Historically, when the Church has been shrinking, the Lord has raised up shrink-resistant men and women who never shrink from speaking the total truth of God's plan (Acts 20:27). They insist "solemnly on repentance before God" (Acts 20:21). They never shrink from telling people what is for their good, or from teaching them in every way God's truth (Acts 20:20).
The Holy Spirit lavishes us with grace to expand. Yet we must put aside our old, fearful nature which shrinks from the fear of man. Jesus taught that no one sews a new "unshrunken" cloth onto an old cloth (Mt 9:16), else it would tear loose. We can't mix our old "shrinking-violet" ways with the Holy Spirit. Nothing good comes from shrinking away. As Job proclaims: "What I fear overtakes me, and what I shrink from comes upon me" (Jb 3:25).
Repent of fear. Be bold and uncompromising in the Spirit (Acts 2:4). Help the Church expand again. "The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit, but rather One that makes us strong" (2 Tm 1:7).
| PRAYER: | Father, I'm not ashamed of the gospel (Rm 1:16). I'm "proud to profess it in Christ Jesus" (Easter Baptismal Promises). |
| PROMISE: | "Eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Him Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ." –Jn 17:3 |
| PRAISE: | Pope St. John I helped repair the schism of 482. |
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