One

"Live in me as I live in you. I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:4,5

For once, I looked forward to riding the Long Island Rail Road to work in the morning, it gave me time to keep reading The Alchemist. I've wanted to devour the book to see what message God has for me through these pages. At one point, I was reading how the young shepherd boy was standing on a cliff over the Sahara desert and had to turn himself into the wind or the general of an army would kill him. As the boy stood over the dry sands, he observed the desert, the winds, the sun, and as powerful as they each were, it was the hand of God that created them and gave them their powers. At that point, the boy directed his prayers to God, and in silence without asking for anything or giving thanks for anything, felt connected to the Almighty. He felt himself and all around Him as one in God. And through this prayer, the boy had become one with this force and became the wind.

As my train pulled into Penn Station, I couldn't control the tears welling up in my eyes. As I read these words, I thought of Jesus' words when He said to remain in Him, remain in His love and we will bear fruit. I walked out of the train and felt like the boy, totally connected to this force of the living God, who created all things and is in all things, and to Jesus, through whom all things were made. This is what Jesus meant when He said to live in Him and He lives in us - when we open our eyes of faith, we will come to realize how God isn't up in Heaven, He is in us, He surrounds us, we are one with Him. Therefore, I kept thinking to myself, what can defeat me except my own fears? What can put me down except my own worries, and what can't I do if I have the force of the Almighty flowing through me, as do you? There is nothing because Jesus has chosen us, He lives in us, and only our own excuses separate us from this very real power.

This may sound so lofty, but close your eyes. Listen to your heart. Feel how your body works and your blood flows through you. This is the work of God in you. Pay attention to all that surrounds you, the noises you hear, the birds in the sky - all these were created by the same God, just like the universe outside of us. It is His life, His Spirit, His breathe that flows through and connects us all.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for opening my eyes to seeing how I am one in You. Thank You for this amazing gift, this amazing power. Help me to always be grateful for it and show others how to remain in You. In Your Name we pray, amen.

United in Jesus' Name

"In like manner, I say to you: if on earth two of you are united in asking for anything, it will be granted to you by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered in my Name, I am there among them." - Matthew 18:19-20

This is one of the most powerful promises in the bible! Our God is a living and present God! He is not far away in Heaven, but when we gather together and pray to Him, He is actually there among us! You might have heard the phrase "the family that prays together, stays together" and this is so true! If you want your relationship to work out, a friendship, or anything else, pray together and you will feel the presence of the living God among you.God is there with me when I pray alone, but the times I've gathered with my parents or my brother to pray, the presence of the Holy Spirit among us is undeniable! And in faith you know at that moment that He is there listening to your prayers and already working on the answers! So please, take the time to pray with your family, your boyfriend/girlfriend, wife/ husband, friend or co-worker…hold hands and unite in prayer asking the Lord for anything…do this often and you will see great changes in your life as He promised.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for remaining so close to us. Thank You for promising to stay in our midst and for always listening to and answering our prayers. Help me to gather with my loved ones to pray to You. In Your Name we pray, Amen.