By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3-4) Then Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (Mark 16:15)
Pages
Wednesday, 20 November 2024
The “Power” of Jesus Christ
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
He Fell at Jesus' Feet Giving Thanks
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
What can adversity teach us about the blessing of thanksgiving and the healing power of love and mercy? The Book of Proverbs states: A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). When adversity strikes you find out who truly is your brother, sister, and friend. The Gospel records an unusual encounter between two peoples who had been divided for centuries. The Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with one another even though Samaria was located in the central part of Judaea. Both peoples were openly hostile whenever their paths crossed. In this Gospel narrative we see one rare exception - a Samaritan leper in company with nine Jewish lepers. Sometimes adversity forces people to drop their barriers or to forget their prejudices. When this band of Jewish and Samaritan lepers saw Jesus they made a bold request. They didn't ask for healing, but instead asked for mercy.
Mercy is heartfelt sorrow at another's misfortune
The word mercy literally means "sorrowful at heart". But mercy is something more than compassion, or heartfelt sorrow at another's misery and misfortune. Compassion empathizes with the sufferer. But mercy goes further - it removes suffering. A merciful person shares in another's misfortune and suffering as if it were his or her own. And such a person will do everything in his or her power to dispel that misery.
Mercy is also connected with justice. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), a great teacher and scripture scholar, said that mercy "does not destroy justice, but is a certain kind of fulfillment of justice. ..Mercy without justice is the mother of dissolution; (and) justice without mercy is cruelty." Mercy.."moves us to do what we can do to help the other." Mercy seeks to remedy the weakness of others, and where sin is involved to lead others to recognize their need for repentance and turning away from wrongdoing. Pardon without repentance negates justice.
God's mercy brings healing of mind, heart, and body
So what is the significance of these ten lepers asking Jesus to show them mercy? They know they are in need of healing, not just physical, but spiritual healing as well. They approach Jesus with faith and with sorrow for their sins because they believe that he can release the burden of their guilt and suffering and restore both soul and body. Their request for mercy is both a plea for pardon and release from suffering. Jesus gives mercy to all who ask with faith and contrition (true sorrow for sin).
Why did only one leper out of ten return to show gratitude? Gratefulness, a word which expresses gratitude of heart and a thankful disposition, is related to grace - which means the release of loveliness. Gratitude is the homage of the heart which responds with graciousness in expressing an act of thanksgiving. The Samaritan approached Jesus reverently and gave praise to God.
Ingratitude leads to lack of love and kindness, and intolerance towards others
If we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy and help shown to us, we will be ungrateful and unkind towards others. Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude easily leads to lack of charity and intolerance towards others, as well as to other vices, such as complaining, grumbling, discontentment, pride, and presumption. How often have we been ungrateful to our parents, pastors, teachers, and neighbors? Do you express gratitude to God for his abundant help and mercy towards you and are you gracious, kind, and merciful towards your neighbor in their time of need and support?
Lord Jesus, may I never fail to recognize your loving kindness and mercy. Fill my heart with compassion and thanksgiving, and free me from ingratitude and discontentment. Help me to count my blessings with a grateful heart and to give thanks in all circumstances.
Monday, 7 October 2024
Aunt's nursing care and medical needs. Help needed.
Monday, 23 September 2024
Hear the Word of God and Do It
Luke 8:19-21 19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. 20 And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you." 21 But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." Who do you love and cherish the most? God did not intend for us to be alone, but to be with others. He gives us many opportunities for developing relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Why does Jesus seem to ignore his own relatives when they pressed to see him? His love and respect for his mother and his relatives is unquestionable. Jesus never lost an opportunity to teach his disciples a spiritual lesson and truth about the kingdom of God. On this occasion when many gathered to hear Jesus he pointed to another higher reality of relationships, namely our relationship with God and with those who belong to God. What is the essence of being a Christian? It is certainly more than doctrine, precepts, and commandments. It is first and foremost a relationship - a relationship of trust, affection, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion, mercy, helpfulness, encouragement, support, strength, protection, and so many other qualities that bind people together in mutual love and unity. God seeks a personal intimate relationship with each one of us God offers us the greatest of relationships - union of heart, mind, and spirit with himself, the very author and source of love (1 John 4:8,16). God's love never fails, never forgets, never compromises, never lies, never lets us down nor disappoints us. His love is consistent, unwavering, unconditional, unrelenting and unstoppable. There is no end to his love. Nothing in this world can make him leave us, ignore us, or withhold from us his merciful love and care (Romans 8:31-39). He will love us no matter what. It is his nature to love. That is why he created us - to be united with him and to share in his love (1 John 3:1). God is a trinity of divine persons - one in being with the eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and a community of undivided love. God made us in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26,27) to be a people who are free to choose what is good, loving, and just and to reject whatever is false and contrary to his love and righteousness (moral goodness). That is why Jesus challenged his followers, and even his own earthly relatives, to recognize that God is the true source of all relationships. God wants all of our relationships to be rooted in his love and goodness. The heavenly Father's offer of friendship and adoption Jesus Christ is God's love incarnate - God's love made visible in human flesh (1 John 4:9-10). That is why Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep and the shepherd who seeks out the sheep who have strayed and lost their way. God is like the father who yearns for his prodigal son to return home and then throws a great party for his son when he has a change of heart and comes back (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus offered up his life on the cross for our sake, so that we could be forgiven and restored to unity and friendship with God. It is through Jesus that we become the adopted children of God - his own sons and daughters. That is why Jesus told his disciples that they would have many new friends and family relationships in his kingdom. Whoever does the will of God is a friend of God and a member of his family - his sons and daughters who have been ransomed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters - members of God's family Lucian of Antioch (240-312 AD), an early Christian martyr once said that "a Christian's only relatives are the saints"- namely those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and adopted as sons and daughters of God. Those who have been baptized into Jesus Christ and who live as his disciples enter into a new family, a family of "saints" here on earth and in heaven. Jesus changes the order of relationships and shows that true kinship is not just a matter of flesh and blood. Our adoption as sons and daughters of God transforms all of our relationships and requires a new order of loyalty to God first and to his kingdom of righteousness and peace. Do you want to grow in love and friendship? Allow the Holy Spirit to transform your heart, mind, and will to enable you to love freely and generously as God has loved you. source: From the desk of Don Schwager, hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East |
Speak Lord, for your servant is listening
Listening to God must involve God's Word and the Holy Spirit working together in the mind and heart.
God uses people and circumstances, we must always consider what God is saying to us in the light of His infallible Word.
God never contradicts His Word.
Many have heard and yet remain deaf. Will we take heed to what we hear? With ears of faith, hear and believe.
The Lord tells us to “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more.” (Mark 4:24)
As we faithfully listen and believe, we will increasingly be enabled to listen and believe (Proverbs 9:9-10, Proverbs 2:1-7)
2. Understanding what God says
3. Trusting in what God says
4. Being transformed by what God says
JESUS, I need YOU now
Wednesday, 21 August 2024
Merciful Father, I need you now
I like the prodigal son come to you Father God, Lord redeem me today and give a chance to change my life. I am a sinner, and it is not worthy for you to come under my roof. But I truly believe and have faith that you only have to command and it will be done according to your will. Do it Lord for your glory and I thank you, praise you and honour you alone, Amen.
Doa Kerahiman Ilahi jam 3 petang (Divine Mercy 3 o'clock)
Ya Yesus, Engkau telah wafat,Namun sumber kehidupan telah memancar bagi jiwa-jiwa,dan terbukalah lautan kerahiman bagi segenap dunia.O, sumber kehidupan Kerahiman Ilahi yang tak terselami,Naungilah segenap dunia dan curahkanlah diri-Mu pada kami.
Darah dan Air yang telah memancar dari hati Yesus sebagai sumber kerahiman bagi kami,Engkaulah Andalanku(Hening sejenak)
Allah yang kudus, kudus dan berkuasa, kudus dan kekal, kasihanilah kami dan seluruh dunia (3x)
Yesus Raja Kerahiman Ilahi, Engkaulah Andalanku. Amin.
Divine Mercy 3 o'clock Prayer in English
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fountain of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, cover the whole world and empty yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a Fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and the whole world. (3 times)
Sunday, 11 August 2024
Jesus touch me, I need you now Lord and Saviour
Only you Lord can do the impossible. It is not worthy for you to enter under my roof but I truly believe Lord, you only you have to command and it will be done. Help me Jesus, touch me and help me. I am in urgent need of your miracle Lord, save me today Lord.
Forgive me Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.
Wednesday, 17 July 2024
Jesus I need you
Lord Jesus I am in real need of your miracle now. Things are beyond me, please Lord help only you can save me. I repent for my sins and mistakes, I want to change. Give me this one chance Lord, redeem me by your miracle, have mercy on a sinner like me. Do not let me be put to shame. Send forth your angels to help me, Jesus you only have to say the word and it will be done. Do it for your glory Lord. I am truly grateful for all you done for me in my life. Now I ask you for this one help, do not forsake me Lord but bless me. Come Lord Jesus come, do not hasten to help me, Jesus in your mighty name I pray and put my trust. Amen.
Tuesday, 2 July 2024
Visitation of Relic of Padre Pio from the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio, Batangas, Philippines
Tuesday, 18 June 2024
Heavenly Father God, I need you now more than ever
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
Beautiful story of Feelings
Thursday, 30 May 2024
Heavenly Father HELP me
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Prayer to St. Expedite in urgent need (patron saint for a problem which needs to be solved immediately)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I call forth the Power and presence of Saint Expedite in my time of financial trouble.
I offer my body, heart, mind and soul upon your altar of light.
I have faith, trust and complete confidence that you will be my strength in this time of need.
Quickly come to my assistance. Bring to me…
(Clearly express what you need, and ask Him to find a way to get it to you)
My financial need is urgent.
Be my light and guide in this situation so that I may live with peace, love, prosperity and abundance and in the Praise of God.
(Now promise to give Saint Expedite a specific offering when your desire is granted.)
Amen.
Prayer to St. Expedite in times of conflict
Thursday, 9 May 2024
Maranatha, come Lord JESUS come
Thursday, 28 March 2024
Hear my prayer Lord, do not forsake me, make a way for me
Lord I truly believed in Your promise that You know the plans for my future and hope and You will lead me back from where I was exiled and You will restore my life. Lord, I am in desperate and urgent need of Your miraculous help. I need a financial breakthrough to get out of this quicksand pit I am in. I need the money not to be rich but to payoff all my backlog bank installments and also my aunty who is bedridden with a tracheostomy and colostomy she unable care for herself, no income, single I need support and care for her as i am the only one with her. I am sinking Lord but with Your right hand Lord You can lift me out and save me, nothing is impossible for You. I know Lord, You only have to say the word and it will be done. In Your mighty name Jesus I pray and Your glory. Amen.