Monday's Blessing
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
 
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. "
​
During this Lenten Holy Week, I am prompted to look upon the virtues God entrusted to me: Faith, Hope, and Love as I prepare for the coming of Christ.  Easter Sunday is less than a week away, and I ask you, "How have you prepared yourself spiritually for such an awesome event?"  Or, have you been inundated with life's worries and events and forgotten about the essentials of the season?

If the latter is true, take a moment right now and quiet your mind remembering what Christ has done for you.  All that pain and suffering to ensure your passage to the Holy kingdom.  Say a prayer of gratitude and ask him to speak to your heart this week as you go about your daily duties.

Love is the basis of all good things from God's blessings. It accounts for our happiness and trust in one and other. Without love there is no hope or faith. When I am feeling frustrated, angry, or just out of sorts, I pray for God's love. I know how much he deeply loves me, despite my wrong doings. Some days I wonder how he tolerates me. His patience is enough to keep me inspired to hold an enormous amount of love in my own heart for all of his creations. But, in order to truly be blessed with love, you must love yourself completely. If there is any facet that is out of whack in this self-proclaiming love, then it is important to pray for acceptance to move pass it immediately. Loving yourself enables you to love others and all things.

Faith is the center of our Christian spirituality.  Without faith, there is no religion.  Faith keeps us going strong throughout the blind days and keeps us fulfilled when in times of need.  Faith allows us to "Let go and Let God" and truly be at peace.  Is there something you are holding onto this week that should be in the hands of God?  Take a moment right now, bow your head, and ask God for acceptance.  Acceptance is the first order in securing unconditional faith.  It is a difficult thing to do as we must admit failure in our own hindsight, but remember there is no failure in God's eyes.  To have complete faith means you may not understand why these afflictions are happening, but realize there is a divine plan.

Hope is what we must never lose site of no matter how pressing life's events may be.  Once we relinquish hope, we relinquish our spirit into the hands of darkness.  Hope may not mean getting what you think you want.  Rather, through hope and placing things in God's hands, allows him to do his work and give back what he knows you need.  Never lose sight of hope no matter how bleak things get.  Just center on love, and through love will come faith and hope mending these roadblocks in life.
 
Daily Guidance 

1. During this Holy Week practice numerous counts of love.  Hug those you love more often.  Give your spouse compliments all this week.  Stop at work and help a coworker.  Don't expect anything in return.  While out, look for those in need.  Step up to the plate and reach out your hand.  Don't go out with blinders on this Easter season.
 
2. Practice compassion this week.  Before you speak THINK.  Let your contemplative awareness guide you into a better response.  Aim to guide and help others not admonish them.

3. Work on your listening skills this week.  Be quiet and reflective as friends and family speak to you.  Listen for hidden meanings and don't jump to conclusions.  Remember, you can learn something from everyone you meet.

4. Make a pact with God to read your Bible this week.  Every night before you open the pages, ask him to touch your heart and find deeper meaning into all you are reading.

5. Go to church this week!  
 

Monday's Blessing
Jeremiah 31: 16-17
 
"Thus says the Lord, "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, " declares the Lord, "and they will return from the land of the enemy.  There is hope for your future," declares the Lord.

Sometimes , no matter how hard we pray or how long we stand in faith, things don't turn out as we had hoped.  Some of you out there are praying for your marriages, others are asking that your present girlfriend/boyfriend, become more spiritually in tuned and pick you over other  inner demons. I encourage you to persevere, to continue praying and believing for good things to happen. But we all must realize God's will may not be aligned with our wants at the moment.

The other day my son approached me frustrated.  "I don't get it Mom, I've been praying and praying that this new relationships takes off, but God isn't working on it."  

"Why do you need this relationship so badly?" I asked.

"Because I'm lonely and nothings seems to be working out when I meet women," he replied.

"So are you asking God to find someone to fill your void? Or, are you asking specifically each time you meets someone that they be the ONE?" I answered.

"It doesn't matter, Mom, nothing works anyway," he moaned.

I explained further that God does NOT change another person's will.  He has given every human freedom to choose which way he or she will go, whether they do right or wrong in the process. When God allows one door to close, he will open another door to  you, revealing something bigger and better. The Bible says that God will take the evil the enemy brings into our lives, and if we'll keep the right attitude, he'll turn around and use if for our good.  He wants to take those disappointments and turn them into re appointments.  But understand, whether you will experience all those good things in your future depends to a large extent on your willingness to let go of the past.

"So how many doors do I need to open?" he retorted sarcastically.

"That I can not answer," I replied. "But I can tell you if you put it all in God's hands and pray for someone right for you, it will happen."

The Bible has many stories of extreme disappointment.  One such is the prophet Samuel.  He suffered a terrible disappointment in his relationship with the first king of Israel, a man named Saul.  As young man, Saul was humble and shy.  Then God picked Samuel out of a crowd and declared him help the new king of Israel.  Samuel did his best to help Saul be a king who was pleasing unto God.

Unfortunately, Saul refused to live in obedience to God, and God eventually rejected him as king. Imagine Samuel's misfortune.  He invested a lot of time, effort, emotion, and energy into this relationship with Saul.  But for some reason things got off course and Samuel must have felt robbed.  

Samuel was heartbroken.  But God spoke to him, "Samuel how long are you going to mourn over Saul? (Samuel 16:1). "Fill up your horn with oil and be on your way.  I'm sending you to the house of Jesse, for I have chosen one of his sons to be a new king." God didn't waste anytime consoling Samuel, he simply had a plan already in the making.

This is the problem with excessive mourning.  When we focus on our disappointments, we stop God from bringing fresh new blessings into our lives.  Are your presently focusing in the wrong direction?  Are you expecting God to change the will of another human being? God has a new plan for you.  Trust me, it is bigger and better than the one your pining over right now.  

​This Week's Meditation:

Let me recognize my problems have been solved. 

Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind.  If you are especially upset state:

Let me recognize this problem has been solved. 

Remind yourself of healing each moment. ​God has you in his arms always.

Monday's Blessing
John 14:6

"Jesus answered, " I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."

In the Bible there is a powerful scene in the Upper Room where Jesus speaks these profound words to his disciples.  Throughout antiquity there have been many noted religious leaders and philosophers who have said, "This is the way."  Only Jesus said, "I AM the way."  Make no bones about it, in order to get to the Father you must first travel the path of Christ.

At this time Jesus was lying the foundation for his demise.  He was telling his closest friends that he will be going away soon.  They thought they knew which way he was speaking of, but they actually had no clue as to what was going to happen soon.  I guess they thought that he would be air lifted delicately and placed near the Father.  Only Thomas was honest enough to question him.  It was to his response that Jesus directed his words.

Jesus is the way.  In an ultimate sense, he was speaking about going to the Father.  In order to get there it is NOT what you do; but that you understand the only venue is through him.

Jesus is the truth.  Truth doesn't mean you harbor accurate information.  Jesus embodied the truth.  He spoke the truth. He lived the truth.  He is the truth.  Hence, when we read about him in the Bible we learn from the greatest mentor.

Jesus is the life.  As Jesus told Nicodemus, everyone needs to be born of the Spirit. Jesus gave his life so that we could have life.  Spiritual life is founded through him. The apostle John would later write, "He who has the Son has life." (1 John 5:12).

When we open our lives and ensure he is there each day, we find that we will automatically possess the way, the truth, and the life. 

Dear Jesus,
I believe in you.  I believe you are the way,
the truth, and the life.  I open my life to you. 
Come live in me. Amen

Monday's Blessing
Exodus 20:2-3

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."

There are so many great stories about Moses in the Bible.  His inspiration to his people is downright amazing. There were over 600,000 men, women, and children on foot over the Exodus.  Trying to keep that many people fed, comforted, and full of faith was a miracle in itself.  Out of all the messages that came from above to Moses, this was the most spectacular.

As the newly freed Israelites camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai, Moses climbed the mountain where he first encountered God.  During his first encounter, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and gave him the commission to return to Egypt and lead the Exodus.   In this encounter, God gave Moses a moral compass to guide the Israelites as his special nation.  That moral compass was the Ten Commandments.

The first commandment stipulates the overriding dynamic by which man and God are to relate to one another.  If we want to have a loving relationship with God, we need to let God be God.  It's that simple.  Not what we want, but what God wants.

"You shall have no other gods before me" is not suggesting we become Satanists or worship other gods of the moon and wheat fields.  What God is saying is that we must put down worries about other things in our lives that may become more important than God. If it affects our relationship with Him then it is another "god".  When this relationship is affected we don't feel the multitude of God's blessings.

Every now and then it is important to stop and ask the question, "What am I obsessed with?  What do I desperately need?"  If the answer is anything other than God, then you need to readjust your compass and get it pointed to heaven.  Haven't you ever noticed as you whine for things in life you become depressed and obsessed?  This takes away from our solid relationship with God and ensures these "wanted" items become the prime focus each day.  When this happens you get a chance to get right again.  A chance to bring him back to the center of your life.

Dear God,
Thank you today for just being God.
I want you to be the most important person in my life.
Show me when something takes your place
so that I may get back on track again and
in a solid relationship with you.  
Help me to experience your love each waking moment.

Monday's Blessing
1 Samuel 7:12

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.  He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the Lord helped us."

Songs are an important component that can make an enormous difference in a way a person feels.  Even if you are primarily not a vocalist, there are other qualities that are essential for success: having enthusiasm for singing; being able to establish a good rapport with others singing; being comfortable with your own voice (no matter what your vocals), and being uplifted as your spirit soars.   That's it!  Your voice will blend in with the multitude of others and the Holy Spirit will touch you.

The above verse is from an incident in the prophet Samuel's life when he was a younger man and had just seen the hand of God defeat the perennial enemy of Israel, the Philistines. To honor God, Samuel set up a stone monument at the place of the victory.  He called that stone, "Ebenezer."  If you are a patron of church, or have been in the past, you might have sung the line from "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" that says, "Here I raise my Ebenezer."  Most people sing these words never realizing what the words mean.

Ebenezer means "stone of help".  Samuel had gathered the people of Israel at the city of Mizpah, about four miles northwest of Jerusalem.  The Philistines heard about the meeting and marched on Samuel and the Israelites.  Samuel cried out to the Lord for help, and God so confused the Philistines so blatantly that the Israelites won the battle.

Got wants to be our Ebenezer, our "stone of help."  When we are in the right relationship with Christ he is our source of strength.  Jesus called the Holy Spirit "the Helper".  And this Holiest of Helpers touches us most when we are filled with the Spirit.  What else can fill us with such joy and peace than those blessed church hymns?!  Play them often, in fact, grab a CD to pop in throughout the week to tame that tiger in you and soothe your soul!

Monday's Blessing
Matthew 28:5-6
 
"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay."

The Resurrection of Christ is the single most important event in the history of Christianity. From the moment Jesus stepped foot on this earth, everything he claimed about himself and his father was a test of the human spirit.  He foretold he would accomplish the unthinkable on the cross, and he would rise again on the third day.

Today's verses were spoken to two woman.  Mary Magdalene and another unnamed woman were the first who came upon the tomb.  It was the first Easter morning as they arrived to pay homage.  When they first got there the Roman soldier that was assigned to watch over the burial place was gone.  The stone that sealed the tomb had been rolled away. Sitting on the stone was an angel, whose soul appearance had frightened away some of the King's best men.  Now this same angel terrified the two woman.  The angel spoke calmly claiming the sacred message that will reign throughout history, "He has risen!"  Jesus had conquered death!

The woman had to go inside the tomb to see for themselves.  After all, who could believe such a statement?  Where the body had lain, now only empty last rite clothes remained. The tomb was not rolled away for Jesus' exit, but rather to let his disciples in to see the glory of God!  Jesus had completed exactly what he proclaimed.

Jesus is alive and lives in each of us!  He can be part of our lives forever.  We can be forgiven and we can forgive those who have caused us penance.  Now is the time for spiritual renewal.  Open your heart today and be closest with those you love.  For on this earth what is it that truly matters?  Those closest to our hearts!  Put all chores down today, smile, and enjoy those you love - your family.

Father, thank you for the gift of Christ
Thank you for allowing him to cleanse my sins.
Lord Jesus, you are alive!
Live in me today and remind me to love always
those that surround me.  Amen.

Monday's Blessing
John 10:10-11
 
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

I fell in love with Jesus when I was quite young. I was only nine years old at the time my father passed away. It was one of the most influential tragedies of my life. He was a young man, barely 40 dying of a cerebral brain hemorrhage. I was walking home from piano lessons that day, and as I turned the handle of my back door, I peeked through the window and noticed my father was lying faced down on the kitchen table. What ensued was a whirlwind of terrified phone calls and a patty wagon to pick him up since there were no ambulances available that day. Later that evening, as my Uncle Johnny came home with my mother, his desperate red eyes permeated my brain while he listened to his sister-in-law gently tell four children their father would not be coming home.

I felt as if the bright lights of life were just turned off.  My childhood experiences of day adventures and winter trips to Florida had just died off.  My mother was alone, confused, and frayed wondering what to do with this family of youngsters now totally dependent on her.

I felt her loneliness and emptiness and turned myself over to Jesus.  There, at that moment, I believe he found me, wrapped me in his arms and shed a warm's summer day light into my darkened life.  In the sadness and quietness of those days I felt his presence always.  I'd walk to out to our postage stamp size yard and sit perched like bird staring at the sky.  Rays would reach out warming my face as I began to feel his words form in my heart and mind.  Those words would guide me through other traumatizing situations and always keep me at peace in a life that was swirling.  He was the Good Shepherd back then keeping me with his flock.  He is still my Shepherd today as I know whenever I reach out to him he is always there.  I can still feel him now as I did on those first few moments as a child.

It's so important to remind yourself of God's glorious love.  God loves you today.  He wants you to know and experience his Good Shepherd.  He does not want you to be alone and has come to give you a good life in abundance.  Find your heart meshed with Jesus.  It has always been there, you just need to sit quietly and let it envelope you.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being
my Good Shepherd.  Thank you for
giving me a more abundant life in your
presence. I pray that I experience you
today and everyday close to my heart.
Amen. 

Monday's Blessing
Psalm 46:10
 
"Be still and know that I am God."

We all need regular quiet times in our lives.  This world can be such a busy place so busy it is often hard to turn inwards and find our true selves united with God.  With TV, computers, tablets, and mobile phones how can we actually hear God's voice when we need him?  Therefore, today's verse is exceptionally difficult.  Be still.  That means find some quiet space, yes- a quiet space so that you can open up to the voice of God.

For most of us taking daily time to wait, listen, and feel leaves us without that feeling of an inner presence that links us to his divine nature.  Sadly, God's voice does not come as a burning bush experience as Moses.  And, at times we all yearn that it does, especially when we are hurting.

Yet, if we really have the ears to hear and the eyes to see, God's voice can be very strong.  If you commit yourself to daily quiet times of prayer, you will learn to know and hear his voice often.  No, it may not come as a booming form as the movies depict, but may be booming in itself as it prepares to move you in the direction that is mapped for you.  We've all felt that inner prompt to do something when we least expect it.  This is God's voice pushing us to MOVE!  Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear it more often?

Practice is important because when we are still, we know that God is God.  That in itself requires extreme trust in someone.  We learn to enhance this trust each time we quiet ourselves through personal prayer.    So how do we do this?  Put down all those electronic devices that make our lives so simple (or full?) and learn to go inward more often seeking daily advice.  We are all butterflies seeking to morph into the perfect existence, yet we must also realize, that just as the butterfly breaks free of his cocoon that enables him to spread his wings and fly, so must we go through unique experiences to hasten our developments.

Try this prayer now in perfect stillness:

Dear God,
Help me to take time to be alone with you throughout the day in quiet spaces.  Teach me to hear your voice when you speak.  Help to seek the many ways you speak to me through the Bible, and the Spirit.  I know you have created within me the capacity to hear your voice.  Help me to be still so that I may hear this voice in my heart.  Guide me to trust in you only, Amen.
 

Monday's Blessing
 John 20:30-31

 
     "No Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.  But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

There is a bit of high drama at the end of John's Gospel.  It is as though a grand play is being performed and there is an audience watching each player's move.  Jesus is the main character, and he is interacting with all the major actors in his era.  There is Nicodemus, Martha and Mary, Lazarus, and others who felt first hand his healing powers.  In fact, there are so many daily interactions that John seems to be saying there isn't enough room in this book to mention everyone Jesus' touched.

Then, amazingly, at the end of this play, when Jesus is talking directly to Thomas, imagine the lights go on, and Jesus talks directly to YOU.  His words resound in your ears as he speaks:

"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

For he knows the troubles each of us face not being able to be by his side as others have.  Not being able to hear his voice in comfort during trials and tribulations.  He knows we must rely on ultimate faith to feed our Christianity.  And because of this, he promises blessings in our lives for doing so.

But, if that wasn't dramatic enough, imagine he walks off that stage and says to you:

"These are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

This passage breathes clarity.  It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or how you struggle each day.  God is here for you, each day, every day, no matter what your needs are.  For he has made it so that you have life in his name.  Not just any life, not just a life to hang onto when the need fits.  But a great life.

"I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me." (Jn. 17:23)

Jesus prays here that his disciples will know how much he loves them, and that the whole world will know how much he loves those who follow him.  He speaks to his disciples about going away and reassures them to not be afraid.  He lets them know that the world will always know I am by your side.

In life you have many people pulling for you.  But no one pulls as hard for you as God.  With this knowledge know that -

You can do anything - remember that!
 

Take a Moment in Prayer this Memorial Day, before your annual BBQ, to Pray for those that gave us the right of Freedom of Choice. 

A Prayer for Soldiers
Brave warriors,
should fate find us in battle,
May our cause be  just.
May our leaders have clear vision.
May our courage not falter.
May we be triumphant an earn victory
as we show mercy to our enemies. 
May our efforts bring lasting peace.
May our sacrifice be  always
appreciated by those we serve.
May we return to our loved ones 
unharmed.
Should we be harmed, may our wounds heal.
Should we perish in  the struggle,
may God embrace us and find for us
a place in His Kingdom. 

Psalm 91
 
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the
  shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him 
will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the 
noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou 
trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that 
flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction 
that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but 
it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the 
wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, 
thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy 
dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy 
ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a 
stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon 
shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will
  set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in 
trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Now take a moment to pray for their families: 
 
Prayer for the Families of Our Military

In the Holy Name of Jesus, I lift up  to You, Father, the families of our military. I pray that all will feel Your  love and mercy while they are concerned for their loved ones who are away serving our great nation. May they know abundance, being well provided for and well taken care of until their loved ones return home safely. Give them the 
courage of warriors. May the peace that passes understanding sustain them in 
seasons of separation. Comfort them with Your Word, that they might have faith 
to see their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives returned to them in wholeness 
and safety. Amen.

And lest us not forget the veterns:

For Our Veterans

O Lord, today I thank You for our  veterans, for their willingness to risk all so that our nation might dwell in  peace and safety. May they find the honor and recognition they
truly deserve. I  pray that You will heal the physical, spiritual, and
psychological wounds some  of these veterans have suffered. Bring a lasting
peace to those who mourn the  loss of comrades. Help them to find Your love and
mercy, so that they may cope  with the actions they may have had to take while
they served our country. Make  them realize that the rules of engagement in war
do not always follow the laws  of Christianity, but give them solace by Your
scripture passages that show them  that sometimes battle is necessary for the
common good.  Amen.

And for those Peril:

Prisoners of War

Father, in the Holy Name of Jesus, I  pray for those who have been taken captive in war. Give them courage to  persevere and also the knowledge that they have not been forgotten. May our nation find ways to rescue them safely and quickly, so that their suffering is not prolonged. I pray that they will not be used as pawns to the advantage of our enemies. Enter the hearts of their captors, that they may be merciful. Do 
not let the Evil One control their hearts and minds, tempting them to be cruel and torture their captives. Shine Your Light of Love upon all involved in military prisons. Remind them of Your commandment to love one another, as You love us all. Amen.

 For Those Missing in Action

O my God, may we find more efficient  ways of tracing and identifying those who are missing in action. Let them not be  forgotten. Fill them with the hope of freedom and knowledge that their loved  ones and comrades anxiously await their safe return. I fervently pray that the  truth would come to light quickly so that the living may be
rescued, and the  families of the deceased may find timely closure. For those
whom You have  received into the next life, grant them eternal rest, O Lord. Let
perpetual  Light shine upon them. By Your mercy, may they rest in peace. Amen.

And now may God bless your day as you have just blessed others with The Power of Prayer.