Malachi laments that it is often the evil who prosper and appear blessed while the righteous suffer. Satan is the lord of this earthly realm and he rewards his servants with earthy riches, yet it is with a huge price — their eternal soul. Let us not lose sight of the infinitely great reward that God has for us in heaven, which will make all the riches of this world seem like so much rubbish in comparison.
Malachi 3:13-20
13 You have defied me in word, says the LORD, yet you ask, “What have we spoken against you?” 14 You have said, “It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, and going about in penitential dress in awe of the LORD of hosts? 15 Rather must we call the proud blessed; for indeed evildoers prosper, and even tempt God with impunity.” 16 Then they who fear the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened attentively; and a record book was written before him of those who fear the LORD and trust in his name. 17 And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my own special possession, on the day I take action. And I will have compassion on them, as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. 18 Then you will again see the distinction between the just and the wicked; between him who serves God, and him who does not serve him. 19 For lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts. 20 But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Showing posts with label My Daily Nourishment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Daily Nourishment. Show all posts
Sunday
Daily Inspiration- Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
God the Father here reveals His maternal love for us, His children, as He says that He will comfort us as a mother comforts her son. St. Therese had great confidence in the love of the Heavenly Father and imagined herself as a little child reaching out her little arms to be caught by Him. Let us follow St. Therese’s example and throw ourselves every day into the caring and merciful arms of our loving God.
Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
5 Fear not, my people! Remember, Israel, 6 you were sold to the nations not for your destruction; it was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes. 7 For you provoked your Maker with sacrifices to demons, to no-gods; 8 you forsook the Eternal God who nourished you, and you grieved Jerusalem who fostered you. 9 She indeed saw coming upon you the anger of God; and she said: “Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, 10 for I have seen the captivity that the Eternal God has brought upon my sons and daughters. 11 With joy I fostered them; but with mourning and lament I let them go. 12 Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many: For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God. 27 Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. 28 As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; 29 for he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
5 Fear not, my people! Remember, Israel, 6 you were sold to the nations not for your destruction; it was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes. 7 For you provoked your Maker with sacrifices to demons, to no-gods; 8 you forsook the Eternal God who nourished you, and you grieved Jerusalem who fostered you. 9 She indeed saw coming upon you the anger of God; and she said: “Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, 10 for I have seen the captivity that the Eternal God has brought upon my sons and daughters. 11 With joy I fostered them; but with mourning and lament I let them go. 12 Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many: For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God. 27 Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. 28 As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; 29 for he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Monday
Part II: Do You Have A Forgiving Attitude?
Don’t Rush To Forgive If The Wound Is Grave
When the hurt is very deep, don’t forgive right away.
When someone hurts you deeply, God doesn’t require that you forgive right away. When your husband commits adultery, or when an uncle molests you, or when a friend betrays you…, God doesn’t require that you drive out your feelings of anger “right now”.
Why? Because we’re not robots with push buttons on our chest.
In fact, God knows that we need to get angry for awhile as part of our healing.
By getting angry, we restore our dignity. By getting angry, we love ourselves. By getting angry, we say, “What you did to me was terribly wrong. You violated me.”
I repeat: The process of getting angry (for awhile) is part of your healing.
Anger is like a medicine with an expiration date. Before that expiration date, anger is medicine. After that expiration date, anger becomes poison.
At the right time, God will ask you to surrender your anger.
Which now brings me to our main message for today.
Goal: To Have A Forgiving Attitude
Today, my goal isn’t just to encourage you to forgive those who have wronged you in the past.
Today, my goal is much more ambitious than that.
My goal is to encourage you to develop a forgiving attitude.
Forgiveness is an isolated act. But a forgiving attitude is who you are normally, usually, regularly…
My belief? If you want to be happy in your life, you need to have a forgiving attitude.
Why?
Because you live amidst imperfect people.
You were born into an imperfect family, with imperfect parents, with imperfect siblings.
Announcement: You’re imperfect too! (Unless you happen to be a perfect alien from a perfect planet.)
Everyday, you’ll get hurt. Someone will step on your toe. Someone will stab your back. Someone will kick your behind. Someone will prick your pride. Someone will slander your name.
That’s why Jesus said, Forgive seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22) That number is a Biblical symbol for “forever”.
Believe me, if you don’t have a forgiving attitude, you can’t enjoy any imperfect relationship.
Do You Have An Unforgiving Attitude?
Here’s what I know. A person who has an unforgiving attitude is an unhappy person.
For example, when a waiter brings the wrong order, does it ruin your entire day?
When a cashier makes a mistake, because she’s new, or she’s nervous, or she’s having her own family problems—Do you roll up your eyeballs and sigh a sigh of exasperation?
When a sister borrows your blouse without your permission and doesn’t return it washed and folded, do you fume for the rest of the day?
When a friend forgets to say “thank you” for her birthday gift, do you nurse a grudge until your next birthday?
Here’s the crazy thing about unforgiveness. You can be moping and grumbling at home, while the person you’re angry with could be sunbathing in Boracay.
Face it. Unforgiveness isn’t very wise.
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
When the hurt is very deep, don’t forgive right away.
When someone hurts you deeply, God doesn’t require that you forgive right away. When your husband commits adultery, or when an uncle molests you, or when a friend betrays you…, God doesn’t require that you drive out your feelings of anger “right now”.
Why? Because we’re not robots with push buttons on our chest.
In fact, God knows that we need to get angry for awhile as part of our healing.
By getting angry, we restore our dignity. By getting angry, we love ourselves. By getting angry, we say, “What you did to me was terribly wrong. You violated me.”
I repeat: The process of getting angry (for awhile) is part of your healing.
Anger is like a medicine with an expiration date. Before that expiration date, anger is medicine. After that expiration date, anger becomes poison.
At the right time, God will ask you to surrender your anger.
Which now brings me to our main message for today.
Goal: To Have A Forgiving Attitude
Today, my goal isn’t just to encourage you to forgive those who have wronged you in the past.
Today, my goal is much more ambitious than that.
My goal is to encourage you to develop a forgiving attitude.
Forgiveness is an isolated act. But a forgiving attitude is who you are normally, usually, regularly…
My belief? If you want to be happy in your life, you need to have a forgiving attitude.
Why?
Because you live amidst imperfect people.
You were born into an imperfect family, with imperfect parents, with imperfect siblings.
Announcement: You’re imperfect too! (Unless you happen to be a perfect alien from a perfect planet.)
Everyday, you’ll get hurt. Someone will step on your toe. Someone will stab your back. Someone will kick your behind. Someone will prick your pride. Someone will slander your name.
That’s why Jesus said, Forgive seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22) That number is a Biblical symbol for “forever”.
Believe me, if you don’t have a forgiving attitude, you can’t enjoy any imperfect relationship.
Do You Have An Unforgiving Attitude?
Here’s what I know. A person who has an unforgiving attitude is an unhappy person.
For example, when a waiter brings the wrong order, does it ruin your entire day?
When a cashier makes a mistake, because she’s new, or she’s nervous, or she’s having her own family problems—Do you roll up your eyeballs and sigh a sigh of exasperation?
When a sister borrows your blouse without your permission and doesn’t return it washed and folded, do you fume for the rest of the day?
When a friend forgets to say “thank you” for her birthday gift, do you nurse a grudge until your next birthday?
Here’s the crazy thing about unforgiveness. You can be moping and grumbling at home, while the person you’re angry with could be sunbathing in Boracay.
Face it. Unforgiveness isn’t very wise.
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
Friday
Part III: Do You Have A Forgiving Attitude?
Be Selfish: Have A Forgiving Attitude!
A wise man said, Forgiveness is first of all a gift you give yourself. Forgiveness is almost a selfish act—because of the incredible blessing the forgiver gets!
Imagine this scenario.
You’re so angry at someone, you decide to buy Triple-X poison from the drugstore. Upon reaching home, you drink the entire bottle yourself! And then you hope that the person who offended you dies because of the poison.
Huh?
Pretty insane, right?
But that’s the insanity of the unforgiving attitude.
I know of a woman who caught her husband having many affairs. It totally devastated her. It was such a deep wound, her bitterness slowly killed her body. She had cancer and after 2 years passed away. What happened to her husband? Still with his many girlfriends.
My friend is wiser.
She had a business partner who stole from her P8 Million. She thought it was the end of the world. She’d go to me at our weekly Feast, asking me to pray for her.
And in her heart, she made a decision to forgive her business partner. She refused to remain stuck. She didn’t spend time thinking how to avenge herself. She moved on.
Today, my friend has recovered from that loss—and so much more. Her God is prospering her business.
The business partner who stole from her? She heard that she was in jail—because of another crime.
My friend did the unthinkable: She visited her in jail.
Move On!
Many years ago, I heard through the grapevine that I was being accused of using people’s donations to buy myself a car.
That hurt. (If I used the donations to buy myself a car, I would have bought a Rolls Royce.)
I later learned that a friend had spread that gossip.
But on that same day, I forgave that friend in my heart.
Why? Because I was being “selfish”.
Here was my logic: It’s bad enough that he hurt me once. Why let him hurt me again (and again and again…) by rewinding the tapes of his sin in my mind?
Friend, if someone has hurt you—don’t let that hurt ruin your life. Don’t let a betrayal, or divorce, or adultery, or unfaithfulness destroy your life and your destiny.
Forgive and move on with your life!
Forgiveness means you won’t invest emotional energy to your hurt anymore.
Some people don’t do that.
They like rewinding the tapes. They like reviewing the hurt in their imagination. They like opening an old wound and puncturing it again. And again. And again.
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
A wise man said, Forgiveness is first of all a gift you give yourself. Forgiveness is almost a selfish act—because of the incredible blessing the forgiver gets!
Imagine this scenario.
You’re so angry at someone, you decide to buy Triple-X poison from the drugstore. Upon reaching home, you drink the entire bottle yourself! And then you hope that the person who offended you dies because of the poison.
Huh?
Pretty insane, right?
But that’s the insanity of the unforgiving attitude.
I know of a woman who caught her husband having many affairs. It totally devastated her. It was such a deep wound, her bitterness slowly killed her body. She had cancer and after 2 years passed away. What happened to her husband? Still with his many girlfriends.
My friend is wiser.
She had a business partner who stole from her P8 Million. She thought it was the end of the world. She’d go to me at our weekly Feast, asking me to pray for her.
And in her heart, she made a decision to forgive her business partner. She refused to remain stuck. She didn’t spend time thinking how to avenge herself. She moved on.
Today, my friend has recovered from that loss—and so much more. Her God is prospering her business.
The business partner who stole from her? She heard that she was in jail—because of another crime.
My friend did the unthinkable: She visited her in jail.
Move On!
Many years ago, I heard through the grapevine that I was being accused of using people’s donations to buy myself a car.
That hurt. (If I used the donations to buy myself a car, I would have bought a Rolls Royce.)
I later learned that a friend had spread that gossip.
But on that same day, I forgave that friend in my heart.
Why? Because I was being “selfish”.
Here was my logic: It’s bad enough that he hurt me once. Why let him hurt me again (and again and again…) by rewinding the tapes of his sin in my mind?
Friend, if someone has hurt you—don’t let that hurt ruin your life. Don’t let a betrayal, or divorce, or adultery, or unfaithfulness destroy your life and your destiny.
Forgive and move on with your life!
Forgiveness means you won’t invest emotional energy to your hurt anymore.
Some people don’t do that.
They like rewinding the tapes. They like reviewing the hurt in their imagination. They like opening an old wound and puncturing it again. And again. And again.
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
Tuesday
Part IV: Do You Have A Forgiving Attitude?
What’s the Solution?
To heal our unforgiving attitude, we must ask, “What is the root of unforgiveness?”
From experience, our inability to forgive others comes from our inability to forgive ourselves. Yes, it can be that simple.
If you don’t receive God’s mercy, you can’t give mercy to others. The Bible says, Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13).
I remember Felipe.
Felipe told me he has a hard time forgiving others.
But as we continued talking, I found out something very glaring about him that he may not have noticed. When he himself does something wrong, he becomes very miserable. He doesn’t allow himself to be happy.
In other words, he punishes himself.
Even if Felipe asks for God’s forgiveness, (and verbally, he’ll tell you he believes that God forgives him), he’ll subconsciously find a way to pay for his sins. By not being happy. By suffering.
He wants to pay for his sins. He demands it upon himself.
Result? When others offend him (and he gets easily offended), he uses the same standards. He wants them to pay up as well.
There are still isolated Catholics who practice flogging. (Other religions practice this too.) These penitents whip themselves as a way of punishing themselves for their sins.
I’ve met Christians who no longer carry a physical whip, but they carry an invisible whip. When they make a mistake, they whip themselves “bloody” in their emotions. They condemn themselves. They walk through life depressed. They accept all suffering as just rewards for their sins—even suffering that’s totally unrelated to their mistakes.
They say they believe God loves them. They even sing about God’s Love. They’ll even tell you that they believe God has forgiven them. But internally, they insist on paying for their sins.
Friend, if there’s one thing I want you to learn today, it is this: Stop trying to pay for your sins!
Rest in His mercy. Let God pay for your sins.
God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice
From experience, it’s these people that have an unforgiving attitude.
Because one cannot give what one has not really received.
God says, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. (Matthew 9:13)
But there are people who like sacrifice. They want to keep sacrificing to God for their sins. And worse, they want others to sacrifice for their sins.
But God wants mercy.
I believe the root of all unforgiveness is fear.
Fear that if you don’t let “them” pay for their mistakes, you’ll never get back what you lost.
Not understanding that these people can’t pay anyway.
Here’s the big problem: Only God can pay you.
I was molested as a child. But I’ve long realized that my molesters can’t pay me back. They can’t return to my innocence. They can’t return to me the 20 years of agony.
But God can.
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
To heal our unforgiving attitude, we must ask, “What is the root of unforgiveness?”
From experience, our inability to forgive others comes from our inability to forgive ourselves. Yes, it can be that simple.
If you don’t receive God’s mercy, you can’t give mercy to others. The Bible says, Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13).
I remember Felipe.
Felipe told me he has a hard time forgiving others.
But as we continued talking, I found out something very glaring about him that he may not have noticed. When he himself does something wrong, he becomes very miserable. He doesn’t allow himself to be happy.
In other words, he punishes himself.
Even if Felipe asks for God’s forgiveness, (and verbally, he’ll tell you he believes that God forgives him), he’ll subconsciously find a way to pay for his sins. By not being happy. By suffering.
He wants to pay for his sins. He demands it upon himself.
Result? When others offend him (and he gets easily offended), he uses the same standards. He wants them to pay up as well.
There are still isolated Catholics who practice flogging. (Other religions practice this too.) These penitents whip themselves as a way of punishing themselves for their sins.
I’ve met Christians who no longer carry a physical whip, but they carry an invisible whip. When they make a mistake, they whip themselves “bloody” in their emotions. They condemn themselves. They walk through life depressed. They accept all suffering as just rewards for their sins—even suffering that’s totally unrelated to their mistakes.
They say they believe God loves them. They even sing about God’s Love. They’ll even tell you that they believe God has forgiven them. But internally, they insist on paying for their sins.
Friend, if there’s one thing I want you to learn today, it is this: Stop trying to pay for your sins!
Rest in His mercy. Let God pay for your sins.
God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice
From experience, it’s these people that have an unforgiving attitude.
Because one cannot give what one has not really received.
God says, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. (Matthew 9:13)
But there are people who like sacrifice. They want to keep sacrificing to God for their sins. And worse, they want others to sacrifice for their sins.
But God wants mercy.
I believe the root of all unforgiveness is fear.
Fear that if you don’t let “them” pay for their mistakes, you’ll never get back what you lost.
Not understanding that these people can’t pay anyway.
Here’s the big problem: Only God can pay you.
I was molested as a child. But I’ve long realized that my molesters can’t pay me back. They can’t return to my innocence. They can’t return to me the 20 years of agony.
But God can.
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
Sunday
Part V: Do You Have A Forgiving Attitude?
Let God Pay You
God saw you when you were offended. Hurt. Abandoned.
If someone stole from you, or hurt you, or offended you, read this verse: God says, Your shame and disgrace are ended. You will live in your own land. And your wealth will be doubled; Your joy will last forever. (Isaiah 61:7)
What is God saying? He’s telling you, “Let me handle your case. Put the situation in my hands. I’ll see to it that you’ll receive double than what you’ve lost. I’ll see to it that you’ll gain back what was stolen from you.”
As long as you let go and forgive, God will be your vindicator.
He’ll make your wrongs right.
He’ll return what the enemy has stolen.
He’ll even the score.
Remember Job? Job’s friends were trying to comfort him, but they said some hurtful things to him too.
Look at what the Bible says: Then, after Job had prayed for his three friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had had before. (Job 42:10)
If you forgive and pray for your enemies, get ready to be very blessed!
This was the story of my friend Mark.
Mark lent P1 Million to his business partner. It was a huge amount for my friend. But this partner ran away. This devastated Mark. It wasn’t only the money but the betrayal.
But instead of being bitter, staying at home, thinking of ways to get back at him, my friend Mark decided to expand his small business. Instead of spending his time cursing his enemy, he spent his time blessing his business.
After one year, Mark is now earning P1 Million every month. The exact money he lost, he earns now in a snap.
And what happened to the man who stole his money? Through the grapevine, Mark found out that the guy was still financially hard up.
You don’t have to see to it that justice is done. Because the universe is governed by the Law of Reciprocity. What you sow, you reap.
Read carefully:
Unforgiveness is taking matters in your hands.
Forgiveness is taking matters into God’s hands.
The Path Of Blessings
Let me define forgiveness for you: Being kind beyond what is reasonable.
Yes, forgiveness is insane.
On October 2, 2006, thirty-two-year old Charles Roberts entered an Amish school with an automatic rifle.
He tied up the legs of schoolgirls and prepared to shoot them, execution style.
The oldest hostage, a thirteen-year-old, asked Roberts to “shoot me and release the others.” But he didn’t listen to her. He fired at all of them with 400 rounds of ammunition.
He killed five girls.
When the police stormed into the school building, Charles Roberts shot and killed himself.
Why did he shoot the girls? He told them before shooting, “I’m angry at God for taking my little daughter.”
Immediately after the massacre, more than fifty news crews came into that small town. And what they witnessed was unbelievable.
After the funeral of their daughters, the families of these girls visited the funeral of the family of their murderer.
Why did they go there? They went there to offer words of forgiveness and consolation to his widow and her three children.
As if that wasn’t shocking enough, these families raised money for their murderer’s orphaned family.
Insanity.
Why did the Amish do this unexplainable thing?
Because the Amish are Christians. They follow the Bible when it says, “Love does not keep a record of wrongs.”
Yes, even if that wrong was killing their little daughter.
This is the mark of God in your life. When you treat well the people who don’t deserve to be treated well.
I have my little story of forgiveness.
In the past 30+ years of ministry, I’ve had my critics. Some criticized with love. Some criticized with venom.
Someone told me, “Bo, better read this blog. This guy calls you the devil’s servant.” I read his articles. It was true, the writer didn’t like me very much. He said I brought a lot of people to hell.
This is what I did: Instead of getting angry, I prayed blessings for him and his family.
When I did that, I cannot describe to you how free and happy I felt. And I also felt that God’s river of blessings began to flow more into my life.
It’s now your turn.
Have a forgiving attitude.
And bless all those who have offended you.
And believe that you’ll receive double what you have lost.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
God saw you when you were offended. Hurt. Abandoned.
If someone stole from you, or hurt you, or offended you, read this verse: God says, Your shame and disgrace are ended. You will live in your own land. And your wealth will be doubled; Your joy will last forever. (Isaiah 61:7)
What is God saying? He’s telling you, “Let me handle your case. Put the situation in my hands. I’ll see to it that you’ll receive double than what you’ve lost. I’ll see to it that you’ll gain back what was stolen from you.”
As long as you let go and forgive, God will be your vindicator.
He’ll make your wrongs right.
He’ll return what the enemy has stolen.
He’ll even the score.
Remember Job? Job’s friends were trying to comfort him, but they said some hurtful things to him too.
Look at what the Bible says: Then, after Job had prayed for his three friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had had before. (Job 42:10)
If you forgive and pray for your enemies, get ready to be very blessed!
This was the story of my friend Mark.
Mark lent P1 Million to his business partner. It was a huge amount for my friend. But this partner ran away. This devastated Mark. It wasn’t only the money but the betrayal.
But instead of being bitter, staying at home, thinking of ways to get back at him, my friend Mark decided to expand his small business. Instead of spending his time cursing his enemy, he spent his time blessing his business.
After one year, Mark is now earning P1 Million every month. The exact money he lost, he earns now in a snap.
And what happened to the man who stole his money? Through the grapevine, Mark found out that the guy was still financially hard up.
You don’t have to see to it that justice is done. Because the universe is governed by the Law of Reciprocity. What you sow, you reap.
Read carefully:
Unforgiveness is taking matters in your hands.
Forgiveness is taking matters into God’s hands.
The Path Of Blessings
Let me define forgiveness for you: Being kind beyond what is reasonable.
Yes, forgiveness is insane.
On October 2, 2006, thirty-two-year old Charles Roberts entered an Amish school with an automatic rifle.
He tied up the legs of schoolgirls and prepared to shoot them, execution style.
The oldest hostage, a thirteen-year-old, asked Roberts to “shoot me and release the others.” But he didn’t listen to her. He fired at all of them with 400 rounds of ammunition.
He killed five girls.
When the police stormed into the school building, Charles Roberts shot and killed himself.
Why did he shoot the girls? He told them before shooting, “I’m angry at God for taking my little daughter.”
Immediately after the massacre, more than fifty news crews came into that small town. And what they witnessed was unbelievable.
After the funeral of their daughters, the families of these girls visited the funeral of the family of their murderer.
Why did they go there? They went there to offer words of forgiveness and consolation to his widow and her three children.
As if that wasn’t shocking enough, these families raised money for their murderer’s orphaned family.
Insanity.
Why did the Amish do this unexplainable thing?
Because the Amish are Christians. They follow the Bible when it says, “Love does not keep a record of wrongs.”
Yes, even if that wrong was killing their little daughter.
This is the mark of God in your life. When you treat well the people who don’t deserve to be treated well.
I have my little story of forgiveness.
In the past 30+ years of ministry, I’ve had my critics. Some criticized with love. Some criticized with venom.
Someone told me, “Bo, better read this blog. This guy calls you the devil’s servant.” I read his articles. It was true, the writer didn’t like me very much. He said I brought a lot of people to hell.
This is what I did: Instead of getting angry, I prayed blessings for him and his family.
When I did that, I cannot describe to you how free and happy I felt. And I also felt that God’s river of blessings began to flow more into my life.
It’s now your turn.
Have a forgiving attitude.
And bless all those who have offended you.
And believe that you’ll receive double what you have lost.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)
Friday
THE PRICE OF A MIRACLE
This is a beautiful story to tell. I had it in my inbox for some months and decided to share it here before deleting it. Here is the story;
A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet.
She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.
Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.'
'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.
'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?'
'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.
'Listen, I have the money to pay for it... If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'
The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'
' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'
'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago
'One dollar and eleven cents,' null answered barely audibly.
'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'
'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man.. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. '
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'
That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.
'That surgery,' her Mom whispered 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?'
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost..one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.
In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.
A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law. I know you'll keep the ball moving!
Here it goes Throw it back to someone who means something to you!
A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me.
Today I pass the friendship ball to you.
Pass it on to someone who is a friend
to you.
MY OATH TO YOU....
When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.
When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried.....I will give you hope.
When you are confused.......I will help you cope.
And when you are lost...And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon .... Shining ever so bright.
This is my oath.....I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask?.......Because you're my friend.
Signed: GOD
INSTANTLY WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SEND IT TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU.
A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet.
She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.
Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.'
'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.
'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?'
'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.
'Listen, I have the money to pay for it... If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'
The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'
' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'
'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago
'One dollar and eleven cents,' null answered barely audibly.
'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'
'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man.. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. '
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'
That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.
'That surgery,' her Mom whispered 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?'
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost..one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.
In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.
A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law. I know you'll keep the ball moving!
Here it goes Throw it back to someone who means something to you!
A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me.
Today I pass the friendship ball to you.
Pass it on to someone who is a friend
to you.
MY OATH TO YOU....
When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.
When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried.....I will give you hope.
When you are confused.......I will help you cope.
And when you are lost...And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon .... Shining ever so bright.
This is my oath.....I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask?.......Because you're my friend.
Signed: GOD
INSTANTLY WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SEND IT TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU.
Monday
Gospel Inspiration- 16:13-23
Peter here professes his faith in Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus gives the keys of the Kingdom to him, that is, the authority to rule over the church as pope. Pope Benedict XVI continues this ministry of governance that Jesus entrusted to St. Peter.
Matthew 16:13-23
13 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 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. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
my reflections
t h i n k : Let us be people of faith and not people who continually complain to God.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Matthew 16:13-23
13 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 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. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
my reflections
t h i n k : Let us be people of faith and not people who continually complain to God.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Saturday
Daily Nourishment- Numbers 20:1-13
The Israelites again complain to Moses that they have no water and they again want to go back to slavery in Egypt. Had they obeyed God, they would have been on their way to conquering the Promised Land. Instead they had to suffer 40 years of walking around the wilderness. Let us be people of faith and not people who continually complain to God.
Numbers 20:1-13
1 The whole congregation of the children of Israel arrived in the desert of Zin in the first month, and the people settled at Kadesh. It was here that Miriam died, and here that she was buried. 2 As the community had no water, they held a council against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people contended with Moses, exclaiming, “Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the LORD’s presence! 4 Why have you brought the LORD’s community into this desert where we and our livestock are dying? 5 Why did you lead us out of Egypt, only to bring us to this wretched place which has neither grain nor figs nor vines nor pomegranates? Here there is not even water to drink!” 6 But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them, 7 and the LORD said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff and assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron, and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters. From the rock you shall bring forth water for the community and their livestock to drink.” 9 So Moses took the staff from its place before the LORD, as he was ordered. 10 He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock, where he said to them, “Listen to me, you rebels! Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the community and their livestock to drink. 12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel, you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them.” 13 These are the waters of Meribah, where the children of Israel contended against the LORD, and where he revealed his sanctity among them.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Numbers 20:1-13
1 The whole congregation of the children of Israel arrived in the desert of Zin in the first month, and the people settled at Kadesh. It was here that Miriam died, and here that she was buried. 2 As the community had no water, they held a council against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people contended with Moses, exclaiming, “Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the LORD’s presence! 4 Why have you brought the LORD’s community into this desert where we and our livestock are dying? 5 Why did you lead us out of Egypt, only to bring us to this wretched place which has neither grain nor figs nor vines nor pomegranates? Here there is not even water to drink!” 6 But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them, 7 and the LORD said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff and assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron, and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters. From the rock you shall bring forth water for the community and their livestock to drink.” 9 So Moses took the staff from its place before the LORD, as he was ordered. 10 He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock, where he said to them, “Listen to me, you rebels! Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the community and their livestock to drink. 12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel, you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them.” 13 These are the waters of Meribah, where the children of Israel contended against the LORD, and where he revealed his sanctity among them.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Thursday
Gospel Inspiration- Matthew Matthew 14:1-12
St. John the Baptist died because he was unafraid to tell King Herod that in taking his brother’s wife he was committing adultery. Here we see the qualities of a true servant of God and the type of character that we desperately need in the world today when so many leaders seek only popularity and fame rather than following what is morally right.
Matthew 14:1-12
1 Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, 4 for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 6 But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7 so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 10 and he had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
my reflections
t h i n k : The huge disparity in wealth that exists today is not God’s will.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Matthew 14:1-12
1 Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, 4 for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 6 But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7 so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 10 and he had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
my reflections
t h i n k : The huge disparity in wealth that exists today is not God’s will.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Wednesday
Daily Nourishment- Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
God’s economic policy for His people was radical. On the 50th year, all debts were to be cancelled and all land and property was to return to its original owners. All slaves were to be set free as well. The huge disparity in wealth that exists today is not God’s will. We all have a responsibility to ensure that we pay our workers more than the basic wage so that they can live with true dignity as children of God.
Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
1 The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 8 “Seven weeks of years shall you count — seven times seven years — so that the seven cycles amount to forty-nine years. 9 Then, on the tenth day of the seventh month let the trumpet resound; on this, the Day of Atonement, the trumpet blast shall re-echo throughout your land. 10 This fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when every one of you shall return to his own property, every one to his own family estate. 11 In this fiftieth year, your year of jubilee, you shall not sow, nor shall you reap the aftergrowth or pick the grapes from the untrimmed vines. 12 Since this is the jubilee, which shall be sacred for you, you may not eat of its produce, except as taken directly from the field. 13 In this year of jubilee, then, every one of you shall return to his own property. 14 Therefore, when you sell any land to your neighbor or buy any from him, do not deal unfairly. 15 On the basis of the number of years since the last jubilee shall you purchase the land from him; and so also, on the basis of the number of years for crops, shall he sell it to you. 16 When the years are many, the price shall be so much the more; when the years are few, the price shall be so much the less. For it is really the number of crops that he sells you. 17 Do not deal unfairly, then; but stand in fear of your God. I, the
LORD, am your God.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
1 The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 8 “Seven weeks of years shall you count — seven times seven years — so that the seven cycles amount to forty-nine years. 9 Then, on the tenth day of the seventh month let the trumpet resound; on this, the Day of Atonement, the trumpet blast shall re-echo throughout your land. 10 This fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when every one of you shall return to his own property, every one to his own family estate. 11 In this fiftieth year, your year of jubilee, you shall not sow, nor shall you reap the aftergrowth or pick the grapes from the untrimmed vines. 12 Since this is the jubilee, which shall be sacred for you, you may not eat of its produce, except as taken directly from the field. 13 In this year of jubilee, then, every one of you shall return to his own property. 14 Therefore, when you sell any land to your neighbor or buy any from him, do not deal unfairly. 15 On the basis of the number of years since the last jubilee shall you purchase the land from him; and so also, on the basis of the number of years for crops, shall he sell it to you. 16 When the years are many, the price shall be so much the more; when the years are few, the price shall be so much the less. For it is really the number of crops that he sells you. 17 Do not deal unfairly, then; but stand in fear of your God. I, the
LORD, am your God.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Tuesday
Gospel Inspiration- Luke 1:39-56
The image of Mary going up to a town in Judah and being greeted with great joy by her cousin Elizabeth harps back to the story in the book of Samuel, where King David accompanied the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. With the coming of the ark, God’s presence comes to His people. With the coming of Mary, God visited Elizabeth, and the child in her womb is filled with the Holy Spirit and leaps for joy.
Luke 1:39-56
39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
my reflections:
think: Jesus is the first to rise from the dead and the Virgin Mary, being without sin, is the first fruit of His resurrection.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Luke 1:39-56
39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
my reflections:
think: Jesus is the first to rise from the dead and the Virgin Mary, being without sin, is the first fruit of His resurrection.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Wednesday
Daily Nourishment- Exodus 14:5-18
This Exodus story shows us how fear drives out faith. When the children of Israel see Pharaoh and his chariots pursuing them, they tell Moses they would have been better left in Egypt to die. Fear leads to despair and unbelief. In contrast, Moses hears the word of God for him and the people in this crisis, and then moves in obedience and faith to see God work a mighty miracle.
Exodus 14:5-18
5 When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants changed their minds about them. They exclaimed, “What have we done! Why, we have released Israel from our service!” 6 So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers — 7 six hundred first-class chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all. 8 So obstinate had the LORD made Pharaoh that he pursued the Israelites even while they were marching away in triumph. 9 The Egyptians, then, pursued them; Pharaoh’s whole army, his horses, chariots and charioteers, caught up with them as they lay encamped by the sea, at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 Pharaoh was already near when the Israelites looked up and saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of them. In great fright they cried out to the LORD. 11 And they complained to Moses, “Were there no burial places in Egypt that you had to bring us out here to die in the desert? Why did you do this to us? Why did you bring us out of Egypt? 12 Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians’? Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” 13 But Moses answered the people, “Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the LORD will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” 15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. 16 And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. 17 But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. 18 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Exodus 14:5-18
5 When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants changed their minds about them. They exclaimed, “What have we done! Why, we have released Israel from our service!” 6 So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers — 7 six hundred first-class chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all. 8 So obstinate had the LORD made Pharaoh that he pursued the Israelites even while they were marching away in triumph. 9 The Egyptians, then, pursued them; Pharaoh’s whole army, his horses, chariots and charioteers, caught up with them as they lay encamped by the sea, at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 Pharaoh was already near when the Israelites looked up and saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of them. In great fright they cried out to the LORD. 11 And they complained to Moses, “Were there no burial places in Egypt that you had to bring us out here to die in the desert? Why did you do this to us? Why did you bring us out of Egypt? 12 Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians’? Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” 13 But Moses answered the people, “Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the LORD will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” 15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. 16 And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. 17 But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. 18 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Sunday
Gospel Inspiration- Matthew 12:38-42
The Scribes and Pharisees demand of Jesus a sign, not because they want to believe in Him, but to challenge Him and His authority. What greater sign could God have given them than coming to them in the person of His Son? We do not need signs to have faith. Rather we should place our whole confidence in Christ for in Him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells and is given to us each time we receive holy communion.
Matthew 12:38-42
38 Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40 Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. 42 At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.”
my reflections
t h i n k : We do not need signs to have faith.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Matthew 12:38-42
38 Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40 Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. 42 At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.”
my reflections
t h i n k : We do not need signs to have faith.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Monday
Daily Reading- Matthew 10:24-33
Jesus assures us that we are of great value to the heavenly Father and that He has counted every strand of our hair. Like a doting father, God gazes lovingly at us, so much so that He is entranced by us and wastes His time counting every strand of our hair to make sure not one is missing. If God loves us this much, let us entrust all our cares and concerns to Him rather than carrying them ourselves.
Matthew 10:24-33
24 Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 26 Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not
be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 27 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
my reflections
t h i n k : When we place our lives in God’s hands, He turns everything to our good so that nothing can harm us.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Matthew 10:24-33
24 Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 26 Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not
be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 27 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
my reflections
t h i n k : When we place our lives in God’s hands, He turns everything to our good so that nothing can harm us.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Sunday
Daily Reading- Genesis 49:29-33; 50:15-26
After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers fear he will take revenge on them for the evil they did to him. However, Joseph has long since worked through all his bitterness and hurt and had forgiven them for their treachery. Through all these trials, Joseph has learned a great lesson — that when we place our lives in God’s hands, He turns everything to our good so that nothing can harm us.
Genesis 49:29-33; 50:15-26
29 Jacob gave his sons this charge: “Since I am about to be taken to my people, bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there, too, I buried Leah — 32 the field and the cave in it that had been purchased from the Hittites.” 50: 15 Now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought, “Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!” 16 So they approached Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions: 17 ‘You shall say to Joseph, Jacobbegs you to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you so cruelly.’ Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we, the servants of your father’s God, committed.” When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears. 18 Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “Let us be your slaves!” 19 But Joseph replied to them: “Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? 20 Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people. 21 Therefore have no fear. I will provide for you and for your children.” By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them. 22 Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years. 23 He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir were also born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die. God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued, “When God thus takes care of you, you must bring my bones up with you from this place.” 26 Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Genesis 49:29-33; 50:15-26
29 Jacob gave his sons this charge: “Since I am about to be taken to my people, bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there, too, I buried Leah — 32 the field and the cave in it that had been purchased from the Hittites.” 50: 15 Now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought, “Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!” 16 So they approached Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions: 17 ‘You shall say to Joseph, Jacobbegs you to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you so cruelly.’ Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we, the servants of your father’s God, committed.” When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears. 18 Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “Let us be your slaves!” 19 But Joseph replied to them: “Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? 20 Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people. 21 Therefore have no fear. I will provide for you and for your children.” By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them. 22 Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years. 23 He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir were also born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die. God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued, “When God thus takes care of you, you must bring my bones up with you from this place.” 26 Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Friday
Daily Messages- John 13:16-20
Jesus is the Master and we are His disciples. Nothing will ever change the fundamentals of this relationship. Yes, Jesus will call us His friends but that will not change the fact that He is the lead and we are to follow wherever He goes. There seems to be something in the vast majority of all people, if not all people, that wants to be a leader. Well, when it comes to our faith there is only one leader and His name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
John 13:16-20
16 When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. 18 I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
my reflections
t h i n k : Let us trust that what God wants to do with us is best for us.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
John 13:16-20
16 When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. 18 I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
my reflections
t h i n k : Let us trust that what God wants to do with us is best for us.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Thursday
Inspiring Message- Acts 13:13-25
Paul is well and truly off on mission now. For the next 15 or so years he will rarely rest as he proclaims the Gospel from modern day Turkey in the East until Rome in the West. He even harbored ideas of going to Spain. It is important that we do not limit the power of the Holy Spirit through our unbelief. Let us trust that what God wants to do with us is best for us as well and so be willing to surrender to His call.
Acts 13:13-25
13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, “My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” 16 So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out of it 18 and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. 19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20 at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. After these things he provided judges up to Samuel [the] prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Acts 13:13-25
13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, “My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” 16 So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out of it 18 and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. 19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20 at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. After these things he provided judges up to Samuel [the] prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Daily Reflections- Acts 3:11-26
Peter gives the leaders of the people the benefit of the doubt when he acknowledges that they probably did not realize what they were doing when they handed over Jesus to the Roman authorities. Likewise, we should be willing to give people the benefit of the doubt when we think they have wronged us. It will not hurt us to approach a conflict situation thinking the best of our opponent. In fact, we ought to go one step further and forgive them even before we ask them to admit their fault and be sorry for what they have done.
Acts 3:11-26
11 As the crippled man who had been cured clung to Peter and John, all the people hurried in amazement toward them in the portico called “Solomon’s Portico.” 12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people, “You children of Israel, why are you amazed at this, and why do you look so intently at us as if we had made him walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him. 14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you. 17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; 18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, 20 and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. 22 For Moses said: ‘A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen in all that he may say to you. 23 Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people.’ 24 Moreover, all the prophets who spoke, from Samuel and those afterwards, also announced these days. 25 You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he said to Abraham, ‘In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Acts 3:11-26
11 As the crippled man who had been cured clung to Peter and John, all the people hurried in amazement toward them in the portico called “Solomon’s Portico.” 12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people, “You children of Israel, why are you amazed at this, and why do you look so intently at us as if we had made him walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him. 14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you. 17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; 18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, 20 and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. 22 For Moses said: ‘A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen in all that he may say to you. 23 Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people.’ 24 Moreover, all the prophets who spoke, from Samuel and those afterwards, also announced these days. 25 You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he said to Abraham, ‘In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.”
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
Inspiring Messages-John 8:1-11
Jesus challenges those who condemn the woman caught in adultery to examine their own lives for sin. Who are we to condemn a person to death? Are we the ones responsible for the gift of life? No! Only God determines the times of life and death. It is not a light thing to pass judgment on someone as we are all sinners and worthy of judgment! Before we condemn others for their actions, let us be sure that we are not guilty of sin ourselves.
John 8:1-11
1 While Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand inthe middle. 4 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 7 But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
my reflections
t h i n k : Before we condemn others for their actions, let us be sure that we are not guilty of sin ourselves.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
John 8:1-11
1 While Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand inthe middle. 4 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 7 But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
my reflections
t h i n k : Before we condemn others for their actions, let us be sure that we are not guilty of sin ourselves.
http://www.kerygmafamily.com
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