Achoo! Bless You !

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2 Maccabees 1: 2 - 5

"May God do good to you and remember his covenant with his faithful servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, give to all of you a heart to worship him and to do his will wholeheartedly and with willing spirit, open your heart to his law and commandments and grant you peace, hear your prayers, and be reconciled to you, and never forsake you in time of adversity."

Meditation

Have you ever asked yourself why people say "bless you" when you sneeze? What does God have to do with sneezing? In many different cultures, it is customary to say "bless you", "best wishes" or "to health" when someone sneezes. Apparently Pope Gregory ordered that people say "bless you" as sneezing meant that someone had the plague and it was a way of asking for divine intervention. It was also believed that sneezing could stop your heart or let evil spirits into your body. Ancient cultures thought that sneezing meant the Gods were letting you see the future. 

It is not only when we sneeze that we need to receive blessings from others. Wouldn't we all love to have someone tell us "May God be good to you" every morning before starting our day! What a blessing, especially today where negativity, anxiety and lack of hope reigns in the atmosphere. Receiving such a blessing can help us to have a "willing spirit" and get everything done in our agenda. However, the key question is: 

"Whose will am I doing? God's own or mine?"

Our verse today is part of a letter that the Jews in Jerusalem sent to their fellow brethren, in Egypt, who had fled there and settled a long time before. The letter was to remind them of their covenant with God to do God's will. The letter also asked them to celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights, in memory of the Jewish victory against Greek persecution. 

Unfortunately religious persecution has always existed and even more so today for Christians worldwide. However, this shouldn't discourage us from doing God's will. Jesus tells us:

"..because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.... For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day." (John 6: 38 - 40)

Jesus didn't follow His own will but the will of His father. During His passion in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays to His father:

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22: 42)

When we say the prayer that Jesus taught us, we are again reminded to do God's will:

"Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."

Meet the Challenge

What is a "willing spirit"? Someone who is ready, eager and prepared to do something is considered willing. A willing spirit is someone who is ready, eager and prepared to do God's will. A willing spirit seeks God continually and is in awe of God's goodness. A willing spirit means that when you get up in the morning, you are ready to face and embrace the day, with its joys and deceptions, knowing that God is at your side for every decision. His presence gives you peace because you are convinced He is ALL GOOD and sovereign. Being "willing" is a constant battle. Jesus warns us,

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)

Isn't that the truth! Our flesh is so weak! How difficult it is to resist another piece of chocolate, one more glass of wine, one more hour on the phone, one more hour in bed, too late for church.... The list is endless. That's why we need to cry out, "Lead us not into temptation"! If you are willing, little by little, God will increase your trust in Him and help you to have faith in His choices for you. Remember God is your Father and He wants only what is best for you. His ultimate goal is for you to have eternal life with Him in heaven. His unconditional love for each of us is impossible for us to fathom. We do not know how to love like He does. 

This week, keep trying ; don't give up. Remember, if you fall, God is there to pick you up and help you get back on your feet again and start over. His love is unconditional. He wants us to be joyful Christians, filled with laughter and peace so that others may ask, "Why are you so happy?" Make that your goal this week! Everyday, may someone ask you, "why do you have that big smile on your face"!

Let's Pray

Psalm 51: 1 -16

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins

And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.

Let's Praise Him

Listen to this beautiful remake of "A Bridge Over Troubled Water".


Community prayer

Breathe into me Holy Spirit

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. (Saint Augustine)

Thank you! 56 people prayed

1 comment

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6

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RUAH – Breathe through me Holy Spirit

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