Today the Catholic church celebrate The Holy Family. The three reading are very meaningful:
1st Reading:
Sirach
Chapter 3
2
For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
3
He who honors his father atones for sins;
4
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
5
He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard.
6
He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother.
12
My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives.
13
Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength.
14
For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering--it will take lasting root.
2nd Reading:
Colossians
Chapter 3
12
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
13
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
14
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
15
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.
16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18
8 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.
19
Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.
20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.
Gospel Reading:
Matthew
Chapter 2
13
When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, 7 and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."
14
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.
15
He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."
19
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
20
and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." 10
21
He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
22
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, 11 he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.
23
12 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean."
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
How to pray when you are worried
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything... His peace will guard your hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:6-7
Are you worried today? Have you lost your peace of mind? Begin to pray this prayer until it takes root in your heart and becomes your fixed attitude:
"Father, You told me not to be afraid because You are with me, You will uphold me, and those who come against me will not succeed. (Isaiah 41:10-11).
You said no evil would come upon me, nor any plague touch my home for You have ordered Your angels to protect me. (Psalm 91:10-11).
You said when I walk through rivers of difficulty (when I'm 'in over my head') You won't let me drown, and when I walk through fires of adversity (when 'the heat is on') You won't allow me to get burned for You are watching over me. (Isaiah 43:2-3).
You said no weapon formed against me shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17).
I cannot keep the enemy's weapons from being formed, but I know You will keep them from prospering. You said if I ask anything according to Your will, You would grant my request. (1 John 5:14-15).
You said when I walk in obedience before You I will be blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out, blessed when I lie down and blessed when I get up. (Deuteronomy 28:6).
You told me to give all my troubles to You and You would take care of me. (1 Peter 5:7).
So here they are!
Today I'm standing on Your Word.
You said it!
I believe it!
That settles it!
Amen."
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Philippians 4:6-7
Are you worried today? Have you lost your peace of mind? Begin to pray this prayer until it takes root in your heart and becomes your fixed attitude:
"Father, You told me not to be afraid because You are with me, You will uphold me, and those who come against me will not succeed. (Isaiah 41:10-11).
You said no evil would come upon me, nor any plague touch my home for You have ordered Your angels to protect me. (Psalm 91:10-11).
You said when I walk through rivers of difficulty (when I'm 'in over my head') You won't let me drown, and when I walk through fires of adversity (when 'the heat is on') You won't allow me to get burned for You are watching over me. (Isaiah 43:2-3).
You said no weapon formed against me shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17).
I cannot keep the enemy's weapons from being formed, but I know You will keep them from prospering. You said if I ask anything according to Your will, You would grant my request. (1 John 5:14-15).
You said when I walk in obedience before You I will be blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out, blessed when I lie down and blessed when I get up. (Deuteronomy 28:6).
You told me to give all my troubles to You and You would take care of me. (1 Peter 5:7).
So here they are!
Today I'm standing on Your Word.
You said it!
I believe it!
That settles it!
Amen."
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Understand the Lord's prayer
This... is how you should pray.
Matthew 6:9
When you pray "Our Father in Heaven" it establishes the basis of your relationship with God. He's not just your Creator He's your Father. You can create something and not be related to it, but if you father it - it will always be yours. Today you can come to God with the assurance that you're His. You can call Him Abba, a term of endearment which means Daddy (Romans 8:15).
"Hallowed be your name" means He's more than just your Father, He's your God. He's worthy of your love but He demands your respect. How should we approach God? With our complaints, our demands and our wish list? No: "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him" (Psalm 100:4 ). God delights in our praise every time!
"Your Kingdom come," the release of God's power. "Your will be done," the release of His purpose. "Give us today our daily bread," the release of His provisions. The things you lack and long for begin to flow into your life because now you've accessed His power, discovered His purpose for you and you're walking in it.
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." It's easier to forgive when you recall the things God has forgiven you for, and realise that your enemies can't stop Him from blessing you. Remembering God's goodness to you will give you the grace to forgive others, and even understand them!
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" means we enter each day prepared for battle, promised victory, and protected against all of Satan's attacks. And that's why Jesus said, "This… is how you should pray."
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Matthew 6:9
When you pray "Our Father in Heaven" it establishes the basis of your relationship with God. He's not just your Creator He's your Father. You can create something and not be related to it, but if you father it - it will always be yours. Today you can come to God with the assurance that you're His. You can call Him Abba, a term of endearment which means Daddy (Romans 8:15).
"Hallowed be your name" means He's more than just your Father, He's your God. He's worthy of your love but He demands your respect. How should we approach God? With our complaints, our demands and our wish list? No: "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him" (Psalm 100:4 ). God delights in our praise every time!
"Your Kingdom come," the release of God's power. "Your will be done," the release of His purpose. "Give us today our daily bread," the release of His provisions. The things you lack and long for begin to flow into your life because now you've accessed His power, discovered His purpose for you and you're walking in it.
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." It's easier to forgive when you recall the things God has forgiven you for, and realise that your enemies can't stop Him from blessing you. Remembering God's goodness to you will give you the grace to forgive others, and even understand them!
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" means we enter each day prepared for battle, promised victory, and protected against all of Satan's attacks. And that's why Jesus said, "This… is how you should pray."
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Mow your own garden-not someone's else
What is that to you?... follow Me!
John 21:22
Peter had strong opinions about others. Maybe you are like him.
One day he started meddling in John's business, saying, "Lord, what about him?"
Jesus answered,
"What is that to you?… follow Me!"
There's an important lesson here.
Learn to identify 'who owns what.'
If it's their garden let them mow it, or live with the weeds. If someone can only get what they want by playing the martyr or guilt tripping and manipulating others, that's their issue; don't make it yours!
If they're living with consequences, it's their consequences not yours! If they deny their problems or can't think clearly on a particular issue, the confusion is theirs.
It's your responsibility to love and pray for them, even offer help, but it's not your responsibility to fix or rescue them.
If they don't seem capable of showing appreciation or apologising when they're wrong, that's their problem. Only when they have an attitude of gratitude and the humility to acknowledge their mistakes, will they grow. In the meantime it's their garden, stop trying to mow it! If your hopes, your peace and your happiness are dependant on anyone other than God, learn to detach. You're a joint-heir with Christ, not a joint-tenant with Him (Romans 8:17).
Has it occurred to you that God could be waiting for you to get out of the way so that He can go to work in their situation?
The truth is, you are powerless over them, but God's not! He may let them stumble before He lifts them, but He'll do what's right and what's best.
So follow the Lord - and mow your own garden!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
John 21:22
Peter had strong opinions about others. Maybe you are like him.
One day he started meddling in John's business, saying, "Lord, what about him?"
Jesus answered,
"What is that to you?… follow Me!"
There's an important lesson here.
Learn to identify 'who owns what.'
If it's their garden let them mow it, or live with the weeds. If someone can only get what they want by playing the martyr or guilt tripping and manipulating others, that's their issue; don't make it yours!
If they're living with consequences, it's their consequences not yours! If they deny their problems or can't think clearly on a particular issue, the confusion is theirs.
It's your responsibility to love and pray for them, even offer help, but it's not your responsibility to fix or rescue them.
If they don't seem capable of showing appreciation or apologising when they're wrong, that's their problem. Only when they have an attitude of gratitude and the humility to acknowledge their mistakes, will they grow. In the meantime it's their garden, stop trying to mow it! If your hopes, your peace and your happiness are dependant on anyone other than God, learn to detach. You're a joint-heir with Christ, not a joint-tenant with Him (Romans 8:17).
Has it occurred to you that God could be waiting for you to get out of the way so that He can go to work in their situation?
The truth is, you are powerless over them, but God's not! He may let them stumble before He lifts them, but He'll do what's right and what's best.
So follow the Lord - and mow your own garden!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Remove the contamination
Those whose hearts are pure... will see God.
Matthew 5:8
If your heart is pure you'll see God where others can't, hear Him when they don't, and communicate with Him in a way they'll long to emulate. This word pure could be translated as "without contamination." It's the difference between a clear stream and a polluted one. It means your carnal thinking must be abandoned, and self-interest crucified daily.
The difference between forgiveness and cleansing is like the difference between cutting off a weed at the ground and pulling it up by the roots.
Forgiveness deals with the result of sin; that's easy to identify.
Cleansing deals with the cause of sin; that's not so easy because it deals with your natural traits and character flaws.
Forgiveness comes by confession, cleansing comes by walking in the light: "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light… the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7 ).
Do you keep asking God to forgive the same sins over and over?
That's because you need to experience true cleansing. The cause has got to be dealt with!
The Bible says that our hearts must be circumcised (Romans 2:29).
Spiritually understood, that means cutting off anything that tends to promote and produce more flesh.
Getting the idea?
Some things may not be wrong in themselves, but if they take God's time and place in your life they've got to go! God told His people, "The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts… so that you may love Him" (Deuteronomy 30:6 ).
Do you want to see God, hear God and communicate with Him more clearly?
Remove the contamination from your life!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Matthew 5:8
If your heart is pure you'll see God where others can't, hear Him when they don't, and communicate with Him in a way they'll long to emulate. This word pure could be translated as "without contamination." It's the difference between a clear stream and a polluted one. It means your carnal thinking must be abandoned, and self-interest crucified daily.
The difference between forgiveness and cleansing is like the difference between cutting off a weed at the ground and pulling it up by the roots.
Forgiveness deals with the result of sin; that's easy to identify.
Cleansing deals with the cause of sin; that's not so easy because it deals with your natural traits and character flaws.
Forgiveness comes by confession, cleansing comes by walking in the light: "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light… the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7 ).
Do you keep asking God to forgive the same sins over and over?
That's because you need to experience true cleansing. The cause has got to be dealt with!
The Bible says that our hearts must be circumcised (Romans 2:29).
Spiritually understood, that means cutting off anything that tends to promote and produce more flesh.
Getting the idea?
Some things may not be wrong in themselves, but if they take God's time and place in your life they've got to go! God told His people, "The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts… so that you may love Him" (Deuteronomy 30:6 ).
Do you want to see God, hear God and communicate with Him more clearly?
Remove the contamination from your life!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
God will bring you through
A tempestuous head wind arose... Euroclydon.
Acts 27:14
Euroclydon! It's the only storm named in Scripture. It means "typhoon," and Paul had to sail through it to reach his destiny. Observe:
(1) To reach your goal you'll have to go through storms. "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved" (Acts 27:20 ). There will be days when you'll wonder how you're going to make it. But by God's grace you will!
(2) Storms reveal how well you know God. "Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul,'" (Acts 27:23-24 ). It's the tough times that reveal the strength of your God-connection.
(3) God can make a success out of a shipwreck.
Notice some important things in this story:
(a) Sometimes you'll have to throw stuff overboard (Acts 27:18).
(b) In spite of your best efforts you'll occasionally run aground (Acts 27:26).
(c) You must remember what God told you and stand on it (Acts 27:25).
(4) Often the worst thing that could have happened turns out for the best. God used this shipwreck to reach Malta with the Gospel. And notice what happened to Paul and his travelling companions as they left that island: "They honoured us… and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed" (Acts 28:10 ).
Stop worrying, God will provide what you need in ways that amaze you.
If you're His child you're not the victim of circumstances.
Your future is not in the hands of people, it's in the hands of God.
And what He owns, He takes care of!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Acts 27:14
Euroclydon! It's the only storm named in Scripture. It means "typhoon," and Paul had to sail through it to reach his destiny. Observe:
(1) To reach your goal you'll have to go through storms. "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved" (Acts 27:20 ). There will be days when you'll wonder how you're going to make it. But by God's grace you will!
(2) Storms reveal how well you know God. "Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul,'" (Acts 27:23-24 ). It's the tough times that reveal the strength of your God-connection.
(3) God can make a success out of a shipwreck.
Notice some important things in this story:
(a) Sometimes you'll have to throw stuff overboard (Acts 27:18).
(b) In spite of your best efforts you'll occasionally run aground (Acts 27:26).
(c) You must remember what God told you and stand on it (Acts 27:25).
(4) Often the worst thing that could have happened turns out for the best. God used this shipwreck to reach Malta with the Gospel. And notice what happened to Paul and his travelling companions as they left that island: "They honoured us… and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed" (Acts 28:10 ).
Stop worrying, God will provide what you need in ways that amaze you.
If you're His child you're not the victim of circumstances.
Your future is not in the hands of people, it's in the hands of God.
And what He owns, He takes care of!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
When trouble comes
In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion.
Psalm 27:5
When trouble comes, do these three things:
(1) Get alone with God!
The Psalmist writes, "In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion." The secret place in a king's palace was called a "pavilion." There you were protected from the enemy. All hell could break loose around you but it didn't matter; in the secret place there was peace. Are you allowing things to overwhelm you that really don't make a difference? Are you upset over things that should be dismissed as trivialities? Get alone with God!
(2) Refuse to live beyond help because you have an image to uphold. The Bible says those of us who are strong ought to bear the burdens of the weak. There are times when we need to do the lifting; and times when we ourselves need to be lifted. Jesus healed a woman who had been bowed down for 18 years and "Could in no way raise herself up" (Luke 13:11). Sometimes you need help because you can't help yourself. David understood this so he turned to the men of Issachar because they "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chronicles 12:32). God has provided help, reach for it!
(3) Be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit for He will constantly remind you of God's plan, and show you how to carry it out. Jesus said, "The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26). What has the Lord said to you? Have you done it? Obedience is your doorway out of trouble. (Psalm 143:10 ).
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Saturday, December 01, 2007
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