You will See Greater Things

Jesus answered and said to him, 

“Do you believe because I told you 

that I saw you under the fig tree? 

You will see greater things than this.” 

JOHN 1:50

Jesus sees you in your darkest hour. He knows your pain and sorrow. He is the one who can heal and restore, the hope, the joy, the tomorrow. Jesus sees you in your brightest day. He shares your happiness and gratitude. He is the one who can bless and multiply, the grace, the peace, the attitude. Jesus sees you in your every moment. He cares for your soul and spirit. He is the one who can guide and empower, the faith, the love, the merit.

In Jesus, you shall see greater things than what this world can offer you. He is the source of life and truth, the way, the light, the king of kings. You shall see greater things than miracles and signs and wonders. He is the one who loves and cares, the friend, the shepherd, the savior. You shall see greater things than what your eyes can comprehend. He is the alpha and omega, the first, the last, the very end.

Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:43-51)

Jesus is the love of your life. He gave his life for you on the cross. He is the one who paid the price, the gift, the ransom, the loss. He rose again from the grave. He is the one who conquered death, the power, the victory, the brave. He lives in you by His spirit. He is the one who makes you whole, the truth, the beauty, the merit.

Love not in word or speech but in deed and truth for words are cheap and speeches are vain but deeds are real and truth is plain. Words can hurt and speeches can deceive but deeds can heal and truth can relieve. Words can fade and speeches can bore but deeds can last and truth can soar.

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the Evil One and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be amazed, then, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God. (1 John 3:11-21)

The Lord is good: the Lord, whose kindness endures forever. He is the one who shows us mercy and grace, the rock, the refuge, the shelter. He is the one who keeps His promises and covenants, the faithful, the true, the giver. He is the one who loves us with an everlasting love, the Father, the Son, the Spirit.

Serve the Lord with gladness for He is worthy of all praise. He is the one who made us and saved us, the creator, the redeemer, the grace. He is faithful and good who sustains us and guides us, the provider, the protector, the food. He is holy and awesome, the one who reigns over us and loves us, the king, the lord, the bridegroom.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; Give thanks to him; bless his name. The Lord is good: the Lord, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5)

Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love and grace that You have shown me in my life. You are the one who gives me hope and faith, the way, the truth, the life. I trust You for your plan and purpose that you have prepared for me. You are the one who leads me and guides me, the shepherd, the friend, the key. I ask You for Your power and presence that You would fill me with Your spirit. You are the one who enables me and equips me, the helper, the teacher, the gift. I believe You for Your promise and prophecy that I shall see greater things. You are the one who reveals to me and inspires me, the vision, the glory, the king. Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Book of Signs

THE FIRST DISCIPLES

John 1:35-51

III: Love for One Another

AVOIDING SIN / CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD

1 John 3:4-18 / 19-24

Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

Psalm 100:1-5

Reflection Source:

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You shall see greater things than these . . .

"Because I said to you, 

I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? 

You shall see greater things than these."

JOHN 1:50

Jesus is the fulfillment of all that is written by the prophets. He is the Son of God, your Master and Teacher, and the King of all! He alone can change what seems to be bad into something that is good.

He knows you, who you are, and where you are coming from. What you need to know and learn is who He really is and what He can do for you. Decide when to make your next move but always see to it to follow Jesus.

Focus on the Lord and you will see even greater things unfold in your very eyes. With Him, the gates of heaven are always open for you.

Lord, you are my teacher, the Son of God and the King of all!

It is not about me, but it is all about you in whom all good things come. May your wisdom and lordship rule over my life now and forever.

With much awe and reverence, I humbly pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Book of Signs

THE FIRST DISCIPLES

John 1:35-51

Published:

August 24, 2013, 11:35 AM

Nothing will be Impossible for God

"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, 

has also conceived a son in her old age, 

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

LUKE 1:36-37

When you believe that nothing is impossible with God, you are opening yourself up to a world of possibilities. You are saying that you believe in God’s power and that you trust Him to work in your life. You are also saying that you are willing to take risks and step outside of your comfort zones. While it’s important to have faith and trust in God, it’s also important to take action and work towards your goals. When you take action, you are showing God that you are committed to making a change in your life and that you are willing to put in the effort required to achieve your dreams.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

Obedience to God’s commands is of utmost importance in conducting our daily way of life. God gave us a choice between obedience and disobedience, allowing us to exercise free will and to choose whether to follow His commands or not. A way to exercise free will in a way that pleases God is to practice self-discipline. Self-discipline means to exercise power over one’s self and to keep one’s self under control. It is the ability to master one’s inner desires, thoughts, actions, and words. By practicing self-discipline, you can resist temptation and make choices that align with God’s will.

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the Lord God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The Lord God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; on your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living. (Genesis 3:9-15, 20)

God is sovereign and that He is able to accomplish great things through His power and might. Praise God, thank Him for His blessings, ask for His guidance, and express your love and gratitude. Cultivating gratitude is a great way to improve your overall well-being and happiness. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your life, even when things are difficult. This can help you maintain a positive outlook and increase your feelings of gratitude.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4)

Living a holy life is an important part of the Christian faith. To live a holy life, you can start by understanding what holiness means and how it relates to God. According to the Bible, God is holy and set apart from us. To be holy means to be set apart for God’s purposes and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. To live a holy life, you need to focus on Christ and follow His example. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and is the ultimate example of holiness.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12)

Hope in Christ is not a wishful thinking or a vague feeling, but a solid conviction that God will do what He has said for nothing will be impossible for Him. It gives us joy, peace, and strength in the midst of trials and tribulations. It us to live a holy and obedient life that pleases God and glorifies Him. Hope in Christ is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

When you face challenges, it’s easy to become discouraged and lose hope. But when you remember that nothing is impossible with God, you can face the waters of your circumstances with a strong confidence, knowing that God is able and willing to do great things in and through you. Prayer is a powerful tool that can help you connect with God and seek His guidance and wisdom. When you pray, you can ask God to help you overcome obstacles, give you strength, and provide you with the courage to face your fears.

Pericope:

II: The Infancy Narrative

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 1:26-38

I: The Primeval History

THE FALL OF MAN

Genesis 3:1-24

Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106

THE COMING OF GOD

Psalm 98:1-9

I: Address

THE FATHER'S PLAN OF SALVATION/INHERITANCE THROUGH THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 1:3-6/11-14

Reflection Source:

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Great Things

I know that you can do all things, 
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. 
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; 
things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. 
Job 42:1-3

O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever. (Ps 131:1-3)

Lord, according to your ordinances they still stand firm: all things serve you (Ps 119:91). I know, O Lord, that your ordinances are just, and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me (Ps 119:75). It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes (Ps 119:71). I am your servant; give me discernment that I may know your decrees (Ps 119:125). Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust (Ps 119:66). 

PERICOPE:

HUMBLE TRUST IN GOD : Psalm 131:1, 2, 3

A PRAYER TO GOD, THE LAWGIVER : Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125

PUBLISHED:

October 01, 2016, 6:31 AM

Things that Do Not Exist

God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead 

and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 

Romans 4:17

The Promise. . .

You shall inherit the world not through the law but through the "Righteousness of Faith". It depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace.

Believe in this, "God gives life to the dead and call into existence the things that do not exist." In hope, believe against hope and all things shall be added unto you.

Father in heaven, You alone can make all things possible for me through your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

I have nothing and you gave me a lot of things. Things that make up for who I am and what I am today. I claim your promise to inherit things that are far beyond my wishes and dreams knowing and believing that what you want for me is only the best. 

My faith and destiny is at the palm of your hands through Christ. Thank you so much for giving me a life of faith that is completely dependent upon the power of your works. Thank you for not only revealing to me the profound meaning of faith but making it a vital part of my way of living.

Because of this, my hope was raised to higher grounds and I could now see clearly that your promise is indeed forthcoming. May your hand continue to work wonders over my life making my joy truly full and complete.

All these I humbly ask and pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Published:

October 19, 2013, 9:12 AM

Reconcile All Things

In Him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 

and through Him to reconcile all things for Him, 

making peace by the Blood of His cross 

through Him, whether those on earth or those in heaven. 

COLOSSIANS 1:19-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the Body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He himself might be preeminent. (Col 1:15-18)

Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then He will repay everyone according to his conduct.  (Mt 16:24-27)

Learn not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride (1 Cor 4:6). Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect (Rom 12:2). By the mercies of God, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship (Rom 12:1). 

The Lord is just in all His ways and holy in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. (Ps 145:17-18) He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; he hears their cry and saves them (Ps 145:19). May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever. (Ps 145:21)

O God, You are my God whom I seek; for You my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (Ps 63:2). Your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify You. Thus will I bless You while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon Your name. (Ps 63:4-5) You are my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to You; Your right hand upholds me. (Ps 63:8-9)

Small Beginnings to Great Endings

 “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed 

that a person took and sowed in a field. 

It is the smallest of all the seeds, 

yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants."

MATTHEW 13:31-32

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lᴏʀᴅ rejoices to see the work begin …” Zechariah 4:10 NLT

Everything in life starts small. People, trees, houses, relationships, and even faith. But when something—even a microscopic something—is loved, nurtured, and cultivated, that small beginning begins to grow exponentially. A garden is planted one inch of dirt at a time. A book is written one word at a time. (Life.Church). 

It all adds up; never discount your efforts, because small efforts build big things. One word doesn't make a novel, but one word does begin a novel, and from that small beginning everything else follows (Laurell K. Hamilton)

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one (Mark Twain).

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises (Demosthenes). A diligent hawker today, can be a great tycoon tomorrow (Ernest Agyemang Yeboah). Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step (Laozi). If you plan to excel in big things, you have to develop the habit in the small ones (LeCrae).

According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step (John F. Kennedy). Small beginnings are the launching pad to great endings (Joyce Meyer).

“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many...” ― William Bradford, Bradford: Of Plymouth Plantation