Episode 14- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran -Announcement of the Kingdom Of God (PART 2)

[powerpress]

Episode 14 –

Call of the Apostles (part 2)

“Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

These are the words of Peter when he realizes he is in the presence of the Lord. But as Sharon teaches us tonight, Jesus is not afraid of sin and he stays, calling Peter on to become the Rock upon which he will build his Church. In what can only be described as a moving and anointed lecture, Sharon describes the call of the Apostles and the creation of the Apostolic succession that extends to our modern times. Jesus commanded these fishers of men to “Cast out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” This too is our call: to grow ever deeper in relationship with our Lord.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your every day life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

Episode 13- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran -Announcement of the Kingdom Of God (PART 1) [powerpress]

Episode 13 –

Call of the Apostles (part 1)

“Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

These are the words of Peter when he realizes he is in the presence of the Lord. But as Sharon teaches us tonight, Jesus is not afraid of sin and he stays, calling Peter on to become the Rock upon which he will build his Church. In what can only be described as a moving and anointed lecture, Sharon describes the call of the Apostles and the creation of the Apostolic succession that extends to our modern times. Jesus commanded these fishers of men to “Cast out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” This too is our call: to grow ever deeper in relationship with our Lord.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your every day life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

Episode 12- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran -Announcement of the Kingdom Of God (PART 2) [powerpress]

Episode 12 –

Announcement of the Kingdom Of God (part 2)

“Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

With these words, Jesus proclaimed the coming of God’s Kingdom.
People have always clamored for a King and Israel had good and bad Kings throughout her history. But Jesus Christ is the true King, the eternal King, the KING of KINGS and Lord of Lords.
Through his bride the Church, his kingdom reigns on earth and in heaven.
As partakers of the sacraments, we return to the divine nature God initially intended.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your every day life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

Episode 10- Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran -Announcement of the Kingdom Of God (PART 1) [powerpress]

Episode 11 –

Announcement of the Kingdom Of God  (part 1)

“Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

With these words, Jesus proclaimed the coming of God’s Kingdom.
People have always clamored for a King and Israel had good and bad Kings throughout her history. But Jesus Christ is the true King, the eternal King, the KING of KINGS and Lord of Lords.
Through his bride the Church, his kingdom reigns on earth and in heaven.
As partakers of the sacraments, we return to the divine nature God initially intended.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your every day life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

“He who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John”
[powerpress = “Daily-Scripture”]

an excerpt from today’s reflection by Don Schwager:

Why did Jesus say that John the Baptist was more than a prophet? John was the voice of the Consoler who is coming (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:1-3). He completed the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah (Matt. 11:13-14). What the prophets had carefully searched for and angels longed to see, now came to completion as John made the way ready for the coming of the Messiah, God’s Anointed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. With John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit begins the restoration to the human race of the “divine likeness”, prefiguring what would be achieved with and in the Lord Jesus. John’s baptism was for repentance – turning away from sin and taking on a new way of life according to God’s word. Our baptism in Jesus Christ by water and the Spirit results in a new birth and entry into God’s kingdom as his beloved sons and daughters (John 3:5). Jesus is ready to give us the fire of his Spirit that we may radiate the joy and truth of the gospel to a world in desperate need of God’s light and truth. His word has power to change and transform our lives that we may be lights pointing others to Christ. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give testimony to the light and truth of Jesus Christ. Do you point others to Christ in the way you live, work, and speak?

“Lord, let your light burn brightly in my heart that I may know the joy and freedom of your kingdom. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to witness the truth of your gospel and to point others to Jesus Christ.”

for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation

“According to your faith be it done to you”

[powerpress = “Devotionals-Prayers”]

an excerpt from today’s reflection by Don Schwager:

God wants to change and transform our lives to set us free to live as his sons and daughters and citizens of his kingdom. Faith is key to this transformation. How can we grow in faith? Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love. For faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and obedience – an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. The Lord Jesus wants us to live in the confident expectation that he will fulfill his promises to us and bring us into the fulness of his kingdom – a kingdom of  righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Do you know the peace and joy of God’s kingdom?

“Lord Jesus, help me to draw near to you with faith and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in me.”

for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation

“Who shall enter the kingdom of heaven?”

[powerpress]

an excerpt from today’s reflection by Don Schwager:

There is only one way in which a person’s sincerity can be proved, and that is by one’s practice.  Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we are tested. Do you cheat on an exam or on your income taxes, especially when it will cost you?  Do you lie, or cover-up, when disclosing the truth will cause you  injury or embarrassment? A true person is honest and reliable before God, one’s neighbor and oneself.  His or her word can be counted on. If you heed God’s word and live according to it then you need not fear when storms assail you. God will be your rock and your refuge. Is your life built upon the sure “rock” of Jesus Christ and do you listen to his word as if your life depended on it?

“Lord Jesus, your are my Rock and my Refuge. Help me to conform my life according to your word that I may stand firm in times of trouble and find hope in your promises.”

for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation

The prophet Isaiah foretold a time of restoration for the holy city Jerusalem and for its remnants (see Isaiah 4:2-6) and also a time of universal peace when all nations would come to Jerusalem to “the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob” and “beat their swords into plowshares” (Isaiah 2:2-4). Jesus fulfills this prophecy first by restoring both Jew and Gentile to fellowship with God through the victory he won for us on the cross. When he comes again he will fully establish his universal rule of peace and righteousness and unite all things in himself (Ephesians 1:10). His promise extends to all generations who believe in him that we, too, might feast at the heavenly banquet table with the patriarchs of the Old Covenant who believed but did not see the promised Messiah. Do you believe in God’s promises and do you seek his kingdom first in your life? The season of Advent reminds us that the Lord wants us to actively seek him and the coming of his kingdom in our lives. The Lord will surely reward those who seek his will for their lives. We can approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith, like the centurion in today’s gospel reading, knowing that he will show us his mercy and give us his help.

“Lord Jesus, you feed us daily with your life-giving word and you sustain us on our journey to our true homeland with you and the Father in heaven.  May I never lose hope in your promises nor lag in zeal for your kingdom of righteousness and peace.”

for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation

“The tax collectors and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you”
[powerpress = “Daily-Scripture”]

an excerpt from today’s reflection by Don Schwager:

Jesus makes his point clear: Good intentions are not enough. And promises don’t count unless they are performed. God wants to change our hearts so that we will show by our actions that we respect his will and do it. God offers each of us the greatest treasure possible – unending peace, joy, happiness, and life with him in his kingdom. We can lose that treasure if we refuse the grace God offers us to follow in his way of truth, love, and righteousness. Jesus encourages us to think – to think about the consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for now but for eternity as well. The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the life of the age to come. Are you ready to obey your heavenly Father and to choose for his kingdom of righteousness and peace?

“Lord Jesus, change my heart that I may desire to do whatever is pleasing to you. Help me to respect your will and give me the strength, joy, and perseverance to carry it out wholeheartedly.”

for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation