Category: Daily Reflections

“If your brother sins against you, go and correct him between you and him alone.” —Matthew 18:15, our transl. “We implore you, in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God!” (2 Cor 5:20) God the Father so strongly desires that we be reconciled to Him that He sent His Son to die for us (Rm 5:10) and to thereby “reconcile everything in His person” (Col 1:20). God the Father insists that we be reconciled not only with Him but also with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated: “If you bring your gift to...

“If he succeeds in finding it, believe Me he is happier about this one than about the ninety-nine that did not wander away.” —Matthew 18:13 The ninety-nine sheep paid a portion of the cost of mercy for the lost sheep to be found. They were left “in the wasteland” (Lk 15:4) without the intimate comfort of the Good Shepherd. Then they had to watch the Master rejoice more in the finding of the wayward sheep than in their own faithfulness. Moses also paid a portion of the cost of mercy. He endured forty years of desert heat accompanied by the...

“Jesus on entering the house asked, without giving him time to speak: ‘What is your opinion, Simon?’ ” —Matthew 17:25 Eternal life is to know personally God the Father and Jesus Whom He sent (Jn 17:3). When we know others personally, we can elaborate on how they talk, think, work, pray, deal with problems, etc. When we know Jesus personally, we can wax eloquently on His ways, even on how He corrects us. Jesus can come on strong in correcting us. For example, when Peter refused to accept the message of the cross, Jesus “turned on Peter and said, ‘Get...

“That servant is fortunate whom his Master finds busy when He returns. Assuredly, his Master will put him in charge of all His property.” —Luke 12:43-44 My prayer is that you readers of One Bread, One Body will constantly be “faithful, farsighted” servants of God (Lk 12:42), busy sowing His Word in season and out of season (Lk 12:42; 2 Tm 4:2). If you are faithful in doing this, Jesus “will put you in charge of larger affairs” (Mt 25:21). In fact, He promises He will put you “in charge of all His property” (Lk 12:44). What is God’s property?...

“God can multiply His favors among you.” —2 Corinthians 9:8 August is an expensive month. Vacations, picnics, entertainment, air conditioners, and school clothes don’t come free. As we start to see the summer passing, many people feel so empty they try one more summer fling. And, of course, flings cost money. When we see our money ending before our summer ends, we try to cut corners. Usually we give God, His Church, and His work very little or nothing, and spend our money amusing ourselves. Consequently, most ministries, including this one, wonder each year if they’ll survive the summer. God’s...