Today's Scripture Passage: Psalm 103:2-5
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- 3 who forgives all our sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Today's Scripture Message:
The greatest gift we receive from God is His unconditional love. When we make an effort to mirror this love for ourselves and then others it provides a benefit of peace that is unparalleled.
Great question, “How can you love another, when you don’t love yourself?” This is not a selfish thought. Love and care for the representation you are in His kingdom is presentation of His kingdom to the world and not only does it speak for itself, it draws nearer to you all that is necessary to move you joyfully along your path to / through your purpose. Love unconditionally. Live abundantly according to the promises of God.
Prayer for the day:
Father, I love the me that you have created. Not perfect, but GREAT… not conceited, but confident, Not proud, but humbled at the fact that you took and take so much time with me…patiently steering me along as I continually improve that which was already granted me. I know I have not always been correct, but thank you for always making it right as you see fit. I thank and praise you and will do the best to be my best that I can continue to be used on your behalf, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thought for the day:
“You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere.”
~Unknown
Goal for the Day:
Do your best with what’s best for you in mind. When the focus is loving yourself to the betterment of you, love flows freely from your excess and touches everyone around you.
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Pastor Dickow’s Fast from Wrong Thinking
Revolution Day 22:
One of the keys to success in any area of life is being a servant—getting underneath others and pushing them up to succeed. So today we’re fasting from the thought that says, “If I live as a servant, I’ll be taken advantage of; and feel inferior.”
Let’s change it today:
1. God prospers His servants! Psalm 35:27 says He takes delight and pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
2. See yourself as a son or daughter of God. (1 John 3:1) When you realize who you really are, you drive inferiority out of your life; therefore, you gladly serve others, pushing them up.
3. Serving is not a stepping stone to greatness; it IS greatness. (Matthew 20:27) Get rid of the mindset that serving is a temporary role.
4. The way up, is down. Understand that God promotes the humble, the servant. (1 Peter 5:6) “It is true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others succeed.” Napoleon Hill.
5. Start serving by praying: pray for your leaders; for your employers; for those who use you, or take advantage of you. Prayer is loving—in the spirit.
6. Others recognize when you are a true servant and they promote you. (Genesis 39:2-3).
THINK IT & SAY IT:
I follow the example of Jesus by being a servant, and pushing others up to succeed. I know that I will reap what I sew. As I help others succeed, success will come to me. I have a treasure of gifts inside of me, and I use them to serve others, to bless others, and to advance God’s Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name!
Daily Lenten Reflection from St. Michael of Old Town
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
March 30, 2011
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17, 19)
A friend once said to me, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plan.” I always imagined that by the time I turned thirty I would be living in the suburbs with my devilishly handsome husband and a bundle of kids…sometimes things don't always happen as we plan.
After college, I took a job in corporate America working for one of the largest financial companies in the world, and I very quickly learned how easy it was to get caught up in the desire for money, success, and materialism. I witnessed firsthand how success caused some people to believe that they were above the law and I worried about how it might impact me and my relationship with Christ. This led me to contemplate the place for faith in my life and to question whether I “bought into” everything I had been taught through my years of Catholic schooling. Why did God give us the Commandments and call us to a life of virtue in the first place? Was he simply toying with us or trying to take the fun out of our lives?
I came to realize that God does not seek to abolish the desires of our hearts; he simply invites us to redirect these desires by trusting in him and the plan that he has for our lives. This realization was both enlightening and frightening because it meant that I had to examine my own life and make some radical changes in the choices I was making. I knew that this would not be an easy endeavor. I found myself listening to Jesus more deeply in prayer and sacrament and was surprised by the ease with which I was able to give my heart to him.
Now, when loved ones ask for my opinion on tough moral issues I find myself clinging to my faith more than ever, turning to the Holy Spirit for guidance on how to respond. It certainly would be much easier, and arguably healthier for the sustainability of the relationship, to placate them in these situations. Rather, I try to do for them what I would expect they would do for me; hold me accountable for my actions.
It would be inconsistent with Catholic doctrine to say “I will obey his teaching about murder but not his teaching about adultery or fornication” or, “I will obey his teaching about theft but not about keeping holy the Sabbath Day.” Selective acceptance of Church teaching opposes God’s will. Only through the complete embrace of his intentions will we be able to find our way to the kingdom of heaven.
While I'm sure we will all “make God laugh” from time to time, submitting fully to our faith, trusting his divinity, and allowing him to use us as he sees fit will not only enrich our lives and relationships but forever secure the salvation of our souls.
Liz Haas
Lord Jesus, you came to fulfill the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Help me to abolish the material desires of my heart and turn to you freely and without reservation trusting that you, and only you, know what is best for me. Help me to accept your will and spread your goodness and love to those I may encounter. Amen.
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Inspiration
By: Lindsey Ragans
Happy 89th Day of the New Year
Daily Affirmation: “Something GREAT Is Going to Happen To and Through Me Today!!!
LIVE ON PURPOSE!!! LET’S GO!!!
Many Blessings!!!
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