Today’s thought “Ability to assemble” (May 14)

Today’s thought

“Ability to assemble”

(May 14)

Yesterday in the reading of the Acts of the apostles (28:4) we could see how barbarous man could be and when watching television we still can see the cruelty of the human being which often acts worse than an animal would do. In that verse the attitude of the barbarous people is one that scripture warns God-fearing men against. Individual ‘natural punishments‘ such as accidents and illnesses and bereavements, are not a direct result of an individual’s sin. So often scripture goes to great pains to tell us this, that we suffer in this way because of being ‘in Adam’. This event is recorded partly to support this truth, especially as the shallow nature of their thinking is demonstrated in v.6 by their complete change of opinion! But yesterday we also showed that we do not need any mutilation of a human body to show our connection with God.

Today’s readings (Deuteronomy 31, Isaiah 3-4, Colossians 1) also show elements of fear and our attitude to others and our willingness to take a stand for God.

Today, lots of people are afraid to show others what they really think or how they really feel. Constantly lots of people create themselves a virtual world on Facebook or on other social media. Most often they boast with material things and only a few shall be eager to show how they love God and want to bring the message of the coming Kingdom of God.

In a lot of things people want to show their physical strength. Though not many want to show that they are strong and of a good courage in the faith. Most people fear to show how they have chosen to follow Christ, the son of God. Most people are afraid of the people around them to show how they love the Divine Creator. Even when they feel it how God goes with them they do not dare to show their gratitude by letting others know.

⁶Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 New American Bible Revised Edition)

They are not so much afraid that God would forsake them, but fear most that they will be left alone, their fellow man leaving them on their own, they not willing to know about that God.

Like in ancient times God or men of God summoned people to be strong and to continue the path God had provided for them we too should stay on the track laid out in front of us by the Creator.

This is the cover artwork for the New American Bible Revised Edition published by Saint Benedict Press. It features Titian’s image of Pentecost or the “Descent of the Holy Spirit.” This particular cover has been featured on the USCCB’s website, on a feature about the NABRE on MSNBC, and on a variety of blogs and news updates on the NABRE. It is probably the most recognized cover for the NABRE to date. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Call of Joshua. ⁷Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel said to him, “Be strong and steadfast, for you shall bring this people into the land which the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them; it is you who will give them possession of it.(Deuteronomy 31:7 New American Bible Revised Edition)

Commission of Joshua. ²³Then he commissioned Joshua, son of Nun, and said to him, Be strong and steadfast, for it is you who will bring the Israelites into the land which I promised them on oath. I myself will be with you. (Deuteronomy 31:23 New American Bible Revised Edition)

The number of times this phrase is repeated to Joshua, one way or another, shows us how important it is to develop this attitude of dependence upon God for all things. We do have the ability to think for our selves and to make decisions for our selves. Though most people are so afraid of “what others would think” and therefore do not dare to make up their mind according to the Will of God, but prefer to keep taking part in the rituals of this world, with the many pagan feasts, like Halloween, Christmas, Easter, just to mention the most important ones, so many Christians still adore to take part.

We do agree that it is not through our own confidence that we have the strength to row against the stream. It is God Who gives us insight and let us understand His Word and who gives it the ability to grow in us. It is God Who give us the ability to be strong and of a good courage.

Continually we have to come together with our brethren and sisters, also inviting others to come to listen to the Word of God. Each of us should gather the people together, men and women, and children, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the the Most High God, and observe to do all the words of His prescriptions, rules and regulations or Laws.

¹²Assemble the people—men, women and children, as well as the resident aliens who live in your communities—that they may hear and so learn to fear the Lord, your God, and to observe carefully all the words of this law.(Deuteronomy 31:12 New American Bible Revised Edition)

This week we looked at our abilities and the abilities God gave to man. When we have the ability to live we should be grateful for that life. Having the ability to develop and to come to master abilities or talents we should make use of those given talents. Having the ability to see and think we should make use of it to read and to try to understand what we read. Having the ability to speak we should use our voice to spread the knowledge we could gather. Even when many people seem to take every effort to get people out of each others way, having preachers doing everything to blacken other religious groups.

¹Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock of my pasture—oracle of the Lord. ²Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. ³I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have banished them and bring them back to their folds; there they shall be fruitful and multiply. ⁴I will raise up shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear or be terrified; none shall be missing—oracle of the Lord.

⁵See, days are coming—oracle of the Lord—
    when I will raise up a righteous branch for David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
    he shall do what is just and right in the land.
⁶In his days Judah shall be saved,
    Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name to be given him:
    “The Lord our justice.”

⁷Therefore, the days are coming—oracle of the Lord—when they shall no longer say, “As the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt”; ⁸but rather, “As the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of the house of Israel up from the land of the north”—and from all the lands to which I banished them; they shall again live on their own soil. (Jeremiah 23:1-8 New American Bible Revised Edition)

We see a lot of negligence going on today. Many people are made afraid by several religious groups. Not only Islamic fighters bring fear over people. Several Christian groups make handy use of this situation of terrorism to increase their power by setting up people against each other and by telling all sorts of umbilical stories which make people afraid of what can happen to them if they do not follow the preacher’s words.

In these days of fear for terrorism and the increasing threat of war we should be ready and watch carefully. The days are coming when Israelites will come to live securely in their own land and when the Word of God shall be preached all over the world, and then the end timeses shall come.

The time has come to wake up and to and give relief to all of you still bandaging the wounds brought to them by the adversaries of God. Instead of having fear we should come to rejoice because time is near that clouds would draw back displaying God His powerful heavenly messengers in a fiery blaze and Jesus the Lord for mankind will appear from heaven dealing out perfect justice to anyone who doesn’t know God and anyone who disobeys the good news of our Lord Jesus.

⁸in blazing fire, inflicting punishment on those who do not acknowledge God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:8 New American Bible Revised Edition)

Spreading the Good News we also should be pleased to be part of the Body of Christ and should come together, gathering in the love of Christ. Together we should help each-other to make sure we live according to the Will of God. Knowing that what we do is God’s will and that He will fight for us as He did for the people so long ago, and has done for his people since, shall give us assurance that He is the best One to trust and to build on. In Christ we have the ability to be strong and in the power of his might and the Power of his heavenly Father, because justice shall be the band around God His waist, and faithfulness a belt upon His hips, with no human any more to intervene except the given son of God, who shall be above any other king or ruler or dictator or leader. Yes, that Nazarene master teacher, who received authority from God, his honour is far more glorious than that of anyone else either in this world or in the world to come. (Isaiah 11:5; 59:16-17; Ephesians 6:10; 1:21).

Battle Against Evil. ¹⁰^[a]Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.(Ephesians 6:10 New American Bible Revised Edition)

²¹far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:21 New American Bible Revised Edition)

Preceding articles:

Today’s thought “Ability to receive ableness from God” (May 11)

Today’s thought “Ability to see that God is not dead” (May 12)

Today’s thought “Ability to circumcise your heart” (May 13)

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Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #8 Prayer #6 Communication and manifestation

Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #9 Prayer #7 Reason to pray

Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #17 Sorts of prayers

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Evangelisation, local preaching opposite overseas evangelism