Stop Worrying!!!!!

"Consider for a moment who is instructing you not to worry.

 
Jesus Christ, the Son of God!!

And it is impossible for Him to lie!!

His reputation is at stake.

But Jesus is not just telling everyone in the crowd not to worry.

He is also speaking to everyone else in the world who would be reading His words in generations to come.

Jesus KNEW that His words would be recorded in the Scriptures for all to read, including you and me!!!

BUT!!!!

But there is just one condition.

To keep from worrying about provision, you must do something.

Jesus told the crowd:

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

He promised that if you will seek the Lord as your highest priority, you will never have to worry about having your needs met!!!! 

When you choose to submit yourself to the Lord, He promises to provide for you, just like He guides the birds to their food.

Placing your complete trust in God will force your worry to leave!!!!

He again reminds us about what God knows:

"For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."

Who is "you in the above Scripture??

You!

The Lord knows where you are right now, what your situation is and what is best for you!

Not only does God know what you need, but "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him"
(Matthew 6:8).

TRUST AND BELIEVE AND PUT GOD FIRST - HE WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL THE REST!!

STAY STRONG!!!

Hmmmmm..... 🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏

"We usually transition to another place in a couple of ways. 

We can willingly move to a new place by our own choosing, or we can be forced out against our will by the decisions of others. 

The first way is usually pleasant.

The second way is painful.

The sting of rejection hurts. It makes you feel unwanted, unloved and unappreciated. Often the snubbing is unfair and uncalled for.

But you need to add one more "un" to the equation.

You must understand that rejection is one of God's tools to maneuver people to a new place.

It is hard to comprehend how a good God can use evil people.

And it is even more difficult to see God's purpose when you are writhing in agony.

The sting of rejection is devastating and hurts deeply.

But God allows you to experience the pain so you will have no doubt that it is time to move on and not look back with regrets!! 

Rejection can actually be God's protection when He stops a relationship to protect you from being hurt worse in the future.

Perhaps someone you deeply love turns their back and leaves you. Your fiancé broke off your engagement and the rejection is killing you.

Your whole world has come crashing down and you think you cannot go on.

But it may be that God has allowed your crisis because He has someone better reserved for you.

Whenever people are devastated from a broken engagement, I tell them, "Although you can't see it right now, this is a huge blessing in disguise. God has just spared you from a lifetime of grief through a short time of pain. He has something better planned for you although you cannot see it right now."

One of my friends told me that when his fiancée broke off their engagement, it was the most painful thing he had ever experienced.

He plunged into deep depression and thought he would never pull out of it.

But then something happened.

He said, "About three months later I saw the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on. When I saw her, I completely forgot about that other girl. I knew she was the one for me. We've now been happily married over thirty years. God knew that I had to completely let go of the wrong person so I could find the right one. Every time I think about it, I thank God that I didn't marry the other gal!"

Trust...God's...Plan!!!!

Stay strong!!!

Doug 

Right now...

Do you remember the parable about the foolish rich man? 

When his barns were filled with all his possessions, he decided to tear them down and build bigger ones. 

Why is he a fool? 

Because (and I want you to repeat this to yourself as I say it) you have everything you need right now to be happy!!! 

What makes you happy is always right in front of you because what makes you happy is love. 

Love is willing the good of the other, opening yourself to the world around you. 

Love is not a feeling. 

It's an act of the will. 

It is the great act of dispossession.

❤👍🙏❤

Choose Right...

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

(Habakkuk 3:17-18, NKJV)

We all face challenges and obstacles in this life. 

We all have dreams in our hearts, and at times, it looks like they're not going to come to pass. 

During these difficult seasons, we have a choice. 

We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can switch over into praise and thanksgiving which opens the door for God to move on our behalf.

A lot of times people think, "I'll have a good attitude as soon as I get over this health issue." "

 I'll give God praise when I get through these tough times." 

But that's not how faith works. 

As long as we're negative, discouraged and focused on our problems, it limits what God can do. 

You've got to give God praise first, and then the breakthrough will come. 

You've got to change your focus first, and then things will change in your favor. 

Praise always precedes the victory!!

Today, if you've been dwelling on the wrong things and focusing in the wrong direction, switch over into praise and thanksgiving. 

Begin to declare that God is good! 

Declare that He is faithful!!

Declare His praises and open the door to victory in every area of your life!!!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, today I humbly come before You, lifting You up and magnifying Your holy name. Thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I bless You and honor You for Your goodness in Jesus' name.

 

Amen!"

From Today's Word!!!

Stay Strong!!!

The Final Say

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

(Acts 20:24, NKJV)

Our God is a faithful God!

You may be praying for things that haven't happened yet, but just because things aren't happening on your timetable doesn't mean they aren't going to happen. 

Don't give up on that promise!

 

God has the final say. 

Don't let discouragement or negative thoughts talk you out of it. 

Get your fire back! 

Get your passion back!!

If God said it, He will do it. 

If God spoke it, He will bring it to pass.

This is what the apostle Paul did in Scripture. 

He said, "None of these things move me."

 What were "these things?"

 Circumstances that looked impossible. 

Persecution. 

People trying to talk him out of it. 

Negative, discouraging thoughts.

His attitude was, 

"That doesn't change my mind. I'm not moved by what I see. I'm moved by what I know, and I know if God be for me, who dare be against me? 

I know all of God's promises are yes and amen. 

I know God has the final say!"

A Prayer for Today

"Father, I choose to trust You over trusting my circumstances, knowing that You are faithful. I choose to stand strong in You. Give me Your peace and joy as I wait on You and let me be a testimony of Your grace in Jesus' name. 

Amen.

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!!!

Whatever you Need....

"But he sad to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'..."

(2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

Sufficient Grace

Everyone has days when they feel weak or times when they feel overwhelmed. But God has given us His grace to carry us through these difficult times and empower us to move forward in victory.

Scripture says God's grace is sufficient. 

The word sufficient simply means competent, enough or qualified. 

That means you always have whatever you need by His grace.

You will never face anything that God's grace cannot empower you to move through. 

We serve a God who is more than enough, and His grace is more than enough, too! 

Anytime you feel weak, remember, when you rely on His grace, that is when you are at your strongest. 

When you feel like you can't go on, that's when He will carry you by His grace.

Today, remember, no matter what you may be facing, you're not facing it alone. 

You are not without hope, you are not without resources, and you are not without answers because His grace is sufficient! 

His grace is all you need to be equipped to move forward into His victory.

A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You for Your sufficient grace. Thank You for empowering me and equipping me no matter what I may be facing. Today, I lift my eyes to You for You are my help. I receive Your grace for everything I need in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From "Todays Word"

Stay Strong and NEVER QUIT!!!!

The Mission...

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."

(1 Thessalonians 5:11) 

God designed us to live in relationship with others. 

He wants us to help each other grow. 

None of us will reach our highest potential by ourselves. 

We need people in our lives to encourage us, and we need to encourage the people in our lives and help them reach their potential. 

The word "encourage" means to "urge forward." 

Many times, you can see things in other people that they don't see themselves. 

You can see their strengths and talents. 

You can see that God has a special plan for them even though they may be going through a difficult time. 

Don't assume that people see what you see in them.

Take a moment and encourage them either with a kind word or a simple note. 

There might be a special gift you can give that will remind them of their goal or dream. 

In whatever way you can, urge the people in your life to keep moving forward. 

If you'll be a people builder and help others fulfill their dreams, God will help you fulfill your dreams, and you'll live in blessing all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Help me build them up and find creative ways to urge them forward to Your glory in Jesus' name.

Amen."

Stay Strong!!!!!

Act in Faith

…And as they went, they were cured and made clean."

(Luke 17:14)

One time in scripture, there were ten lepers who saw Jesus. They hollered out, "Jesus! Have mercy on us and make us whole!" 

Jesus could have healed them right then, but instead, He asked them to do something to express their faith. 

He said, "Go show yourself to the Priest, and you will be made whole."

It's interesting that those lepers were not supposed to be around other people. They had to live in colonies because they were contagious and considered unclean. 

I'm sure they debated among themselves, "Do you really think we should go? I don't look any better. It's just going to be a waste of our time." 

But they dared to put action behind their faith. 

They decided, "Jesus said if we go, we will be well. Let's go. Let's take a step of faith." 

The scripture says, "As they went, they were made whole."

What is God telling you to do in your heart today? 

Take a step of faith. 

Put action behind faith.

A Prayer for Today

"Father, I choose to trust in You. I choose to be obedient to You. Even when it doesn't make sense to my natural mind, I will obey You and walk by faith. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me and healing every part of my life in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay STRONG!!!

Most Holy Rosary Call - Daily

Hello All,

So after about 2 plus years of successfully saying, attempting to say, and often failing to say consistently or fully on a daily basis the Most Holy Rosary of our Blessed Mother, I prayed hard on it and decided to host an early morning conference call to keep me honest!!

The call in number is attached with the passcode.  I invite any and all who want to participate at all at any time to join me. 

Totally Anonymous ...no roll call etc...

I plan to begin at 6am each weekday and 7:15am on weekdays and holidays! 

Feel free to share a decade or two with me whenever you can! 

I am also including the leader code (4762)  for this inevitable days whereby I fail to show up on time or at all due to travel or laziness....:)

Whomever dials in first can start it up if you are comfortable or wait for someone mpre comfortable to start!

I will shoot for 15 mins to 20 mins.... 

Lets see how it goes...  Please pray with me to the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother for strengtg, courage, perseverance and to guide us all and carry out this POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE prayer in honor of Her and Her son Jesus on a daily basis!  ;) 

I plan to start this Friday morning 5/18  at 6am!!  

God bless and I hope to have you join me and the Blessed Mother with all your prayer requests and petitions in your hearts!!

Feel free to share the call-in info to anyone who wants to join! 

:)

Doug 

A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy upon my life. Thank You for empowering me to rise above every obstacle. I trust that You are moving me forward into the victory You have for me in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

Jesus: The Shortest, Simplest, and Most Powerful Prayer in the World

I stumbled upon this short prayer a little over a year ago and it has sustained me ever since.  

It helps me to strive to "PRAY INCESSANTLY" and I use it all the time because it is so simple and easy!  

However, a buddy sent me this article below and I found it incredible in detailing just why it is so POWERFUL and effective!!! 

I hope you enjoy it!!

Stay STRONG!!

https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/jesus-the-shortest-simplest-and-most-powerful-prayer-in-the-world.html

Thank God...

It's Friday so beyond thanking God for Friday (and the true GIFT of every day:) I propose that when you can find 22:44 quiet minutes to listen to this 2005 commencement speech that you take me up on it. (It goes rapidly) :) 

It is not really religious at all however I believe it cuts to the core of our Faith in some discreet roundabout way even if that was not the intention of me speaker.

No pressure but I truly believe the points made will hit home deeply to many of you, if not all of you, like it did to me! 

It is a message I will hope to share with my kids somehow....

Enjoy and God Bless (TGIF) :)

D Fresh

https://youtu.be/8CrOL-ydFMI

Stay STRONG!!!

Get Through It...

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

(Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

No matter what may be happening today, God has good things in store for your future! 

It may not be easy to see now, but God has already lined up a new beginning, new friendships and new opportunities for you.

Maybe you've experienced some setbacks, but don't make the mistake of expecting the same for your future. 

Instead, accept God's good plan for your life by declaring His truth. 

As believers, our attitude should be:

"Even though the economy is down, I'm not worried. I know God is going before me, and He has promised He will make rivers in the desert." 

Or, 

"The medical report may not look good, but I have another report that says God is restoring health unto me. I believe God has already released healing, health and victory in my future." 

Or, you may have a child who is not on the right course. 

In the natural, it seems impossible. 

But our report should be:

"I know God can do the impossible!"

Today, be encouraged and don't give up on your tomorrows. 

Accept the good plan God has for you—a plan filled with hope, purpose, blessing and increase in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You for giving me hope and a future. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for choosing me. Thank You for delighting in me. I invite You to renew my heart and mind to the good plans You have for me in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay STRONG!!!

Turn

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble"

—PSALM 46:1 

"THIS IS WHAT I SAY—I who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: 

Do not be afraid. 

I have always been involved in your life, even before you were born. 

Because you are Mine, purchased with My own blood, you can count on My PROMISE to help you as you journey through this world. 

This is how you gain victory over fear: through TRUSTING in My ever-present help. 

The problem arises when you gaze too long into the future, trying to visualize and take control of those not-yet events. 

A future-focus can easily deteriorate into a problem-focus. 

Weeds of worry and fear spring up quickly in this sort of "soil." 

When you realize this has happened, turn away from your worries and back to the One who is lovingly present with you. 

Rejoice that I will still be with you when you arrive at each coming stage of your journey. 

Lean hard on My Presence, TRUSTING Me to help you today—and all the days of your life."

From "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!!!

"This is what the LORD says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen."

—ISAIAH 44:2 

"Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place."

—PSALM 23:6 AMP

Rosary Struggles....

"This is many people's real experience in praying the rosary. 

So if you have ever felt this way, know that you are in good company. 

Thousands of devout Catholics—young and old, men and women, lay people, priests, and religious—have told me how they love the rosary but struggle from time to time in praying it.

I've had numerous bishops, men with the great gift of apostolic succession, tell me that they don't pray the rosary as well as they'd like! 

As one bishop in the Midwest told me many years ago, "Oh, the rosary! It's hard. I struggle all the time!"

Even the esteemed Cardinal Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, admitted that praying a whole rosary is often too much for him to do in a single sitting: 

'I am too much of a restless spirit; I would wander too much. I take just one [set of mysteries], and then often only two or three mysteries out of the five, because I can then fit in a certain interval when I want to get away from work and free myself a bit, when I want to be quiet and to clear my head. A whole one would actually be too much for me then.'

1. Here's one crucial thing to keep in mind: 

Whatever struggles you may face with the rosary, never walk away feeling discouraged. 

If your mind wanders, if you don't feel the fervor, or if you're very sleepy while praying, remember that the words you are reciting are biblical and holy. 

Simply pulling out your beads and saying the sacred words is giving something beautiful to God, even if your heart or mind is not as into it as you'd like. 

Moreover, as St. Thomas Aquinas taught, the intention to pray is itself the beginning of prayer. 

In fact, he wrote in his Summa Theologiae, "It is not necessary that prayer should be attentive throughout; because the force of the original intention with which one sets about praying renders the whole prayer meritorious."

2 If we sincerely desire to give God our best in the rosary, but we lose attention and fervor, that foundational good intention is still a beautiful gift to God. 

So even if our performance of the rosary is not as great as we'd like it to be, that doesn't wipe out the foundation of a good intention."

Keep at it!!  :)  Stay STRONG!!

Forward in Hope

Becky Eldredge

I found my friend on his knees praying in the hospital chapel. 

We had received word that a family member of our friend was extremely sick and might not make it through the next day. 

As I embraced my friend and his tears fell on my shoulder, he told me, "I feel I am having a crisis of faith, because I am in here begging God to save my loved one."

My tears joined his as I said, "The fact that you are in this chapel crying out to God in this time of darkness shows me the depth of your faith. You are turning to God in your time of need, and God is meeting you in this right now."

My friend's prayers reminded me of our need to hope in God, to feel heard by God, and to know that God can answer our prayers. 

"Prayer leads us forward in hope," as Pope Francis reminds us in On Hope.

In our times of darkness, when we face our human limitations, we realize our need for God. 

We cry out in these moments to the source of our hope, which is God. 

God is with us. 

We are never alone. 

God responds to our prayers, not always with the answer we want, but with graces and gifts to get us through the journey. 

Prayer opens us to God, and God shines light into our darkness, enabling us to take a step forward, and then another, and then another.

The witness of my friend's ability to hope that day is one I will never forget. 

I pull from his ability to cry out to God when I face my own darkness and the darkness I encounter in the world. 

God meets me in my prayers, increases my ability to hope, and inspires actions for me to take."

Stay STRONG!!!!

The Promise......

'"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock."

(Psalm 27:5, NIV)

What a wonderful promise found in today's Scripture that when you seek God, when you serve Him with your whole heart, He will hide you in His shelter. 

You can be so connected to Father God that you are untouchable and invisible to the enemy! 

You are hidden in Him! 

That means no matter what is happening around you, you will have STRENGTH, confidence and rest greater than ever before knowing that you are safe in Him. 

Challenges may come your way, but you won't be worried about them. 

You KNOW that, ultimately, things are going to work out for your good. 

You KNOW that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. 

People may be talking, trying to make you look bad, but you don't even give it a second thought. 

You KNOW that your future is too bright to be distracted. 

You KNOW they don't control your destiny. 

You just keep on being your best, walking in integrity, meditating on the Word, worshiping throughout the day, and stay hidden in Him!

A Prayer for Today 

"Father God, I come to You with an open and humble heart. I surrender every area of my life to You. Mold me into Your image and keep me hidden in You. I bless You and praise You today and always in Jesus' name. 

Amen.

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!!

Fear Nada....

Happy Holy Week!!

Just wanted to quickly share one of my favorite and most inspirational Psalms from today's mass!

If we are able to truly embrace and BELIEVE these words, the lasting and comprehensive Power that derives from it is remarkable and real!  

We truly have ZERO to Fear -ever! 

It is the evident beauty of our Faith!

Stay STRONG!

Enjoy!

Doug

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
When evildoers come at me
to devour my flesh,
My foes and my enemies
themselves stumble and fall.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust. 
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Turn Here....

"I love you, O LORD, my strength, O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer,

My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!  

     ~ Ps 18.2-3

Never Failing!!

Rock.

Fortress.

Stronghold.  

Such rugged metaphors befit a psalm that is said to be an expression of gratitude to God after a military victory.  

But what does it mean for us to think of God in these terms?  

After all, the battles we fight in our lives do not usually bring us into contact with swords or shields, fortresses or strongholds.  

Some of us may not respond to military metaphors at all, feeling them out of place when talking about love and faith.  

And yet we struggle every day in a world that seems beset by chaos, swamped by troubles, and irretrievably broken: or as Jeremiah cries out in today's first reading, "terror on every side!" 

When we feel engulfed by what the psalmist calls "the breakers of death," or enmeshed by "the cords of the nether world," we DO have a safe place to turn, of course, and that place is God. 

He IS our sanctuary: as steady as a rock, as protective as a fortress, as immovable as a stronghold.  

And the path to that sanctuary lies through prayer.  

Praying every day, whether we take a few minutes during the morning commute or spend an hour in prayerful meditation at home, allows us to find peace and safety in the presence of God's love.  

This refuge is not intended to be a permanent destination, at least not this side of heaven.  

Rather, it is a stopping point for restoration and renewal in which we gather our scattered selves up in the healing light of God's grace, and head back out into the world to fight the good fight for another day.  

Lord of strength and peace, Surround me with your protecting love amid the world's strife. 

Amen!! 

Stay STRONG!!!

Text copyright © 2018 Elizabeth Cahill, All rights reserved.

All You Need

"For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you."

(2 Corinthians 9:10,)

When Jesus sent His disciples out to heal the sick, meet their needs, and share the Gospel, He told them, "Give as freely as you have received" (Matthew 10:8). 

In other's words, God has given you everything you need to do what He's called you to do in this life. 

He has equipped you to be successful and has empowered you to overcome in this life. 

He's given you seed to sow in order to have an abundant harvest in your future. 

You have what it takes!

God has placed seed in your hand today, but in order for that seed to produce, it has to be planted. 

It has to be watered. 

It has to be fertilized. 

Today, ask God to show you where to plant your seed. 

Make sure you are sowing in the right ground and tending to the seed He has given you. 

Remember, God has a good plan for your future. 

He has plans to bless you and increase you. 

Today, you have what it takes to move forward and receive the blessing He has prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You for equipping me for every good work. Thank You for giving me good seed to sow! I invite You to guide my every step by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for choosing me to be a part of Your plan in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay STRONG!!

Fear Not.....It's All in His Hands

"Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand..."

(Isaiah 41:10)

We all face situations in life that feel out of control. 

During times like these, it's easy to get discouraged and allow fear to creep in; but instead, why don't you focus on the fact that God is holding you in the palm of His hand! 

There is NOTHING too difficult for Him; NOTHING IS impossible; NOTHING is beyond His ability. 

When God holds you in His hand, you are safe; you are cared for. 

In His hand, there is victory. 

In His hand, there is strength. 

In His hand, there is provision. 

In His hand is everything you need.

No matter what you may be going through today, you can TRUST that God is for you. 

Instead of getting down and depressed over your circumstances, look up and get a vision of God turning that situation around!!

Get a vision of His favor, promotion and increase in your life!!

As you stand in faith, you'll see those supernatural breaks that will launch you further ahead than you ever thought possible! 

Remember, He holds you in His victorious right hand!

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, thank You for helping me and holding me in Your victorious right hand. I choose to trust You even when things don't make sense, even when things seem beyond my control. I release my cares to You knowing that You work all things together for my good in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay STRONG!!!!