Today the Lord led me to read Timothy. The focus seemed to be on 1 Timothy 2:1, "First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth." It is interesting because I had been focusing on the President's speech last night and the outburst from the South Carolina Senator. But the Lord is clear that we should always pray for our leaders. I think that may be something that gets lost in all of the vitriol and name-calling that goes on in our political arenas. But take the time to read the passage more closely. He is reminding us to pray for each other, everyone, not just our family and friends but our world, our company, our city, our nation. The passage concludes by focusing on our mission in life. We must share the knowledge of the truth. How are you doing in this area. I know that I struggle with this task but it is getting easier through practice. Where I was timid and tentative in the past, I am now more bold. I create opportunities to talk about the Lord and His kingdom in all situations. My colleague at work calls this the Jesus web but I choose to think that the web is a positive thing. You may not know that a spider's web is the strongest material in the world based on its size. How awesome is it then to offer to your friends an opportunity to wrap themselves in the Jesus web and become safe and secure in the Good News? So let us lift up our leaders in prayer so that we may live in peace and share the knowledge of the kingdom. By the way, I love the new Toby Mac song City on Our Knees. The message in this song ties to today's topic perfectly. Toby sings, "To a city with one king, A city on our knees." How incredible would it be to see your city on its knees praising God?
Finding St Anthony Among the Lost Items
Saint Anthony of Padua, though often associated with finding lost articles, was primarily known in his lifetime as a powerful and eloquent preacher. Originally a Canon Regular of St. Augustine, he was inspired to join the newly formed Franciscan order after witnessing the martyrdom of the first Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. His conversion to the mendicant life under St. Francis of Assisi transformed him, deepening his commitment to poverty, humility, and evangelical preaching. Gifted with profound theological knowledge and a captivating speaking style, he traveled across Italy and France, drawing immense crowds with his clear and passionate sermons, converting many and combating heresy with his unwavering faith and intellectual rigor. Beyond his public ministry, St. Anthony was a mystic who enjoyed profound spiritual experiences, most notably a vision of the Infant Jesus. This intimate connection with the Christ Child is a hallmark of his iconography, often depicting him c...
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