Accepting The Grace of Jesus' Presence

Accepting The Grace of Jesus' Presence How different would our lives be if Jesus said, Hurry, I must stay at your house today.” Would we be in awe or fearful, tranquil or upset, joyful or nervous, ecstatic or distressed, happily surprised or intruded upon, caring or indifferent? Are there areas in our lives we would change if Jesus were to come to our house? Jesus is there with us, in our houses, cars, and at our workplaces. Every day Jesus wants us to notice Him. How long will we wait until we acknowledge His presence? Human life is multifaceted yet our faith can make it plain and simple. Fear not what your family or your neighbors will say when your new attitudes model that of Christ. Let us accept the grace we have today to know Jesus that has been with us all along. Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today ." So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."

Listen First, Then Respond With Faith

Listen First, Then Respond with Faith When we are crying out for Jesus to help us, how well do we listen? Can we hear Him when he asks “What do you want me to do for you?” Our response to Jesus when He asks us a question is crucial. We may think we sound foolish when our petitions are repetitive. Or perhaps our requests are the most selfless thoughts that has ever left our lips. Whatever our response will be, the real question is, are we really listening and responding to what He is asking? When you need answers pray sincerely, whole-heartedly, and humbly when you put yourself before the Lord. Really listen to Jesus’ question before you take action. Then with faith respond to what Jesus puts on your heart. You may not agree with nor like His answer, but your spirit will know what He says is just, fair, honorable and virtuous. Then with a committed heart go and do what your heart leads you to do. Luke 18:35-43 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." Then he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God

Mercy At Your Doorstep

Mercy At Your Doorstep Many of us have had experiences where at one moment everything was fine and the next we were stricken with bad news, a terrible accident or tragedy at our door. It is not what will happen that is important. What is important is how we respond to all matters in our lives when the .calamity hits. Jesus will come when we least expect it. His coming should not be a tragedy unless we have not lived as He taught us. Let us take time to read God’s word, put into practice those words of wisdom, apply those morals and value to our lives, and express only love and compassion to all we meet. When we try live as we ought, our daily prayers will always include prayers of forgiveness. Be prepared, for we do not know the day or the hour of Jesus’ coming. But with faith believe you will see the mercy of God fall upon your doorstep. Luke 17:26-37 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all of them � it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.' Then they asked him, 'Where, Lord?' He said to them, 'Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.'

The Benefit Of The Best Seat

The Benefit Of The Best Seat A firework show in a city can be seen from the city’s limits. However, being right beneath the center of the colorful explosives rising in the sky might seem to be the best seat. When Jesus comes you will not need to travel a single block. His coming will be visible anywhere we are in the world. His light will flash and light up the sky from one side to the other. Do not go off in pursuit of finding Jesus if someone says He is at their house or in their city. You will know when Jesus is here! If we are living right now in such a way to confidently receive Jesus Christ when He comes, then we know we have the benefit of the best seat and will see Him no matter where we are! Luke 17:20-25 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, 'Look there!' or 'Look here!' Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation

Thank God For Another Beautiful Day

Thank God For Another Beautiful Day Do we take for granted the graces we receive each day? Are we so busy that we cannot see through the webs of relationships and races to finish our tasks? Are we taking time out from the chaos of our lives to give thanks to God? If we are truly conscious of what God does for us we can stop all day long and give thanks. When you rise in the morning gives thanks for a new day. When you leave your house thank God for the roof over your head. When you sit in the car pray to God for another safe journey. When you encounter the well and ill thank God that you are able to be with them to enjoy their company or assist with their needs. When you work give thanks to God that you have an opportunity to share your gifts of patience, kindness and talents. When you cook do it with love and thank God you have food to nourish you and your family. Before you lay your head down to sleep, fall to your knees and bow your head, pray for the world, and thank God for another beautiful day.

Do It With Love

Do It With Love Sometimes we do things are that expected of us and expect an extra reward or recompense. If you are hired for a job, use your best talents. If you are a son or a daughter serve your parents as a child ought to do. If you are better off than your neighbor, share your wealth. In all you do, do it with love.

Blessings From The Heart

Blessings From The Heart There is a beauty in giving a kiss, a hug, sharing a meal, an uplifting story, paying a visit, putting on a party without the expectation of anything in return. There is even more reward to doing this for others would never expect it from you. We all can reach out a little more from our comfort zone, our closest circle of family, friends and neighbors to share the gift our ourselves. You will be blessed because a gift from the heart cannot be repaid; only accepted in love. Luke 14:12-14 Jesus said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."