Happy Easter! Jesus has Risen!

The Resurrection of Jesus

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.  But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”  So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”   Matthew 28:1-10

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

A Powerful Prayer for God's Protection

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. - Luke 22:43


Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

They say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because they love me," says the LORD, "I will rescue them;
I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name.
They will call on me, and I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will deliver them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them
and show them my salvation."

If you examine the photograph closely, sunlight is creating a beautiful and interesting reflection of Jesus on the right side of the window.

The reflection gives the appearance of a helmet being worn by Jesus and reminds us of the following scripture: "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:14-17)

The stained glass window can be seen inside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Boonton, New Jersey, USA.

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar

The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

The Ascension of Jesus

(Feast of the Ascension is forty days after Easter)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:6-11

Stained glass window photographed inside Our Lady of Victories Church, Paterson, NJ, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Happy New Year 2017

May 2017 begin with God's blessing of peace and prosperity to people of good will!

This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "Do not remember the things that have happened before. Do not think about the things of the past. See, I will do a new thing. It will begin happening now. Will you not know about it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."  (Isaiah 43:16, 18-19)

Wishing You a Happy and Holy Easter!

Easter is a feast celebrated by many Christians around the world. On this sacred day, Christians acknowledge the gift of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Our Lord's Resurrection on Easter Sunday is a reminder of the gift of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus. Let us pray that we may all be worthy of everlasting life when we're called home to meet Our Savior Jesus Christ. May God bless you and your family with peace on this Holy day!

The Resurrection of Jesus

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.

And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified."

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying."

"Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."

And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.  (Matthew 28:1-8)

The stained glass window of the resurrection can be seen inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Catholic church is located on High Street in Hackettstown, NJ, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

www.Christian-Miracles.com 

Wishing Everyone a Happy Easter!

Free Happy Easter eCard - eMail Free Personalized Easter Cards Online

He has risen, just as he said! (Matthew 28:6)

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel for Protection

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel - Christian-Miracles.com

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle,

be our protection against the malice and snares

of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray;

and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host,  
by the power of God,  
thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel is recognized in Christianity for being the guardian and protector of God's church and people. 

With those words in mind, the following biblical prophecy is connected to our current time: "At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. As for you Daniel, keep secret the message and seal the book until the end time; many shall fall away and evil shall increase."  Daniel 12:1, 3-4

***

Regarding St. Michael the Archangel, the following excerpt is from Wikipedia Encyclopedia:

The Prayer to Saint Michael is a prayer, used mainly by Catholics, which is addressed to Michael the Archangel.  (However, anyone can recite the prayer).

Pope Leo XIII added it in 1886 to the Leonine Prayers, which he had directed to be said after Low Mass two years earlier. The practice of reciting these prayers after Mass was suppressed in 1964.

However, Pope John Paul II referred to the St Michael prayer in his Regina Coeli address of 24 April 1994 as follows: "May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle that the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of: 'Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of St Michael the Archangel (cf. Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had this picture in mind when, at the end of the last century, he brought in, throughout the Church, a special prayer to St Michael: 'Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil...' Although this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."

Regarding intercessory prayers to angels and saints, scripture says the following: And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.  Revelation 8:3-4 (KJV)

Therefore, angels and saints both intercede before the throne of God on behalf of all who pray for the Lord's assistance.

Please visit the following link to view a miraculous Cross of Light photographed by Loci B. Lenar which he believes is connected to Saint Michael the Archangel's protection.

More Catholic Devotional Prayers: http://www.christian-miracles.com/devotionalprayers.htm

The stained glass window of Archangel Michael can be seen inside the entrance way of Saint Michael's Catholic Church, Netcong, New Jersey, USA.

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar - Flickr Photo Sharing!

Prayer of the Day: Psalm 111

Post by "Christian-Miracles.com".

Psalm 111

Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise. (NIV)


More Prayers - Psalm 91: A Prayer for God's Divine Protection

Pray for God's Light to Shine on the World

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

The following scripture is a reflection on those who start false rumors and make false accusations because of evil intentions.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (Ephesians 4:31)

With that in mind, let us petition our Heavenly Father in prayer to bring an end to disrespectful behavior, and to remove the darkness that can surround a soul that has turned away from God. May peace reign down from heaven and bless all with the Light of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Sunlight is creating a reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Statue photographed in front of St. Vincent Martyr Parish, 26 Green Village Road, Madison, New Jersey, USA.

Delivered from Danger by the Power of Prayer

News story from CBN TV

A heart malfunction caused Steve DeMoss to go into a coma from which he miraculously awakened after being anointed with oil by his pastor.

Doctors told Sharon DeMoss that Steve needed to wake up from the coma within 5 days, or he would suffer major brain damage. On the fourth day, he was showing no signs of recovery. She called a local church for prayer. “They came over immediately and they spent a long time,” Sharon said. “We worshipped. We prayed together. We held hands. We prayed over him. They anointed him with oil.”

By the next morning, Steve was awake and had no signs of brain damage. “When I woke up, my wife says, ‘Do you realize what just happened?’ I had all these tubes in me and everything. Then my kids came to me, my daughter and one of my sons, we huddled and we realized that the worst had passed.”

“I remember just being able to breathe after that,” Sharon said. “Like, it was going to be okay.”

“That was a pretty joyful realization that God’s restored what we had almost lost,” Steve said.

That same afternoon, Steve was walking around the hospital, and he was released just days later. “When I woke up, I heard that people were praying all over the world,” Steve said. “I had friends in Senegal, Uganda. I really believe that the prayers of the people is what brought me back. It was extremely touching for me. It just made me feel like, ‘I am so glad I am a part of the body of Christ.’”

***

"Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven."  (James 5:14-15)

Verse of the Day for January 17, 2014

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”  
(Philippians 2:14-16)

From BibleGateway.com

Feast of St. Andrew: Saint of the Day for November 30th

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18)

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O My God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen

 

It is piously believed that whoever recites the prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) until Christmas (December 25th) will obtain what is asked.

 

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. 

 

(Imprimatur: +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York, New York, February 6, 1897.)

 

***

Stained glass window photographed inside Saint Peter the Apostle Church, Parsippany, NJ, USA.

Read More: History of St. Andrew

 

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar

Feast of the Guardian Angels (October 2)

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Please give thanks to God for His angelic protection as we honor our guardian angel on this special day!

Daily Prayer to Guardian Angel

Angel of God
My guardian dear
To Whom His love
Commits me here
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide.

Amen


Regarding angels, one of the most dramatic stories of God's angelic protection is found in Scripture, the Acts of the Apostles.

About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the people he proceeded to arrest Peter also. It was the feast of Unleavened Bread. He had him taken into custody and put in prison under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. He intended to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayers by the church was fervently made to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him saying, "Get up quickly." The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, "Put on your belt and your sandels" He did so. Then he said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me." So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter recovered his senses and said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting." Acts 12:1-11

Stained glass window photographed inside Saint Peter the Apostle Church, Parsippany, NJ, USA.

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar
www.Christian-Miracles.com

Are You Ready to Receive God's Blessing and Grace? If so, Take a Leap of Faith

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

 

Christian-Miracles.com is growing and helping to lead the way in evangelization by reaching a global community with visitors coming from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom (UK), India, Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Germany, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, and many other countries.

Please consider answering the call by taking a leap of faith and opening the door for God to enter your life, and witness His divine love and mercy through news of life-changing miracles.

In a world which appears to be out of synchronization with gospel teachings, let Jesus change your life and make it better by attending Holy Mass or weekly church services. Make a personal effort and return to the sacraments of the church.

Regardless of your religious denomination, start reading the gospels and let Our Lord bless you, and set you free with His divine favor and peace!

If you're ready to step forward -- than allow Our Lord to guide you with words of wisdom:  "Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

 

For timely updates, please follow "Christian-Miracles.com" on Facebook. 

 

With over 1.5 million visitors on Christian-Miracles.com, we are happy to announce that the website is approaching 20,000 likes on Facebook. 

Pope Francis calls for Christian Unity during general audience

By Loci B. Lenar

On June 19, 2012, I posted the following commentary on Christian-Miracles.com regarding Christian Unity:

Through prayerful discernment, Our Lord Jesus is calling everyone to pray for Christian unity and healing between religious denominations by reconciling differences. This goal will be accomplished with the power of prayer and through the Holy Spirit.

"Thus the word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, listen to the house of Israel saying, 'The vision he sees is a long way off; he prophesies of the distant future!' Say to them therefore: Thus says the Lord God; None of my words shall be delayed any longer; whatever I speak is final, and it shall be done, says the Lord God."  Ezekiel 12:26-28
 
Additional news regarding this matter was first posted on  Christian-Miracles.com in 2008.  Visit the website to read further details regarding this issue.

News Story from RomeReports.com

June 19, 2013 - With Rome's intense summer heat, Pope Francis made his way to St. Peter's Square, blessing children along the way. He even gave a baseball cap to a child to protect him from the high temperatures.

During his catechesis, Pope Francis described the Church as the Body of Christ.

POPE FRANCIS
“If the head is separated from the body, a person cannot survive. It's the same for the Church. We must always stay intensely connected to Jesus.”

The Pope added that the Church is not an NGO, or a cultural or political institution. He explained that the Church is a living Body, Jesus is the head who nurtures and guides it along the way. He also called for Christian unity.

POPE FRANCIS
“We Catholics should pray together, but we should also pray with other Christians. We must pray so that God may grant us all unity. Unity!

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he said,  that unity is possible. But to start of, one must first look for unity at home, in one's family and parish.

POPE FRANCIS
“We shouldn't follow the path of division, nor the path of conflicts among us. No! We should all be united. All united despite our differences. Always united. That is the true path of Jesus.”

In light of his call for Christian unity, the Pope said that  very morning, he met with an Evangelical pastor. They both prayed together precisely for Christian unity.

Keys to Receiving God's Blessing

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

By Loci B. Lenar

If you're struggling with finances, put your faith and trust into God's hand. God will bless your finances through tithing and almsgiving. By giving to your church, you are helping to spread the good news of the gospels to the community, especially with helping those who are in need of God's love and mercy.

What does scripture say about giving to God's work? ..."Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." (Malachi 3:10)

Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Read More: Keys to God's Blessing

Delivered from Danger by the Power of Prayer

News Excerpt and Video from CBN.com

A heart malfunction caused Steve DeMoss to go into a coma from which he miraculously awakened after being anointed by his pastor.

Doctors told Sharon DeMoss that Steve needed to wake up from the coma within 5 days, or he would suffer major brain damage. On the fourth day, he was showing no signs of recovery. She called a local church for prayer. “They came over immediately and they spent a long time,” Sharon said. “We worshipped. We prayed together. We held hands. We prayed over him. They anointed him with oil.”

By the next morning, Steve was awake and had no signs of brain damage. “When I woke up, my wife says, ‘Do you realize what just happened?’ I had all these tubes in me and everything. Then my kids came to me, my daughter and one of my sons, we huddled and we realized that the worst had passed.”

“I remember just being able to breathe after that,” Sharon said. “Like, it was going to be okay.”

“That was a pretty joyful realization that God’s restored what we had almost lost,” Steve said.

That same afternoon, Steve was walking around the hospital, and he was released just days later. “When I woke up, I heard that people were praying all over the world,” Steve said. “I had friends in Senegal, Uganda. I really believe that the prayers of the people is what brought me back. It was extremely touching for me. It just made me feel like, ‘I am so glad I am a part of the body of Christ.’”

***

The following scripture is a testament to God's word being true in our time as well as two thousand years ago:  

Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  James 5:14-15

Are You or Someone in Need of Prayer? If so, Let Our Prayer Ministry Pray for Your Needs

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

By Loci B. Lenar

Prayer requests submitted on www.christian-miracles.com are prayed for  daily on our website, and weekly at St. Mary's Church (Denville, NJ) during Monday mornings at Holy Hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, including at the monthly prayer service held with Fr. Richard Tartaglia.

Many people are struggling with their finances and some are unemployed.  We all have family and friends that might be in need of prayer. Some may be suffering from an illness or dealing with a troubled marriage or relationship. We are all in need of hope, especially when trying to cope with burdens that affect our daily lives.

Regardless of circumstances that you might be facing today, God cares and loves you. Let us pray for your needs and ask for divine assistance to help you or someone that is in need of God's intervention.

Regarding prayer, Jesus said, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matthew 18:19-20)

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

May Our Lord answer your prayers with divine favor!

A Selection of Daily Devotional Prayers

Submit Prayer Requests to: http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

Statue of Jesus photographed inside of Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, Madison Avenue, Convent Station, NJ.

Wishing all Visitors a Happy Easter!

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

The Resurrection of Jesus

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  (Matthew 28:1-10)

www.Christian-Miracles.com

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Flickr - Photo Sharing!

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son (Jesus) into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)

The stained glass window was photographed in Saint Mary's Church, Myers Avenue and Route 46, Denville, NJ.

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com