Jesus is the Gate

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 11:1-18 ~~~ Psalm 42 ~~~ John 10:1-10 ~~~

“Amen, amen, I say to you,

I am the gate for the sheep.

Jesus is not only the shepherd but he is also the gate.

Jesus leads his sheep through the gate.

Staying close to Jesus insures that we 

will be led safely through the gate.

Thieves and robbers 

attempt to fool the sheep into following them...

most are unsuccessful.

They are unsuccessful because the sheep 

know the voice of the Shepherd.

Be confident that you too recognize

 the voice of the shepherd.

John baptized with water

but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

The disciples witnessed the total change

in the Gentiles who came to believe.

The disciples followed the urging of the Spirit

as they went among the local Gentiles.

Those who had converted to Judaism at first objected 

to the disciples going out to the Gentiles. 

God works in surprising ways; 

this is evident in the spreading of the  disciples message.

God has then granted life-giving repentance

 to the Gentiles too.

What if it was a blessings in disguise

 for us that Jesus was rejected by the Jews.

Do you think God would have 

reached out to the Gentiles too?

The spread of the good news was certainly 

an example of early evangelizing.

Today the need for evangelizing

 is just as real and vital.

The Shepherd has led us through the gate 

inspiring us to go further, to evangelize others.

We are called to evangelize;

to spread or preach the gospel news.

I came so that they might have life and 

have it more abundantly.

Follow the Leader

through the Gate to the land of Redemption.

~~~Peace~~~

Be Not Shy...Boast

~~~ Romans 15:14-21 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ Luke 16:1-8 ~~~

I have reason to boast in what pertains to God.
For I will not dare to speak of anything
except what Christ has accomplished through me...

There is a great deal of attention placed on evangelizing others.
This was the main mission for St. Paul,
he was going about boasting about the Lord.
Paul was not shy about speaking what the truth about Jesus.
Paul used his voice everywhere he walked
to recognize the greatness of God.
He gave credit to God for every good thing
 accomplished through his preaching.

Paul held himself to a higher standard
than many others.
A standard that deferred all that was good
 to the spirit of God working in him.

You are called to hold yourself to the same
higher standard of living.

You may not have the personality of Paul,
but in your own way you too can reflect
what God has done for you.

Paul aspired to proclaim the gospel message.
Do you share this same aspiration?

Do you remain silent at times
when you know you should speak up?

Are you overly protective of your ego
 in situations where you should act?

Whatever goodness you possess in your life
has not come except through the power of God.

We all have reason to boast along with Paul.
God has done great things for you.
Are you aware of what those are?
Do you take the time to notice?

Give God his due credit...
speak his words as often as you can.
The words of Jesus are love, kindness, and mercy.
The greatest gift you can give may be
a few peace-filled words.

You have every reason to boast
about all things pertaining to God.

God sustains your life...
he is the giver of all that is good.
Speak to others of how God is working in your life...
making you a better person today than you were yesterday.

You are a participant in the salvation story.
Rejoice and be glad.

Blessings of courage to speak up.
You do possess the grace of God's goodness.

~~~Peace~~~