***Joy of Doing God's Will*

       When you always do God's will, you'll find everything you do a joy! By the way, this is how to strengthen your bond with the Lord continuously.

**To Take It Seriously or Not**

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 24, Jesus told his disciples about the unknown day and hour of his next coming and that they should be prepared. To the unprepared, it will always happen at an unexpected time and too late to save themselves. On the other hand, the prepared don't have to be concerned about the whole thing at all. All is common sense. The big factor that comes into play is how seriously you take Jesus' words. 

**Review Time

        As Christians, this is the rule we often forget: We must always do God's will while we're on earth. This is the sole rule by which we'll be judged in the end.

***Prayer and Spirituality**

        Today is the First Sunday of Advent. This is the entrance antiphon based upon Psalm 25:1-3—To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame. This is a beautiful payer. It makes me realize that our prayer to the Lord actually reflects how we feel spiritually. In turn, our spirituality shapes our prayer. The two are closely interrelated.

**A Virtue to Rejoice In**

        If sin abhors you, it's a grace and virtue. 

**Spirit over Body**

         Communion experience. Physically, I am still on earth; but spiritually, I am already with Christ my Lord! The physical body is short-lived and perishes, while the soul lasts and lives on for all eternity. So focus upon taking care of your spiritual life foremost. 

**No Perfect Peace on Earth

        On 11/28, I saw clearly that the world has no peace because it hasn't submitted itself to God yet. Those who have done so know that they'll experience perfect peace in heaven.

***Lost Only Without Christ***

         On Thanksgiving Day, the third day without internet service, I did feel a little bit lost. Then this thought came to me. We are lost only when we don't have Christ. Many things that do not glorify God we can live without. In heaven, there'll be no more worldly distractions and we'll be even happier.

***Today's Communion Experience

         To die and then live in Christ is pure paradise!

**Thanking God First**

        It's November 27, Thanksgiving Day. Of course, No. 1 on the list for us is to thank God for having redeemed us from sin—this changes eternal death to eternal life for us!