Thursday, February 26, 2015
Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8, Matthew 7:7-12
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022615.cfm
FORMING AN ASK-FORCE
"Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks, receives." -Matthew 7:7-8
Some ingenuous Bible preachers and teachers have tried to expound on the differences between asking, seeking, and knocking. However, all three commands probably mean the same thing. Jesus is simply and repeatedly commanding us to ask, ask, and ask. Are we getting the message? If so, then why does Jesus keep repeating Himself?
Most of us ask God for a thing or two. Yet it may be that He wants us to ask Him for hundreds or thousands of things. Jesus told His apostles: "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full" (Jn 16:24). The writer of the book of James bluntly stated: "You do not obtain because you do not ask" (Jas 4:2).
Jesus wants us to ask more - not because He won't give without our asking, but because He wants us to communicate with Him more. He calls us to abide in Him (see Jn 15:5, 7), to live in His presence. He does not call us to ask out of selfishness but out of love (Jas 4:3). He wants us to share every detail of our lives with Him. He wants to be our Life (see Phil 1:21; Gal 2:20).
Constantly asking Him means constantly loving Him and living in Him. Ask Love (1 Jn 4:16). Ask Life (Jn 14:6; Jn 11:25). Ask Jesus.
Prayer: Father, this Lent teach me to ask as Your child.
Promise: "Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord. You know all things." -Est C:25
Praise: Jesus delivered Rob from the desire to smoke.
(To grow in prayer, order our book, "Conversion-Conversations". This book is written in the format of daily conversations with God for forty weeks. By faithfully praying the "conversation" each day, you will grow in confidence of God's personal love for you.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from February 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 2014
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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