God is so amazing. As I was standing at the back of the auditorium, seeing the LISS participants sing and praise God, I was in awe of God’s love for us.
He loves each of us so much that He waits patiently for us to seek a deeper relationship with Him. And so many people answered God’s call today.
Yes, it’s like a telephone call. God calls each of us.
- The purpose of the call is unknown until we talk to God more, until the conversation carries on.
- There’s no caller ID, which is why discernment is important. But when someone who is close and dear to us calls, by the sound of the person’s voice we can recognise who it is. If we don’t speak with God often enough, how then do we expect to recognise His voice and discern His will for us?
- We can talk to God anytime and anywhere, but the amount of data and the phone plan depends on us. How much are we willing to give to God – in terms of time, serving and learning? Do you want to keep in touch all day (unlimited minutes) or are you satisfied with just 10 minutes a day?
- Incoming calls are free – God has advice for every moment, why then are we not interested in picking up? Why do we shy away from God? Or do we hang up or say God sorry I’m busy right now, I’ll talk to you later.
- You can subscribe to God’s daily word and notifications through the Holy Spirit to guide you in your day. Perhaps you did subscribe long ago but now you just swipe the notifications away, not even opening them. Renew your subscription. God’s Word is alive and active, applicable even today.
So here are today’s intro session notes.
Remember the Parting of the Red Sea? God did everything for His people.
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.” – Exodus 14:21
God frees us from slavery.
* Reflect: What sins / habits are holding you captive?
What you need to do during LISS:
- Pray (if you feel inspired to pray, do it now, not later)
- Reflections (write it down)
- Be determined to walk in the Holy Spirit
- Do the work, grow the seeds God has sown
- Fast (fasting accompanies prayer)
- Be brave to receive (be open to God speaking to you through scriptures / people around you)
- When reading a bible passage, read with your heart. If there are parts that you don’t understand, it is ok. Focus on the text that strikes you.
- God gives us time to work on what he asks us to do. If you haven’t heard much from God lately – * Reflect: Have you put fully into action what God previously asked you to do?
- Be bold enough to admit what has been going on in your life, so that you can hear God more clearly.
- Unconfessed sins keep you in shame. Go for confession once a month. Why? To receive God’s graces, to have a deeper connection with God and have an openness to the Holy Spirit. See Psalm 51.
- Be humble in sharing. Learn from each other. Trust each other and grow together.
- Sorrow -> True repentance -> Conversion
- Lifting hands during praise, worship and prayer is letting go of ourselves, and asking God to take over. See the following bible verses:
- “Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” – 1 Timothy 2:8
- “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” – Psalm 28:2
- “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” – Psalm 134:2
- “I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God. and prayed…” – Ezra 9:5
- Pray, don’t sing like karaoke
- Use your voice and hands to praise God, express the depth of your praise
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an awakening of ourselves to the Holy Spirit and the gifts that have been dormant because we never used them, especially if you’ve never known the Holy Spirit before
- Be attentive to what is happening
- Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Lead a simple life to reduce distractions and a roller-coaster of ups and downs. As we grow in spirituality, we must maintain it.
- Our baptismal promises call us to be first and foremost, holy.
Loving and merciful Father, thank you for today. Bless these people who have answered your call, guide them to discover more of you. Forgive us of our sins and increase our awareness of right and wrong so that in reconciliation, with your help, we can be rid of the sins / habits that ensnare us. Equip us, the facilitators, musicians and speakers with the graces we need to serve. I pray especially for my group (group 13). You know their hearts, and what they seek. Hear their prayers and gift them with the graces they need to be the people you envision them to be. Protect us during this journey, guard us from distractions. Thank you for allowing me to be an instrument in your plan for them. Holy Spirit, guide me what to say and open my heart to listen for God’s promptings. Dearest Jesus, present in all the tabernacles in the world, draw us to yourself. Inspire in us a passion for God. Guide us, I pray, and if we should falter, lift us from fear, shame, blame and discouragement. Keep us close to your Most Sacred Heart. May we become more aware of your presence in our lives and experience God’s love and mercy through this journey. Blessed Mother Mary and St Joseph, thank you for watching over us. Please intercede for us and continue guarding us, especially all our families.
St Lucy, pray for us.
St Anthony, pray for us.
St Padre Pio, pray for us.
St Bonaventure, pray for us.
St Augustine, pray for us.
St Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.
St Philip Minh, pray for us.
I also pray for all the souls in purgatory. Extend your mercy, God, to all the souls in purgatory who yearn to be with you in heaven. Quicken their purification and comfort them. May they soon share in your joy with the holy saints and angels in heaven.
Amen.
Let my life be undivided, God 