Challenge to Nonbelievers

        To those who still do not believe in Christ yet, I challenge you to write down all the reasons why you do not believe. Then review your reasons to see if they are valid or not and what made you give them. This should be illuminating. When you examine the Lord, you reveal yourself too.

***How to Know God

        The Lord made me see that he is everywhere, always waiting for us. If you approach him with the wrong expectation or attitude, you won't find him. Your best chance is to look for him humbly deep in your own heart. We sense or feel his presence only because we are open to him and desire him – that's it. God does not hide from us; it's us who hide from him!

**Our top Priority

        Not offending God must take top priority over all other concerns, including whether we offend others or not.

*The Sin Issue*

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 9 (in particular verses 42-48), Jesus makes it clear that we are not to sin. And since we all know what sin is, we'd better take the Lord seriously. Do we really want to offend the Lord all our life? Dealing with sin is our most pressing issue, for sin is the root of all evil, causing unrest, chaos, disorder, and ultimately, the likely loss of our own soul. If we can surrender to Christ, the problem is solved. But people are not willing, so the struggle continues on. The same old story of the fallen human race I am rehashing now in hope of waking more people up.

**Contrary Facts

         This is bases upon a post of November 10, 2016.

        Those who live for the world will die with the world. Those who die for God will live with God.

**Be Warriors for Christ

        There are two parts to the spiritual life, equally important. We must not sin and be holy, and we must be fired up interiorly to fight evil and save souls alongside the Lord. It's a double-barreled approach. All warriors for Christ must go all out, pulling no punches, on the battle field.

**All Through Jesus!

        Today's Gospel acclamation, John 14.6: I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no on comes to the Father except through me. Normally, I notice the first part of this verse, but this morning the second half hit me – we all must go through Christ to God the Father. In other words, he is God the Son. Also, Jesus says elsewhere that if we have seen him, we have seen the Father, for he and the Father are one. Rejoice that on earth, we can link completely to our God and become one with him – unbelievable! 

***No Retreat Possible***

        Do you know that we can only march forward toward God to ensure the safety of our soul? There is no place behind us to retreat to except hell.

*Don't Be a Sinner Also

        If someone sins against you and you do not forgive him, you become a sinner too.

**Getting Close to God (repost)

        I found this post of May 23, 2016. It's worth to be reposted.

        "The only way to get close to God when we are still on earth is to remain open to him – we cannot do more than that. The rest has to come from God alone." 

**Into the Lord

        Communion experience. The Lord defends me! I wanted him to remake me for his (and my) pleasure.

***Putting Both God and Ourselves Down

        We talk about and quote the saints a lot. Why don't we talk about that we should and can be saints ourselves?     

How to Be Great

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 9, the disciples of Jesus were discussing among themselves who was the greatest. I believe at that time they had followed the Lord long enough to see that he was great, but still did not know what being great truly is yet. Jesus heard them arguing, came over and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Now I think they were beginning to get it.

*You Can Be Superior

        We have people in the world who are talented, good-looking, have wealth and fame . . . they seem to be in an advantaged position. Know that if you know and have Christ, you should not ever feel that you are disadvantaged in any way. In fact, you are in a superior position. Of course, this is not something to speak publicly about, for it is more or less a secret between you and the Lord. But you must feel happy about it if the Lord is pleased with you. 

Prayerful Life Is Must

        In today's reading from Mark 9, Jesus healed a boy with a demon his disciples could not drive out. Jesus told them that this kind could only come out through prayer. It shows that prayer is most powerful because God hears us and is most powerful. Pray and trust is all we need to do to get through this life to eternal life.

Always Go to the Lord

        Here is Fr. Mark Goring's latest post. I say amen to his message. God and his word are what we should always go to first. Best yet, attain union with the Lord and hear him speak to your heart directly.

God Lives Up to His Standards

        The teachings of Jesus are difficult for us to follow unless you truly know him well, as in union with him. In reading the Gospels, you actually see that the Lord practiced what he preached to the letter. This further convinces me that he is God, even though I already know. 

Following the Lord

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 6, Jesus gave the teaching on love of enemies and judging others to his disciples. It showed me clearly that we should love everyone, enemy or friend, and expect nothing back. It goes beyond mere oneway giving, for we are to accept being hated, mistreated, struck, or robbed. This is extremely difficult us to follow. Then I realize that for the love of God, we must at least have the intent to follow him. Doing all this for the Lord is really not that much relative to how much love we receive from him.