Tagged: memory verse

WILL YOU LEAVE JESUS OR LEAVE SIN?

“They left Him and went off.” —Mark 12:12 When Jesus told a parable, He surely desired His hearers to respond by repenting and coming to Him. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus told a parable which convicted people of their sin (Mk 12:1ff). However, the response of the Jewish leaders to the parable of the tenants was: “They left Him and went off” (Mk 12:12). Jesus’ hearers understood exactly what He was saying to them. Sadly, they chose to reject both Jesus and His message. The Lord has long been sending you messengers to deliver His Word (see Mk 12:2-6). He...

WHO’S GOT YOUR TONGUE?

“Do not be afraid. Go on speaking and do not be silenced.” –Acts 18:9 At the first Christian Pentecost, the Holy Spirit dealt in a magnificent way with tongues. First, the Spirit appeared in the form of “tongues as of fire” (Acts 2:3). The apostles yielded their formerly silent tongues to speak in both native and foreign languages, proclaiming the prophetic Word of God (Acts 2:4ff). Their hearers used their tongues to repent and ask how to be saved (Acts 2:37). Once the Spirit has your tongue, the battle begins. Satan accuses you of being foolish (Acts 2:13) and enflames...

HOW MUCH CAN YOU BEAR?

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” –John 16:12 Several decades ago, I began my computer programming career. During my first month on the job, so much new information came my way that I left work each day with a headache from information overload. I learned much each day. However, my boss had a great deal more to teach me, and I couldn’t bear it yet. Likewise, schools separate students into twelve grades. High-school subjects are not taught to first-graders; they aren’t mentally ready for that yet. Besides being mentally unable to bear information,...

FAMILY CELEBRATIONS

He “joyfully celebrated with his whole family his newfound faith in God.” –Acts 16:34 The converted jailer immediately shared his faith with his family and joyfully celebrated God’s new life with them. Here are some ways for a family to celebrate their faith in God: anniversaries: celebrating the day each family member received Sacraments, such as Baptism (Acts 16:33-34), First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, etc., patron saints: celebrating the feast day of the patron saint of each family member (or the saint they were named for), monthly Confession parties: the family goes to Confession together and celebrates afterward (e.g. Lk...

PERSEVERANCE IN PAIN

“They gave their disciples reassurances, and encouraged them to persevere in the faith.” –Acts 14:22 After being beaten unconscious, dragged out of the town of Lystra, and left for dead, St. Paul regained consciousness and went back into Lystra (Acts 14:19-20). Paul was fearless, unstoppable, and persevering. After leaving Lystra, he soon returned to reassure the disciples and encourage “them to persevere in the faith” (Acts 14:22). Paul had credibility when he talked about perseverance. He had cuts, wounds, and bruises, which were the price of perseverance. Paul proclaimed: “I put no value on my life if only I can...