In art, technology, and other fields, you must continue coming up with new creative ideas, innovations, and/or inventions, to stay ahead of the competitors. By contrast, in living a holy life, you surrender to the same God over and over again to foster spiritual growth.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Only Holy One
Communion realization. God is the only one who can make us holy, for he alone is holy.
Unique Sorrow
In some religion, believers put to death anyone who does not accept their faith. In others, believers just do not much care one way or the other. In Christianity, believers feel great sorrow for those who reject Christ, for they love the Lord and know that he loves them. This is a sorrow only Christians experience.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
All Love
From the example of Jesus, we see that God is pure love, incapable of feeling hatred. When we sin, he suffers great sorrow and pities us even more.
On Glorifying God
In today's Gospel reading from John 13, when Judas left the Last Supper, Jesus fully knew that he was going to betray him by handing him over. The Lord said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him." We see that every time we follow God's plan, we glorify him. Rejoice that we have the time of a whole lifetime to follow God! The tragic side is that there are those who rebel against the Lord their whole life ~ utter foolishness!
Sensible Choice
All things came from God; therefore, we have nothing to give to him; therefore, just let him be our God and do whatever he wants with us.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
True Perfection
Jesus wants us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Since the Father loves all sinners who are imperfect, to be perfect we must at least completely tolerate all those who are imperfect. This is totally in line with the Lord's asking us to not judge and love our enemies.
*Questions and Answers
If you do not believe in God (the God of Christ), you will never know the answers to many of the important questions of life. If you do believe in God, you have no more questions to ask, for Christ is the key to all the answers you need to know.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Nothing Lacking
Communion experience. God has come to me! Psalm 23 feeling: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack."
Reaching the Top
In education, the more you advance, the more you become aware of your intellectual growth. In the early years when I photographed a lot, I thought I was pretty good. Later, after I had refined my vision, the early works appeared rather mediocre. It's the same in spiritual growth. Attaining union with God is like climbing a high mountain to get to the top where God dwells. As you ascend higher and higher, the view becomes more and more beautiful. Of course, the most magnificent view you'll see only after you get to the top. Therefore, aim high and never cease advancing. (Better advice. Take the fast track by surrendering to God and letting him take you to the top, eliminating all climbing.)
Learning from the Our Father
The second half of the Our Father: "Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." I see that Jesus taught us to pray thus because he wants us to know (1) that we are to depend upon the Father for all things, (2) how the Father can forgive our trespasses and (3) that our Father is also the one to safeguard us spiritually.
No-Bypassing Reality
In today's Gospel reading, John 14:1-6, Jesus must know exactly what he's talking about or he had to be delusional. In the last verse, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." If he was not delusional, then he must have spoken the truth. It follows that no one can possibly bypass him ~ something we must reckon with, the sooner the better.
Seeking Fun
The people of the world seek fun, excepting perhaps the refugees on the run and those living in poverty. In the USA, it's estimated that 80% of young Christian college adults lose their faith in the four years of attending college, as seeking fun becomes their priority. The entertainment industry invests in providing fun for the general public and profits richly. With so much fun to pursue, who can possibly feel his or her spiritual needs? On the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." I hear him praying the same now.
Praying Unceasingly
Communicating with God whether it's reciting a formal prayer, praising him in public or talking to him in private, or just thinking about or longing for him is prayer. Every time you pray (from the heart), you strengthen your relationship with God. Therefore, pray unceasingly, and you'll be richly rewarded.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Reason for Our Salvation
Of course, God wants to save us from condemnation because he loves us. More specifically, he save us for wanting us to be holy as he is holy.
Steps to Heaven
Realize that every creature, animate or inanimate, belongs to God and you'll be able to let go of all your material possessions and forgive even your enemies. Then do you very best to glorify God in every possible way ~ you are now ready for returning to your Father in heaven.
Amazing Love of God
God's love is so beautiful and powerful that it can move our hearts to the point of accepting suffering and dying for his sake, willing and joyfully ~ seeing it as a great honor.
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