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Today’s Word: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 20, 2025

Genesis 18:1-10

Psalms 15:2-5

Colossians 1:24-28

Luke 10:38-42

Let’s unpack today’s readings. In some of this week’s readings, I believe, there is a theme shared among them. I will touch on all readings, but I think I want to focus on the gospel and the Psalm this week.

The first reading from Genesis tells of the time when it seemed angels of the Lord appeared to Abraham to tell him his wife would have a son. That son, Issaac, would grow up and have a son named Jacob, who would then go on to father twelve sons, that would later become the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Israel was God’s people, whom he led out of Egypt and eventually to the Promised Land. They were trying to follow God’s law, the Law of Moses, by following the commandments and the statutes set forth by God.

So that brings us to the Psalm, which also connects to the gospel reading today. Psalm 15 says, “He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart; who does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest, and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.” (Psalm 15:2-5/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). This Psalm easily can be seen as a way to live, right? One who does not lie, speaks ill of others or gossip about others, harms no others and lives honestly, will live a life of peace and will ultimately reflect the loving and caring nature our Lord Jesus Christ had for others and what he was trying to preach.

This sort of way of life, I think, also reflects the Beatitudes given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel in Chapter Five. 

So, this leads into today’s gospel reading. It might be a little stretch, but I think it connects beautifully. Jesus’ teaching the Beatitudes on the mountain in Chapter Five of Matthew is similar to Martha receiving Jesus in her home, but then does all the work serving everyone while her sister, Mary, is listening to Jesus in Luke’s gospel. When Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her, he responds by saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,” (Luke 10:38-41/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). Martha is worried about all the work that needs to be done, while Mary is listening to Jesus speak the Word of God. So when Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the good portion,” (Luke 10:42/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition), I believe Jesus is saying Mary has put aside all worries and focuses to hear Jesus speak about how to live a good life and to bring her attention to his teachings.

So I believe, through today’s readings, we can learn how to live a good life by treating others well and not harming others. You know, live by the Golden Rule. Treat others how you would like to be treated. I’m sure everyone would like to be treated fairly and kindly. If not, therein lies a problem. Let’s all strive to be our best to ourselves and others.

Now, I will leave you with this verse, “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-26, RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)

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Today’s Word: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 13, 2025

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Psalms 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

Colossians 1:15-20

Luke 10:25-37

Last week, I said the Church is in Ordinary Time. It is the fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. What is Ordinary Time? What are the liturgical seasons in the Catholic Church?

The liturgical seasons in the Catholic Church are specific periods through the life of Christ. They include: Advent – A time of preparation for the coming of Christ, both in remembrance of His birth and in anticipation of His second coming. It is the four weeks leading up to Christmas and also begins the Church’s liturgical year. The second season is Christmas. This, of course, celebrates the birth of Christ, beginning on December 25th and then extends to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is usually celebrated on the second Sunday in January. The third season is Lent. This occurs as a penitential season of 40 days and leads up to Easter. The focus of this season is on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, commemorating Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. The next liturgical season is Easter and, of course, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus. This season begins on Easter Sunday and lasts 50 days until Pentecost. This event, Pentecost, is the day we celebrate the time when the Holy Spirit  came down upon the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection. The last season is known as Ordinary Time. This occurs between other seasons over two periods in the liturgical year. Ordinary Time focuses on the teachings and life of Jesus. The first period is between Christmas and Lent, and then again after Pentecost until Advent. All of these seasons during the liturgical year help Catholics live out Christ’s life.

So that’s an overview of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church. I am again going to look at the readings for today from the Old and New Testaments. But I think I will focus on the gospel reading today. I have provided the readings to you so you can follow and read for yourself or follow up at a later time. 

The gospel reading from Luke today, we get the parable of the Good Samaritan. I’m sure you may be familiar with this story, just like, perhaps, the story about the Prodigal Son. At any rate, the parable of the Good Samaritan is important because it shows the person of Jesus. He was sent to show love and be love, right. So in the parable when the lawyer asks, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition), Jesus asks him what is written in the law and he responds, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself,” (Luke 10:27/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). Jesus responds with a resounding yes. He is correct. This parable teaches us lessons about mercy and love. I believe it dives right into the heart of what it means to be a Christian. It surpasses religious and ethnic boundaries. According to information from Catholic.com, the priest and Levite in the story represent the Old Law of Moses, whereas the Samaritan could represent Jesus, spiritually. It shows how the new Law with Jesus calls us to take on the compassion, love and mercy just as Jesus Christ did. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Law.

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, we hear God’s word talking about his covenant with his people, Israel. It says, “that you may enter into the sworn covenant of the Lord your God, which the Lord your God makes with you this day.” (Deuteronomy 30:12/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). Just as God was making himself known to his people as a covenant under the Old Law of Moses, Jesus establishes a New Law with himself, ultimately, in the sacrifice on the cross. This results in a new covenant with God, and again, Jesus fulfills that covenant.

We are called to live out and share the love of Christ. That’s what being a neighbor is. That is part of the gospel. The Samaritan shows that in the story by displaying his kindness and caring for the man that was beaten and left in the street.

So yes, let’s offer our glory and praise to our God! Allow him to bestow his goodness upon you. Now, I will leave you with this verse, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18 – RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)

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Today’s Word: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 6, 2025

Today’s Readings

Isaiah 66:10-14

Psalms 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Galatians 6:14-18

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

There seems to be a common thread running through the readings, especially the two readings of the Old and New Testament. That thread is giving glory to God. Rejoice and be glad! Isaiah opens with “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her,” (Isaiah 66:10/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). Here, Jerusalem represents the full realization and restoral of God’s people, Israel. It reflects God’s promises to his people, and therefore, welcomes the glory and praise for God from those who believe and have faith in his word. The Psalm today also reflects this idea of glory and rejoicing as it states, “Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!’” (Psalms 66:1-3/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).

As the priest says during mass during the Eucharistic liturgy, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” We respond and say, “It is right and just.” The priest continues and says, “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy.” I believe it is our “duty” to give thanks and glory to God. After all, he is the maker of all creation. He does things according to his divine plan. 

This also reminds me of a passage from last week’s readings. The gospel reading from last Thursday, July 3, was from John. It was the scripture story after the resurrection and the apostles were gathered together in the Upper Room when Jesus appeared to them. Thomas was not there. The others told Thomas about it and he did not believe. Perhaps it was out of embarrassment or jealousy or just the fact that he really did just want actual evidence of Jesus’ wounds so he could see tangible proof that it was Jesus. Then a week later, they were gathered together, with Thomas present, and Jesus came to them again, and he showed Thomas his wounds and Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). I believe Jesus’ response to Thomas also adds to today’s theme of glory. The next verse, 29, Jesus says, “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 20:29/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).

How many of us have encountered things where the outcome may not have been exactly what we wanted or expected, or been able to see things as clearly as we would have liked. That’s called FAITH. Unsure about situations, but still believing. Everything is according to God’s will. Have that faith. Have that belief.

Therefore, we should give him honor and praise. I’ve thanked him nearly every day when I get the chance for saving me from a terrible car accident I had more than thirty-five years ago. I do honestly believe God saved me for another purpose. From how seemingly bad the accident was, it almost appeared to be a miracle I came out no worse than I did from that accident. And I am able to be here now to write this for you.

So yes, I think it is right and just to offer praise and thanks to God. As St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, “But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Galatians 6:14/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). Glory to Jesus. Glory to God. Jesus was fully man and fully divine. He is the second person in the Holy Trinity. All glory, honor, and praise to God – three persons in one. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately that God is God. It lauds God for his own sake and gives him glory, quite beyond what he does, but simply because HE IS. … By praise, the Spirit is joined to our spirits to bear witness that we are children of God, testifying to the only Son in whom we are adopted and by whom we glorify the Father.” (CCC, 2639).

Let’s offer glory and praise to our God! It is truly right and just! Allow him to bestow his goodness upon you.

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Believe in the Gospel

Today’s readings on this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, are all about reflecting and repenting. Jesus talks about repenting our sins and believing in the gospel and gathering followers (apostles). We saw this last week when Jesus picked up some followers in Andrew and Simon Peter.

However, the gospel today is more than just gathering followers. As I mentioned, it is about repenting and believing in the gospel. Believing in the kingdom. It may even sound like St. Paul and Mark’s gospel are at odds with each other as each passage today appears to contradict each other. I will get to that more a little later.

I would like to start with the first reading today from the prophet Jonah in Chapter 3. In the scripture, God tells him to warn the people of Nineveh about pending destruction God had planned for them because of their wicked ways. Jonah proclaims the news to Nineveh and the people believed and “proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.” (Jonah 3:5) God then saw how the people repented and withdrew his promise of causing evil and repented from harming them. So in this, I believe holding on to faith and having a full prayer life is important to maintain a fulfilling existence. This in turn can help with having a perpetual belief and faith in the gospel.

In Psalm 25 today, the psalmist is repenting and asking God for guidance and security through life:

“Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths; guide me by your fidelity and teach me, for you are God my savior, for you I wait all the day long. Remember no more those sins of my youth, remember me according to your mercy, because of your goodness, Lord.” (Psalm 25: 4-5, 7)

St. Paul tells the Corinthians “time is running out,” (1 Corinthians 7:29) whereas, in Mark’s gospel, Jesus says, ‘”This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.“‘ (Mark 1:15) How can the kingdom of God be at hand if St. Paul says the time is coming for fulfillment? I believe what St. Paul is saying, we may always have temptations and forget about the urgency of the gospel message and feel “the world in its present form is passing away,” (1 Corinthians 7:31) and that time may be running short. This, I believe, only perpetuates the need to believe in the gospel and to turn away from one’s sins to bring the gospel message to fulfillment.

In Mark’s gospel today, Jesus is referring to John the Baptist being arrested when he talks about the kingdom of God being here. For Jesus, John’s arrest meant the final moment when the old covenant was rejected, which now made room for the new covenant with Jesus. It is the good news Jesus brings in with the new covenant to bring about the new order of things. This of course comes to fulfillment with Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection.

Do not worry about present worldly things. Think about the good things, such as sharing the gospel and making “fishers of men,” (Mark 1:17) and living the spiritual life within the glory of God through Jesus in God’s kingdom.

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Listen to the Call

This Sunday marks the second Sunday in Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church. Ordinary Time marks the period between the other holy seasons within the Church. Those seasons include Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas. So there are two periods of Ordinary Time, the longest of which lasts from the end of Easter to Advent, and thus starts a whole new year in the Church.

Ordinary Time reflects on the life of Jesus and what it means to be a good disciple. Today’s readings reflect listening and responding to God’s call as a disciple and follower of Christ. How do we listen and respond to God? I believe the number one way is through prayer. After all, prayer is essentially a conversation with God. I have mentioned before in a series of posts about the importance of prayer and what a powerful tool it is, not only to intercede for others, but also just to listen and commune with God. The following is a link to my first in a series of posts about prayer. https://wordpress.com/post/kellymelies.com/818

Part of the faith is evangelizing. The gospel today illustrates this with John the Baptist, who is standing with a couple of his disciples. Jesus walks by and John says, “…Behold, the Lamb of God.” ( John 1:36, NAB) What did those two immediately do? They followed Jesus. Andrew, one of the two and brother of Simon Peter, found Simon Peter and brought him to Jesus.

This is how we evangelize, by introducing one person to another. In this case, it was Andrew introducing Simon Peter to Jesus. The disciples asked Jesus where he was staying and Jesus replied, “Come, and you will see.” (John 1: 39, NAB) This continued as Jesus gathered more followers as it is shown in the rest of Chapter 1.

The first reading today is from the First Book of Samuel, Chapter 3, where Samuel is sleeping in the temple where the ark of God was. Unknown to Samuel, God began to speak to Samuel and call out his name. Samuel, thinking it was Eli, went to him. Eli sent him back to bed. And then the Lord called a second and third time. At the third time when Samuel went to Eli, he told Samuel the next time to answer the voice, “…Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:9, NAB)

When I read the first reading here, it reminds me of a couple of hymns that were chosen for mass today in my local church. “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Schutte. The hymn opens up with the Lord speaking:

“I, the Lord of seas and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?“

The servant replies:

“Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.“

I feel that should be our response. Listen for the Lord and answer the call to follow and do what is asked of you. This is one of my favorite hymns. I remember in college at my time at The Newman Center on the campus of the University of Central Missouri (formerly Central Missouri State University – more on that at another time perhaps), this was one of the hyms we played frequently at our student masses, where I helped accompany the choir on guitar. The other hymn I was reminded of was by John D. Becker called “Lead Me, Lord.” It was another frequent hymn we played. The refrain of the hymn appeared to ask the Lord for guidance and to lead the servant on all paths:

“Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth to seek and to find the narrow way. Be my way; by my truth; by my life, my Lord, and lead me, Lord today.“

Both of these hymns remind me of good times filled with laughter, fellowship and faith. But I digress.

The Psalm today is another beautiful hymn of praise to honor and worship the Lord. The psalmist cries out, “…See, I come with an inscribed scroll written upon me. I delight to do your will , my God; your law is in my inner being.” (Psalm 40:8-9, NAB)

The second reading from the New Testament, I believe, brings the message home. Saint Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians that God loves us. We are called to love and be loved as God’s children. Father Mike Schmitz, of Ascension and The Bible in a Year podcast, says the God has a claim on your life. Paul’s first letter illustrates this as he writes:

“…The body, however, is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.” (1 Corinthians 6:13b, NAB)

The Church is the body of Christ. We all make up the parts of the body of Christ. When one member suffers, then we all suffer. Saint Paul talks about this later in Chapter 12:

“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. … If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 26, NAB)

Paul states we have all been “purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20, NAB) God calls us to be with him in heaven. What we do here on earth should be in preparation for our spiritual lives in heaven for eternity with God. Therefore, it should be good practice to evangelize (as spoken in today’s gospel) to whomever you can reach for the glory of God.

Here I am, Lord, your servant is listening, waiting for you to lead me with truth and light through the narrow way.

Today’s Readings:
1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19
Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10
1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
John 1:35-42

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God Reveals, Manifests Himself to the Nations

Today, January 7, 2024, is the observance of Epiphany in the Catholic Church. This day is recognized as falling on January 6. Epiphany comes from Greek origin, meaning “revelation from above.” In 567, the Council of Tours set Christmas and Epiphany as special days in the Church on the dates of December 25 and January 6, respectively, and the 12 days in between became the Christmas season. In the Church, Christmas is celebrated more than one day. As mentioned, it is a season lasting nearly two weeks.

So, all the readings today have an interconnected theme or idea running through them. The day is a time when Jesus is revealed to the world to be the Son of God, who will become the savior of the world. At this time, Jesus is being revealed to Israel and the nations as referenced in the first reading. Through these readings, we discover the Gentiles will come to know the God of Israel.

Today we recognize Jesus is the Son of God and how that revelation came about on the day of his birth. This revelation came to the magi on their visit to the baby Jesus. The day also recognizes this epiphany at Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River as well as the miracle at the wedding in Cana (turning water into wine).

First I will dive in to the gospel reading for today. The idea of the revelation about Jesus is reflected in the other readings today. The gospel is the account of the magi visiting the Christ child. It is from Matthew, Chapter 2. The magi first go to King Herod and inquire about the newborn Jesus. The magi recite, more of paraphrase a passage from the prophet Micah, because Matthew’s passage also references another passage from Samuel:

“And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler, who it to shepherd my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6, NAB)

This passage also goes back to King David, since Jesus was born from the line of David. 2 Samuel says, “…you shall shepherd my people Israel…” (2 Samuel 5:2, NAB)

Upon arriving, the magi offer gifts for the baby Jesus. The gifts of the magi – gold, because Jesus will be King; frankincense, because he will be a high priest; and myrrh is for the prophetic nature of Jesus being the Lamb of God – says they realized he was a newborn king and were prepared with the gifts they offered. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb for the redemption of the world. Jesus (God) not only reveals himself but he manifests himself to the nations. This is represented by the magi that come to visit. They made the choice to follow the star, bring gifts and pay the new king homage.

In the first reading from the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah proclaims that a light will come to Zion to bless the people. Darkness has come over the people through paganism, idolatry and such. Jesus will be the light. This should give us faith and hope in what God is doing for the chosen people, and for us now. Verse six states, “Caravans of camels shall cover you, dromedaries of Midian and Ephah, all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and heralding the praises of the lord.” (Isaiah 60:6, NAB) This is in reference to the magi.

The psalm is from Psalm 72, and is a beautiful hymn of praise to the king of Israel, asking for the king to rule with justice and fairness. During this time, people were known to intercede for the king, offering prayers and praises because the king is human, giving only what he has received from God. The people realize God is worthy to be praised and offers the same for the king of Israel to rule with goodness on its people.

“O God, give your judgement to the king; your justice to the king’s son; that he may govern your people with justice, your oppressed with right judgment. … May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him.” (Psalm 72:2, 10-11, NAB)

The second reading from the New Testament today illustrates further God revealing himself to the Gentiles (the world). In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to his apostles is written in the gospel. Paul states even the Gentiles are “coheirs, members of the same body…” (Ephesians 3:6, NAB) It is Paul’s point, at the beginning of the letter, everyone who believes and follows the gospel is a son or daughter of God:

“…if, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, (namely, that) the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. … which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6, NAB)

How has God manifested himself to you? How do you respond with such a revelation? Take time today to reflect on this epiphany of Jesus as the Son of God, and always take time for God to give him his rightful honor and praise.

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A Reflection For The New Year

Wow! It’s been nearly three and a half years since I’ve last posted. I’ve had a few periods where I have gone without posting anything. I think that has to change.

I always mean to get back to writing after one of these seemingly long breaks, and sometimes I do get back after a while but then it only lasts for an apparent predetermined amount of time, and them before I know it, I’m not writing and then a few days become a week, then a week turns into a month, and then in this case a month turns into almost three and a half years!

The last time I posted was in August of 2020. As near as I can recollect, that was when some things were returning after the big shutdown from COVID. At the time, I was working at the local newspaper as the sports editor. Everything was shut down in March and through the summer. Word came out schools were going to open and sports, among some other things, were going to resume. So just like that I had to get back to my busy routine, with the intention of continuing my posts. That obviously didn’t happen.

Many things occurred during that time I returned to the sports desk writing about the many great sports accomplishments from the area high school and junior high athletic activities. Fall came and went, and then another new year rushed in – 2021. By May of that year, I began the transition into a new venture at the newspaper – SALES. I did that for about the last two and a half years.

Currently, I am what you might call “in-between” jobs. So now I am taking this time to think, pray and reflect. I’ve been busy and life has gone so fast. I really believe it is time to stop and slow down. That’s exactly what I am trying to do with this time.

Before my hiatus, I was posting bible verses and commenting on scripture. I was trying to share some positive, good insight into the world, since it seemed the world was in a “dark place” during the pandemic. It would appear the world still needs some light to be shed. Hopefully soon there will be some more “light” shared through this space on a somewhat regular basis.

Starting Off In A New Year

This post is intended to be the ball to get things rolling. I just want to say over the last month and a half or so, not only a new calendar year came, but also a new liturgical calendar year began within the Catholic Church with the coming of Advent and Christmas. By the way, I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and celebrated the coming of 2024 safely. Let’s all try to put those New Year’s resolutions to the test and actually fulfill them this year! I personally didn’t really make any resolutions this time, I mean none verbally or none that I really committed myself too. I did have some thoughts and one of those was just to be a better man – spiritually, mentally – for myself and to those around me.

This, I believe, everyone could do. If everyone would smile, greet others with humility and kindness, and treat others as one would like to be treated as it says in the Gospel of Matthew:

“For I was hungry and you gave me good, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me … Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine you did for me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40 NAB)

We do unto others what we would like to have done to us. When the Magi arrived to see the baby Jesus and told Mary and Joseph all that had been spoken to them by the angel, Mary took those things and reflected on them in her heart. We should all be like Mary and think with our hearts before we act on something in a negative way. Because as John writes in his first letter, “No one who denies the Son has the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.” (1 John 2:23 NAB)

Let us all strive to do good, to be good and to have and keep the Holy Father within us.

Happy New Year!

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Ordinary Sunday

I have been sharing bible verses for the past several weeks. I even shared a series on prayer last month.

This week is a short message, reminding you to trust in God. He comforts you and loves you unconditionally. There is no impossible with Him.

In Joshua 24:15 it says, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Follow and trust God. Know that He is there to lift you up. And remember, you may not understand some things now, but God does have a plan. He says in Joshua 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”

Joshua finished the journey that Moses started and led God’s people to the Promised Land. So hear God’s word and you may be blessed with the everlasting love and compassion and comfort of the Heavenly Father.

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There is No Barrier Between God and His People

This week I want to talk about God’s everlasting love. And more so, His all-powerful, unconditional love. I have said before about the almighty power and glory of God. He is available at any time, so as I said before in my prayer series just open up a conversation with Him.

So now I return to God’s love. I am taking today’s verse(s) from Romans. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he talks about Jesus and the power of the Gospel. In Romans 8:38-39, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When we dissect theses verses, we see three pairs of thoughts: death/life, things present/things to come, and height/depth. There is nothing in this life and nothing in death that can separate God’s love from faithful believers. We have His love in our eternal life. This holds similarly with nothing in the present or future can keep us from His love. Nothing in all of time. The use of height and depth here represents a place. In other words, there is no place where we can be that could cause us to be away from God’s love.

Romans 8 is about love and life in the spirit. At the beginning of the chapter, Paul talks of those who set their minds on the flesh will live in the flesh, but to “set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Life in the Spirit helps us be closer to God and His love.

One of my favorite verses comes from Psalm 63, “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Again, we honor and praise our God because He is love. He created us so that we receive the never-ending, awesome love, and in turn we love and sing praises to our God. God’s love is also exemplified in this verse from Isaiah, “‘For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

God loves you. Take that. Hold on to that knowledge, trust, and walk on the path on which you have been called, as Paul tells the Ephesians, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”

Everyone have a blessed day!

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Creating and Sustaining a Life of Prayer, Part 4

This is part four of my prayer series. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and have been able to take away helpful information about your own prayer life. This series was built on the foundation of learning about prayer, how to use it in your daily life, and, today, learn to create and sustain a life of prayer.

A helpful way to do that is to break down the way in which you pray. Let’s take the word PRAY and make an acronym. By doing this, it makes praying more meaningful.

The first letter in our acronym (P) stands for PRAISE. Let praise begin your prayer. Be thankful. Psalm 100:1-4 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!”

For the third letter (A) we ASK. Ask God for good things. Matthew 7:7-11 tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for brad will give hi a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” And remember, God wants you to ask. He will answer, but remember to give thanks to God, glorify Him. (John 14:13). Whatever you ask should be consistent with His word. (John 15:7). And what you ask of the Lord, should bring you joy. (John 16:23-24).

The second letter is (R) and stands for REPENT. Be sorrowful for whatever wrong you have done, even if you don’t know if what you did was wrong. Ask God to help you see whatever wrongdoing you may have done and be sorrowful and show remorse. Repent. Ask for forgiveness. Refer to Psalm 19:12, 14, where it says, “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

The final letter (Y) represents a time to be still. It means to YIELD. This is when you pause and stop talking, and you wait, listen, and seek to hear from God. How do you practice yielding to God when you pray? Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

So use PRAY when you pray. Let it help you continue your prayer life and you may see the goodness and wonders of God. Romans 12:12 tells us, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

One of my favorite passages in the bible is from Psalm 63. In verses 1-4 it says, “O God, your are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirst for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” This also refers to another Psalm, as in Psalm 141:1-2, “O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”

Again, I hope you’ve enjoyed this series. I will pray that you may keep that focus to Christ Jesus and the heavenly Father. Remember also that God hears us and knows what may be in the silence of our hearts. So take comfort in knowing that, as it says in Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Take care and God bless you!