Daily Thoughts - Angels. Feast Day of the Archangels.



Daily Thoughts - Angels .  Feast Day of the Archangels.  

"Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back,  Revelation‬ ‭12:7‬

War broke out in heaven, that sounds so foreign to me.  Good and evil can not exist in heaven together but at one time it did until God's angels went to battle and cast Satan and his followers out.   

There is a lot that can be garnered from this one little verse.  God has a hierarchy established in Heaven, there are higher and lower angels.  The same can be said of the dragon as he imitates the same structure but only with evil as the intent.   God has structure to what He does, there is a community in place with purpose.  No being operates on its own.  

"For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens."  ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬.   Don't let pride stand in the way of your relationship with our Father in Heaven.  

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day and all it has to offer.  I thank You for the beginning of another day, be with us this day, guide our steps that we may glorify You in all that we do.  Prayers for Florida as they recover from this storm.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

https://youtu.be/V_MDt1NbnKQ

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

Daily Thoughts - Follow Me



Daily Thoughts - Follow Me

"As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.""  Luke‬ ‭9:57-58‬

I walk with the Son of Man, leaning my ear to the Father.  Jesus prays as we do, He listens as we do.  The Son of Man has singular purpose to reunite us with His Father.  Life still got in the way, it worked at slowing Him down.  The events of each day and the people were beyond his control.  Yet He knew His Father was working all things out.  

With all going on in his world he could find no rest, He had no time to rest.  The Journey lay ahead and He was to go forward.  We as well can not control our world, the outcome is beyond us other than what God gives us today.  As Jesus did, trust in where you are to go.  The outcome is in His hands not yours, follow Jesus.  

Dear Father, You speak into the morning thru Your word.  I see the lives of the Saints that went before us and follow their words and their lead through Your Son.  Thank You for the gift of this day and all it has to offer.  Prayers for a friend dying of cancer, may he find rest in You as the Son of Man does.  Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/_hYRA2PYkos

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

Daily Thoughts - The dark night



Daily Thoughts - The dark night   

"A man whose path is hidden from him, one whom God has hemmed in!"  ‭‭Job‬ ‭3:23‬

Listen to the plight of Job, a life without the consolation of God.  The darkness seems overwhelming, yet in this darkness he calls out to Him.  No answer is given but it is heard, his path lays ahead and he stumbles in the darkness.  

The spiritual journey begins with exuberance, joy and anticipation but there comes a point when all seems bleak and empty.  Nothing grabs the senses, nothing entices,  other than vices which plunges us deeper into the pit.  Yet in the darkness, the poor in spirit cry out with an inner peace.  

The desolate road is one we must all travel as did Jesus.  In these moments in our life, the blind are being guided to eternity, the place of eternal happiness.  This is the narrow way, at least what God is revealing in the darkness. 

Dear Father, this road doesn't satisfy the soul or at least it seems that way, It is foreign to the flesh.  On our plight, You hear the cry and You respond otherwise we wouldn't call out to nothingness.  Prayers for those on this journey that are unaware of where they are at.  Reveal their path to them and help them find that inner strength from above.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

Saint Vincent DePaul, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/QI9h7B8L71U

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

Daily Thoughts - Rend my heart.



Daily Thoughts - Rend my heart.  

From you let my judgment come; your eyes behold what is right.  Though you test my heart, searching it in the night, though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.  Psalms 17:2-3

Have you given your heart to God?  Are you living within His temple, within the upper room.  I watch as Job has his life as he knew it torn apart yet he was unwavering   He was upright in his approach, there was no malice on the inside   He trusted God completely and lived within the upper room.  

God the Father knew his heart for they are one.  "And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil."  ‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:13‬

"He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.""  ‭‭Job‬ ‭1:21‬

Dear Father, life happens, it comes at us and we must deal with what comes.  Give us the grace and trust that you give to Job.  Help us see thru the circumstances of each day and count our blessings especially when it doesn't go as planned.  You always reveal Yourself in small ways revealing the truth of grace.  Thank You Father for allowing me to wait as we journey together.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us 

St Joesph, Pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/KtKBkpbOLPE

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

Daily Thoughts - death



Daily Thoughts - death 

"but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,". ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:10‬

I ponder the darkness of death this morning, listening to God reveal Himself.  Even in the darkness there is the light of Christ that illuminates the mind.  An inner peace knowing I am not alone.  

In death, with its darkness, is it the same as I envision this morning.  What if I did not know Christ thru the  gospels what then?  It would be a dark and dreadful place, nothing within to break through the darkness.  In listening to Christ daily, we get glimpses of immortality especially in the stillness of what seems like darkness.  Each day builds upon another.  Have a blessed day.  

Dear Father, I am thankful for the grace to sit still and listen to You.  Our world spins faster and faster removing time with You if we allow it.  In the stillness You speak louder and reveal Yourself within Your word.  The day begins with You and ends with You just as our life does, may we live within Your glory and not outside if it.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Saints, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/5g0c4YeABTs

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

Daily Thoughts - The son of man



Daily Thoughts - The son of man

"Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God." He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:20, 22‬

I sit with a younger naive Peter and Christ, the Messiah.  I listen to my heart as we visit together seeing a little of what is being said.  Peter has found his savior, his warrior King.  Life in his mind would be perfect.  

Jesus the Messiah, had just been in prayer listening to His Father, He was seeing the world as it is.   Knowing the road ahead would be filled with both glorious joy and sufferings.  He had yet to experience the physical suffering to the body but He was experiencing the spiritual sufferings of a world that rejects the teachings of God.  Even Peter, His chosen one, has not experienced the depths of Jesus's spiritual suffering. 

We all want our warrior King to take away our pain and suffering.  As we grow in our relationship with Christ we understand we must suffer with Him if we are to get to Heaven.  Even the Perfect One suffered as did an older Peter.  Like Christ the Messiah, offer up your sufferings for the glory of God.  Ease the pain of another in the trials of life.  

Dear Father God, You focus my thoughts in an area and reveal the depths of Your love for us.  I too am naive about many things yet You are patient as we journey together.  I thank You for a heart that understands, that sits and watches a world wandering away from You.  I also see a world being transformed by Your love in simple forms of prayer revealing truth to another.  Help us be equally yoked to You this day.  I ask this in Jesus's name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/lL6eCfEQrQ8

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

Daily Thoughts - Vain Glory



Daily Thoughts - Vain Glory

"Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Fill us at daybreak with your mercy, that all our days we may sing for joy."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90:12, 14‬

I begin again with much to do, finding time is difficult yet I am drawn to You.  I see the vain effort and hear Your call to count each day as an offering to You.   Efforts to seek my glory are vain, efforts to glorify You are filled with joy. 

Help us to see the gift in a rising sun, help us see the morning dew burning off and recognize our own lives are passing as the dew.  Help us slow down each day and treasure the gift that awaits us.  

Dear Father, I hear Your call in the day, I see the joy in beginning with You each morning.  You offer the greatest gifts when we sit and listen to the simple ways of life.  Tonight we will sleep to arise in the morning by Your hand.  May I be thankful for all that comes my way this day and offer it back to you.  Prayers for a friend in ICU, in need of prayer, even this is a gift when we see You at work within.  In Jesus name, Amen.   

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. 

St. Joesph, Pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/-KicvBB2L68

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

Daily Thoughts - A Labor of Love. Feast of Saint Matthew.



Daily Thoughts - A Labor of Love.  Feast of Saint Matthew.  

"He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."   Matthew‬ ‭9:12-13‬

Saint Matthew writes his own story, recalls how he encountered Christ.  As I sat and listened to these words for the first time as Matthew did, they didn't make senses.  It is like they went over my head and have no meaning.  But now with some of the understanding that a much older Saint Matthew has they come to life.  

Jesus Christ is to be experienced and lived.  Matthew followed Christ and did what was asked of him.  While on this side of Heaven, he never reached his destination yet each day he went out into the world and lived.  He took the medicine that was given by Christ for his own healing.  We are all called to do the same, listen to His word, follow and do what is asked. 

Our salvation is to be worked out each day otherwise we become righteous and we become our own savior, destined to fail.  What will Christ call you to do today, what chance encounter will lead to mercy for another. 

Dear Father, we begin again, leaving yesterday behind, taking up our cross today and living.  I understand the man Matthew as he lived out his salvation in small ways impacting the world around him.  Thank You Father for what lays ahead, for what You are doing within and around.  Bless this day and all it has to offer, use me as You will.  Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

Saint Matthew, Pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/pJYL20NoIJQ

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

Daily Thoughts - Family



Daily Thoughts - Family

"A king's heart is channeled water in the hand of the Lord; God directs it where he pleases." ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:1‬.  "He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." Luke‬ ‭8:21‬

Have you experienced God in action?  I sit this morning and watch Him at work as I contemplate His word.  He has my heart and He encourages us to act.  We that are baptized are born into God's family, we are united with Christ's life, death and resurrection in the sacrament of baptism. 

Jesus speaks of family as those who hear the word of God and act upon it.  How many times has God asked you to act but you just sit there.  Fear has got a hold of you, or time isn't right.  yet it is God who is directing your steps.  

God's word is living and breathing, if we are to experience His resurrection then we have to act upon it.  I am watching as God directs the heart and He comes alive within.  

Dear Father God, I see You acting and directing.  I pray for the outcome that another heart gets a hold of You to become another Christ.  We are called to "do this in remembrance of me", help us see it is our actions in Your word that breathes life into the body of Christ.  Bless this day Father, bless the outcome You desire.  Thank You.  

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/PducS0rwLkM

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

Daily Thoughts - All Knowing



Daily Thoughts - All Knowing

"For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:17-18‬

Have you considered the vastness of God?  He is all knowing and nothing is secret to Him, He knows it before you.  And yet He gives us free will to follow our hearts.  As you climb the holy mountain, your own sinfulness becomes more apparent for you are more aware of God's teachings.   God treats each of us justly.

There is nothing hidden from God and as I sit my mind goes to the areas I don't even know.  Are we willing to sit in His presence and become vulnerable to Him?   I watch as He responds with love, there is nothing to fear for when You are in His grasp, He wants what is best for you - Heaven. 

Dear Father, we sit and visit, I experience You in many ways.  I see the love You have for each of us, the love that creates hope and the love that is painful for You.  Help us understand our journeys Lord, help us know that we are loved in all situations.  You are all knowing, all powerful, omnipotent, nothing goes unnoticed.  May I keep this thought through out this week and relish the fact that You are my God and my friend.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of Victoria, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/-Nv86uLxJlQ

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

Daily Thoughts - Rich Soil

Daily Thoughts - Rich Soil. 

"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance." ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:15‬

The Word of God is sown, do we listen to what God is saying to us?  I sit this morning listening in the stillness of my heart.  Reflecting upon my week and the last several days.  The week was not traveled alone, each day I arise and sit with Jesus in His Word and then we walked together through the day. 

Life still comes at us with it's difficulties and joys but when grounded in the soil of Christ, it is He who speaks the loudest.  The disciples who were traveling with Jesus, listening to Him speak on this parable were firmly planted, they faced the same days we do.

Rich soil has been prepared and is being prepared, this is where we are to plant ourselves.   I go back to the importance of daily prayer, this prepares the ground for Him.   "I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."  Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬

Dear Father, I lean on You for strength, we have lived this week together, never were we separated.  You know my heart beats for you, there is much to be gleaned when we sit together enjoying each other's company.  I pray for those listening and tilling the ground, prayer doesn't change life, it changes how we handle life.  Thank You Father for the grace to listen and sit at Your feet.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

https://youtu.be/r2zhf2mqEMI

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

Daily Thoughts - Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.



Daily Thoughts - Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.  

"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home."  ‭‭John‬ ‭19:25-27‬

A mothers instincts are to protect their children, to watch out for them and care for them.  Mary watches as her son, the Son of God, gets crucified and hangs on a cross.  The death she feels isn't expressed in actions other than her deep sorrow for what He endures and the deep love she has for God knowing that this must be the way.  

We can look at religion as a set of dogmatic rules that we must follow, a list of traditions that makes no sense if one has not experienced its joys and its sufferings.   Let's not forget that what is written in scripture are the lives of the Body of Christ.  Real people that have gone before us and have experienced the pains and joys of life.  Mary walks with us as we journey thru the desert.  

Dear Father, I see the anguish on her face, I see the pain in knowing that this is the only way her son must die.  His pain is her pain as well.  Father, there are many experiencing pain today, the pain of a lost loved one, give them the hope that Mary had as she also knew You are God.  Nothing happens that You do not allow and there is purpose in all of it even if we do not understand.  Give us the love that Mary has for You and Your Holy Family.  Amen.  

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, walk with us.  

Saint Joesph, Protect us.  

https://youtu.be/Sbej1UO2mf8

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

Daily Thoughts - Feast of the Exaltations of the Holy Cross



Daily Thoughts - Feast of the Exaltations of the Holy Cross

"and the Lord said to Moses: Make a seraph and mount it on a pole, and everyone who has been bitten will look at it and recover. Accordingly Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever the serpent bit someone, the person looked at the bronze serpent and recovered."  ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭21:8-9‬

I am struck by the Israelite's hardness of heart as they have been saved from the bondage of slavery only to be caught again.  It was Moses who intercedes for them with his obedience to the will of God for his people.  The seraph serpent was a venomous snake that once bitten you would die.   Sin causes us to die spiritually, it causes us to have hardness of heart as we walk away from God. 

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross in the Catholic Church.  When looking upon the Crucified Cross, it is Jesus who represents our own sin, it is He who pays our price and we are set free from sin.  A man who walked this earth, like you and I, paid it all for each of us.  

When was the last time you spent time looking at Christ on the Holy Cross.  I am not super human, each day I need reminded that it is He that lives within that gives me strength to conquer the schemes of the devil.  "the person looked at the bronze serpent and recovered."

Dear Father God, I look into my heart and see what You see, I thank You for the heart of Christ that beats within.  Each day we grow a little closer and there is joy in sharing the cross with You, as I gaze upon your face.  Watch over us as we sleep, may I entertain angels as I sleep.  Amen.  

Mary, Mother of Christ, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/9JqFYctseZo

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

Daily Thoughts - The gift of love



Daily Thoughts - The gift of love

"When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:13-15‬

Awareness.  I am struck by Jesus and His awareness of what is going on around Him.  He does not go about His day without seeing other.  He felt this mothers pain and He intervened.  Her day went from being filled with pain to being filled with joy.  

Are you aware of your surroundings?  Do you see the pain of another?  How is God asking you to help?   Give the gift of love even in the smallest of actions or prayers.  It is God within that will do the work.  

Dear Father God, I thank You for walking with me in this world.  You have given me Your Holy Spirit for a purpose, may I be attentive to Your will through out my day and see the happenings of other.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/q77uRQxKDCY

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

Daily Thoughts - Behold I come.



Daily Thoughts - Behold I come

"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.""  ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-24‬

In the readings today, the word that keeps coming to me is "other".  No where have I found in scripture that God focuses on self, it is always for the care of the other.  Saint Paul admonishes the Corinthians for feeding self without concern for the other.  Jesus also sees the Centurion's concern for his slave and comes.  The focus is not on self.   

God gives us abilities to think on our own, to sit back and see what is going on.  We know how to respond to situations with His help when we remove our selves from the situations.  It is He that comes to heal the sick, to feed the hungry, to bless the poor.  

What would Jesus do?  Is a great question to take to prayer in the situations where you find you focusing on self.  It is the other that God focuses on and in that He reveals Himself through His other self - you.

Dear Father, You always come when we get out of the way and let You go to work.  In the situations of our lives may we remove self and have You step in our place.  Thank You Lord God for the healing that is occurring even while unseen or perceived.  Bless this day and all it has to offer.   Amen.  

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/xdPzFnAngMQ

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

Daily Thoughts - The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass



Daily Thoughts - The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 



"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?"  ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:16‬

I sit with Paul this morning in the daily readings and listen to him explain the Catholic mass.  He celebrated mass with the Jews who were now following Christ.  He explains the difference of the animal sacrifice the Jews performed and the mass that we still celebrate today.  

I wonder what was it about the Jewish celebration that had changed for him.  He was a very devout Jew and killed Christian's for their believes in following Christ.  Had it become commercialized and all about self, people being the ones worshipped and not the one True God being worshipped.  His life had been transformed by Jesus, what did Paul see when he raises up the body and blood of Jesus in the mass.  

We have to look beyond the words written in the pages and see what they see.  The same can be said for us when we go to worship.  Is it about worshipping God or is it about feeding the flesh.  Have a blessed day with Christ!!

Dear Father, You are at work within and I love You for that.  You see me as I am and yet You still love me.  I thank You for the blessings that You are pouring out within through the gifts of Your Holy Spirit.  Each day is a new day with a new opportunity, I look forward to see what it has to offer.  Prayers of thanksgiving for being a witness to Your saving grace, Amen.  

Mary, the Flame of Love, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/OoojA0cLPWY

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

Daily Thoughts - God is with us.



Daily Thoughts - The Feast of the Nativity of Mary, her birthday - God is with us.  

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬

It never hurts to have a reminder of who IS with us - God is with us.  How many times have you found yourself in a situation beyond your control and it seems like there is no where to turn.  God is always there.  Ask Him to join you in the situation, He sees all, He knows all and He heals all who seek Him.  

Mary, the mother of Jesus, brings the seed of Christ into the world with her fiat.  Yes to God makes miracles happen, things that are not possible for man are possible for him.  But let's not forget, there is a gestation period for the outcome of God's plan.  God is with you, be at peace. 

Dear Father, I thank You for giving us the Bride of Christ, the beginning of the end.  A world that recognizes you in everyday activities grows a little brighter each day.  May we each recognize the joy of living with You as we go about our day, You are with us and You never leave.  Prayers for friends living in fear, may You touch their hearts with Love, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, Pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/O9b40locZSE

Happy Birthday Mary, God brought you into this world and you brought God into the world.  

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 tell you, brothers, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away."  ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7:29-31‬

I sit with Paul and Jesus this morning and listen to their place of understanding.  They each faced troubles in this world, they had knowledge of Heaven and their peace was Heaven in the midst of their tribulations.   They lived there in the world.  

The message they each give is to not focus on the here and now but to focus on eternity.  To recognize that if you are not of this world then great is your reward.  No matter what life brings, you are in the Fathers gaze.  Our contentment is not found in the world.  

Our spirits seek out our eternal reward being back with the Father.  This world is passing away, always changing and each day we are given a task to do, do what He asks of you.  It is Him that we are seeking, have you figured that out yet?

Dear Father, I sit within Your gaze, seeing my world and trusting in You to bring us to the place that Paul and Peter have found.  Each day brings about new revelations and each day we grow a little bit closer.  I thank You for the blessings of this day, I thank You for an ear to listen, help me carry it through out the day.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

https://youtu.be/QsYyuK1w3q0

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

Daily Thoughts - Do not be deceived.



Daily Thoughts - Do not be deceived. 

"Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. That is what some of you used to be; but now you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-11‬

Do not be deceived.  By which authority are you guided by?   God established His authority on earth, the One we are all to follow.  How would things be different if we all honored God in His truth.  If our actions represented that of Jesus Christ as He demonstrated to us when He walked amongst us reestablishing His Kingdom on earth.    Paul, listened and was guided by Him.  

The deception of sin interferes with our way of thinking.  It clouds our judgement and our ears are easily tickled.  Yet, Jesus still speaks to those He has chosen to be His own.  We are all chosen to listen to Him.   "I chose you from the world", the first part of today's Gospel acclamation.  "I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world."  ‭‭John‬ ‭17:15-16‬

Do not be deceived, by which authority are you guided by?  The answer is found in daily prayer with God, it is He that will transform you.  

Dear Father, it is another world when we sit together.  The words jump off the page and resonate within like a beacon.  You walked this way before, in our own journeys carry us home.  Prayers for those of us caught in the lies of sin.  Thank You for the blessings of this day, Amen. 

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 - Speak Truth



Daily Thoughts - Speak Truth

"Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Looking around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was restored."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:9-10‬

Listen to Jesus, He speaks to the Pharisees.  He sees their hearts and knows that they are filled with pride, envy and evil.  Healing the man's hand was not His only goal, it was the souls of those sitting in authority.   Saint Paul has the same conversation with the Corinthians, they had come to accept evil as good and good as evil.  He pointed out the teachings of God and reminds them that it is the soul that we seek to save.  

I can't help but sit and see a world reliving these painful lessons.  Watching as prideful people thwart the teachings of God.  The contrasts are apparent and each of us is giving free will to chose life or death.

Dear Father, we celebrate Labor day in honor of the achievements of this great country.   Do we see the battle that is being played before our eyes, the choices we are given to accept the truth that God gives us or to go along to get along.  Prayers for our nation being lead by a prideful people without God at the center.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of Victory, pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us.  

https://youtu.be/dHwWLFFcSAI

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

Daily Thoughts - Anew



Daily Thoughts - Anew

"Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:37-38‬

I sit with Paul and Jesus this morning and listen to them.  Paul never arrives at his destination until his judgement day.  Each day is a new day for he has changed a little each day.  New wine is being poured in his spirit for the one who judges is also the one who pours in the new wine.  

Are you willing to change, are you striving each day to advance or have you arrived and the wine skin has matured.  When listening to God, He teaches and we chose to listen.  "He must increase; I must decrease." ‭‭John‬ ‭3:30‬

Dear Father, I sit and listen, each day brings about new lessons that we are to apply.  As I sit and watch, I ask for your help and gudnabce in the path forward.   May our choices glorify You and are about Your Kingdom, in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

Saint Joseph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/zk3mfFOEHfE

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

Daily Thoughts - Encounter



Daily Thoughts - Encounter



"Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? "The clean of hand and pure of heart, who has not given his soul to useless things, what is vain."  Psalms‬ ‭24:3-4‬

I journey with Simon this morning as he encounters Jesus and I watch how God takes a sinful man who is convicted when he is in His presence and begin the transformation.   Jesus does not except his rejection, it would almost appear that He seeks him out.  God shows us how He writes straight on crooked lines.  

The authority of God as He seeks us out.   Losten to His words, they are for each of us.  "Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."" ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:10‬.  This was the beginning of Simon Peter's journey, how many more times did he reject

Christ and how many more times did Jesus come to him with love. 

It is God who cleanses the heart, it is God who heals the soul, It is Him who comes no matter how many times He has been rejected.   Encounter the Living Christ in your life through scripture.  It isn't Simon Peter's story, it is your story as you put out into the deep.  Have a blessed day!

What is God saying to me?  Be at peace, it is I who changes you, with your help.  

Dear Father, I sit along side you now after many mornings and each time we visit there is a newness to the same stories, a depth that was not there before.  I thank You for cleansing a sinful man a little bit each day.  May I serve you well each day even in my failures.  Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

Saint Joesph, pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/ihrUIPfvTh8

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