Miracles are Real

The first time I read Volume One with a promise from Jesus to convert all our loved ones when we dedicate our lives to Him, I was so overwhelmed. Sometimes those conversions don't happen as quickly as I would like! But, I trust Him completely in this matter. And, I see the evidence of His Work on a daily basis. If we believe His Promises and do as He asks of us, we will see that miracles are real. Most importantly, all is in His Time, not ours.

Todays Gospel (Luke 1:5-25) teaches us when God promises something and we believe Him, miracles occur:

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,

there was a priest named Zechariah

of the priestly division of Abijah;

his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,

and her name was Elizabeth. 

Both were righteous in the eyes of God,

observing all the commandments

and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. 

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren

and both were advanced in years. 

Once when he was serving as priest

in his division’s turn before God,

according to the practice of the priestly service,

he was chosen by lot

to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. 

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside

at the hour of the incense offering,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him,

standing at the right of the altar of incense. 

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard. 

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you shall name him John. 

And you will have joy and gladness,

and many will rejoice at his birth,

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. 

He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. 

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,

and he will turn many of the children of Israel

to the Lord their God. 

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah

to turn the hearts of fathers toward children

and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,

to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” 

Then Zechariah said to the angel,

“How shall I know this? 

For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 

And the angel said to him in reply,

“I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk

until the day these things take place,

because you did not believe my words,

which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah

and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,

and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. 

He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. 

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,

and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit

to take away my disgrace before others.”

In Volume One, Jesus makes this promise to us . . . and I have no doubt He will fulfill that promise:

Promise from Jesus to His Lay Apostles May 12, 2005 

"Your message to souls remains constant. Welcome each soul to the rescue mission. You may assure each lay apostle that just as they concern themselves with My interests, I will concern Myself with theirs. They will be placed in My Sacred Heart and I will defend and protect them. I will also pursue complete conversion of each of their loved ones. So you see, the souls who serve in this rescue mission as My beloved lay apostles will know peace. The world cannot make this promise as only heaven can bestow peace on a soul. This is truly heaven’s mission and I call every one of heaven’s children to assist Me. You will be well rewarded, My dear ones."

Lay apostles, are you becoming impatient with prayers for conversion of loved ones moving too slowly? Honestly, I know I do at times. Reflect on the impatience within ourselves . . . maybe He is giving us the time we need for our own full conversion first? After all, when you trust someone, you have no doubt they will come through for you, right? 

Thank you, Lord for teaching me the importance of waiting patiently for miracles to occur. Because when they do, I am blown away!

God bless,
Bonnie

Promises Are Promises

Promises in the Bible were taken very seriously by my mother.  Especially this one (from James1:27): Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  Mom always took refuge in that verse as she and her brothers were orphaned by their mother at a very young age.  And, a year after their mother disappeared, they were taken away from their father and actually put in an orphanage.  You can imagine the comfort this verse provided through the years after such a traumatic childhood.  Today's responsorial psalm (Psalm 68:6 Father of the fatherless, defender of widows . . .) brought back memories of Mom quoting this verse quite often.  And, made me smile remembering what she said after my father passed away. She had no doubt she was going straight to heaven because of her suffering as a child.  But when Dad died, well, she was now an orphan and a widow.  Doubly protected.  After all, promises are promises, right?  Despite her lifelong fight with mental illness, her faith reigned supreme to the end. 

The Gospel today (John 16:29-33) shows Jesus speaking to His disciples of promises:

The disciples said to Jesus, "Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."


Lay apostles, Jesus tells us to take courage.  So why wouldn't we?  We say we are Christians which means we believe in the promises of Christ.  We must be courageous while we wait in exile here on earth.  Jesus speaks of the trouble the world will surely bestow upon us.  We are to expect it and not get derailed.  This is not an easy request but with His help, and His promises, we can continue climbing the mountain of holiness toward heaven. 

In the December 2009 Monthly Message, Jesus clarifies His promises:

“I promise you that I will be with you and that the outcomes occurring around you will be consistent with My will. I cannot promise you that in your humanity you will always rejoice in My will, especially when there is pain. But I can promise you that the greatest amount of mercy will be obtained through your commitment to remaining with Me, united in the life that is yours. All is well. I am with you.”

And, in the July 2007 Monthly Message:

"Think often on the promises I have made to you. I have said I will never leave you. I have said I will protect My interests in your soul. I have said I will pursue conversion of your loved ones. During this time, I want each apostle to consider these promises. Serve Me in steadiness, of course, but also, serve Me in peace. Dear apostles, you are connected to Me. You accept My love. You know that just as I cherish you, I cherish all others. My dear friends, please live these truths because others are looking to you for example. Please. Give an example of joyful trust. I need this from you so that I can draw hurting souls back to Me. I am with you. I will help you to do this."

As my mother fully believed in the promises of Christ, I too believe.  I see His promises coming to fruition at times right before my own eyes.  Rely on Him to do what He promises. Who else can you trust more than Jesus?

Thank you, Lord, for Your promises to me and all Your children.  Help me to continue to believe with all my heart and soul in those promises, never doubting Your Will.  

God bless,

Bonnie