Universal Utterings

for August 13, 2025

A Godcast

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08-13-2025 Matthew 18 v1520 There Am I In The Midst of Them

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The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 18 Verses 15 thru 20

15 “If your brother* sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. 16 If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. 18 Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:15-20 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of reconciliation, accountability, and communal prayer within the Christian faith. In these verses, Jesus lays out a procedure for addressing sin within the church community. He emphasizes the necessity of confronting a brother or sister privately first, allowing the opportunity for personal repentance and healing. If that fails, the matter escalates to broader counsel, highlighting the collective responsibility Christians share in maintaining the integrity of their community.

Verses 18-20 culminate with a profound truth about the power of collective prayer in the name of Jesus. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,” Jesus assures us. This promise reminds believers that when we come together in unity, not only in worship or fellowship but in earnest prayer, we tap into a divine authority that transcends our individual struggles. The act of gathering aligns us with Christ’s presence, empowering our prayers and enhancing the work of the Holy Spirit among us.

Each time we come together in prayer—whether to seek guidance, healing, or support—we are reminded of the incredible resource we possess as a faith community. The promise of Christ's presence fortifies our efforts, turning our supplications into transformative encounters with God.

As we focus on the teachings of Matthew 18, let us not only commit to resolving conflicts with love and humility but also harness the potency of prayer. When we unite in the name of Jesus, we create a sacred space where His power can move and work miracles. Therefore, take heart and gather with others in prayer, believing wholeheartedly in the transformative potential of your shared faith. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

08-13-2025 Matthew 18 v1520

**There Am I In The Midst of Them**

In quiet whispers, hearts entwined,

A gentle call, a seeker’s find,

When wrongs divide and shadows fall,

Our voices rise, we heed His call.

“Go first alone,” the Savior speaks,

With love that strengthens, not that breaks.

A brother lost, a sister strayed,

With patient hands, let peace be laid.

If words are met with hardened stone,

Gather in twos; you are not alone.

For in our bonds, His presence shines,

A circle formed with sacred lines.

“For where two or three unite in prayer,

In my name, I’ll surely be there.”

The power of faith, the strength of our plea,

Transforms our hearts, sets captives free.

So let us come, our burdens shared,

With hope ignited, our spirits bared.

In love we rise, in prayer we stand,

Together bound by His gracious hand. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

August 13, 2025 @ 04:40 AM EST

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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using [email protected], or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**