Reflections | 10th June 2013

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

Today, I would like for us to meditate on a verse of the Responsorial Psalm. It reads: The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)

(Taken from MumbaiChristianDiary)

Yesterday at the railway station while I walked on overhead bridge I noticed 3 policemen coming at me. They were waving their sticks at everybody and saying: To the sides! To the sides! The people willingly submitted to the policemen while a famous politician passed by. The thing that caught my attention about this man was his protection and security. This man had bodyguards all around him and at least a dozen policemen in his front and back. It was very dramatic and thought provoking. 

It got me thinking about God’s Divine Protection for me. The Holy Spirit made Psalms 91 come alive to me while I stood there watching the politician pass by. The Bible says: God has given His angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways. (Psalms 91:11-12) Notice it does not say ‘angel’ but ‘angels’. I am convinced by this verse that I am always surrounded by a legion of angels. (2 Kings 6:17) It does not matter if I am sleeping or awake, at home or in a foreign land I am always well kept by my Father in Heaven. 

If that is not all, my angels continuously see the face God. (Matthew 18:10) My heavenly Father only has to say one Word and they will obey Him. As I boarded my train home I meditated on these scriptures. I pictured the angels of God all around the train station. That is when the Holy Spirit brought this scripture to my remembrance: The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. (Psalms 34:7)

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

Reflections | Sunday, 9th June 2013

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

This Sunday, I would for us to mediate on the second reading. Paul said: But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12) 

The central message of the Gospel is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And it is only a Revelation of what happened on the Cross of Calvary that can save you. 

Dereck Prince preached The Divine Exchange back in 1987. This message has since been transcribed word for word and turned into a free book. (Taken from EscapeToReality)

To encourage you to go and read this excellent series, I will paste some snippets of his introduction below, followed by links to the 10 aspects of the divine exchange. It’ll take you about 2 hours to read the whole series, but they will be 2 of the best hours of your life.

Now ladies and gentlemen, in his own words, here’s Derek Prince…

“This young lady from Oklahoma spoke… ‘Consider the work of Calvary. A perfect work, perfect in every respect, perfect in every aspect.’ … Instantly my mind went to the Greek New Testament and one of the last utterances of Jesus on the cross when he said, ‘It is finished.’ The Greek word is just one word tetelestai. But it’s the perfect tense of a verb that means to do something perfectly. I have said sometimes you could translate it this way: It is perfectly perfect or it is completely complete.

“At the close of the last session we had arrived at Isaiah 53:4–6… You know that the name of Isaiah is directly linked with the Hebrew word for salvation. He is the prophet of salvation. Here is the essence, the heart of salvation. We’ll look once more at verse 6 and consider its meaning a little more carefully.

“All we like sheep have gone astray . . .

“All we” leaves out no one. Do we agree about that? Does that apply to all of us? You don’t have to tell me but you need to make your mind up.

“. . . we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

“That word ‘iniquity’ is an interesting and important word. The Hebrew word is avon… It’s basic meaning is guilt. Another way of rendering it is perversity. What is our guilt? … I think the most contemporary translation is ‘rebellion.’ That’s the universal guilt of the whole human race. But Isaiah says

“the Lord has laid upon him the guilt [the perversity, the rebellion] of all of us.

“The word avon not only means guilt but it means the punishment for guilt… So that God not only laid on Jesus the guilt of us all—now listen, this is vitally important—but he laid upon him the punishment for the guilt of us all…

“Now that’s very important because it’s the key to understanding what happened when Jesus died on the cross. God the Father made to meet together upon him the guilt, the perversity, the rebellion of all of us and all the evil consequences that follow rebellion…

“If you can once grasp that, that’s the key to the storehouse. Everything you need is contained in that revelation…Let me say it this way: What happened on the cross was a divinely ordained exchange. Think of that key word ‘exchange.’ All the evil due to our rebellion met together upon Jesus. That’s the left hand. The right hand is the opposite. That all the good due to the sinless obedience of Jesus might be made available to us… It’s contrary to our natural thinking, we wouldn’t reason it out that way. All the evil due to our rebellion came upon Jesus on the cross that all the good due to his sinless obedience might be made available to us. Or, to say it very shortly, the evil came upon Jesus that the good might be made available to us…

“Now I want to change one word. Instead of saying “us” say “me.” Now it’s very personal, it’s just you and God. You know what they say at the cross? There’s only room for one at the foot of the cross? You’re the one now. You’re looking up at the cross, you see his body beaten, bleeding, a horrifying spectacle, something that you don’t really want even to look at or think about. And then you say this. ‘The evil due to me came upon Jesus that the good due to Jesus might be made available to me.’ That’s right. It’s when you make it personal. Now you may not have felt any change but you have opened the way to the treasure house when you’ve grasped that one central fact…

“Let’s look at some aspects of the exchange. I’ve listed ten. I don’t want you to imagine for a moment that’s complete, it’s just a specimen. You may recall that when the Lord spoke to me through that young woman from Oklahoma he said, ‘Consider the work of Calvary, a perfect work, perfect in every respect, perfect in every aspect.’ So there are respects and there are aspects. We are going to look at ten different aspects of the work of Calvary. Ten different ways to view what God accomplished there by the death of Jesus.

Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven

Jesus was wounded that we might be healed

Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness, that we might be made righteous with His righteousness

Jesus tasted death for us that we might share His life

Jesus was made a curse that we might receive the blessing

Jesus endured our poverty that we might share His abundance

Jesus bore our shame that we might share His glory

Jesus endured my rejection that I might have His acceptance with the Father

He was cut off that we might be joined to the Lord

Our Old Man was put to death in Him that the New Man might come to life in us

[If you'd like more, go to Free Stuff and look for the book entitled The Divine Exchange.]

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

Special Message | Sunday, 9th June 2013

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

This Sunday, I would like for us to mediate on the second reading. Paul said: But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Galatians 1:13-17)

When Paul was Jerusalem, he met no one but the Lord's brother. Selah. This teaches us that Jesus Christ had siblings. The Bible says: Joseph did not know Mary till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. (Matthew 1:25) After Jesus was born Joseph and Mary consummated their marriage and had many more sons and daughters. The Bible says: Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us?(Matthew 13:55-56)

A teaching about Mary would really not be necessary if the Papacy just preached the Truth. 

Like Plato's allegory of the Cave we have been chained from birth and forced to spend our entire life believing the shadow. It is only the Truth that can set us free from the Cave. When we know the truth, we perceive the world around us differently. (Allegory of the Cave)

Although the Papacy teaches that Mary is a Virgin in Heaven, the truth is that Mary was a Virgin when Jesus was born but obviously lost her virginity when she and Joseph had sons and daughters. The time has come beloved brothers and sisters to arise to a new reality.

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

Reflections | 8th June 2013

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

In the Gospel reading today we read about the poor widow who gave all she had to God. Jesus said: Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for the rich put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:43-44) For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

When you stand before God you should be ready for God's X-ray vision. It is possible to be Mr. Perfect in eyes of everyone around you and still have a rebellious heart in the sight of God.

I like how Jesus said: But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28) You might have never committed the physical act of adultery but your heart has surely desired it at numerous occasions. Jesus taught that sin always begins in the heart before it becomes an action. Truly, God is more concerned about the heart of a person that his actions. You could be a religious person, going through all the motions of religion but the question to think about is- what is the position of my heart? Does my heart desire the wrong things? Am I having trouble overcoming certain sins? 

The heart is the core of man's being or his spirit. Every man, if he is honest will accept that his heart always desires the wrong things. The human Spirit is born sinful and is naturally driven towards sin. 

There is no religion or worldview on the earth that speaks of heart transformation apart from Christianity. Selah

Christianity is the only religion that teaches the sinfulness of Man from His birth and the need for a New Birth. This is what Jesus meant when He said- You must be Born Again. (John 3:1-16) 

If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God promises to give you a New Heart. God said: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) 

If you have never received the New Birth, today is the day of Salvation. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! God will forgive your sins and give you a New Life.

I testify that after you experience the life-transforming power of God, your life will never be the same again. 

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email 

Also Watch: Grace in 60 seconds with Krish Fernandez

Reflections | 7th June 2013

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email 

The theme this Friday is- 'the Lord is my Shepherd'. David said: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1) When we acknowledge God as our Shepherd we also have acknowledge that we are His sheep. If you think about it, sheep are very humble animals and it is interesting to see how they follow the Shepherd wherever he goes.

Like sheep we too must humble ourselves and look to God alone to lead us into green pastures. You do not have to know how God's supreme plan for your life is going to come to pass. All you got to do is follow His leading, one day at a time and you will be exactly where God wants you to be. (Psalm 37:23) (Psalm 25:12-15) (Proverbs 16:9) Take the lives of those who were called by God as an example. Each of them had to learn the Word of God, believe it and be obedient to God's leading until the end.

The bible says: And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12)

When you are obedient to God and His Word, prosperity and good success will follow you. Sometimes you have to exercise patience. Patience means- to actively believe and seek God up-till you see the complete manifestation of His Word.

As you seek and follow God, God promises that He will be your Provider. You will not want and your cup will run over. Selah. This is something God will do. All you have to do is follow Him and do what He says. Selah.

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

Also Watch: Psalm 23 by Jesudian Silvester

Reflections | 6th June 2013

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

In today's post I would like for us to meditate on the words of the Responsorial Psalm. It reads: 

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

In the very heart of your house,

Your children like olive plants

All around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

Who fears the Lord. (Psalm 128:1-4)

We have already learnt about what the Fear of the Lord is. Today, I would like to share the importance of teaching our children the Fear of the Lord. (Taken from Kenny Gatlin Ministries)

According to the Scriptures our children are arrows and we as their parents are the archers.

Psalm 127:3-5

“3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” KJV

As parents we are to point our children at the targets that please God as if they were arrows. In other words, our children will end up exactly where we point them. As parents we carry more responsibility than we may choose to believe when it comes to how are children turn out in life, and where and in what condition they will end up.

ENGRAVING

Deuteronomy 6:3-7

“3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” KJV

VS. 6 – Before you can teach your children effectively, the Word of God must be in your own heart.

VS. 7 – TEACH = engrave

We must engrave the Word of God and the fear of the Lord in our children’s hearts and minds.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Psalm 34:11-17

“11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” KJV

VS. 11 – We are responsible to teach our children the fear of the Lord.

VS. 12 – Those that fear the Lord will live long and experience the good things of life.

What is the fear of the Lord? A very simple definition is this: To love what He loves and to hate what He hates. You see if you hate things the God loves, or even the other way around then you are not walking in the fear of the Lord.

VSS. 13-17 – These verses show the difference between loving what God loves and hating what God hates.

These are the things we must teach our children about the fear of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-3

“1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” KJV

Pay careful attention to how this works: When we teach our children the fear of the Lord, things go well with them. Then obviously, if we don’t teach them the fear of the Lord, things won’t go well.

Psalm 25:12-14

“12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” KJV

VS. 12 – When we fear the Lord He becomes our instructor.

VS. 13 – When we teach our children the fear of the Lord their soul dwells in ease.

VS. 14 – Revelation knowledge belongs to those who fear the Lord.

Psalm 128:1-2

“1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” KJV

Again we find in these verses that things go well with those who walk in the fear of the Lord. Many parents go to desperate lengths to see that their children can have a good career and be happy, yet they often miss out on teaching them the only thing that assure them this.

Proverbs 14:26-27

“26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” KJV

VS. 26 – When we teach our children to walk in the fear of the Lord they will always have a place of refuge.

VS. 27 – Our children will drink from God’s fountain of life, free from satan’s snares.

There are so many blessings that come upon and are made available to those who have been instructed in the fear of the Lord. It is vital that you do not neglect this in the upbringing of your children.

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

Also Watch: Fear of the Lord by Andrew Wommack

Reflections | 5th June 2013

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

In the Gospel reading today we read about how God spoke to Moses and said: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (Mark 12:26) Jesus used this verse to teach the Sadducees that God was not the God of the dead but the living. 

In today's post I would like for us to meditate on how God likes to identify himself with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

It is interesting to note that God does not call himself the God of the Catholics or God of the Protestants or God of the Pentecostals or God of the Baptists. There is so much to learn from the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I believe that the study of their lives powerfully teaches us what Christian life is all about. 

I encourage you to listen to Prosperity Proven by Keith Moore. Take the time to study The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac and The God of Jacob. It blessed me and I am sure that it will bless you too. 

Subscribe to Catholic Daily by Email

Listen to - The God of Abraham | The God of Isaac | The God of Jacob