Believe!

Believe in things we cannot see, a mystery

Faith of a mustard seed, achieve, believe

Moving mountains, parting the seas, believe

One step at a time, the uphill climb, believe

Surrounded by things we cannot change

Twist and turn pressure without brakes

Ups and downs of the rollercoaster of life

Be strong, persevere and stay in the fight

Blessings are waiting to be showered down

Choose the side of the righteous and found

The winding road is filled with many a battle

Glories and victories cause demons to rattle

Live life with trust and the promises of truth

Every encounter was placed there for you

Beyond the moment is never a guarantee

Faith, hope, trust, the mystery of love...Believe!

His only begotten Son

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but the one who does not believe in him has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but the people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Consideration: God sent his only begotten Son to save the world and not condemn it. But many preferred the darkness of evil, rather than the glory of the Son of God. The wicked hate the light, but those who live in truth love the light, and the Son, from which it comes. Amen.

Born from Above

Jesus said to Nicodemus: "'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can this happen?" Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak to what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but your people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

Consideration: Nicodemus, a teacher of the Jews seems confused. Jesus, the Son of Man, explains a teaching of his own, telling Nicodemus that if he does not believe in the earthly Jesus told him; how will he be able to comprehend and believe in heavenly things. Do we believe in the words of Jesus, the Son of Man?

Born of the Spirit

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said t him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him , "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man once grown old be born again? Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes: so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Consideration: Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, sees what many Jews cannot see. He has come to the realization that Jesus came from God; and admits that no one could do the signs Jesus was doing unless God was with him. But, still not claiming that Jesus is the Son of God.

Divine Mercy

There was a time that I drifted

A time I could do it on my own

Feeling I was special and gifted

The ego of a man out of control

Believing dreams will come true

Out of control... I turned to you

Still drifting, but I was searching

Placed my faith in the good news

I feel alive! I feel so free

I feel your love inside me

I feel alive! I feel so free

This is my day of liberty

Today is the day; Sun is shining

Darkness has fled from the light

This is a time when I'm reminded

That salvation is well within sight

I feel alive! I feel so free

I feel your love inside me

I feel alive! I feel so free

This is my day of liberty

There was a time that I drifted

Walking alone and very weary

In your love I found salvation

This is the day of "Divine Mercy"

Life in His Name

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and in my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Consideration: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son. Do you believe?

"Receive the Holy Spirit"

On the evening of the first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for the fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he said this he showed them his hands and side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send You." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.

Consideration: Jesus is clear and direct to his disciples; telling them that they are now being sent on a mission. Just as the Father sent him on a mission; now it is their turn. He blesses them with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and gives them the authority to forgive, or retain sin. Praise be Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. Amen!