GOD Everywhere, In All, Knows All

Hello! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (30 September 2016)

"O LORD, YOU know me:

YOU have scrutinized me.

YOU know when I sit and when I rise;

beforehand YOU discern my thoughts.

YOU observe my activities and times of rest;

YOU are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is formed in my mouth,

YOU know what it is all about, O LORD.

From front to back YOU hedge me round,

shielding me with YOUR protecting hand.

YOUR knowledge leaves me astounded,

it is too high for me to reach.

Where else could I go from YOUR Spirit?

Where could I flee from YOUR presence?

YOU are there if I ascend the heavens;

YOU are there if I descend to the depths.

If I ride on the wings of the dawn

and settle on the far side of the sea,

even there YOUR hand shall guide me

and YOUR right hand shall hold me safely.

Shall I say, 'Let darkness hide me,

I prefer the night as my light?'

But darkness for YOU is not dark

and night for YOU shines as the day.

It was YOU who formed my inmost part

and knit me together in my mother's womb.

I thank YOU for these wonders YOU have done,

and my heart praises YOU for YOUR marvelous deeds."

- Psalm 139:1-14

(A prayer filled with admiration of GOD's wisdom: "Everything is exposed and open to the eyes of HIM to whom we are accountable" [Hebrew 4:13].

There is a way of contemplating the presence of the all-powerful GOD which crushes us.  There is another way which fills us with assurance.  The Bible cannot contemplate this unfathomable mystery of GOD without immediately coming back to the struggles of the real world: its GOD has a passion for justice, and the faithful person cannot be satisfied with half-measures or compromise with evil.  This accounts for the declaration which shocks some but we can guess its inspiration which is always valid: "I detest them, they are my enemies."  It is actually a hatred of evil.)

On-Site

On-Track

They Conquered Him By The Blood Of The Lamb

Hello! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (29 September 2016)

"War broke out in heaven with Michael and his angels battling with the dragon.  The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and lost their place in heaven.  The great dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, seducer of the whole world, was thrown out.  He was hurled down to earth, together with his angels.

Then I heard a loud voice from heaven:

Now has salvation come,

with the power and the kingdom of our GOD,

and the rule of HIS anointed.

For our brothers' accuser has been cast out,

who accused them night and day, before GOD.

They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony,

for they gave up their lives going to death.

Rejoice, therefore, O you heavens

and you who dwell in them;

but woe to you, earth and sea,

for the devil has come to you in anger

knowing that he has but a little time."

- Revelation 12:7-12

Michael, The Archangel And Satan

(GOD's plan for the world has just been revealed: the Son of GOD must become a human and rise as the Savior of all the people.  This mystery causes a double crisis: in the world of spirits [or angels] and in humankind.

The Jews imagined the angels were a huge army and they called their head Michael.  Similarly, the devil is presented as the head of the army of rebellious angels, the stars fallen from heaven.

The following chapters will reveal the devil at work in history.  He uses disguises and many substitutes.  However, those who are ready to suffer for the truth will recognize him: they triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by their courage in proclaiming HIM.) 

On-Site
On-Track

"I Cannot Argue With YOU, Nevertheless..."

Hi! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (28 September 2016)

"Then Job answered:

Very well I know that it is so.

But how can a mortal be just before GOD?

If one were to contend with HIM,

not once in a thousand times would HE answer.

HIS power is vast, HIS wisdom profound.

Who has resisted HIM and come out unharmed?

HE moves mountains before they are aware;

HE overturns them in HIS rage.

HE makes the earth tremble

and its pillars quake.

HE commands the sun, and it does not shine;

HE seals off the light of the stars.

HE alone stretches out the skies

and treads on the waves of the seas.

HE made the Bear and Orion,

the Pleiades and every constellation.

HIS wonders are past all reckoning,

HIS miracles beyond all counting.

HE passes by, but I do not see HIM;

HE moves on, but I do not notice HIM.

If HE snatches away, who can stop HIM?

Who can say to HIM, 'What are YOU doing?'

GOD does not turn back when angered;

before HIM Rahab's cohorts cowered.

How then can I answer HIM

and find words to argue with HIM?

If HE does not answer when I am right,

shall I plead with my judge for mercy?

Even if I appealed and HE answered,

I do not believe that HE would have heard."

- Job 9:1-16

(Job is upset before an inaccessible GOD.  The Creator's greatness does not console the one who suffers without being heard.  The misfortune of a single just one distorts creation.

Again, Job not only questions evil, but the very situation created by human existence with its freedom.  The GOD who made us free persons must also be a Person, and as long as HE does not speak to us, HIS silence may be interpreted as a refusal to dialogue and a proof of indifference toward us.

Can a mortal be just before GOD?  The same question is found in 4:17 and 22:2.  This guilt feeling and the opposite feeling of hostility towards GOD are two sides of the same truth: the human condition is unacceptable as long as GOD makes people who cannot find HIM.)

On-Site

On-Track

Prayer Of The Sick Person Close To Death

Hi! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (27 September 2016)

"O LORD, my GOD, I call for help by day; before YOU I cry out by night.

May my prayer come to YOU; incline YOUR ear to my cry for help.

My soul is deeply troubled; my life draws near to the grave.  I am like those without strength.

Counted among those going down the pit - I lie forsaken among the dead, like those lying in the grave, like those YOU remember no more, cut off from your care.

YOU have plunged me into the darkest depths of the pit.

With YOUR wrath heavy upon me, YOU have battered me with all YOUR waves."

- Psalm 88:2-8

JESUS' Agony In The Garden Of Gethsemane

(A psalm that seems quite pessimistic.  Yet the sick person has not lost confidence.  The vision he has of the "beyond death," that which the Jews themselves had up to a short time before the coming of JESUS, was hardly encouraging.

It would seem that knowing CHRIST, we cannot sink into despair.  There are, however, days when heaven is closed for us as it was for JESUS in HIS agony.) 

On-Site

On-Track

"Does Job Fear GOD For Nothing?"

Hello! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (26 September 2016)

"One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before YAHWEH, and Satan came with them.  YAHWEH asked Satan, 'Where have you been?'

Satan answered, 'Going up and down the earth, roaming about.'

YAHWEH asked again, 'Have you noticed my servant Job?'  No one on earth is as blameless and upright as he, a man who fears GOD and avoids evil.'

But Satan returned the question, 'Does Job fear GOD for nothing?'  Have you not built a protective wall around him and his family and all his possessions?  You have blessed and prospered him, with his livestock all over the land.  But stretch out your hand and strike where his riches are, and I bet he will curse you to your face.'

YAHWEH said to Satan, 'Very well, all that he has is in your power.  But do not lay a finger upon the man himself.'  So Satan left the presence of YAHWEH.

One day, while his sons and daughters were feasting in the house of their eldest brother, a messenger came to Job and said, 'Your oxen were plowing, and your donkeys were grazing nearby when the Sabaeans came and carried them off.  They killed the herdsmen.  I alone escaped to tell you.'

While he was still speaking, another messenger came, 'GOD's fire fell from the sky and burned all your sheep and the shepherds as well.  I alone have escaped to tell you.'

He had hardly finished speaking when another messenger arrived, 'Three raiding teams of Chaldeans have killed your servants and carried off your camels.  I alone have escaped to tell you.'

He was still speaking when another messenger came and said to Job, 'Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the house of their eldest brother when suddenly a great wind blew across the desert and struck the house.  It collapsed on the young people and they all died.  I alone have escaped to tell you.'

In grief Job tore his clothes and shaved his head.  Then he fell to the ground and worshiped, saying,

 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I shall return.

YAHWEH gave, YAHWEH has taken away.

Blessed be HIS name!.'

In spite of this calamity, Job did not sin by blaspheming GOD." - Job 1:6-22 

Job, A Good And Prosperous Man

(Job lives in a foreign pagan land [Uz would be in the southern part of Palestine] in ancient times.  His position is enviable: he is a leader of nomads, somewhat like Abraham, and lacks nothing.  Yet he is only a pawn in world politics, or better, in heavenly politics.  GOD holds a council with the heavenly beings, namely, the angels, and looks at things which escape Job.  In this case, GOD is challenged by Satan, the enemy, the spirit who promotes evil, and in spite of HIMSELF GOD has to test Job in order to defend HIS own honor.

And so, from the very start, humans are put in their place.  They are not the center of the world, nor can they demand that GOD stop the course of history for their sake.

This intervention of Satan is one of the means to which believers spontaneously resort to justify GOD.  Because, in the final analysis, that is where the problem lies.  As long as we live without GOD, no one is responsible for evil except ourselves.  If we have good and evil gods, we know whom to blame.  If there is only one GOD, he is responsible for both good and evil and Job's words in 2:10 ["You talk foolishly.  If we receive good things from GOD, why can't we accept evil from HIM?"]  also apply to him.)   

      
On-Site
On-Track 

The Feast Of Sprawlers Will Be Over

Hi! and happy holy and family day to all of us, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (25 September 2016)

 "Woe to those proud people who live, overconfident on the hill of Samaria!

Woe to you, men of renown, from the first among the nations, to whom the people of Israel come!

Pass through Kalneh and see; from there go to Hamath the great, then go down to Gath of the Phillistines.  Are you better than these kingdoms were?  Is your territory greater than theirs?  You hope to postpone the evil day; in fact you bring about a year of violence.

You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and sprawl on your couches; you eat lamb from the flock and veal from calves fattened in the stall.

You strum on your harps, and like David, try out new musical instruments.

You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you do not grieve over the ruins of Joseph.

Therefore you will be the first to go into exile; and the feast of sprawlers will be over." - Amos 6:1-7

On-Site 
On-Track  

Fight The Good Fight!

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (24 September 2016)

“But you, man of GOD, shun all this.  Strive to be holy and godly.  Live in faith and love, with endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight and win everlasting life to which you were called when you made the good profession of faith in the presence of so many witnesses.

Now, in the presence of GOD who gives life to all things, and of JESUS CHRIST who expressed before Pontius Pilate the authentic profession of faith: preserve the revealed message to all.  Keep yourself pure and blameless until the glorious coming of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, which GOD will bring about at the proper time, HE, the magnificent sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords.  To HIM, alone immortal, who lives in unapproachable light and whom no one has ever seen or can see, to HIM be honor and power for ever and ever.  Amen!” – 1 Timothy 6:11-16

(The Pastor of the Church should be the most aware of the danger.  Salvation for them will be to place themselves in the less secure areas of life and society, where an act of faith is constantly necessary to overcome difficulties and joyously accept sacrifices.  It is not in seeking first of all our personal fulfilment that we become GOD’s agent and a witness of CHRIST, as HE HIMSELF has been the witness of the FATHER.

Paul calls upon Timothy to avoid all those dangers and remain true to faith and free from greed.  By doing so, he will be “a man of GOD,” a witness of CHRIST.) 

 On-Site 
On-Track    

Happy The People Whose GOD Is The LORD!

Hi! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (23 September 2016)

"Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle - my loving GOD, my fortress, my shield where I take refuge, who conquers nations and subjects them to my rule.

O LORD, what are humans that YOU should be mindful of them, the race of Adam, that YOU should care for them?

They are like a breath, their days pass like a shadow on earth." - Psalm 144:1-4 

On-Site
On-Track

King Herod Was Anxious To See JESUS!

Hi! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (22 September 2016)

"King Herod heard of all this and did not know what to think, for people said, 'This is John, raised from the dead.'  Others believed that Elijah or one of the ancient prophets had come back to life.  As for Herod, he said, 'I had John beheaded; who is this man about whom I hear such wonders?  And he was anxious to see HIM." - Luke 9:7-9 

King Herod Antipas And JESUS

(King Herod.  This refers to Herod Antipas, son of the other Herod who reigned when JESUS was born.

People said that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead.  They considered John a martyr and believed he would rise from the dead to punish Herod.  Some associated JESUS with John - JESUS performed miracles that John had not done.  Others, less informed, thought JESUS was an apparition of John.)

On-Track

On-Site

We Shall Become The Perfect Creation

Hello! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (21 September 2016)

"Therefore I, the prisoner of CHRIST, invite you to live the vocation you have received.  Be humble, kind, patient, and bear with one another in love.

Make every effort to keep among you the unity of Spirit through bonds of peace.  Let there be one body and one spirit, for GOD, in calling you, gave the same Spirit to all.  One LORD, one faith, one baptism.

One GOD, the FATHER of all, who is above all and works through all and is in all. 

But to each of us divine grace is given according to the measure of CHRIST's gift.  Therefore it is said: When HE ascended to the heights, HE brought captives and gave HIS gifts to people.

HE ascended,

what does it mean but that HE had also descended to the lower parts of the world?  HE HIMSELF who went down, then ascended far above all the heavens to fill all things.  As for HIS gifts, to some HE gave to be apostles, to others prophets, or even evangelists, or pastors and teachers. So HE prepared those who belong to HIM for the ministry, in order to build up the Body of CHRIST, until we are all united in the same faith and knowledge of the Son of GOD.  Thus we shall become the Perfect Man, upon reaching maturity and sharing the fullness of CHRIST." - Ephesians 4:1-13 

We, The Church - The Perfect Man - As The Body Of CHRIST

(Here, Paul returns to an important problem in communities where the style was still very free, we might say very charismatic, since the community counted on the unpredictable action of the Spirit through the charisms of different members.  It is necessary that all in their own vocation work for the building up of the one body.  Paul enthusiastically names all that we have in common through CHRIST and the action of the Spirit.  It is not merely a temple that is constructed; it is the Body of CHRIST, of the Perfect Man the mature one, in which CHRIST expresses HIS fullness.

JESUS of Nazareth lived humbly until HIS death only once, but having been made the Head of humanity through the resurrection, HE suffers everywhere; HE works in every field of human activity; gives HIS life in every possible way; HE gathers in HIMSELF every form of love, and lives the whole diversity of human existence in the person of HIS members.) 
  

On-Track

JESUS' Mother And Brothers

Hi! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (20 September 2016)

"Then HIS mother and HIS relatives came to HIM, but they could not get to HIM because of the crowd.  Someone told HIM, 'YOUR mother and YOUR brothers are standing outside and wish to meet YOU.'  Then JESUS answered, 'MY mother and MY brothers are those who hear the word of GOD and do it'." - Luke 8:19-21 

JESUS' True Brothers And Sisters

(JESUS lost HIS relatives but found HIS true brothers and sisters.  When we commit ourselves to GOD's work, we discover new brothers and sisters and a mother, Mary, of whom the Gospel says, "Happy are you for having believed that GOD's promises would be fulfilled."  JESUS does not say, "HE is MY FATHER," for the FATHER is one and HE is in heaven.)

On-Track

Put Wisdom Into Practice

Hi! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (19 September 2016)

"Do not hold back from those who ask your help, when it is in your power to do it.  Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go away!  Come another time; tomorrow I will give it to you!' when you can help him now.

Do not plot evil against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you, nor fight a man without cause when he has done you no wrong.  Do not envy the man of violence or follow his example.

For YAHWEH hates the wicked but guides the honest.  HE curses the house of the evildoer but blesses the home of the upright.  If there are mockers, HE mocks them in turn but HE shows HIS favor to the humble.  The wise will possess HIS glory while the foolish will inherit disgrace." - Proverbs 3:27-34 

(The proverbs insist on the value of advice, discipline, correction: to live as one pleases, according to one's fantasies causes all sorts of misfortune.)

 On-Track 

I Shall Never Forget Their Deeds!

Hello! and happy holy and family day to all of us, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (18 September 2016)

"Hear this, you who trample on the needy to do away with the weak of the land.  You who say, 'When will the new moon or the Sabbath feast be over that we may open the store and sell our grain?  Let us lower the measure and raise the price; let us cheat and tamper with the scales, and even sell the refuse with the whole grain.  We will buy up the poor for money and the needy for a pair of sandals.'

YAHWEH, the pride of Jacob, has sworn by HIMSELF, 'I shall never forget their deeds'." - Amos 8:4-7 

(Amos describes the greed of the merchants and of the rich, the exploitation of the needy, the luxury of the wealthy, the bribing of judges, etc.)

On-Track

The Day Of Resurrection

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (17 September 2016)

"This I say, brothers: Flesh and blood cannot share the kingdom of GOD; nothing of us that is to decay can reach imperishable life.  So I want to teach you this mystery: although not all of us will die, all of us have to be transformed, in an instant, at the sound of the trumpet.  You have heard of the last trumpet; then in the twinkling of an eye, the dead will be raised imperishable, while we shall be transformed.  For it is necessary that our mortal and perishable being put on the life that knows neither death nor decay.

When our perishable being puts on imperishable life, when our mortal being puts on immortality, the word of Scripture will be fulfilled: Death has been swallowed up by victory.  Death, where is your victory?  Death, where is your sting?

Sin is the sting of death to kill, and the Law is what gives force to sin.  But give thanks to GOD who gives us the victory through CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.

So then, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast and do not be moved.  Improve constantly in the work of the LORD, knowing that with HIM your labor is not without fruit." - 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 

JESUS CHRIST's Resurrection

(Flesh and blood cannot share the kingdom of GOD; nothing of us that is to decay can reach imperishable life.  It is the opposition between what can only rot and decompose, and the definitive, unaltered which is proper to the world where GOD is [Romans 8:21].  Life has its logic: persons who have chosen to empty the present life hardly believe in that other world.

Not all of us will die.  Paul thinks that CHRIST is to return soon.  On this supposition, he says that those who are alive when CHRIST returns will not have to "travel" with HIM to Heaven [that would be a materialist image], but will be transformed.  Resurrection is not simply to live again as happened to Lazarus.) 

On-Track

The Women Who Followed JESUS

Hi! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (16 September 2016)

"JESUS walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of GOD.  The Twelve followed HIM, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Suzanna and others who provided for them out of their own funds." - Luke 8:1-3 

JESUS' Disciples And Women

(No spiritual master have spoken to a woman in public: women were not even admitted to the synagogues in the time of JESUS and especially in Jewish society.  Nevertheless, JESUS did not pay the least attention to such universally accepted prejudices.  Various women took JESUS' words and attitude as a call to freedom.  They even joined the circle of HIS intimate friends while ignoring the gossip.  Here we have a fundamental testimony about the freedom of the Gospel.

JESUS was truly human, and as such HE belonged to a race and a culture: HE was a Jew of  HIS time and HIS gospel was attuned to the culture that HE shared.  Yet JESUS did not adopt the inhuman traits of HIS culture; nor did HE accept the prejudices of the Jews of HIS time with regard to women,  to public sinners, to pagans and so on, nor did HE share their views in regard to the Sabbath.  HIS gospel is a leaven that changes cultures for the better; in many respects HIS way of life goes against the mainstream of cultures.

Mary of Magdala [Magdala was a village on the shore of Lake Tiberias] will be at the foot of the cross along with Mary, the wife of Cleophas, the mother of James and Joset. These two women, along with Joanna, will receive the first news of the Resurrection [Luke 24:10].)

On-Track

JESUS' Last Words

Hi! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (15 September 2016)

"Near the cross of JESUS stood HIS mother, HIS mother's sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala.  When JESUS saw the Mother, and the disciple whom HE loved, HE said to the Mother, 'Woman, this is your son.'  Then HE said to the disciple, 'There is your mother.'  And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home." - John 19:25-27 

JESUS' Last Words

The Mother Of Believers

(At the moment of Man's fall, Eve was with Adam.  Now, at the moment of restoration, that is, the second creation, another woman is with the Son of Man [the Human One], the second Adam.  Mary has neither spouse nor son who can receive her and, for the Jews, a woman who remains alone would be considered cursed.  JESUS entrusts Mary to John and, also, John to Mary.  John testifies having heard both phrases.  Notice that he writes: JESUS said to the Mother, and not, to his Mother.  This is a new symbolic gesture of JESUS.  Mary will be the Mother of believers.

Through this last deed of JESUS, the Church discovered something about the mystery of the Christian life.  The believer is a member of a spiritual family.  As a child needs a father and a mother to grow normally so, too, does the believer need Mary and the heavenly FATHER.  This is an unchanging doctrine of the Church, which in no way attempts to make the creature equal with the Creator.

Not without reason has GOD given us a mother: if it is a misfortune for a child not to have known a mother, it is also a misfortune for a believer when his religion only expresses itself in masculine terms.  The believer who welcomes Mary to his home as did John is neither a fanatic nor a quibbler regarding faith.  There exists a form of humility, joy, interior peace and simple piety characteristic of those Catholics who have known how to open their doors to Mary without throwing out their Savior.)

On-Track

The Bronze Serpent

Hello! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (14 September 2016)

"From Mount Hor they set out by the Red Sea road to go around the land of Edom.  The people were discouraged by the journey and began to complain against GOD and Moses.  'Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  There is neither bread nor water here and we are disgusted with this tasteless manna.'

YAHWEH then sent fiery serpents against them.  They bit the people and many of the Israelites died.  Then the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, speaking against YAHWEH and against you.  Plead with YAHWEH to take the serpents away.'

Moses pleaded for the people and YAHWEH said to him, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a standard; whoever has been bitten and then looks at it shall live.'

So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a standard.  Whenever a man was bitten, he looked towards the bronze serpent and he lived." - Numbers 21:4-9 

Moses And The Bronze Serpent On Pole

(With regard to the bronze serpent, two quite different questions may be asked.  The first: what is the historical origin of this account?  An easy answer: near the Sinai mines a healing god was honored and little bronze serpents were offered in thanksgiving.  The stories of travelers must have inspired the narrative.  But the important question is the second: what does this page of the holy book intend to say?

The people complained.  The Israelites complain again: this is the inner rebellion of those who do not accept sacrifices and will not exert themselves in order to become better and who would rather blame others.

Make a bronze serpent.  A strange command to the Israelites, but the bronze serpent will be a prophetic sign: GOD intends to cure the sin with the very instrument of the sin.

Whoever looks at it shall live: another prophetic statement.  Sinners will not have to follow strict prescriptions: let them merely look with faith at the sign GOD sends for their healing.  JESUS will say: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up [on the cross] so that he who believes in HIM will have eternal life" [John 3:14].

The story of the serpent is one of those biblical images with a hidden meaning, and people had to wait for the day when CHRIST would give them meaning.  The same is true of the story of Melchizedek [Genesis 14] and the story of Joseph.

The same is true in our own lives; in our past there have been some incidents which we did not understand at that time.  Why did this happen to me?   Some day, the light of CHRIST will reveal the meaning.)

On-Track

All The Earth Acclaim The LORD!

Hello! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS. Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (13 September 2016)

"All you lands, acclaim the LORD! 

Serve the LORD with gladness; come before HIM with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is GOD;

HE created us and we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS fold.

Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, HIS courts with praise. 

Give thanks to HIM and bless HIS name.

For the LORD is good;

HIS love lasts forever and HIS faithfulness through all generations."

- Psalm 100:1-5

(Let all the earth sing, and you, serve HIM with joy.)  

On-Track

The Bible Tells ME To Do YOUR Will

Hello! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (12 September 2016)

"Sacrifice and oblation YOU did not desire; this YOU had ME understand.  Burnt offering and sin offering YOU did not require.

Then I said, 'Here I come!  as the scroll says of ME.  To do YOUR will is MY delight, O GOD, for YOUR law is within MY heart'."

- Psalm 40:7-9

(The Letter to the Hebrews [10:5] places on the lips of JESUS the above verses which express HIS perfect obedience. May we also be able to say: "Here I am!") 

 On-Track

CHRIST JESUS Came Into The World To Save Sinners

Hello! and happy holy and family day to all of us, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (11 September 2016)

"I give thanks to CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, who is my strength, who has considered me trustworthy and appointed me to HIS service, although I had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and a rabid enemy.  However HE took mercy on me because I did not know what I was doing when I opposed the faith; and the grace of our LORD was more than abundant, together with faith and love that are in CHRIST JESUS.

This saying is true and worthy of belief: CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.  Because of that I was forgiven; CHRIST JESUS wanted to display HIS utmost patience so that I might be an example for all who are to believe and obtain eternal life.  To the King of ages, the only GOD who lives beyond every perishable and visible creation - to HIM be honor and glory forever.  Amen!" - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 

Obstacles To Grace

(CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners.  The new masters remain with their theories instead of facing the reality of sin.  It is the reality of our sin that makes the grace of GOD a grace, and our salvation a true salvation.)

On-Track

Each Tree Is Known By The Fruit It Bears

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (10 September 2016)

"No healthy tree bears bad fruit, no poor tree bears good fruit.  And each tree is known by the fruit it bears: you don't gather figs from thorns, or grapes from brambles.  Similarly the good person draws good things from the good stored in the heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in the heart.  For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart." - Luke 6:43-45 

(No healthy tree... These sayings were already mentioned in Matthew 7:15.  Here, however, Luke gives them a different meaning by referring to a pure conscience.  We must purify our mind and our spirit to become the tree that produces good fruits.)  

 On-Track

Faith Demands Sacrifice

Hello! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (09 September 2016)

"Have you not learned anything from the stadium?  Many run, but only one gets the prize.  Run, therefore, intending to win it, as athletes who impose upon themselves a rigorous discipline.  Yet for them the wreath is of laurels which wither, while for us, it does not wither.

So, then, I run knowing where I go.  I box but not aimlessly in the air.  I punish my body and control it, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be rejected." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

(Paul is now ready to tell the Corinthians that they may not share the cult of idols.  To justify his position [for the Corinthians it was very strict], Paul presents two arguments:

- no racing contest is won without self-sacrifice;

- the Bible has many examples of how GOD punished those who practiced a cult of idols.

As athletes who impose upon themselves a rigorous discipline.  Like them, we must renounce many things that are not evil.  We need discipline to be really free, whether in the use of alcohol or tobacco, or not idly waste time in front of the television or reading magazines.  While the world lures us to be spectators and consumers, we must be agents of salvation, the salt of the earth.  The second paragraph recalls the example of Israel.)  

  On-Track

Look And Listen To Me

Hi! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (08 September 2016)

"But I put my trust in YOUR unfailing love,

my heart will rejoice on seeing YOUR salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,

for HE has been good to me!"

- Psalm 13:6

(Personal prayer, persevering prayer will surely be heard.

GOD does not forget HIS children: HE has resurrected CHRIST.)

  

On-Track