MAY THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST, BE ALWAYS IN OUR HEART TO KEEP US HUMBLE, GRATEFUL, MERCIFUL, FORGIVING --- O GOD, BLESS ALL THAT IS COMING FROM YOU AND BREAK ALL THAT IS NOT COMING FROM YOU, AMEN --- This site is just a drop from the immeasurable ocean in JESUS, THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, HOLY TRINITY ONE GOD - HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE - TEACHER, HEALER, REDEEMER --- The main purpose of this site is to make an easier access to Catholic Religion-related links.
Judaism sees salvation as a judgement day decision based on morality. Hindus anticipate multiple reincarnations in the soul's journey through the cosmos. Buddhism guides your life according to the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight-fold Path. Muslims earn their way to Allah through the Five Pillars of Faith. Many philosophers deem life after death as hidden and unknown, 'a great leap in the dark.' Some people clump Christ with Moses, Mohammad, Confucius, and other spiritual leaders. 'Jesus said..."I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."' John 14:6 (NKJV). Many object, 'All roads lead to heaven.' But how can they? Buddhists look toward Nirvana, achieved after no less than 547 reincarnations. Christians believe in one life, one death, and an eternity of enjoying God. Humanists don't acknowledge a creator of life. Jesus claims to be the source of life. Spiritualists read your palms. Christians consult the Bible. Hindus perceive a plural and impersonal God. Christ-followers believe '...there is only one God' (1 Corinthians 8:4 NLT). Every non-Christian religion says, 'You can save you.' Jesus says: 'My death on the cross saves you.' All roads don't lead to London, all ships don't sail to Australia, and all flights don't land in Rome. Every path does not lead to God. Jesus blazed a stand-alone trail void of self-salvation. He cleared a one-of-a-kind passageway uncluttered by human effort. He offers us a unique invitation in which He works and we trust, He dies and we live, He invites and we believe. '..."The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One he sent"' (John 6:29 NCV).
...we have...believed the love that God has for us... 1 John 4:16 'I knew you before time began. I know how many hairs are on your head. Like parent, like child, you're created in My image. I have plans for you. I've also given you the 'gifts' needed to fulfil them; and what I give, nobody can take away. But don't neglect them; exercise them, and stir them up daily. Rest assured, I've started a good work in you and I'm going to finish it. I always complete what I begin. My Word concerning you is forever settled, and My commitment to you is unending. In this life you will have challenges, but cheer up; I've robbed satan of his power to control you and the world of its power to destroy you. When you're in trouble remember, I'm present to help. Give Me your burdens and I will sustain you. When you're stressed out and worn down by the pressures of life, lean on Me. I will be your rock, your fortress, your deliverer and your strength. Even though you fail from time to time, you won't be discarded because I am upholding you. But a word of caution: don't take advice from those who are spiritually blind and don't hang out with sceptics. Delight yourself in My Word and, like a big oak tree growing by a river, you'll prosper in all you do. PS I'd love to hear back from you.' 'And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him'.
...Get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Incorporate these six principles into your life:
1) don't worry, when you're doing your best. God accepts no less, but He demands no more. 'Trust in the Lord, and do good...and He shall give you the desires of your heart!' (Psalm 37:3-4)
2) don't hurry, when success depends on accuracy. 'Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty' (Proverbs 21:5)
3) don't form conclusions until you have all the facts.Everyone you meet has unmet needs, unhealed wounds and unfulfilled hopes. If you want people to evaluate you by your best qualities, rather than your worst, 'Do to others as you would like them to do to you' (Luke 6:31)
4) don't believe a thing is impossible without trying it. When you are in God's will, doing things God's way, sensitive to His timing and willing to persevere, your problems are just a platform for Him to work on your behalf '...we must wait patiently and confidently.' (Romans 8:28)
5) don't waste your time on trivial matters. In order to put first things first, you must ask yourself, 'What is it that only I can do, or do best?' Only when you've answered that question will you know what you should do
6) don't think that good intentions are an acceptable excuse for doing nothing. Examine your life; are you a 'talker' or a 'doer?' Get specific about your diet and your devotions, your finances and your family, etc. Write these words on a card and read them regularly: 'If it's to be, it's up to me.' James writes: '...faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead' (James 2:17 NKJV).
We're supposed to offer God our acts of service, but the gift He desires most is us. Think of Jesus' last conversation with His friend Peter. Peter was so human: he followed Jesus, learned from Him, served Him, doubted Him, misunderstood Him, praised Him and denied Him. Yet Jesus' final question to His friend was relational: 'Peter, do you love Me?' Three times He asked Peter that question. St. Augustine said all ethics could be summed up in this: 'Love God, and do what you will,' for when you love God you'll want to do what God loves. Though flawed like the Psalmist, you can say, 'I delight to do Your will, O my God...' (Psalm 40:8 NKJV). God created us so that He could be with us. In Eden He came and walked with the man and woman He had made, just to be with them. When He formed the nation of Israel He said, 'I will walk among you and be your God...' (Leviticus 26:12 NKJV). Heaven announced the birth of Jesus, '...they shall call His name "Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us"' (Matthew 1:23 NKJV). It's as if God says each morning, 'I'd like to spend this day with you.' One author writes: 'I can't make myself love God, but I can come to know Him better. And because God is love, the more I come to know Him, the more my love for Him will grow. Love is a by-product of knowing. So I can spend this day loving God. And tomorrow I can seek to love Him a little more.' That's what it means to be 'rich towards God.'
UCB WORD FOR TODAY-7Nov09
St John Mary Vianney Quotes Favourites "All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man."
"I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the cross than in serving the world and its pleasures."
"Prayer is to our soul what rain is to the soil. Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains."
"Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself."
"Man is a beggar who needs to ask God for everything."
"When our hands have touched spices, they give fragrance to all they handle. Let us make our prayers pass through the hands of the Blessed Virgin. She will make them fragrant."
"All our religion is but a false religion, and all our virtues are mere illusions and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone - for the good, and for the bad, for the poor and for the rich, and for all those who do us harm as much as those who do us good. "
"You cannot please both God and the world at the same time, They are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their actions."
"Upon receiving Holy Communion, the Adorable Blood of Jesus Christ really flows in our veins and His Flesh is really blended with ours."
"We should consider those moments spent before the Blessed Sacrament as the happiest of our lives."
"I throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a dog at the foot of his Master."
"If we could comprehend all the good things contained in Holy Communion, nothing more would be wanting to content the heart of man. The miser would run no more after his treasures, or the ambitious after glory; each would shake off the dust of the earth, leave the world, and fly away towards heaven."
"When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other."
"Christian wife! Follow in the footsteps of the ideal of all womanhood, the Blessed Mother of God; in joy and in sorrow, she will be your advocate at the throne of her Son."
...those whom the Lord loves He disciplines... Hebrews 12:6 The Bible asks: 'What kind of father is it who doesn't correct his son?' Answer: 'Not much of a father!' We don't know if that's how Eli, the High Priest, got started with Hophni and Phinehas, his two sons. We simply read, '...his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them' (1 Samuel 3:13 NKJV). Perhaps Eli heard about the terrible things his sons were doing and said, 'Now, boys, you know you shouldn't do that.' And the boys said, 'Yes, Daddy,' then went right back to defrauding the worshippers who came to the temple and seducing the women. The issue wasn't that Eli didn't tell his children the right things; it's that he didn't enforce what he was telling them. No doubt you don't know of any parents who tell their children, 'Go rob a bank, ten or twenty years in prison will do you good.' No, those parents probably said all the right things. A lot of prison inmates' parents said the right things too. But what's missing in so much well-intentioned parenting is enforcement. Eli was not enforcing the truth, he was only stating it. He didn't pull his boys from their posts and strip them of their privileges. He let them keep doing it; while telling them they ought not to do it. Parent, don't just say something; do something! If your children are going astray and you keep quiet, you're sparing yourself and sacrificing them. The most caring thing you can do as a parent is to discipline your children in love.
Resilient people (1) 'We are hard pressed.' 2 Corinthians 4:8 When a back injury paralysed Angela Madsen from the waist down, she vowed to do whatever it took to get back up. As a result she started training to be the first woman with a disability to row across the Atlantic. Journalist Denise Foley writes: 'Madsen is what researchers call 'resilient - able to rebound from whatever life brings. She's one of those people who make us wonder how we'd fare if our mettle were tested. Would we bounce back?' Paul writes, 'We are hard pressed...but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.' Resilient people: 1) Take control of their lives: Drs. Steven & Sybil Wolin write, 'It's easy to blame others for your problems and wait till they fix them. But then you never get to rise to the occasion...When you see yourself as a problem-solver life goes very differently. Identify your strengths. Recall those moments when you triumphed over adversity. Focus on what you can influence instead of what you can't.' 2) Surround themselves with the right people: The Psalmist said, 'They...treated me badly all my life, but they have not defeated me' (Psalm 129:2 NCV). Ned Hallowell grew up with a bipolar father, an abusive stepfather, an alcoholic mother, and two learning disabilities - a history that's often a precursor to jail or a mental institution. Today he's a prominent psychiatrist, a happily-married father and a successful author. It happened largely because at boarding school he attached himself to teachers who cared about him and took him under their wing. So in tough times, lean on God, take control of your life, and surround yourself with the right people. Resilient people (2) 'We are hard pressed.' 2 Corinthians 4:8 Two other traits resilient people share are: 1) They allow pain to spur growth: At the peak of her career when photographer Linda Joy Montgomery learned she was going blind, an inner voice said, 'This isn't the end; it's the beginning.' She began writing poetry, discovered her calling as a motivational speaker and created the True Vision Institute, teaching kids to tap into their inner resources. The Bible says: 'Though good people may be bothered by trouble...they are never defeated' (Proverbs 24:16 NCV). Finding purpose in your pain isn't a new idea. Survivours of life-threatening illnesses, natural disasters and the Holocaust, and parents of chronically ill children continually demonstrate how over-comers find the proverbial silver lining by reinventing themselves. Paul talks about being 'battered by troubles, but...not demoralised...thrown down, but [not] broken' (2 Corinthians 4:8 TM). Meeting challenges helps develop confidence and a can-do attitude that says: 'I've been there, done that, and I'll survive.' Michael Jordan once said, 'I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career...lost over 300 games...26 times I've been trusted to make the game-winning shot, and missed. I've tried and failed over and over again. That's why I succeed.' 2) They insist on changing what they can: Paul says: 'Whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord' (Ephesians 6:8 NKJV). Workers digging through the rubble to help rescue survivours of the Oklahoma City bombing, though understandably distressed, showed fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder later on. In concentration camps POW's who routinely gave away their last morsel, proved that you can choose your attitude in any given set of circumstances. How? By drawing strength from God and learning to control the one thing you can control - yourself.
'This is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.' 1 John 5:4 The Bible is a 'David and Goliath' book. It's filled with stories of ordinary people whose faith overcame great obstacles and impacted the world around them. That's why John the Apostle writes: 'Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.' If you haven't heard of Irwin Rosenberg, here's his inspiring story. As a junior officer he was discharged from the Navy when he was diagnosed with cancer. That was the standard military procedure at the time. But he was determined to get back both his health and his job. At one point he was given only two weeks to live. But through faith and dogged determination his cancer was eventually brought under control. Irwin then focused his attention on becoming a naval officer again. But he discovered that navy regulations forbade reinstatement of a person discharged with cancer. Everyone around him said, 'Give up. It can't be done. It would take an Act of Congress to get you reinstated.' Their advice gave him an idea - he'd pursue an Act of Congress. After years of waiting, petitioning, cutting through red tape and battling bureaucracy, President Truman eventually signed into law a special bill that allowed Irwin Rosenberg to reenlist in the Navy - and go on to become a Rear Admiral in the United States Seventh Fleet! The poet writes: 'You can never tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!'
ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download READ: Psalm 119:33-40 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. —Psalm 119:37A New York Times article linked the increase of computer storage with the decrease of data in the human mind. Our electronic aids now remember phone numbers, driving directions, and other information we used to learn by repeated use. In schools, memorization and oral recitation are disappearing from the curriculum. We have become, according to the Times, “products of a culture that does not enforce the development of memory skills.”
Yet never have we as followers of Christ been in greater need of hiding God’s Word in our hearts (Ps. 119:9-11). Scripture memory is more than a helpful mental exercise. The goal is to saturate our minds with God’s truth so that our lives will conform to His ways. The psalmist wrote: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. . . . Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way” (Ps. 119:33,37).
Why not begin committing Scripture to memory? Daily consistency and review are keys to success. And just like physical exercise, this spiritual discipline is enhanced when done with a small group or with a friend.
Let’s not forget to remember and follow the life-giving wisdom of God’s Word.
God’s Word will change your life If you will do your part To read, to study, and obey, And hide it in your heart. —Sper
Let the Bible fill your mind, rule your heart, and guide your life.
How could David stand up to a giant everybody else was running from? Because God's people were being threatened, and everybody around him was afraid to tackle the problem. When you're confronted with a situation that needs to be changed, what is it that makes you rise up and say, 'I'm going to do something about this'? Having a cause greater than yourself! Refusing to live trapped in fear or the small dimensions of a self-centred world! A survey was conducted among people who lived to be over 100. Now you'd expect to read about health diets, miracle drugs and strenuous exercise. But the thing all these centenarians had in common was - purpose. They had a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning. Paul writes: 'For to me to live is Christ' (Philippians 1:21). For Paul, that was it! To exalt His name and promote His kingdom. Too many of us are like the guy who said, 'No matter what I'm working on, I'd rather be doing something else.' Are you like that? Or do you have a cause great enough to focus your energies and strong enough to keep you going when the odds are stacked against you? God made you for a mission. Have you discovered it yet? At age 12 Jesus said, 'I must be about my Father's business' (Luke 2:49). Twenty-one years later, dying on the cross, He announced, 'It is finished' (John 19:30). These two statements frame a totally fulfilled, God-glorifying life. So ask God to reveal to you His purpose for your life. Until you find it you haven't lived, and until you fulfil it you're not ready to die.
Pope: Vanity makes our life a fraud - Published on Sep 26, 2016
We feel in our souls two kinds of anxiety: a good anxiety, which comes from the Holy Spirit, and which moves us to do good works; and a wicked anxiety that is born from a dirty conscience. That was the message of Pope Francis in his reflection during the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Holy Father based his homily on the perplexity and malice of Herod, as described in the Gospel of Saint Luke. Wickedness, the Pope said, always has the same roots: Greed, pride, and especially vanity – an evil that makes one anxious for appearances, pretences, and leads one to cover-up their true selves. How many people, the Pope asked, strive to appear good, but are actually wicked? They seem to be good, but ...
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When you feel anxious (1)
Do not be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6 Anxiety starts as a trickle then creates a channel in our mind through which all our thoughts begin to flow. Most of our anxieties fall into three categories: 1) Anxiety about things we all face: like aging, disability, retirement, loneliness, financial uncertainty, accidents, illness, losing a loved one, and death. 2) Anxiety about things we all must do: like making decisions, starting and ending relationships, losing weight, changing careers, making a mistake. 3) Anxiety reflecting our inner state of mind: These anxieties reveal how we feel about our ability to handle things. For example, fear of rejection can affect every relationship in your life. In order to avoid being hurt you shut others out, your world grows smaller and your opportunities for personal growth are more limited. Many of our anxieties can be reduced to one question, 'What if I can't handle it?' Your mind is the battlefield where victory is won or lost. So ask yourself, 'Would I still be anxious if I knew for certain I could handle anything that came up?' The answer is no. Anxiety can't immobilize you and steal your joy when you know you can handle whatever happens. You say, 'That sounds too simple.' Not when you bring God into the picture! Here are two great anxiety eliminating Scriptures you can stand on when times are tough: 1) 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). 2) 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds' (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).
from - UCB Word For Today
WHEN YOU FEEL ANXIOUS (2 of 2)
When you feel anxious (2)
Do not be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6 We all face times when we must choose between faith and anxiety. A woman trapped in an abusive relationship must choose between getting help, getting out or staying stuck. A young person being pressured to do drugs can choose to give in, or say, 'no' and walk away. A person anxious about death can read God's Word, talk to a friend or counsellor, or continue to be anxious. The Bible says: 'The righteous are bold as a lion' (Proverbs 28:1). You say, 'Right now I don't feel too bold.' Courage doesn't eliminate anxiety, it rises above it! David said, 'Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart' (Psalm 27:14). When your cause is right and you're committed to God, He gives you the courage needed to act. But you must learn to face the thing you fear. This can mean standing up for what you believe, making a phone call you've been putting off, expressing your opinion, acknowledging some character flaw and asking God to help you change. What you must remember is, doing always comes before the feeling of increased confidence. Each time you confront your anxieties you take a step forward. But when you allow anxiety to control you, you retreat into your 'safe zone' and start seeing yourself as somebody who can't handle life. Here's some great advice for living: analyse the situation fearlessly, figure out the worst that can happen. Once you've accepted that, you experience a release of energy and you can begin doing something about it, even if all you can do is - leave it in the capable and loving hands of God.
from - UCB Word For Today
How Old Is Your Church ? If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.
If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to remarry.
If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.
If you are a Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England founded by Samuel Seabury in the American colonies in the 17th century.
If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.
If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.
If you are a Unitarian, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1774.
If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1829.
If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1605.
If you are of the Dutch Reformed church, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.
If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.
If you are a Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.
If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as 'Church of the Nazarene," "Pentecostal Gospel." "Holiness Church," "Pilgrim Holiness Church," "Jehovah's Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past fifty years.
If you are Roman Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church.
A Roman soldier's shield protected him from head to toe. It was made of iron, upholstered in thick layers of fabric, and saturated in water when going to battle. Consequently the flaming arrows of the enemy fizzled on contact. Getting the idea? Paul writes, 'Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one' (NIV). Satan can't penetrate a heart that's pure, saturated in Scripture and fortified by faith. That's why Jesus told Peter, 'I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail' (Luke 22:32 NKJV). It's your faith that's under attack; it's your faith that needs to be fed and nurtured; it's your faith that sustains you in life's battles! Jesus said, 'Have faith in God' (Mark 11:22). Note, He didn't just say, 'Have faith in something bigger than yourself.' No, He said, 'Have faith in God.' If you're under attack today claim this promise: 'He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint' (Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV). God gives each of us a 'measure of faith' (Romans 12:3 NKJV). But Jude says you must develop it by 'building yourselves up on your most holy faith' (Jude 20 NIV). Faith under attack is faith under construction. It's in the battles of life that you discover whether you have nurtured faith or neglected faith!
WHEN THINGS DON'T GO WELL, TRY LETTING GO -- AND INVOKING 'OUR LADY OF SURPRISES'
There are a lot of names for the Blessed Mother, but how about "Our Lady of Surprises"? There's actually a prayer invoking her help under this title (see below), and why not? God often works most powerfully through surprises.
Haven't you experienced this? You want something and you want something and you want it -- you pray endlessly -- and nothing occurs. When you let go, a bunch of surprises fall upon you.
Look at the surprise of Jesus multiplying the loaves or cleansing men of disease or the surprise of the first disciples at Lake Gennesaret. After a hard night of fishing, Jesus was suddenly there out of the blue to tell them where they should cast their nets. (They listened to what He said -- leading to an astonishing catch.)
He does this with us all. He sheds grace when we least expect it. When we're faithful and don't complain and don't try to tell God the way everything in our lives should go, He often responds with a flurry of the unexpected!
In meteorology there's a phenomenon of lightning known as the "blue giant." This is when a bolt travels dozens of miles, often striking a place even when there doesn't seem to be a cloud in the sky. It's literally a bolt from the blue. God's gifts can be like that -- when we allow Him.
It's another of those spiritual laws, that letting go lets God. We can actually inhibit the answer to a prayer by wanting something too much. That can tend toward lust, and God doesn't respect that. Or, it can signal a lack of faith. When we pray and then watch everything that transpires with a microscope -- waiting and biting our nails, doubting it will come -- the prayer often goes unanswered (or at least is delayed). It's like watching for the water to boil. It takes forever.
Instead we're called to pray from the heart and then believe that the prayer will work if it's in God's greater plan for us. Be patient. When something isn't happening, let go of it. If it is not in God's Will, the yearning for it -- the obsession -- will soon fade, granting us peace. If it is in God's Will, He now has the room to operate.
A Christian author once said that in the afterlife we will see all the presents God had in store for us and how many never came because we didn't know how to ask for them!
The key word is "release." Release your desires to the Lord. Release all that is causing you anxiety. In prayer, go through everything that may be causing you angst -- and hand it over to Christ. Release your desire. Release all your fears. This is very powerful in communicating with the Almighty One. Invite God to surprise you every day and no day will bore you!
And remember the Blessed Mother:
"O Mary, my mother and Our Lady of Surprises, what a happy joy you caused the wedding guests, when you asked your Divine Son to work the miracle of water into wine. What a happy surprise for them since they thought the wine had run dry. I, too, Mary, love surprises and as your child, may I ask you to favour me with one today? I ask this only because you are my ever caring mother."
Try it. Say that one from the heart.
You may be amazed -- surprised -- at what she brings you.
from:- Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world
Do you have what it takes? I said, 'Here am I; send me ISAIAH 6:8 To lead and succeed in any area of life you must have: 1) Commitment. Real leaders don't quit; they couldn't even if they wanted to. One guy said to his pastor, 'It must be hard leading an exemplary life, handling all those pressures, people waiting for one sign of weakness so they can jump on you. How do you handle it?' Smiling, he quipped, 'I stay home a lot!' Only in God's strength will you be able to handle the demands of people, pressures and problems that come your way. 2) Creativity. Homer wrote, 'Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.' Problems unlock your creativity. The story's told of a chicken farmer whose land kept flooding and killing his chickens. In despair he told his wife, 'I've had it; I can't afford to buy another place and I can't sell this one. What can I do?' Calmly she replied, 'Buy ducks!' A wise leader prays, looks for a solution in every problem, thenand then acts on it. 3) Compassion. Bob Pearce said, 'Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.' Matthew records, 'When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion' (Matthew 9:36 NKJV). Pastor, what moves you? Building projects? Budgets? Big crowds? Be careful; it's possible to love crowds but not love people. People are demanding, they're difficult, they're draining. But as Madeline L'Engle said, 'If you're going to care about the fall of the sparrow, you can't pick and choose who's going to be the sparrow.' So before you say, 'Lord, send me,' ask yourself, 'Do I have what it takes?' from - UCB WORD FOR TODAY - 28/Aug/09
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it ISAIAH 35:2 Picture the wind blowing through the cedars of Lebanon and some of them 'humming' in response. And the greater the storm, the sweeter their song. These were called humming cedars. And God uses humming cedars to build strong churches. In Acts, a couple of humming cedars were incarcerated in a Philippian dungeon, their hands and feet locked in stocks, their backs flogged, the contempt of society heaped on them. How did they respond? 'At midnight Paul and Silas were...singing hymns to God...Suddenly there was a great earthquake...the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed' (Acts 16:25-26 NKJV). One old preacher said: 'God got so caught up in their praises that He began to tap His big foot. And when God taps His foot, you get earthquakes.' Praise breaks chains and opens doors; it's the strategy for victory. Satan will try to stop you from praising God because he knows: (a) The importance of praise. 'Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised' (Psalm 48:1 NKJV). (b) The healing effects of praise. God's answer to 'the spirit of heaviness' is 'the garment of praise' (Isaiah 61:3). But like any garment, you must put it on. (c) The power of praise in times of crisis. When Israel was outnumbered by the enemy, God told them to put a choir in front of the army and march into battle. And it worked! 'When they began...to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the [enemy]' (2 Chronicles 20:22 NKJV). Don't wait until the battle is over to shout; go to war with the praise of God on your lips and watch Him turn your situation around.
from - UCB Word For Today (24/08/09)
Lhud 12:2 --- ...Inżommu ħarsitna fuq Ġesù... Hebrews 12:2 --- ...keeping our eyes upon Jesus...
Inzommu harsitna fuq Gesù (Fr. Hayden)
Matthew 14:25-32 25During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
...[Mt:14:25] Fir-raba'
sahra tal-lejl mar lejn in-naħa tagħhom miexi fuq il-baħar. [Mt:14:26]
Huma rawh miexi fuq il-baħar u twerwru. "Dan xi fantażma!" qalu; u
qabdu jgħajjtu bil-biża'. [Mt:14:27] Iżda hu minnufih kellimhom u
qalilhom: "Agħmlu l-qalb, jiena hu, tibżgħu xejn!" [Mt:14:28]
Wieġeb Pietru u qallu: "Mulej, jekk huwa int, ordnali niġi ħdejk fuq
l-ilma." [Mt:14:29] "Ejja," qallu Ġesù. Pietru niżel
mid-dgħajsa, u qabad jimxi fuq l-ilma u jersaq lejn Ġesù. [Mt:14:30]
Iżda meta ra li r-riħ kien qawwi, baża', ħabat jegħreq, u beda jgħajjat u
jgħid: "Salvani, Mulej !" [Mt:14:31] Malajr Ġesù medd idu
u qabdu: "Bniedem ta' fidi żgħira," qallu,"għaliex
iddubitajt?" [Mt:14:32] Meta mbagħad it-tnejn telgħu fid-dgħajsa,
ir-riħ waqaf...
---------------------------------------------
Acts 16:25-26
Deliverance from Prison.25 About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, 26 there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose.
[Atti:16:25] Għal-ħabta ta' nofs il-lejl Pawlu u Sila bdew jitolbu u jfaħħru 'l Alla bl-innijiet, u l-ħabsin jisimgħuhom. [Atti:16:26] F'daqqa waħda sar terremot hekk kbir li s-sisien tal-ħabs theżhżu, minnufih il-bibien kollha nfetħu beraħ u nħall l-irbit ta' kulħadd.
by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val,(1865-1930), secretary of state to Pope Saint Pius X -----------------------------------------------------
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being honoured, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be esteemed more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be chosen and I set aside, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be preferred to me in everything, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Litanija ta' l-umiltà
Litanija ta' l-umiltà – ta’ Rafael María José, Kardinal Merry del Val y de Zulueta (1865-1930), Segretarju tal-Istat għall-Papa Piju X (San Piju X) O ĠESÙ TA’ QALB ĦELWA W UMLI, ismagħni Mix-xewqa li nkun stmata – EĦLISNI ĠESÙ Mix-xewqa li nkun maħbuba - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mix-xewqa li nkun ammirata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mix-xewqa li niġi onorata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mix-xewqa li niġi mfaħħra - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mix-xewqa li nkun preferuta mill-oħrajn - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mix-xewqa li niġi kkonsultata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mix-xewqa li niġi approvata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li niġi umiljata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li niġi ddisprezzata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li niġi mċanfra - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li niġi kkalunjata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li nkun minsija - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li nkun mwaqqa’ għaċ-ċajt - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li ma niġix emmnuta - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Mill-biża li niġi ssuspettata - EĦLISNI ĠESÙ. Li oħrajn ikunu maħbuba aktar minni – ĠESÙ AGĦTINI L-GRAZZJA LI NIXTIEQHA Li oħrajn ikunu stmati aktar minni - ĠESÙ AGĦTINI L-GRAZZJA LI NIXTIEQHA Li fl-opinjoni tad-dinja, oħrajn jikbru u jien niċċekken - ĠESÙ AGĦTINI L-GRAZZJA LI NIXTIEQHA Li oħrajn jintgħażlu u jien niġi mwarrba - ĠESÙ AGĦTINI L-GRAZZJA LI NIXTIEQHA Li oħrajn ikunu mfaħħra u jien injorata - ĠESÙ AGĦTINI L-GRAZZJA LI NIXTIEQHA Li oħrajn ikunu ppreferuti minni f’kollox - ĠESÙ AGĦTINI L-GRAZZJA LI NIXTIEQHA Li oħrajn jitqaddsu aktar minni, basta li jien nitqaddes kif suppost - ĠESÙ AGĦTINI L-GRAZZJA LI NIXTIEQHA
Pope at Angelus: Resurrection is for everyone and not only to experience after death - Published on Nov 7, 2016
Ezekiel 37:1-14 = Resurrection is for everyone --- Qawmien għal kulħadd
37. Il-qawmien tal-poplu ta' Alla [Eżek:37:1] U ġiet fuqi id il-Mulej u ħaditni fl-ispirtu tal-Mulej u qegħditni f'nofs il-wied. Dan kien miżgħud bl-għadam. [Eżek:37:2] Huwa għaddieni dawramejt madwarhom, u kien hemm kotra kbira mxerrda mal-wied, u kienu kollha niexfa qoxqox. [Eżek:37:3] U l-Mulej qalli: "O bniedem, jista' dan l-għadam jerġa' jieħu l-ħajja?" Jiena weġibt: "Sidi Mulej, dan inti tafu." [Eżek:37:4] U qalli: 'Ħabbar lil dan l-għadam u għidlu: O għadam niexef, isma' l-kelma tal-Mulej. [Eżek:37:5] Hekk qal Sidi l-Mulej: Ara, jien se nġib fik ir-ruħ, inti terġa' tgħix. [Eżek:37:6] U nqiegħed fik in-nervi, u ntellagħlek il-laħam, u niksik bil-ġilda, u nqiegħed fik ir-ruħ. U inti terġa' tgħix, u tkun taf li jiena l-Mulej." [Eżek:37:7] Mbagħad ħabbart kif ordnali. U jiena u nħabbar instama' ħoss, u ara, l-għadam tqanqal, u kollha bdew resqin lejn xulxin, għadma lejn għadma. [Eżek:37:8] Jien ħarist, u ara, ġew fihom. [Eżek:37:9] U qalli: "Ħabbar lir-ruħ, ħabbar, o bniedem, u għid lir-ruħ: Hekk qal Sidi l-Mulej: Ejja, ruħ, mill-erbat irjieħ tad-dinja, onfoħ fuq dawn il-mejtin, ħa jerġgħu jieħdu l-ħajja." [Eżek:37:10] Jien ħabbart kif ordnali, u r-ruħ daħlet fihom, u reġgħu ħadu l-ħajja, u waqfu fuq riġlejhom, eżerċtu kbir fuq li kbir. [Eżek:37:11] U qalli: "O bniedem, dan l-għadam huwa d-dar kollha ta' Iżrael. Ara, huma jgħidu: 'Nixef għadamna, it-tama tagħna għabet, nqridna għalkollox.' [Eżek:37:12] Għalhekk ħabbrilhom u għidilhom: Hekk qal Sidi l-Mulej: Ara, jiena niftaħ l-oqbra tagħkom, poplu tiegħi, u nġibkom lura f'art Iżrael. [Eżek:37:13] Mbagħad tkunu tafu li jiena l-Mulej, meta niftaħ l-oqbra tagħkom u ntellagħkom mill-oqbra tagħkom, poplu tiegħi. [Eżek:37:14] U jiena nqiegħed ruħi fikom, u terġgħu tieħdu l-ħajja. Nqegħedkom f'artkom u tkunu tafu li jiena l-Mulej. Hekk għedt, u hekk nagħmel, oraklu tal-Mulej."
Jn 6:37-40 -- ...Jesus the Bread of Life - ...Ġesù hu l-ħobż tal-ħajja
[Ġw:6:37] Dawk kollha li jagħtini Missieri jiġu għandi, u min jiġi għandi ma nkeċċihx 'il barra; [Ġw:6:38] għax jiena nżilt mis-sema mhux biex nagħmel ir-rieda tiegħi, imma r-rieda ta' min bagħatni. [Ġw:6:39] Issa r-rieda ta' min bagħatni hija din: li jiena ma nitlef xejn minn dak kollu li tani, iżda li nqajjmu mill-imwiet fl-aħħar jum. [Ġw:6:40] Din hi tabilħaqq ir-rieda ta' Missieri: li kull min jara lill-Iben u jemmen fih, ikollu l-ħajja ta' dejjem u jiena nqajjmu mill-imwiet fl-aħħar jum."
Mt 25:31-46 -- The Sheep and the Goats - Il-ħaqq mill-popli
Il-ħaqq mill-popli
[Mt:25:31] "Meta jiġi Bin il-bniedem fil-glorja tiegħu u bl-anġli kollha miegħu, mbagħad joqgħod fuq it-tron glorjuż tiegħu. [Mt:25:32] U quddiemu jinġabru l-ġnus kollha, u hu jifridhom minn xulxin, bħalma r-ragħaj jifred in-nagħaġ mill-mogħoż: [Mt:25:33] in-nagħaġ iqegħedhom fuq il-lemin tiegħu u l-mogħoż fuq ix-xellug. [Mt:25:34] Mbagħad is-Sultan jgħid lil dawk ta' fuq il-lemin tiegħu, 'Ejjew, mberkin minn Missieri, ħudu b'wirt tagħkom is-Saltna li tħejjiet għalikom sa mill-ħolqien tad-dinja. [Mt:25:35] Għax jien kont bil-ġuħ u tmajtuni, kont bil-għatx u sqejtuni, kont barrani u lqajtuni, [Mt:25:36] kont għeri u libbistuni, kont marid u ġejtu tarawni, kont fil-ħabs u ġejtu żżuruni.' [Mt:25:37] Mbagħad iweġbuh il-ġusti, 'Mulej', jgħidulu, 'meta rajnik bil-ġuħ u tmajnik, jew bil-għatx u sqejnik ? [Mt:25:38] Meta rajnik barrani u lqajniek, jew għeri u libbisniek? [Mt:25:39] Meta rajnik marid jew fil-ħabs u ġejna nżuruk?' [Mt:25:40] U s-Sultan iweġibhom u jgħid, 'Tassew, ngħidilkom, kull ma għamiltu ma' wieħed mill-iżgħar fost dawn ħuti, għamiltuh miegħi.'
[Mt:25:41] Mbagħad jgħid ukoll lil dawk ta' fuq ix-xellug, 'Morru minn quddiemi, misħutin, fin-nar ta' dejjem li tħejja għax-xitan u għall-anġli tiegħu. [Mt:25:42] Għax jien kont bil-ġuħ u ma tmajtunix, kont bil-għatx u ma sqejtunix, [Mt:25:43] kont barrani u ma lqajtunix, kont għeri u ma libbistunix, kont marid u fil-ħabs u ma ġejtux iżżuruni! [Mt:25:44] Mbagħad huma wkoll iweġbuh, 'Mulej,' jgħidulu, 'meta rajniek bil-ġuħ, jew bil-għatx, jew barrani, jew għeri, jew marid, jew fil-ħabs, u aħna ma waqafniex miegħek?' [Mt:25:45] Iweġibhom imbagħad u jgħidilhom, 'Tassew, ngħidilkom, dak li ma għamiltux ma' wieħed minn dawk iż-żgħar, anqas miegħi ma għamiltuh.' [Mt:25:46] U dawn imorru fit-tbatija ta' dejjem u l-ġusti fil-ħajja ta' dejjem.
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People Get Ready (Live) - Misty Edwards
Are you ready, are you ready for this, Are you ready, are you ready for this I can hear the rhythm of the Lion of the tribe of Judah (4x) Are you ready, are you ready for this, Are you ready, are you ready for this Are you ready, are you ready for this, Are you ready, are you ready for this, are you ready... I can hear the rhythm of the Lion of the tribe of Judah (4x) He's doing a new thing so we're singing a new song, because He's doing a new thing so we're singing a new song
He's not a baby in a manger anymore He's not a broken man on a cross He didn't stay in the grave And He's not staying in Heaven forever! He's not a baby in a manger anymore He's not a broken man on a cross He didn't stay in the grave And He's not staying in Heaven forever! cause... He's alive (15x)
People get ready Jesus is coming! (4x) People walking around with their fingers in the their ears singing, "Da da da da da I don't want to hear the sound of the coming King" and there are People walking around with their fingers in the their ears singing, "Da da da da da I don't want to hear the sound of the coming King"
But He says, "I was silent like a lamb, I was silent like a lamb and in my silence you thought that I was all together like you. "and I've been silent, I've held my peace for a long, long, long, long time, I've held my peace and I've been praying for your soul, I've been praying for the nations, I've been pleading for your soul, I've been pleading for the nations, and I've held my peace for a long, long, long, long time. Once again I'm going to shake Everything that can't be shaken Once again I'm going to break Everything that can't be broken Once again I'm going to shake Everything that can't be shaken Once again I'm going to break Everything that can't be broken
People get ready Jesus is coming! (4x)
He's not a baby in a manger anymore He's not a broken man on a cross He didn't stay in the grave And He's not staying in Heaven forever! He's not a baby in a manger anymore He's not a broken man on a cross He didn't stay in the grave And He's not staying in Heaven forever! cause... He's alive (15x) People get ready Jesus is coming! (4x) He's coming, He's coming............................
"...imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:12, NKJ).
Did you know that in the Bible, David was 17 years old when he was anointed to be king, but yet he did not take the throne until he was 30? I’m sure during those 13 years there were plenty of times that David was tempted to think it wasn’t going to happen. I’m sure he was tempted to get frustrated or even feel like a failure, thinking “God, did I hear You? I thought You said You were going to do something great with my life, but nothing is going my way.” Here he was being faithful, but all those years he saw no sign of the promise coming to pass.
I’m sure David had to fight the same negative thoughts that we do; thoughts that were telling him “It’s not going to happen. David, you didn’t hear from God. Just accept it.” The battle was taking place in his mind just like our battles take place in our minds. During those times when it seems like you aren’t getting any closer to seeing your dream come to pass, remember, the scripture tells us that through faith and patience we inherit the promises of God.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, I humbly come to You, believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I trust that Your Word is true and believe that through faith and patience, I will see Your promises come to pass in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation" (Romans 5:3-4, NLT).
Did you know that the way you handle your adversities has a huge impact on your success in life? If you shrink back, choose to get bitter, and lose your enthusiasm, then you are allowing the difficulties of life to bury you. You are allowing hardship to keep you from your God-given destiny. But if you choose to keep pressing forward with a smile on your face, rejoicing even in the hard times, you are allowing God’s character to be developed inside of you. You are setting yourself up for promotion.
Did you know that the only difference between a piece of black coal and a priceless diamond is the amount of pressure that it’s endured? When you stand strong in the midst of the trials and difficulties in life, when you allow God to shape and mould your character, it’s like going from a piece of coal to a priceless diamond. Those difficulties are going to give way to new growth, new potential, new talent, new friendships, new opportunities, new vision. You’re going to see God develop your life in ways that you’ve never even dreamed!
Father in heaven, thank You for giving me strength to overcome every obstacle in life. I choose to rejoice no matter what may come against me because I know You are working all things together for my good. Thank You for developing Your character in me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
[2 Kor 4:7] Dan it-teżor qiegħed għandna f'ġarar tal-fuħħar, ħalli b'hekk jidher sewwa li l-kobor ta' din il-qawwa ġej minn Alla, u mhux minna.[2 Kor 4:8] Aħna minn kullimkien ninsabu magħfusin, iżda m'aħniex mgħattnin; mħassbin, iżda ma għandniex qalbna maqtugħa;[2 Kor 4:9] ippersegwitati, iżda m'aħniex abbandunati; mixħutin ma' l-art, iżda m'aħniex meqrudin.[2 Kor 4:10] F'ġisimna dejjem inġorru l-mewt ta' Ġesù, biex f'ġisimna tidher ukoll il-ħajja ta' Ġesù.
2 Cor 4:7-10 --- 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
[Efes 6:11] Ilbsu l-armatura ta' Alla biex tkunu tifilħu tieqfu għat-tnassis tax-Xitan.[Efes 6:12] Għax il-ġlieda tagħna m'hijiex kontra d-demm u l-laħam, imma kontra s-Setgħat, kontra l-Qawwiet, kontra l-Prinċpijiet ta' din id-dinja ta' dlamijiet, kontra l-ispirti ħżiena li jgħammru fil-wisa' tas-smewwiet.[Efes 6:13] Għalhekk ħudu fuqkom l-armatura ta' Alla, ħalli tkunu tistgħu tieqfu fi żmien il-ħażen, u, wara li tkunu għamiltu ħilitkom kollha, żżommu weqfin.[Efes 6:14] Żommu sħiħ, mela, ħażżmu ġenbejkom bil-verità, ilbsu l-kurazza tal-ġustizzja,[Efes 6:15] u xiddu riġlejkom bil-ħeġġa ta' l-Evanġelju tas-sliem;[Efes 6:16] ħudu f'idejkom it-tarka tal-fidi; li biha tistgħu titfu l-vleġeġ kollha tan-nar tal-Ħażin;[Efes 6:17] ilbsu l-elmu tas-salvazzjoni u aqbdu x-xabla ta' l-Ispirtu li hi l-kelma ta' Alla.[Efes 6:18] Itolbu dejjem fl-Ispirtu, b'kull xorta ta' talb u f'kull ħtieġa, ishru fih bla ma tieqfu, u itolbu għall-ħtiġiet tal-qaddisin kollha
Ephesians 6:11-18 --- 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
