Thursday, April 19, 2007
Day 44 & 45 Contrast of the Old Covenant With the New Covenant
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again ...
[2 Corinthians, Chapter 3: 1-18, Second Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians ]
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written on our heats, known and read by all, shown to be letter of Christ administered by us, written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
Contrast With the Old Covenant
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the Israelites could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its glory that was going to fade, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory. Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was going to fade was glorious, how much more will what endures be glorious.
Therefore, since we have such hope, we act very boldly and not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites could not look intently at cessation of what was fading. Rather, their thoughts were rendered dull, for to this present day the same veil remains unlifted when they read the old covenant, because through Christ it is taken away. To this day, in fact, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, but wherever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.
When you hear on the news that "a series of suicide bombing attacks have killed as many as 173 today", you can feel a bit down. But keep in mind that God gives us (everyone) free will and that change takes time. Also news of what we are praying for will not immediately manifest itself in the mainstream media. So do not loose heart and keep praying.
As I have been praying, it comes to me that those who have received the Spirit and may be in search of God's word and knowledge of his Son, Jesus Christ, may have a hard time laying their hands on the written word of the Bible in their native language. So I am going to look into the possibility of purchasing Bibles, written in different languages, and having them shipped to locations where they could made available to those who want to own a Bible (free of charge). If anyone has any ideas or information about how to do this: please leave a comment, or send us an email at peaceifwepray@gmail.com.
God Bless and have a Spirit filled day and rest of the week.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Day 42 & 43 and the "Divine Mercy" of Jesus ...
Well the week of Easter celebration has completed with the celebration of the 2nd Sunday of Easter, this past Sunday April 15. We are now on day 42 -- as of Monday, April 16th -- of this prayer campaign and today is Tuesday, April 17th and Day 43.
After having problems with my computer & software and being sick. I (at last) have time and am able to write again. I have been praying though and hopefully you have as well.
This past Sunday, the 2nd Sunday of Easter is also known as "Divine Mercy Sunday". It reminds us of the power of redemption that Jesus has made available, to all who believe, by his sacrifice and death on the cross as payment for our sins, past, present and future.
As the United State mourns for the meaningless loss of innocent life on the Virginia Technical University canpus, let us keep in mind the Divine Mercy of Jesus and pray for a healing of those who lost loved ones in this unfortunate incident. May Jesus grant them peace and comfort in their time of need. May He also grant the United States, as nation, peace and healing.
May God awaken in all of us an awareness of the needs of those around us -- even complete strangers -- especially those who may be isolated and lonely. Let us each be willing to step outside of our 'comfort zones' to reach to out to those who may be in need of comfort and just knowing that someone out there cares about them. May God speak through us what these people need to hear to find peace and comfort in their lives.
Keep praying. God Bless, guide and inspire you!
After having problems with my computer & software and being sick. I (at last) have time and am able to write again. I have been praying though and hopefully you have as well.
This past Sunday, the 2nd Sunday of Easter is also known as "Divine Mercy Sunday". It reminds us of the power of redemption that Jesus has made available, to all who believe, by his sacrifice and death on the cross as payment for our sins, past, present and future.
As the United State mourns for the meaningless loss of innocent life on the Virginia Technical University canpus, let us keep in mind the Divine Mercy of Jesus and pray for a healing of those who lost loved ones in this unfortunate incident. May Jesus grant them peace and comfort in their time of need. May He also grant the United States, as nation, peace and healing.
May God awaken in all of us an awareness of the needs of those around us -- even complete strangers -- especially those who may be isolated and lonely. Let us each be willing to step outside of our 'comfort zones' to reach to out to those who may be in need of comfort and just knowing that someone out there cares about them. May God speak through us what these people need to hear to find peace and comfort in their lives.
Keep praying. God Bless, guide and inspire you!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Day 33, 34 & 35 Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday and Monday
On the Easter Vigil (Saturday Evening) we begin to have hope. New members of the church become full-fledged participants in the celebration of the mass. We light the Easter Vigil candle and pass the light throughout the darkened church to symbolize that Jesus Christ brings light to all who were once in darkness by His sacrafice, in dying on the cross. He is the light of the world. He frees us sin and death, and in doing so He grants us eternal salvation.
On Easter Sunday, we REJOICE: for Jesus is risen! And we can once again say/sing "Hallelujah" -- for this word is not part of the weekly celebration of the mass during Lent. My 5 year old -- who just turned 6 ... we celebrated her birthday with family on Easter this year -- was overjoyed when the closing song for the Easter Sunday mass was "Alleluia, Alleluia!" "Mommy we get say to say 'Hallelujah' again!" She shouted, grinning from ear to ear.
I hope that all of you had a blessed weekend, and Easter celebration -- for those of you who celebrated. I hope that your hearts feel lighter and that your lives are brighter. I hope that Jesus' command to "love one another" remains with us all. And that His PEACE fill ours lives and spreads to others throughout the world, just like the light of the Easter Vigil candle spreads through the darkened church during the mass of the Easter Vigil.
During Lent, I am especially reminded that we are not only called to "love one another", but we are called to serve one another as well. [ "Faith and Works," James 2:14-26 ]
I have tried to teach this to my children. This year we visited a Nursing home and spent time with elderly people who are often lonely and isolated. It was very rewarding for the children as well as the elderly nursing home residents. I am sure that we will go back again soon. Life can be busy and overwhelming for all of us at times, but we should all strive to think others when we can and to teach (by our example) our children this as well. Sometimes giving of our time can be much more meaningful than just giving of our treasure.
God Bless and keep praying for PEACE and for those who have received the Holy Spirit, that they will seek out God's word and knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. For He [Jesus Christ] is risen and the Advocate that He promised, the Holy Spirit, is alive among us. Allelulia! Allelulia!
On Easter Sunday, we REJOICE: for Jesus is risen! And we can once again say/sing "Hallelujah" -- for this word is not part of the weekly celebration of the mass during Lent. My 5 year old -- who just turned 6 ... we celebrated her birthday with family on Easter this year -- was overjoyed when the closing song for the Easter Sunday mass was "Alleluia, Alleluia!" "Mommy we get say to say 'Hallelujah' again!" She shouted, grinning from ear to ear.
I hope that all of you had a blessed weekend, and Easter celebration -- for those of you who celebrated. I hope that your hearts feel lighter and that your lives are brighter. I hope that Jesus' command to "love one another" remains with us all. And that His PEACE fill ours lives and spreads to others throughout the world, just like the light of the Easter Vigil candle spreads through the darkened church during the mass of the Easter Vigil.
During Lent, I am especially reminded that we are not only called to "love one another", but we are called to serve one another as well. [ "Faith and Works," James 2:14-26 ]
I have tried to teach this to my children. This year we visited a Nursing home and spent time with elderly people who are often lonely and isolated. It was very rewarding for the children as well as the elderly nursing home residents. I am sure that we will go back again soon. Life can be busy and overwhelming for all of us at times, but we should all strive to think others when we can and to teach (by our example) our children this as well. Sometimes giving of our time can be much more meaningful than just giving of our treasure.
God Bless and keep praying for PEACE and for those who have received the Holy Spirit, that they will seek out God's word and knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. For He [Jesus Christ] is risen and the Advocate that He promised, the Holy Spirit, is alive among us. Allelulia! Allelulia!
Friday, April 6, 2007
30, 31 & 32 Good Friday ...
Sacrifice of Jesus
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
[ Hebrews 9:11-15 ]
The Advocate
[Jesus said to his disciples during the course of the Last Super] "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be with you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I will live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."
"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name -- he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ' I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."
[John 14:15-21]
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment:love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the father in my name He may give you. This I command you: love one another."
[John 15:9-17]
The World's Hatred
[Jesus said to his disciples in his last hours] "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin; but it is they who have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me also hates my Father. If I had not done works among them that no one else ever did, they would not have sin; but as it is, they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But in order that the word written in their law might be fulfilled, 'They hated me without cause'.
When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning."
[ John 15: 18-27 ]
Jesus' Departure: Coming of the Advocate
"I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you. But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you ask me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard too sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you all to truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."
[ John 16:1-15 ]
"I have told you this in figure of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
"Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."
[ John 16:25-33 ]
The Prayer of Jesus
When Jesus had said this, he raised his eyes to heaven and said "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began."
"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more that I belong to the world. 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. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I send them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
"I pray not only for them, but also for those for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me and that you loved them even as you loved me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."
At the conclusion of this speech Jesus went with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden where he and his disciples often met. It was in this garden that Jesus and his disciples would pray before Judas, his betrayer, would arrive with a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus. Jesus would then be tried by Pontious Pilate and be condemned to death by crucifixion. He would suffer enormously at the hands of his captors, before carrying his very own cross through the streets to the place of Golgotha, where on this very day [Good Friday], he was crucified on the cross to pay for our sins and deliver redemption and the inheritance of eternal salvation to all who believe.
Those who believe reflect quietly on this, and following days, awaiting the joyful third day when Jesus defying death, was resurrected on Easter Sunday. I, myself, will also pray for those who will come to know Jesus through the receiving of the Holy Spirit and opening of their hearts to His word, the word of the Father who sent Him. For as Jesus said to his disciples in his final hours with them:
"I pray for those for those who will believe in me [Jesus] through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me [Jesus] and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me."
[For detailed reflection of the mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection please see [John Chpts. 18-21] ].
Sacrifice of Jesus
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed,how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
[ Hebrews 9:11-15 ]
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Day 27, 28 & 29
(for Sunday, Monday & Tuesday (April 3))
Prayer and Conduct
First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, and petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
For there is on God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human,who gave himself as ransom for all.
This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle ( I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
It is my wish, then, that in every place men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. [ 1 Timothy, 2: 1-8 ]
Jesus Superior to Moses
Therefore, holy "brothers," sharing in a heavenly calling, reflect on Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to the One who appointed him, just as Moses was "faithful in [all] his house." But Jesus is worthy of more "glory" than Moses, as a founder of a house has more "honor" than the house itself. Every house is founded by someone, but the founder of all is God. Moses was a "faithful"in all his house" as a "servant" to testify to what would be spoken, but Christ was faithful as a son placed over his house. We are his house, if [only] we hold fast to our confidence and pride in our hope.
Therefore, as the holy Spirit says:
"Oh, that today you would hear his voice, 'Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion' in the day of testing in the desert, where your ancestors tested and tried me and saw my work for forty years.
Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said "They have always been erring of heart,and they do not know my ways."
As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest." "
Take care my brothers, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still "today," so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end, for it is said:
"Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 'Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.'"
Who were those who rebelled when they heard? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt under Moses? With whom was he "provoked for forty years"? Was it not those who had sinned, whose corpses fell in the desert? And to whom did he "swear that they should not enter into his rest," if not to those who were disobedient? And we see that they could not enter for lack of faith. [Hebrews 3:1-19]
Jesus Compassionate High Priest
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. [Hebrews 4:14-16]
We are still praying! I apologize for taking some time before writing again. I have very bad insomnia as of late and have had little sleep -- getting 2 hours or less most nights and not being to sleep at all some nights -- over the course of the last week. It has taken a toll on my ability to focus and do the things that I have been called to do.
But please keep praying with us! I strongly feel that our prayers are making a difference.
God Bless us one and all as we approach Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday and Monday, and may He in his infinite wisdom grant us peace. Amen.
Prayer and Conduct
First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, and petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
For there is on God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human,who gave himself as ransom for all.
This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle ( I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
It is my wish, then, that in every place men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. [ 1 Timothy, 2: 1-8 ]
Jesus Superior to Moses
Therefore, holy "brothers," sharing in a heavenly calling, reflect on Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to the One who appointed him, just as Moses was "faithful in [all] his house." But Jesus is worthy of more "glory" than Moses, as a founder of a house has more "honor" than the house itself. Every house is founded by someone, but the founder of all is God. Moses was a "faithful"in all his house" as a "servant" to testify to what would be spoken, but Christ was faithful as a son placed over his house. We are his house, if [only] we hold fast to our confidence and pride in our hope.
Therefore, as the holy Spirit says:
"Oh, that today you would hear his voice, 'Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion' in the day of testing in the desert, where your ancestors tested and tried me and saw my work for forty years.
Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said "They have always been erring of heart,and they do not know my ways."
As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest." "
Take care my brothers, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still "today," so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end, for it is said:
"Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 'Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.'"
Who were those who rebelled when they heard? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt under Moses? With whom was he "provoked for forty years"? Was it not those who had sinned, whose corpses fell in the desert? And to whom did he "swear that they should not enter into his rest," if not to those who were disobedient? And we see that they could not enter for lack of faith. [Hebrews 3:1-19]
Jesus Compassionate High Priest
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. [Hebrews 4:14-16]
We are still praying! I apologize for taking some time before writing again. I have very bad insomnia as of late and have had little sleep -- getting 2 hours or less most nights and not being to sleep at all some nights -- over the course of the last week. It has taken a toll on my ability to focus and do the things that I have been called to do.
But please keep praying with us! I strongly feel that our prayers are making a difference.
God Bless us one and all as we approach Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday and Monday, and may He in his infinite wisdom grant us peace. Amen.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Day 25 & 26 Call to Love One Another ...
Doers of the Word
Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres,and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in all he does.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows n their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. [2 James 1:19-27]
Love For One Another
For this is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the evil one and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be amazed [then,] brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
The way we came to know love was that He [Jesus] laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. [1 John 3:11-18]
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,for you also are in the body. [Hebrews 13:1-3]
If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything that I own, and hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude,it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:1-10 and 12-13]
Christian Conduct
Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called that you might inherit a blessing. For:
"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers."[1 Peter 3: 8-12]
Entry for: Day 26
God's Love and Christian Life
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us [by the gift of his only Son, Jesus Christ].God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. [1 John 4:7-13, 16-21]
Inheritance through the Spirit
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory. [Ephesians 1:11-14]
One in Christ
Therefore, remember that at one time you, Gentiles in the flesh ... were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in the place of two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.[Ephesians 2:11-22]
Unity of the Body
I then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [Ephesians 4: 1-6]
[The encouraging words of Paul to Timothy regarding his call to witness for God apply to each of us, brothers one and all, even today:]
"He saved us and called us to holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began...". [2 Timothy 1:9]
Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres,and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in all he does.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows n their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. [2 James 1:19-27]
Love For One Another
For this is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the evil one and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be amazed [then,] brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
The way we came to know love was that He [Jesus] laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. [1 John 3:11-18]
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,for you also are in the body. [Hebrews 13:1-3]
If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything that I own, and hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude,it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:1-10 and 12-13]
Christian Conduct
Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called that you might inherit a blessing. For:
"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers."[1 Peter 3: 8-12]
Entry for: Day 26
God's Love and Christian Life
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us [by the gift of his only Son, Jesus Christ].God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. [1 John 4:7-13, 16-21]
Inheritance through the Spirit
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory. [Ephesians 1:11-14]
One in Christ
Therefore, remember that at one time you, Gentiles in the flesh ... were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in the place of two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.[Ephesians 2:11-22]
Unity of the Body
I then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [Ephesians 4: 1-6]
[The encouraging words of Paul to Timothy regarding his call to witness for God apply to each of us, brothers one and all, even today:]
"He saved us and called us to holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began...". [2 Timothy 1:9]
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Day 24
[About the Writings of the Bible]
Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture [the Bible] that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather from human beings [who] moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. [2 Peter 1:20-21]
Apostolic Witness
We [the disciples] did not follow cleverly deceived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while were with him [Jesus] on the holy mountain. [ 2 Peter 1:16-19]
False Teachers Denounced
Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile glorious beings, whereas angels, despite their superior strength and power, do not bring a reviling judgment against them from the Lord. But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed, suffering wrong as payment for wrong doing. [2 Peter 2:11-13]
Warning Against False Doctrine
I repeat the request I made of you when I was on my way to Macedonia, that you stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines or to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the plan of God that is to be received by faith. The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, wanting to be teachers of the of the law, but without understanding neither what they are saying nor what they assert with such assurance. [1 Timothy 1:3-7]
Testing the Spirits
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us [scriptures (of the Bible)], while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. [1 John 4:1-6]
Warning Against Useless Disputes
Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription "The Lord knows who are his"; and"Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."
So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them [Bible study note:teachers of false doctrine] repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare where they are entrapped by him, for his will. [2 Timothy 2:14-14, 19 & 23-26]
Confession and Intercession
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three hundred years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Conversion of Sinners
My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. [James 5:16-20]
Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture [the Bible] that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather from human beings [who] moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. [2 Peter 1:20-21]
Apostolic Witness
We [the disciples] did not follow cleverly deceived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while were with him [Jesus] on the holy mountain. [ 2 Peter 1:16-19]
False Teachers Denounced
Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile glorious beings, whereas angels, despite their superior strength and power, do not bring a reviling judgment against them from the Lord. But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed, suffering wrong as payment for wrong doing. [2 Peter 2:11-13]
Warning Against False Doctrine
I repeat the request I made of you when I was on my way to Macedonia, that you stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines or to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the plan of God that is to be received by faith. The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, wanting to be teachers of the of the law, but without understanding neither what they are saying nor what they assert with such assurance. [1 Timothy 1:3-7]
Testing the Spirits
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us [scriptures (of the Bible)], while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. [1 John 4:1-6]
Warning Against Useless Disputes
Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription "The Lord knows who are his"; and"Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."
So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them [Bible study note:teachers of false doctrine] repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare where they are entrapped by him, for his will. [2 Timothy 2:14-14, 19 & 23-26]
Confession and Intercession
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three hundred years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Conversion of Sinners
My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. [James 5:16-20]
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