How To Make A Decision

"They prayed: 'You know, Lord, what is in the hearts of all. Show us, therefore, which of the two you have chosen.'" - Acts of the Apostles 1:24

Do you always include God in the decisions you make? Sometimes we don't and then get angry with God when things don't go our way. I've learned that in everything we do, even in getting on the road to go somewhere, we need to ask the assistance of God. We need to get off this high horse we placed ourselves on from which we think we know all things, especially what's best for us. Humility before God is knowing that we know nothing, but that He knows it all. We make so many decisions in our lives… where to go to school, where to work, who to marry, where to live… all of these decisions are very, very big deals and they have a tremendous impact on our lives. Which of us can say we know enough to actually make a good decision? Recognize that we all need God to guide us in doing what's right for not only ourselves, but for the people that are involved in our lives and are so much affected by what we do.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the apostles lived so powerfully in the Spirit because they practiced this principle. They let God guide every little thing they did. They acknowledged that only He knew what was in the hearts of all men and what was in their best interests. From today on, include God in all of your plans if you want to be successful. Pray before you make any decision, big or small, so He can show you the way. A big door won't open directly in front of you, but God will make you feel in your heart what is best for you.

Today's Prayer:
My God, I want You to have an active role in all that I do. I ask You to be my guide in all decisions I make, so that with You, I can walk on the right path. With You, I no longer need to fear mistakes or making the wrong decisions for myself and those around me. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.

The Mark of God

"Do not sadden the Holy Spirit of God which you were marked with. It will be your distinctive mark on the day of salvation." - Ephesians 4:30

I just got engaged on New Year's and as I look at my ring, it's amazing how much it symbolizes. It represents a promise of love, commitment, fidelity and a number of other things. Now imagine if with every argument my boyfriend and I had, my ring would slowly chip away. How delicate the ring would be if our love and comprehension were what it depended on. This is the Holy Spirit in our lives. By being followers of Jesus Christ, we are marked by the Holy Spirit of God. The very life and power of God is in us as His promise of love, commitment, and fidelity to each and every one of us. The bible compares God's love for us as a marriage over and over again and the Holy Spirit residing in us is the sign of the commitment. But you can't take this gift for granted because unlike the ring, it does fade and can leave you. Anger, hate, betrayals, bitterness, gossip, all these things sadden the Holy Spirit because He cannot exist in the same soul as these evils. Allowing these things into your life slowly destroys you until God can no long dwell or work within you. This might be the reason why some people who have let sin constantly seep in have trouble finding God when they need Him; His Holy Spirit is dead within them.

The Holy Spirit is a treasure for you to take care of. He is how God functions in you. Watch what you say, do, think so that everything can be in accordance with what pleases God. The Holy Spirit within you is the mark God has given you to show the world you belong to Him.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You promised to send us the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, please help us nurture this Spirit so we are always pleasing to You. Make clear to us what we should and shouldn't do so that You can dwell in us forever. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Good or Bad?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, and peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness and fidelity, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

So many times in life we have to evaluate things and figure out if they're good for us or not, or even worthwhile or not. Sometimes I wish God would just give me a vivid dream in which He tells me exactly what to do so I don't have to figure things out. These fruits of the Holy Sprit are what I call the litmus test for getting our answers. I know someone who's been in a relationship for a while now and I know for a fact that her boyfriend isn't good for her because of the "fruits" of that relationship. I see the relationship breaking down her mental, emotional, and even physical state. I see her family at war with her. When things come from God and are good for us, they bring peace. They build us up and make us transparent people with nothing to hide. Why? Because God wants to better us and bring good things to our lives, so anything that comes from Him, gives us the fruits of the Spirit - peace, patience, fidelity, kindness, etc. There is nothing to hide or conceal. But where there are contant arguments, resentment, hate, jealousy, selfishness, shouting, bitterness, this does not come from God. In fact, the Spirit of God leaves from where this lack of harmony exists. We all need to examine our lives and the people and things in them. Is there something or someone that is bringing you down, causing division and stirring up hate and jealousy? This does not come from God and you need to pray for God to free you from that situation as soon as possible. Nothing good comes from this. And if you see good in your life and feel peace from decisions you have made, God is blessing you for following His will.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, when I lack discernment, please step in and show me where the fruits of the Spirit are. I want to follow You, especially when things are not clear. Help me to see and put Your will into practice. In Your Name we pray, amen.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." - Acts 1:8

There are times that although we believe in God, our faith falters. Sometimes we find ourselves calling out to God and not finding the strength we need to go on. Did you know that the Holy Spirit is the power of God in action? He is the one that fills us, moves in us and gives us the strength we need to go on. He is a powerful force that engulfs and transforms us.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the apostles were terrified and in hiding. Jesus promised that He would not leave them alone and that promise was fulfilled by the coming of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, while the apostles were praying, the Holy Spirit came down upon them as a powerful force that transformed them so that they were never the same again. He uplifted them and gave them strength and courage to stand for what they believed in and face their oppressors. If you're going through any type of rough patch right now, call on the Holy Spirit, the power and force of God to fill you and work through you. Just as He did with the apostles, He will build you up. If you need advice or guidance on something, call on the Holy Spirit and He will light a path in front of you to follow.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit. When we don't have strength, Your Spirit comes in to build us up. Help me to always stay open to receiving Your graces and letting You work through me. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Filling Yourself with Good

"Brothers and sisters, fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble." - Phillipians 4:8

Most of us are familiar with the phrase "you reap what you sow," and it definitely has a lot of truth to it. There are things that can poison your minds, hearts, and souls if you allow yourself to be contaminated by them. I have a friend now who let herself slip into a bad situation and now she is hurt and bitter. What she surrounded herself with has brought her down and killed her joy and her heart. God doesn't want this for us and instead, through this verse tells us to keep ourselves surrounded by good. If we want joy and peace in our lives, we need to keep ourselves free of anything that can contaminate us. We need to surround and fill ourselves with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely, and noble. Being out in a club one night can be fun, but what truth or purity is in that? What joy can it bring about if there's emptiness the next day. Cutting class one day can be fun, but one can never find truth in that. Or hooking up with someone we're attracted to can be pleasurable a few times, but what nobility is there in that? These things bring harm to your soul when the good that God intends for us brings life. Look for this good, seek it and you will see how it brings more substance to your life.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, although I do not always see it, help me to seek the pure and good things for my life. Help me to avoid the cheap thrills and the things that are only good for the moment and later bring me harm. Help me see what You want for me and not just what I want. In Your Name we pray, amen.

In Constant Contact

"Pray at all times as the Spirit inspires you. Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and supplication for all the brothers." - Ephesians 6:18

Just like in the Looney Tunes we watched when we were younger, we have two voices in our heads, one trying to tempt us into sin, and the other leading us to God for the good of our souls. When it comes to prayer, the truth is that most of the time, we don't feel like praying. Don't think that religious people want to pray 24/7 because it's not true. Yes, it is so rewarding to go into the Lord's presence, but a lot of times we just want to be left alone, or we're too tired to pray. But when we allow ourselves to be tuned out like this from being in contact with God, how do we expect God to speak to us or make Himself known to us? Each of us hears that little voice inside of us, nudging us from time to time that we need to pray. But here scripture is telling you that it is the Spirit of God speaking to your heart, telling you to go to Him and speak to Him. You might hear it faintly if you are not used to recognizing it, but if you learn to pay attention to it, God will speak louder to you each time. Do as the scripture says and pray each and every single time you are inspired to. Don't ignore the voice because you don't have time, you are too tired, or you can't pay attention, because it is God that gives you the time you have and He should come before everything else. When you learn to listen to His voice and let yourself be led by Him, then you will receive true blessings in your life. You will no longer find yourself begging and crying in a time of need, because your communication with God will be constant and the gifts and protection He gives you will be continual and abundant; you will no longer even need to ask Him for anything because He gives freely.

Relax your mind right now, do you hear the voice? Do you feel the need to connect to your Father in Heaven? Don't miss this call and go be in His presence.

Today's Prayer:
My Lord, forgive me for the times that I brushed aside Your call because I didn't have time or didn't care to make the time. I seek to put You first and be in constant contact with You. Please help me stay in union with You always. In Your Name we pray, Amen.