Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)

Reflection:

Over the years of prayer in my life, I have caught myself
doing something in my prayers to God that really isn't
to smart. Often in my prayers I kind of give God some
advice. I have found myself making a request to God
and then immediately telling Him how to answer that
request. In other words I expect God to answer my
request the way I want it answered. What a total lack
of faith, not to mention a waste of time. I don't have
enough faith in God to expect Him to do what's best
for me. I have to keep in mind and heart that God
always answers my prayers and always does what's
best for me. It may not always be the answer that I
want, but it is the answer that is best for me. I also
must remember that God answer's my prayer in His
time not mine. Let's you and I do something, the
next time we have a request to God, in total
commitment of faith, let Him answer the request
not us.

Prayer:

I praise and honor You oh Lord. Thanks you for your
commitment to me. THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING
GOD!

Quote:

St. Claire of Assisi
Spiritual Teacher and Guide, Political and Religious
Peacemaker (1193-1223)

"Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road.
Go forth without fear, for He that created you has sanctified
you, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother."

Scripture:

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the
realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power.
Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.
For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And
when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in
all the glory." (Colossians 3:1)

Reflection:

What a weird question to ask, "Does Heaven Fill Your Thoughts?" I don't know
about you but I have a lot of thoughts during the day, some good and some not
so good. It sometimes seems that it is true I only think of things here on earth.
And it is sad to say that a lot of my thoughts are surrounded by things that I
desire for my own pleasure and the evilness for the world. I hate to watch tv
because of the news, then my thoughts are on the decadent way we treat each
other, on a senseless war, on crime, and all the inhumanity that is so prevalent
in our world. I also noticed, as I look back at my thoughts, a lot of which are
centered around me, of what I want and not what others need. You know it is
so very true that when Christ died so did I, and I need to focus on who is my
real life. My real life is Jesus Christ and one big part of heaven will be
serving my Lord and serving others. And thats where my thoughts and actions
should be, WITH MY LORD. You see when my thoughts are on the Lord and upon
heaven, then my actions become my service to the Lord and my helping of others.
Do me a favor will you and at the end of the day take a look at what your thoughts
were, and the next day start thinking about Jesus Christ and thoughts of heaven.
You will be surprised at how your life will change, and how you will find a new
compassion for others. Let's you and I share in all His glory!

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . . hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . . joy
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . as to console
To be understood . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . . that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . . that we are born to eternal life.

Quote for the Day

Samantha Smith
Ambassador of Peace and Goodwill
(1972-1985)

"If we could be friends just by getting to know
each other better, then what are our two
countries really arguing about? Nothing could
be more important than not having a war if war
would kill everything."