With You in Paradise

Jesus said to his disciples, "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This I command you: love one another." 

​Lord Jesus, you came into the world freely to save mankind from its wicked sinfulness. "No one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." Your life was given for us all, that one day we may spend eternity with you in Paradise. Amen.

The Father's Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

Consideration: This brief scripture passage is very powerful. Jesus is very clear that his love for his disciples is Immense. If we heed his words and keep the Father's commandments, we will remain in his love, as he is in the Father's love. Amen.

Glorify the Father

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just As a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw then into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear fruit and become my disciples." 

Lord Jesus, grant us the graces necessary to bear fruit and to always remain in you. So, we may glorify the Father and become your disciples. Amen.

I Love the Father

Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and will come back to you.' if you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going back to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but world must know that I love the Father and I do just as the Father has commanded me."

Consideration: Jesus gives his peace to his disciples and comforts them. He tells them that he is going back to his Father and that he loves his Father. Jesus also tells them that the ruler of the world is coming and that he has no power over him. The ruler of this world seems to be in control over the people of many today. Be not afraid because he has promised to go and prepare a place for us; that where he is we also will be. We need only to live by his words as he has in doing what the Father commanded of him.

You Carried Us

Dear Lord, today was one of those days to praise you. Every direction turned into a chore, but you were close by, thank you. Sometimes the crosses in life can wear you down, but that is when I lean on you the most. You never let me down; you lift me up. I pray for anyone who had a difficult day today, or every day. Like the poem says, "When there was only one set of footprints in the sand it was then you carried us." Amen.

For Heaven's Sake

Sunshine lights the sky, before lightning and rain

Everything is peaceful, before evil shows its face

Sometimes things we see, are viewed as a mirage

People criticize actions of others, without a cause

Things of earth and space, have a place in day to day...keep moving on

When the direction seems right, take a second look

Peace and prosperity reigned, before things shook

Listen to wisdom, of those battered by harsh storms

Never complain if criticized, for this you were born 

Never let pain go to waste, accept it with a smiling face...keep moving on

If it's meant to be, it will, allow it to become known

Seeds sown on fertile ground, roots spread and grow

Keep the faith through adversity, and bear much fruit

Remember it's not by chance, fate helped to form you

Let your light shine, smile through the pain, keep moving on...For Heaven's Sake!

Keys to the Kingdom

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. you have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. if it were not, would I have told you I'm going to prepare a place for you. I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may also be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. if you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do not know him and have seen him."

Consideration: Again, the Scripture Readings confirm that Jesus, is the way and the truth and the life. He has been given the Keys to the Kingdom, where his Father is and we must believe and trust in him to enter into eternal life. Amen.