Led by the Spirit

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2:4 GNBDK

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served.

1 Corinthians 12:4‭-‬5 GNBDK

Reflection:

We are all called to serve in the vineyard of the Lord, however, we cannot do it on our own accord or strength. While we may have certain gifts and talents. We need the Holy Spirit to enable and lead us to our calling. We've received the gift of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Baptism, and when we acknowledge his presence and build a relationship, our lives will no longer be the same. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to believe in his word made flesh in Jesus Christ who has promised us the Holy Spirit to be with us. May you totally surrender and walk the path led by the spirit. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Your life belongs to God

When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus answered him, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”

John 21:21‭-‬22 GNBDK

Reflection:

We are often concerned with the lives of our neighbours than our own, that is why God gave us two specific commandments with regards of how to deal with them. God has made it very clear through his word 'Every one of us, then, will have to give an account of ourselves to God.' (Rom 14:12) God created us individually for his purpose. He has placed us where we are and whom we are with to enable that purpose. Are we then obedient to his calling? or have we decieved ourselves with worldly concerns?

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to accept his plan and purpose for your life. May He enable your ministry as you glorify his name, harvesting as you are lead by his Holy Spirit. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God's Loving Purpose

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

John 21:17 NIV

Reflection:

Peter loved Jesus, yet the repeated question upset him. Sometimes we find ourselves in Peter's shoes. We get upset with God because of our circumstances though we love him. But we have a God who loves us so much, that he sent his only son to die, so that we might live. Therefore, we know God loves us and is aware of what we are going through but perhaps has placed us where we are to take care of his sheep. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace heed his call through his son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, to feed and take care of his flock of lamb and sheep. May his Holy Spirit give you courage, strength and wisdom to take every step in accordance. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God's Intimate Love

“I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.  I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one.”

John 17:21‭-‬22 GNBDK

Reflection:

God's love is an intimate love that He calls us to share with him. A love that is so pure and giving that the human mind cannot fathom it. But surely we can respond to God by giving him our time, thoughts, words and deeds as a love offering. In doing so we will become one with Him in mind, body, soul and spirit. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to respond to his call of loving intimacy. May your, heart, mind, soul and spirit be set upon God just as Jesus did everything for glory of his Father. And may his Holy Spirit teach you the ways of God. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Choosing God's way

"I gave them your message, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One."

John 17:14‭-‬15 GNBDK

Reflection:

The world is not bad, it's ways are. The sinner is not bad, the sin is. God created the earth and all in it so that his creation of man could have dominion over it. But Man chose to have more than what God willed, thereby bringing sin into the world. Every day we get a choice to make; God's way or our way? And every choice has its consequence, what then are we going to choose?

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to submit your will unto his just like Jesus his son did. As you do so may you experience the peace that transcends all understanding and may his Holy Spirit guide and direct your path. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God has a purpose for our lives

Paul Said, "But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News about the grace of God."

Acts 20:24 GNBDK

Jesus looking upto heaven said,  "I have shown your glory on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do."

John 17:4 GNBDK

Reflection:

We are where we are, because God has placed us there; for as Christians we have the knowledge and hope in Jesus Christ for our Salvation. And we are called to carry on this message of God's grace through our lives. For the world will know we our Christians by our love. Are we living a life of purpose? Do our actions glorify God? Are we seeking what God's wants from us? 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to open your life to him so that, you can glorify his name by emulating his son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May his Holy Spirit lead and guide you to fulfill your God given purpose for life. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Jesus assures, Take Heart!

Jesus said “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:32‭-‬33 NIV

Reflection:

This time that the world is going through being locked up in their own homes is unprecedented for many of us, it has brought out many challenges that we would have otherwise never fathomed. But God in his infinite wisdom is aware of even the number of hairs on our head. Jesus knows what it is to feel rejection, loneliness, helplessness, and even death. But He has overcome it all, and assures us his peace, therefore, take heart!

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to stay comforted and hope in his word made flesh in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit that is within you be a constant reminder, that God is with you at all times. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Are we Prepared?

The men dressed in white said, “Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.”

Acts 1:11 GNBDK

Reflection:

We celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ today. He came to earth full-filling scripture and God's promise for our Salvation. But scripture also says, that Jesus will come again. We don't know when, but he will come as willed by the Father. Are we then, prepared to meet Jesus? Have we been living in accordance to God's will for our lives?  

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to live your life just like Jesus did, glorifying God as he submitted his will to the Father. May his Holy Spirit guide and enable you to prepare yourself for a life of eternity. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Pray in Jesus's name

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete."

John 16:24 GNBDK

Reflection:

There is power in the name in the of Jesus. For it is the name above all names, for Jesus did what was pleasing to the Father. Let us then pray in confidence knowing that our prayers will be answered because of our faith in  Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to pray in the name of Jesus in faith as you place your prayer and petition. May his Holy Spirit give you the understanding of accepting God's response to your prayer. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Character over Comfort

"That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you."

John 16:22 GNBDK

Reflection:

Have you ever seen a potter shape a pot, or scupltor shape his artwork? They bend, press and chisel away so that their work turns into a masterpiece. Similarly, it is with us; our pains and sorrow are God's way of drawing our attention, for God is more interested in developing our character than our comfort. Once you know the truth about God, the truth sets you free and no matter what your circumstances are, no one can take from you the joy and hope that comes from God. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to respond to his call, as you emulate his son Jesus - our Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit guide you through all pain and anguish and shape your being as desired by God. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Encountering Jesus

Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said to them, "I said, ‘In a little while you will not see me, and then a little while later you will see me.’ Is this what you are asking about among yourselves?"

John 16:19 GNBDK

Reflection:

You have to encounter Jesus to know him, but how can one encounter Jesus? This will happen when you have a strong desire to encounter him. For Jesus knows it all, our thoughts, our dreams, our needs and our wants. Love cannot be forced or coerced, therefore when you take the first step, he will take the rest. For Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts, do we want to let him in? Why is the door closed? Do I desire to encounter Jesus?

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to open the doors of your heart to his word as you dwell in it daily with the desire to encounter his son Jesus our Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom knowledge and understanding. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

The Gift of His Holy Spirit

"When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth."

John 16:13a GNBDK

Reflection:

The Holy trinity will always remain a mystery for us as we traverse our time here on earth, that said, the Holy Spirit is God's gift to us of himself and if we want to really enjoy this journey we ought to depend on his Holy Spirit, for Jesus has assured us that, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth and it is this truth that sets us free. Do we invoke the Holy Spirit when we pray? Do we ask for the gifts of the Spirit? 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to invoke through his word made flesh in Jesus Christ, his Holy Spirit; our councillor, advocate and guide to reveal to you the truth so that you live a life of abundance. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Yielding to the Holy Spirit

And when The Holy Spirit comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgement.

John 16:8 GNBDK

Reflection:

As Christians we have been blessed with the Holy Spirit at our Baptism, and it is this spirit that is given to us to help us navigate life, but we often tend to yeild to the flesh rather than the spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to us for a purpose, and once yield to him we will see life the way God wants us to see it.

Prayer:

I pray that God Our Father gives you the grace to submit to his word made flesh in Jesus Christ his son. May you always yield to his Holy Spirit as you see and walk in God's ways. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Come Holy Spirit

"The Helper will come — the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God and who comes from the Father. I will send him to you from the Father, and he will speak about me."

John 15:26 GNBDK

Reflection:

As a child I was often told to read the Bible, but other than being a collection of stories or me taking the Bible literally, it always seemed difficult to comprehend. But God has his ways and when you submit to Him, he makes all things possible. The word of God was written inspired by his Holy Spirit and therefore when we read the word, we need the helper to help us understand. We need to ask ourselves; Do I read the word as a cultural habit? Is the word of God relevant to me? Am I asking help from his Holy Spirit to understand the word? 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to submit to him your will and all your endeavours just as Jesus did. And as you do so, may his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom, knowledge and understanding as God speaks to you through his word. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Hope that comes from Christ

"Have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honour him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15‭-‬16a GNBDK

Reflection:

God so loved the world, that he sent his only son as sacrifice for many, so Christ died while we were still sinners, and as he took upon himself our sins, we shared his divinity and look forward to a life with him in Eternity. This is the Hope we all share as Christians.Yes, we are Christians, but why so? Do we believe in hope that Christ gives us? or are we simply living a life without conviction? 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be confident in Hope that comes from Jesus Christ his son, our Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit stir in you the conviction of the life you ought to live, for the life God wills for you. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Christian Path

"If the world hates you, just remember that it has hated me first. If you belonged to the world, then the world would love you as its own. But I chose you from this world, and you do not belong to it; that is why the world hates you."

John 15:18‭-‬19 GNBDK

Reflection:

As Christians we are set apart, because it was Christ who showed us the way. A way contradictory to the world, doing what is pleasing to the father and not what is pleasing to the flesh. And for doing so Christ was rejected by many, and accepted by few. And this is what Jesus is preparing us for; are we then to conform to the standards of the world or should we trod the path set apart? 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to walk in the truth, the way and the life that is in Jesus his son. May his Holy Spirit enlighten your mind and strengthen your heart as you embrace your Christian path. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Love as Jesus does

Jesus said, "my commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you."

John 15:12 GNBDK

Reflection:

If we receive instructions from school or our work place we deligintly follow it to the tee. But there is tendency to take God's word for granted. Know that 

Jesus doesn't plead, request or petition. He has commanded us to love. And love like no other, but just as He has loved us. Do we even know how much Jesus loves us?

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to open your heart to his son Jesus who loves you with every breath you take. May his Holy Spirit help you encounter this love of God as love those around you. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

The Chosen

You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.

John 15:16 GNBDK

Reflection:

What a privilege it is to be Christian. It means we are the chosen. No longer are we slaves, we are his friends, for he has revealed to us his plans and commands us to love one another, for it is in doing so we will bear much fruit. What then is our choice? Are we loving one another as Christ commanded or do we have our own definition of love?

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to open your heart to his love found in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. May you emulate Christ in all that you do and may you always be lead by his Holy Spirit. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Remain in Jesus

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes  so that it will be even more fruitful. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:2‭, ‬4 NIV

Reflection:

The path to discipleship is challenging; for not only you are called to bear fruit, but from time to time you will be pruned to bear much more. And though this can be intimidating, Jesus assures us that with Him all things are possible. Therefore, we ought to remain in Him through his word and sacrament and we shall bear fruit. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to remain in his word, made flesh in Jesus Christ his son, our Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit always direct your steps to take refuge in Him. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God's Peace

They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. “We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God,” they taught.

Acts 14:22 GNBDK

Jesus said “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 GNBDK

Reflection:

We might not have the answers to all the questions we have, especially now, in this unprecedented situation we find ourselves in. But as Christians we have a 'Peace' which the world cannot give, nor can it take it away. Let us then put our hope in Jesus who gives us this peace and is by our side through all we go through. 

Prayer:

I pray that God Our Father gives you the grace to accept the peace that Jesus his son gives you. May you find rest despite your circumstances as you lean on his Holy Spirit to lead you at all times. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Responding to God's Love

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”

John 14:21 GNBDK

Reflection:

God's love for us is Agape, a love that willingly gave up its life for us. And how are we to respond to this love? By doing something similar; that's is giving up our will to the Father's and being obedient to what he desires for us while we journey through our life on earth. For when our journey is complete he will welcome us into Eternity. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to submit your will to his, just like Jesus Christ his son did. And as you respond to God's love may his Holy Spirit help you navigate life leading you to bear much fruit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Privilege as Christians

But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvellous light.

1 Peter 2:9 GNBDK

Reflection:

As Christians we have the privilege of knowing the truth, but this privilege comes with even greater responsibility. For a lamp stand is not meant to be kept under a table. It is meant to be kept above it, so those around it, can see. And so it is with us as Christians, the world should know us by our actions - rooted in Love. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to emulate his son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour as you be the light to those around you. May you lean on his Holy Spirit for wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and  to always keep you burning with the Love for God. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Ask in Jesus Name

"And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father's glory will be shown through the Son."

John 14:13 GNBDK

Reflection:

We can ask God for anything we want in Jesus name and he will give it to us. However, the important thing here is where does what we ask for come from? Do we ask to Glorify God or do we ask to satiate our own needs? Ask and it will be given, but prayer that His will be done.

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to freely approach Him at all times in the name of Jesus Christ his son. May you ask for those that Glorify his name as you are lead and submit to his Holy Spirit Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Believe in God

“Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me.”

John 14:1 GNBDK

Reflection:

Many a times our circumstances  get the better of us and leave us worried and upset about our situation. But Jesus understands this well, as in his Human nature he has experienced all our emotions. He not only assured his disciples but is telling us too, not to worry and be upset, but believe. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to believe in his word made flesh in Jesus Christ the only way, truth and life. May you lean on his Holy Spirit to lead you in every circumstance. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Dwell in the Word of God

“I am not talking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the scripture must come true that says, ‘The man who shared my food turned against me.’ ”

John 13:18 GNBDK

Reflection:

As Christians, we are the chosen ones to whom God has revealed himself. However, even though we know the truth, at times our weaknesses tends to get the better of us and the fall is inevitable. At all times we ought to remember that when we engage in dialogue with the enemy, we will follow the path of Adam and Eve. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to resist temptations of all kinds as you emulate Jesus who rejected Satan by his word. May you always be lead by his Holy Spirit to pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Christ our Light

"I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness."

John 12:46 GNBDK

Reflection:

We live in a broken world, a world broken and darkened by sin. But it hasn't been lost, because we have hope in Christ who is our light. And this light dispels all the darkness. Now it is upto us, whether we want to continue to live in the broken darkness of our world or step out into the light of Christ. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to accept the light that comes from Jesus Christ his son. May your life be full of brightness and Hope as you walk on the path lead by his Holy Spirit. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Jesus is Calling...

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

John 10:27 GNBDK

Reflection:

The lure of early pleasure can be deafening. But nothing is impossible with God and he is constantly calling us out. But are we willing to listen to his voice? Do we recognise his calling? Take a step back today and see the hand of God in your life. You might just be surprised. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to listen to his son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, calling you to green pastures and restful waters. May his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom and faith as you pay to heed to his call. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

God's Ways

"Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ It is clear that God gave those Gentiles the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, then, to try to stop God!"

Acts 11:16‭-‬17 GNBDK

"I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become  one flock with one shepherd."

John 10:14‭-‬16 GNBDK

Reflection:

We may assume that because we have heard the word, we might be saved. But the truth is, it's not just hearing but becoming like Him. And anyone who becomes like him; obedient to the calling of God shall be saved. For God's ways are not our ways. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to obey his word that you have received, made flesh through Jesus Christ his son. May you humbly submit to his as you are lead by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Overcoming Temptations

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life — life in all its fullness.

John 10:10 GNBDK

Reflection:

How many times we find ourselves in a struggle to do the will of God, those struggles are very real but are temptations to lead us away from the truth. But we have to remain submissive to the will of God and his grace will suffice us through the storms of temptations. And you will know the truth, that will set you free. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to remain rooted in his word made flesh in Jesus Christ his son, so that you can bear fruits, that will last. May his Holy Spirit nurture and tend to your growing. Amen 

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

People of the Spirit

Without being told, Jesus knew that they were grumbling about this, so he said to them, “Does this make you want to give up?  What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit.

John 6:61‭, ‬63 GNBDK

Reflection:

The current circumstance of the world we are in, is perhaps testing us beyond what we can comprehend. But we have a Hope that comes from Christ, and therefore it is Eternal. We are not people of the flesh, we are people of Spirit. The more we rely on spiritual nourishment, the more healthy we shall remain. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to accept and receive, the bread from heaven that's comes from his word, made flesh in Jesus Christ his son, our Lord and Saviour. May his Holy Spirit nourish you mind, body, spirit and soul. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

Encountering Jesus Christ

“Who are you, Lord?” he asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you persecute,” the voice said.

Acts 9:5 GNBDK

This started an angry argument among them. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

John 6:52 GNBDK

Reflection:

The teachings of Jesus may have seemed far fetched to people then and perhaps even now, which is why the Eucharist is symbolic to many. But if we submit ourselves with faith, then we will surely encounter Jesus Christ in his truth and that truth will set us free. 

Prayer:

I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to encounter his son Jesus as you seek him in all earnesty accepting his word and his body & blood. May his Holy Spirit help you understand God's goodness and your purpose according to his will. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)