When problems threaten to overwhelm you, look up, not down - God Whispers January 17, 2014

 

When problems threaten to overwhelm you, look up, not down. When you keep your eyes on Me, things will be in the right perspective.

 

Saving you,

God

 

P.S. Your problems may look big, but often they’re just out of proportion.

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” - Daily Bible Reflections January 17,2014

THE REJECTS

 

“Grant the people’s every request. It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.” – 1 Samuel 8:7

 

Have you experienced rejection after obeying the voice of God in your heart? I have, not just once, but a number of times. I also know of other men and women in the Bible who said yes to God and because of this, they were rejected.

       God comforts Samuel in the verse above as the people of Israel rejected him even after warning them of the bad and painful things that could happen to them and their families.

       This story reminds me of a time when I stood before an assembly who chose to reject me as their leader after I decided to follow God’s voice in my heart. I praised God for the courage and strength He gave me to accept the rejection of the very people I had served and helped. I thanked God for speaking words of affirmation to me then and for inspiring me to recall and follow Jesus’ example when He, too, was rejected by a crowd. “It is not you they reject as their leader but Me.” Those were God’s words to me.

       Are you also a reject? Don’t be discouraged. We’re in good company. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag (teregmps@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

 

Lord Jesus, may Your example of courage and strength to stand by the Father’s will and command, even in the face of rejection, inspire me to do the same when I am put in a similar situation.

 

St. Anthony, abbot, pray for us.

You are being filled by the love of Jesus today. Does your face agree? - Daily Bible Reflections January 16,2014

FACE TIME!

 

Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. – Mark 1:45

 

In the days of the Gold Rush in the American West in 1849, two close friends unearthed what they had set out to find: huge sources of priceless gold. They decided to hide it for a while, return to the city, then go back again to the gold mine with adequate tools that they needed to start digging. Both made a solemn promise to each other not to tell anyone regarding the precious find.

       Two days later, as they secretly were on their way back to the site, several men followed them. The number kept growing. They looked at each other assuringly, “I told no one.” So one of them turned around and shouted, “Why are you following us? We haven’t found any gold!” One man replied, “You can’t fool us. You may not have said anything, but your faces show you have definitely found gold!”

       Was Jesus offended by the leper’s over-excitement in today’s Gospel? I don’t think so. I suspect that Jesus knew that even if this guy could keep silent, his face would give away his valuable find.

   Friend, what does your face say today? Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: You are being filled by the love of Jesus today. Does your face agree?

 

Lord, overwhelm me with Your love today. Let this affect me today from the inside out.

 

St. Bernard and Companions, pray for us.

 

Turn to Me when anxiety robs you of your peace - God Whispers January 16,2014

 
Turn to Me when anxiety robs you of your peace. I help carry your burden so you need not worry anymore.
 
Stay worry-free,
God
 
P.S. Don’t forget we’re in this thing together.