Dear God, open a door for my message, so that I may proclaim the mystery of Christ. I pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Colossians 4:3-4

R4C

R4C
Reconciliation and Forgiveness ~ I am Sorry * Please Forgive Me * Thank You * I Love You. ~ Reconciliation and Forgiveness ~ I am Sorry * Please Forgive Me * Thank You * I Love You. ~ Reconciliation and Forgiveness ~ I am Sorry * Please Forgive Me * Thank You * I Love You.

Generosity from the Heart

Generosity from the Heart


Matt 6:3, "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"


If this blog is informative and helpful in your pursuit to follow Jesus, and deepening your Christian faith;

Please support my work. Thank you and God Bless.


Proverbs 11:25, "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."


How to make contibution (click on this link)


May the Lord bless you for your generosity, and may the Mother of God intercede for your every need.


Your act of generosity will be rewarded, and your blessing will be “pressed down, shaken together, and RUNNING OVER.

Psalm 19:14, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Showing posts with label goodness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goodness. Show all posts

Monday, 11 March 2024

Prayer for Healing

Loving Father, I come before you trusting in your goodness, kindness and the power of your healing love as I lift up to you my physical need,

Heal me, Lord, Lord, you know all things, you can do all things and I know you love me very much. Only you know what is best for me and what I need in terms of healing.

As I sit before you now lay your hands upon me, touch me, heal me and bring me wholeness of body, mind, emotions and spirit. Let the grace of your divine love and power flow to me right now to reach the inner recesses of my being and spread to the different parts of my body.

Take away any pain or feeling of discomfort. Correct any malfunctioning of my bodily organs and tissues. Melt with the heat of your healing love all abnormal and growths. Arrest the further spreading of those cells and create in me new and healthy cells. Root out all the hurts embedded in my subconscious through the years.

Heal all my feelings of rejection, anger, frustration, aggravation, all painful memories of the past and repercussions of traumatic experiences. As you root out all these hurts, fill that void with your spirit of love, peace and understanding, acceptance, meekness and tenderness, kindness, concern and generosity.

As I completely surrender to you my sickness, deliver me from dwelling on self-pity, fears, anxieties, hopelessness and all negative thoughts, and give me the grace to offer all my pains and sufferings for other suffering people like me, especially those sick , no one to support them and pray for them.

Help me to see the blessings out of each trial to realize each victory from every tear, to see your guiding hand and feel your loving presence in everything that is happening to me, confident that you are totally in control.

Help me to learn lessons from my mistakes of the past, and work on changes in my life and my way of living. And then, dearest Lord, after I have been healed may my life be a witness to your love, peace and healing power for others and bring glory, honor and praise to you.

All these I pray in the name of Jesus, through the intercession of Mary and all the saints and angels.

Amen.

Tuesday, 15 November 2022

What Do You Want Me to Do for You?


Luke 18:35-43

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Meditation

Have you ever encountered a special moment of grace, a once in a life-time opportunity you knew you could not pass up? Such a moment came for a blind and destitute man who heard that Jesus was passing by. The Gospel of Mark identifies this man as Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). This blind man was determined to get near the one person who could meet his need. He knew who Jesus was and had heard of his fame for healing, but until now had no means of making contact with the Son of David, a clear reference and title for the Messiah.

Faith and persistence is rewarded
It took raw courage and bold persistence for Bartimaeus to get the attention of Jesus over the din of a noisy throng who crowded around Jesus as he made his way out of town. Why was the crowd annoyed with the blind man's persistent shouts? He was disturbing their peace and interrupting their conversation with Jesus. It was common for a rabbi to teach as he walked with others. Jesus was on his way to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem and a band of pilgrims followed him. When the crowd tried to silence the blind man he overpowered them with his loud emotional outburst and thus caught the attention of Jesus.

This incident reveals something important about how God interacts with us. The blind man was determined to get Jesus' attention and he was persistent in the face of opposition. Jesus could have ignored or scolded him because he was interrupting his talk and disturbing his audience. Jesus showed that acting was more important than talking. This man was in desperate need and Jesus was ready not only to empathize with his suffering but to relieve it as well.

The blind man recognized Jesus with eyes of faith
A great speaker can command attention and respect, but a man or woman with a helping hand and a big heart is loved more. Jesus commends Bartimaeus for recognizing who he is with the eyes of faith and grants him physical sight as well. Do you recognize your need for God's healing grace and do you seek Jesus out, like Bartimaeus, with persistent faith and trust in his goodness and mercy?

Bartimaeus was not only grateful for the gift of faith and the gift of physical sight, but for the opportunity to now follow Jesus as one of his disciples. Luke tells us us that he immediately followed Jesus and gave glory to God. The crowd also gave praise to God when they saw this double miracle of spiritual and physical vision. Cyril of Alexandria, a 5th century church father, comments on this double vision:
Now that he was delivered from his blindness, did he neglect the duty of loving Christ? He certainly did not. It says, "He followed him, offering him glory like to God." He was set free from double blindness. Not only did he escape from the blindness of the body but also from that of the mind and heart. He would not have glorified him as God, had he not possessed spiritual vision. He became the means of others giving Christ glory, for it says that all the people gave glory to God.(Commentary on Luke, Homily 126)

Do you give glory to God for giving you the "eyes of faith" to recognize him as your Lord and Healer?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart and mind that I may see and understand the truth and goodness of your word. May I never fail to recognize your presence with me and to call upon your saving grace in my time of need and healing.


Source: Don Schwager, Kairos


Thursday, 30 January 2020

Living in the light of God's truth and wisdom


What does the image of light and a lamp tell us about God's kingdom?

Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling or losing their way. The Jews also understood "light" as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. Many passages from the Old Testament Scriptures describe how God's light guides and helps us grow in our knowledge of him and his truth and wisdom for our lives. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). 

We are light-bearers of God's truth and love
The truth cannot remain hidden, or suppressed, or destroyed. We might refuse to face the truth or try to suppress it, or destroy it, but the truth will always prevail because it is indestructible. That is why God wants us to know the truth and to stake our lives on it. God's grace (his indwelling presence and power at work in us) and his word of truth enable us to hear, believe, and obey him without fear or reservation. Just as natural light prevails over the darkness around us and enable us to see clearly, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of all who hear and believe his word. God wants to fill us with his Holy Spirit so that we may shine brightly with the radiance of his truth, love, and goodness. 

Jesus called John the Baptist "a burning and shining lamp" (John 5:35) because he bore witness to God's word and pointed others to Jesus, the true Light and Savior of the world. Our call and mission, like John the Baptist, is to be light-bearers of Jesus Christ so that many others may hear and understand the truth of the Gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ) and be set free from the blindness of sin, ignorance, and deception.

Living in the light brings true freedom and joy
Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways or bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide them from others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. 

There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek his truth and goodness. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him. And they will not lack what they need to live as Christ's disciples. And they will shine as lights that show the wisdom and truth of God's word. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light and truth?

"Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin, ignorance, and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed."

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 
hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

According to Your Faith

According to your Faith be it done to you.
(Matthew 9:29)
A lot of times when people have a need, they think that if God wanted to, He would just automatically meet it. But Jesus didn’t say, according to your need be it unto you; He said, according to your faith. That’s why it’s so important to have an attitude of expectancy every single day. If we want God to move in our lives, we have to approach every day filled with faith and hope. Scripture tells us in Romans that “faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” The more you meditate on the Word of God, the more your faith will grow and the more you will see Him working in your life. Remember, God longs to bless you, and He’s given you everything you need to be successful in life. All things are possible to those who believe! Believe in His goodness today, believe His Word, and according to your faith, be it done for you! 



Prayer 
Father, thank You for Your hand of blessing in my life today. I open my heart to You and trust that You have a good plan for me. Give me a heart filled with faith and hope to believe for every promise You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Thursday, 12 April 2018

He who believes in the Son has eternal life


Do you hunger for the true and abundant life which God offers through the gift of his Holy Spirit? The Jews understood that God gave a certain portion of his Spirit to his prophets. When Elijah was about to depart for heaven, his servant Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit which Elijah had received from God (2 Kings 2:9). 

The Holy Spirit opens our minds to understand God's word of truth 
Jesus tells his disciples that they can believe the words he speaks because God the Father has anointed him by pouring out his Spirit on him in full measure, without keeping anything back. The function of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God's truth to us. Jesus declared that "when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). When we receive the Holy Spirit he opens our hearts and minds to recognize and understand God's word of truth.

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, "I believe in order to understand; and I understand the better to believe." Faith opens our minds and hearts to receive God's word of truth and to obey it willingly. Do you believe God's word and receive it as if your life depended on it?

God gives us the freedom to accept or reject what he says is true. But with that freedom also comes a responsibility to recognize the consequences of the choice we make - either to believe what he has spoken to us through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, or to ignore, reject, and chose our own way apart from God. Our choices will either lead us on the path of abundant life and union with God, or the path that leads to spiritual death and separation from God.

Love the Lord, cling to him, and you will have life 
God issued a choice and a challenge to the people of the Old Covenant: "See I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. ...I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him" (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). And God issues the same challenge to the people of the New Covenant today. Do you weigh the consequences of your choices? Do the choices you make lead you towards life or death - blessing or cursing?

If you choose to obey God's voice and to do his will, then you will know and experience that abundant life which comes from God himself. If you choose to follow your own way apart from God and his will, then you choose for death – a spiritual death which poisons and kills the heart and soul until there is nothing left but an empty person devoid of love, truth, goodness, purity, peace, and joy. Do your choices lead you towards God or away from God?

Lord Jesus Christ, let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform my heart and mind that I may choose life - the abundant life you offer to those who trust in you. Give me courage to always choose what is good, true, and just and to reject whatever is false, foolish, and contrary to your holy will.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 
hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Thursday, 27 July 2017

God of goodness, grace, compassion and mercy



God loved us with an everlasting love and came down to this earth to bear all our sorrows and curses on the cross for us.

Therefore, let us brush aside all our grief and move forward comforting ourselves saying, "My Lord Jesus Christ is walking before me bearing all my curses and sorrows on the cross. I have nothing to fear or worry."

God's grace saves us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8)

God is moved with compassion when you look unto Him and He will perform a miracle for you, whenever Jesus Christ performed a miracle, He was moved with compassion.

Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Matthew 20:34; Mark 6:34; Luke 7:13-14; Acts 10:38

Take all your problems and needs to Him and you shall see His mighty wonder working power manifest in your life. When you invite Him into your heart, He will come in and comfort your broken heart. He will wipe away your tears and fill you with exceeding joy.

The grace which God gives us is surely effective in our lives, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14)

Help me to lead a life pleasing to You. Increase the hope within me that I will receive everything according to Your plan. Lord, I humble myself. Grant me Your grace and heal me.

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities" (Psalm 31:7), trials and tribulations may come; but remember our Lord Jesus will never forsake us during such times. He promises to give us victory in all our tribulations.

Heavenly Father, You do wonders without number. You are a God of compassion and love to do miracles when people cry out to You in distress. I thank You that You always answer me whenever I cry out to You. Fill me with Your goodness and mercy. Let Your love and grace follow me all my days. In Jesus Name I pray.

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23) "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

An adulterous generation seeks for a sign


What would the Lord Jesus say about our generation? Jesus gave a rather stern warning to his generation when they demanded a sign from him. It was characteristic of the Jews that they demanded "signs" from God's messengers to authenticate their claims. Jesus faulted them for one thing: spiritual adultery. The image of adultery was often used in the Scriptures for describing apostasy or infidelity towards God.

Signs from God 
When the religious leaders pressed Jesus to give proof for his claims to be the Messiah sent from God, he says in so many words that he is God's sign and that they need no further evidence from heaven than his own person. The Ninevites recognized God's warning when Jonah spoke to them, and they repented (Jonah 3:5). And the Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-9). Jonah was God's sign and his message was the message of God for the people of Nineveh. Unfortunately the religious leaders of Jesus' day were not content to accept the signs right before their eyes. They had rejected the message of John the Baptist and now they reject Jesus as God's Anointed One ( Messiah) and they fail to heed his message.

Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against... that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:34-35). Jesus confirmed his message with many miracles in preparation for the greatest sign of all - his resurrection on the third day.

The Holy Spirit's gift of wisdom and understanding 
The Lord Jesus, through the gift of his Holy Spirit, offers us freedom from sin and ignorance, and he gives us wisdom and understanding so that we may grow in knowledge of God and his ways. Do you thirst for God and for the wisdom which comes from above? James the Apostle says that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17). A double-minded person cannot receive this kind of wisdom. If we wish to be wise in God's ways, then we must humble ourselves before him, like attentive students who wish to learn, and submit our heart and mind to his will for our lives.

The single of heart and mind desire one thing alone - God who is the source of all wisdom, goodness, truth, and knowledge. Do you wish to be wise and loving as God is wise and loving? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the wisdom which comes from above and to free your heart from all that would hinder God's loving action in your life.

Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may grow in wisdom and knowledge of your love and truth. Free me from stubborn pride and willfulness that I may wholly desire to do what is pleasing to you.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 
hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

The salt of the earth and light of the world - Mt 5:13-16


Jesus used ordinary images, such as salt and light, to convey extraordinary truths that transform our minds, hearts, and lives. What does salt and light have to teach us about God and the transforming power of his kingdom? Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world. People traded with it, like we trade with valuable goods, such as gold and stock. Salt also served a very useful purpose, especially in warmer climates before the invention of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave rich flavor to food, it also preserved food from going bad and being spoiled.

God's power at work within us purifies and enriches our lives 
Jesus used the image of salt to describe the transforming effect of God's work in our lives - and how the Holy Spirit wants to work in and through us to bring the power and blessing of God's kingdom to others. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for our daily food, we, too, as disciples of Jesus, are "salt" for the world of human society. The Lord wants to work in and through us to purify, preserve, and spread the rich flavor of God's kingdom everywhere - his "kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Don't lose your saltiness 
What did Jesus mean by the expression "if salt has lost its taste... it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot" (Matthew 5:13)? Salt in the ancient world was often put into ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out on the ground where it would get stepped on and swept away (Matthew 5:13).

How can we lose our "saltiness" - the power of God's rich grace and strength at work in us? If we allow the world (which is opposed to God's truth and moral goodness), and sinful habits, and Satan's lies and deception to corrupt our minds and hearts, then we will lose the rich flavor and strength of God which preserves us from moral and spiritual corruption. The Lord wants us to preserve and enrich our "saltiness" - through Godly living and the rejection of sin - not only for our own sake but also for the sake of others who will be impacted by our witness and behavior.

Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 ). Do you allow the fragrance of Christ's love, truth, and holiness to permeate every area of your life, your thoughts, words, actions, and relationships?

Let the light of Christ shine brightly in and through you for all to see
Jesus used the image of light and a lamp to further his illustration of God's transforming work in and through us. Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood "light" as symbol or expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only dispels the darkness in our lives, it also fills us with the light of Christ's truth, wisdom, joy, and peace.

Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illuminates the darkness and enables one to see cleary, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom (Ephesians 5:13-14). Our mission is to be light-bearers of Jesus Christ so that others may see the truth of the Gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception.

There is great freedom and joy for those who live in the light of God's truth and goodness. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light?

Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 
hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Wednesday, 26 April 2017

God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son


Do you know the love which surpasses the greatest joy and happiness which one could ever hope to find in this life? Greater love is manifested in the cost and sacrifice of the giver. True lovers hold nothing back but give the best that can be offered to their beloved, including all they possess, even their very lives. God proved his love for each and every one of us by giving us the best he had to offer - his only begotten Son who freely offered up his life for our sake as the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sin of the world.

God loves each of us uniquely and personally
Abraham's willing sacrifice of his only son, Isaac, prefigures the perfect offering and sacrifice of God's beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage in the Gospel of John tells us of the great breadth and width of God's love. Not an excluding love for just a few or for a single nation, but a redemptive love that embraces the whole world, and a personal love for each and every individual whom God has created in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26,27). God is the eternal Father of Love who cannot rest until his wandering children have returned home to him. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we will love.

Truth, goodness, and beauty are made perfect in the love of Christ
Jesus shows us the paradox of love and judgment. We can love the darkness of sin and unbelief or we can love the light of God's truth, goodness, and beauty. If our love is guided by what is true, and good, and beautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. What we love shows what we prefer and value most. Do you love God above all else? Does he take first place in your life, in your thoughts, affections, and actions?

Lord Jesus Christ, your love is better than life itself. May your love consume and transform my heart with all of its yearnings, aspirations, fears, hurts, and concerns, that I may freely desire you above all else and love all others generously for your sake and for your glory. Make me to love what you love, desire what you desire, and give generously as you have been so generous towards me.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 
hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Thursday, 23 February 2017

If your hand or eye causes you to sin


Who in their right mind would want to lose their reward and then be deprived of joy in the end? We have been given the greatest of rewards - God himself who is perfect love and source of abundant life and unending happiness. Paul the Apostle tells us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). God's love purifies our hearts and compels us to express kindness and charity towards our neighbor who is created in the image and likeness of God. We were created in love for love. The charity we show to our neighbors in their need expresses the gratitude we have for the abundant goodness and kindness of God towards us. Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to the people of Christ will not lose its reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in need who asked for his help. As his disciples we are called to be kind and generous as he is.

Gregory of Nyssa (330-395 AD), an early church father wrote:

"God never asks his servants to do what is impossible. The love and goodness of his Godhead is revealed as richly available. It is poured out like water upon all. God furnishes to each person according to his will the ability to do something good. None of those seeking to be saved will be lacking in this ability, given by the one who said: 'whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward'" ( ON THE CHRISTIAN MODE OF LIFE 8.1)

Do you allow the love of Christ to transform your heart that you may treat your neighbor with loving-kindness and mercy?

Avoiding evil and the near occasion of sin
Was Jesus' exaggerating when he urged his followers to use drastic measures to avoid evil and its harmful consequences (Mark 9:42-47? Jesus set before his disciples the one supreme goal in life that is worth any sacrifice, and that goal is God himself and his will for our lives which leads to everlasting peace and happiness. Just as a doctor might remove a limb or some part of the body in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything that causes us to sin and which leads to spiritual death. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin. The Greek word for temptation ( scandalon) is exactly the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he or she in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith. Do you set a good example for others to follow, especially the young?

Salt and fire
What does Jesus mean when he says "have salt in yourselves" (Mark 9:50)? Salt served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the invention of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave food flavor, it also preserved meat from spoiling. Salt was used as a symbol of fellowship and the sharing of a common meal with one's friends. The near-Eastern expressionto betray the salt meant to betray one's Lord or Master or one's friends. Leonardo da Vinci in his painting of the Last Supper depicts Judas in the act of tipping over the salt shaker, thus symbolically indentifying himself as the betrayer of his Master the Lord Jesus.

Jesus used the image of salt to describe how his disciples are to live in the world. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for food, so the disciple of Christ must be salt in the world of human society to purify, preserve, and bring the flavor of God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, joy, and mercy. What did Jesus mean by the expression "salted with fire" and "salt losing its saltiness"? Salt in the ancient world was often put in ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out on the foot path where it would easily get trodden upon (Matthew 5:13) . Perhaps Jesus wanted to contrast useful salt and salt which lost its ability to prevent corruption to encourage his disciples to bring the rich flavor of Christ's love, holiness, and righteousness to a world dominated by greed, selfish ambition, and neglect for the weak, poor, and defenseless.

Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 ). The Lord Jesus wants the fragrance of his love and righteousness to permeate our lives, thoughts, speech, and actions. Do you allow the fragrance of Christ's love and truth to permeate your relationships and circle of influence, especially among your family, friends, and neighbors?

Lord Jesus, fill me with the fragrance of your love and truth that I may radiate the joy and peace of the Gospel wherever I go and with whomever I meet.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 
hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

The Lord’s Goodness to the Faithful ~ Psalm 138


I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your loving-kindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.
Though the Lord is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Say the following prayer, and see the goodness of the Lord


You need a miracle tomorrow, 
you never know when God is going to bless you!
GOD is GOOD, all the TIME.

Dear Almighty Lord God Jesus Christ, 
I thank you for this day, 
for this is the day that the Lord has made, 
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I thank you for my being able to see, and to hear, 
and to speak, and to feel, and to taste 
of Your good creation this day and every day.
I'm blessed because you are such a loving 
and such a forgiving God, 
and such an understanding and caring God.
You have done so much for me 
and yet you keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have ever done, 
or ever said or ever thought that was not pleasing to you. 
I say I am so sorry.
I now repent and ask for your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe O God 
from all danger, hurt, and harm.
Help me to start this day and every day 
with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day, 
to clear my mind so that I can hear from you.
Please broaden my mind so that I can accept 
all things according to God's Will. 
Let me not whine and whimper
over things I have no control over, 
for all things are working together 
for my good and God's Glory.
And when I'm pushed beyond my limits, 
give me the best response, 
a response which says Alleluia, and Praise the Lord, 
and Thanks be unto the Most High God Almighty, 
I know that when I can't pray, 
You listen to the prayer of my heart.
Continue to use me to do your will.
Continue to bless me so that I may be A blessing to others.
Keep me strong so that I may help the weak.
Keep me uplifted so that I may have Words 
of encouragement for the discouraged.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way, 
that they come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour  even through this prayer I am now praying.

I pray for those that are misjudged, misguided, 
misused, and misunderstood. 
I pray for those who don't know you intimately.
I pray for those who will delete or ignore this prayer
without sharing the Love of God with others.
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank You, that I do believe
that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers,
for each and every one of the family members
in their households. 
I pray for peace, love, and joy in their homes; 
I pray that they are out of debt
And that all their financial needs are met, 
and they have more than enough to be a blessing to others.
I pray for every eye that reads and says this prayer
that they come to know that there is no problem, 
no circumstance, no situation that is greater than God, 
for God is greater than all, God is greater in all, 
God is greater through all, and God is greater upon all.
For God, the Most High God Almighty 
of all the Universes is truly the Greatest of All.

I pray for all my enemies, and those who have used me 
and abused me, and have lifted up their hands 
and their tongue against me. 
I now forgive them for all they have done. In Jesus Name, all my enemies are now forgiven, 
and I pray God forgiveness upon all my enemies, 
for they do not know what they are doing, 
for I am a Child of God.
So every battle that I have ever encountered in my life 
is now in God's Loving hands, for You, 
O God fights all my battles for me.
I pray that these words be believed, 
received and accepted into the hearts of every eye 
that sees them and every tongue that confesses them
in name of Jesus Christ. 
I pray believing, receiving and accepting 
God's miracles in my life this day and every day, 
for God's Divine favour is now my heritage, 
in Jesus Name. Amen and Amen! 
It is done! O' Praise The Lord! Alleluia!


To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. Therefore, please share this prayer to as many people as possible now, make it known around the world and let this be your ministry unto God who brings miracles in your life today and everyday. You will never know how many people you will bring to the foot of the Cross.

Heavenly Father God I so love you and I need you. I confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my Lord, my Saviour, my Redeemer and my King, and I confess this day and every day that I am highly favoured by God and man. Please come into my life, Lord Jesus Christ and change my heart now!
All Glory, Honour, Blessing. Praise, Power and Thanksgiving belong to You, Heavenly Father.

Monday, 2 September 2013

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord, my light and my salvation (Psalm 27)

Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13 - 14
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
4One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
13I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!