**Way to Know God

       The fact I seem to know God well had made someone think that I must have worked hard at wanting to know him. True or false? It is true that when we want to find out about something, we often need to do a lot of searching and digging. To know about Jesus is the same; you need to do a lot reading or asking others about him. But to know Jesus is different. No searching, digging, or any labor-intensive work is required: you simply remain open to him to let him draw you to or into him. It couldn't be simpler. This also shows that learning by the heart is a lot more efficient than learning by the mind.

**Know the Truths

         Just saw Fr. Corapi's short video uploaded today. It's a joy to listen to him because he doesn't waste words and goes directly to the point. You can't possibly not know what's he's trying to tell you. This is refreshing. Let me give you the direct link to this video on YouTube so that you can see the four sites he lists under the video that can help you stay faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Holy Catholic Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCrU7WLf7O4

***Be Masters of the World

        Many things such as our upbringing, the neighborhood we live in, the kind of family we were born into, economic conditions, government policies, social norms—in fact, all our life experiences—influence and shape us. My point is we must let the God of Christ alone influence and shape us so that we may in turn influence and shape everything around us. We must be masters of and not slaves to the world! Start with Christ, ground yourselves deep in him, and do his will always to be free of the influences of the world. Let the Lord be your master first, then you'll become masters of the world. 

***Ready to Go to God?

        Simeon, after seeing Baby Jesus at his presentation to the Lord at the temple, was ready to die in peace. For the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. Am I ready to go in peace too? Yes, because although I have not seen Jesus, I have gotten to know him so well that seeing him is not going to help me believe in him more. Besides, there's nothing left in the world worthy pursuing anymore. If Jesus is not ready for me to go because his work for me is not yet complete, that would be fine too. The important thing is that we be ready for him. 

***Abandonment to God Only Choice*

         Some people such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux fell in love with God when they were still children, while many others can't bring themselves to believe in God at a ripe old age. Were we born differently? We have Judas Iscariot who was with Jesus like the other Apostles, yet he became a traitor, while the others went on to become martyrs and/or saints. This is a mystery I honestly do not understand. As I pray for some of my loved ones, I face the same dilemma. So what am I to do? The only conclusion I can come to is that I must hand all the ones I pray for completely over to God. I do my part, but they are completely under his care now. The general conclusion is that I must abandon myself to the Lord in all things. I know that the Lord desires that we do not worry or be anxious about anything; this is to show that we have faith in him. Let us abandon ourselves to the Lord to become free in him.

***God's Most Momentous, Definitive Saying

        In today's Gospel reading from John 6, Jesus says that everyone who believes in him has eternal life. This has to be the most momentous, definitive statement of all time. It could've only come from the Lord. It's a statement every human being must perk up their ears to give it their utmost attention.

**Evangelization Tips

         To evangelize effectively, we must appeal to the hearts of others, not their minds. Telling others to love God never works; you need to show why he deserves to be loved. The focus should always be on the Lord. Sharing your personal experience always beats presenting any impersonal knowledge.

**Living for Christ Alone (New Freedom)*

        Life is most fulfilling when you live for Christ alone. You sense that you are fulfilling his wishes now and know that you'll be with him forever a little later. People normally try to fulfill themselves by doing what they like to do for themselves. And in many cases, they do accomplish something quite beautiful and satisfying. But without God, any fulfillment will be experienced only in this life. To live for Christ, you only need to do all things, whether big or little, for him. For example, when you take the garbage out, just humbly tell the Lord that you're doing it for him. Since you no longer do anything for your own sake, you'll feel a new freedom!

***In Tune with God

         The Lord God loves us and wants us to have eternal life. Can you think of anything better for us than that? I don't think so. Therefore, if we go along with him, we receive the best. Because we have the true God, the God of Christ, we can confidently submit ourselves to him, trust in him, and follow his every word without question. Then we'll be in tune with God completely, living in freedom and peace. This is the way it should be. Again, it is easily attained when you let him be your Lord.  

**No Longer Hungry or Thirsty

        In today's Gospel from John 6, Jesus said to the crowd, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." I can testify to you that what Jesus had said is true. Of course, there is still the physical hunger for food and thirst for water, but all the other deeper needs have all been fulfilled. Once you have the Lord, nothing else can possibly satisfy you anymore.

***Pray, Pray, Pray

        This has been a command coming from heaven consistently for our salvation. There are short prayers you can say pretty much at any time. The 14-word Jesus Prayer is well-known—"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner." You can almost pray this unceasingly. You can even shorten it down to "Lord, have mercy on me (or the world)." It's your heart's intention that counts, not how you exactly say the words. If the Holy Spirit inspires you, say whatever he wants you to say. Of course, praying doesn't mean praying aloud either, for hearing the words in your own mind is just as good. The important thing is to pray as much as possible for yourself and others, as the future of the world depends upon our prayers.

***God Is Forever

        I rejoice that my God is forever. Naturally, he exists forever. I cannot possibly comprehend forever or infinity without a forever, infinite God. Do you know that his love for us is forever? That the life he wants to give us will last forever? But know that if we get ourselves condemned, we'll be separated from him forever too. So remain with him always to be on the right side forever.

*****Our Most Fundamental Concerns

        (1) Sin We face all kinds of problems in life, but sin is a fundamental one we must deal with before we die. Burdened with sins, you die, and you are lost forever. Your soul must be liberated from your sins to gain spiritual freedom. 
        (2) Relationship with God It is God who has created you and wants to save you. He is the source of all life and he is as important to you as your own life! A close relationship with him is fundamental and essential. Being one with him is absolutely the most beautiful, rewarding relationship you can ever have with him.
        (3) Eternal life Another fundamental issue of critical importance to deal with. Get that settled and secured while you are still alive on earth, and you'll be happy forever!
        The good news is that all these three fundamental concerns are inextricably intertwined and can be easily taken care of at the the same time.

**We. Need Prayers

       In today's Gospel reading from John 6, Jesus said to the crowd, "Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set the seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." Jesus gave us the simple answer to accomplish the works of God. We just believe in him, follow and obey him, and that's it! Why do we make it so complicated and hard for ourselves? The Lord has made it so simple and straight forward that we don't even need to figure out what to do. We have a clear and sure guide to eternal life and we still drag my feet! Again, we are the ones who need prayers the most.

***Calling for Praying for Ourselves!

       The Lord had suffered so much agony for us already when he died for us on the cross. The greatest agony he is suffering today is that we still do not believe in him, ignore him, outright reject him, and even deliberately bear false witness against him. If you have any heart, try putting yourself in his position to see how you would feel. We need to pray, pray, and pray for ourselves foremost!

*****Establish a Terrific Relationship with God***

        Here is the simple way to be on great terms with the Lord God: you just be completely truthful to him. You hide nothing and tell him everything from your heart. That is, you are completely open and frank to him. The Lord is already open to you, so now he will simply reciprocate by telling you everything from his heart. What a terrific, satisfying, privy relationship! 😇😇😇

***Our Heart Belongs to God***

        It is interesting that we know that our head does the thinking and our heart, the feeling. The heart is defiled when evil thoughts prevail. We are happiest when we follow a pure heart. Do you know that the Devil can only brainwash you, never capturing your heart? But God can totally win your heart through his selfless love for us. Therefore, give your heart to him and you can forget about the Devil and enjoy peace and freedom in your God.

*More than Being Good

        A good Christian is justified by God. This is the big difference from being just good.