Made New in Christ

Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 GNBDK

Reflection:
No matter what your past has been, when you are reconciled with Christ, you start a new. For we were made out of God's love and we are saved by his love too.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to know and understand yourself as you a made new through his son Jesus Christ. And may his Holy Spirit bless and keep you. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

To Love God

I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn offerings to me.
Hosea 6:6 GNBDK

Reflection:
If your child never loved you in return, but only obeyed you out of fear. What would you do as a parent? And what if you child constantly did wrong, would your love change for your child? Will you give up and love another or would you do all that you can so that your child can you love you back, just the way you do... Perhaps that is what God wants from us; to love him the way He loves us.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to know him and love him just as He loves you. May Jesus Christ his son be your inspiration and strength and may his Holy Spirit teach you the ways of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Loving God and Neighbour

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29‭-‬31 NIV

Reflection:
We cannot love God without serving and caring for our neighbour. Both are intertwined, for when we truly know God, we know his ways; and reach out to those made in his image and likeness. The second part is we cannot love and serve our neighbour alone, for to do so we require strength and grace, while we may have the strength, grace is a gift from God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to know, love and serve him and reach out to your neighbour. May you emulate Jesus in all his ways and may you be led by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

In Christ the Truth is found

But Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said to them, "Any country that divides itself into groups which fight each other will not last very long; a family divided against itself falls apart."
Luke 11:17 GNBDK

Reflection:
As we Christians we must realize that our identity is from Jesus and not the denominations we belong too, and the time we spend debating this; we fail to do Christ work of love and service. Let each one then, seek the truth, the truth that Christ established and the truth shall set you free.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand his ways as you seek the truth, the way and the life found in Jesus Christ his son. And may his Holy Spirit lead you on to love and serve as true and free Christian. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Heart and Law

No other nation, no matter how great, has laws so just as those that I have taught you today. Be on your guard! Make certain that you do not forget, as long as you live, what you have seen with your own eyes. Tell your children and your grandchildren
Deuteronomy 4:8‭-‬9 GNBDK

Reflection:
If we look the commandments as they are; they would come across as a set of rules for our community and society at large. And Jesus teaches us that these are not just laws and regulations, but at the heart of it, is a matter of choice. If we understand the heart of the laws then we will be able to practise them but if we don't then what exactly do w e teach our children.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be open to his law; understanding the freedom of choice between good and evil. May you be like Jesus always honour the Father's will and may his Holy Spirit help you in this your endeavour. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Call to Forgive

The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount.” And Jesus concluded, “That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 18:34‭-‬35 GNBDK

Reflection:
Forgiveness is a gift we have all received from God. He forgives us because He is all good and loving and that is how he wants us to be, for we are made in the I.age and likeness of God. If you find it difficult to forgive someone, take a closer look at your life, and see how many times God has forgiven you.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to forgive those who wrong you. May you emulate Jesus who even on the cross prayed for the forgiveness of those who put him up there. And may his Holy Spirit always lead you on. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Saying Yes willingly

And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38 KJV

Reflection:
What a joyous occasion, the birth of Jesus announced. But this announcement would not find the occasion of joy if it wasn't for Mary's yes. She willingly obeyed the word the God as she said yes. We all seek God, for breakthroughs, for healing, for comfort and God is right beside us, but are we obedient to his word?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to humble so that you can be obedient to his word made flesh in Christ Jesus his son. And may his Holy Spirit teach you the ways of God. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Repentance

But the gardener answered, ‘Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig round it and put in some manure. Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.’
Luke 13:8‭-‬9 GNBDK

Reflection:
Sin is sin, because when you sin, you distance yourself from God willingly. And the only way out is a repentance. We often tend to console ourselves by comparing our sins with others. But Jesus warns us that if we don't repent, then we will become like the tree that doesn't bear fruit.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to humbly acknowledge your sin and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit manure your life with goodness and grace as you grow in holiness.

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Love or Fear

But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends!  ‘My son,’ the father answered, ‘you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours.
Luke 15:29‭, ‬31 GNBDK

Reflection:
Not everyone would walk the line of the prodigal son, but does it justify judging the prodigal one.  At times we can get absorbed in our righteousness, but does our obedience to God stem from fear or Love. If it is from fear then we will be like the elder son, angry and upset with God for welcoming those who have turned back. But if it is love we will rejoice and celebrate with God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to love him and know him the way he does to you. May emulate the actions Jesus his son, who did everything out of and with love. And may his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom and love. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Doing the will of God

“Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” Jesus asked.   “And so I tell you,” added Jesus, “the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the proper fruits.”
Matthew 21:40‭, ‬43 GNBDK

Reflection:
While the earth was given to man to multiply and fill it, to have dominion and subdue it. It was not given for ownership. Our journey here is only a temporary one and we have come here not by our will and choice but by God's. Therefore are we doing as He desires or will He take it from us and give it to someone else?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to constantly seek to do his will, knowing that as you journey this path you walk in the truth and light of Jesus Christ his son and may you always be accompanied, guided and guarded by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Being Christ-Like

"This, however, is not the way it shall be among you. If one of you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, he must be your slave — like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people."
Matthew 20:26‭-‬28 GNBDK

Reflection:
If we want to be like Jesus and truly be Christians, then we have to adapt to the one central theme from the life of Jesus himself. Dent yourself as you love and serve others. Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do, but then again who said carrying a cross was easy.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to see the world as he does and knowing that everything here is only temporal. May you find joy and happiness in being Jesus like as you affirm your belonging to the Father. And may his Holy Spirit strengthen your faith as you practice it in your daily life. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Listening like St. Joseph

So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, as the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
Matthew 1:24 GNBDK

Reflection:
God speaks to us many a times, but are we even aware of that. He may speak through a scripture you read, or good advice from a loved or maybe even a sermon you hear. Are you listening? St. Joseph teach us that we ought to listen and obey.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be attentive to his calling. May you always do his will just like Jesus did and may his Holy Spirit help you to submit willingly. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Being like the Father

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Luke 6:38 NIV

Reflection:
The things we crave the most, are often received when given away and Jesus reassure us that by stating that the measure we use for others, will be measured unto us. Have you forgiven sincerely,? have you loved truly? have you been kind genuinely?Have you given without expectations?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be like him in all things you do. May you generously give just as Jesus did, pouring out every drop of his blood for you and may his Holy Spirit teach you the ways and understanding of the kingdom of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Listening to God

A voice said from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen — listen to him!”
Luke 9:35 GNBDK

Reflection:
A second time the Father acknowledges Jesus, after the baptism at the river Jordan where he spoke to Jesus. Here he spoke to the disciples, and through them he is speaking to us. And the Father clearly instructs 'LISTEN to him'.  The most important lesson that Jesus taught us; is to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. In a world that is consumed by itself, listening to God surely involves more than our ears.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace live humbly knowing that you are his creation and have been saved by the sacrifice of his son Jesus, who willingly gave himself up for you. May his Holy Spirit tend to your heart, mind and ears as you listen and obey. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Pray for your Enemies

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Matthew 5:43‭-‬44 GNBDK

Reflection:
Have you ever been troubled by someone or every time the you think of a person you get perturbed. There is a solution to this; all you need to do is make a genuine prayer for that person asking for God Blessings on him/her and see for yourself what happens. Indeed God's ways are not our ways.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to always call on him. May Jesus Christ be your inspiration to always take time out for prayer and may always be lead by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Understanding the Law

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20 NIV

Reflection:
There is the law and then there is an understanding of the law.   Jesus teaches us that we ought to understand the law and the ways of God, to abide by it. While the law says you shall not murder, we are called to understand that the root of murder begins from hate, jealousy and anger and these are not the ways of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand his ways. May Jesus his son be a constant reminder to you of the Father's unconditional Love and may his Holy Spirit enlighten you with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

The Father knows it all

"Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock."
Matthew 7:7‭-‬8 GNBDK

Reflection:
We'd often assume that God doesn't answer our prayers because we have not received what we asked for, but take a closer look and see you would have received something better at the time God deemed best. And even if you've been denied something know that it was in your best interest. After all no mother would offer her toddler a chilled beer on a hot Sunday afternoon nor would a Father get his teenage son a revolver.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to accept yourself the way you. May you find comfort and strength in the arms of Jesus Christ as you submit yourself to him. And may you be lead at all times by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

The Cross

In the same way that the prophet Jonah was a sign for the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a sign for the people of this day.
Luke 11:30 GNBDK

Reflection:
What do you see when you look at the cross? Do you see a man crucified or do you see something that was historic? Whatever you may see, know that, the cross was the place for you and me, but Jesus in his goodness took our place on it. Let the cross then always be reminder, that you and I have a Saviour in Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to humbly acknowledge your shortcomings,  as you accept his son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit always enable you to share in the joy and love of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Meditating on the Word of God

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 NIV

Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:8b GNBDK

Reflection:
There is a reason why the Bible tells us to meditate on the word of God day and night. For when we do, we allow ourselves to be open to his ways. And without our realizing God will bring change we so desire in our lives, for the Father knows all our need and our wants.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be open to his word made flesh in Christ Jesus. May you soak your self in his teaching allowing a change of heart. And may his Holy Spirit render you with wisdom and understanding. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Doing it unto Him

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40 NIV

Reflection:
Every human being on earth is made in the image and likeness of God, which means at a core level we are all the same. Yet in the world as we know it divides us all based on various parameters. And many a times we end up treating others indifferently, but we ought to know that whatever we to our brethren we do it unto our maker. Therefore do unto others, what you'd had others done for you.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to see the world just as He does. May you imbibe in you the essence of Jesus is life, spreading the fragrance of joy and hope to all. And may his Holy Spirit Bless you and always be by your side. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Staying Detached from Worldly Attractions

“I will give you all this power and all this wealth,” the Devil told him. “It has all been handed over to me, and I can give it to anyone I choose. All this will be yours, then, if you worship me.” Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ”
Luke 4:6‭-‬8 GNBDK

Reflection:
We can get obsessed about that which contributes to our identity be it our work, relationships or perhaps even a hobby. Jesus makes it very clear, that our priority has to be God. All our worship and service is for God alone. Being attached to things on earth will do us no good, for eventually we will leave everything behind. Reflect on the words of Jesus, "What does is profit a man, if gains everything but looses himself."

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to stay detached from all that the world has to offer, knowing that you temporarily journeying through the dessert of life led by his Holy Spirit. May Jesus be your source of strength as you preserve to the kingdom, until God sends his Angels to bring you home. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Need for God's Grace

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31‭-‬32 NIV

Reflection:
A majority of the new testament is made up of Paul's letters, yet he considered himself the greatest among sinners. Our attitude to life is very important as that shapes our journey along life's way. God's grace is there in the offering, our we humble enough to accept it or self righteous to reject it.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand his ways as you journey along life's way. May Jesus Christ be your source of joy and strength, and may his Holy Spirit always help you acknowledge your need for God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Acceptable Sacrifice

My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.
Psalms 51:17 GNBDK

Reflection:
Every Lenten season most of us abstain and fast from food and/or something we like, which is a good thing. Because when we say no to the physical desires of our body, we open ourselves to being more spiritual. However, Jesus wants us to know him more, and for that closer experience all we need is humble and contrite heart. For then we will become like little children and the kingdom of God ours.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to know his ways. May you be a true disciple of Jesus as you submit to him completely. And may his Holy Spirit envelope you and grow you to full maturity in Christ. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Happiness in the Will of God

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Luke 9:25 NIV

Reflection:
We seldom do this, but if we start taking closer introspection at our lives, we will see that we all our in the pursuit of Happiness. And to each one of us the definition is different. But sooner or later a time will come, where all of this won't even matter. What will matter is, have we done the will of God? or have we made it all about ourselves?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand his calling and purpose for which he created you. May you find all the Happiness in doing his will just like Jesus did. And may his Holy Spirit ignite in you a blazing fire for the love of God. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Create in Me a New Heart

I recognize my faults; I am always conscious of my sins.  Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.
Psalms 51:3‭, ‬10 GNBDK

Reflection:
While we may wear many façades, God can see through them all. Deep within we all know who we really are and God wants us to come as we are. For it is then, that he has scope to work. Repent and renounce the old ways, acknowledge Jesus and embrace his way.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to leave behind your old ways and accept his will for your life. May you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and may his Holy Spirit guide and guard you along life's way. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Good Intentions, Generous Heart's

Be cheerful with every gift you make, and when you pay your tithes, do it gladly. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, just as generously as you can. The Lord always repays and will do it many times over.
Sirach 35:9‭-‬11 GNBDK

Reflection:
When it comes to offerings, intention is paramount, because while the world can see the offering, God knows our hearts and minds. Cain and Abel both made offerings to God, and with good intentions Abel offered good offerings and that is what pleased God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be generous just as he is. May you emulate Jesus as you be a true Christian by living the Gospel and may his Holy Spirit be with you in all your endeavours. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Being aware

Jesus looked round at his disciples and said to them, “How hard it will be for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:23 GNBDK

Reflection:
Jesus is not against riches and wealth, for it is God himself that provides us with these Blessings. But what He cautions us is, to stay detached from the love of money and false sense of power it brings. For God is love and only he has the power to make possible the impossible.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand that you have been created by him and for him. That Jesus his son died for you so that you can have the new eternal life through him. And may his Holy Spirit bless you with all its fruits and gifts. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Words of Hope and Love

A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart; a bad person brings bad out of his treasure of bad things. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Luke 6:45 GNBDK

Reflection:
We have to be very careful with our words and for that, we have to be careful about our thoughts. From our thoughts come our words and then our way of life. Jesus himself was the word incarnate and as Christians we can bear witness by emulating Jesus himself by setting our hearts and minds on God. For then, from us shall come the goodness of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to accept his word made flesh in Christ Jesus his son as you set your heart and mind on God. May his Holy Spirit always give words of love and hope as you bear witness. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

God's love is so Wonderful

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Mark 10:14‭-‬15 NIV

Reflection:
The characteristics of children are dependence, trust, simplicity, unconsciousness, and docility and these are the very emotions of mind and heart which Christianity requires. As grown adults we often get caught up with our intellectual pride and find ourselves debating morality. This can become a hindrance to experience the warm, gentle and unconditional love of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be open to the love he gives you unconditionally. May you accept the warm embrace of Jesus Christ from his Holy Cross and may his Holy Spirit help you see what God has willed for you. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Seeing through Jesus Eyes

Jesus said to them, "Moses wrote this law for you because you are so hard to teach..."
Mark 10:5 GNBDK

Reflection:
There are situations that may not necessarily need the rule book, but as human beings we subject ourselves to earthly and visible things. Jesus makes all things new, and shows us how things are ought to be. Therefore, as Christians when we look at a person or his/her circumstance, we ought to look at it the way Jesus would.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to see the world with eyes of Love just like his son Jesus. And may his Holy Spirit help you always to see the truth. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)