No Pressure
“How could you want to help her, she hates you?” “I mean it. If you help him again, I’m out of here!”
Don’t buckle under foolish pressure. It is right to help another even if it is not appreciated and others do not understand. Pray that through your consistent example of giving without condition the difficult will be transformed.
Inspired by 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 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.”
Brothers & Sisters In Christ
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
I Can See Clearly Now
I can see clearly now
We don’t need our eyesight to get excited about free food, a day off work, or an unexpected bonus! However, we do need our spiritual vision so that we can get excited about Jesus being so close that we can taste heaven!
Inspired by Luke 18:35-43
As he 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.
We don’t need our eyesight to get excited about free food, a day off work, or an unexpected bonus! However, we do need our spiritual vision so that we can get excited about Jesus being so close that we can taste heaven!
Inspired by Luke 18:35-43
As he 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.
Friday, November 12, 2010
These Precious Moments
These Precious Moments
“Why did he get the job? I’ve been here longer.” “How could you die and leave me! There was so much I wanted to say to you!”
Longevity isn’t the element that makes you valuable or your relationships precious.
Give beyond expectations and savor the relationships you have today, so if tomorrow does not come you will have no regrets.
Inspired by Luke 17:26-36
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 sulfur 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.
“Why did he get the job? I’ve been here longer.” “How could you die and leave me! There was so much I wanted to say to you!”
Longevity isn’t the element that makes you valuable or your relationships precious.
Give beyond expectations and savor the relationships you have today, so if tomorrow does not come you will have no regrets.
Inspired by Luke 17:26-36
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 sulfur 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.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Praise! Praise! Praise!
Praise! Praise! Praise!
“Yeah, good things happen for me, but never like that.” “Who am I going to thank. I did all the work.”
It’s not the size of your blessings that should be what matters. Be thankful because you were blessed with an outcome in your favor, a peaceful night or a matter that changed your life. God goes to great trouble to line up lives, using their sufferings, wealth and hearts to help you.
Nurture your soul and develop a thankful spirit that praises God for even the most insignificant matters.
Inspired by Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
“Yeah, good things happen for me, but never like that.” “Who am I going to thank. I did all the work.”
It’s not the size of your blessings that should be what matters. Be thankful because you were blessed with an outcome in your favor, a peaceful night or a matter that changed your life. God goes to great trouble to line up lives, using their sufferings, wealth and hearts to help you.
Nurture your soul and develop a thankful spirit that praises God for even the most insignificant matters.
Inspired by Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Journey With the Saints
The goal of all our undertaking should not be so much a task perfectly completed but the accomplishment of the will of God.
St. Therese of Lisieux
The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God. Nothing can bring greater happiness than doing God's will for the love of God.
Blessed Miguel Febres Cordero-Munoz
St. Therese of Lisieux
The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God. Nothing can bring greater happiness than doing God's will for the love of God.
Blessed Miguel Febres Cordero-Munoz
I know my own and my own know me.
“I know my own and my own know me.”
What kind influence do you have over your spouse, parents, children, friends, even strangers? Are you a virtuous leader in your home, church, or workplace?
By God's you have the ability to effectively sway others. Set high standards for yourself. Don’t ask others to accept you, your morals and values as anything less that something upright, honest and upstanding.
God gave us Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to imitate. Jesus gave us hope and an eternal future. This same hope took hold of the disciples, everyday men - His sheep, and they were willing to put themselves out there for all to see, support and ridicule. The disciples believed and carried out an extraordinary mission in the name of Christ. Today, this same remarkable mission is yours to carry out!
God so loved the world that He gave his Only Son. With that same incredible power of love, be an outstanding model for others to imitate.
Inspired by John 10:11-16
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
What kind influence do you have over your spouse, parents, children, friends, even strangers? Are you a virtuous leader in your home, church, or workplace?
By God's you have the ability to effectively sway others. Set high standards for yourself. Don’t ask others to accept you, your morals and values as anything less that something upright, honest and upstanding.
God gave us Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to imitate. Jesus gave us hope and an eternal future. This same hope took hold of the disciples, everyday men - His sheep, and they were willing to put themselves out there for all to see, support and ridicule. The disciples believed and carried out an extraordinary mission in the name of Christ. Today, this same remarkable mission is yours to carry out!
God so loved the world that He gave his Only Son. With that same incredible power of love, be an outstanding model for others to imitate.
Inspired by John 10:11-16
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
The Best of You
The Best of You
“I have to let you go. You have not done the job you were hired to do.” “It’s too late. You’ve had many opportunities to step it up.”
A paycheck, position on a team, a part in a play or a relationship is not given or shared for a complacent attitude or mediocre performance. The reward should be well earned and not taken for granted.
Sleep, mindlessness and rest are for the night. The day light is for the world to see God’s best work in you.
Inspired by John 10:11-16
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ So, summing his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ’Take your bill and make it eighty.’ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
“I have to let you go. You have not done the job you were hired to do.” “It’s too late. You’ve had many opportunities to step it up.”
A paycheck, position on a team, a part in a play or a relationship is not given or shared for a complacent attitude or mediocre performance. The reward should be well earned and not taken for granted.
Sleep, mindlessness and rest are for the night. The day light is for the world to see God’s best work in you.
Inspired by John 10:11-16
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ So, summing his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ’Take your bill and make it eighty.’ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
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