Asking for Authority

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 6, the mission of the Twelve began. Jesus sent them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. It struck me that we could ask the Lord to give us authority while serving him. With authority we can more effectively spread the good news and witness for him with great courage and confidence.

**Eureka Moment*

        Deciding to follow Jesus is only the beginning of a new exciting journey. It is in seeking union with him that the most exciting part of the journey begins. That is because you find out that the Lord can actually transform you step by step into a new creature, taking away your desire to sin and your struggle to become holy. You finally stop rebelling against him to let him do all the work to form you. It's a eureka moment, although it could take a while to get there, depending upon how readily you submit yourself to him. (Seeking union with God is the same as opening yourself up to God, putting all your trust in God, or abandoning yourself in God.)

**Union or Rebellion

        If you are not in complete union with God yet, part of you still wants to do things just for yourself. Only when you are in complete union with God, you want to do things for God and yourself, for now the two wills are one.

Enjoying the World Freely

        After you get to know God as well as possible, you are ready to enjoy the world freely (without attachment). 

**Proof Jesus Is God

        Any of us mortals does not have a clue as to whether we can or will come back to earth again after we die. In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly mentions his own coming again. This also proves to me that Jesus is indeed God.

**Never Lead God

       When we rush ahead of the Holy Spirit, we lose peace. Therefore, always follow God in all things patiently to let him accomplish his will in his time.

**Learning From God

        Romans 8.28: All things work for good for those who love God. I can elaborate to say that all things that happen to those who love God are lessons from the Lord to teach them to become like him.

Are You His Sheep?

        In John 10.27, Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." The sheep always hear the shepherd's voice and follow him without hesitation. If Jesus is your shepherd, you would respond the same way. If you are still reluctant to follow him, then you are not quite his sheep yet.

**Learning to Be Humble*

        Today, very few of us are willing to listen to others, for we are so used to exalting ourselves and not wanting anyone to tell us what to do. Again, the Lord made me see clearly that all the disorder and unrest of the world and in us are caused by our lack of humility. Even as we grow spiritually, we tend to think less of those who are less advanced, and we are back to the lack of humility. The cure we need must come from God. Surrender to him completely so that we can become like him, and we'll be humble like him. 

Anticipating Death

       When you are young, you don't think about death, even though you know well that it is inevitable. It is being farsighted and realistic to prepare for anything that's inevitable in coming. Therefore, it is wise to be ready early for facing your eventual death. 

Contagious Sin

        I shudder at the fact that when we don't believe in God, we can cause others to turn away from him too.

How Great Our God Is

       Communion experience. The moment we humbly surrender ourselves to God, he exalts us to his level.

Children of One Father

        On earth we all have our own family. But in heaven, all earthly relationships will be gone when we become all children of the Father. I hope that realizing this will help you attach yourself to God alone and love all the people on earth.

Dealing With Our Thorns

        In 2 Corinthians 12.7, Paul wrote, "That I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me." We don't know what that thorn was. In a way, we can see all the trials and tribulations and problems in life as thorns. Let these thorns keep us humble and help us not to get carried away by anything but to realize that only God is perfect.

Security of the Soul

        Communion experience. I hang my entire soul on Christ, for my soul shall be safe in him.

Most Precious Is . . .

the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding.        

To Pray Obediently

        To pray the Lord's Prayer, Our Father, is to wish to follow the Lord. Therefore, to pray it meaningfully requires total obedience to the Father.

***Most Serious Offense

        Not believing that Christ can help you is equivalent to believing that Christ has died in vain!