Month: December 2018

Christ Turning Lack to Abundance

John, the supplemental gospel
provides a fourth dimension of
Jesus’ life and ministry. Fully 92%
of John’s material is not found in
any other gospel account. John
writes to convince his readers
who Jesus is (the Son of God)
and how new life can be found
in Him. He begins in eternity past,
showing how the Word who was
one with God became flesh to take
His message of life to mankind.

Lord, You are the Game Changer:
The next day there was a wedding
celebration in the village of Cana
in Galilee. The wine supply ran out,
so Jesus’ mother told him: They
have no more wine. Jesus replied:
My time has not come. But his
mother told the servants: Do
whatever he tells you… Jesus
told the servants: Fill the jars with
water. When the jars had been filled
he said; Now dip some out and
take it to the master of ceremonies.
So the servants followed his
Instructions… This miraculous sign
at Cana in Galilee was the first time
Jesus revealed his glory. And his
disciples believed in Him (Jn2:1-11)
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in John 2 (Dec 11)”

Christ Reveals the Father

John, the supplemental gospel
provides a fourth dimension of
Jesus’ life and ministry. Fully 92%
of John’s material is not found in
any other gospel account. John
writes to convince his readers
who Jesus is (the Son of God)
and how new life can be found
in Him. He begins in eternity past,
showing how the Word who was
one with God became flesh to take
His message of life to mankind.

Lord, You Reveal the Father:
Yet to all who did receive Him,
to those who believed in his name,
He gave the right to become
children of God (John 1:12).
And the Word became flesh and
dwelt among us, and we beheld
His glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father, full of
grace and truth… And of His
fullness we have received, and
grace for grace (John 1:14-16).
No one has ever seen God. But
his only Son, who is himself God
is near to the Father’s heart;
He has told us about him (Jn 1:18)
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in John 1 (Dec 10)”

Christ’s Presence thro Holy Spirit

With attention to details, Luke
provides a full account of the
arrest, trial and crucifixion of
the Son of Man. He describes the
plot of Judas, the warm fellowship
of the Last Supper, the mental
anguish at Gethsemane, the tragic
denial by Peter, the miscarriage
of justice at the trials & the brutal
agony of the Roman execution.
But the dark days in Jerusalem
give way to the brilliant dawning
of that first Easter morning when
angels announce: He’s risen.

Lord, Fill us with Your Power:
Two of them were travelling to a
village called Emmaus… Jesus took
them through the writings of Moses & all the prophets, explaining
from all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself (Lk 24:13, 27)
Then Jesus said to them: It was
necessary for the Christ to suffer
and to rise from the dead and that
repentance and remission of sins
be preached in His name to all
nations… And you are witnesses
of these things…. But stay here
in the city until the Holy Spirit fills
you with power (Lk 24:46-49).
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 24 (Dec 9)”

Christ Models Forgiveness

With attention to details, Luke
provides a full account of the
arrest, trial and crucifixion of
the Son of Man. He describes the
plot of Judas, the warm fellowship
of the Last Supper, the mental
anguish at Gethsemane, the tragic
denial by Peter, the miscarriage
of justice at the trials & the brutal
agony of the Roman execution.
But the dark days in Jerusalem
give way to the brilliant dawning
of that first Easter morning when
angels announce: He’s risen.

Lord, help us to Forgive others:
There were also two others,
criminals, led with him to be put
to death. And when they had
come to the place called Calvary,
there they crucified Him, and
the criminals, one on the right
hand and the other on the left.
Then Jesus said: Father, forgive
them for they do not know what
they are doing. And the soldiers
divided his clothes by casting lots.
The leaders scoffed: He saved
others, let him save himself…
The soldiers mocked him too…
If You are the King of the Jews,
save yourself (Luke 23:32-37).
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 23 (Dec 8)”

Christ Cares for His Disciples

With attention to details, Luke
provides a full account of the
arrest, trial and crucifixion of
the Son of Man. He describes the
plot of Judas, the warm fellowship
of the Last Supper, the mental
anguish at Gethsemane, the tragic
denial by Peter, the miscarriage
of justice at the trials & the brutal
agony of the Roman execution.
But the dark days in Jerusalem
give way to the brilliant dawning
of that first Easter morning when
angels announce: He’s risen.

Lord, help Strengthen our Faith:
Then Jesus & the 12 apostles sat
together at the table. Jesus said:
I have looked forward to this hour
with deep longing, anxious to eat
this Passover meal with You before
my suffering begins (Lk 22:14-15)
And the Lord said: Simon Simon!
Indeed Satan has asked for you,
that he may sift you as wheat,
But I have prayed for you that your
faith may not fail. And when you
have turned back, strengthen
your brothers (Luke 22:31-32).
(Jesus prayed): Father if you
are willing, please take this cup
of suffering away from me.
Yet I want your will, not mine.
Then an angel strengthened him.
He prayed more fervently & he
was in such agony of spirit that
His sweat fell to the ground like
great drops of blood (L22:41-44).
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 22 (Dec 7)”

Christ Is Coming Again !

It is now in the final week of Jesus’
earthly life. In the city of Jerusalem,
there’s excitement of the feast
days -some prepared to welcome
a King, while others prepare for
an execution. Jesus Himself draws
the battle lines by driving the
money-changers from the temple.
From then on, the religious leaders
double their efforts to trap Him.
Though His hour of anguish draws
near, Jesus continues the activities
that have characterised His
earthly ministry: teaching and
healing, confronting & consoling.

Lord, we will remain Watchful:
There will be a time of great
persecution… because you are
my followers. But this will be
your opportunity to tell about me…
Not a hair of your head will perish!
By standing firm, you will win
your souls. (Luke 21:12-19).
And there will be signs in the sun,
in the moon; and on the earth
distress of nations, with the sea
and the waves roaring; men’s
hearts failing them from fear…
But take heed to yourselves,
lest your hearts be weighed down
with drinking or cares of this life.
If you do, the final day will
suddenly catch you like a trap.
Watch out and keep praying…
and that the Son of Man will be
pleased with you (Luke 21:25-36)
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 21 (Dec 6)”

Christ Subject to Man’s Treachery

It is now in the final week of Jesus’
earthly life. In the city of Jerusalem,
there’s excitement of the feast
days -some prepared to welcome
a King, while others prepare for
an execution. Jesus Himself draws
the battle lines by driving the
money-changers from the temple.
From then on, the religious leaders
double their efforts to trap Him.
Though His hour of anguish draws
near, Jesus continues the activities
that have characterised His
earthly ministry: teaching and
healing, confronting & consoling.

Lord, we’ll Remember & Honor U:
Then He began to tell this parable
A certain man planted a vineyard,
leased it & went away for a long
time… I’ll send my cherished son.
Surely they will respect him. But
when the farmers saw his son,
they said: Let’s kill him and get
the estate. So they murdered him..
The owner will destroy those
farmers and give the vineyard
to others. And when they heard
it they said: Certainly not! Then
He looked at them and said:
What then is this that is written:
The stone which the builders
rejected Has become the chief
cornerstone? (Luke 20:9-17).
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 20 (Dec 5)”

Christ Came to Seek the Lost

It is now in the final week of Jesus’
earthly life. In the city of Jerusalem,
there’s excitement of the feast
days -some prepared to welcome
a King, while others prepare for
an execution. Jesus Himself draws
the battle lines by driving the
money-changers from the temple.
From then on, the religious leaders
double their efforts to trap Him.
Though His hour of anguish draws
near, Jesus continues the activities
that have characterised His
earthly ministry: teaching and
healing, confronting & consoling.

Lord, we will also Seek the Lost:
Then Zacchaeus said to the Lord:
Look, I give half of my goods to
the poor; and if I’ve taken anything
from anyone by false accusation, I
restore fourfold. Jesus responded:
Salvation has come to this home
today, for this man has shown
himself to be a son of Abraham.
And I the Son of Man, have come
to seek and save those like him
who are lost (Luke 19:8-10).
Some of the Pharisees among
the crowd said: Teacher, rebuke
your followers for saying things
like that! (Jesus) replied: If they
kept quiet, the stones along the
road wd burst into cheers (v39-40)
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 19 (Dec 4)”

Christ Teaches Childlike Faith

With His gaze fixed in Jerusalem
and the consummation of his
earthly ministry, Jesus intensifies
His final training of the disciples.
Stewardship is the central theme,
for the disciples will soon be
entrusted with the message
of the gospel. Jesus outlines the
duties of a servant & underscores
the importance of prayer.

Lord, grant us Child-like Faith:
One day Jesus told his disciples
a story to show that they should
always pray and never give up…
There was a widow; and she came
to the judge, saying: Get justice for
me from my adversary… And shall
God not avenge His own elect who
cry out day & night to Him (L18:1-7)
Jesus called for the children & said
to the disciples: Let the children
come to me. Don’t stop them!
For the Kingdom of God belongs
to such as these. I assure you,
anyone who doesn’t have their
kind of faith will never get into the
kingdom of God (Luke 18:16-17).
A blind beggar… asked what was
happening. They told him that
Jesus the Nazarene was going by.
So he began shouting: Jesus, Son
of David have mercy on me (35-38)
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 18 (Dec 3)”

Christ Teaches Prayer of Faith

With His gaze fixed in Jerusalem
and the consummation of his
earthly ministry, Jesus intensifies
His final training of the disciples.
Stewardship is the central theme,
for the disciples will soon be
entrusted with the message
of the gospel. Jesus outlines the
duties of a servant & underscores
the importance of prayer.

Lord, we will Pray With Faith:
And the apostles said to the Lord:
Increase our faith. So the Lord said:
If You had faith even as Small
as a mustard seed, You could say
to this mulberry tree: May you be
uprooted and thrown to the sea,
and it would obey you (Luke17:5-6)
So when He saw them, He said
to them: Go show yourselves to
the priests. And so it was that
as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them when he saw he was
healed, came back, praising God
in a loud voice (Lk 17:14-15) Amen
Continue reading “Gospel Truth in Luke 17 (Dec 2)”