I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God. (Romans 1:16)
However, like the power of the wind, the sea, or the sun, the power of the gospel doesn’t avail us much until we receive it with faith.
The extent that we believe in it and lay hold of it is the extent to which its power can work through us.
The choice is ours: We can be content that our sins are forgiven, or we can become ambassadors for Christ who are using our gifts to transform society.
We are all saints in the making.
As St. Catherine of Siena wrote, “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire!”
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
No petition is too small!!
No Petition Is Too Small! Through intercessory prayer, we can touch people all over the world. We should feel free to ask God for anything, at any time, in any situation. Our prayers can penetrate geographical, cultural, and political barriers, bringing the healing, saving touch of the Lord into countless lives and situations. Through prayer, we can reach the men and women who are fighting in war as well as the children in the womb whose lives are at risk. We can help our children and care for our elderly parents. We can change the climate in a home and the relationship between alienated friends—all through intercessory prayer.
As we pray, let’s take up the attitude of the “watchmen” described in the Book of Isaiah. In fact, let’s paraphrase this passage and apply it to us: “Upon your walls the Lord has stationed watchmen. Never, by day or by night, should you be silent in your intercessions. No, keep reminding the Lord. Take no time to rest for yourself, and don’t give God any rest either. Keep praying until the Lord answers all your prayers and makes his church the pride of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7).
No petition is too small for God, not even asking for a parking space on a crowded street or seeking relief from a little cold. Just be persistent. Ask your heavenly Father, and never stop asking.
http://wau.org/archives/article/persistent_prayer/
As we pray, let’s take up the attitude of the “watchmen” described in the Book of Isaiah. In fact, let’s paraphrase this passage and apply it to us: “Upon your walls the Lord has stationed watchmen. Never, by day or by night, should you be silent in your intercessions. No, keep reminding the Lord. Take no time to rest for yourself, and don’t give God any rest either. Keep praying until the Lord answers all your prayers and makes his church the pride of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7).
No petition is too small for God, not even asking for a parking space on a crowded street or seeking relief from a little cold. Just be persistent. Ask your heavenly Father, and never stop asking.
http://wau.org/archives/article/persistent_prayer/
Monday, September 28, 2009
Unpardonable?
Read Zechariah 8:1-8
God had not abandoned his people.
In fact, no matter how far Jerusalem had fallen, no matter how grave her sin, Yahweh would remain faithful to his covenant with them. Forgiveness, healing, peace, and security would once more cover the land, and the people would once more be exalted in his eyes.
But it would not be all one-sided. Through Zechariah, God also gave instruction and guidance to the people. They were to speak the truth to one another. They were to put away plotting against each other and swearing false oaths. They were to treat one another with the integrity and respect due to members of God’s special, chosen people.
We can take great solace from the words of Zechariah. He teaches us that there is no such thing as an unpardonable sin. Neither is there any situation or challenge that is too big for God to handle if we turn to him. Even if we have experienced our own kind of exile by ignoring the many promptings of the Spirit, God is still with us, waiting for us to seek him once more. He is right beside us, ready to pour out his healing power. God’s love truly does endure forever. Have you experienced it yet today?
“Father, you are truly a God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in love. Do not treat us as our sins deserve. You are a merciful God, and we are your people redeemed by the blood of your beloved Son. Father, we thank you and praise you for everything you have done in our lives!”
God had not abandoned his people.
In fact, no matter how far Jerusalem had fallen, no matter how grave her sin, Yahweh would remain faithful to his covenant with them. Forgiveness, healing, peace, and security would once more cover the land, and the people would once more be exalted in his eyes.
But it would not be all one-sided. Through Zechariah, God also gave instruction and guidance to the people. They were to speak the truth to one another. They were to put away plotting against each other and swearing false oaths. They were to treat one another with the integrity and respect due to members of God’s special, chosen people.
We can take great solace from the words of Zechariah. He teaches us that there is no such thing as an unpardonable sin. Neither is there any situation or challenge that is too big for God to handle if we turn to him. Even if we have experienced our own kind of exile by ignoring the many promptings of the Spirit, God is still with us, waiting for us to seek him once more. He is right beside us, ready to pour out his healing power. God’s love truly does endure forever. Have you experienced it yet today?
“Father, you are truly a God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in love. Do not treat us as our sins deserve. You are a merciful God, and we are your people redeemed by the blood of your beloved Son. Father, we thank you and praise you for everything you have done in our lives!”
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The insignificant
God moves and acts in whatever way He likes.
Most of the time, what He seems to like is the small,
the unexpected, the quiet, the ignored,
those that the world cannot imagine could ever do anything of value.
This was the way God worked in Mary’s life
and the way he works in ours.
In our small spot on this earth,
in the midst of our ordinary lives,
God moves. God calls. God invites
Most of the time, what He seems to like is the small,
the unexpected, the quiet, the ignored,
those that the world cannot imagine could ever do anything of value.
This was the way God worked in Mary’s life
and the way he works in ours.
In our small spot on this earth,
in the midst of our ordinary lives,
God moves. God calls. God invites
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
What am I?
What am I?
Once I didnt know you, O Lord, and I was a slave to sin.
One day you revealed yourself to me and made known to me the truth of your saving power that has set me free.
But today even after that I still sin, but not as a slave to sin but as a free person. And I ask, "Jesus did you really die for me to set me free from sin?"
Truth is that I have been set free and given freedom but I use it to get back to the same thing that had me a slave once.
What am I?
O, Lord help me feel really desperate to know you, help me really and truly realise my sin and how stained and leprous I am deep inside. Bring me to a realisation of my sins so that I realise how desperately I need you.
Jesus teach us to love as you loved. Amen!!!
Once I didnt know you, O Lord, and I was a slave to sin.
One day you revealed yourself to me and made known to me the truth of your saving power that has set me free.
But today even after that I still sin, but not as a slave to sin but as a free person. And I ask, "Jesus did you really die for me to set me free from sin?"
Truth is that I have been set free and given freedom but I use it to get back to the same thing that had me a slave once.
What am I?
O, Lord help me feel really desperate to know you, help me really and truly realise my sin and how stained and leprous I am deep inside. Bring me to a realisation of my sins so that I realise how desperately I need you.
Jesus teach us to love as you loved. Amen!!!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Unchanging God
"The more unfaithful we are to our commitments and promises to God, the more faithful God appears to his promises to us."
For God doesnt break his promises. He is ever faithful and unchanging.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
No matter how much people change, or the church changes, or the music goes beyond what we want, GOD never changes. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever, because He said so in His Word. He's there, ready to take us under his wings, whenever we need consoling. His Word and the Holy Spirit is our link with him in our lives, constantly. His Word is our guide, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher. He always answers prayers; perhaps he doesn't answer them the way we want or in our time frame, but as someone said today, He always answers, and He is never, ever late!
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Heavenly Father, when all the world is changing, we know we can rely on you. Help us to put our complete trust in you. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
For God doesnt break his promises. He is ever faithful and unchanging.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
No matter how much people change, or the church changes, or the music goes beyond what we want, GOD never changes. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever, because He said so in His Word. He's there, ready to take us under his wings, whenever we need consoling. His Word and the Holy Spirit is our link with him in our lives, constantly. His Word is our guide, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher. He always answers prayers; perhaps he doesn't answer them the way we want or in our time frame, but as someone said today, He always answers, and He is never, ever late!
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Heavenly Father, when all the world is changing, we know we can rely on you. Help us to put our complete trust in you. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
You are my strength
We ought to pray to and invoke the Holy Spirit,
for each one of us greatly needs His protection and His help.
The more a man is deficient in wisdom, weak in strength, borne down with trouble, prone to sin, so ought he the more to fly to Him who is the never-ceasing fount of light, strength, consolation, and holiness.
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