WORD OF GOD - LK 14:27-28 & 33

LUKE 14:27-28 &33

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

---- Mine,

There is no reward without pain, no crown without the cross, no salvation without following Me with your own cross to Calvary. Sorrow, pain, loss, disappointment, persecution, sickness, death are a necessary part of mortal life and more so in the life of a disciple. Before you choose to pick up your cross and come after Me, understand well what it will cost you. Unless you are prepared to lose your life you cannot save it. Unless you are prepared to go all the way to the annihilation of self for the sake of the Kingdom of God, you will fall by the wayside and perish. Ask and I will give you all you need in your journey from this life to the next.

WORD OF GOD - ACTS 16:30-34

ACTS 16:30-34

Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

---- Mine,

Unless you believe in Me you cannot be saved. God did not send Me into the world to condemn it but to save it. The price of salvation was the laying down of the life of the Son of God who became the Lamb that was slain. A willing victim of love.  This is why no one, I repeat no one can come to the Father except through Me. Anyone who hears the word of God and believes is saved and not only the one who believes but the entire household for God's love and mercy is so great He extends His favor to every member of the family of the one who believes in Me. The price of love is love. Love rejoices when a sinner comes home. Love washes away all wounds and heals them. Love spreads a banquet where the hungry hearts of all who believe in Me feast on manna from heaven.

WORD OF GOD - MK 10:13-16

MARK 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

---- Mine, 

The Creator, Abba, bestows this precious gift of new life on whomever  He chooses. It is a gift given with great joy by the Giver. The Father sent Me, into the world as a baby, and I began life where all life begins in the womb. A safe haven where every need is met by the mother whose own body provides for all that the babe growing secretly in her womb requires. God commands His angel to watch over and remain with this precious new life from the moment of conception because this life has an eternal and glorious destiny according to the Father's will and plan. Be very, very careful how You treat these little ones, for their angels are constantly before My Father in heaven pleading and interceding on their behalf. I sternly rebuked My disciples who prevented them from coming to Me - My Father will do more than just rebuke those who despise these little ones.

WORD OF GOD - LK 10:16

LUKE 10:16

‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’

---- Mine,

The voice of the Church is My Voice, her doctrines are My doctrines, inspired by My Spirit. The world in concert with Satan and all the powers of darkness seeks to stifle her voice. Evil has found a home even in some within My Church. Such is the power of the devil he seeks out the weakest, most vulnerable, and uses them as pawns to wreak havoc, to destroy, to plunder, and to kill. It is with My authority that the Church teaches. Do not use the wickedness of some members of the clergy and the religious as an excuse to reject My commandments. Engrave My Word to you today on your heart - if you refuse to listen to My voice and keep My commandments you reject not only My Church who upholds them, You reject not just Me but you reject My Father to your utter ruin and destruction. You obey Me when you obey My Church - listen to her, obey all her teachings in matters of faith and morals and you will have life in abundance. 

WORD OF GOD - MT 16:23

MATTHEW 16:23

But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

---- Mine,

You become a stumbling block to yourself and to others when you
follow the world and its culture. It is easy to buckle under the pressure that the world imposes on those who refuse to be swept along the current of popular opinion. The ways of the world are steeped in evil and lead to death, the way of the Cross is hard and difficult but it abounds with life and leads to the Kingdom of God. There will be times in your life when faced with choices you will be tempted to choose the easier road which leads to death but if you set your mind on the things of heaven you will live.

WORD OF GOD - 1 PET 2:6-7A

1 PETER 2:6-7A

For it stands in scripture:
‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’
To you then who believe, he is precious.

---- Mine,

Believe in Me also believe in the One who sent Me and you will be saved. It is the will of My Father that anyone who desires to enter the Kingdom of heaven must enter through Me. I Am the gate to the sheepfold. I AM the Good Shepherd, sent by My Father to bring all who believe in Me, know Me, and love Me to safety away from wolves, false teachers, hired hands, and wicked servants. All who believe in Me will stand unashamed before My Father in heaven for in believing you are saved. 

WORD OF GOD - LK 10:41-42

LUKE 10:41-42

But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

---- Mine,

If you remember only one thing it matters not if you forget everything else and it is this, love God with your whole heart, your whole mind, your whole soul, and your whole strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Do this and you will have kept all the commandments. It is easy to become distracted by all the troubles that you face, it is easy to look at the world and become terrified about all the things that are taking place over which you have absolutely no control. When you feel overpowered and overwhelmed by the world remember I AM God and I AM in control. Not a hair on your head will be harmed, no one takes away what is Mine.

WORD OF GOD - TOB 7:18

 TOBIT 7:18

“Be brave, my child; the Lord of heaven and earth grant you joy in place of this sorrow of yours. Be brave, my daughter.”

---- Mine,

You are a child of God, the adopted daughter of the Most High and heir to the Kingdom of heaven. I have given My angel charge of you to accompany you all the days of your life. The Holy Spirit of God is your Advocate who lives in you, breathes in you, animates you, and gives you all the grace you need to grow in holiness and perfection so you resemble your heavenly Father. As for Me, I AM your Savior, Redeemer, Brother, Friend, and the Bridegroom of your Soul. Fear nothing little one, it pleases the Father to give you the Kingdom. No harm will come to you should you stumble for your angel will hold you so you will not fall. Because you are Mine, you are more than a conqueror for you share in My victory and triumph.

WORD OF GOD - LK 8:22-24

LUKE 8:22-24

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A gale swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm.

---- Mine,

Wherever you go, I AM with you. When you cross the deep waters I AM with you, When you find yourself in the deep that is deeper than deep, and when the dark of night is as black as despair, I AM with you, My right hand holds you firm. There is no place that you go that I do not accompany you. You are entrusted to Me by My Father You have only to sigh and He hears it; before a word of anguish has left your lips He knows and He answers with His Word. I AM the Eternal Word of the Father and I make My dwelling in you just as you have a place in My Heart. I will always bring you through every storm safely to shore because you are Mine. You are eternally and irrevocably Mine.

WORD OF GOD - MK 12:17

 MARK 12:17

Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.

---- Mine,

There are some things that are due to God alone and to no one else. When you give Him the honor that is due to Him alone, when you love Him more than your life, when you yield with childlike simplicity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you will never fail to give praise, honor, glory, adoration, worship, and thanksgiving where it is due. Place Him above and before all and everything else will find its place. You will not be intimidated by the world when you give God all that is rightfully His.

WORD OF GOD - IS 40:11

 ISAIAH 40:11

He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
   he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
   and gently lead the mother sheep.

---- Mine,

It is not possible that you pray, that you ask Me to bless and help you and those you love, and I will not hear and answer you. I have told you often that I love you more tenderly than a mother loves the baby in her womb or at her breast and yet I assure once more and assure you for as long as you need assurance that I will never leave you, never forsake you, never abandon you. I have set My seal on your heart, you are irrevocably Mine, and not just you but all whom you love and intercede for each day. I know all the desires of your heart and I assure you that all is well and all will be well. Do not be anxious, troubled, or afraid I AM here.

WORD OF GOD - JN 16:22-23

JOHN 16:22-23

So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts
will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

---- My own,

As long as you walk in the valley of tears you will know sorrow and pain but be of good cheer I have overcome the world. Because you believe in the One whom the Father sent into the world to redeem it you may ask My Father for anything in My Name and He will give it to you. Never forget that you are Mine. I have called you by your name, I have put My seal on your heart. Fear nothing for no one takes what is Mine and you are Mine now and forever

WORD OF GOD - LK 12:15

LUKE 12:15

‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’

---- Mine,

You need only one thing for eternal life and that is obedience to My Father's will in all things. If you embrace His commands and do all He asks of you, you will have great joy on earth and everlasting joy in the life that is to come. You cannot serve two masters, you can only be loyal to one. Choose wisely for the things of the earth are passing. Store for yourself riches that do not perish. Remember always you are Mine and I have overcome the world. 

WORD OF GOD - LK 17:17-19

LUKE 17:17-19

Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine,
where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

---- Mine,

Recall the many times you have gladly received the gifts I have given you but you have neglected to give thanks. You prayed, asked, and received and were happy that you were given all you asked for but it never occurred to you to raise your heart and mind to Me, acknowledge what I have done for you and say a heartfelt, 'Thank You, Lord.' Cultivate a grateful heart and acknowledge the many gifts given to you so generously simply because you asked and you will always be filled with joy. 

WORD OF GOD - LK 8:11-15

LUKE 8:11-15

‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.

---- Mine,

What kind of soil are you? Does the seed of My Word fall on good soil or are there patches of soil in your heart that represent each of the soils I have mentioned? Does My Word find a home in your heart and does it encourage you to die to yourself so you can be born again to new life or do you allow the frivolities of the world, the innate selfishness of your needs and wants, or the false gods of the world to rob you of your rightful inheritance? Remember the price at which you were purchased. Do not build your life on sand but on the sure foundation of My Word. Let it find a home in you. Put down roots that are deep so you will be nourished by the Holy Spirit and bear fruit a hundredfold for the Kingdom of God and you will glorify My Father in heaven.

WORD OF GOD - LK 10:23-24

LUKE 10:23-24

Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately,
‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’

---- My own,

You are living in the age of My Second Coming. You are living at a time when the seed of the Word has been planted to the ends of the earth. You are living in the time of fullness when the Holy Spirit has revealed to hearts that contemplated the Incarnate Word deeply, the plan of the Father since He laid the foundations of the earth. The work of the Holy Spirit is to aid My disciples in making Me known and loved to the ends of the earth. Patriarchs, prophets, kings, and the wise in the ways of God in times past, were not in the place of privilege that My disciples are today. Do not squander the gift of grace which holy men and women in ages past hungered, and thirsted for. Also, remember to whom much is given much is asked. Remain in My love. Do not take for granted, do not take lightly, do not squander because of spiritual sloth, that which has been entrusted to you who are called by My Name.

WORD OF GOD - MT 11:28-30

 MATTHEW 11:28-30

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

---- Mine,

When all seems lost and there is only darkness. When there is no human comfort. When every moment seems a long, burdensome, eternity and there appears no end in sight. When you have reached the end of your strength and you want to give up know that I AM right beside you and have never left your side. As long as your focus is on your loss, your loneliness, your pain, and grief you will drown in a sea of hopelessness. Be still, quiet yourself, and know that nothing precious is ever lost. Every disciple must walk by faith so long as they are in the world but every disciple must also know and believe that I have overcome the world. Come to Me, rest in Me, make your home in Me and you will find rest and peace even in the eye of the storm for I AM with you. I will never leave you nor will I forsake you, You are Mine.

WORD OF GOD - MT 10:26-28

MATTHEW 10:26-28

Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

---- Mine,

Fear nothing, least of all the truth. Truth is invincible and even though for a while, at certain times, it may appear to be defeated, or silenced, by its very nature Truth has the power to rise above every trick of Satan and every form of deceit, subterfuge, and lie. Do not fear the Truth but speak it clearly, boldly, without hesitation. You know the Truth live it, breathe it, let it illumine your whole being, and shine forth from you. Truth is invincible, Truth has conquered, Truth is victorious, Truth reigns despite what the world and Satan's minions would have you believe - I AM Truth and I have overcome the world.

WORD OF GOD - MT 8:21-22

MATTHEW 8:21-22 

Another of his disciples said to him, 

‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’
But Jesus said to him, 

‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’

---- Mine,

Excuses for not doing God's will but following your own inclinations are legion, each one seems reasonable, plausible, and right. It is far more difficult to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me daily. However, when all your todays have ended and you stand before Me you will realize too late how worthless were all the things you chose over Me. 

WORD OF GOD - JN 20:16

 JOHN 20:16

Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).

---- Mine,

I know you by your name, it is carved on the palms of My hands. I will never forget you nor will I forsake you. Can a woman forget the babe at her breast or the child in her womb? yet, even if they forget I will not forget you. Rejoice, you are mine in time and in eternity. Your name is written in heaven where God has prepared a place for all who love Me and where you will feast on His abundance. I who am your Lord, your Master, your Teacher, and your God, am also your Spouse and the Bridegroom of your soul. I love you with a love that is beyond all telling - you are Mine. Love Me and choose to live in such a way that you will never be parted from Me.

WORD OF GOD - AM 5:14

AMOS 5:14

Seek good and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
just as you have said.

---- Mine,

Every day sets before you choices that will bring you either life or death blessings or a curse. You can choose to walk in the way of truth and holiness, in the way of perfection, in the way that brings peace and consolation, or you can choose to walk in the way of the world and lose your soul in the passing pleasures that the world offers. One leads to life the other to death. On the road leading to life, you will walk with the angels and have Me as your Friend, Companion, and Spouse, and no matter how difficult or narrow the way you will experience the peace that only I can give. Do not be ruled by your passions or by the dictates of the world but by the command to love and you will have peace that surpasses human understanding. Be of good cheer I have overcome the world.

WORD OF GOD - MT 17:20

MATTHEW 17:20

Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

---- My own,

Believe in Me, believe in the power of My Name, believe in the One who sent Me, believe in the Holy Spirit whom I have sent and you will possess faith far greater than the size of a mustard seed. Your faith is ineffective because you possess so little of it. Have you not yet learned that every prayer you have raised to My Father in heaven in My Name has always been answered? Count all your blessings daily and give thanks for every prayer answered and your faith will grow. Do not be afraid to ask for great things, things you believe are impossible, ask with the confidence of a child. It pleases My Father to give you and all whom you pray for the Kingdom of Heaven. Pray constantly, pray confidently and you receive all you ask for filled to the brim, shaken together and overflowing. I AM a generous God who loves and gives generously. 

WORD OF GOD - PS 94:18-19

PSALM 94:18-19

When I thought, ‘My foot is slipping’,
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.

When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.

---- Mine,

Keep this in mind always human love cannot compare with the love of God. No matter how greatly you love and are loved in return by those nearest and dearest to your heart it pales in comparison to the love the Father, the Spirit, and I have for you. Strive to love as I love, place My will above your own and keep this truth ever before you, no human love no matter how tender, how great, how passionate, and selfless, it pales before God's love for you. Seek to love God as you ought and you will find that you are not so easily grieved by the lack of human response to your love for them. Keep My love ever before your eyes, let it be the fire that burns in your soul, let its light illumine your steps, and permit the light and heat of My love for you to light the way for another and warm their souls as well. Remain in my love and let your whole being be imbued by it and you will care less for the love of humans. Selfless love is its own reward.

WORD OF GOD - LK 14:12-14

LUKE 14:12-14

‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

---- Mine,

People are not always hungry for bread, or thirsty for water, or
crippled, maimed, and poor in the physical sense. There is a far deeper, far greater, far more gnawing hunger and pain than that which is physical and there are many who suffer from it. It is the spiritual and emotional suffering of loneliness, of being a victim of the ills and evils of a society that is increasingly cold, indifferent, godless, and cruel. Train yourself to look for these poor souls and share with them what they need most, a word of kindness and the gift of friendship. Let them know they are not as alone and they imagine because you are there.

WORD OF GOD - JN 6:26-27

JOHN 6:26-27

Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’

---- Mine,

How often you come to Me not for My sake but for what you wish Me to give you. Do not seek the things that perish seek that which abounds to eternal life. Nothing that is of the world will last no human relationship, no earthly ties, nothing material lasts for this world is perishing and all that is of the flesh and all that is of the world will pass. All will decay, wither, die and return to the dust from whence it came. The Spirit alone gives life and if you wish to live and never die you must seek the things that are eternal that which only the Son of Man can give. My Flesh is real food and My Blood is real drink and unless you eat and drink Me you will have no life in you. You can have no life without the Eucharist.

WORD OF GOD - LK 10:27-28C

LUKE 10:27-28C

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Do this, and you will live.’

---- My Own,

I desire that you spend eternity with Me in the company of the angels and saints in heaven. I desire that you live in the presence of My Father and the Holy Spirit. I desire you to behold My Mother, she is the delight of God. But to be granted this beatific vision, ---- mine, you must train yourself in the way of agape love which enables you to think nothing of laying down your life so another might live. Only true love has the courage to do so. Train yourself to love in this way every day by dying to yourself and you will learn to conquer yourself and make a perfect self-donation for the good of others. Do this, --- Mine, and you will live. Ask the Holy Spirit for all the grace and the help you need and it will be given to you. 

WORD OF GOD - LK 12:22-23

LUKE 12:22-23

He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.'

---- Mine,

I understand that it can be very hard for many especially in these troubled times to not be anxious about the temporal things that sustain life. But I say to you, My disciples, this is the perfect time to grow and increase in your faith. Trust Me to provide everything you need. I have never failed in you in the past and I will never fail you either in the present or the future. I AM the Eternal Word of My Father who is Jehovah Jireh, He provides generously for all His children who trust Him to give them all they need in every season. Courage! I have overcome the world.

WORD OF GOD - LK 14:33-35

LUKE 14:33-35

So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. ‘Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

---- Mine,

You cannot cling to things and have Me as well. I tolerate no rivals. I give all of Myself to those who commit wholeheartedly to Me but I want no part of a divided heart. Love for Me will make your whole life meaningful and you will be a delight to God and to those around you. However, if you place your desire for the affections of those you love above your love and desire for Me You cannot be wholly Mine, you cannot be My true and faithful disciple and you will be no good either to yourself or anyone else. When you give Me your wholehearted and complete devotion you will discover that everything else is given to you as well. There is no more generous lover than I.

WORD OF GOD - LK 13:24-25

LUKE 13:24-25

‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” 

---- Mine,

It is not easy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven for although all are invited few are prepared to pick up their cross daily and follow Me. The road is narrow, the way hard, and the yoke heavy. The world prefers self-indulgence, ease, comfort, pleasure, the delights of the flesh, The world spends endless amounts of time in useless pastimes but only a few are prepared to live the Gospel. There is no easy road to eternal joy. The Kingdom of God must be taken by force but few are prepared to do violence to the desires of the flesh, live a life of self-annihilation, and thus lay claim to the greatest prize - You, the Son of God.

WORD OF GOD - MK 13:13

MARK 13:13

You will be hated by all because of my name.
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

---- Mine,

The world is given over to the powers of darkness but you are not of the world. I have prayed for all who are Mine and My Father has heard and answered Me. He watches over those who belong to Me and He will keep you safe. Do not be afraid to stand up with courage and speak eternal truths boldly.  Bear witness to the Gospel even though the world hates you for it and persecutes you - it is the Good News that saves and you will live even though you die for I have overcome the world.