Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Acts, Chapter 9, Verse 31

The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.

The church was at peace, being in one accord, with the instructions of the apostles. The Holy Spirit was allowing believers to “go where no man has gone before.” It was during this timeframe the Holy Spirit had convicted Saul of the truth that Christ was the factual messiah, therefore bringing peace to the church and Saul became Paul the Apostle to the gentiles. Never give up on a person; you may be dealing with a Saul that has not been renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit and pray for those that persecute you.

Lovingly submit to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit as do the holy angels of God.

Loving Submission of the Angels[1]

Angels are an example to men of living service and obedience. They delight in men as this is the will of God; who gave of His precious blood to redeem us. They in their loving submission do not refuse to bestow their care on the most hardened of sinners. They do not abandon even those most wretched of persons who live in mortal sin, who trample underfoot the blood of Christ and are guilty of His death! No, they with incredible kindness continue to watch over these unfortunate souls and spare no effort in bringing them to penance and reconciliation with God. Therefore, judge no man and pray for them.

If I were the Devil^{^[2]}

“If I Were the Devil” is a form of social criticism, an essay that postulates what steps the devil might take in order to corrupt human civilization (and the United States in particular) and lead it down the path of darkness — before delivering the catch that all the steps listed are phenomena that are already taking place in the world today. It was written and popularized by national radio commentator and syndicated columnist Paul Harvey. (Paul Harvy was born this day in 1918)

If I were the devil . . .

· I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world;

· I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man’s effort, instead of God’s blessings;

· I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around;

· I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue;

· Iwould convince people that character is not an issue when it comes toleadership;

· I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies;

· I would make it socially acceptable to take one’s own life, and invent machines to make it convenient;

· I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals are valued more than human beings;

· I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit;

· I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them;

· I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member for my agenda;

· I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation.

· I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation;

· I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and I would call it art;

· I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled;

· I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically correct;

· I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naive;

· I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional;

· I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are.

35 Promises of God[3] cont.

3. “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.”
-Matt 11:28-29

The Way[4]

"Read these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate on these thoughts. They are things that I whisper in your ear-confiding them-as a friend, as a brother, as a father. And they are being heard by God. I won't tell you anything new. I will only stir your memory, so that some thought will arise and strike you; and so you will better your life and set out along ways of prayer and of Love. And in the end you will be a more worthy soul."

55. Don't place a Priest in peril of losing his dignity. It is a virtue which, without being pompous, he simply must have. How that young cleric — a friend of ours — prayed for it: 'Lord, grant me... eighty years of dignity!' Pray for it for the whole Priesthood, and you will have done a good thing.

Daily Devotions

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Pray our Democratic leaders confirm the new Supreme Court Judge.

· Pray the 54 Day Rosary