Message of 8-3-15

Published: Mon, 08/03/15

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: August 3, 2015
Message of the Day
Spiritual reading is a regular, essential part of the life of prayer, and particularly is it the support of adoring prayer. It is important to increase our sense of God’s richness and wonder by reading what his great lovers have said about him.
- Evelyn Underhill

(What are you reading these days? How does spiritual reading contribute to your growth?)
Readings of the Day
NM 11:4B-15;    PS 81:12-17;    MT 14:13-21

R. Sing with joy to God our help.

“My people heard not my voice,
and Israel obeyed me not;
So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts;
they walked according to their own counsels.”

“If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
Quickly would I humble their enemies;
against their foes I would turn my hand.”

“Those who hated the LORD would seek to flatter me,
but their fate would endure forever,
While Israel I would feed with the best of wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would fill them.”
Reflection on the Scripture
"If this is the way You will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face this distress." —Numbers 11:15

The Israelites were willing to give up their freedom because they felt that the Egyptian food was tastier than God's miraculous manna (Nm 11:4ff).

Moses was willing to give up living rather than carry the burden of a complaining people (Nm 11:15).

Esau gave up his birthright rather than be hungry a few minutes longer (Gn 25:30ff).

Demas gave up loving and serving the Lord in favor of living in the world (2 Tm 4:10).

Some people lose their souls forever to gain the whole world (Lk 9:25), or even a little part of it.

What's your price? What will it take for you to give up your freedom, life, birthright, love, or salvation? Will you give up Jesus for money, sexual pleasure, popularity, comfort, power, or relief from pain? Will you take a bribe?

Alternatively, is God's Word more precious to you "than thousands of gold and silver pieces"? (Ps 119:72) Is God's kingdom the precious pearl you would never part with for any price? (Mt 13:44-46) Would you prefer to die for Jesus rather then live without Him?

Hold on to Jesus forever — no matter what (see Ps 91:14).

Prayer: Father, I give everything to You. Multiply the fruitfulness of my life.

Promise: "If only My people would hear Me, and Israel walk in My ways, quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn My hand." —Ps 81:14-15
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Spiritual Reading
Theological Gems from Emile Merch's Theology of the Mystical Body
- selected by Jim and Tyra Arraj

Book I: Theological and Philosophical Introduction

Chapter 4: Unity: The Human Consciousness of Christ and the Consciousness of Christians

86. Knowledge is life. Supernatural knowledge is life at its fullest; it is eternal life.

87. Theology has to end in silence.
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