Day 159 of 365 Days With God

“Jesus said to His disciples:’Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” The Gospel of the Lord according to Matthew 5:17-19

“And he said to them,”Go into the all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15

The Bible is the living and breathing word of God. From the writings of the prophets of the Old Testament through the Book of Revelation in the New Testament; this sacred scripture will guide you throughout all your days.  If  you are searching for answers than look no further than God’s word. Open up your Bible and let Him speak love and truth into your heart. If you don’t know where to start, try the Book of Psalms. I am sure that you will see some of yourself in the psalmist’s words. We all need comfort and healing, and God who is goodness and mercy at all times will give us both.

In this world we are told it is good to celebrate ourselves and our accomplishments, but we must remember that apart from God we are nothing. The gifts and talents He has given us are His and they should be used to bring glory back to Him.  We spend years of dedication honing our craft and skill set, how much more time should we spend uniting our hearts to the One who gives us everything?

God remains lovingly patient for us to invite Him into our heart on a moment by moment basis.  Open your heart, open His word, and with faith wait upon the Lord. He will whisper your name and speak clearly through His word into your heart.

GOD BLESS YOU

Day 157 of 365 Days With God

When our minds and hearts are anxious and weighed down by our troubles, it can be difficult for us to break free from our state of discouragement – but not impossible, thanks be to God! No matter what you are facing today you have the opportunity to accept the Lord’s love and consolation in your spirit. We all face difficulties, sorrows, and sufferings throughout our lives and it is in these times that we must be aware of what is happening in our spirits. The enemy wants to kick us when we are down and so he feeds us lies that all is lost and worthless.  It is his desire to try to separate us from God and he does that by placing negative thoughts in our spirits. Do not allow him to do that! I encourage you today to fight back with full confidence in Christ and fall into the loving arms of your Heavenly Father, who knows how to make you whole. Remember God loves you and  He wants you to live out this life He has given you to the fullest. Do not waste your precious short time here on this earth with things that bring darkness to your spirit. You are a child of God!  Allow His light to illuminate your spirit,  trust faithfully in His love for you, and stay vigilant in prayer; God will help you when you cry out!

God Bless You

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Day 135 of 365 Days With God

The three wise men accepted no less than the fervent pursuit of God for their lives. They keenly and obediently followed his call; they were courageous of heart, filled with wisdom, and would not be detoured until they fell prostrate and worshipped the divine infant, the One true God. May our hearts be just as filled, may our pursuit for God be our only desire. May we be open to His divine grace as we surrender and welcome Him into every area of our lives.

Father, throughout this day, you will give us many occasions to fall to our knees, and in doing so,  fall more deeply in love with you. We praise you and thank you .  Teach us to recognize you in every situation, in every conversation, and in every person. Because we are so easily drawn into the trappings of this world, we pray to remain alert to all that is happening around us.  Grant us many opportunities  to remain steadfast, increasing in love for you and for one another.

On this very ordinary day help us to choose wisely and respond gently; committing ourselves to the understanding that triumph and faith only come from virtue that is exercised.

We know that you desire to grant us the desires of our hearts, especially if our desire is to know and love you more; grant us your grace to desire no more and no less than you, Lord!

Lord, we ask that you help us to recognize those who will guide us on our journey today. We thank you for your heavenly protection and endless assistance in all our earthly matters.

Give us the fervor to be of good counsel and help to others. Help us to serve one another with passion as we place their needs above our own. Without your presence in our lives Lord, we are selfish and careless.

May our worship, solely for you, be pure and filled with expectation throughout every moment of this day.

As we accept the overflow of your grace and mercy, may our hearts remain eternally grateful.

Amen

Day 122 of 365 Days With God

Merry Christmas!

Join me in celebrating the Christmas Season which begins today and culminates on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 8th, 2012.

John 1: 1 – 5, 9 – 14
1	In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2	He was in the beginning with God;
3	all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
4	In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5	The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
9	The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
10	He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.
11	He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
12	But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
13	who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14	And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

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Day 105 of 365 Days With God

Throughout our lives we will have our share of sufferings. We will lose loved ones to war, disease, old age, and  tragedy. We will cry out to God asking,’why must we suffer,’ or ‘why do you allow such horrible things to happen?’ We know that there are mysteries of God that we will never understand as we still walk this earth. So, we remember in love those we have lost, and we pray for those who are left to carry on!  We pray for all those who have gone before us, those who are suffering from disease, those who are caught up in addictions or feel trapped by other forms of oppression; we pray for the elderly, the lonely, the unborn, the abused and neglected. We pray that God’s mercy reigns down upon them and us!  We pray for opportunities to touch lives. We pray that God will make us more aware of the needs of others. Advent is a time for reflection, for prayer, and it is a time to remember that we are on this earth but a short time. May you and I do all we can to remember.

Day 97 of 365 Days With God

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!!

I have been given relief from temporary pain! I can see the light through the darkness. I know that things will turn around, even when they seem overwhelming! God is good all the time!

If your today has been perfect  then give thanks! If your today has been filled with pain and trials, give thanks and wait upon the Lord to move you or move in you!  If your today has given you perspective, then give thanks and share it with others. You never know how your particular experience may help someone in need.

Each day we wake up and breathe is a new day for us to begin again; it is place of both acceptance and hope. No matter what you face today, know that God is waiting for you to invite him into your unique set of circumstances.

Ask, seek & you shall find his love and mercy in abundance.

God Bless You!

Day 65 of 365 Days With God

WISDOM – The First of Seven Gifts of The Holy Spirit.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

                                                                                     St. James

When you are given the gift of wisdom, you will have an easier time seeing the world  from God’s perspective. You will begin to desire that your loving Father becomes an even bigger part of your soul, as you are filled in sharing his love with world around you. As he becomes the center of your life,  you will strive in all you say and do to live for his greater glory. With that being said, in your humanness you will fall short of his glory many times. But, the gift of his wisdom is given with such a fullness of love,  you will quickly recognize your shortcomings and appeal once more for his grace to fall on you like rain. Wisdom will give you access to knowledge and understanding. You will desire to contemplate on the things of God, and you will be able to discern situations, people, and things more clearly than ever before. So continue to pray that this gift remains active in your soul. The gift of wisdom will also protect you from foolishness, if you allow it too! God give us free will to choose with or without him. Everyday we make our choice.

Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!The Gift of WisdomEmbodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written “all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: “Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.Prayer Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.   This prayer is taken from The Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts. It is one of the oldest novenas and is generally said during the Easter Season.

Day 62 of 365 Days With God

Over the course of the next week or so, I want to ask you to think about yourself with some great detail. In doing so, I want you to ask yourself two questions.

1. What are the gifts God has given me to share with others?

2. Am I using those gifts to the fullest, giving God greater glory and building up his kingdom on earth?

You may have this already figured out and your answers may come quickly. But most folks will require a little more time and reflection. In fact, if you really want to dig in and understand what God is calling you to do, may I suggest you ask him. You may even want to jot down a few things alongside as a personal inventory.

God has given you a charism/gift to share with the world. “The word ‘charism’ comes from the greek charis, meaning grace, free gift. ‘Spiritual gifts’ termed charisms are gifts given for the benefit of of the common good, for the building of the church.” 1.

This gift is something that comes very natural to you. I promise you have one, or more than one! It is something, that when communicated, gives you great joy and peace; although it is not meant for only you!  This gift that God has given you, by the power of his holy Spirit, will help bring others to experience the love and healing power of Christ.  “They (charisms) must be lived out in a spirit of service. They are always received by an individual according to his or her qualities, limits, tendencies, or faults.”2 Remember, “The Holy Spirit bestows His gifts on unexpected people and places and in surprising ways.”3

In the book of 1st Peter we read,¹⁰ “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ Whoever speaks, is to do so ^[a]as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving ^[b]by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

Our Lord wants you to experience a fullness with Him. He wants you to be on fire for him so you can ignite the flame of faith in others.  He wants to fill you with his grace and goodness. He wants to make you holy. He also wants you to know yourself, and in doing so, know him! Can you willingly surrender yourself to him so he can mold you into the image of his Son?

Over the next couple of weeks, I thought it might be a nice refresher for all of us to explore and reflect on these beautiful gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

 “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,  AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, 
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 1Corinthians 2:9

GOD BLESS YOU

St. Louis De Montfort,”Jesus Living in Mary: Handbook of the Spirituality of St. LouisDeMontfort,”http://www.ewtn.com/library/montfort/Handbook/Charism.htm

Day 60 if 365 Days With God

I must admit, some days are more challenging than others. I’m sure you can relate! It’s that feeling where you can’t really put a finger on what’s eating you, but you know something is off. Your happy personality and positive outlook have somehow been replaced with a much edgier and intolerant type of attitude.  When you feel like this, the slightest things can get on your nerves, and then everything can go haywire.

We have a very old cat named Sparkles, and in her much younger days her name really fit her personality. These days we call her Crabbykins, because she seems to be constantly irritated.  Are there any crabbykins out there besides me? You know who you are, so just admit it and the truth will set you free! 🙂

The good news is God is good all the time; he loves us no matter what – in our good moods and bad.  He knows we have challenging circumstances to face, he knows when we feel overwhelmed, and he knows how to fix us if we let him in.

Because he knows we are going to fail him, ourselves, and others, he constantly runs after us to get our attention. With him, we have the opportunity to change the outcome of our entire day. Without him, we are left to our own devices. It’s interesting how our negative attitudes can easily lead us down the slippery slope of making bad decisions and hurting others in the process. But, if we confess those attitudes, wrong doings, and self absorbing tendencies , he will quickly step in and transform our hearts.

So, when you feel those negative ‘feelings’ closing in  on you, and you are very close  losing it, ignore your feelings, do the right thing, and come to Jesus!  Ask him to step in and grant you his grace. Ask him to replace your perspective with his loving one; I promise that your  peace and joy will return, things will flow smoother, and your loved ones will thank you!

God Bless You!

Day 57 of 365 Days With God

Yesterday, we celebrated the Feast Day of St. Luke the Evangelist. I believe that Luke’s Gospel, and his Acts of the Apostles contribution are two of the most beautiful works in the Bible.

As I read the Gospel according to St. Luke, I come to the conclusion that he must have spent a great deal  time with Paul, Peter, the other apostles, and most probably, the Mother of our Lord.

Look at the Infancy Narrative, it seems he thought of Mary in great detail; it was Luke who gave us The Canticle of Mary. Luke also gave us The Canticle of Zechariah, and The Canticle of Simeon, which alongside the Magnificat(Mary’s Yes to God), are prayed daily by our Priests around the world.

It is Luke’s historical and detailed account of the events of Jesus’ life, including his public ministry, that invites the soul to  know, love, and accept God’s message of Salvation.  Luke was not one of the twelve, yet he came to know and love Jesus personally.  His faith was rooted and built up by the testimony of those who loved Jesus most of all.

We have a lot in common with Luke; we did not know Jesus in the flesh either. We were not present as he gave testimony to himself, we did not kneel at the foot of his cross, or physically walk with him on the road to Emmaus; Like Luke, we can come to the same conclusion that Jesus is Savior, Redeemer, and Lord, for all men and for all time.

We come to faith in Christ by hearing the word of God preached, studying the scriptures (which we rely on to be the truthful accounts of our Lord’s  life, death, and resurrection), allowing his holy Spirit to fill our very being, and aligning ourselves with the teaching and authority of the Church; which we believe Jesus handed down in truth to all men.

So, why is this important for us today?

Like Luke, we must live out the life of Christian discipleship. We must know what we believe and why we believe it; we must be able to give a historical account of who Jesus was and is for all people today.  Our faith in Jesus Christ must be lived out with great zeal and joy, in the understanding that Christ alone is our joy and our strength. We must follow Jesus with our whole heart, body, mind, and soul, and then reach out to those who Jesus cared about most: the poor, the sick, the outcast, the sinner, and the forgotten.

Jesus came to heal the lost; he came to heal you and me! Let us each do our part to share the love of Christ, by sharing our lives with others, in love, compassion and truth.

GOD BLESS YOU