Sword of the WORD

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030914.cfm) reminds me how powerful God's word is.

It is a very amazing and incredible thought that the old testament we know now is the same Scripture Jesus used and preached about when he was still living. Exactly the same. How amazing is that?! And we see in the gospel how powerful it is, and how important knowing the Scripture is.

In Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6:10-20) the only offensive weapon is the sword of the spirit, and we see Jesus using that.

After fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus was tired and hungry, and like us, most susceptible to temptation. The devil knows that, that's why he was tempted during that time. And there we see the importance of knowing the WORD of God to fight the enemy. With every temptation, Jesus fought it with God's word. Amazing.

God's word is very powerful. It gives us comfort and consolation in times of need and despair and problems, and strength to fight the enemy in times of temptation. The bible is very accessible to us. We just need to find it in our hearts to read it and understand it.

Do i have a bible? Do i use it? Do i read it? What hinders me from studying and soaking myself in prayer and in the bible? How can i improve and strengthen my spiritual life, my spiritual sword?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, I pray that you always keep me in your love. Help me love you and thirst for you like Jesus does. May I do what I can to get to know you more so that I can strengthen my spiritual life. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Leave Everything Behind

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030814.cfm) reminds me that if we really want to follow God, we should leave everything behind.

In the gospel, when Jesus called Levi, he left everything behind and followed Christ. He left everything - his riches, power and old life, to follow Christ. We need to be empty as we follow Christ, so that he can fill us. He can make us more like him.

This is the real essence of following Christ.

God wants us to leave everything and follow Him. When we do, he does not want us to look back. In Genesis when Lot was given a chance to escape the destruction, he was told to run and never look back. However, his wife looked back and she suffered the consequences.

As we try to follow Jesus, we should do our best not to look back at our old lives, at our old selves. Always looking back makes it harder for us to move forward.

Am I willing to follow Christ? Am I willing to let go of everything not of His and follow him? What areas of my life - sin, bad habits or bad relationships, am i having problems letting go? Do i humbly come to God for help?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Lord i pray that you help me be like Levi. May I be ready and willing to leave everything behind to follow you. As i do so, help me to not look back so i can move forward. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Good Fast

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030714.cfm) reminds us of a different kind of fasting.

When we hear the word fasting, we usually think of not eating food. Sometimes, aside from food and drinks, we fast from other things we like or are comfortable with - like social media, favorite hobbies, or even shopping. but these things have one thing in common. When we fast, we detach ourselves from worldly things, and we deny ourselves of the comfort and pleasure we can have.

This is the essence of fasting Jesus wants from us. God wants us to deny ourselves of the comfort we have. As we do so, we are asked to share this comfort to others and not just withhold it from ourselves for a bit.

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own

Clear. Simple. Fast from being comfortable, step out of our comfort zones and help others. There are a lot who need help.

Fasting is not always negative in nature, not just sacrifice and denying ourselves. It is also deliberately doing good to others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Lord, I pray that you help me make a good fast. May I be ready and willing to step out of my comfort zone and do good to others, to be your ambassador to others. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Decision

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030614.cfm) reminds me that following God is a daily decision.

Sharing an excerpt of the gospel:

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me..."

Following God is not a one time decision.

Not just because you attended or served in a retreat or just because you volunteered for an outreach activity, you're doing very good already. That's a good act, but God wants more from us. God wants consistency. God wants everyday actions and decisions to follow him in little and big ways. Big in terms of doing good, choosing what is right, surrendering to his will, and even small, often neglected things like throwing trash in the proper disposal, obeying traffic and pedestrian rules, and just being patient with others around us.

Everyday decisions, everyday actions - big and small, all for God's glory. All as different ways of taking up our cross and following God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings you constantly give me. Lord, I pray that you help me live for you everyday. May my big, and especially my little, seemingly insignificant actions and decisions, be my sign of love for you and a form of taking up my cross to follow you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ash 2014

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030514.cfm) reminds us of the importance of detachment from the things of the world.

Ash Wednesday is a day where Catholics do fasting and abstinence. The readings show us how God values fasting. It is one of the spiritual disciplines we do in order to get closer to God and show him how much we love him, as well as how much we are sorry for our sins.

When we fast, we detach ourselves from the comforts of this world and take time to be one with God in his suffering for our sins. We reject the pleasures of this world, even the food we need, and depend fully on God to get us through the day. We offer the pain and suffering, from food, and allow God to give us strength. We try to show God that our love for him and the desire to be one with him and to be more like him is greater than our desire to be comfortable.

We also fast when we are praying for something – during discernment or when we are asking for a favour from God. This is not our way of bargaining with God, but rather a way in which we want to be closer to God. As we go through the fasting, we call unto God to give us strength. We offer the pain to him and ask that we be more like him. As we become one with him, his desires will be our desires, and we will be more enlightened to choose what God wants us to take when we are discerning, and openly accept God’s answer to our prayers when we ask him for something.

Good news – we will be rewarded for fasting.

Bad news – we will be rewarded only once.

The gospel reminds us that we should not fast for others to see. It will either be God, or others, who will reward us for fasting. This is true for prayer and almsgiving. We should fast, pray, give alms and abstain for the right intentions.

As we usher in the season of Lent, may we be disciplined to fast, abstain, pray more and give alms to others. Today, we are required to fast and abstain. Fasting and abstinence is not just from food and meat, but in these world nowadays there are a lot of ways and things we can fast and abstain from – internet, facebook, sweets, too much food, etc. what is important is we are ready and willing to detach ourselves from this world and be one with God in suffering for others for love of God.

Am I ready to fast and abstain today? This holy week, what am I ready to give up for Christ?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your love that is always ready to welcome me back into your arms. Lord, as we usher in the season of lent, help me be ready and willing to fast and abstain. Lead me Lord and tell me what you want me to give up this lent. Help me also to become extra sensitive to the needs of others, and spend more time in prayer. This season, may I be one with you in suffering and detachment from this world, and may I grow even more closer to you, and more in love with you, just like Jesus and Mary. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Obedient Children

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030414.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be obedient children.

Parents want their children to be obedient, not because they don't want to have a hard time taking care of the kids, but because being obedient makes it easier and faster for the child to learn from the parents. This is what God wants from us as well.

Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.

God wants us to be holy like him. God wants us to love perfectly like he does. God wants us to be more and more like him. And it will be faster and easier for us to be as such if we are obedient to him.

In the gospel we see that God rewards those who are obedient. If we humble ourselves and obey what God asks us to do, then we will surely be rewarded. As a loving parent who rewards obedient children, God will also reward spiritually those who are obedient, humble, and willing to follow and learn from him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for giving us another opportunity to learn from you and to love you. Lord, I pray that I would always be a humble and obedient child, ready and willing to learn from you as I serve you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Temporary Trials

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030314.cfm) assures us that trials are temporary, yet it brings eternal rewards.

Looking at the world, we see that a lot of wicked people prosper. Those corrupt, abusive and evil people seem to be rewarded. They prosper in the world, attaining wealth, power and glory. However, those who do good and try to follow God does not seem to be rewarded. The first reading exhorts us:

rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

There you go. Makes sense, right? As we experience challenges, trials and problems because of our faith, because of following God, we know that these things will strengthen us, will strengthen our faith, and we will be able to praise, honor and glorify God more. And this will eventually lead to our eternal reward - when we spend eternity with Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminder and exhortation. Lord, as I experience challenges for you, may I remain faithful and focused on you. I surrender, Lord. Use me for your greater glory. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-