Today, I visited two people who had suffered strokes. The strokes affected a part of the brain which is necessary for their memory to function. For example, if these men walked a few feet away from their homes, they might not remember how to return, even with the home in plain sight.
All of us, because of our fallen nature, were stroke victims spiritually. We were confused and didn't know if we had a home or where it was. We were "out of it" and would have stayed "out of it" (see Lk 17:26ff).
"But God is rich in mercy; because of His great love for us He brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin. By this favor you were saved. Both with and in Christ Jesus He raised us up and gave us a place in the heavens" (Eph 2:4-6). The Lord has given us a new nature. We need not be confused and deceived (see 2 Jn 7) anymore. By totally giving our lives to Jesus, we can walk "in the path of truth" (2 Jn 4). We will not get lost. We will be ready for Jesus' second coming and will go home to our Father in heaven. Thank you, Jesus, for saving us!
PRAYER: | Jesus, my Light, my Love, my Lord, my All! |
PROMISE: | "Look out that you yourselves do not lose what you have worked for; you must receive your reward in full." –2 Jn 8 |
PRAISE: | In obedience to and by the grace of God, Maria fasts three times a week in order to bring down the strongholds of the enemy and build up the Kingdom of God (see Mt 17:21, NAB). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College