Thoughts On Thursday…

Maturing in your Faith

We can’t reach our highest potential on our own strength.

“I, the Lord, am your God,

Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;

Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10 

Take the limits off of God and let Him fill you. He is not limited by your lack of talent, lack of education, by your age, or by your financial status. Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t pray a “barely-there” prayer. Be bold in praying to God, and realize that it’s because you are a child of God that He allows it.

The Bible is filled with stories of regular people who allowed God to make extraordinary things happen because they didn’t limit God. The first one who comes to mind is David. He was just a teenager, a shepherd boy who was not skilled in combat. But he didn’t dwell on that when he encountered Goliath. Instead, he focused on what God would do.

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:46-47

David’s brothers were not happy he was there. In fact, his oldest brother, Eliab, was angry with him and told him to go home and tend his few sheep. He accused David of just wanting to see the action (verse 28). To Eliab and his brothers, David was just their little brother. They couldn’t see beyond his limitations. They couldn’t see how God could use David even though he was young and inexperienced. 

Be confident in what you have. It’s easy to focus on what you don’t have. As long as you think you’re lacking, it will keep you from God’s best. It’s not enough to just have faith in God, but you have to take it further and have faith in what God has given you. You are equipped, even if you don’t think so. Just look at Gideon. 

11 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” 13 Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14 The Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” 15  He said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” 16  But the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man.” Judges 6:11-16

This passage not only shows us that God is faithful, but He’s faithful even when we doubt we can be of any assistance to him. Look at verses 12 and 13 where the angel of the Lord calls Gideon a valiant warrior. What is Gideon’s response? Doom and doubt! But it’s as if the Lord doesn’t hear Gideon’s misgivings about himself, and again encourages him in verses 14 and 16. 

You mean God can really use me to do something of value in someone else’s life? 

YES!!!

But I don’t have the right education, talent, or financial stability…

Actually, you do! If you use what God has given you, no matter how meager you think it is, He will work through you and you’ll go further than someone whom you think has extraordinary means. All you really need to do is just say what Samuel said in 1 Samuel 3:10, Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”  And then as it says in John 2:5, His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

Thoughts On Thursday...

Waiting with Expectancy

In life it seems we’re always waiting for something. Waiting in the checkout line, waiting for the traffic light to turn green, waiting for our children to be ready for school, waiting for a dream to come to fruition…and in our case, waiting for God to answer our need for a parish priest who will love and shepherd us. 

There is a right way to wait and a wrong way to wait. 

Isaiah 40:31 says, 

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.”

We hear that word “wait” and we think it means to do nothing, to be passive.

Waiting is not supposed to be passive. True waiting is actively expecting.

Psalm 5:3 “Each morning I bring my request to you and wait expectantly.” 

When you are waiting expectantly, there’s anticipation in your spirit. You talk and act like it will happen. That expectancy is your faith being lived out. 

So are you bringing your request for a parish priest who will love and shepherd us to God each morning? Or do you hear yourself saying, “Things will never change.” That's the wrong way to wait. If you’re not expecting the problem to turn around, it will not only limit what God can do, it will cause your heart to be sick. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Proverbs 13:12. One reason people don’t have the joy that they should have is because they are not living in expectancy. Say instead, ‘God I know you’re still on the throne and you can help me through this difficulty. What you promised, will come to pass.’

Because it doesn’t happen according to your timetable, don’t believe the “never” lies that say things like, “Things will never change; we'll never get a priest.” God is a faithful God and He will bring it to pass in His timing. Waiting expectantly makes you confident. … for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27

King David’s life was often full of difficulties, but he trusted in God to bring him through them. He wrote in Psalm 27:13 “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” He was confident. 

Let's be like King David. Let's trust in God--and expect Him to bring us through this time of waiting--triumphantly!

Thoughts on Thursday...

Growing in Faith -- Encouragement

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Cor 5:17 

So New Creature, a few weeks ago we mentioned that God prompts us to grow in prayer, worship, instruction, and encouragement. That refers to being with people as well as by yourself; and we looked at prayer, worship, and instruction. Now let us do the same with the last area on the list… Encouragement. 

What is Encouragement? 

The act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive. (Source: 1828 Webster’s Online Dictionary)

How does God encourage us? Well, He gave us His Word…the entire Bible is full of encouragement. He gave us His Mother…she is always praying for us. He gave us His angels…they are always guarding us. He gave us His Saints…they are always interceding for us. And while we are still here on earth, we are to encourage one another in our walk with Him.

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." Do you realize that this blog is an encouragement to you? When we speak or write in words that build up, motivate, and inspire those around us, we are encouraging them.

Hebrews 3:13 "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." This verse makes me think that each day we awake should be a day to encourage someone.

Try every day to find someone to encourage: either in your family, your work, your school, or wherever you are. A few simple words of encouragement may be the difference between life and death spiritually, physically or both. How many of us have had unkind words, mean words, said to us only once, for instance: "You are stupid," or "I hate you," that have left a scar on our hearts and souls, and maybe our bodies. Jesus held the importance of words out of our mouths to high standard when He said, "But I tell you this that you must give an account on judgement day for every careless word you speak!" (Matthew 12:36) So be alert and aware and ask God to place an angel at your tongue so that you may always speak with truth, love, and encouragement.

Remember that Fortnight For Freedom, which began June 21st, will end on our Nation's Birthday, July 4th. Please pray every day during this period of time set aside by our Bishops. The Rosary each day is a good way to pray!

Thoughts On Thursday…

Growing in Faith -- Instruction

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Cor 5:17 

So New Creature, about two weeks ago we mentioned that God prompts us to grow in prayer, worship, instruction, and encouragement. That refers to being with people as well as by yourself; and we looked at prayer and worship. Now let us do the same with the next area on the list…Instruction. 

What is Instruction? 

1. The act of teaching or informing the understanding in that of which it was before ignorant; information.

2. Precepts conveying knowledge.

3. Direction; order; command; mandate. 

(Source: 1828 Webster’s Online Dictionary)

Hmmm…well the first place I think of to go for instruction in Faith is the Bible. After all, it is God's Word. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" 2 Timothy 3:16

"Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth." Psalm 78:1

"He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray." Proverbs 9:9

The Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-17

Scriptures address every area in our life from prayer, to morality, to finances, to relationships. It's God's (our Father) instruction book for living life to the fullest. Even Jesus quoted scripture to instruct those around Him. One time he quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 where God spoke to Moses: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 

Think about that verse that Jesus quoted and ponder it. If we truly want to live life to the fullest, we need to live on the Word of God. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

See you next week for the fourth, and final, word to define in growing in our faith--encouragement!

Fortnight For Freedom is from June 21 to July 4th. Please pray every day during this period of time set aside by our Bishops. The Rosary each day is a good way to pray!

Thoughts on Thursday...

Growing in Faith -- Worship

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Cor 5:17 

One of the new things is building your relationship with Jesus. Last week we mentioned that God prompts us to grow in prayer, worship, instruction, and encouragement. That  refers to being with people as well as by yourself; and we took a peek at the first area, prayer. Now let us do the same with the next area on the list…worship. 

What is Worship? 

Chiefly and eminently, the act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; or the reverence and homage paid to him in religious exercises, consisting in adoration, confession, prayer, thanksgiving and the like.
The worship of God is an eminent part of religion.
Prayer is a chief part of religious worship.

(Source: 1828 Webster’s Online Dictionary)

It seems like there are a few more puzzling words thrown in there to describe just one, doesn't it? It may still seem quite daunting. But don't give up!

To me, worship is when my prayer is more about God than about me. As we said last week, prayer is "talking to God," so that could be just like me talking to you about what's going on in my life. But worship is almost like going deeper in your time with God.

One of the ways I use to worship God is to say the characteristics and names of God back to Him, either silently or out loud, but always from my heart. Yes, God certainly knows His own name and characteristics, so that's not why I say them back to Him. It's really for me to hear them and meditate on them.

How can I know if my worship pleases God? Jesus always emphasized the worshiper's heart. He tells us, "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." Matt. 6:5, 6

So now you have another aspect to use in growing in this new creature that you are. 

Don't be surprised if 15 minutes becomes not enough!

Thoughts on Thursday...

Last week's blog concluded by asking the question, Will today be the day that you choose Christ?

I am going to believe that you did. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

Whether you chose Christ for the first time and and were baptized, or you reaffirmed your calling by making an adult decision to accept Him as Savior, as it says in 2 Cor 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." 

Then you woke up the next morning and looked the same as you did before you chose Christ. And you may have acted the same, too. (But I hope not!) You may be wondering…am I really a new creation? The sun rises and the sun sets, but each day is a new day; and if you are in Christ, you are new!

But now you have to grow in this new creation that is you, or really to allow Jesus, the Christ, to grow in you. How? God never calls any Christian to a solitary life of faith, but He prompts us to grow together in prayer, worship, instruction, and encouragement.

Let's look at those four areas:

Prayer

Worship

Instruction

Encouragement

What is Prayer? 

n. In a general sense, the act of asking for a favor, and particularly with earnestness.
1. In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God's glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits. A prayer however may consist of a single petition, and it may be extemporaneous, written or printed.
2. A formula of church service, or of worship, public or private.
3. Practice of supplication.

(Source: 1828 Webster’s Online Dictionary)

Sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it! Let me give you some encouragement…start small. 

Find 15 minutes in your day to talk (also known as prayer) to God. A solemn address to the Supreme Being who just happens to be your Father! Why not begin with the prayer we call The Our Father (also called The Lord's Prayer).

Say it slowly; think of each portion of this familiar prayer.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name!

Thy kingdom, come;

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses 

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever.

Amen.

Next week we will look at the second area to help us grow in our faith--worship.

Thoughts on Thursday…

Thursday After Pentecost

This past Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. The day that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the apostles in the upper room.

It was the beginning of the church.

As we read in Acts: 2:14-36, Peter gave an incredible speech that day, exhorting all to believe in Jesus, the Messiah. He even quoted verbatim the passages from Joel 2:25-32, and from Psalm 16:8-11. 

It had to have been the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter, because Peter wasn't a scholar who would have studied these, or any, scriptures. He ended his speech by saying, "Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Acts 2:36. 

Then another amazing thing happened. Instead of feeling indignant and becoming angry with Peter for this finger-pointing lecture, they were…"cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:37-38.

Repentance must precede God's blessing.

Do you want to receive God's blessing today? Of course you do! Otherwise you would not be reading this blog, or have come to this website. The Holy Spirit is guiding you to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Not sure what to do next? Not to worry. It's very easy. Just follow Peter's example above…Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!

"For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. Acts 2:41.

Will today be the day that you choose Christ?