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Archive for February, 2009
Friday, February 27th, 2009
Isaiah 58:6-7
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.
Isaiah was a great prophet who lived over 700 years before Jesus…and yet he preached many things that foretold of His coming…and that foretold of a messiah quite different from the powerful warrior that Israel wanted. Jesus quoted Isaiah when stating his mission (Luke 4:16-21). If you are fasting during Lent, make sure the focus is not on “earning points” with God…but on knowing only God can satisfy our deepest yearnings…not the things of this world. And then…follow Isaiah’s directions. How can we, today, free someone who is oppressed, shelter the homeless, clothe those in need, and act with love toward all?
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Thursday, February 26th, 2009
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?
What are you living your life for? What is the purpose? If it is to satisfy your ego…it is to satisfy your “false self.” Live to love…and live to serve…following the ways of Jesus…and you will find your “true self.”
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
2 Corinthians 6:3
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
We spend so much time either carrying the weight of past hurts or injustice or worrying about the future. But, as St. Paul tells us, NOW is the only thing REAL. NOW is where God resides…and at this very moment…God is telling YOU that you are loved beyond measure! It has nothing to do with what you’ve done or what you will do…but simply because who you are…God’s beloved son or daughter. As we enter Lent, what will you do to share that love?
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Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
Mark 9:34-35
They (the Apostles) had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he (Jesus) sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Jesus lays out in his statement the key to finding peace and joy in this life. But it is the opposite of what our culture and what our egos believe…that to be happy we must have power, prestige, wealth and literally be number 1. Which will you believe? Try out Jesus’ way and see what happens.
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Monday, February 23rd, 2009
Jesus said to him…”Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
When a boy suffering from chronic convulsions is brought to Jesus’ disciples they are unable to heal him. So the boy’s father turns to Jesus who heals him. Can you relate to the father’s response? When times get tough…ask Jesus for help with our “unbelief.” He wants to do that! When asked by his disciples later in this passage why they couldn’t heal the boy, Jesus tells them that more prayer was required. How much time to we set aside each day for prayer…a time of silence to cultivate our relationship with God?
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Psalm 116:12
How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me?
Think back on all the people who made a difference in your life by allowing the Spirit of Jesus to flow through them. God did some amazing things for you through those people. Allow that same Spirit to use you to make a difference in someone else’s life today!
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Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered [him], “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
We often say, “seeing is believing.” If we’d only see proof…we’d believe. Well…the apostles saw Jesus perform many miracles…including the multiplication of loaves of bread…and yet in today’s scripture verse when they forgot to bring bread with them …they still worried how they would be fed. Think of all the rough times you’ve experienced and how…somehow…things happened to help you to get through them. God will never forsake you! “Do you still not understand?”
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Monday, February 16th, 2009
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign?
God surrounds us with many signs of his love. The Pharisees also received powerful signs. They witnessed many of Jesus’ miraculous healings. But their hearts and minds were closed. They had no faith…so they were incapable of witnessing more signs from Jesus. Our faith is tested many times in the storms of life. Cling to it and Jesus promises to never let go of you. Perhaps if you start a journal of your experiences…you will start to see the thread of God’s presence and wondrous signs of His love.
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Friday, February 13th, 2009
Mark 7:34-35
Then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.
Jesus healed this deaf man as He had healed many others of physical, emotional and psychological problems. He knows exactly the healing that you need. Go to Him and ask. Then…have faith that the right healing will happen!
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Thursday, February 12th, 2009
Genesis 2:24-25
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.
This picture of the Garden of Eden and the first man and woman is clearly depicting the sanctity of marriage. But beyond this…is it not also the definition of love? To stand before another with nothing to hide…nothing to prove…while accepting everything about the other…the good and the bad. Total acceptance. This is how God views you.
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