In Jesus' Name
Dearest Father, Thank You for the assurance that whatever I ask in Jesus’ Name, He will do it. So that You are glorified in the Son.
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But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in Him, you may have life (John 20:31 GNBDK) - the rich and satisfying life in Christ. (John 10:10 NLT)
Today's Readings
First Reading: Acts 13: 44-52
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98: 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Alleluia: John 8: 31b-32
Gospel: John 14: 7-14
Reading 1, Acts 13:44-52
Acts 13:44-52 GNBDK
[44] The next Sabbath nearly everyone in the town came to hear the word of the Lord.
[45] When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; they disputed what Paul was saying and insulted him.
[46] But Paul and Barnabas spoke out even more boldly: “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we will leave you and go to the Gentiles.
[47] For this is the commandment that the Lord has given us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, so that all the world may be saved.’ ”
[48] When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the Lord's message; and those who had been chosen for eternal life became believers.
[49] The word of the Lord spread everywhere in that region.
[50] But the Jews stirred up the leading men of the city and the Gentile women of high social standing who worshipped God. They started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out of their region.
[51] The apostles shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went on to Iconium.
[52] The believers in Antioch were full of joy and the Holy Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel, John 14:7-14
John 14:7-14 GNBDK
[7] Now that you have known me,” he said to them, “you will know my Father also, and from now on you do know him and you have seen him.”
[8] Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father; that is all we need.”
[9] Jesus answered, “For a long time I have been with you all; yet you do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Why, then, do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
[10] Do you not believe, Philip, that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I have spoken to you,” Jesus said to his disciples, “do not come from me. The Father, who remains in me, does his own work.
[11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If not, believe because of the things I do.
[12] I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do — yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.
[13] And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father's glory will be shown through the Son. [14] If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.
Dearest Father,
Thank You for the assurance that whatever I ask in Jesus’ Name, He will do it so that You are glorified in the Son.
John 14:13-14 NKJV
[13] And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Thank You, I finally know what business I want to invest in when I get the billions You have promised me, Jesus which I shared days ago here. To build a resort in my City of Baybay, Leyte Philippines, which I can enjoy with my family and friends and share with others too so it becomes a business that blesses many of Your children.
It's a Garden Retreat meant for Your people to, not just enjoy but also retreat from the battles of life and be refreshed in You. I will name it Eden Garden Retreat so that they will know they're coming in for a spiritual experience and not just to enjoy.
It's a place where people can unplug, unwind, and reflect so they can be in Your presence and find power in You. It's a place where they can tune out the noise of the world so they can great the voice of the Lord.
Father, in Jesus’ Name, please help me build this Eden Garden Retreat into a place of heaven on earth where Your children can retreat and be refreshed in You.
Vision: Eden Baybay Garden Retreat is a place of heaven on earth where God's children from all over the world can tune out the noise of the world so they can hear the voice of the Lord.
Mission: Help God's children find heaven on earth where they can retreat from the battles of life and be refreshed in God as they tune down the noise of the world and hear the voice of the Lord.
A few days ago, I wrote about this 7-bedroom mansion that I have found for my family that I’d like to build beside Eden Garden Retreat natural pool for my family to live in. I love it. It reminded me of the many mansions in my Father’s house.
But although I loved it, I felt a nagging feeling that it’s too much house for me. My 3 siblings all have their own families and I know they wouldn’t always live with me in that mansion. So it would just be an empty building. And if I should rent it out, it will take a lot of effort and money to rent out which not many can afford that easily.
Amazingly, the Lord showed me this staycation destination when I stumbled upon this video that really stuck to me and appealed more to my taste:
How about instead of one big 7-bedroom mansion, why not just build several 30 sqm Bahay Kubo style houses with living/dining below and sleeping areas upstairs like in the video?
Then I also saw this staycation video called Silong Loft Cabin, a lofted modern mirrored glass cabin, also 30 sqm: upstairs 20 sqm = living area, 10 sqm loft, good for 6 people (4 on the loft, 2 on living area using 2 stackable benches that can turn into an L-couch or king-size bed), separate T&B. P12,500/night good for 12pax, P6,250/cabin each
I thought, why not have this kind as the top level of the bahay-kubo? It will look like this:
And instead of one big bed upstairs, there’s a loft so that it can house at least 12 people: 4 on the loft with 2 double-sized mattresses, 2 double-sized foldable beds under the loft also good for 4 people (toilet and bath on the 1st floor only) and I can also use these 2 foldable beds downstairs for sleeping for another 4 people.
Also, I’m going to use this 3-in-one foldable couch-lounge chair-bed which has a double size too:
And why not use a net bed for the loft so it’s not dark underneath?
And have a double-glazed glass roof over the loft area for stargazing at night?
So why not build 6 of those tiny houses or bahay-kubos on one side of the lot and then 6 on the other side with the natural recreation pond between them? So 12 of them. Wow.
I can leave 2 bahay-kubos for my family’s use and rent out 10. Those kinds usually cost Php 7,700/night or $139. That way I can even live alone in one of the bahay-kubo or tiny house and it wouldn’t be too big for me (even if I’d marry and have kids in the future) and 2 kubos are more than enough for my family to staycation in. Plus I can share with others, most of all.
I also saw this staycation with the same 2-level modern bahay-kubo concept but only with a dipping pool.
I can use this for future expansion to other towns and cities for Eden Garden Retreats or Eden Mountain Retreats on mountain areas. Bahay-kubos or tiny houses and centers of spiritual renewal. Then who knows? There will be an Eden Garden Retreat in every city in the world?
It would be nice to have that business that I and my family and friends will enjoy while, at the same time, earn our living from it. Then I can focus my full time and attention on prayer and ministry of the word.
Here's Your confirmation from my online mentor Gary Kasee:
Pray differently. Think differently.
It starts with dreaming and imagination. God's promises always carry a picture.
What can you see? Dream it. Imagine it. Then ask God for it, in Jesus’ Name, and He will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Thank You, Father, for all these inspirations. And assurance that I can ask anything in Jesus’ Name and He will do it so that You, Father, may be glorified in the Son. In Jesus’ Name!
John 14:13-14 NKJV
[13] And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
If you want the assurance that you can ask anything in Jesus’ Name and He will do it so that our Father can be glorified in the Son, live in Christ. Join me in our SpeakChrist RichLife Club. We'll do it together. St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us.
Live the RichLife in Christ today 🤟
Ask anything
In Jesus’ Name.
He will do it.
So the Father can be glorified in the Son.
Free 🎁 for you.
Do you ask God for anything?
Big or small?
Ask it in Jesus' name.
He will do it.
Say Amen! 🙏
John 14:13-14 NKJV
[13] And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Now Your Turn
(Questions to ask yourself when scripture journaling)
What verses spoke to me strongly and powerfully from the scripture readings?
What is God saying to me in these verse or verses?
What does God want me to do today?
Journal prompts of the day
Do you dream big dreams?
Or do you limit yourself to dreaming small things?
Do you ask God for anything in Jesus’ Name?
Vivo dives vitae in Christo. Live the RichLife in Christ.
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