God is reminding us today that all good things in life come from him. Today’s Readings paint the picture of a vineyard. Just as God supplies the vineyard with air, sunlight, water, soil, the wall to protect it, and the tower to guard it so he supplies each one of us with life, talents, opportunities, family, knowledge, faith, and the guidance from the Church. There is no good thing we can think of that doesn’t own
its origin and existence to God. I think one of the very best things that God gives us his mercy.
Today’s Readings show how many chances God gives his tenants to do the right thing, to fulfill their duties, to do what they were put there to do. When they don’t do what’s right, God sends three different messengers, including his own son. If we think about it he didn’t have to send anyone. He could have evicted them right away. But God is patient with them just as he is patient with us. He keeps giving us more and more chances, many more than we deserve. He never gives up on us, even though we sometimes give up on ourselves. God’s boundless mercy is the best evidence of his immense goodness.
If God shows us his boundless mercy and goodness, shouldn’t we also show mercy to others, Mercy isn’t about forgiving others because they deserve to be forgiven. Mercy is forgiving precisely when they don’t deserve it, because that is how God forgives us. During this Mass let us ask God to give us the grace to forgive, to show mercy and goodness to take the initiative in rebuilding relationships so that God’s mercy and goodness will finally get free rein in us filling us with his peace that surpasses all understanding.
In April of 1986 two men greeted each other in Tokyo’s International Airport. One man was an American the other was Japanese. The last time the two men met was over forty years ago in a cave in Okinawa. At that time the American was holding a five-year old Japanese boy who had been shot in both legs. Suddenly the Japanese soldier leaped from behind his hiding place and aimed his rifle at the American. There wasn’t anything the American could do, so he simply put the boy on the ground, took out his canteen, and began to wash the boy’s wounds. If he had to die what better way to die performing as act of mercy. The Japanese soldier watched in amazement and slowly lowered his rifle. The American did something the Japanese soldier will never forget. He took the child in his arms, bowed in gratitude to the Japanese soldier and took the boy to an American field hospital.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Great Quotes To Inspire
Maya Angelou Quotes
I have always admired people who could interject a great quote into their conversation, not forced; but individuals who are cable of letting it roll off their tongue. I love watching “Frazier” you know him Dr. Frazier Crane. His intellectual wit, and he skill to roll a quote into his scripted conversations are just funny, and enjoyable.
“Nothing will work unless you do”
“The most called upon prerequistie of a friend is an accessible ear”
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love”
“Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time”
“If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love”
“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded”
“I believe that every person is born with talent”
Shakespeare Quotes
“A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age”
“Love is a spirit of all compact of fire”
“Love comfores like sunshine after the rain”
“Journey’s end in lovers meeting”
“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged cupid painted blind”
“My heart is ever at your service”
“I will follow you and make a heaven out of hell, and I will die by your hand which I love so well”
“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool”
“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”
“Being born is like being kidnapped, and sold into slavery”–This quote really caught my attention what is your interpertation of it?
“Better three hours too soon than a minute to late”
“Boldness be my friend”
“Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains”
“Parting is such sweet sorrow”
“Poor and content is rich, and rich enough”
Africian Proverbs
“Children are the reward of life”
“Lower your head while passing, and you will harvest bananas”
“The teeth are smiling, but is the heart?”
“If your house is burning it is not time to hunt”
“A little subtleness is better than a lot of force”
Prayer Does Work by Fierce Manson
Prayer, and travailing are a part of intercession, it’s time to weep between the porch and the altar. Many times there are ministries that need to be birth forth in prayer. Unless you seek the face of the Lord it can’t come into manifestation. Let’s use this analogy: Just as a women in a delivery room ready to give birth to her child she travails with groaning and utterance that no one can understand the degree of pain that she feels at that moment.Now then in the realm of the spirit, the church is in expectation of her Lord to come, but there are many things that must come forth before the coming of the Lord. There are ministries to be birthed out, there are prophesies that have went forth in the lives of people that are yet unfilled.
Let’s see how these go hand in hand. There is only one ministry, and that is the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We all play a part in this work. There are many different functions and operations, and are different functions and operations, and administrations, but only one ministry. Christ is the head of the ministry, and we are the body. When there are intercessor ministries can be birthed out into the fullness, without a breach in the spirit or a premature birth. God is in need and in search of prayer warriors that will intercede for countries like Africa, the Netherlands, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe, Greece, etc. We are unaware of the needs of these countries in the natural, but when intercession takes place strongholds are broken. There is a great need for intercession for infirmities of the people. There is a great amount of lack of knowledge among different members of the body. The Church needs those who are open to intercession to intercede for the part of the body that has a stunt growth in Christ that they may come to maturity in Christ.
Luke 10:19 says “behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”Jesus has given unto every believer power over the adversary. Know that your position is the position of an overcomer and a victorious winner, that my friend is your position. An overcomer and a victorious winner. Every believer has authority. You have the right and authority to use the name of Jesus in every situation, because you have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. One sure way of living victorious is to keep the Word of the King in your mouth. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even In thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which We preach;”-Romans 10:8.
The Lord moves and acts upon his word. It is faith and the Word that moves him. My friend faith and the Word are partners; it takes faith in the Word of The Lord to receive from God. In this last hour it is time to receive from the Lord, time to abide in Him, time to walk in the Holy of Holies place.
Much intercession is needed for infirmities in the natural. Satan is attacking many believers with illness and different diseases in their bodies. There is great work that can and will be accomplished through intercession. This last hour is a time of travailing in the spirit that God may have his divine way in the hearts and lives of the people of the King all across the Nations. The church will witness many miraculous miracles. The Apostles performed many miracles. Beloved one get ready because through travailing and fasting, the Body of Christ is about to experience a great move of God and an out pouring of the Spirit. The gifts of the spirit will be in full restoration through prayer.
Prayer is needed for them that the cares of this life will not choke the Word out of them. It is time for intercession; in this last hour the church will experience international ministries. Let me explain. There will be other ministries from across the continent that will come to the United States to minister and expound on the scriptures. The people of the Lord have experienced international ministry but in this last hour it will become more common and there will come a large increase of international ministry. Some of the ministries are coming to do a specific work; some are coming to teach in different areas that have not been touched on in the United States. They are coming to perfect, and up build the People of the church in certain areas.
The ministry of prayer is one of the most important ministries to participate in. The prayer ministry — I like to call it the unseen ministry. Unseen, because it accomplishes much without being able to see whose doing the work.
The Gift of Life written by Fierce Manson
Being thankful and grateful is an everyday mindset. For me I am thankful for every new day that I see. I have learned that life should not be taken for granted, and it is a blessing for every new day that we see. Every since 2005 when I had an aneursym my life has greatly changed. Things I am most thankful for on today is the life that God gives each and every one of us.
God has given me the gift of life, and I am thankful for the opportunity to expience his goodness in my life. With everyday I try to make a difference in someone else’s life which is my way of showing my gratefulness. No matter if it is something just as small as giving someone a compliment seeing them smile is a blessing.
Thanksgiving Gifts
- The gift of happiness – happiness is a gift if you realize it can belong to you everyday. No one can steal your happiness unless you allow them to. No matter what happens in life we can make a choice to be happy. We never will understand why somethings happen in our life, but there is always a bigger picture. I am thankful for my new outlook on life to chose to be happy everyday even when something goes wrong. Understanding that happiness is a state of being is a blessing. Knowing that happiness comes from within our hearts and spirit is also a blessing. I am thankful for the gift of happiness.
The Gift of Joy
- Knowing the gift of joy is an awesome experience. If you have ever had a day without joy think about how you felt that day, now imagine feeling that way day after day after day. To know joy, and to have it is a gift and a blessing for this I am thankful.
The Gift of Shelter
- Having a place to call home is a blessing. If someone has experienced being homeless they will understand what a blessing it is to have a place called home. During the years when I was homeless I thought I dreamed of having somewhere to live. Having the aneursym I lost my apartment, and had to live from shelter to shelter. Living from place to place is very uncomfortable, and unhealthy. This day I am thankful God has blessed me with a place I can call my own. Being able to have a key that goes to my own front door is a blessing. When I look and see others living on the street with no place to go my heart goes out to them. Chicago has a tremendous housing problem. If I had not gonen through the process of looking for shelter I would have never known first hand what a big problem it is in Chicago with housing. This day I thank God for a safe place to sleep at night.
THE POWER OF FASTING: by Fierce Manson
Let’s face it we as americans love to eat. When it comes to going without foods it simply is not fun. However, fasting has great benefits; healthwise, and for our spiritual life. Benefits of fasting are and not limited to:
A) Improving your health
B) Breaking Yokes of Bondage
C) It brings you into God’s Presence
D) Places an anointing on your prayer life
E) It is a must for some deliverences
The scripture states in Matthew 17:21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” When the subject of prayer and fasting is being discussed or taught many Christians turn a deaf ear to fasting.
No one wants to give up not even a, or one meal. When it comes to going on a fast those who are not in the habit of doing so could and/or should start with one day a week. For example; from the time you wake in the morning take nothing by mouth until 3:00 p.m. or some can go until 6:00 p.m. Getting in the habit of fasting is an excellent way to increase and strength your walk with God.
Perhaps you have strongholds or yokes in your life that need breaking. Fast! Fast! Fast! Make that sacrifice give up that meal do something even if it is small give up sweets, give up watching TV spend time with God.
Daniel Fast Resource
- THE DANIEL FAST: A Spiritual Diet to Cleanse Your Body
Follow this fast for three weeks, your obedience to this fast will cleanse your body from toxins; making your energy level soar. This diet is not meant for you to loose weight, you should eat like you normally do only eat those foods outlined below. - The Daniel Fast
The Daniel Fast – Fresh or Frozen
Many Christians are accustom to the Daniel’s fast. The Daniel’s fast is merely having but fruits, and vegetables, and no meat. Foods permitted on a Daniel’s fast are;
FRUIT
Bananas, Apples, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Papayas, Pears, Kiwi, Plums, Mangoes, Honeydew Melon, Cherries, Raisins, Grapes. This list is not limited to be above mentioned fruits.
Vegetables, Asparagus, Brussel Spourts, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Okra, Spinach, Squash, Sweet and White Potatoes, Watercress, and Turnips. This list is not limited to the above mentioned vegetables.
WHOLE GRAIN
Brown rice, Whole Wheat, Mellet, Oats, Barley, Grits, Who wheat past, Rice cakes, Whole wheat tortillas. This list is not limited to the above mentioned whole grains.
Nuts and Seeds
Sunflower seeds, cashews, and peanuts.
Legumes
Dried beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Black Eye Peas, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, and White Beans.
Quality Oils
Olive, Peanut, Sesame, or Canola
Beverages
Spring Water, Distilled, and/or Pure Water
Foods to Avoid
Fried foods, Meats, Such as Pork, Lamb, Turkey, Fish, Chicken, Cheese, Milk, Eggs, Coffee, Tea, no Herbal Teas, Soda, Energy Drink, or Alcohol. No refined foods, processed foods with sugar, fat.
Fasting For Beginners: How To Get Started
Those who have never fasted please by all means consult with your doctor before starting any type of fast. For individuals who are on medications please use wisdom, please do not skip any medications or take any medication on an empty stomach. Fasting is different for every individual not all individuals can jump into fasting.
1) Begin your day with prayer
2) Set a specific schedule for your fast. Meaning how many days you desire to dedicate unto the Lord.
Please do not feel you have to fast a long period of time to be effective especially if you have never fasted before. God knows and understands every situation. For example start with one day from the time you get up until 12 noon, and end with a powerful prayer.
Keep building on your fasting, the next time you fast go to 3:00 p.m., and then go to 6:00 p.m. take little steps. Pay close attention to your body. You want to be wise and remain in good health fasting without understanding of what you are doing is not wise and can harm your body if you do not consult your doctor if you have health issues. Even without health problems it is still a great idea to speak with your doctor to discuss your planning to fast.
Fasting For A Breakthrough
Those who are fasting for a breakthrough in their life or maybe fasting for a breakthrough in a particular area. Whatever the case fasting is an absolute for getting a breakthrough. For experienced fasters, and for fasting for a breakthrough it is the most amazing way to go deeper in God and to break whatever chains are holding you back from getting closer to God. Fasting lines your life up with your purpose, fasting also brings about results as referring to prayer. Matt. 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Fasting lines your life up with heaven. When you pray and fast it brings your life here on earth in divine order with heaven. If you truely desire to walk in the realm of the spirit in a way you have never walked before couple your fasting with prayer.
Prayer is pretty much a lost art, I said this to say fasting is more of a lost art when it comes to the things of God. If you want to see a move of God or your church is in dire straits for a breakthrough prayer and fasting is what brings in the power of God and a great move of God!!