Seeing in the light of God

Jesus said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear! The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you — but with even greater severity.
Mark 4:24 GNBDK

Reflection:
It is very easy to point out a wrong with someone else, but when it comes to our own self, we tend to justify our failings. But our God is a just God and will judge us accordingly. Let us then put into practice the prayer the lord gave us and forgive those who sin against us because we too have sinned.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to look deep within your self and accept all your faults and failings, knowing that all of it was taken by Jesus his son on the cross. May his Holy Spirit help you to see yourself and others in the light of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Bearing Fruit

"But other people are like the seeds sown in good soil. They hear the message, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some 100."
Mark 4:20 GNBDK

Reflection:
Everyday the word of God comes to us in different forms, through mass, perhaps a message, or even through prayer. But what do we do with the word. Are we letting the cares and worries of this world take away the word or are we bearing fruit?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to submit to his will as you emulate Jesus his son. May you bear fruit in all your endeavours for the greater Glory of God as you are led by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Our Identity is in Jesus

"Whoever does what God wants him to do is my brother, my sister, my mother."
Mark 3:35 GNBDK

Reflection:
Our family holds great importance in our lives because that is a place wherein we get our primary identity from. But Jesus invites us to make him our identity for we belong to God first and then to the world.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be obedient to his will just like Jesus. And may his Holy Spirit bless you with fortitude and wisdom for all your endeavours. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Part of God's Plan

For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. As it is, however, God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be. There would not be a body if it were all only one part!
1 Corinthians 12:14‭, ‬18‭-‬19 GNBDK

Reflection:
Have you taken a deeper look at yourself, how wonderfully you have been made. How well you fit in the place that God has placed you, be it your family, workplace and society at large. But you are part of God's plan and his body the church and you are given gifts according to his purpose. And all of this for his greater glory.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand the plan and purpose he has for you in Christ Jesus his son. And may his Holy Spirit always lead you on. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Called to the Jesus way

Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there for ever. If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.
John 8:34‭-‬36 GNBDK

Reflection:
We all have our own understanding of the world and its ways and most times we believe that our way is the right way. But in doing so we become slaves to our own intellect and Edge God Out. Jesus gives us a different path, for God's ways are not our ways.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to walk in way, the truth and the light of Jesus his son and may you be blessed with wisdom and understanding by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Called to Testify

And now, why wait any longer? Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to him.’
Acts 22:16 GNBDK

Jesus said to them, "Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to the whole human race."
Mark 16:15 GNBDK

Reflection:
What would you do when you watch a good movie or have some delicious food at a restaurant. Most likely you would recommend  it to the ones you care about and want them to experience the same goodness you did. Have you then really experienced the love of God through Jesus?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to experience his unconditional love through Jesus Christ his son and as you believe in him may you be led by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Jesus the only way to God

Jesus is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives for ever to plead with God for them.
Hebrews 7:25 GNBDK

Reflection:
There is nothing we can do to merit salvation. Jesus has already paid the price and we ought to know and reflect through our lives that He is the only way and the truth to eternal life.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to always be open to the call of Jesus his son. And may his Holy Spirit teach the ways of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Reaching Out

Then Jesus asked the people, “What does our Law allow us to do on the Sabbath? To help or to harm? To save someone's life or to destroy it?” But they did not say a thing.
Mark 3:4 GNBDK

Reflection:
When we are faced with a situation where we have to reach out, we often chose the sideline. Sin is not just doing something wrong, when we fail to do good it is a sin too. And Christ is questioning each one of us that are enabled, are we helping out those in need?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you grace to be generous as you reach out to his people just like Jesus and may all your endeavours be blessed and multipled by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Feelings are Temporary

Our great desire is that each of you keep up your eagerness to the end, so that the things you hope for will come true.
Hebrews 6:11 GNBDK

Reflection:
Many a times we base our relationships with God and Man on our feelings. But we ought to know that feelings are temporary and the euphoria will only last a while. Since we are made in the image and likeness of our creator, we are called to be like him, who is Love. And love is not just a feeling. It is a willing yes to an unconditional acceptance.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be true to your calling of loving God and Man unconditionally just like Jesus his son. May his Holy Spirit bless you with its Fruits and Gifts as you heed God's call. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

A call to his will

No one chooses for himself the honour of being a high priest. It is only by God's call that a man is made a high priest — just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:4 GNBDK

Reflection:
While each of us may want a certain path for our lives. Our creator has already chalked this plan. He has called each one of us into existence according to his purpose. And our true joy is in his will. Therefore let us always pray for his will to be done in our lives.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be obedient to his calling as you willing submit your will to his just like Jesus did. And may his Holy Spirit be with you in all your endeavours. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Jesus: The New Wine

The head steward said to him, “Everyone else serves the best wine first, and after the guests have had plenty to drink, he serves the ordinary wine. But you have kept the best wine until now!”
John 2:10 GNBDK

Reflection:
Often times Religion and it's obligations become burdensome to us. But an encounter with our living God can change all of it. Jesus invites us to come and see, to come and taste the new wine that He is. Then you will want more, no longer thinking of it as burden but something that brings you joy.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to encounter a very deep and personal experience of his Jesus. May the new wine fill your heart with eternal Joy and Peace. And may his Holy Spirit keep the flame in your heart  always burning. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Jesus: The New Wine

The head steward said to him, “Everyone else serves the best wine first, and after the guests have had plenty to drink, he serves the ordinary wine. But you have kept the best wine until now!”
John 2:10 GNBDK

Reflection:
Often times Religion and it's obligations become burdensome to us. But an encounter with our living God can change all of it. Jesus invites us to come and see, to come and taste the new wine that He is. Then you will want more, no longer thinking of it as burden but something that brings you joy.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to encounter a very deep and personal experience of his Jesus. May the new wine fill your heart with eternal Joy and Peace. And may his Holy Spirit keep the flame in your heart  always burning. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Jesus My Rock, My Redeemer

Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:17

Reflection:
What a friend we have in Jesus. He not only knows our weaknesses, He accepts us with them. And it is through him that our weakness changes into strength. But are we willing to acknowledge that we are weak or are we only concerned about the splinter in our brother's eye?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to seek his son Jesus so that in him you may find new Life in abundance. And may his Holy Spirit always lead you with humility and wisdom. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

A Call to Reconciliation

“Is it easier to say to this paralysed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?  I will prove to you, then, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralysed man, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
Mark 2:9‭-‬11 GNBDK

Reflection:
Jesus came to earth to take away our sins. And it is true that sins can be forgiven here on earth itself. A repentent heart and a honest confession can set you free from the most grevious sins. Can we then make the most of this wonderful and divine sacrament that Jesus calls us too.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be honest as you give up your old ways. May you encounter the unconditional love of Jesus as you genuinely reconcile and may his Holy Spirit reveal to you all the areas of your life. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

The Flame of Faith

My fellow-believers, be careful that no one among you has a heart so evil and unbelieving as to turn away from the living God. Instead, in order that none of you be deceived by sin and become stubborn, you must help one another every day, as long as the word “Today” in the scripture applies to us.
Hebrews 3:12‭-‬13 GNBDK

Reflection:
When we are new to the Faith, we are burning like hot coal on fire. But over time there is a tendency of the fire going out and dust settling on the coal. While we may believe in God, it is imperative that our actions are according to his will to keep the flame of our faith alive.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to live in humility knowing that his grace suffices. May your heart always be on fire for the kingdom of God just like Jesus. And may his Holy Spirit always lead you to doing the will of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Pray not to be tempted

And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.
Hebrews 2:18 GNBDK

Very early the next morning, long before daylight, Jesus got up and left the house. He went out of the town to a lonely place, where he prayed.
Mark 1:35 GNBDK

Reflection:
Temptations are real, but temptations are not sin. When we give in, we commit sin. Jesus too was tempted many a times, but he overcame it all. And the strength to do so came from his relationship with his Father with whom he spent time as He prayed. We all go through our daily struggles of temptations, how do are we dealing with it? The way Jesus did or on our own accord?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be in a constant relationship with him as you take time out regularly like Jesus to be in prayer. And may his Holy Spirit always guide and guard your heart to resist every kind of temptation. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God is Mindful of you

Instead, as it is said somewhere in the Scriptures: “What are human beings, O God, that you should think of them; mere human beings, that you should care for them?
Hebrews 2:6 GNBDK

Reflection:
The earth is populated with over 7 billion people, and over 7 billion perhaps have finished their earthly journey. Yet to God each one of us individually matters, for we are all uniquely and wonderfully made. God's love is beyond our comprehension, for even if you were the only person on earth, Jesus would still come down to take up the cross. Therefore we must look at ourselves through the eyes of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to experience his love in your everyday life. May you always be open to Jesus Christ his son and may your every endeavour be guided by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Many are Called, Few Chosen...

He went a little farther on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat getting their nets ready. As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them; they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.
Mark 1:19‭-‬20 GNBDK

Reflection:
Jesus calls each one of us differently, for each one of us is unique. And God has a plan for each one of us, just as he had a plan for the brothers and a plan for their father. While we keeping doing what we ought to do, we also have to be open to God's call. For many are called, but a few are chosen.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be open to his word made flesh in Christ Jesus his son, so that you can be chosen for his purpose. And may his Holy Spirit always help you discern the voice of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Humility

But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires.” So John agreed.
Matthew 3:15 GNBDK

Reflection:
Jesus teaches us humility by simply submitting himself to be baptized by John. At times we may encounter a situation of similar regard, we ought to know that it is never about what you or I want, we all should want the will of God in our lives. And when we do so, all we do, will be for His greater Glory.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be humble and obedient at all times juat like Jesus his son. And may his Holy Spirit always lead you on. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

More of Him

He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30

Reflection:
Many times our first vivid encounter with God happens through an instrument of his; Be it a person, a prayer meeting or even a retreat. And then we tend to give the instrument importance and put aside God. John the Baptist gives us all, givers and receivers of Christ a very simple and clear message; More of him and less of me.

Prayers:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to know him more that just the worldly ways. May you personally encounter Jesus in way you never have and may his Holy Spirit help you build a deeper relationship with God. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God's will for you

Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. “I do want to,” he answered. “Be clean!” At once the disease left the man.
Luke 5:13 GNBDK

Reflection:
Jesus wants to do a lot of things in our life, but we get so busy that we seldom talk to him and/or listen to the mighty plans he has for us. Let us not wait for a circumstance to ask Jesus for his will, but everyday let this be our prayer; Lord, not mine, but let thy will be done in my life.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be open to the plans and will he has for you in Jesus Christ his son. And may you always be led by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God's promises

Jesus said to them, “This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read.”
Luke 4:21 GNBDK

Reflection:
Every prophecy about Jesus came true in time, and so it is with God's word to us. Every promise and assurance from God will come true in His time. We just have to open to his will for us, although sometimes we would like to have it our way. Just like Jesus, we have to trust the Father in all things and we will see the fruition of his promises.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to believe in his promises to you and know that Jesus is with you at all times. May his Holy Spirit bless you with understanding and wisdom. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Do Not Fear

They were all terrified when they saw him. Jesus spoke to them at once, “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don't be afraid!”
Mark 6:50 GNBDK

Reflection:
There is a constant assurance from God through Jesus Christ his son, that we don't have to be afraid of worldly matters. No matter the situation or circumstance, known Jesus is with us.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand his presence in your life. May you never fear anything know that his son Jesus is with you and may you always be comforted and assisted by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Called to Love

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7‭-‬8 GNBDK

Reflection:
Love is not candy floss moments, it is not something that only couples share. Love is a call to action, a call to serve. And as Christians we are called to Love, because we are made in the image and likeness of God. And our God is Love. From the fullness of his love He created us, and from the depths of it, He saved us. Love is God's plan for man.

Prayer:
I pray that you experience the unconditional love God our Father has for you as you come to know him. May you walk in the truth, light and path of eternal love through his son Jesus Christ. And may his Holy Spirit teach you to love like God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

A Call to Repentance

From that time Jesus began to preach his message: “Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”
Matthew 4:17 GNBDK

Reflection:
It was very important that we often examine our conscience, for in that we will know how close are we to God. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, but it is sin that separates us, when we repent form our sin, God takes away the blocks and brings us close to Him.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to genuinely repent your sins no matter how big or small they are. May you always be like Jesus desiring the kingdom of God and may his Holy Spirit always lead you to God's ways. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

An Instrument of Humility

They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.
Matthew 2:11 GNBDK

Reflection:
The Magi's are an example of humility and a instrument of God to us. We may accomplish a lot on our earthly life, but everything we have is by the grace of God. And what we do with what we have is an indirect offering to God. Thus in doing so we become instruments of God and His Divine Providence.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to open your heart to humility and live like Jesus, His son. May you always be led by His Holy Spirit as a true and worthy instrument of God. Amen.

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

True Love

My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.
1 John 3:18 GNBDK

Reflection:
Love is call, and we are called to love. For it was love that made us and love that saved us, not in word but by action and action that really hurt, and that was heard in the Jesus cry, my God, my God why have you forsaken me. Therefore in the words of Mother Teresa, for love to be true it must hurt.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to love in a way that Jesus did even if it hurts. May his Holy Spirit guide and govern all your actions and lead it to love. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Call to Change

Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “Your name is Simon son of John, but you will be called Cephas.” (This is the same as Peter and means “a rock”.)
John 1:42 GNBDK

Reflection:
While there is a tendency to resist change, we ought to know and understand that the change is the only constant. And when we called change will happen, just as Simon became Peter, So it will happen with us. It is in acceptance of this change that we will see the beautiful plan of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to accept his calling, may you always be obedient like Jesus Christ his son and may his Holy Spirit always lead you on. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Child of God

See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children — and so, in fact, we are. This is why the world does not know us: it has not known God.
1 John 3:1 GNBDK

Reflection:
What a honour and privilege it is to be called the children of God. And it is not just a calling it is knowing that we really are. For when you know who you are, then you will be in accordance. So know that you are a child of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand that you are his child through your baptism in Jesus Christ his son. May his Holy Spirit always keep you aware of your calling. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Call to Eternal Life

And this is what Christ himself promised to give us — eternal life.
1 John 2:25 GNBDK

Reflection:
We were made for God in his image and likeness for all Eternity. But sin separated from God and death became the roadblock. But God so loved the world that He gave us his only son, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life. Amen

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand you are a new creation in Christ Jesus his son and may you live your life on earth as you are led by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God Bless you

May the LORD bless you and take care of you; May the LORD be kind and gracious to you; May the LORD look on you with favour and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24‭-‬26 GNBDK

Reflection:
Our God is good, and in his goodness he wants to give us his all. When we Bless someone in God's name we are extending his goodness. And so we are called to bless one another. As you begin this year let us then continue to bless everyone just as we receive our blessings from God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father blesses you and your loved ones in the fullness of his Grace. May you always be glad knowing that you are a heir through Jesus Christ his son and may his Holy Spirit bless you with all its fruits and gifts for the greater Glory of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year 2019. May God continue to shower his Blessings on you today and every day of this New Year.

~ Ashford