Are you sometimes crippled by fear of criticism and rejection? Jesus had the last laugh.
"Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’"
(Acts 4:10-11 NLT)
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Where do you see today the hands and feet of Jesus? The Church is the Sacrament of the Presence of Jesus in the world.
"Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
(Luke 24:38-39 NIV)
“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
(Luke 24:44 NKJV)
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How do you read the word of God? In solid faith or curiosity?
"Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
(Luke 24:18 NLT)
" And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)?"
(Luke 24:25-26 AMP)
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All things are created twice: the first creation is nature. The second creation is supernature. Have you been raised with Christ?
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17 NLT)
"If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth."(Colossians 3:1-2 BBE)
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Amazing! After the betrayals, the Risen Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters. Your thoughts on this?
“Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
(Matthew 28:10 NIV)
"We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him."
(Romans 6:9 NLT)
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
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What difference does the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus make in your life?
"The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
To him be glory and power
for all the ages of eternity, alleluia, alleluia." (Luke 24: 34; cf. Revelation 1: 6 RM)
"God our Father, creator of all, today is the day of Easter joy. This is the morning on which the Lord appeared to men who had begun to lose hope and opened their eyes to what the Scriptures foretold: that first Jesus must die, and then He would rise and ascend into His Father's glorious presence. May the Risen Lord breathe on our minds and open our eyes that we may know Him in the Breaking of Bread, and follow Him in His risen life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. "
Family, may the simple Joys and Peace of Easter fill your hearts and minds.
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Is the faith and obedience of Abraham too much to imitate?
"Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of ] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together.
And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice?
Abraham said, My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together."
(Gen 22:6-8 AMP)
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Do you enjoy the fruits of the Passion of the Christ?
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
(Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
"When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins."
(Isaiah 53:11 NLT)
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How shall we make a return to the LORD for all the good He has done for us?
“This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time." (Ex 12:14 NLT)
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes."
(1Cor 11:26 NKJV)
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Why is every sin a betrayal?
“How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver." (Matthew 26:15 NLT)
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
(Genesis 50:20 NIV)
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Do you know that God remembers His Covenant/Promises forever? Do you marvel at the profound truth that the Eucharist is the New Covenant?
"Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
(Isaiah 49:1-3 NIV)
"Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in empty futility; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense is with my God."
(Isaiah 49:4 AMP)
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How do we need the poor? The poor introduce us to Jesus when we die!
"Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii [a year’s wages for an ordinary workman] and that [money] given to the poor (the destitute)?" (John 12:5 AMP)
"You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” (John 12:8 NLT)
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Do you accept with serenity the things you cannot change?
“My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
(Matthew 26:42 NLT)
"Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame." (Isaiah 50:7 NLT)
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Father, where is the lamb for the sacrifice? My son, God Himself will provide the Lamb. Are you ready for the big Feast?
"It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?”
(John 11:55-56 NLT)
"Christ was sacrificed so that He could gather together the scattered children of God." (John 11: 52 RM)
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Do you realize that trusting Jesus is a tool in spiritual warfare.? How do you use the Shield of Faith?
"He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed."
(1 Peter 2:24 AMP)
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress.
Deliver me from the hands of my enemies and those who pursue me.
O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you."
(Psalm 31 (30): 10, 16, 18 RM)
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Do you come to Jesus in joyful expectation of receiving all you need?
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32 NIV)
"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." (Matthew 6:33 AMP)
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His Name is Jesus
Is anything impossible for God? What is your magnificent obsession?
"And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God. And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David." (Luke 1:30-32 AMP)
"Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38 NLT)
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Life is a journey that will take you down many Paths. Are you prepared for a long and demanding journey?
"But 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 NABRE)
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1:2-4 NLT)
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When you pray, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive others", are you able to connect the dots between your faith and the daily events of your life?
"When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more." (John 8:10-11 AMP)
"Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!" (Psalm 51:2 AMP)
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Is the idea of self-denial fill you with anguish? Think of a woman about to give birth. The before and the after of the labor.
"Amen, amen I say to you: Unless a grain of wheat
falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain.
But if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12: 24 NABRE)
"He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more."
(John 15:2 NLT)
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