Today is Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. From reading 2 from Romans 5, verse 6 struck me: For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. How incredible that God would die for the ungodly! Of course, that's because God is love.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Christians Already Know
You cannot find out what it's like after you die until you die yourself. Then the Christians have no need of knowing that in advance because the Lord has already revealed to them all they need to know.
Ready for God?
Not willing to listen to other people is a sign that you are not humble enough to submit yourself to God yet.
On Overcoming Temptation
Once on a trip to Medjugorje, a young man in my group confided in me the relationship he was having with a woman. Apparently, his conscience bothered him and wanted me to hear about it. He was getting so much pleasure out of this improper relationship that he felt helpless to sever it. I understand how one can fall into such a situation and feel the tug of war between God and Satan. As long as you hope in God, you will be freed by him, but it can take time and a lot of your resolve to turn around. Always hold onto what you know is right, as Satan loves to sow confusion in us. Once your burden is lifted, you'll experience peace and freedom as never before.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
*Best Gift for God
When your heart is pure and clean, you have inner peace. Therefore, give your heart to God, the only one who can make your heart pure and clean. This is the best gift you can possibly give to God. Now, follow your heart and you'll find your Father there ~ a most beautiful relationship!
Why No Inner Peace
You will have inner peace only if you have completely reconciled with God. If you do not have inner peace, you are still rebelling against him. (This is the wonderful way God has made us.)
A Very Clear Picture
In today's Gospel reading from Mark 12, Jesus gave us the two greatest commandments, on the basis of which all other commandments rest. The first one: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. We all carry the original sin. Having difficulty in following the second commandment is proof that we are sinners. But God so loved us that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish and might have eternal life (John 3.16). The way is now clear for us to return to God our Father; all we need to do to complete our heaven bound journey is to believe in Christ.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Don't Omit Sin of Omission
Sins of omission are easy to commit. Not doing anything bad is not good enough because we are not doing anything good. God wishes us to be either cold or hot, not lukewarm (Revelation 3.15). When Jesus asked Peter repeatedly if he loved him, Peter responded affirmatively each time and Jesus asked him to feed my lambs, tend my sheep, or feed my sheep. If we love the Lord, we must work diligently and bear fruit.
Not a Pretty Picture
Increasingly you read about in the news children murdering their own parents, and vice versa ~ this is evil at its best (worst). I envision a picture of billions of souls immersed in a vast sea, many of them still frolicking and having fun, not realizing that one day the sea will rage and take their life forever. Jesus is right there above them, but they don't see him. How I wish that they would know that all it takes is to raise an arm, signaling to the Lord for help and he will pull them right out of the treacherous sea to safety!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
God's Mission
Is God around just to answer your prayers? What does he want from you? Know that God is with us to work on our souls. Everything he does to you, he does it to make your soul pure for your sake, so that you might have everlasting life. It is love working. So, be open and passive to let him prepare your soul for entering heaven. It is a most joyful, exhilarating process.
*Knowing the Truth
It is my personal conviction that Christ is absolutely the only one you can believe in and be saved for all eternity. How can I be sure? When you are one with him, you just know the truth in your heart. As simple as that.
Putting Vulnerability Aside
I hurt my shoulder joint and became instantly "disabled," for now I cannot lift my arm too high without feeling the pain, resulting in not being able to do many of the things I used to do with ease. We are vulnerable to so many things ~ something we don't think about when everything is fine. Of course, in some of the war zones today, you can get blown up by bombs or mines anytime. Natural disasters such as tornadoes and floods are destroying lives right now in some of the states. My greatest concern for all is whether we know where we go after we die. If we know that we are going to be with God in heaven, our present vulnerability will no longer be a matter of great concern.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Divergent Paths
A Catholic could do everything with love for God, thus storing up treasures in heaven, or keep on sinning, never thinking about going to confession. There can be no two paths more divergent.
No Entitlement
Almost everyone in today's world feels that he is entitled to receive whatever benefits within his reach. The Christian thinks differently. A Christian realizes that all things beneficial come from God, and if he receives some of them, it's not because he deserves them but because God is generous. When we only accept what comes freely from God, we are free.
Proof That Jesus Is Truth
When I believe in every word Jesus says, he makes me see and understand everything. That is, there is no contradiction in him ~ he makes complete sense to me.
God Provides Meaning
On this Memorial Day, we commemorate the dead members of the armed forces of all the wars. I am thinking that when we sing our national anthem and pledge our allegiance to our country, what does that really mean? What if we live under a government that's totally oppressive or in a society whose members are all secular and morally corrupt? Wouldn't pledging allegiance in such circumstances seem rather foolish? How can one express loyalty to anything he is not proud of? Governments come and go, regimes rise and fall, but God alone remains constant and trustworthy. My observation is that pledging allegiance to God is always appropriate and meaningful. Leaving him out of the picture and we miss the true meaning of life.
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