Daily Reflection Verses

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Saturday – 23 November 2013

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Verses:           

1 Maccabees 6:1-13

Psalm 9:2-4, 6, 16, 19

Luke 20:27-40

1 Maccabees 6:1-13

6 Now king Antiochus was going through the higher countries, and he heard that the city of Elymais in Persia was greatly renowned, and abounding in silver and gold.

² And that there was in it a temple, exceeding rich: and coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields which king Alexander, son of Philip the Macedonian that reigned first in Greece, had left there.

³ Lo, he came, and sought to take the city and to pillage it: But he was not able, because the design was known to them that were in the city.

⁴ And they rose up against him in battle, and he fled away from thence, and departed with great sadness, and returned towards Babylonia.

⁵ And whilst he was in Persia, there came one that told him, how the armies that were in the land of Juda were put to flight:

⁶ And that Lysias went with a very great power, and was put to flight before the face of the Jews, and that they were grown strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils, which they had gotten out of the camps which they had destroyed:

⁷ And that they had thrown down the abomination which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls as before, and Bethsura also his city.

⁸ And it came to pass when the king heard these words, that he was struck with fear, and exceedingly moved: and he laid himself down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not fallen out to him as he imagined.

⁹ And he remained there many days: for great grief came more and more and more upon him, and he made account that he should die.

¹⁰ And he called for all his friends, and said to them: Sleep is gone from my eyes, and I am fallen away, and my heart is cast down for anxiety.

¹¹ And I said in my heart: Into how much tribulation am I come, and into what floods of sorrow, wherein now I am: I that was pleasant and beloved in my power!

¹² But now I remember the evils that I have done in Jerusalem, from whence also I took away all the spoils of gold, and of silver that were in it, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Juda without cause.

¹³ I know therefore that for this cause these evils have found me: and behold I perish with great grief in a strange land.

 

Psalm 9: 2-4, 6, 16, 19

² I will give praise to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will relate all thy wonders.

³ I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing to thy name, O thou most high.

⁴ When my enemy shall be turned back: they shall be weakened and perish before thy face.

⁶ Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, and the wicked one hath perished: thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.

¹⁶ I will rejoice in thy salvation: the Gentiles have stuck fast in the destruction which they have prepared. Their foot hath been taken in the very snare which they hid.

¹⁹ For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever.

 

Luke 20:27-40

²⁷ And there came to him some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is any resurrection, and they asked him,

²⁸ Saying: Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he leave no children, that his brother should take her to wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

²⁹ There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

³⁰ And the next took her to wife, and he also died childless.

³¹ And the third took her. And in like manner all the seven, and they left no children, and died.

³² Last of all the woman died also.

³³ In the resurrection therefore, whose wife of them shall she be? For all the seven had her to wife.

³⁴ And Jesus said to them: The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

³⁵ But they that shall be accounted worthy of that world, and of the resurrection from the dead, shall neither be married, nor take wives.

³⁶ Neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

³⁷ Now that the dead rise again, Moses also shewed, at the bush, when he called the Lord, The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;

³⁸ For he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.

³⁹ And some of the scribes answering, said to him: Master, thou hast said well.

⁴⁰ And after that they durst not ask him any more questions.

INSIGHTFUL WISDOM

DEATH CONQUERED!

“He is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.” – Luke 20:38

When I was young, I wanted to do whatever my will dictated. I joined gangs, went to clubs, attended parties, and in the process, wasted time. All the while, what I thought was good was a big mistake. I only cared for the moment, not what was ahead. I didn't know then that I was very much away from God.

From that pit of darkness, God plucked me out and gave me a new life. My mind was renewed as I began to read and study God’s Word, which brings forth His plan for me. Now I am a servant of God, a minister of His Word, a recipient of His blessings. Yes, we have a God who planned everything, and He is in total control. We have a God who designed salvation, conquered even death, to bring eternal life for His people. He alone authored and put it into effect, and I am very glad to be a part of it.

How about you – have you committed your life to Him? Don't wait another day, don't delay. Do it now before it’s too late! – Nestor

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, please give me renewed strength so that I can look forward to each day as a pleasure of work for Your kingdom. Amen.

Wise Words:

“God just doesn't throw a life preserver to a drowning person. He goes to the bottom of the sea, and pulls a corpse from the bottom of the sea, takes him up on the bank, breathes into him the breath of life and makes him alive.” – RC Sproul

Source:

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

Living Water 2013

Daily Reflection Verses

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Friday – 22 November 2013

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Verses:           

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59

1 Chronicles 29:10-12

Luke 19:45-48

1 Maccabees 4

³⁶ Then Judas, and his brethren said: Behold our enemies are discomfited: let us go up now to cleanse the holy places and to repair them.

³⁷ And all the army assembled together, and they went up into mount Sion.

⁵² And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month (which is the month of Casleu) in the hundred and forty-eighth year.

⁵³ And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of holocausts which they had made.

⁵⁴ According to the time, and according to the day wherein the heathens had defiled it, in the same was it dedicated anew with canticles, and harps, and lutes, and cymbals.

⁵⁵ And all the people fell upon their faces, and adored, and blessed up to heaven, him that had prospered them.

⁵⁶ And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation, and of praise.

⁵⁷ And they adorned the front of the temple with crowns of gold, and escutcheons, and they renewed the gates, and the chambers, and hanged doors upon them.

⁵⁸ And there was exceeding great joy among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.

⁵⁹ And Judas, and his brethren, and all the church of Israel decreed, that the day of the dedication of the altar should be kept in its season from year to year for eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, with joy and gladness.

1 Chronicles 29:10-12

David’s Prayer

¹⁰ David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

“Praise be to you, Lord,
    the God of our father Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.
¹¹ Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.
¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
    you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.

 

Luke 19:45-48

Jesus at the Temple

⁴⁵ When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. ⁴⁶ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

⁴⁷ Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. ⁴⁸ Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

INSIGHTFUL WISDOM

INTEGRITY

They did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard. – Luke 19:48

“Cross my heart!” “I’m telling the truth!” I’ve uttered these words, especially as a kid. We played tricks on one another, and when I was finished but the others weren’t, it was difficult to get them to believe I was no longer playing tricks on them.

Why would someone doubt our authenticity? Surely, it would be because of our past tricks or dishonesty. Conversely, others believe what we say because of our history of truthfulness. Even if the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to pin Jesus down, they simply could not because of His integrity. Many people witnessed years of His teaching, miracles and authentic love. It was not just a single act that the people marveled at, but rather a life of integrity.

Whenever we encounter a person who questions our integrity, the normal reaction is to question and fight back, which fuels the cycle of doubt. Why not try some introspection and ask why others find it hard to believe us? Perhaps it’s time for us to change and become better witness of Jesus. – Mars

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for my loose words and unfulfilled promises. Teach me to live with integrity. Amen.

Wise Words:

“Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulder with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone-deep, non-hypocritical integrity.” – Chuck Swindoll

 

Source:

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

New International Version (NIV)

Daily Reflection Verses

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Thursday – 21 November 2013

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Verses:           

1 Maccabees 2:15-29

Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15

Luke 19:41-44

1 Maccabees 2:15-29

¹⁵ And they that were sent from king Antiochus came thither, to compel them that were fled into the city of Modin, to sacrifice, and to burn incense, and to depart from the law of God.

¹⁶ And many of the people of Israel consented, and came to them: but Mathathias and his sons stood firm.

¹⁷ And they that were sent from Antiochus, answering, said to Mathathias: Thou art a ruler, and an honourable, and great man in this city, and adorned with sons, and brethren.

¹⁸ Therefore come thou first, and obey the king's commandment, as all nations have done, and the men of Juda, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou, and thy sons, shall be in the number of the king's friends, and enriched with gold, and silver, and many presents.

¹⁹ Then Mathathias answered, and said with a loud voice: Although all nations obey king Antiochus, so as to depart every man from the service of the law of his fathers, and consent to his commandments:

²⁰ I and my sons, and my brethren will obey the law of our fathers.

²¹ God be merciful unto us: it is not profitable for us to forsake the law, and the justices of God:

²² We will not hearken to the words of king Antiochus, neither will we sacrifice, and transgress the commandments of our law, to go another way.

²³ Now as he left off speaking these words, there came a certain Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the king's commandment.

²⁴ And Mathathias saw and was grieved, and his reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled according to the judgment of the law, and running upon him he slew him upon the altar:

²⁵ Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar.

²⁶ And shewed zeal for the law, as Phinees did by Zamri the son of Salomi.

²⁷ And Mathathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: Every one that hath zeal for the law, and maintaineth the testament, let him follow me.

²⁸ So he, and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.

²⁹ Then many that sought after judgment, and justice, went down into the desert.

Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15

50 Unto the end, a psalm of David,

² When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee.

⁵ For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.

⁶ To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged.

¹⁴ Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

¹⁵ I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.

Luke 19:41-44

⁴¹ And when he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying:

⁴² If thou also hadst known, and that in this thy day, the things that are to thy peace; but now they are hidden from thy eyes.

⁴³ For the days shall come upon thee, and thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and straiten thee on every side,

⁴⁴ And beat thee flat to the ground, and thy children who are in thee: and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone: because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation.

INSIGHTFUL WISDOM

ZEAL AND LOVE

He burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. – 1 Maccabees 2:24

In one of our mission communities, a particular woman caught my attention because she had never been absent since our first gathering, and she would faithfully bring all her children with her. She would intensely listen to the preaching of God’s Word. We learned that her husband left them without any financial support.

At one point, her son had leukemia. She claimed God’s promise, “Ask, and it will be given to you… knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Matt. 7:7). Her prayer was for an extension of her son’s life because according to the doctor, the child had only three months to live. But she learned that she ought to surrender to God’s will, whatever it might be. And God answered her prayer. Her son lived for more than a year after that. When it was time for him to go home to the Lord, he was spiritually prepared and she was also emotionally prepared.

Now, she still attends our prayer meetings and serves in our restroom ministry with zeal born out of experiencing God’s love and mercy. – Sabel

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your love and mercy towards Your servants. Amen.

Wise Words:

“If we will only surrender ourselves utterly to the Lord, and will trust Him perfectly, we shall find our souls ‘mounting up with wings as eagles’ to the ‘heavenly places’ in Christ Jesus, where earthly annoyances or sorrows have no power to disturb us.” – Hannah Whitall Smith

Source:

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

Living Water 2013

Daily Reflection Verses

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Wednesday – 20 November 2013

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Verses:           

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

Luke 19:11-28

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

¹There were also seven brothers who were arrested along with their mother. The king was trying to compel them to eat the forbidden pork by torturing them with whips and cords.

²⁰ The mother was particularly amazing and worthy of an honorable memory. She watched her seven sons die in the course of a single day but accepted it with a stout heart because of her hope in the Lord. ²¹ She encouraged each of them in their native language. Filled with noble thoughts, she fired up her womanly reasoning with manly courage, saying to them, ²² “I don’t know how you grew in my womb, nor did I grant the breath of life to you or arrange what makes you who you are. ²³ For this reason, the creator of the world—who brought about the beginning of humanity and searched out the origin of all things—will again mercifully give you both spirit and life, since you disregard yourselves because of his laws.”

²⁴ Antiochus thought that he was being treated with contempt and was suspicious of the tone of her voice. So he appealed to the youngest son, since he was still alive, not only through words but also through solemn pledges. If the young man turned from his ancestral practices, Antiochus promised him, he would make him both rich and prosperous, he would be considered a political advisor, and he would be entrusted with public affairs. ²⁵ When the young man wouldn’t accept the offer by any means, the king appealed to the mother to counsel the boy to save himself. ²⁶ After a great deal of urging, she agreed to try to persuade her son. ²⁷ By leaning toward her son and mocking the savage tyrant, she spoke in their native language: “Son, pity me who carried you in the womb nine months, nursed you for three years, nurtured you, and brought you into this stage of life with care. ²⁸ I beg you, child, to look at heaven and earth. See everything that is in them and know that God made these things from nothing, and created humankind in the same way. ²⁹ Don’t fear this killer but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death so that in God’s mercy I should recover you with your brothers.”

³⁰ Just at the moment when she finished speaking, the young man said, “What are you all waiting for? I don’t intend to obey the king’s order, but I hear the command of the Law given to our ancestors through Moses. ³¹ But you, King, who have invented all sorts of evil against the Hebrews, will by no means escape God’s power.

Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

A prayer of David.

¹Listen to what’s right, Lord;
    pay attention to my cry!
Listen closely to my prayer;
    it’s spoken by lips that don’t lie!
⁵ My steps are set firmly on your paths;
    my feet haven’t slipped.

⁶ I cry out to you because you answer me.
    So tilt your ears toward me now—
    listen to what I’m saying!
⁸ Watch me with the very pupil of your eye!
    Hide me in the protection of your wings,
¹⁵ But me? I will see your face in righteousness;
    when I awake, I will be filled full by seeing your image.

 

Luke 19:11-28

Faithful service

¹¹ As they listened to this, Jesus told them another parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought God’s kingdom would appear right away. ¹² He said, “A certain man who was born into royalty went to a distant land to receive his kingdom and then return. ¹³ He called together ten servants and gave each of them money worth four months’ wages. He said, ‘Do business with this until I return.’ ¹⁴ His citizens hated him, so they sent a representative after him who said, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ ¹⁵ After receiving his kingdom, he returned and called the servants to whom he had given the money to find out how much they had earned. ¹⁶ The first servant came forward and said, ‘Your money has earned a return of one thousand percent.’ ¹⁷ The king replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good servant. Because you have been faithful in a small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’

¹⁸ “The second servant came and said, ‘Master, your money has made a return of five hundred percent.’ ¹⁹ To this one, the king said, ‘You will have authority over five cities.’

²⁰ “Another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your money. I wrapped it up in a scarf for safekeeping. ²¹ I was afraid of you because you are a stern man. You withdraw what you haven’t deposited and you harvest what you haven’t planted.’ ²² The king replied, ‘I will judge you by the words of your own mouth, you worthless servant! You knew, did you, that I’m a stern man, withdrawing what I didn’t deposit, and harvesting what I didn’t plant? ²³ Why then didn’t you put my money in the bank? Then when I arrived, at least I could have gotten it back with interest.’

²⁴ “He said to his attendants, ‘Take his money and give it to the one who has ten times as much.’ ²⁵  ‘But Master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten times as much!’ ²⁶  He replied, ‘I say to you that everyone who has will be given more, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷  As for my enemies who don’t want me as their king, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

²⁸ After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

INSIGHTFUL WISDOM

SHALOM

“Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” – Luke 19:17

Oil price increases, fare hikes, wars, earthquakes, floods, typhoons, kidnappings and epidemics are just some of the things people in today’s world face. But our Lord Jesus has already figured out everything before He went to heaven. He said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27)

Clearly, God has given us the gift of peace. We must believe, accept and decide to have it. We must adopt a good attitude even if things are not happening the way we want them to. When we have this spiritual strategy, all the things that have the potential to upset us will lose its hold on us.

Let us decide to enjoy peace regardless of the situation. We ought to walk around in faith, acting like healing belongs to us regardless of the symptoms. We should walk around like God’s provisions are ours, regardless of the figures we have in the bank. Let us remain faithful to His Word. – Roger

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the true source of peace. Let it flow through my heart and mind every day. Amen.

Wise Words:

“As no darkness can be seen by anyone surrounded by light, so no trivialities can capture the attention of anyone who has his eyes on Christ.” – St. Gregory of Nyssa

Source:

Common English Bible (CEB)

Living Water 2013

Daily Reflection Verses

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Tuesday – 19 November 2013

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 Verses:           

2 Maccabees 6:18-31

Psalm 3:2-7

Luke 19:1-10

2 Maccabees 6:18-31

Eleazar Dies for His Faith

¹⁸ There was an elderly and highly respected teacher of the Law by the name of Eleazar, whose mouth was being forced open to make him eat pork. ^19-20 But he preferred an honorable death rather than a life of disgrace. So he spit out the meat and went willingly to the place of torture, showing how people should have courage to refuse unclean food, even if it costs them their lives. ^21-22 Those in charge of the sacrifice had been friends of Eleazar for a long time, and because of this friendship they told him privately to bring meat that was lawful for him to eat. He need only pretend to eat the pork, they said, and in this way he would not be put to death.

²³ But Eleazar made a decision worthy of his gray hair and advanced age. All his life he had lived in perfect obedience to God's holy laws, so he replied,
    Kill me, here and now. ²⁴ Such deception is not worthy of a man of my years. Many young people would think that I had denied my faith after I was ninety years old. ²⁵ If I pretended to eat this meat, just to live a little while longer, it would bring shame and disgrace on me and lead many young people astray. ²⁶ For the present I might be able to escape what you could do to me, but whether I live or die, I cannot escape Almighty God. ²⁷ If I die bravely now, it will show that I deserved my long life. ²⁸ It will also set a good example of the way young people should be willing and glad to die for our sacred and respected laws.

As soon as he said these things, he went off to be tortured, ²⁹ and the very people who had treated him kindly a few minutes before, now turned against him, because they thought he had spoken like a madman. ³⁰ When they had beaten him almost to the point of death, he groaned and said,

The Lord possesses all holy knowledge. He knows I could have escaped these terrible sufferings and death, yet he also knows that I gladly suffer these things, because I fear him.

³¹ So Eleazar died. But his courageous death was remembered as a glorious example, not only by young people, but by the entire nation as well.

Psalm 3:2-7

² They talk about me and say,
    “God will not help him.”

³ But you, O Lord, are always my shield from danger;
    you give me victory
    and restore my courage.
⁴ I call to the Lord for help,
    and from his sacred hill he answers me.

⁵ I lie down and sleep,
    and all night long the Lord protects me.
⁶ I am not afraid of the thousands of enemies
    who surround me on every side.

⁷ Come, Lord! Save me, my God!
You punish all my enemies
    and leave them powerless to harm me.

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus and Zacchaeus

19 Jesus went on into Jericho and was passing through. ² There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich. ³ He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was a little man and could not see Jesus because of the crowd. ⁴ So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. ⁵ When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to Zacchaeus, “Hurry down, Zacchaeus, because I must stay in your house today.”

⁶ Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed him with great joy. ⁷ All the people who saw it started grumbling, “This man has gone as a guest to the home of a sinner!”

⁸ Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Salvation has come to this house today, for this man, also, is a descendant of Abraham. ¹⁰ The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

INSIGHTFUL WISDOM

ZACCHAEUS

“Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” – Luke 19:8

Tax collector. Hated by fellow Jews. A sinner. An encounter with Jesus brought forth repentance and transformation. This is Zacchaeus’ story. This is also my story, and the story of countless sinners touched by God’s love.

Romans 2:4 says; “Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” The Lord shows us His kindness in so many ways, using people and circumstances every day. And repentance is a gift of God. “If you ever cease to understand the value of repentance, you allow yourself to remain in sin” (Oswald Chambers). Repentance is not merely saying, “I’m sorry,” but is accompanied by action or an outward expression. Zacchaeus’ example of giving away half of his possessions and paying back four times those whom he had defrauded showed sincere repentance. Indeed, “godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Let us examine ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins. – Au

Prayer:

Father, I have sinned. Forgive me. Amen.

 

Wise Words:

“Humility, humility and always humility. Satan fears and trembles before humble souls. The Lord is willing to do great things, but on condition that we are truly humble.” St Padre Pio

Source:

Good News Translation

Living Water 2013