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Whilst I continue on this side of eternity, I never expect to be free from trials, only to change them. For it is necessary to heal the pride of my heart that such come.
- George Whitefield, George Whitefield's Journals
(What trials are you experiencing at this time in your life? What potential lessons are there to be learned. Ask the Spirit to show you how to journey during this time.)
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DN 7:2-14; DANIEL 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81
LK 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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In the vision I saw during the night, suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others. —Daniel 7:2-3
Daniel must have been afraid to go to sleep, considering the terrifying visions he had. He witnessed hundreds of years of history represented by four monsters. The first one was like a lion standing upright and having a human mind and eagle's wings that were to be plucked (Dn 7:4). The second beast was like a bear with three tusks used to devour much flesh (Dn 7:5). The third beast was like a leopard with four wings and four heads (Dn 7:6). The last beast wasn't like anything. The "thing" had
"great iron teeth" and ten horns (Dn 7:7-8). Suddenly, in the vision, a little horn with two eyes popped up on the "thing" and started to talk (Dn 7:8).
These monsters represent the Babylonians, Persians, Medes, and Seleucids. These dynasties in turn represent the monstrous atrocities and perversions of all human governments and history. By sin, we human beings have made life inhuman.
At the end of the vision, Daniel saw "One like a Son of Man" (Dn 7:13), that is, Jesus. He was fully human and victorious over the monsters. "His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, His kingship shall not be destroyed" (Dn 7:14). Accept Jesus as Lord of your life and be delivered from the inhuman slavery of the devil.
Prayer: Jesus, God-Man, thank You for conquering the dragon and his monsters (Rv 12:7-9).
Promise: "The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass." —Lk 21:33
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence
- by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
BOOK II,
CHAPTER I. ON THE NATURE AND EXCELLENCE OF THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT
SECTION VIII. God reigns in a pure heart.
All the treasures of grace are the fruit of purity of heart and perfect abandonment.
It matters very little to Him whether you are thwarted or not. You imagine you are going East, He makes you go West. You are about to strike against a rock, He pushes the tiller and brings you into port. Without either map or a compass, wind or tide, the voyages you make are always fortunate. If you encounter pirates, an unexpected puff of wind instantly wafts you beyond their reach.
O good will! O pure heart! Jesus well knew where to place you when He ranked you among the Beatitudes. What greater happiness can there be than to possess God, if He mutually possesses you? It is a state full of charm and of joy, in which the soul reposes peacefully in the bosom of divine Providence where it sports innocently with the divine Wisdom, feeling no anxiety about the journey which suffers no
interruption, but in spite of rocks and pirates and constant storms, ever continues as happy as possible.
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