glad! All who seek for God shall live in joy. For Jehovah hears the cries of his needy ones and does not look the other way." (Psalm 69: 32-33 TLB)
Wait for the Lord with courage. Do not despair.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6: 9 NIV)
I will bear witness to You in the world O Jesus. I will spread the knowledge of Your name among my brothers and sisters.
"When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking — it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10: 19-20 NLT)
The Holy Spirit is the Helper who is always present to aid us. Be aware of this. He is the Voice that speaks in court.
"Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me." (Psalm 51: 11)
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28 NLT)
Come to Jesus in prayer. He is waiting for you. Come to Him in His word. He is the word. He is in the word. Come to Him in the Eucharist, which is the source, center and summit of our life. Come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His inexhaustible Mercy is waiting to embrace you. Murmur His sweet and powerful Name always. It is terror to demons.
"Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness." (Matthew 10: 1 NLT)
Lord we believe. Increase our faith that in Your Name, even in 2016 we can still drive out demons and cure every disease and illness.
"The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my approval.
By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction." (Hosea 8: 4 NLT)
In the year of election, Hosea is warning the nation about electing president without consulting the Lord. Hitler was elected.
"Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment." (Matthew 9: 22 NIV)
A woman suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years mixed courage with faith and got her healing. Be bold with expectant faith when you ask Jesus for anything.
"Let the peace of Christ contol your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Colossians 3: 15, 16 RM)
Where do you need peace in your life today? Health, Family, Money, Job, Possessions, Food, Future? If the word of God dwells richly in you, you will know the source of true peace.
"People do not put new wine into old wineskins." (Matthew 9: 17 NABRE)
Have you tasted the new wine of the Holy Spirit? New wine, fresh skins!
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9: 11 NIV)
Why is your pastor so different from other pastors we know? Why is he so and so? Why does he do this and that? Allow yourself to be surprised by Mercy. "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." (Matthew 9: 13)
"The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19: 7 AMP)
Be a student of the word. Meditate on it. Share the word with family, friends and colleagues. Pray the word. You will see how rich your reward will be.
"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 NABRE)
We are Christ's soldiers. Through the power of Jesus, we will ram down the gates of hell and all demonic strongholds.
On the solemn feast of Saints Peter and Paul, we wish a happy feast day to pillars and foundation of the Church.
"And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness]." (Matthew 8: 25 - 26 AMP)
Are you swamped by one trial after another? Cry out to Jesus in expectant faith. He is close to you. He will help you.
"Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” (Matthew 8: 19 - 20 NLT)
Will you quit if the cost of discipleship becomes unbearable? Jesus had no apartment or home. He did not have a servant or income.
Lord, I am afraid. Help me to trust You Jesus.
"Brothers and sisters:
For freedom Christ set us free;
so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5: 1 RM)
The Spirit gives us the gift of self-control over every thought, word and deed. Great gift. Ask for it.
"Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go on home. What you have believed has happened!” And the boy was healed that same hour!" (Matthew 8: 13 TLB)
By His stripes we are healed. The excessive Mercy of the Heart of Jesus is waiting to apply His Mercy in every area area of your need. Will you trust Him?
"He will be great in the sight of the Lord and will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb; and many will rejoice at his birth." (Luke 1: 15, 14 RM)
Who does the above scripture refer to? John the Baptizer, whose birthday we celebrate today. John served Jesus with singleness of purpose, profound humility, great courage and total self-sacrifice.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock." (Matthew 7: 24-25 NLT)
A fool builds his family home on sand.
JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES:
"“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act." (Matthew 7: 15-16 NLT)
What fruit do you bear? Have you tasted and found good, the superabundant Mercy of the Heart of Jesus? Bear good fruits.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7: 13 - 14 NIV)
What is the Narrowgate to Heaven today?
PRAYER AND MERCY:
1. ASK FOR MERCY
2. BE MERCIFUL
3. COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7: 1-2 NIV)
No Criticize. No Complain. No Condemn. No Gossip. Gossiping is hard to give up. Gossip is offensive to Jesus. O Holy Spirit, help us to overcome the sin of Gossip.
Seekfirst.blogspot.com
“Who do people say I am?”
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Who exactly is Jesus to you?
Seekfirst.blogspot.com
"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 31 - 34 NIV)
Have you noticed that unbelievers worry a great deal?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Matthew 6: 19-21 NLT)
Do you know people who store treasures for themselves on earth? How did their lives end?
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do.... Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" (Matthew 6: 7-8 NLT)
Take delight in this truth: GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED AND WHEN YOU NEED IT.
"When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” (2 Kings 2: 9 RM)
The above word invites us to ask boldly and confidently for what we need. "Ask and you shall receive."
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (Matthew 5: 43-44 NLT)
Do you think it is impossible to love your enemy? Try this: Pray for your enemy every day for one year (365 days). I have done this and I guarantee that it works.
"Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow." (Matthew 5: 42 NABRE)
When you see a beggar at the street corner or any other location, what do you do? "He is lazy. He should get a job." Or, "He will use the money to buy booze." What does Jesus say?
"Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12: 13 NIV)
David was a man after God's heart. Why? Once he is convicted of sin, never offers excuses. When you sin, say to God immediately: "I have sinned. Have mercy on me." If your sin is very serious, pray Psalm 51 and then go for Reconciliation the very first opportunity.
"While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them [in approval and dedication] and sent them away [on their first journey]." (Acts 13: 2-3 AMP)
How do you know if the Holy Spirit has set you apart for a special ministry?
"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 29 NABRE)
"I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27: 13-14 NIV)
Waiting for the Lord to fulfill His promise is hard. The word of God that never fails advises us to be stouthearted and wait confidently. "Faith that is firm is also patient." (Isaiah 28: 16)
"The mouth of the just man utters wisdom, and his tongue tells forth what is right; the law of God is in his heart." (Psalm 37 (36): 30-31 RM)
How do you use your tongue, your power of speech? The Bible teaches that as the heart is filled, there goes the tongue.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
"Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever." (Ps 16:1b-2ab, 4, 5ab and 8, 11 RM)
"The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the LORD said to Elijah:
“Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you.” (1 Kings 17: 7-9 RM)
Have you found out God's Plan for your Provision?
"Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5: 7 NIV)
The ABC OF MERCY:
1. Ask for Mercy.
2. Be Merciful.
3. Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.
Have you passed through the Door of Mercy in this Year of Mercy? Less than 6 months remaining.
"As Jesus approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out — the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." (Luke 7: 12 NIV)
He said,“Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother."
"They were all filled with awe and praised God. “ A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” (Luke 7: 14 - 16 NLT)
"Beloved:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
" For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.
"But you, be self - possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 1, 2, 3-5 RM)
"God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
"While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly." (Romans 5: 5-6 AMP)
"But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8 AMP)
We honor the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus today. A Solemn Feast.
"This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is."
"Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them." (2 Timothy 2: 11-14 NLT)
"It is you who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom." (Luke 22: 28-30 NABRE)
Are you discouraged of living as a Christian?
"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1: 6-7 RM)
"Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God." (2 Timothy 1: 8 RM)
"I was appointed preacher and Apostle and teacher.
On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed
and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day." (2 Timothy 1: 12 RM)
"You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. (Luke 45-49 NLT)
"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord."
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1: 2 - 3 NLT)
"And this is the way to have eternal life -- to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." (John 17: 3 NLT)
You enjoy God's favors in proportion to your knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.
