SPIRITUAL EXCERCISES & RSV BIBLE EXTRACTS - WEEK 111
STARTS THURSDAY 11th MARCH 2010
CONVERSION - CHANGE OF HEART IS GOD’S WORK
Weekly message No. 106 (6th March 1986).
“Open yourselves to God!”
“Dear children! Today I call you to open yourselves more to God, so that He can work through you. The more you open yourselves, the more you receive the fruits. I wish to call you again to prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
PRACTICAL:
This week try to become more and more a childlike person by humility, honesty and trusting attitude towards everyone.
Thursday: Purity and fidelity in marriage.
Matthew 5:27-32.
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” 31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Friday: Coming to Jesus is a gift to us from our heavenly Father.
John 6:44-45.
44No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.
Friday: Cf. John 14:6.
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”
Saturday: God is concerned about us, so we must have
child-like confidence in Him.
1 Peter 5:5-7.
5Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. 7Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.
Saturday: Cf. James 4:6-10.
6But he gives more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind. 9Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
Sunday: God’s power can do more in us than we can ask for.
Ephesians 3:20-21.
20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sunday: Cf. Philippians 2:13.
13For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Monday: God turns everything to the good of those who love Him.
Romans 8:28.
28We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
Monday: Cf. James 1:12.
12Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.
Tuesday: Opening the door of our heart to the Lord.
Revelation 3:20.
20Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Wednesday: Persistent prayer will open doors.
Luke 11:9-13.
9And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"