**The Smart Christian**

         We are not smart when we just live everyday doing what we'd like to do for the day, not thinking much ahead. The smart one make each move as if he's playing chess. He thinks ahead, anticipating what might happen and planning his moves accordingly. The smart Christian simply secures his eternal life first—you can't think further ahead than that. In this case, what he anticipates is also something that will definitely come true.

**Humility Called For**

         We human beings think we are pretty smart. But let's realize that God is infinitely more intelligent than us. The Lord can create anything he wishes instantly, while we try hard and are only able to make something out of his created things for our benefit. To think that we are smart enough not to need the Lord God is sheer folly, tantamount to insulting him. 

**Caution Against Sinning**

        Today's Psalm 51 Response: Be merciful, O Lord. for we have sinned. When we sin, we hurt ourselves, and often others too. But ultimately, it comes down to hurting the Lord that matters the most, for he is the one who truly loves us and will have the final say in determining our final destination. I hope that being aware of this will give you second thoughts anytime you are tempted to commit a sin.

**To Be a Christian Extraordinaire**

        A Christian who remains static is at best a lukewarm one. To be a dynamic Christian, one must remain open to the Lord to learn to become more perfect unceasingly. Surrender yourself to him so that you may glorify him to the max. This is living the most fulfilling and rewarding life on earth.

***A Special Joy***

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus said to his disciples, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light." When you realize that the Lord can make you see the condition of your soul and make it clean and spotless, you feel a special joy that's heavenly!

**All Chrisians Are Prophets

         God has sent prophets to his people throughout the history of Judaism and Christianity. They basically serve as intermediaries between the Lord and us, relaying his guidance, warning us of danger and calling people to repentance. I see that we who follow Christ hold these same objectives, so basically we've all been called to be prophets except for predicting future events.

***Why We Reject God's Love Still**

         The God of Christ wants to save us from sin, for he truly loves us. Yet so many of us do not accept this greatest love. Here are the possible reasons I can think of: (1) They don't believe in God. (2) They don't feel the need to be saved. (3) God cannot save them. (4) They can save themselves. (5) They don't understand the whole thing. (6) They don't want to think about the whole thing. Well, I just can't think of any other "good" reason. My belief is that it's the same pride that made Adam and Eve fall at work here.

**Perfect Timely Request**

        Communion experience. After receiving the Lord, it's the perfect time to ask him to transform me completely to his liking!

**Happy Realization**

         The Lord God is all-knowing. Compared to him, we practically know nothing, but he did give each of us the ability to learn. It should be clear that our proper attitude is to listen to him and learn everything from him. This is the way for us to become as wise as the Lord.

**What Makes a Good Prayer**

        Any prayer that comes genuinely from your heart is beautiful to God. It doesn't need to be wordy or said perfectly. When you moan or just think to him, he already understands everything. The Lord always makes everything easy and delightful for us! 

**Requisite for Salvation**

        This is basic and the first thing we must realize before we can be saved. It is that we are sinners and we must repent our sins to God for him to take them away from us. For some, this happens at a watershed moment; while for others, the awakening crystallizes over a period of time. Either way, it sets you on your happy journey to heaven.

**Made to Enjoy the Lord*

         Communion experience. Receiving the Lord was receiving his most profound peace. And heavenly joy followed. This is how the Lord has made us.

**When Shall We Ever Wise Up?**

         In the Gospel reading from Mark 3, a crowd seated around Jesus told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." So all we need to do is the will of God and we immediately belong to his family! It's straight and simple. But we love to play hart-to-get and inevitably end up making everything complicated for ourselves.

**Giving the Lord His Due*

         Today's Psalm Response from Psalm 24 read "Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!" All the Lord wants from us is that we acknowledge that he is the Lord, the king of glory, who deserves our reverence and obedience. Is that asking too much? Don't  we wish that our children honor and listen to 7s as their fathers or mothers? 

***How to Be Free from Sin***

         If you're deeply mired in sin, only Christ can set you free, for his love is more powerful than any evil there is. So you must turn to him first, and this could be really difficult for you to initiate in your weak state. But once you get going, it gets easier. In fact, the more you abandon yourself to the Lord, the faster your progress becomes. Eventually, through receiving the Hoy Eucharist and prayers, you reach the point that the beauty and the sanctity of God you experience make all sins loathsome and repulsive to you. Now you are free from sin and spiritually stronger than ever, dwelling in the house of the Lord.

***Don't Be a Loser**

        Satan is one big loser, for it's a foregone conclusion that he'll be totally crushed in the end by the Lord God. So if you follow him now, you are already a dumb loser. no matter how powerful, famous, rich, or smart in the eyes of the world you are.

***Feeling Happy and Blessed**

        I feel so happy and blessed today when I realize that I am loved by a Lord who knows all about me and for whom nothing is impossible.

***Christians' Unique Focus****

         In today's Second Reading from 1 Corinthians 1, Paul wrote, "I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose." In other words, Christians are to be united as one in Christ, focusing solely on the Lord. Should following some saints, Church leaders, or any prominent speakers or authors shifts your attention away from Christ, then stop doing it! Christ the Lord is to be the only one to follow, to  obey, and to imitate, not anyone else!