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2 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.  (Romans 2:1–11, ESV-CE)

REFLECT

I have absolutely no excuse! I am NOT to pass judgement on another. By judging someone in sin, I judge myself too because I am a sinner! My sin may be different but any sin against God is deserving of death. 

God judges perfectly. I cannot, I am not all knowing! If I judge, I will not escape judgement. 

God is full of kindness, forbearance, and patience that is to lead to repentance for ALL sinners (of which I am!)

If I am in judgment my heart is hard and impenitent and in the position of storing up wrath against myself. 

To be on Gods side instead of wrath’s I need to let go of judgement. God is the only judge. I am to pray that both of our eyes are opened to the harm we are doing and ask for deliverance from the evil one who is the true enemy. 

When God comes to judge he will give to every person according to Work!

Those who, in patient perseverance, work for Gods Glory, Honor, and want to live with him forever, he will give them eternal life with glory, honor, and peace. 

Those who are selfish, refuse to obey truth, enjoy obeying unrighteousness, there will be wrath, fury, tribulation, and distress. 

We are choosing our own destiny by what we work out in our life. 

PRAY

Father, forgive me for judging others when I too am a sinner. It is Grace that is working to combat my sin. I cannot take any credit for the sins that you have healed are healing and will heal. How could I possibly judge another when they too are in your hand and Grace is working in their life, of which I have no idea about and is none of my business! All of us are broken and need prayers to help us all fight the true enemy-Satan. We all have been given the right to obey you or the evil one. You have determined that is how this works. Please have kindness and forbearance for me, I repent of my way, Thy Will Be Done!

Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, please wash me clean in the blood, empower me to hear you and obey you. I need your grace to patiently persevere in the work for God’s Glory and Honor. I want to live with you forever Holy Trinity. Help me let go of the evil way of judging or I am hardening my own heart and storing up wrath against myself. I choose you, help me! In the name of Jesus, my only hope, I pray! Amen. 

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, ESV-CE)

Let the peace of Christ Rule your heart

Let: it’s His work

The peace of Christ: it’s His peace

Rule your heart: Rule your entire being-heart is the seat of life

You were called in one body

I was called to be in Christs’ body

(His work, His Peace, His body, my heart-life)

Be thankful 

For the gifts he is bestowing on me!

(His work, His Peace, His body, my heart-life)

From Blogger iPhone client

We come into the world in a row boat

God offers to make it a sail boat

God's offer precedes my choice, awakening my freedom to say yes.

I say yes or no. 

If I say yes I become a Christian child of God. 

The boat itself is God's creation (our human nature), and the sail is the Holy Spirit's indwelling. 

If I say yes, I am responsible for keeping my sail up and my hands off the oars, unless requested. (my “cooperation”-not works, but surrender-prayer sacraments, loving obedience, etc)

I can let my sail down (in the flesh)

I can let my sail get ripped (in the flesh)

I can take the oars out and try to help or control (in the flesh)

I can let the Holy Spirit blow my sail wherever He wishes (in the Spirit-all His work-a sinner steered by Grace)

I can use oars as aids used only when the wind lulls, always subordinate to the sail-Holy Spirit guidance. God empowers me to work out my salvation-He asks for effort, He has prepared good works for me to do. God empowers the oars, so effort is His gift, not mine alone.

The sailboat is fully God's provision (hull, sail, and wind), my role is receptive stewardship, and storms (trials) reveal the Spirit's strength and my Trust. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, wind of grace, guide my sail; empower my oars in Your will.

If I say no, I am not a Christian 

The "rowboat" isn't entirely powerless—it's just insufficient for eternal life. The rowboat paddles with God's common graces, sufficient for earthly good but not for heaven without the sail.

God never gives up and constantly pursues us:

God is constantly coming to us to offer to change our rowboat into a sailboat or to fix our sailboat when we fall. 

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18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:18–32, ESV-CE)

REFLECT

Wrath of God is revealed 

By my unrighteousness I suppress truth (I do not want to believe truth because it is painful to admit-I am broken, destructive, and full of evil)

God can plainly be seen and has revealed himself to us, even in nature he can be seen. No one has any excuse to deny God. I knew God, but I did not honor him as God or give thanks to him. 

Because I refused him and his truth, my heart and thinking was darkened because I wanted to live my own way. Instead of Glorifying God I glorified myself as a god to listen to myself rather than him. 

Because I refused him and his truth he let me have my way. He let me follow my heart in lust and impurity that destroys my soul. He has given me freedom and will not take it away. I am choosing my own way. I can choose him and truth or lies and destruction. I chose to worship myself rather than God who created all and knows best how humanity is to work. 

Because of my rebellion I was given over to my own debase mind to do what I wanted. That was my choice. I was filled with unrighteousness. 

I was evil, covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossip, slanderer, hater of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventor of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. 

I knew God’s righteous decrees and that those who practice such things deserve to die, but not only did I do them but gave approval to those who practiced them also. 

PRAY

Jesus, please forgive my hubris and rebellion. Help me accept and embrace and submit to TRUTH. Help me come back and forsake the evil in my soul. I need your help to fight this war. Only you and your spirit can eradicate this disease in me. Heal my heart and mind and help me choose your way. I do not want to rebel. I do not want to be my own God. I need you to be my God. I need you to destroy the evil within me. Save me from myself my God! I want to submit to your righteous decrees that are meant to save my soul! Help!! Amen. 

From Blogger iPhone client

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16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17, ESV-CE)

REFLECT

The Gospel is Power of God

The Gospel has power to save

You have to believe the Gospel

The righteousness of God is revealed by Faith and for Faith 

Be righteous by believing by Faith (by Faith for Faith) and then for living by faith. 

PRAY

By Faith I believe you Jesus 

And in that Faith I will live

This is the Gospel of righteousness (I am in Christ by his sacrifice not my works)

Help me in my unbelief! You are so good and awesome it is hard to comprehend! Thank you my God for your amazing love. 

From Blogger iPhone client

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7 Arise, O Lord!

Deliver me, O my God!

For you strike all my enemies on the cheek,

you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Deliverance belongs to the Lord;

your blessing be upon your people!

Selah (Psalm 3:7–8, RSV2CE)

Reflect

If God Loves others as much as he loves me why would he slay my enemies?

Magisterium 

This prayer does not contradict God's universal love for all people, including those who oppose the righteous; rather, it reflects a plea for deliverance from evil forces that endanger the faithful, while ultimately pointing to God's redemptive plan that seeks the salvation of every soul.

Deliver me, O my God! is a bold invocation for God to act as protector and judge, countering the visible assault of enemies with His invisible, invincible power.

Symbolizing the silencing of threats rather than literal annihilation. All that opposes God and his plan of salvation-not individuals per se, but the forces of injustice, oppression, and sin that mock divine goodness.

Deliverance underscores that salvation is God's gift to His covenant people, not a private vendetta.

These prayers are not calls for personal revenge; they entrust judgment to God, who alone discerns hearts. 

The key lies in distinguishing between persons and the evil they embody. God does not delight in the destruction of souls; His love is boundless and seeks repentance and conversion for every individual, even the wicked.

God's actions against evil are rooted in love: using tribulation to draw people toward righteousness. The "slaying" in Psalm 3:7 is not hatred of the enemy as a person made in God's image, but a divine strike against the sin, malice, or injustice that harms the innocent and opposes God's kingdom.

When the psalmist prays for enemies to be "struck," it is not joy in their suffering but delight in God's just judgments, which correct and redeem. In essence, God "slays" the enmity itself—the "evil" that makes someone an adversary—preserving their humanity while curing sin. 

He warns of judgment on unrepentant evil. God's justice does not negate love; it flows from it, offering correction (like a father's discipline) and ultimate deliverance.

God's intervention silences "senseless and blasphemous talk," not to condemn souls eternally, but to affirm His saving presence for all who turn to Him.

Deliverance is communal—"your blessing be on your people"—inviting enemies to join the blessed through repentance.

When facing personal "enemies"—whether literal adversaries, temptations, or systemic evils like injustice—invoke God's protection not with vengeful hearts, but with hope for all to be saved. This psalm comforts in trials, reminding us that God is near "even in difficulties, in problems, in the darkness of life—he listens and saves in his own way." Recognize His presence, accept His timing and pray for enemies' conversion, knowing God's love triumphs over evil without partiality.

Ultimately, Psalm 3 reveals a God who loves you—and everyone—enough to confront sin head-on, not to destroy people, but to shatter the powers that divide and harm. In His justice, He breaks down barriers to unity, offering deliverance to all who seek it.

From Blogger iPhone client

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5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;

7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:5–7, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Through Jesus I have received grace. 

Through Jesus I have received apostleship (witness). 

Through Jesus I am to bring about obedience of faith (to show and tell others). 

Obedience of faith is: by the power of living in Christ, with His Spirit enabling me, I am to live by Faith (trusting) obeying His commands that are contrary to the world and my flesh (which to do is painful) knowing it is right and just and freeing for my soul even though it kills my flesh. 

This is all for His Name Sake. 

I am called to belong to Jesus. 

I am called beloved. 

I am called to be a saint. 

Grace is given to me from the Father and Jesus. my LORD. (He must be my Lord-for this gift)

Peace is given to me from the Father and Jesus my LORD. (He must be my Lord-for this gift)

PRAY

All this is a gift from you, I cannot earn these gifts of God. But I do have to choose a response. Will I receive and accept this? We are all given choice to receive and accept or reject. I can know the truth and not want to live with and in you. I can know the truth and not want you to be my Lord. I can know the truth and not want to let my flesh be crucified so my soul is free. I can know the truth and not want mercy for others but to have my will done (justice without mercy) or Your will done (justice tempered with mercy) because you can read all hearts and know what is causing all disorder. I can know truth and not want to belong to you. I can know truth and not want to be a saint. I can know truth and not want grace and peace. Some people actually prefer anger and hate. 

Jesus, I know your way is hard. Maybe that’s why they don’t choose it? How can you know truth and reject it? Doesn’t that mean I would choose delusion and lies? I don’t want that!! Though it is the painful way of the flesh, my soul and spirit will be free. Help me submit to you my Lord! You know best! I want to belong to you. I want to obey in Faith because you are trustworthy. Fill me with your grace and peace to live in you, by your power! Amen. THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING GIFTS YOU OFFER ON THIS THANKSGIVING DAY!!!

From Blogger iPhone client

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23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers. And he expounded the matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, while others disbelieved. 25 So, as they disagreed among themselves, they departed, after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 ‘Go to this people, and say,

You shall indeed hear but never understand,

and you shall indeed see but never perceive.

27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and their ears are heavy of hearing,

and their eyes they have closed;

lest they should perceive with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and turn for me to heal them.’

28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

30 And he lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered. (Acts 28:23–31, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

The Old Testament is expounded

Testifying to the kingdom of God 

About Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 

The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet-meaning the WORD OF GOD IS WRITTEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

We have a choice how we listen to anything we hear…if our heart is open to listen to believe truth, we will hear truth. If our heart is closed because we don’t want anyone telling us how to live, we will harden to truth. This is true even for the mundane of life, not to mention the Word of Almighty God. You can shipwreck your finances if you do not believe 2+2=4 and live beyond your budget. You can shipwreck your soul if you do not believe truth that God has spoken. 

If you reject, the truth will move on to another. Salvation is a gift but it must be received and responded too with yes or no. 

PRAY

There is no excuse to not believe. Even the Old Testament teaches about Jesus. There is no excuse because even nature proclaims the Glory of God. Our hearts are hard because we do not want a King. We want to be the lord of our own little kingdom. We do not want someone telling us how to live our lives. We think we are so smart and we also don’t care if it is stupid, we are constantly destroying ourselves by our unruly desires. We just want to control our little world that is actually killing is. Oh Jesus, please forgive my hubris. Please destroy my pride and unruly desires. Please help me submit to you as King and live in freedom in your Kingdom. Your Kingdom sets my heart free of destruction and produces life. Please open my eyes!! Soften my heart!! Heal my soul. Save me! Amen!

From Blogger iPhone client

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16 But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles—to whom I send you 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26:16–18, RSV2CE)

but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance. (Acts 26:20, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Jesus appeared to me for a purpose. 

He has appointed me to serve Him. 

He has appointed me to witness to the things Jesus does for me and to those I am around. 

Jesus will be with me. 

Jesus will deliver me from those He sends me to when they oppose me. 

I am sent:

To open their eyes. (Witness of the truth)

That they may turn from darkness to light. (They can have this truth too)

Turn from the power of Satan to God’s power. (God is stronger and leads to life not destruction)

Receive forgiveness of sin. (No longer under wrath-friends with God)

Receive a place of the Sanctified in Christ by Faith. (Gift of walking in his presence-never alone-at peace)

Preach to repent and turn to God. (Must choose to turn around and follow God’s ways not the world, flesh, or the devil)

Perform deeds worthy of repentance. (I will show my faith by the deeds done-faith without works is dead faith-no longer alive faith)

PRAY

Jesus, I accept this calling. You appeared to me for a purpose to serve and witness to your love and offer. I know you will be with me and deliver me from evil. Help me be a light to turn people back to you. You want us to have life not destruction. Help me walk in your presence and keep choosing to turn from the evil way to your way. Help me do the deeds that prove my repentance. I cannot do any of this without your grace. Have mercy on me and grace me to do your calling for me. Amen. 

From Blogger iPhone client

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You therefore, along with the council, give notice now to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” (Acts 23:15, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

The church wants to kill Paul. People in power use death to bully people into getting what they want. Killing Paul would not necessarily make the message go away, God would send another. Why would I want to kill a human which destroys my soul because I don’t like what he says. I don’t have to follow or agree with him. 

PRAY

Jesus, I get angry also when your word is refused and rejected. The leaders thought they were protecting your way and stamping out false teachers. Now, instead of getting angry we are to love them and pray for them and correct them, not kill them. It is hard because people do get led astray. But you have purchased all with your blood and one of the gifts you give is the ability to decide what to believe. Help me to believe you that the best way to be a witness is love of enemies and not evil to enemies so they see the real you. 

From Blogger iPhone client

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For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. (Acts 23:8, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Sects within Judaism refusing to believe all the council of God created confusion and division within the people and led to not knowing who God really is. We must have unity to understand who the True God is who reveals Himself. We do not get to define him, he reveals who he is and we can accept or reject. The Catholic Church has been given the Keys of the Kingdom and Peter’s office as the Rock on which it stands. The Holy Spirit has been and will continue to guide it. Do not refuse what the Church has put for belief, it can and does lead to confusion and division within and around. 

PRAY

God, please forgive my arrogance thinking that I know better than 2000 years of the Church. Help me not be afraid to submit myself to your own body which is the church. It’s not me and you, it’s You and your body! The family you have chosen. Amen. 

From Blogger iPhone client

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14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets, 15 having a hope in God which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men. (Acts 24:14–16, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Worship God

Believe everything in the Word

Hope in the resurrection of Just and Unjust

Live with a clear conscience towards God and Man

PRAY

God, help me live this way. I want to worship you! Not myself! I want to believe you and all you have for me to make me understand you and your will for me. I hope in the resurrection where I will be made perfect for eternity to live with you forever seeing you face to face. Help me keep my conscious clean before you at all times and also man! Being divided causes the devil to get a foothold and destroy. Help!!

From Blogger iPhone client

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And as he argued about justice and self-control and future judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity I will summon you.” (Acts 24:25, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Justice, God is withholding judgement at this time and offering mercy to let Jesus be the payment of sin for me. Justice is that we get what we deserve. If Jesus pays my debt, I get what Jesus paid for-my freedom from wrath. Justice is satisfied, sin atoned for. If Jesus does not pay my debt, I get wrath for eternity. 

Self control, because of Jesus recapitulating man’s call to perfect obedience he offers the Grace and Holy Spirit to new life inside me. Due to this new life of being in-dwelt by God, I now can have divine life that helps me regulate myself so I have self control from the disordered desires that plague humanity from the fall. 

Judgement, it is coming and it will be either pardon and enter into blessing (to those who love God and accept His Son’s payment for their sins) or Wrath for eternity because they refused the only perfect payment for their sin (they have nothing to pay their sin debt with). 

PRAY

My God, I have nothing to pay my debt of sin with, it costs the perfect blood of God and a perfect life of obedience. If I fall in one part of the law it is all broken (ONCE). It is impossible for man. Thank you for loving me so much you made a way. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much you came and did it for me! Thank you for offering a new life in Grace and the Holy Spirit so I can fight the evil within and have divine life to have self control over the evil desires within and that the world says is fun. Thank you my God for saving me from the wrath to come. Help me live for your glory! Amen!

From Blogger iPhone client

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And Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” (Acts 23:5, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

You are not to speak evil of a ruler of your people. It is wrong to speak evil of any church official from laity to pope. We can know the deeds are evil but not to speak gossip or rebuke with harmful words, you can correct, but not put down. Correction is done with love and grace not in anger. Like king David did with king Saul. 

PRAY

I was wrong to judge any staff or Pope, I should only have said what needed correction, not bad mouth him. Please forgive me God. 

From Blogger iPhone client

Jesus: The people watched and stared at me hanging and dying on the Cross, do you see them? I saw them so clearly. The rulers sneered at me; the soldiers mocked me; one of the thieves abused me” You were there too, and all of those who have called themselves Christians. Every time my followers fail to come to their neighbor’s aid they join Calvary’s passive spectators; when they disdain the teachings of the Church they join the sneering rulers and mocking soldiers; when they give up their faith or let it smolder because they prefer the passing kingdoms of this world, they join the abusive thief. 

I saw your face looking up at me as I hung upon the cross. At first you laughed and mocked, you were distracted and careless, just like the others. Then you saw that I was looking at you, waiting for you, hoping in you, and your expression changed. A flash of recognition flitted across your eyes. I knew that you had glimpsed my love, that you were sorry. And even then, in my agony, I smiled. As soon as you repent, as soon as you come to me in your need and ask me to be your King, I take you by the hand and rejoice in leading you to Paradise.

From Blogger iPhone client

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13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22:13–16, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

The Father came to me and opened my eyes to who He is. He let me know who He is and how He wanted me to know Him. He wanted me to know His will for me. I did not see with my eyes or hear his voice with my ears but I did know He was there talking to me in my heart. He wanted me to forsake my evil ways and have healing in my soul so I could witness to others what he did for me. I was baptized (as a child, but then rebaptized as an adult), my sins were washed away, and now I call on the name of Jesus to live in Him everyday. 

PRAY

Father, you let me see you. You brought me to Jesus to wash away my sin. You gave me the Holy Spirit to live in me and constantly give me direction. Lately I have noticed I have been living my life without thought of your presence. I miss you my God. I miss being in fellowship. I guess I have been living on my terms instead of choosing to serve your will. Help me come back. Help me live for you. Help me glorify and live in your presence. Please do not leave me cut off from the vine. I am dying here by myself. I need you my God! Amen!

From Blogger iPhone client

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Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Sometimes family and friends will not understand your love for God. They will try and get you to not do his will. Set your heart on God and be ready even to die for His Name. 

PRAY

I was called a fanatic by my family and friends. They could not understand why I would completely change my life and forsake the sinful ways I was living. They did not and actually still do not understand that sin is killing the self and separating me from God, and I wanted no part of it. Jesus had opened my eyes to see I don’t have to live like that and offers me power to be rid of it. Because of His love for me I too want to be able to lay down my life for him. I am weak and afraid no doubt, but I would hope he would strengthen my resolve if and when that decision was upon me. 

From Blogger iPhone client

 Angels and Human Free Will

​Angels, as purely spiritual creatures created by God, were originally made good and capable of beholding His essence in heaven. 

The angels who are in the presence of God—meaning those who contemplate His face and serve in the heavenly court—are indeed righteous. 

Their righteousness stems from their free choice to adhere to God's will, allowing them to enjoy eternal happiness in His presence without the possibility of further fall. 

These righteous angels "behold God according to their capacity" and serve as "ministering spirits" for the salvation of souls.

The Church teaches that angels are incorporeal, immortal beings endowed with intelligence and free will, created to glorify God ceaselessly and to execute His saving plans for humanity. 

As attendants at God's throne, the holy angels fulfill His commands with unwavering obedience, praising Him in the celestial liturgy and defending humans from evil influences.

fallen angels (demons), who rejected God through pride and are excluded from that beatific vision.

Satan (originally a high-ranking angel), rebelled through pride, refusing to serve God and His plan, particularly resenting the elevation of humanity (including the Incarnation) above them in the heavenly hierarchy. This irrevocable choice transformed them into demons—evil spirits who oppose God and tempt humanity to sin. As the Catechism states: "Satan or the devil and the other demons are fallen angels who have freely refused to serve God and his plan. Their choice against God is definitive."

The fallen angels, forfeited the privilege of being in the presence through their sin and now wander in separation from divine communion, seeking to draw others into their revolt.

angelic sin refined medieval understanding of how even perfect knowledge cannot compel the will—some angels sinned despite ideal conditions, while others did not. 

freely refused to serve God and his plan.

Angels, as immaterial and timeless spirits, possess "simple knowledge of truth without any discourse or inquiry," grasping God's essence and the full order of creation instantaneously upon their being.1 Their intellect operates intuitively, without the stepwise reasoning, doubt, or passions that cloud human cognition.1 4 Consequently, their free choice is total and fixed: upon beholding the divine vision, they either adhere eternally (becoming holy angels) or reject it in a single act of pride, sealing their fate without possibility of reversal. 

Humans, however, are composite beings—immortal souls animating mortal bodies—whose knowledge is "darkened" and acquired through sensory experience, time, and discursive reason.1 2 Our free will unfolds in a probationary period on earth, where choices accumulate amid growth, temptation, and grace, allowing for repentance and redirection.4We do not see God's face directly in this life (the beatific vision awaits eternity), so our decisions are provisional, fostering virtues like humility and perseverance

God's presence is universal by His immensity, but the intimate "presence of God" refers to the direct contemplation of His essence, reserved for the holy angels and the blessed in heaven. 

angels had free will to decide but freely refused to serve God and his plan. isn’t that the same choice we get except for a lifetime we get to choose where they had one instance?

Yes, the fundamental choice facing angels and humans is indeed the same: to freely accept or reject God's loving plan for creation, including service to Him as the ultimate good. Catholic teaching emphasizes that both are rational creatures endowed with genuine free will, capable of aligning their intellect and volition with divine goodness or turning away in prideful autonomy. 

Angels exercise their freedom in a single, irrevocable act upon creation, whereas humans deliberate progressively over a temporal lifetime, with repeated opportunities for conversion.

At its core, the decision is identical for both: to will the good (God and His salvific order) or to prefer a lesser, disordered end (self-exaltation over God). As the Catechism teaches, the fallen angels "freely refused to serve God and his plan," making a definitive choice against Him through pride, much like humanity's original sin in Eden, where Adam and Eve chose autonomy over obedience (Genesis 3).

Ultimately, the choice is the same in essence—serve God freely or refuse—but tailored to our natures: angels in eternal simplicity, we in temporal journey. This invites gratitude for our probation and resolve to choose holiness daily, cooperating with grace to avoid the angels' tragic error. 

Angelic sin refined medieval understanding of how even perfect knowledge cannot compel the will—some angels sinned despite ideal conditions, while others did not. Same goes with Man. 

The fallen: freely refused to serve God and his plan. Man gets this exact same choice, to serve God and His plan or not.

At its core, the decision is identical for both: Angels and Humanity: to will the good (God and His salvific order) or to prefer a lesser, disordered end (self-exaltation over God).

The sadducees did not believe resurrection because they refused the entire Bible. The church has the cannon. Do not refuse it so you understand all that God says!

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 Tell truth: 

Repentance toward God

Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ

Be bound to the Holy Spirit

Do not fear death

Declare the whole counsel of God

Testify the Gospel of the Grace of God. 

Preach the Kingdom of God. 

Feed the Church of God which He purchased with His own Blood. 

Commend others to God and the Word of His Grace which is able to build up and sanctify with an inheritance. 

Warn of wolves within the church trying to make you followers of them and their perverse ways. 

My number one goal is to Serve the Lord in humility, accepting trials and suffering, finish the course with joy!  Finish the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus. Work and provide for yourself and support the weak. It is better to give than receive. 

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, 38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship. (Acts 20:19–38, KJV 1900)