Bear Fruit in Every Good Work

Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord 

so as to be fully pleasing in every good work, 

bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God. 

COLOSSIANS 1:10

You are regarded as a servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1). Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy (1 Cor 4:2). 

Jesus said, "To to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Mt 25:29)

The Lord entrusted you with His possesions according to your ability (Mt 25:14-15). Be faithful in small matters and He will give you great responsibilities. Do it well and you shall share His joy (Mt 25:21,23). Put His money in the bank so that He can have it back with interest on His return (Mt 25:27).

Every good work comes from the Lord alone. Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth (1 Cor 3:6). He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building (1 Cor 3:8-9).

Pray and ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, strengthened with every power, in accord with His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy (Col 1:9,11). Progress even more to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands (1 Thes 4:10-11).

The Lord has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for Him, His holy arm (Ps 98:1). Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and enjoy security (Ps 37:3). Give thanks to the Father who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light (Col 1:12).

Published:

September 02, 2023, 8:38 AM

Work so as Not to Burden Anyone

You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. 

Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, 

we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God. 

1 THESSALONIANS 2:9

The Lord's hand shall guide you, and His right hand hold you fast (Ps 139:10). You received not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe (1Thes 2:13). 

Jesus said: “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property." (Mt 24:45-47)

God is faithful, and by Him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor 1:9). In Him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:5-7). 

Everywhere you go, God is already there. His presence is from where you are now to where you are going (Ps 139:8). He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:8). For this reason, give thanks to God unceasingly, and walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory (1Thes 2:12). 

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable (Ps 145:3). Hope in the Lord your God who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them (Ps 146:5-6). The Lord shall reign forever; your God through all generations. Alleluia. (Ps 146:10) 

Lord, every day will I bless You; and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Generation after generation praises Your works and proclaims your might. They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of Your wondrous works. They discourse of the power of Your terrible deeds and declare Your greatness. They publish the fame of Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your justice. (Psalm 145:2, 4-7)

Published:

August 25, 2023, 8:35 AM

Abundance for Every Good Work

Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, 

so that in all things, always having all you need, 

you may have an abundance for every good work. 

(2 Corinthians 9:8)

God delights in cheerful, willing hearts. Giving should come from a place of joy and gratitude. Our attitude matters and our actions have consequences. When we give generously—whether financially, emotionally, or spiritually—we can expect blessings in return. God provides both seed (resources) and bread (daily needs). Our giving multiplies our impact and leads to spiritual growth. Let us trust God’s provision. He blesses us abundantly so that we can bless others. Our generosity aligns with His grace.

Generosity’s Grace

In cheerful hearts, a seed takes root, 

A joyous offering, a willing pursuit. 

From gratitude’s wellspring, we pour, 

Our actions echoing forevermore.

God delights in our open hands, 

Not just in gold, but in love’s strands. 

For when we give, our spirits bloom, 

And blessings flow, dispelling gloom.

Seed and bread, His provision vast, 

He multiplies our gifts, unsurpassed. 

In the dance of grace, our souls entwine, 

Generosity’s rhythm, divine and fine.

So trust His heart, His love unswayed, 

For every act of kindness, He has weighed. 

Abundant blessings, like morning dew, 

Await those who give, their hearts renewed.

May our lives echo this sacred refrain, 

As we bless others, free from earthly chain. 

God’s grace, our compass, forever true, 

In cheerful hearts, His love shines through.

A Prayer of Generosity

Gracious Father,

We come before You with hearts open wide, Cheerful and willing, in Your love we confide. May our giving be a symphony of joy, A melody that echoes eternity’s employ.

From the wellspring of gratitude, we pour, Not just our treasures, but our spirits soar. In the currency of kindness, we invest, Knowing that Your grace multiplies our best.

Seed and bread, both gifts from Your hand, You provide abundantly, as only You can. Our daily needs met, our souls sustained, In the dance of provision, Your love unrestrained.

Teach us to trust, to release our grip, For You are the Giver, and we are equipped. As we bless others, may our hearts align, With the rhythm of grace, divine and fine.

May our generosity ripple through time, A legacy of love, a symphony sublime. Bless us, Lord, that we may bless anew, Our hands open wide, reflecting You.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. 

Pericope:

III: Collection for Jerusalem

GOD'S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

First Reading | 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

6 Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Background:

This passage addresses the topic of giving and generosity among the Corinthian Christians. Here are some key points:

Context and Purpose: The church in Corinth faced challenges, including divisions and quarrels. Paul had previously written a lost letter to address immorality and had also confronted divisions among them. In 2 Corinthians, Paul continues to encourage the Corinthian believers to be ready to give. He emphasizes the importance of cheerful, generous giving.

Ministering to the Saints: Paul refers to the financial support of the Jerusalem saints. The Corinthian Christians were willing to contribute to this collection, which Paul had previously mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8 and other passages. The ancient Greek word for “ministering” (diakonia) is used both in a practical sense (like relief in Acts 11:29) and in a spiritual sense (as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:8-9 and 2 Corinthians 9:1).

Paul’s Sarcasm and Encouragement: Paul playfully boasts to the Macedonians about the Corinthian willingness to give. He uses phrases like “superfluous for me to write” and “your zeal has stirred up the majority” to emphasize their readiness. His goal is to encourage them further in their giving, highlighting their example to others.

Regions Mentioned: Macedonia (to the north) and Achaia (to the south) were regions on the Greek peninsula. Corinth was the leading city of Achaia. The Macedonian churches (e.g., Philippi, Berea, Thessalonica) were known for their sacrificial giving, as Paul had previously described in 2 Corinthians 8:1-8.

In summary, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 encourages cheerful, purposeful giving and highlights the Corinthian Christians’ willingness to support their fellow believers in Jerusalem. Their generosity serves as an example for others. 

Learning Lessons:

This passage encourages us to embrace generosity and purposeful giving. 

Sowing and Reaping: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6) Our actions have consequences. When we give generously—whether financially, emotionally, or spiritually—we can expect blessings in return.

Cheerful Giving: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Our attitude matters. God delights in cheerful, willing hearts. Giving should come from a place of joy and gratitude.

Abundance and Provision: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) Trust God’s provision. He blesses us abundantly so that we can bless others. Our generosity aligns with His grace.

Purposeful Generosity: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:10) God provides both seed (resources) and bread (daily needs). Our giving multiplies our impact and leads to spiritual growth.

In summary, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 teaches us about joyful, purposeful giving, trusting God’s provision, and reaping blessings. 

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Have An Abundance for Every Good Work

God is able to make every grace abundant for you,

 so that in all things, always having all you need, 

you may have an abundance for every good work. 

 2 Corinthians 9:8

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit" (Jn 12:24).  

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness (2 Cor 9:10). Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Cor 9:6). 

Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory  (Ps 112:9). Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. As it is written: He scatters abroad, He gives to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. (2 Cor 9:7,9) 

Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice, he shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes.  (Ps 112:5-8) 

Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (Ps 112:1-2)

You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land (Job 1:10).

Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21)

Published:

August 10, 2023, 6:49 AM

September 26, 2016, 6:47 AM

August 10, 2016, 4:59 AM

Stretch Out Your Hand

 Jesus stretched out His hand toward his disciples and said, 

“Here are my mother and my brothers" 

MATTHEW 12 : 48

Stretch means to extend or expand, reach out, draw up, cause to reach or continue. (Merriam-Webster). In this reading, Jesus extends His hand to emphasize that all who are with Him is His family.

"Stretch out His hand" is a phrase that can be used in different contexts. It can mean to reach something out to someone or something1. In a biblical context, it can refer to a story in which Jesus heals a man with a withered hand. Jesus tells the man to "Stretch out your hand," and the man's hand is restored. (Idioms - Free Dictionary)

At the start of story of Job, there is a recurring phrase - ‘stretch out your hand and touch’ (Job 1:11, 2:5). The accuser is demanding this of the Lord. What is the meaning of the two parts (stretch out your hand [and] touch.) in this Hebraic phrase? This seems to be a Hebraic idiom. Here, the accuser is asking the Lord to do something. But, what?

The expression which is translated "can't afford" or "too poor" is literally "your hand can't reach". When your hand can't reach something, or something is outside your grasp, then it is impossible for you to accomplish. But God is omnipotent, and His hand can reach everywhere, and this is often used when visiting destruction: "And the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I stretch out my hand over Egypt and bring the Israelites out from their midst (Ex 7.5). And I will stretch out my hand against them, and I will make the land a desolation and a wasteland from the desert to Riblah in all of their dwellings, and they will know that I am Yahweh (Eze 6.14). And their houses will be turned over to others, their fields and their wives together. For I will stretch out my hand against the inhabitants of the land,” declares Yahweh (Jer 6.12).

It's really important to understand that when you are talking about word pictures and imagery, it is a great error to assume that each word picture is limited to a single root or lemma. When there is a metaphor that something in the reach of your hand is within your power, then it does not matter if you are reaching, grabbing, stretching, swooping, with your hand. All of these are examples of this hand-reaching metaphor. (Biblical Hermeneutics)

Published:

July 20, 2023, 8:31 AM

Turn the Word into Work

"Whoever then relaxes one of the least of 

these commandments and teaches men so, 

shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; 

but he who does them and teaches them 

shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

MATTHEW 5 : 19

Each and every word of the Lord as written in the sciptures will never stop until it is acted upon. You  can only follow God through humility and by seeing His work in the little things. 

Today, the Lord speaks about "Humility at work". True greatness is not founded on one's strength and power but in his meekness and humility. Be humble in all your works and business undertakings. To be the least is the greatest of all.

Jesus always comes to you in humility, but because your hearts are hardened or full of pride, He works through the mundane events of your life. 

Acknowledge the truth that like a child, you are completely dependent on the Lord. You live by God's grace alone and you can not possibly live without Him. Your faith rests upon the powers of His mighty hands. 

God continues to work wonders over your life each day that always make you happy, content, and fulfilled. You no longer need the praise and recognition of others but you heart rejoices whenever the Lord is praised and glorified. 

With all humility of heart and full of gladness and gratitude, always give glory and praise to God in Jesus Name!

Published:

July 05, 2023, 6:09 AM

Great are the Works of the Lord

In awe, we study His grand design,

The works of the Lord, truly divine.

Great in measure, vast in span,

A testament to the Almighty's plan.

His work, honorable and bright,

Glorious in every believer's sight.

His righteousness, a constant light,

Enduring, eternal, forever in flight.

With whole hearts, His name we raise,

In private whispers and public praise.

Acknowledging His works so vast,

Appreciating a love that's meant to last.

His provision for those who revere,

His name, His word, so clear.

Reverence to God, wisdom's key,

Opens the door, sets our spirits free.

So let us live with faith so grand,

With reverence deep, on God's holy land.

Gratitude in our hearts, forever we hold,

For His love is more precious than gold.

REFLECTION:

Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (Psalm 111:2)

The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. We should always praise the Lord with our whole heart, both privately and publicly, and acknowledge and appreciate His great works and His enduring righteousness. God’s provision are for those who revere Him. Reverence to God is the foundation of wisdom. Let us live a life of faith, reverence, and gratitude towards God. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We stand in awe of Your great works, studied and admired by all who find pleasure in them. Your work is honorable and glorious, Your righteousness endures forever.

We commit to praising You, Lord, with our whole heart, both privately and publicly. We acknowledge and appreciate Your great works, and Your enduring righteousness. We thank You for Your provision, bestowed upon those who revere You. We understand that reverence to You, Lord, is the foundation of wisdom.

Help us to live a life of faith, filled with reverence and gratitude towards You. Guide us on this journey, Lord, as we strive to follow Your righteous path.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.

Pericope:

Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150

PRAISE OF GOD FOR GOODNESS TO ISRAEL

Psalm 111:1-10

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9, 10

R: The Lord will remember his covenant forever. 

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R) 9 He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. 10 His praise endures forever. (R) 

Background:

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm, arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the 22 lines of Psalm 111 begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This structure serves both to set forth the psalm’s excellence and to aid memory.

The psalm is a hymn of praise to God for His works and deeds. It begins with a declaration of praise to the Lord, followed by a commitment to praise the Lord with the whole heart, both privately (in the assembly of the upright) and publicly (in the congregation).

The psalmist acknowledges God’s provision for those who revere Him, reminding us of God’s eternal covenant. He describes God’s powerful works that demonstrate His faithfulness and justice. The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who delight in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.

Many commentators note the connection between Psalms 111 and 112. James Montgomery Boice observed, "The two psalms are an obviously matched pair. The first is an acrostic poem about God; the second is an acrostic poem about the godly man".

In verse 9, the psalmist speaks of God’s redemption sent to His people and His eternal covenant. The final verse, verse 10, emphasizes the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.

Learning Lessons:

Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9, 10 offers several profound lessons for believers:

Wholehearted Praise: The psalm begins with a declaration of praise to the Lord, followed by a commitment to praise the Lord with the whole heart, both privately (in the assembly of the upright) and publicly (in the congregation). This teaches us the importance of praising God wholeheartedly and in community.

God’s Great Works: The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. This reminds us to acknowledge and appreciate God’s great works in creation and His enduring righteousness.

God’s Provision and Covenant: The psalmist acknowledges God’s provision for those who revere Him, reminding us of God’s eternal covenant. This teaches us about God’s faithfulness and the importance of revering Him.

Fear of the Lord: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This emphasizes the importance of revering God as the foundation of wisdom.

God’s Redemption: The psalmist speaks of God’s redemption sent to His people and His eternal covenant. This reminds us of God’s redeeming love and His eternal promises.

These lessons remind us of the importance of praising God, acknowledging His great works, trusting in His provision, revering Him, and appreciating His redemption. They encourage us to live a life of faith, reverence, and gratitude towards God. (Conversation with Copilot)