Now THAT Hurts
Faith, prayer and fasting each strengthen the other two ... but don't expect it to be painless.

Faith, prayer and fasting each strengthen the other two ... but don't expect it to be painless.
Point out one thing in your house that will still be yours in 100 years from now.
Fr. Philip Hall says that with evangelism, sometimes you just have to get on with it (no matter how sceptical your audience).
The good townsfolk of Jericho, the Pharisee (who did everything just right) and now the obedient and hardworking older brother - none of them went to the party. Ooops!
Zaccheus does something unexpected.
The Lord shines into the place of greatest darkness.
On the Sunday when in Britain we remember those killed annd brutalised in war we look to see what God's Kingdom is like.
What if you had everything but no one could remember your name? What is you had nothing but God knows who you are? One day we will each have nothing.
Strip away all that is filthy of flesh and spirit.
As St Paul says "Let all your things be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16: 14
So What had the other nine apostles been getting up to?
The Apostle Peter witnessed the Transfiguration and wanted it to stay there but God the Father had other plans.
Those blind men knew how to use their lungs and they certainly knew how to pray. Matthew 9: 27-35
In the old prison in Lincoln, England there is a notice which says "The Wages of Sin is Death!" That is much less than half the story.
Priceless fashion. Yours for the asking. Matthew 6: 22-33
Who follows Christ and who stays behind?
How to become a Saint. Focus on Jesus Christ.
St. Luke shows us that the Lord is real - not imagined - flesh and bones, the disciples can handle him and he can eat with them. Acts 1: 1-12, Luke 24: 36-53.
The Man born blind didn't know much but what he did know he shared.
Make the Resurrection your own. The Apostle Thomas wanted to put his hand into Christ - you must put Him on.
The Paralysed man's friends didn't hesitate to bring him to the feet of the Saviour. Don't hesitate to bring yourself to Him either. Don't neglect so great a salvation.
The Lord invites you to follow Him and the Church invites you to come and see, and if you are going to accept these invitations then you have to get moving.
You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
Take a forensic look at yourself as we come towards Great Lent. Luke 18: 9-14
Zacchaeus realised that his repentance needed to be grounded in his bank account!
St. Matthew says "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” " (Mtt 4:17) This word "Repent" is in the present tense and is a command so the Lord is continuing to tell us all to repent (for the kingdom of heaven is still near).
St. Luke (2: 20-21, 40-52) treats us to a meditation on the two natures of Jesus Christ: Fully God - Fully Man. So does St. Paul writing to the Colossians (2: 8-12). Why? They both want you to know that your Salvation is found entirely in Him.
The Apostle Paul points out that the Cross has brought "New Creation" to all who walk in the new rule of the Cross of Christ. This affects every part of your life so that now you can take garden walks with the Saviour.
But with God all things are possible—including selling, getting rid of, or putting to one side, all that prevents you following the Saviour.
So what is the Kingdom of heaven like? Do you belong to it? Well, one of the ways you can tell is this: do you forgive others? Do you give up your rights to things? Yes? Yes? Well, that is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.