Tag Archives: God’s faithfulness

February 24, 2015 @ 6:17 am »

Tuesday 24th February – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent

Reflection: Psalm 34:4-7, 16-20

BLESSED ASSURANCE

“Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from all, the Lord preserves them completely; not one of their bones are broken” Psalm 34:19-20

Do you remember the incident recorded in the gospels of Jesus sleeping in the boat amidst a raging storm and his fear-stricken disciples (Luke 8:22-25)? That picture fits beautifully into the psalmist’s description of the life of a person who honours God and trusts in Him. Such person is always assured of the saving grace of God even in the midst of trouble.

What else can we hope for in our daily lives which are often full of uncertainty? God assures us in the first reading that His words are sure and always fulfil their purpose (Isaiah 55:11). God’s word must never leave our hearts so that it can drive far away from us every form of fear posed by the devil who always wants to steal our joy. We must let it dwell in our hearts and daily confess it in prayer and in moments of trials.

Dear friends, our young minds can easily be weighed down by the numerous political and economic problems in our nation and in the world around us. Let us consciously and constantly put our concerns before God and let His peace fill our beings. Pray for peace in your heart and rest in the blessed assurance of God’s word to keep you firm in hope and joyful in charity and share this living hope with someone else today.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please remove anything that contends with Your word in my heart. Let my heart rest in Your saving power and fill me with Your peace that I may live by the faith and not by sight. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2755: Two frequent temptations threaten prayer: lack of faith, and acedia – a form of depression stemming from lax ascetical practice that leads to discouragement.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken, never be moved.” Psalm 125:1 GNB

Today’s Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19; Matthew 6:7-15

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SING PRAISES

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Monday 31st March – Monday of the 4th week of Lent

Reflection: Psalm 30

SING PRAISES

“Count your blessings, name them one by one

and it will surprise you what the Lord has done”.

So reads a song we are all familiar with. It’s a song that calls us to give thanks to God as we reflect on the numerous blessings we receive from Him each day. However, the words of this song unveils one reality: if we are not careful, we can easily forget the great things God does for us and begin to take them for granted, hence the need to count our blessings and name them one by one.

The Psalmist in today’s reading does just that. He reflects on all the wonders God has done for Him and cannot but sing praises to God from the depths of His heart. We too should stop and think. Think of the times of uncertainty or difficulty you have experience in the past. Think of the times of sickness, suffering and pain, think of the numerous times you have turned to God and asked for His help. Think of the many blessings you have received which you did not even ask for. Look around you and see the beauty and order of creation.

Dear friends, God’s steadfast love and faithfulness is indeed great. Let us take time to praise Him. Let us look beyond the difficulties assailing us right now and praise our God for the many blessings we receive each day. Remember, God dwells in the praises of His people and moves mightily on their behalf. A heart of thanksgiving always touches God’s heart. Are you ready to praise? Go on, God is waiting to hear your voice!

PRAYER: Lord I thank You for the blessings You give me each day. Please give me a heart of gratitude that I may praise you always. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 489 What does it mean to praise God?

God needs no applause. But we need to express spontaneously our delight in God and the rejoicing in our hearts. We praise God because he exists and because he is good. We thereby join even now in the eternal praise of the angels and saints in heaven.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us; and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 117 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Isaiah 65: 17-21; Psalm 30; John 4: 43-54

THE ASSURANCE THAT DOES NOT FAIL

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Thursday 6th March – Thursday after Ash Wednesday                   

Reflection: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20

THE ASSURANCE THAT DOES NOT FAIL

As we journey through life, there come times when we need assurance and reassurance to keep body and soul together. Events around us keep changing with life seasons. The convictions that guaranteed stability yesterday do not always hold today. Whether in our current situations or in the anticipated future, we all need a dependable anchor, a sustainable leverage to face life’s uncertainties and unanswered questions.

Dearest friend, our loving God who gave us the gift of life does not intend us to go through it as orphans (John 14:16-18). God has wondrous plans for you and I (Jeremiah 29:11). He knows our end from the beginning because we are created by Him and for Him. Nothing about us can take Him by surprise. He is prepared to lead us through our life’s pilgrimage when we make a choice of Him. The same admonishment Moses gave to the Israelites, from today’s first reading, as they were preparing to enter the promised land remains pertinent to us, Christians of today. If we will faithfully hold unto God our dependable anchor in life’s changing seasons, we can be rest assured that all will be well with us (Psalm 1:1-6; Romans 5:1-5).

Beloved in Christ, do you have fears about the present or worries about the future? Are you going through a trial of faith? Please be rest assured in God and His promises. He has never been unfaithful to any of His loving Children and you can’t be an exemption (Psalm 92:12-15)! He will surely perfect all that concerns you (psalm 138:1-8).

PRAYER: Oh Lord, I thank You for You are the unchanging and faithful God! Please help me to abide with You in all life’s seasons that I may constantly experience Your glorious deeds. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2091 – The first command is also concerned with sin against hope, namely, despair and presumption: By despair, man ceases to hope in his personal salvation from God, for help in attaining it or for the forgiveness of his sins. Despair is contrary to God’s goodness, to his justice- for the Lord is faithful to his promises- and to his mercy.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20; Psalm 1:1- 4,6; Luke 9: 22 – 25