Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"It is good for me to draw near to God. (Psalm 73:28)

Reflection:

In verse 26 the Psalmist says: God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever". It seems to me that any kind of
spiritual progress that is to made in our lives should be towards
knowing and loving God. I know that sure makes life better
at least for me it does. I think it is really good to be near to
God. You know when I'm close to God my life is so much
richer. I've discovered something, that any kind of pain and
suffering that has taken place in my life has become a means
by which I have come to desire God even more. Because
when I'm close to God, my suffering is removed. I can
give you this one promise that when you are near to God,
you will discover God loves us too much to let us stay as
we are.

Prayer:

O Lord I'm pressing on the upward way. New heights I'm gaining
every day. Still praying as I'm onward bound. Lord plant my
feet on higher ground. (Oatman)

Quote for the Day


Mother Ann Lee
Founder of the Shakers
(1736 -1784)

"O Holy Father, I will be a child of peace and purity. For well I know thy hand will
bless the seeker after righteousness."

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.

- St. Ignatius of Loyola

Quote for the Day

Jessie Wallace Hughan
Founder of the War Resisters League
(1876-1955)

"War, rather than any foreign state, is the supreme enemy of country
and mankind. One day citizens will covet for this nation the prestige
of being the first to escape the shackles of war."

Scripture: The Resurrection (Matthew 28: 1-20


Reflection:

The believer must never lose sight of the significance
of the resurrection...There are 2 questions we should
ask as a result of the resurrection: Do our lives
demonstrate that we serve a risen Lord and Savior?
and Do we possess the hope, peace, and strength
that the reality and power of His resurrection gives
to the Christian? I look at my life and I ask these
questions. You see that is what makes our faith
so unique. We do not serve a mere prophet, a
teacher, a king who are all dead. We serve a
risen Savior, a risen prophet, a risen teacher, a
risen king. We serve the Son of God! He is not
dead but alive. Can people look at us and know
we are serving a living, breathing, loving God. Do
we demonstrate our Savior in our lives. Do we
have the hope, peace, and strength that the very
reality of the Resurrection gives to us as Christians.
Is your life filled with this hope and peace and do
you have the strength to carry on. You see we
we receive all of this from the fact that our
Savior Jesus Christ died and was resurrected.
In His final time on earth Jesus Christ told us
to go and preach the Gospel to all people. Does
your life posses the power of the resurrected
Christ to proclaim to all the love and power of
a risen Savior?

Prayer:

Resurrection Prayer

O Risen Lord,
the way, the truth and the life,
make us faithful followers
of the spirit of your resurrection.
Grant that we may be inwardly
renewed; dying to ourselves
in order that you may live in us.
May our lives serve as signs
of the transforming power of your love
Use us as your instruments
for the renewal of society,
bring your life and love to all
and leading them to your Church.
This we ask of you, Lord Jesus,
living and reigning with the Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever. Amen