Tag: Praise

The Assurance

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, inspiration, prayer

God doesn’t need much.

He needs our yes.

His glory is manifested when we say yes.

For days when we need that extra assurance

There will definitely be times in our lives when a certain doubtfulness or uncertainty sets in. I found that memorizing the following Bible verses have helped me immensely. They offer a source of truth that lights my way. Often, I would choose one and pray with it. Here are a six Bible verses which has grounded me with God’s assurance:

salvation

11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

answered pray

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. John 6:24

Victory

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV – I like the use of the word temptation used in this translation)

forgiveness

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Guidance

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

love

34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

And they will know we are Christians by our love.

God Bless 💖

Happy John 3:16 Day

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, Forgiveness, inspiration

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16 NRSCV

My friend Joanne sent this to me as a morning greeting, and I wanted to share it with you. Indeed it’s March 16, and this morning the sun shines bright, it’s warm out, and there is a tingling of Spring in the air – a time of rebirth.

God Bless 💖

History Repeated

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, God, inspiration

I asked my Spiritual Director, “Why don’t we learn from history (WW1 and 2)?” Her response, “We don’t, each generation has to relearn.” Her response struck a chord within me. Sadly, I have got to say there is much truth to her statement. History repeated is basically the history of human civilization.

Each generation has to relearn how to deal with the challenges that befalls their lives (their country and the world). The sins of the father is often repeated.

In Jesus, we can trust that He is unchanging:

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NRSVC

Hence the world may change and fall into turmoil, and repeat the sins of the past, but God remains the same – yesterday, today, forever. Yes, we will have moments of doubt and darkness. I admit I have been questioning my own faith lately, but realize that is exactly what Satan wants. Satan wants confusion, division, doubt and fear. These are energies that feed his vile appetite.

I can only battle this by keeping Jesus centered in my live, and living out God’s divine will.

Stand firm in God’s plan is paramount:

11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11.

If God has plans for me and you, imagine His grip over the world. “He’s got the whole world in His hands!”

I often think of Job and his trial.

In Job 8:8, in fact the whole chapter, there is a long reply from Bildad the Shuhite  about the importance of respecting history and the seeds of wisdom that comes from our past. In fact many came to see Job and brought with them their points of view and explanation as to why Job was suffering. Not one of them prayed or asked God. In fact they did not know God. Each visitor was unable to understand God’s divine hand in Job’s life.

42 Then Job answered the Lord:

2 “I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
    I will question you, and you declare to me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
    but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself,
    and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42 NRSVC

Indeed we do not learn from our past, each generation has to relearn life lessons – life is after all a journey of not only individuals, but communities, but countries. In a life without Jesus, we become empty shells looking towards the world to fill it. With Christ within, we can live our life in faith, hope and charity – and look forward to a life in God’s Kingdom.

One last word, I often think abut the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. In Matthew 16:19. The rich man begs Abraham to send someone from the dead to warn his family of the consequences of sin. (Abraham) said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31.

God Bless your journey in Jesus Christ 💖

Our Father

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, inspiration, Our Father, Praise, prayer, The Lord's Prayer

I was preparing a pdf for my RCIA meet tomorrow night, and I wanted to share a song I remember from my childhood. It was a spunky and lively song, filled with joy and happiness. After some digging I finally found it.

The song version of The Lord’s Pray. I recall the joy I felt when I first heard it, and this was back in the 70s – a time of peace and love. The prayer was sung by Sister Janet Mead (1938–2022). She sung with joy and passion, and her voice just grabs at my heart and fills it with adoration and inspiration.

God Bless 💖

The Search

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Christian Blogger, Christianity, ecclesiastical wisdom, Faith, Healing, inspiration, Spirituality
My prayer

I don’t know where I am going. I am leaving that all to You. I only know that your plans for me is unchanging.

It was me who flittered in and out – seeking you now and then. I treated you like a revolving door, but your arms were always stretched – waiting for me?

Well, not I’ve stopped running. I give my all to You – Your Divine Will. My Almighty God, help me make use of the gifts you have given me.

Since the beginning of time, and before I was born, you had plans for me. You have blessed me with your amazing grace with mercy unbound. Yeah, I have ignored you! I have walked away from You! I was searching – for what? – I don’t even recall. It was just to fill an empty hole – so basically anything goes – well that sure didn’t last long – as I found myself searching for more.

Well, here I am JESUS, I’m all broken up. What’s left of me, is all that I can give. Who would have thought You patched me all up, and delivered me from me – the dark cloud that covered me for most of my life – gone!

Like a breeze, Your divine breathe shoo it away, and now I can walk freely in the embrace of your love. I am now a better me in my own existence walking with God.

Ecclesiastes 1:8-11

8 All things are full of weariness;
a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there a thing of which it is said,
“See, this is new”?
It has been already
in the ages before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things,[a]
nor will there be any remembrance
of later things yet to be
among those who come after.

The Vanity of Wisdom

12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart[f] to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity[g] and a striving after wind.

15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,
    and what is lacking cannot be counted.

16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

18 For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Thank Jesus for saving me from myself.

God Bless💖

The door of the manger is always open

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Christmas, Faith, God, inspiration, Jesus, prayer, Spirituality

Borrowing a phase coined by the Archbishop of Montreal, Most Reverend Christian Lépine, “The door to the manger is always open”, I wish to greet all with a joyous and “Happy Christmas Eve”.

Let us unite together from all across our globe and rejoice with a melody in our heart as we let the light of the Bethlehem star warm our hearts with faith, hope and love .

As in a time in antiquity when three wise men journeyed afar to meet Baby Jesus, and as Shepard minding their fields heard the joyful proclamation by the choral of angels – let us welcome our Saviour into the world with joy and thanksgiving.

Luke 1:10 – 14

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

As Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal reminds us,

Through this pandemic, let us always keep the door of our heart open, constantly keeping a look of kindness, inspired by the look of goodness that the child Jesus has for us,”

Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal

Let us start our day with a a prayer of thanksgiving, a smile and an inner glow within and without, as well as a spirit filled song in our hearts.

From Christmas Novena Prayer

The Birth Of Jesus In The Stable Of Bethlehem (Ninth Day)

O Adorable Infant Jesus! I should not have the boldness to cast myself at Your feet if I did not know that You Yourself invites me to draw near You.

It is I who by my sins have made You shed so many tears in the stable of Bethlehem. But since You have come on earth to pardon repentant sinners, forgive me also, now that I am heartily sorry for having spurned You, my Savior and my God, who are so good and who has loved me so much.

In this night, in which You bestowest great graces on so many souls, grant Your heavenly consolation to this poor soul of mine also.

All that I ask of You is the grace to love You always, from this day forward, with all my heart. Set me all on fire with Your holy love. I love You, O my God, who has become a Babe for love of me. Never let me cease from loving You evermore.

O Mary, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, You can obtain everything from Your Son by Your prayers. This is the only favor I ask of You. Do You pray to Jesus for me. Amen.”

God Bless 💖

The Greatest Gift

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christianity, Faith, God, Ignatian Spirituality, inspiration, Jesus, Luke 1:39-45, Praise, prayer, Spirituality, Virgin Mary
Luke 1.39-45

Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

I love reading and rereading the Gospel of Luke as we head into Christmas. There is much joy resounding from these passages. The birth of Jesus is our greatest gift from God. As I meditate on the union of Mother Mary and Elizabeth, I think about their Spirit filled inner joy and blessings from our Almighty God. It also brings to mind all the blessings and gifts from God in my life. I may not always recognize God’s blessing amidst the din in my busy life. It is often when I take the time during the end of the evening when I do my Daily Examen that I see the beauty of God’s hand in my life.

St. Ignatius Daily Examen

I would like to invite all of you to think about the beauty of God’s hand and gift in your life. How can we give back to God? How can we be like Jesus? Sometimes, all it takes is a smile. Praying for those around us – our family, friends, to the sick. Praying for the homeless, those we don’t know in need, and for souls in purgatory. At other times, it is leading a hand to those around us. It may be helping our neighbors, or volunteering. I found today’s homily by Fr. Anthony inspiring – casting our eyes not upon ourselves, but upon another with love and the joy of giving:

God Bless 💖Let us step outside of our comfort zone and give our gift of Jesus to another.

The Whole World Awaits Mary’s Reply

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christianity, Faith, God, inspiration, Saints, Spirituality, Virgin Mary

Rejoice! Rejoice! My heart rejoices at Mary’s “YES”!

Mary’s “YES” Luke 1:26-38

As I reflect on my little “yes” to God, there is a wonderful homily written by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux hundred’s of year ago that reflected on the importance of Mary’s “YES”, and it has such insight, I share it below:

The Whole World Awaits Mary’s Reply On the Annunciation and Mary’s “fiat”
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

This homily excerpt of St. Bernard is in the Office of Readings for
December 20, the fourth week of Advent.
 

You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.

The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.

Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.

Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.

Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
 

Hom. 4, 8-9: Opera omnia, Edit. Cisterc. 4 [1966], 53-54

My Little “yes”!

I ask myself, have I said “yes” to God? “Can I really do that? Often doubt and fear clouds my judgement, and that’s when I need God to help me over come my insecurities. Last week, I almost said no to helping drive food baskets to the needy in my parish, but at the last minute, I said, “Yes!”. My hesitancy was fear – of meeting people I didn’t know. God gave me a chance to say, “yes”, and it was one of the most humbling and happy thing I could have done. There was a joy in sharing with those in need the love of Jesus, and giving a helping hand. As I knocked on doors, God opened my heart to see His people, and to give them much needed food so that they may have a Merry Christmas.

Let each of us reflect on our “YES” to our Almighty God.

God Bless 💖