While In The World

"For everything in the world - the craving of the flesh, the greed of the eyes and people boasting of their superiority - all this belongs to the world, not to the Father. The world passes away with all its craving but those who do the will of God remain forever." - 1st John 2:16-17

Being young, it is so easy to get carried away by the things around us. We always admire those with status, those who drive nice cars and can buy expensive things. There's certainly nothing wrong with these things, but never let them define who you are. The person you are should have nothing to do with wealth or how fly your kicks are… one day you will leave all these things behind. Instead, focus on what truly defines who you are - your faith, your values, your morals, and these all come from God. While you're young, have fun and get to know all you can, but remember these things never last long. A wise person builds up what's inside and what can be carried over when this life is over.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, in my youth, help me to appreciate and get to know the world around me, but please never let it define who I am or be central to my life. Help me build on my faith so that I can grow in You. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Prayer and Fasting

"Only prayer and fasting can drive out this kind of Spirit." - Matthew 17:21

When we want something of God, we resort to prayer. Sometimes we pray and pray and see no results. Disappointed, we give up. But have you ever tried prayer in combination with fasting? You see, because of sin, our bodies and our souls are at odds. What pleases the spirit is hard on the body, and what pleases the body is poison for the soul. There is no way, while alive, that our bodies and our souls can be in perfect accord with one another. One is always dominating the other. Therefore, when we fast, our soul lets our body know that our only true food is God and we only depend on Him for survival. We are actually learning and practicing sole reliance on God. When this happens, the body is dominated and the soul grows stronger. When the soul grows stronger, we are way more connected to God and are more open to receiving His blessings. Things can't knock us down that easily either. Our faith becomes solid. That's why there are some things, things that require a lot more strength, faith, and determination on our part, that can only be achieved by the soul of a person that has dominated the flesh and is at peace and union with the will of God. And fasting doesn't mean not eating for an entire day, it could be having a smaller portion of a meal or skipping dessert.

If there are tough issues in your life - a disease, a failing relationship, financial issues - you know what you need to do. As Jesus told His disciples, there are things that can only be accomplished through prayer and fasting.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, teach me how to only depend on You for my existence. In the same way You conquered Your flesh, help me do the same so that my soul can attain unity with You. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Transform Me

"I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I shall remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26

Maybe once we did walk with God and let ourselves stray away or maybe we never walked with Him at all and find it impossible that we ever will. Hearts of stone are those that fail to be moved under any circumstances and also those that know better, but allow sin to creep in. Since there is no good in us, in our flesh, the Lord Almighty is the only one that can create a new heart within us and melt away all the coldness we have let into our hearts and spirits. In His mercy, because we hear that small voice inside us and choose to listen to it, He will wash away our former lives and move us to be more like Him and all our acts will be of true love and compassion, and here there is no longer room for sin.

Today's Prayer:
Oh my God, have mercy on me for my heart is cold. I don't do as You please but I realize that I am nothing and I need You to come into my heart and soften it. Come into my heart My God and make me as You want me to be. I need You in my life God and I need You to transform me. In Your Name we pray, Amen.