Daily Thoughts - The Heart of God



Daily Thoughts - The Heart of God

""The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:18‬a

Watch Jesus at work in todays readings, He fulfills this scripture.  His first responses after proclaiming His word was to cure the demoniac and to heal Simon's (Peter) mother of a fever.  They were poor in spirit and ready to receive.  His audience when He read the scroll were far from being poor, they were in a place of honor, life was good, they had no need.  

Jesus teaches us by His actions where truth lies.  ""Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3‬.  After He shows His heart, people are ready to listen and believe, they are ready to receive.  Which group do you fall in when hearing Jesus read this scripture?

Dear Father, may I always be ready to heed the good news that You proclaim to the poor.  May I never sit in a place of honor thinking I have it all figured out.  This journey leads us into Your heart, may ours become one and see the need of a world gone astray.  Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/SXJz8-6dNKg

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - world view



 Daily Thoughts - world view

"For "who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?" But we have the mind of Christ."  ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:16‬

Have you pondered the mind of Christ?  Do you see what He sees?  What about the clarity of thinking in a foreign land.  His world was transformed by sin, it dominated everything and yet here He stood alone along with His Father to bring about the joys of Heaven.  

One individual at a time He cleansed them from sin.  His words have authority for Truth overcomes evil.  "They were all amazed and said to one another, "What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.""  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:36‬

Step back from your world view and see with the mind of Christ.  How will Christ use you today to change the path of another?  God Bless you and His endeavors.  

Dear Father, I thank You for this day and all it has in store.  As we walk this path together, I trust in its outcome for it is You directing my path.  Bless those in need and answer prayer through those on the journey home.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/12ibMHRQDGc

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Stand Firm



Daily Thoughts - Stand Firm 

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:10‬

John the Baptist stood before Herod and proclaimed the truth of God.  "John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.""  ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:18‬.  He was beheaded for it as he stood firm against the ways of the world. 

We live at a time that we are witnessing persecution for one's beliefs but it is not our beliefs that are true but the word of God.  How many believe in activism and are proclaiming the ways of the world. "How I love your law, Lord! I study it all day long."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:97‬.  As you write His law upon your heart He will transform you much like He did with the first disciples.  They each were persecuted for standing for righteousness.

"So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,"‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:14‬

Dear Father, watch over us this day, write Your law upon our hearts that we may proclaim the good news of Your word in action.  Prayers for those standing against the ways of the world and are being persecuted.  Prayers for those caught up in the lies of the world.  Help us become Your living word, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Immediately



Daily Thoughts - Immediately 

"His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'"  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:21‬

The parable of the talents, the servants that acted immediately gained the Master's joy.  The one who out of fear buried his talent was left in the dark.  When God gives us a mission we are to act if we are to share in His joy.  The results and outcome are His if we are being obedient to His will.  Too many times we think the outcome is ours.  Even in our successes we are to recognize who give us the talents.  Humility plays an important role in our lives.  If you are still waiting to act, the master has not returned yet, there is still time to act.  The joy comes with acting upon His will even in fear.  The darkness is wiped out by the light of Christ in our lives.  

Dear Father, I recall the words of a wiseman that spoke this truth to me several years ago and today I share in Your joy.  May each day I take the tasks placed in front of me and act upon them.  Prayers for a friend preparing for the end of life, may he find the masters joy.  We are all paid the same as long as we enter the vineyard.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Love, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/fcG9HApTC_Q

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - With Him



Daily Thoughts - With Him.  

"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:18‬

Walk with Him in daily prayer, His message is revealed in your life each day.  In prayer He gives you strength to walk with the cross.  We all have some type of cross we are carrying, are we carrying it alone and being weighed down by it or are we yoked to Christ?  

There is a joy with God that is hard to describe, it must be experienced.  Jesus as Son of Man walked this road with His Father.  It made no human sense but yet it was His purpose.  How do you know what your purpose is if you are not walking with Him.  Daily face to face with God reveals the power of God in your life.  He becomes your strength, He becomes the lamp and the oil.  

Dear Father, there is joy in walking with You.  There is peace in walking with You.  The road to Jerusalem is not an easy road, we are all on it.  Some see the purpose, some fighting the steps and others skipping along not aware of what awaits.  I thank You for Your help in each day as we travel.  In Jesus name, amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/gZ_Qw0eDLf0

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Stay Awake.



Daily Thoughts - Stay Awake.  

"Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come."  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:42‬

Stay Awake.  Listen to the exhortation of Jesus, He recognizes the battle that goes on each day.  He knows the devil prowls about seeking souls, lulling them to sleep with the easy life.  Life is not easy, it is to prepare us for eternity.  

Noah built an Ark and prepared for the day of reckoning, what are you building.  The Ark was not easy to build, it didn't come without effort.  What are you building in a spiritual sense?  Are you preparing for that day that is coming?

Dear Father, each day I awake the world seems to make itself anew but it's message is the same, relax, take it easy, put the burden on another's back, you deserve it.  Help me stay awake, I hear the call of Your Son Jesus and each day I add another board to the Ark as best as we can.  It is You building it, I am just responding.  Bless this day, give us hearts that serve.  Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/RDlSJvs7_R8

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Faithful



Daily Thoughts - Faithful. 

"Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:4‬

I arise today with God and in our pray time together there is a place of comfort.  Life is passing each of us, some see it happening and some are not even aware of what is going on.  When we sit with God with a humble heart, He answers this Psalm in our lives.  The lesson we learn initially begin with our worldly thinking but over time our vision becomes true and the real lesson begins.  

Dear Father, I trust in You and where we are going.  Thank You for the gift of this day, may I be diligent in what it has to offer even in the mishaps of life You are there.  I accept what comes of this day.  Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/zJx_Lu4PymE

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Detachment



 Daily Thoughts - Detachment

"Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!"  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23:24‬

As I walk with Jesus, I see the purity of the man, His ability to see through any situation and I hear the truth in His words.  He is speaking truth to them or is He speaking truth to us.  It is easy to sit back and point to the other, what they are not doing or doing that is wrong.  What is He saying to us?

Being blind is not seeing what is going on, what in my world am I not seeing that Jesus is.  Walk with the man with perfect vision and see what He sees today.  Become detached from every situation without your own prejudices and see what God sees.  Not an easy path to walk unless there is purity.  

Dear Father, walk with us this day within the confines of our spirit.  Give us the vision of our own actions that influence the world with our prejudices.  Help us overcome the difficulties of the day that taints the outcome.  I ask this in Jesus name, amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/Optrm7lF16s

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - All in All



 Daily Thoughts - All in All

"one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it."  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23:22‬

Jesus spoke these words to the people, as you look deeper, He lived these words as Son of Man.  His journey in life was in response to love, the love that He has for the Father and for us.  

We can not separate God out of our lives.  We can ignore Him, pretend He isn't there but God is always there.  This is Jesus's message to us, God is always there.  The Journey with God is way better than without Him.  

Dear Father, You continue to amaze me with the little things.  Looking beyond the words, I see Your Son living for You, this is His message for us.  No matter the situation we are to live for You and to honor You with our time, our talent and our treasure.  I thank You for this morning, there is always more going on that meets the eye.  Amen 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.  

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/_SOTkuKudt4

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Peace



Daily Thoughts - Peace 

"I will listen for what God, the Lord, has to say; surely he will speak of peace To his people and to his faithful. May they not turn to foolishness! Near indeed is his salvation for those who fear him; glory will dwell in our land."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85:9-10‬

Surely He will speak of peace.  I will listen for God the Lord.  God's affirmative responses is what He has me focusing upon this week.  As I look back upon the daily events, God is written all over the various circumstances and how He is at work.  

He said I will do it and He has.  His voice can be drowned out of our lives if we don't take the time to listen to Him, if we don't recognize His answer to our prayers.  This place of peace is found when we spend time together, His glory reigns in our hearts and where God is there is peace if we are engaged together.  Living in glory is a choice we make daily.   I will listen, He will speak.  

Dear Father, I watched You at work this week in the midst of the daily events.  Revealing Your self within the situations of our lives.  In the quiet moments looking back, Truth is revealed in what You are accomplishing.  Prayers for moments of silence through out the day where we are listening.   Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/zNnzufK0nVE

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - raising the dead. Come alive.

Daily Thoughts - raising the dead.  Come alive. 

"The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he led me out in the spirit of the Lord and set me in the center of the broad valley. It was filled with bones. He made me walk among them in every direction. So many lay on the surface of the valley! How dry they were! He asked me: Son of man, can these bones come back to life? "Lord God," I answered, "you alone know that." Then he said to me: Prophesy over these bones, and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37:1-4‬

The living Word of God.  Sitting with todays first reading, Ezekiel 37:1-14, His word comes alive for it is not a story without meaning.  The Breathe of God has been revealed within with the written word.  Watching God through the son of man, take dry bones and breathe life into them is a real experience.  It is the living Word of God within our own lives after we have taken heed to His voice.  

Those of you who have experienced it know what I speak about, others are trying to figure it out and God says, it is already written.  When we listen to God within scripture, the stories become our stories, the Bread of life becomes real.   The dry bones are taking in the Word of God.  

It begins with "He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-39‬.  Loving God is spending time with Him in His word even if it is only a few minutes each day.  It all changes after we start hearing.  

Dear Lord God, I see You in action, I see dry bones come alive with Your breathe, I see the valley of dry bones and I see the army.  Within scripture is truth it is our salvation, our destiny that brings about joy.  Prayers for dry bones to come alive with lived experiences that brings about ever lasting peace.  Thank You Father for the continued journey.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/Xh8w0vCJpd4

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - God will.



Daily Thoughts - God will. 



"I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them. You will live in the land I gave to your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God."  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36:27-28‬

Listen to God this morning as He speaks through Ezekiel and His Son Jesus in the daily readings, I am struck by His words.  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081822.cfm   The things that He will do and the promises He provides, they give us hope in a world that thwarts the Word of God.  

As you listen to Him do you hear His passion, His conviction, His directness in what will happen.  We have a tendency to forget He is God.  Even in the bleakest of times He is still making straight on crooked lines. 

I then turn to my own response knowing that I am a sinner, what will I do and there is really only one answer for I am nothingness without Him.  "My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:19‬

It is our response back to God that opens up His holiness in our lives.  

Dear Father God, I hear You speak within the day, I see You at work, I see You reaching out and conveying Your message of love.  I also see the proud and haughty too good to acknowledge Your goodness for fear of being labeled.  Ezekiel speaks into the world still, as Your Son Jesus does.  Prepare Your family for the wedding feast.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of the Innocent, pray for us. 

St Joesph, pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/4D-gG2PyD1c

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The will of God.

Daily Thoughts - The will of God. 



"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me;". ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1-2‬

Listening to the Shepherd this morning with the daily readings.  We find our peace in the presence of God and there He speaks.  I had a choice this morning to follow my senses or God's will.  His will was for us to sit and visit(In green pastures he makes me lie down),  I followed His will. 

How do we spend our idle time?  Those times of our lives that nothing is pressing, it is a time that isn't filled?  The Gospel today speaks of this time and the call of the Shepherd.  Idle time is the enemy of the soul if we have not tempered our passions.  How easy it would have been to sit and mindlessly stroll through social media only to be distracted with nothingness.  

We are each called to hear the Shepherd's voice and respond to His will.  The choices we have each day is to feed self with our passions or to be fed by God.  Slow down and listen, read scripture, close your eyes and receive the rewards of Heaven.  You are never alone nor lost when He is your Shepherd.  

Dear Father, this is the best part of the day as we sit and visit.  Help me carry You into this day that brings about peace in a world under attack.  I know some don't understand but it is their passions that are leading them around by the nose.  Something we can all fall into the trap.  Bless this day and all it has to offer.  May others hear Your voice and work in the vineyard for the glory of God.  Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Saints, pray for us. 

St Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/KQrx-HFwvt8

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - what we treasure.



"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:9‬

Our lives speak louder than our words.  Jesus just didn't speak the truth, He lived the truth, He is truth.  His treasure is in Heaven and we are His treasure.  In His poverty on earth, He was man, abiding by the Fathers will.  

That's the call for each of us, to live life with Heaven as the destination.   Become poor in the eyes of the world, seek what God the Father seeks, this is where we find the richness of life - God.

Dear Father, I have another day to begin again, hopefully with another opportunity to live You out in my life.  May I seek what is pleasing to You, may I follow Your direction and may I be a pleasing offering in Your sight.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. 

St Joesph, pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/HYAE3z-42pg

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of Salvation.



""Arise, Lord, come to your resting place, you and your mighty ark."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭132:8‬

David sang this Psalms for where God is, there was His ark.  Today we celebrate the feast of the assumption of Mary into heaven in the Catholic faith.  Where God is, there is His mighty ark.  Mary's body was assumed into Heaven as tradition tells us.  Her body gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  She was uncorrupt, without sin and her holiness perfected by God.  

It is sin that corrupts the body, it is sin that turns us back into dust.  Mary without sin could not turn back into dust.  David sang this Psalms not fully understanding it's meaning but praising God.  Today we celebrate the mysteries of Heaven and our Catholic faith with our Blessed Mother.  Take some time and reflect upon the Mother of Salvation.  Without her yes, her holiness, Jesus the Word of God has no resting place within this world.  It stands to reason Jesus would honor His mother by fulfilling what He gave the Psalmist, her final home, body, soul and divinity with Him in Heaven in her uncorrupt body.  Happy Feast day, a holy day of obligation for us Catholics and believers of Truth.  

Dear Father, You always provide for our needs, You give us Great examples of holiness especially in the purity of man and the purity of woman.  Thank You for teaching us within scripture and revealing truth.  As You, know truth is under attack but like Mary, it will stand the test of time.  Prayers for a friend, living in joy with cancer, may Your will be done in his life, amen. 

Mary, Mother of Salvation, pray for us.  

St Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/0y67GDT2kwU

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The heart of God.

"A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit."  Psalms‬ ‭51:12‬

Listen to David as he speaks to God after he had walked away from His truth, after he had left the safety of His counsel.  David has felt the pain of sin, not the self pity of sin but the hurt and anguish that God, the Son of Man feels on the road to Calvary.  

In todays readings God speaks to His heart and His way.  We do not have the answers in this life that "I" want but God tells us in His Word to walk with Him.  To sit and listen as He speaks within His Word with those that have gone before us.  David in His life found His joy after he had failed God, after he had sought the vain glory of this world.

Listen to God, it is He who creates a clean heart for it will become His heart in all that you do.  

Dear Father, You know my heart, You know what it feels for it is what You have felt.  I thank You for this gift of Love, I thank You for the grace of this life, I thank You for the painful lessons.  In the pain is when we grow closer to You.  Prayers for a friend who sent Your message.  Watch over us this day and be ever on our minds and in our heart.  Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

St Joesph, Pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/N1DMIrqQVXI

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b