The Word God Spells

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Moved?
2007-02-19 14:23:02
The Word God Spells has now transferred to its own domain, www.wordgodspells.com. This site will no longer be updated. Kindly update your links / bookmarks. Thank you very much and God bless!
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Faith, Compassion and Prayer
2007-02-19 02:22:01
Mark 9: 14-29 Sir 1:1-10 / Ps 93 Jesus said, ‘All things can be done for the one who believes.’ The father cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ (Mark 9:23-24) Should evil keep my soul in chains, Where do I turn to for relief? With faith in God my hope remains. . . Lord, help me with my unbelief. Coming down from the mountain after His transfiguration, Jesus is confronted by the sight of His other nine apostles arguing with some scribes. When He asked them what they were arguing about, a man told our Lord that he had brought his son who was possessed by a demon to Jesus? apostles, but they were unable to expel the evil spirit from the boy. Jesus then asked the father, ?How long has this been happening to him?? And he said, ?From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.? Jesus said to him, ?All things can be done for the one who believes.? The father ...
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Empowerment from the Father
2007-02-17 14:20:12
Mark 9: 2-13 Heb 11:1-7 / Ps 145 This is My Beloved Son. Listen to Him. (Mark 9:7) Lead me Lord to Your heights sublime, And there behold Your radiant face; In Your presence bide for a time To be empowered by Your grace. What a terrifying moment it must have been for Sts. Peter, James and John when they heard the voice of God thundering from the clouds atop Mt. Hebron. And yet, how good it must have felt to be so near to heaven. So much so that Peter wanted to stay there longer, as he urged the Master to allow them to build three tents for Him, Moses and Elijah. But Jesus had not brought them to this peaceful place to escape, or to take a short vacation from the madding crowd below. He had come here to be recharged, as the time of His mission’s culmination drew near. He needed this transfiguration before His crucifixion. He needed to hear His Fath er ’s voice for reassurance, that He was pleased with Him, and that He loved Him. Coming down from the mountain, our...
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A Bargain Made in Heaven
2007-02-15 20:17:01
Mark 8: 34 ? 9:1 Gn 11:1-9 / Ps 33 . . . whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. (Mark 8:35) For the love shown by our Father, For all blessings we have received, What could we possibly offer In exchange for this life we live? Jesus called to Himself the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they ...
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But Who Do You Say That I Am?
2007-02-15 02:15:02
Mark 8: 27-33 Gn 9:1-13 / Ps 102 . . . you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things. (Mark 8:33) How we always fail to discern That our Lord?s plans are more sublime. Why not trust that His main concern Is our Life for eternal time? Along the villages of Caesarea Philippi one day, Jesus asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered Him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And He sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about Him. Then Jesus told them that He must undergo great suffering, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, then after three days rise again. At this, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning and looking at his disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting ...
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The Blind Man of Bethsaida
2007-02-14 08:13:02
Mark 8: 22-26 Gn 8:6-13.20-22 / Ps 116 He opened his eyes, his sight was restored, he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8:25) Thank You Lord, for making us see The faith of true lovers are not blind. The Word of God has set us free, But the faithless are left behind. When Jesus and His apostles returned to Beth saida, some people brought to Him a blind man and entreated Him to touch him. Instead, Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see men, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mk. 8:22-26) Reflection Wherever Jesus went, people would request Him to do something for them. In many occasions, it seemed as i...
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The Leaven of Politicians
2007-02-13 20:12:01
Mark 8: 14-21 Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5.10 / Ps 29 Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? (Mark 8:17-18) Take heed: avarice can multiply, Just as leaven makes the bread increase; Having more can never satisfy, Greed is an incurable disease. The apostles had forgotten to bring bread, and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they concluded that it was because of the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.”...
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Only Say the Word, and I will be Healed
2007-02-12 08:10:01
Mark 8: 11-13 Gn 4:1-15.25 / Ps 50 Why does this generation seek a sign? (Mark 8:12) Why do we have to look for signs, For revelations God must reveal? We’ll understand all of God’s designs By being faithful to His will. The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side. (Mk.8:11-13) Reflection Those who seek signs will never develop their faith. The true believers who “see” with their heart will not be swayed from the truth, but those who rely on their eyes are often deceived by the devil?s sleight of hand. How many times do we have to watch a magician’s trick to realize that it’s all an illusion and not reality? If we allow signs and wonders to prop up our faith, then we a...
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The Feeding of the Four Thousand
2007-02-10 20:08:02
Mark 8: 1-10 Gn 3:9-24 / Ps 90 They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over? seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. (Mark 8:8-9) God?s love and generosity Is beyond our comprehension; So have no fear in adversity, Just have faith in His compassion. In those days another large crowd gathered, and had nothing to eat. Jesus called His disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd; they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they might collapse along the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” Jesus asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, and giving thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to distribute to the peop...
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Hear and Proclaim!
2007-02-09 02:05:01
Mark 7: 31-37 Gn 3:1-8 / Ps 32 . . . his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. (Mark 7:35) Once I was deaf and full of fear, I was mute and my spirit weak? But Christ opened my ears to hear God?s Word which now I boldly speak. Jesus left the region of Tyre, and by way of Sidon and the Sea of Galilee, travelled to the district of the Decapolis. A man who was deaf and had a speech impediment was brought to Him, and they begged Him to lay his hand on him. Taking him aside from the crowd in private, he put his finger into his ears, and spitting, touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Eph’phatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. (Mk.7:31-35) Reflection What is interesting in this Gospel passage is the idea of ears being opened, and tongues being loosened ? the freedom from the darkness of sin that once bound us, and the ability to sp...
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Scraps from the Master?s Table
2007-02-08 08:03:01
Mark 7: 24-30 Gn 2:18-25 / Ps 128 Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children?s scraps. (Mark 7:28) Despite their need to take a rest, The woman?s pleas our Lord addressed; Have faith He?ll hear all our requests Just be prepared to pass the test. Jesus and His apostles had withdrawn to the district of Tyre to find a place where they could rest. The previous days had been filled with so much pressure and stress. The Lord?s first cousin, John the Baptist, had just been killed by King Herod. He was still in mourning when the apostles returned from their missions, and were eager to recount their experiences to their Master . But a multitude of more than five thousand had followed them, and their various illnesses (and hunger) had to be addressed. When they finally escaped from the hordes of people, the apostles had to contend with a storm at sea, and Jesus had to traverse a distance of violent waves and winds to calm things down. When their boat docked at Gennesaret, crowds of ...
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Goodness or Evil comes from within
2007-02-07 14:02:02
Mark 7: 14-23 Gn 2:5-9.15-17 / Ps 104 Do you not see that whatever comes from outside cannot make a person unclean? Since it enters not the heart but the stomach and is finally passed out. (Mark 7:18-19) It is what we harbor within, Not what comes from outside that defiles; Envy, lust, hate and pride make us sin… In Jesus may we be reconciled. The pharisees and teachers of the Judaic law wanted to perpetuate ancient rituals that were practiced by their ancestors to preserve their faith and remain undefiled when they settled the Gentile nations. But these rituals of purification, (like washing the hands before eating) from the age of the law were no longer relevant in the new age of love that Jesus wanted His disciples to follow. In their criticisms, the pharisees revealed how superficial their faith was in their external trivialities. ?Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.? From our hearts come e...
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Rules and Traditions
2007-02-07 02:01:03
Mark 7: 1-13 Gn 1:20–2:4 / Ps 8 You set aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (Mark7:9) By what rites are we purified? By what rituals are we made clean? None but by Jesus crucified Who died for the atonement of our sins. The Pharisees and some teachers of the law saw disciples of Jesus eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. (The Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship...
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Apostleship Means Being Sent
2007-02-05 14:00:06
Mark 6: 7-13 Heb. 12: 18-19, 21-24 Ps 48: 2-3ab,3cd-4,9,10-11 If any place will not receive you and they refuse to listen to you, leave there, and shake off the dust on your feet in testimony against them. (Mark 6:11) This mission that Christ has given Is a journey to spread God?s Word; With the hope of life in heaven, What else do we need for reward? Jesus called the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to listen to you, leave there, and shake off the dust on your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them....
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The Presentation of the Lord
2007-02-05 14:00:06
Luke 2: 22-40 Mal 3:1-4 / Ps 24 / Heb 2:14-18 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…(Luke 2:28) Like Simeon and Anna, may we see That Jesus Christ is life?s true goal; Lord , please be present constantly In the sanctuary of my soul. When the time of their purification had been completed, Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, according to the law. There was a man there called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Lord, as you have promised, you can now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” The child’s fathe...
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Taking Time Out with the Lord
2007-02-05 14:00:06
Mark 6: 30-34 Heb 13:15-17.20-21 / Ps 23 Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.(Mark 6:31) When work has reached a heavy pace, With pressures you can ill afford, Come away to a quiet place, Unload your burdens to the Lord . The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Reflection The joke in our renewal community is, the more successful you are in ministry, the more you are rewarded with more work. This is true, and in fact many of ...
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Recognizing Jesus
2007-02-05 14:00:06
Mark 6: 53-56 Gn 1:1-19 / Ps 104 As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized Jesu s . Mark 6:54 For our health we thank You, Jesus, And pledge to make others aware That Your healing that has freed us Comes from a faith that we must share. When Jesus and His apostles had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized Jesus. And they ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were healed of their disease. Reflection After Jesus was rejected by His townmates in Nazareth, (6:1-6) He went around to other villages preaching. Then He sent His apostles in pairs farther out to different places, giving them power to heal the sick and drive ...