Acknowledge Jesus

 

I tell you, everyone who 

acknowledges me before others 

the Son of Man will acknowledge 

before the angels of God. 

(Luke 12:8)

Jesus encourages us to be bold and unashamed in professing our faith, even in the face of opposition or persecution. This courage is a testament to our commitment and trust in Him. The promise that Jesus will acknowledge us before the angels of God if we acknowledge Him before others highlights the reciprocal nature of our relationship with Him. Our faithfulness on earth will be honored in heaven. Conversely, denying Jesus before others has serious consequences. It serves as a warning that our actions and words have eternal significance.

These verses also remind us of the importance of being witnesses to our faith. By sharing our belief in Jesus, we can inspire and encourage others to seek Him. Reflecting on these lessons can strengthen our resolve to live out our faith with integrity and courage. 

In the quiet moments of dawn’s first light,

When the world awakens from the night,

Acknowledge Jesus, the guiding star,

Who leads us gently, near and far.

In the trials that life may bring,

When hearts are heavy and spirits cling,

Acknowledge Jesus, the source of grace,

Who holds us close in His embrace.

In the laughter and in the tears,

Through all our joys and deepest fears,

Acknowledge Jesus, the faithful friend,

Whose love and mercy never end.

In every step and every breath,

From life’s first cry to the time of death,

Acknowledge Jesus, the Savior true,

Who gave His life for me and you.

So let us live with hearts aglow,

In His love, may we always grow,

Acknowledge Jesus, in all we do,

For He is with us, ever true.

Dear Lord Jesus,

In the stillness of this moment, we come before You with humble hearts. We acknowledge Your presence in our lives, Your unwavering love, and Your boundless grace.

You are the light that guides us through the darkest valleys, the strength that sustains us in our weakest moments, and the peace that calms our troubled souls. We thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross, for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the promise of eternal life.

Help us, Lord, to acknowledge You in all that we do. May our thoughts, words, and actions reflect Your love and compassion. Teach us to walk in Your footsteps, to serve others selflessly, and to live with humility and grace.

In times of joy, may we praise You. In times of sorrow, may we seek Your comfort. In every moment, may we feel Your presence and trust in Your plan for our lives.

Lord Jesus, we surrender our fears, our doubts, and our burdens to You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may be strengthened and renewed. Guide us, protect us, and lead us on the path of righteousness.

We acknowledge You, Jesus, as our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Friend. We love You and we thank You for Your endless love and mercy.

In Your holy name, we pray.

Amen.

Pericope:

V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative

COURAGE UNDER PERSECUTION / SAYINGS ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

Luke 12:1-9/10-12

Gospel Acclamation: 

The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify. 

Gospel | Luke 12:8-12

8 Jesus said to his disciples; “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” 

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Get Up Quickly

 In Prayer’s Embrace

In moments dark, when shadows loom, 

We turn to God, dispelling gloom. 

With faith in heart, we seek His face, 

In prayer’s embrace, we find our place.

When crises strike and fears arise, 

We lift our eyes to boundless skies. 

For in His power, we trust and lean, 

His hand unseen, yet ever keen.

God’s plans unfold, a tapestry, 

Beyond what mortal eyes can see. 

No human act can thwart His will, 

His purposes, they stand firm still.

In direst times, He holds control, 

A guiding light, a steady pole. 

His ways are vast, beyond our ken, 

Yet faithful hearts, He calls again.

So let us trust, and not despair, 

In every trial, in every prayer. 

For God will guide, His love will show, 

In faith and hope, our spirits grow.

REFLECTION:

Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.  (Acts 12:5)

Prayer is a powerful tool that can bring about miraculous changes. In times of crisis, we can turn to God and trust in His power to intervene. 

God’s plans will always prevail and His purposes can never be thwarted by human actions. He is in control, even when circumstances seem dire. 

Let us be open to God’s unexpected ways of working in our lives and remain faithful and obedient, even in challenging situations, trusting that God will guide us.

A Prayer of Trust and Faith

Heavenly Father,

We come before You in times of crisis, seeking Your divine intervention. We acknowledge that prayer is a powerful tool, capable of bringing about miraculous changes. In our moments of need, we turn to You, trusting in Your mighty power to intervene.

Lord, we believe that Your plans will always prevail, and Your purposes can never be thwarted by human actions. You are in control, even when our circumstances seem dire. Help us to remain open to Your unexpected ways of working in our lives.

Grant us the strength to stay faithful and obedient, even in challenging situations. Guide us with Your wisdom and love, and let our hearts be filled with trust in Your guidance.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

Pericope:

IV. The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission

HEROD'S PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS

Acts 12:1-19

First Reading | Acts 12:1-11

1 In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, 3 and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also.—It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.—4 He had him taken into custody and put in prison under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. He intended to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf. 6 On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison. 7 Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. 8 The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” 9 So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter recovered his senses and said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”

Background:

Acts 12:1-11 describes a period of intense persecution for the early Christian church, focusing on the actions of Herod AgrippaI. Here are some key points:

Herod’s Persecution: Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, began persecuting the church to gain favor with the Jewish population. He executed James, the brother of John, making him the first apostle to be martyred.

Peter’s Imprisonment: Following James’s execution, Herod arrested Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, intending to bring him to public trial after the Passover. Peter was guarded by four squads of soldiers, indicating the seriousness of his imprisonment.

The Church’s Response: The church responded to Peter’s imprisonment with fervent prayer. This highlights the early Christians’ reliance on prayer during times of crisis.

Peter’s Miraculous Escape: An angel of the Lord appeared to Peter in prison, freeing him from his chains and leading him out past the guards. Peter initially thought he was seeing a vision but realized it was real once he was outside.

Herod’s Fate: Later in the chapter, Herod Agrippa I meets a grim end, being struck down by an angel of the Lord and eaten by worms because he did not give glory to God.

This passage underscores the themes of divine intervention, the power of prayer, and the ultimate triumph of God’s purposes despite human opposition. It also serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the faithfulness of God in delivering His people.

Learning Lessons:

Acts 12:1-11 offers several profound lessons for believers:

The Power of Prayer: The early church’s response to Peter’s imprisonment was fervent prayer. This highlights the importance of turning to God in times of crisis and trusting in His power to intervene. It reminds us that prayer is a powerful tool that can bring about miraculous changes.

God’s Sovereignty: Despite Herod’s intentions to harm the church, God’s plans prevailed. Peter’s miraculous escape demonstrates that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by human actions. This reassures us that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire.

Faith and Obedience: Peter’s calm demeanor in prison and his immediate obedience to the angel’s instructions reflect his deep faith and trust in God. This encourages us to remain faithful and obedient, even in challenging situations, trusting that God will guide us.

Divine Intervention: The angel’s intervention to free Peter shows that God can and does intervene in miraculous ways. It reminds us to be open to God’s unexpected ways of working in our lives.

The Cost of Discipleship: The chapter begins with the martyrdom of James, reminding us that following Christ can come with significant sacrifices. It calls us to be prepared for the cost of discipleship and to remain steadfast in our faith.

God’s Justice: Herod’s fate later in the chapter serves as a reminder of God’s justice. It underscores that those who oppose God’s work and seek their own glory will ultimately face consequences.

Reflecting on these lessons can strengthen our faith and encourage us to rely on God’s power and sovereignty in our own lives. 

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Get Up Quickly

The angel of the Lord stood by him, 

and a light shone in the cell. 

He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, 

“Get up quickly.” 

The chains fell from his wrists.  

ACTS 12 : 7

Father in heaven, Your angels are real. They are not just a pigment of man's imagination but Your true messengers to protect and guide us towards a life of truth. Thank You so much for finally setting me free from all those who had held me bondage for so many years.

Today, I humbly ask and pray that You sent forth Your angels upon us all who are faced with the evils of the world. Let them be our guide and shield so that we may live a life that is full of Your love and peace. 

Indeed, You have sent out Your angel to stand by me all the way so that I may be able to get up quick and recover. In Your mercy and grace, You have given me the miracle and freedom to get rid of my sinful habits particularly smoking. I just hope and pray for Your continued strength, will, and determination to fight off any form of harm or evil that may come my way. 

Please accept my deepest gratitude and praise for Your unconditional love, protection, and guidance as we continue to journey in this world towards the eternal life in heaven that You have given us through Christ. Amen.

Reading:

6 On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.

7 Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists.

8 The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” 9 So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.

10 They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him.


Pericope:
HEROD'S PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS - Acts 12:1-19

Published:

June 29, 2023, 9:06 AM

June 29, 2018, Friday, 7:19 AM

Acknowledge before the Angels of God

VILLA ALESSA
Proposed Angel Water Fountain
October 21, 2019

Jesus said, "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies Me before others will be denied before the angels of God." - Luke 12:8-9

ANGEL ENCAMPS AND DELIVERS

The angel of the LORD 

encamps around those 

who fear him, 

and delivers them. 

Psalm 34:8

2 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

3 Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. 4 Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 5 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 7 When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.

8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 9 Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.



Pericope:

THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHO DELIVERS THE JUST - Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Published:

August 12, 2018, 8:16 AM

June 29, 2018, 8:31 AM
March 14, 2011, 7:02 AM

April 02, 2008, 7:08 AM 

GET UP AND EAT

“Get up and eat, 

else the journey will be 

too long for you!”  

1 Kings 19:7

4 Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death, saying: “This is enough, O Lord! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (Psalm 34:7)

5 He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. 6 Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, 7 but the angel of the Lord came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!”

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. (Psalm 34:8)

8 He got up, ate and drank; then strengthened by that food he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

"I am the bread of life. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:48-51)

Father in heaven, You alone can fill my hunger and satisfy all my needs. Be praised and glorified O Lord for sending your angel to touch me and make me rise so that I may eat and be strengthened by the food that You have set before me.

I do confess Lord that there are times when my faith is not strong enough. Times when I am depressed and greatly affected by the hurts, pains, and sufferings that I am experiencing. Times when I seem to feel that I can no longer take these burdens and anxieties, wanting to take the easy way out. Times when I am very weak and in dire need of Your strength. 

Today, I humbly ask and pray that You nourish me and make me whole once more. Replace my mourning into dancing and fill me with Your joy and gladness all my days. Give me the strength to face head on all the challenges and storms in life. Keep in me a firm faith and resolve that with You, I will be able to walk the long journey that You have set before me towards the attainment of all wishes and desires in life.

In a special way, I pray for all Your children who are suffering from depression. Depression that can give rise to committing suicide. We have all suffered enough from this pandemic plunging us into the depths of so much uncertaitnties and insecurities. In Your goodness and grace, may we all rise above these worries and concerns.

Thank You so much for providing me with all my needs and wants. I pray not only for food that nourishes my body but morevover the bread of life that nourishes my soul. 

All these I humbly ask and pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Published:

August 12, 2018, 7:51 AM

VILLA ALESSA

1 The angel led me to the gate which faces the east, 2 and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. 

3 The vision was like that which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar. I fell prone 4 as the glory of the Lord entered the temple by way of the gate which faces the east, 5 but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court. And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord. 

6 Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple, while the man stood beside me. 7 The voice said to me: Son of man, this is where my throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of my feet; here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.

9 The angel spoke to me saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 

11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 

13 There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. - Revelation 21:9-14

Pericope:

THE RETURN OF THE LORD - Ezekiel 43:1-7

THE NEW JERUSALEM - Revelation 21:9-14

Published:

August 22, 2020, 8:06 AM