**False Freedom No Freedom

        We think that by being our own lords, we can be free. Then we find out that we become our own slaves and there's no way of freeing ourselves from sin. So the freedom we've been seeking is no freedom at all. This is where we need Christ, for he's the only one who can deliver us from sin. Once we're set free from sin, we are ready to inherit the kingdom of God our Father. Realize all this early to maximize our joy on earth and in heaven.   

***Who's at Fault?*

        Look at Jesus, he's all love, humble and meek, curing the sick, preaching the good news . . . yet many of us did not accept him then and still do not now. Who's at fault? Of course, it can't be the Lord, for he has done nothing wrong; both Herod and Pilate even agreed on that. So it is our foolishness that has made us reject him. I don't need to give all the reasons here because deep in our hearts we all know why. By accepting Christ, we can be set free, become holy, and go to heaven, but by rejecting him, we blow all that. We are at fault for sure.

***Heart Comes First***

        Offer your heart up to God to let him make it pure. Once your heart is pure, every thought, every word, and every act that come out of you will be pure too. Your joy will be great in remaining clean and pleasing to God!

***Food from Heaven

        Communion experience. The Holy Eucharist is our most desirable, most beneficial, most edifying, most satisfying, most essential, most precious, and most blessed and holy food. 

***Making the Soul Beautiful***

        Life on earth is a time for us perfect our love for God. The greater and purer that love, the more perfect our soul. Our time on earth provides numerous opportunities for us to make the soul beautiful for God to behold. Nothing can be happier than making our heavenly Father happy.  

**God's Timeless Counsels

        God is timeless, so are his counsels to us. They are basically principles for us to follow on earth and we'll be judged by how well we follow them.  

**Proper Interaction with God

        As creatures of God, we need to interact with God our creator. The best, most appropriate and most satisfying way for us to interact with him is to achieve union with him so that we may become like him, helping him create harmony in his kingdom, whether on earth or in heaven.

***How Christians Know the Truth***

        In today's Gospel reading from John 16, Jesus told his disciples that when the Spirit of truth comes, he would guide them to all truth. Now, I know that everything Jesus has said about himself and other things are all true, for he is the truth. How can I be so sure? My answer is that when the Lord (the Spirit) lets you know something, you just know that it's true, for he cannot lie and has the power to make you see the truth. This probably won't convince many unbelievers, but I can't prove it in any way besides my testimony. So with Christ, you either believe in him or you don't. Faith cannot be explained; it's a wonderful gift from God. And it really makes you love and appreciate the Lord.

***The LORD Is My Shepherd***

        David's Psalm 23 came to my mind. Verses 3 and 4 in particular portrayed how I felt. Here they are: "The LORD restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me."

***Spirit over Flesh

         Whatever you do, do not follow the flesh. Externally, you encounter temptations. Internally, your ego can surface. In both cases, do not succumb to the flesh. Follow the spirit means follow the Holy Spirit that dwells in you. If whatever you carry out gives you complete peace, you are following the Spirit. Know that God always sows peace, while Satan, unrest or turmoil.

***Simple Conclusion***

        Since our souls live on forever, we should care about only things that last forever, not things that pass or perish in time. Here is a perfect reason for following Christ, our Lord and our God.

****Unique Belief****

        Believing in Jesus is one of a kind; unlike other beliefs, it has serious consequences. Let me just list some of the positives ones: Your sins are forgiven; you are going to heaven; you no longer fear death; you are set free from the world; you can forgive all others and want to share the good news with them; you experience peace and joy; you never feel lonely anymore; you don't worry about anything and sleep well . . . There is not another belief that can help you achieve one of the above listed, and there's a lot more. 

***Overcoming Suffering

        We live in a sinful world and suffering is unavoidable. I'm being realistic to say that for the Christian, life is serving God sprinkled with sufferings. But suffering for Christ's sake is a joy, for it's triumphing over Satan! The Lord will never give us sufferings beyond our endurance, and accepting our cross unites us to him even more, glorifying him. I just watched another video on the Shroud of Turin and realized how horribly Christ had suffered for us. Why? It's because he loves us—there are just no other possible, logical answers! So welcome your sufferings bravely and overcome them with the Lord's help, while eternal happiness awaits.

**Way to Take Care of Eternal Future

        Our final impression of anyone or any place is formed by all the many separate impressions we have of that person or place. This brings me to saying that all the thoughts, words, and deeds we execute before God as a whole will determine our eternal future. Living for Christ alone will take care of this problem.  

***Schubert's Ave Maria

        A beautiful rendition by a young Briton named Dylan. (Check out my other Ave Maria videos listed under Good Websites, Blogs, Videos . . .  in the right sidebar.)

**Condition for God to Hear You

        To be sure that the Lord hears you, make sure that you are sincere and that he can trust you. 

***Shedding the World for God

        How can we detach ourselves from the world so that we may attach ourselves to God, the God of Christ? This change will happen only when you find God more attractive than the world. I dare say that all of us at some point in life realize more or less that the world cannot truly make us happy. This is the moment God is calling you to take a look at him, a moment of grace. So don't pass it up, don't close the door. Remain open and passive and he'll reveal himself to you in time. How long is that going to take? It could be an instant or years, depending upon how receptive you are. Just know that Christ is always ready and waiting, and you have only your lifetime to make the change.

***Serious Business*

        If you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you must take him seriously. You must trust all his words without reservation and go all the way with him! Remember the greatest and the first commandment he has given us? "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Do yout best to meet this challenge and your reward will be tremendous!