Deuteronomy 4:1-8; Psalm 15; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8,
There is a way to gain and there is a way to lose: The path a man chose to follow will determine how his heart is and show the true conditions of his heart.
Your knowledge of life would be known by the way you regard God’s commands — Fr. Ray
His Word
LORD, WHO MAY ENTER YOUR TEMPLE? WHO MAY WORSHIP ON ZION, YOUR SACRED HILL? THOSE WHO OBEY GOD IN EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS DO WHAT IS RIGHT, WHOSE WORDS ARE TRUE AND SINCERE — Psalms 15:1-2
ALL THESE EVIL THINGS COME FROM THE INSIDE A PERSON AND MAKE HIM UNCLEAN — Mark 7:23
The Understanding Of God’s Commands connects You To strength
The first thing you must set your heart to pursue from the day of your conversion is the understanding of the way of the LORD. This is because God’s way is different from the ways of the world, the ways of men. There are things acceptable to the world but are in complete opposite to what God demands. As such they place a great danger to your life here on earth. Understanding is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that can always be given to the heart that longs for truth and not just surrender to any thing just because it either satisfies your intellectual curiosity or makes you comfortable. God has given His commands that point the way humans should live and be in charge. Set your heart to understand what God commanded and you will find strength needed to walk in it and be faithful to the end. “Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations” (Deuteronomy 4:6).
How To Grow In Understanding Of God
A person who wants to know God and love Him more would need to commit his or her heart to not just knowing what God says but there must be a firm desire to “live by every Word of God” (Matthew 4:4). Why? Evil things come from the heart (Matthew 7:23). But when you live by God’s Word, you find strength to take charge of what happens inside of you. This is the strength of believers and the courage they have to face a world defined by “evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance” (Matthew 7:21-22), and still be able to stand in God’s Presence (Psalm 15:1). The more resolved you are to keep God’s commandments, the deeper understanding you will have of God.
The Courage To Live Well Is In Your Determination And Faithfulness
Something your understanding of God does for you is that it builds courage in you. The truth is that no man can face his enemies without courage. The lion in the forest is not the biggest in size nor the noisiest of animals yet it is the most feared. The secret is in its courage. If God demands from His children to walk blamelessly, to do what is just, speak the truth, never slander with their tongues, harm not their fellow man, it is because that is the way to live and be strong to stand , not just the world and all its wickedness and atrocities but, above all, the amazing and the fearful Presence of God. In fact, the Word of God says, “You will never be shaken or disturbed “. (Psalm 15:5). As such, the courage to live well is in your determination to follow the path of God to the end, no matter what, and in your faithfulness to the Divine law or commandments.
Pay Attention To God’s Commands So You Can Live And Be In Charge
Moses, one of the greatest men that lived in a very corrupt, depraved, unjust and cruel world yet remained steadfast to his faith in God to the end, has this to tell his people: “Now, O Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 4:1). He speaks from what he has come to know of God; he speaks from his own life; he speaks from his experiences. That was how he conquered Pharaoh, survived the wilderness, defeated the many enemies that confronted them. That will also be the way you, too, can live and take charge of your life, your environment and your enemies. Do well to listen to God’s commandments that has been written both in your conscience and on the eternal Book of life, the Holy Book of God.
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Get Into The Power That Produces Grace To Be Strong
There is the Grace that produces power and the power that produces grace by which a man may run and not be tired, walk and not faint, go through the valley and will not be stuck; pass through the shadow of death and still be fearless and untroubled, stand up to warriors and giants, speak against cruel kings and queens; can trust when God command them to walk on the water, strike the rock because God said it will bring forth water; undaunted in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus over the laws and demands of men; never worried to be imprisoned for truth. This grace comes from what St. James tells us. First, he says, “In humility, welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. “ (James 1:21). Second, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.“ (James 1:22). On this ground you get into the power that produces the grace to stand strong.
No Door Is Opened Without Faith
Do not let men accuse you of doing what has no bearing to the teachings of Christ and to eternal life. People who believe in our LORD Jesus Christ must daily confront and stand up against whatever that confront the faith. It is very unfortunate that believers have messed up with the world that they are no longer able to discern and judge properly what honours God or not. They have come to trust what men say more than what God says. For example, if I tell you that the Holy Eucharist can protect and save you and science tells you that they have scientific proofs that it cannot, many will trust what science says than God’s presence in the Holy Eucharist. It is that bad with the way things are going now and the approach of many to Eucharist. No door is opened without the key of faith. Unless Christians renew their faith in God’s power, they may be drowned.
Not Everything Good Is Profitable For Faith
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. (James 1:17). Yet, you must understand that not everything that is good that is acceptable before God. Listen to God’s Word: “We are allowed to do anything,” so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. “We are allowed to do anything” — but not everything is helpful.” (1 Corinthians 10:23). You know why? They do not edify Even if they may be legitimate, they are not beneficial or advantageous for your eternal purpose. You must not be carried away by what profits your flesh, your earthly dwellings without understanding the intention behind it. A life of integrity cannot be bought with money, it is built by reason of your determination and choice to go the right way.
On No Conditions Should The Rules Of Men Be Enforced Over That Of God
Jesus frowned on any attitude that tried to push the traditions of men above that of God. Those of us who believe must also do likewise. “When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with hands unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.” (Mark 7:1-3). The problem wasn’t the washing of hands, the emphasis is on the priority of such act over God’s purpose. Hypocrisy is a terrible sin against the Kingdom of God. “Jesus answered them, “How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! You are hypocrites, just as he wrote: ‘These people, says God, honour me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me.” (Mark 7:6). The same with any attempt to teach or promote human rules above God’s laws or commandments. Jesus said, “It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were God's laws!’ “You put aside God's command and obey human teachings.”” (Mark 7:7-8). On no condition should anyone be allowed to force the children of the Kingdom to obey human teachings or traditions of men.
Obey God In Everything
This is the summary of everything God says to you: “OBEY ME IN EVERYTHING “. This is what the men and women of old, the prophets and teachers of nations, the apostles and disciples of our LORD Jesus Christ have taught and practiced. The scripture tells in Psalm 15:2 that, “Those who obey God in everything will always do what is right”. It is the way to keep yourself unstained by the world. This, indeed, in the words of St. James, is called “Pure Religion which is undefiled before God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:27). There is no better way to live and be in charge than to obey God in everything. You cannot be a Christian and don’t obey God. You must be doers of the Word (James 1:22). Teach men obedience to Christ and the world will be a better place if they become doers of the Word. It is also the way to worship God both with your lips and heart. The Word of God in you purifies your heart and makes what comes from it pleasing and acceptable to God.
PRAYER TO LIVE IN GOD’S PRESENCE
HOLY FATHER AND LORD OF GLORY
YOU ARE TRULY HOLY AND GRACIOUS,
YOU ARE POWERFUL AND MERCIFUL
YOU ARE THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE WHO JUDGES JUSTLY
THERE IS NO INTENTION OF MAN THAT IS NOT KNOWN TO YOU
EVERYTHING ABOUT US IS OPEN BEFORE YOU
I, HUMBLY, BEG YOU, MY GOD TO LET ME DWELL IN YOUR PRESENCE
YOUR PRESENCE IS MORE THAN THE HEART OF MAN CAN CONTAIN
YET, YOU HAVE SAID THAT IF MY HEART IS CLEAN, I CAN HOME YOUR AWESOME PRESENCE
I BEG YOU, LORD TO GRANT ME A HEART THAT LISTENS AND OBEY YOU
FOR THIS IS THE WAY MY HEART CAN BE PURE
FORGIVE ME FOR THE TIMES I HAVE PRICE THE WORLD ABOVE YOUR PRECEPTS
WE ARE SORRY FOR THE TIMES WE HAVE PUSHED THE TEACHINGS OF MEN AND EVEN DENIED YOUR CHILDREN FROM HAVING ACCESS TO YOUR HOUSE
WE KNOW, LORD, THAT THE DAYS ARE EVIL AND WE FEAR THAT THE RULERS OF THIS WORLD WILL UNLEASH TERRORS THAT WILL MAKE US YIELD TO THEIR DEMANDS THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU
HELP US, LORD, SO THAT THEY WILL NEVER SUCCEED IN THIS MISSION
PROTECT OUR HEARTS AND GIVE US THE COURAGE TO OBEY YOU IN EVERYTHING SO THAT WE MAY REMAIN IN YOUR PRESENCE BOTH IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE WORLD TO COME
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN
My Faith-Stand
I OPENLY DECLARE BEFORE YOU, O GOD: I WILL LIVE MY LIFE TO OBEY YOU. YOUR COMMANDS WILL BE MY DELIGHT. YOU ARE CAPABLE TO DELIVER ME FROM THE THINGS THAT DEFILES A MAN. AMEN. ALLELUIA!