What Does It Mean That Jesus Is Creator?

The Bible teaches that Jesus was the creative agent through which God the Father acted to make all things. Moreover, Jesus "uphold[s] all things by the word of His power" (Hebrews 1:3), acting as the ongoing sustainer of the universe.

Aaron Burden/Unsplash

The biblical conclusion is that Jesus Christ was the agent of creation at the will of the Father, and that both the Father and Jesus were involved in the planning and design of the universe.

John 1:1-14 clearly outlines Jesus’ role as Creator of the physical world: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:1-3, John 1:14).

Also inherent in this passage is the fact that Jesus Himself was not created, but rather existed eternally with God the Father (for more information on this vital point, see Was Jesus a Created Being? .) Ephesians 3:9 and Hebrews 1:1-2 affirm that God created the physical world through Jesus Christ, but Colossians 1:16-17 further clarifies that Jesus also created even non-physical things such as positions of authority: ”by Him all things were created … visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

This does not mean that God the Father was not involved with creation, or cannot also rightly be called the Creator. This is seen in the creation of man when God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The use of the plural pronouns indicates the involvement of both God the Father and the Word, who was the pre-incarnate Jesus (John 1:14). Hebrews 1:1-2 states that God the Father created the worlds through Jesus, showing that they were, jointly, the Creators. Further evidence for the unified creative role is found in Ecclesiastes 12:1, which says, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…” The underlying Hebrew text is actually plural here and says “Creators,” acknowledging both the Father and Christ.

Therefore, the biblical conclusion is that Jesus Christ was the agent of creation at the will of the Father, and that both the Father and Jesus were involved in the planning and design of the universe. A succinct way to express this properly is to state that God is the Creator, with the term “God” referring collectively to God the Father and Jesus Christ. This linguistic convention is used in Genesis 1:26 and elsewhere throughout the Bible to denote both beings. For a more detailed discussion of the roles of God the Father and Jesus Christ in creation, please see Who Is Our Creator?

https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/what-does-it-mean-that-jesus-is-creator

Quote from bible

Good News Reflection
Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
September 25, 2013

Ezra 9:5-9
Tobit 13:2-4, 7-8 (with 1b)
Luke 9:1-6

Time to stay or move on?

In our efforts to help others grow closer to Christ, and in our desire to change our parishes or workplaces when God's will is not being done, we don't always succeed. God's not asking us to. Sometimes, all he wants us to do is plant seeds that new people will fertilize and still others will harvest.

Look at what's frustrating you today. Do you know if God is asking you to stay or leave?

Jesus makes it clear in today’s Gospel reading that first we try – it's our responsibility, our mission as members of the Body of Christ. And if the message he gives us to share is rejected, we are not supposed to keep trying. He's not telling us to be quitters; he's saying: "Don't force God and the Church upon those who are not ready to hear the truth." Forcing them is not loving them, it's diminishing them. Remember, God never forces us to do anything that he asks of us.

I'm not speaking of situations in which God has placed you in authority over others. For example, parents are called to take the children to Mass even when the kids prefer to stay home to play. Employers and pastors have a right to demand that duties are fulfilled according to what the workers were hired to do. But wherever Jesus sends us to proclaim the kingdom of God, we have to pay attention to whether or not the hearers are open to receiving the truth. If they are not, we have fulfilled our responsibility by making the truth known; now it's their responsibility to act upon it.

To discern correctly if it's time to move on, we have to ask the Holy Spirit if what we're doing has been commissioned by God or if it was our own idea. If it was God's idea, then we have to ask if this is still what he wants us to do.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and notice the doors of opportunity to which he leads you. See Jesus knocking on the doors of people's hearts. When a door swings open, walk through it. When a door slams shut, know that Jesus will either help you find a secret passage that will get you inside, or he will tell you to clean off the person's dirty life from your shoes and he will lead you away from there.

If the latter is true, God already has another plan in mind for that person, and if we keep banging on their door, we'll only get in the way. And if we bang harder, our hand begins to hurt, so then we beat our heads against the door and get a head-ache. This is not God's plan!

Moving on could mean literally leaving, or it could mean redirecting our efforts to other people and other ministries while we stay and quietly pray and give unconditional love. If you're not certain which you're being called to do, talk to a spiritual director or Christian counselor.

www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092513.cfm

Useless Anxieties...

"Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? - Matthew 6:27

So it is useless to worry. A short person cannot, by any amount of anxiety, make himself an inch taller. Why, therefore, should he waste his energy and fret his life away in wishing he were an inch taller? One worries because he is too short, another because he is too tall; one because he too lean, another because he is too fat; one because he has a lame foot, another because he has a mole on his face. No amount of fretting will change any of these things.

People worry, too, over their circumstances. They are poor, and have to work hard. They have troubles, losses, and disappointments which come through causes entirely beyond their own control. They find difficulties in their environment which they cannot surmount. There are hard conditions in their lot which they cannot change.

Now why should they worry about these things? Will worrying make matters any better? Will discontent cure the lame foot, or remove the ugly mole, or reduce corpulency, or put flesh on the thin body? Will chafing make the hard work lighter, or the burdens easier, or the troubles fewer? Will anxiety keep the winter away, or the storm from rising, or put coal in the cellar, or bread in the pantry, or get clothes for the children? Even wise philosophy shows the uselessness of worrying, since it helps nothing, and only wastes one's strength and unfits one for doing one's best.

Then religion goes farther, and says that even the hard things and the obstacles are blessings, if we meet them in the right spirit; stepping-stones lifting our feet upward, disciplinary experiences in which we grow. So we learn that we should quietly, and with faith, accept life as it comes to us, fretting at nothing, changing hard conditions to easier if we can; if we cannot, then using them as means for growth and advancement.

http://www.thevinetoday.com/

Sharing

THE END

“Do you believe that this is the end of days?” That was the question a friend wrote me a few days ago. It is a question that I have gotten a lot of times over the years. With all the wars, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, fires, and nuclear meltdowns we are facing these days, it is easy to understand why people would wonder and ask as well.

The truth is no one knows when the last days of this world will be. No one knows when their own last day will be either. All that we can do is to live each day we have here to the fullest with love, kindness, goodness, joy, and oneness with God.

This is why I start each day by saying, “Good morning God, thank you for my life!” This is why I watch every sunrise and sunset I can. This is why I stop to smell the flowers and listen to the birds sing every Spring. This is why I hug my grown up children every day and tell them that I love them. This is why I always take the time to bend down and pet a dog or cat. This is why I lend a hand to a neighbor who needs my help. This is why I share a smile and a friendly wave with the people I pass on life’s road. This is why I do what I can to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and care for the sick. This is why I write my simple words and share them with the world. I want to do all I can to show others that they can choose life, share love, and spread joy. I want to show them that every day is precious, that every act of kindness is priceless, and that everyone of them is a powerful person who can make this world a better place.

None of us knows when this world will end. None of us knows when our own lives here will end. What we do know is that we can love today. We can learn today. We can laugh today. We can help each other today. We can bring a little Heaven to Earth today. Live today then and when the end does come you will be able to face God with a loving and happy heart.

By Joseph J. Mazzella

http://www.Godswork.org/

Jesus said: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
May 3, 2013

Today's Feast: Saints Philip and James

Today’s Readings:
1 Cor 15:1-8
Ps 19:2-5
John 14:6-14

Doing greater works than Jesus

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says, "Whoever believes in me will do the works I do, and greater far than these." What does he mean – greater than HIS?

Let's start with the basics: If you and I really do believe in Jesus, we want to be his apostles. The word "apostle" means "one who is sent." We want to be sent by Jesus to help others get to know him and experience his love. Our faith drives us into ministry and outreach. And Jesus gives us the power of his Holy Spirit so that we will be successful.

What are we sent forth to do?

Each of us has been assigned apostolates by the Father. Just as the Father accomplished his works through Jesus, so too does the Father desire to accomplish his works through me – and also through you! He has given you a set of talents and gifts that make you uniquely capable for your particular divine purpose in life. You also have training and experiences (both good and bad) that God wants to put to good use.

Our Father has assigned an apostolate to you that requires your special combination of personality traits and spiritual attributes, right where you are right now – in your job, your home, your relationships, your church, your neighborhood. Because of your uniqueness, he cannot accomplish this through anyone else!

Jesus said that if we believe in him, we will do the same works he did "and greater far than these." Through his humanity, Jesus did human works. These are the same works we do matter-of-factly as good people. Human works include loving each other, teaching what we've learned, sharing what we've been given, listening to those who need someone to talk to, working hard on the job to our fullest potential, offering a helping hand when we see a need, etc. But even atheists do that.

Through his divinity – his unity with the Father – Jesus did supernatural works (the "greater works"). Through Jesus, you and I are united to the Father, and the Father extends himself to the world through us. Through us, the Father continues working miracles, the humanly impossible works. Only someone who believes in Jesus and relies on his Holy Spirit can do this.

In doing our human works well, we give Jesus to the world. But sometimes our human works require supernatural aid, such as when loving someone becomes very difficult during a long trial as they continually sin against us.

What does the Father want to accomplish through you? Listen for his will to become known to you. How does the Father want to improve the world through you? Like Jesus, we do supernatural works when we do the will of the Father. Wait for his instructions with open ears.

Meanwhile, dedicate (or rededicate) your gifts, talents, resources, skills, and experiences to God for use in his kingdom. Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen your virtues and empower your giftedness so that when others encounter you, they will experience the human works of Jesus and the divine works of the Father.

http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections

It is Written

The Bible is a precious gift; a gift we call, The Word of God. The words of the Bible tell of the creation of the Universe and God's first "breath of life" into man (Genesis 2:7).
They tell of man's first sin, his separation from God, and the long process of being brought back into a right and loving relationship with the Father - a process made complete through faith in Jesus Christ. These are the lasting words which reveal God's nature and eternal plan; the words of truth which provide "everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us" (2 Peter 1:3).
We can carry His Word as an offensive weapon used to battle the enemy; "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). But His Word is also used as a fine surgical tool; "Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). His Word can purify and refine by cutting away all which is offensive and unclean


But for God's Word to have its intended purpose in our life we must accept it as absolute truth, "not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The Bible is not just a collection of interesting stories and somewhat profound writings, it is God's Word! We are to receive His Word in faith and apply it with power and authority.
Jesus began His ministry on earth when He was thirty years old. He was baptized by John in the Jordan River and then led into the desert and tempted by the devil. Each time the devil tried to tempt Jesus away from the path which God established, Jesus resisted by directly applying the Word of God.
Matthew 4:4 "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Three times the devil tempted - and three times Jesus answered, "It is written!" When Jesus spoke these words, with complete faith and as absolute truth, there was no room for debate; "The devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him" (Matthew 4:11). Yes, we have been given a precious gift. We have the words which are able to prepare our heart for the gift of eternal life. We have the words which can yield a life of contentment and peace - a life with purpose. But this gift is only for those who believe and obey. Let's fully accept and apply God's Word today. Let's trust with all our heart so we can face any trial or temptation with a steadfast assurance. His Word is truth. His Word is our highest authority! Let's answer this world with a bold confidence by KNOWING that it is written!

 http://gdwm.org/index.php/resources/

Godly Compassion

As we open our hearts to minister to those around us, we soon discover we live in an imperfect world full of sickness, heartache, and frustrations. Many of us (many more than we realize) are facing trials which are sometimes quite severe. When we are finally invited into someone's private world and allowed to hear of their pain, it can be difficult to know what to do or say.

As we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus, we learn of His truths: "Be joyful always;
pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We
understand and usually have some actual experience with God's loving plan and purpose; "in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).  But there are times when this type of advice - even this type of truth - can be a little cold and fail to comfort or draw someone closer to God.


While it's absolutely true that God will use our pain and suffering for His glory, it may not be the first response someone needs to hear when they enter a difficult trial;
"There is a time for everything...a time to be silent and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7). We must learn to be sensitive to the more immediate need.

When Lazarus became very sick, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus but He did not come until after Lazarus died. Mary fell at Jesus' feet and cried: "Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:32). At that moment, Jesus did NOT begin preaching "Rejoice in the Lord always!" (Philippians 4:4). There would be other opportunities for sermons, other opportunities to speak about faith and trust, but in this moment the need simply required compassion.

John 11:33,35
"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also
weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled...Jesus wept."

The Creator of the Universe wept! From the beginning of time, Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead; He knew many lives would soon be changed through this miracle. Though good would ultimately come from this pain and sorrow, these were real people who were grieving: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (John 11:5).
In this time of greatest need, Jesus took time to show He truly cared and understood their pain.

The world is in great need of the healing power of Jesus Christ. Sin has caused
separation from God and left many lives in a mess. As we minister through
encouragement and the truth of God's Word, we are called to do so while "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). But love does not exist outside of a relationship. And in a loving relationship we will often best demonstrate God's truth by listening and comforting with a Godly compassion.

http://gdwm.org/index.php/resources/

An Anxious Heart

This morning after delivery goods to my customer, I attended  my goddaughter's SIL  funeral... It was a sad time, but today 1st reading said that there is a time for everything, it 's all in God's time... I have a heavy heart, even though I know that we are only a pilgrim on earth, when the room is ready for us, God will call us back !  and the following message let me think about what I am feeling now:

 In the message "Consistent Trust" we were encouraged to "trust in the Lord with all your heart" (Proverbs 3:5). We saw how a consistent trust ought to invade all areas of our life; we must be able to trust God for our eternity as well as our daily walk. A good measure of our trust (or lack of trust) is in our level of anxiety.

Being anxious, or having anxiety, is defined as being mentally troubled with worry or concern. Unfortunately, we have all been battling anxiety ever since Adam ate the forbidden fruit and tried in vain to hide from God; "I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid" (Genesis 3:10). The negative effects of anxiety were understood three thousand years ago when King Solomon wrote his proverbs of wisdom; "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" (Proverbs 12:25).

Anxiety remained a necessary topic as Paul preached the Good News of Jesus. Almost in the same breath that he gave instruction to "Rejoice in the Lord always!" (Philippians 4:4), Paul taught on removing anxiety from our life; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).

When we find ourselves being overly concerned or mentally troubled about ANYTHING, we must go to God (with thanksgiving) and give our burdens to Him. This doesn't mean we ignore our problems, but we must learn to view the things of this world against the backdrop of eternity. The concerns of this life always fade as we compare them to the eternal glory of His Kingdom.

Matthew 6:25,34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry {or be anxious} about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

When we feel weighed down, pressured, or stressed - when concerns are coming in fast motion from all directions and we don't know where to begin - we must stop and take a long, deep breath! We must refocus on Jesus and His Word. We must be reminded of eternity in the presence of a loving God and diligently seek His Kingdom; "make every effort to enter that rest" (Hebrews 4:11).

As we draw closer to our Heavenly Father, our eyes become adjusted to His light and we see He has already given all we really need. As we love Him more, all fear is removed: "perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18). And as we trust Him more and more, we will receive His gift of peace and no longer live with the burdening weight of an anxious heart.

http://gdwm.org/index.php/resources/

Continue In Prayer

He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up.

Luke 18:1

Many people get discouraged in praying because they don't get an answer straight away. First, know this, that God always hears our prayers when they are sincere, and that He will always send an answer although it may not always be the answer we are hoping for. He never despises nor disregards the cry of one of His children; but sometimes for wise reasons He delays His answer. Perhaps it's not the right time. God's plans are far-reaching and He works slowly -- not because God is slow, but because everything has its own time. Look at Joseph in Egypt - a slave, then a prisoner. No doubt he was praying every day for release; and he may have thought at times that the answer was a long time coming. But when it came, he could see that one reason for delay was that all things might be first set in place. It took years to prepare the answer that came at last with such blessing.
Sometimes the reason for God's delay may be to draw out our faith and to increase our need of Him. The story of the Syrophenician woman illustrates this (Matthew 15:21-28). At first Jesus “answered her not a word;” but it was for her sake that He kept her waiting. She received a far better answer at last than she could have received at first. Suppose she had “fainted” after her first apparent rejection, think what she would have lost.
No doubt thousands of prayers are never answered because men give-up when God delays. Perhaps you too have lost hope before the answer came. A little longer patient perseverance would have brought you a great reward. After spending thousands of dollars in drilling for oil, the operator became discouraged and sold the land for a bargain. The new owner started the drill, and in six hours found a flowing well. We see what “fainting” cost the first owner. Many Christians lose heart just when the answer is about to be given.

Today... The lesson today is "Don't give up!". Keep praying faithfully, believing that God will come through for you at the right time.

http://www.thevinetoday.com/devotional/cya/0922

Spiritual Blindness

By Dr. James R. Miller(modern English version by The Vine © 2011)

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

John 9:1

The blind man illustrates everyone's natural condition. For one thing, he had never been able to see. So men are born in a state of sin. Whatever we may say about the sweetness, innocence, and purity of childhood, the Scriptures plainly teach that no one is born by natural birth in the kingdom of heaven, but that all must be born again to enter it.

Another point of analogy is, that this man's blindness excluded him from a whole world of beauty. There were lovely things all around him - green fields, attractive flowers, blue skies, bright sunshine, shining stars -- but he never saw any of these things. So there is a whole world of spiritual beauty lying about the unregenerate and above him - the love of God, Divine promises, blessed hopes, the heavenly kingdom, all the joys of salvation; but he sees nothing of all this glorious world.

It is said that a lady looking at one of Joseph Turner's paintings, examining some scene of nature, said to the artist, “Mr. Turner, I cannot see in nature what you put in your pictures.” The artist's quiet answer was, “Don't you wish you could, madam?” People in the world look on at what goes on in the Christian faith and Christian hope, and read the good news of Christian experience, and then say with a sneer, “We cannot see anything worth getting excited about in this religion.” The only proper answer is, “Don't you wish you could?” It takes the artist's eye to see the glory of nature; it takes the opened eye of Christian faith to see the glories of God's spiritual kingdom.

For another thing, this blind man's condition was incurable. In this, too, his case illustrated the condition of every sinner. The sinner is incurable, and none but Christ can remove his spiritual blindness. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”                                                                

Today... You were once blind but now you see. This is how God has showered you with grace and mercy.                                                              

http://www.thevinetoday.com/devotional/cya/0904

God Provide

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.   2Cor 9:8

Galatians 5:22

The fruit of the Spirit is  love, joy, peace,  patience, kindness, goodness,  trustfulness,gentleness and self-control

Pentecost Sunday

27 May 2012 Pentecost Sunday... 50 days after Easter.... The 7 gifts of the holy Spirit :
1. Wisdom

Wisdom is the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit, because it is the perfection of faith. Through wisdom, we come to value properly those things which we believe through faith. The truths of Christian belief are more important than the things of this world, and wisdom helps us to order our relationship to the created world properly, loving Creation for the sake of God, rather than for its own sake.
2. Understanding

Understanding is the second gift of the Holy Spirit, and people sometimes have a hard time understanding (no pun intended) how it differs from wisdom. While wisdom is the desire to contemplate the things of God, understanding allows us grasp, at least in a limited way, the very essence of the truths of the Catholic Faith. Through understanding, we gain a certitude about our beliefs that moves beyond faith.

3. Counsel

Counsel, the third gift of the Holy Spirit. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, we are able to judge how best to act almost by intuition. Because of the gift of counsel, Christians need not fear to stand up for the truths of the Faith, because the Holy Spirit will guide us in defending those truths
4. Fortitude

 Fortitude is ranked as the fourth gift of the Holy Spirit because it gives us the strength to follow through on the actions suggested by the gift of counsel. While fortitude is sometimes called courage, it goes beyond what we normally think of as courage. Fortitude is the virtue of the martyrs that allows them to suffer death rather than to renounce the Christian Faith.
5. Knowledge

The fifth gift of the Holy Spirit, knowledge, is often confused with both wisdom and understanding. Like wisdom, knowledge is the perfection of faith, but whereas wisdom gives us the desire to judge all things according to the truths of the Catholic Faith, knowledge is the actual ability to do so. Like counsel, it is aimed at our actions in this life. In a limited way, knowledge allows us to see the circumstances of our life the way that God sees them. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, we can determine God's purpose for our lives and live them accordingly.
6. Piety

Piety, the sixth gift of the Holy Spirit, is the perfection of the virtue of religion. While we tend to think of religion today as the external elements of our faith, it really means the willingness to worship and to serve God. Piety takes that willingness beyond a sense of duty, so that we desire to worship God and to serve Him out of love, the way that we desire to honor our parents and do what they wish.
7. Fear of the Lord

The seventh and final gift of the Holy Spirit is the fear of the Lord, and perhaps no other gift of the Holy Spirit is so misunderstood. This gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the desire not to offend God, as well as the certainty that God will supply us the grace that we need in order to keep from offending Him. Our desire not to offend God is more than simply a sense of duty; like piety, the fear of the Lord arises out of love.

http://catholicism.about.com/

Inspiration

Marriage and family

Tonight SFA start first night of triduum, theme is marriage and family by Msgr Francis Lau.

Catholics understand Christian marriage as a lifelong partnership between a baptized man and woman;

Marriage is a vocation;

It take 3 in a marriage, bride, bridegroom and God.

Catholics also look at marriage as a covenant rather than a contract.

A contract looks at whether or not a person has fulfilled certain legal stipulations (things),

while a covenant looks at personal commitment (people).

Unlike an civil marriage ceremony, a Catholic ceremony reminds couples that they will lead their lives together in a faith community.

Couples pledge themselves to the values of love, permanence and fidelity.

Ephesians 5:21-33

21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives should be subject to their husbands as to the Lord,
23 since, as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife;
24 and as the Church is subject to Christ, so should wives be to their husbands, in everything.
25 Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her
26 to make her holy by washing her in cleansing water with a form of words,
27 so that when he took the Church to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless.
28 In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself.
29 A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church,
30 because we are parts of his Body.
31 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.
32 This mystery has great significance, but I am applying it to Christ and the Church.
33 To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.

Until the right moment comes, trust!

Good News Reflection
Friday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
July 8, 2011
Today’s Readings:Gen 46:1-7, 28-30Ps 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40Matt 10:16-23
http://www.usccb.org/nab/070811.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/11_07_08.mp3

Until the right moment comes, trust!

We are so impatient.
We want to know NOW that everything worrying us is going to turn out okay.
Whatever relationship we're struggling with, whatever task seems too hard, whatever wolves we are facing, we assume that we could deal with it better if only we knew the outcome and if only we could see that it will all be worthwhile.
So we try to envision the future. We think we can correctly guess what will happen to us if we stay on our present course of difficulties, and usually we predict disaster.
If we're not following Jesus, we're probably right, but if we are doing what the Lord is asking of us, when anything that becomes troublesome, the biggest problem is self-made: We lose our patient trust.
God has a good plan that will benefit us as well as everyone else who's part of our trial, and yet we worry. We negate the prayer that the priest makes during the “Our Father” in the Liturgy of the Eucharist: "Free us from all anxiety.
"In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes it clear that we are not to worry, because the Holy Spirit will help us WHEN THE MOMENT COMES. Not one second sooner. Jesus says we're to be like sheep in the face of the wolves who threaten our peace – sheep who are shrewd like serpents and simple like doves. He's not telling us to be sheep that stand dumbly in the path of the wolf wearing a sign that proclaims, "Bite me, I'm standing still." No, we're to be clever (shrewd) enough to wait for the right moment before standing up to the wolf, and simple-minded (read that as "single-minded" not "stupid") enough to trust that the Holy Spirit will provide the wisdom and the words when that right moment comes.
Living in the kingdom of God causes us difficulties.
Jesus is very clear about that. And therefore, although we tell God that we really do want to serve him and we really do trust him, fear asks: "Is everything going to work out okay?" And then impatience demands that we get the answer now.
How shallow is our relationship with God if we aren't content to trust that the Holy Spirit is taking action on our behalf!God is good to us.
We have the Holy Spirit as our aid. There is nothing more reliable in the whole universe! The power of the wolves is really so much smaller, very hugely smaller; in fact, it's nothing compared to the power of our Lord who is at work in us.
If you can't feel God's power yet, if you cannot hear his wisdom or his words, at least trust that it's there, already inside you like electricity waiting for the flip of a switch. You can't feel it surging through you, because it's not the right moment yet.
Pay attention.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
The right moment WILL come. In the meantime, closely follow your Good Shepherd.

© 2011 by Terry A. Modica
This work is NOT in Public Domain and may NOT be copied without permission.
You may print one copy for your own personal use.
For PERMISSION and info on how to copy this reflection for sharing, see:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm

The Secret Of Power

By Dr. James R. Miller(modern English version by The Vine © 2011)
He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
Luke 9:1
The first thing is always to come to Christ Himself. We can do nothing until we have been to Him. Everything we do should be as if Jesus Himself instructed us to do it, and sent us on our way with His blessing. There is nothing too dangerous, no work too hard, no job too responsible, that can't be done, if, from the outset, we have Christ's hand of encouragement on our shoulder and his words of inspiration.
Christ alone can give power for the work He asks us to do. His followers are to have authority over demons. Any one who tries to cast out demons in his own strength, whether the demon be in himself of in someone else, will only meet miserable failure. A man may rule nations and conquer kingdoms, and yet be unable to rid himself of a demon. Alexander The Great conquered the world, but he was overthrown by the demons of appetite and passion. Men are forever foolishly trying to battle the evil of their own natures without help and they always fail in the struggle.
The same is true of power over demons in others. Once the disciples, in Christ's absence, tried to cast out an evil spirit, and could not do it. Yet they ought to have been able in Christ's name to cast out the demon. Jesus told them that the reason they could not do it was because they didn't have faith. He wants every follower of his to have power over all forms of evil in this world; not miraculous power, such as he gave the apostles, but real power. If we have faith in Him, He will always give us power.

http://thevine.co.nz/

It’s Worth Understanding People

All of us like to be understood. When somebody tells us, “I understand your situation”, we feel so much relief and satisfaction.
To be understood is equal to being accepted. Only those who understand a person can accept that person and bring positive change in that person.

There is a remarkable story in the Bible (Luke 10:30–35) about a Samaritan helping a half-dead man lying on the wayside, robbed and deserted. A priest and a Levite – both, Jewish religious people – came that way but seeing him, passed by on the other side. Then the Samaritan came and helped the man like his own brother.
What prompted the Samaritan to do such a noble work which others didn’t do? Chances are that he understood the helpless man’s state because he and his people were also treated as detestable by the religious Jews of the time, as history suggests. He also has tasted the pain and shame of being rejected and ridiculed. That helped him identify himself with the helpless man. And he accepted him and helped him like his kinsman!
Look around and find people whom you can identify with. May be it is someone who is suffering a loss, or someone who deals with a broken relationship, or someone struggling with an addiction. Whatever it may be, you can find some whom you can identify with, accept and be a channel of healing to their lives.
Jesus Christ did the same for us. He understood and accepted us as we are because he experienced what we experience. The Scripture says, “For we do not have a High Priest (i.e. Jesus Christ) who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but one who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.” - Hebrews 4:15-16

- – - written by Joe Abraham

http://www.turnbacktogod.com/

May Day

Today is 2nd Sunday after Easter, it is Divine Mercy Sunday, and it is also the beautification of Pope John Paul II... We are going to Divine Mercy Church at 3pm for the mass....

I had just finish a book by Rick Warren called "the purpose driven life", it took me 3 years to read this book when I bought it on feast day of St Anne at st Anne church at Ponggol.

Thanks God, I did it.

2 chronicles 16:9

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strength those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Will I served God's purpose in my generation?

God Purpose:

1) Planned for God pleasure

2) Formed for God's family

3) Created to become like Christ

4) Shape for serving God

5) Made for a mission

To Worship, discipleship, fellowship, mission and ministry