WHO'S GOT YOUR BACK?

“It is I; don’t be afraid.”– John 6:20

       I couldn’t sleep on my last night in my brother’s house in Florida. My luggage was overweight. Anxious about paying $150 for excess weight robbed me of my sleep. In the end, I just prayed and surrendered my situation to the Lord. He was my provider anyway. I went to sleep knowing God had my back.

       Upon checking in, the of cer in charge of weighing and checking in baggages saw my luggage tag with my family name: Ledesma. She asked where I was from. It turned out we had the same family name. She was so excited to meet someone with the same family name from the other side of the world and started calling me her cousin. When she placed my luggage on the weighing scale, I saw how excessively overweight my luggage was. She immediately removed it from the scale and proceeded to check it in. God answered my prayer by sending me a “cousin” from South America!

       When financial problems overwhelm me, I just remind myself of instances like this that demonstrate how God has my back and how He answers my prayers in unimaginable ways. He is the Almighty and Omnipotent God telling us, “Hello. It is I. Do not be afraid.” Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

Reflect: If Jesus said, “Do not be afraid,” why don’t you believe Him?

Forgive me, Lord, for letting my doubts overwhelm me. Help me to trust You more.

The deacons are appointed to help the Apostles and free them for prayer and preaching. Prayer is an essential aspect of any ministry. Without it, we will be overwhelmed by sin, the devil, and the world. Let us pray for one another, that we will persevere in the work of the Gospel and help the Church to continue to grow.

Acts 6:1-7

1 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the Apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. 7 The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

 P S A L M 

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

1 Exult, you just, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting. 2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten- stringed lyre chant his praises. (R) 4 Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 

GOSPEL

Jesus is with us and when we cry out to Him, He is always ready to help us. This is the humility of Jesus – He became human like us to help us live in the Spirit and the grace of God. Let us be watchful and ready to respond to His call.

 

Christ is risen, who made all things; he has shown mercy on all people.  

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Read the Bible in one year 1 Samuel 17-20 

T O D A Y ‘ S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________