Angels All Around Us

I would like to share an experience with you. This is not the only spiritual event that has happened to me, but for some reason, I am feeling compelled to share this one. My faith does not require any litmus test or miracles to prove God’s existence. I have complete faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I also believe that God’s angels are all around us, continuously doing the will of God. Sometimes, I believe, we catch a glimpse of the angelic world. This is one of those glimpses.

When I was about 25 years old, I would drive across town to Mass early on Sunday mornings. My husband would stay with our son, who was about two years old, and very “active”.  Actually, our priest called him a “live wire”. Needless to say, I looked forward to my time alone with God.

It was a quiet morning, around 8am, and there was no traffic at all. The roads were empty. I was getting nearer to the Church and saw that the light was green up ahead. It did not just turn, it was clearly green. As I was getting closer to the light, a male voice said very sternly, STOP NOW. I didn’t even think about it. I obeyed and slammed my foot on the brake, and stopped right before the green light. A car flew through the red light. I am sure I would have been killed if I hadn’t stopped.

I have always known it was my guardian angel that protected me that morning. Really, what other explanation could there be? I have no doubt that heaven, hell, angels, and demons exist. There would be other spiritual events in my life that intensified my faith.

So, my question to you is, have you ever had an experience that cannot be explained in worldly terms? I believe that angels are all around us, and are working in perfect harmony with God. Sometimes, for a reason unknown to us, we are given the privilege of experiencing the spiritual realm. For me, the experiences confirm and strengthen my faith. I think sometimes people are afraid to share their experiences with anyone…maybe they just try to ignore what they know happened…because they cannot explain it.

Your experiences, together with your faith, can be a blessing that allows you to touch a heart in need. Whether or not angels are involved…

Psalm 91:11-12 “For He will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

Matthew 18:10 “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.”

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them”

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New Eyes

This past post touches my heart in a way I did not understand when I originally wrote it. Hopefully, it will touch yours:

I love to go for walks during my lunch break at work.  It is a wonderful time to pray the rosary and meditate.  There is a beautiful, quiet open space toward the back of the building, and I usually feel drawn to that area.

For many months, while walking, I heard the words “Open your eyes and you will see”.  I knew the words came from God, however, I did not know what they meant.

While at a prayer meeting, the words were made crystal clear to me.  One of the women there spoke a prophecy…and I knew it was directed at me.  I actually got goose bumps. She said “There is someone here who is looking to see with new eyes.  I am telling you to stop praying in the old way.  Pray in me and through me.”  I understood that meant for me to stop praying to a God that is “out there somewhere” and start praying in Him and through Him…in and through my own heart and soul.  He is as close as my own heart. Isn’t that amazing?  I never thought of it like that…

Fast forward a few weeks…it was a beautiful Spring day…about 80 degrees, and I just HAD to go outside in the sunshine!!!  While on my walk, at my favorite place, I received a new message – “Are you ready to see?”

Up until today, I believed that the Lord was guiding me to open my eyes to the need around me.  I still believe that, and am working on being aware and keeping my eyes and heart open to see the opportunities of each day…and to show love in any way I can.  But I believe it goes further…

I believe that He is reminding me to be prepared.  As in “Are you READY to see”?  Hmm…am I ready to be used for God’s purpose?  That can only be achieved by becoming closer to Him, through scriptures, prayer, and meditation.  So I am really working on the preparation, so the Lord can use me, according to His Divine Plan.

Each one of us plays an important part of His plan, to share the Gospel of Christ and build His kingdom.  Are you feeling Him drawing you closer?

I am trusting that God  will complete what He has begun in me, and have chosen to turn my life over to Him.  “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to His word”.

Luke 1:38   And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

Ephesians 6:11-18

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How Could I Know?

While the New Year is waiting to be discovered in a few days, my mind is being drawn to the unfolding of this past year and all the years preceding it.  

How many times do we ask ourselves where God is in our lives, and what difference can we possibly make in the lives of those around us or in the world?

Looking at things day to day, it is difficult to see where Divine Intervention may be at work…much as it is difficult to see the subtle physical changes in the ones we see every day.  From one day to the next, we do not really see faces and bodies change.  It is in the looking back that we can see the change from one year to the next.

Sometimes, it is only in the looking back that opens our eyes to where the Lord has worked in our lives.  In ways that seemed to be insignificant at the time…the Lord worked through our faith steps and our choices, to create something of great value and beauty.  A beauty that He already knew was there…and was weaving a masterpiece, behind the scenes, to reveal that loveliness to us.

We live our lives day to day, making the small and huge decisions that are set in front of us.  Those choices create realities in our lives…positive and negative.

However, even the decisions we’ve made that weren’t the best, could be used by God for good.  For He is always seeking ways to draw us to Himself.  Our sins and bad choices, could be a vessel of good, when we repent and ask the Lord to work through us to touch others in His Love.

I have been thinking a lot about some decisions that I have made throughout the years…and how God worked His love and mercy through them.  Sometimes, in ways that I could never even fathom.

How could I have known:

That my mother’s decision to make a call to an old friend regarding a job for my seventeen year old self, and my decision to apply for that position, would lead me to meeting my future husband, and two of my best friends.  Being that the job was in a restaurant, and I was a waitress, there were many things I learned…such as responsibility, humility, and the faint beginnings of “people skills.”

That my decision to date a boy, (my future husband,)  versus a boyfriend that I had held onto in my heart for a few years, would lead me to an amazingly wonderful man, and to the loving marriage that we are now blessed with.  That one decision, led to our two sons, their wives, and now…grandchildren.  There were twists and turns, however, God was always there, working our daily choices into something beautiful.

That the decision to attend a “Christ Renews His Parish” renewal weekend at our Church, would open my heart to the Love of Jesus, and place me on the path to a real relationship with Him.  The Lord used my tiny step in faith on that weekend, to change me from believing there is a God (in my head) to knowing there is a God. (in my heart)  A HUGE difference in my life.  An even bigger difference once Joe (my husband) made his own decision to attend the men’s weekend!

That the decision to join a Multi Level Marketing Company, would open me up to great personal growth.  Slowly, but surely, I learned to truly listen to the needs of those around me, and learned that integrity and authenticity were crucial in Christian life.  I also was guided into public speaking…one of my hugest fears.  There were times where I spoke to an audience of over a thousand people.  And I enjoyed it, because I was sharing about something I believed in, and sharing my heart.  Looking back now, I see how the Lord used that business to teach me the foundation of getting to know my true self.

That the decision to bring my mother to live with us after my dad passed away, would lead me to knowing love in a way I never could have planned on my own.  That the daily ups and downs, and also the little tidbits that I would learn about my mother, would lead me to know her in a way that I never did while growing up.  And then to be the one that God chose to care for her during her end of life.  The perfect love that permeated the room around my mom during her last days with us on this earth, has never left me.  It was tangible…I could literally feel the presence of The Holy Spirit, and also knew that she was experiencing heaven before she passed away.

That the decision to considerably downsize our belongings, and move across the country to CA near our son and daughter in law, would lead us to the incredible experience and privilege of being a part of their lives…a part of our grandson’s life.  And now, our younger son and his wife are expecting our first granddaughter, and we are much closer than we were to their home in Denver, where hopefully  we will be a part of her life as well.  That move also brought us to new friends, and new ways to serve God by being His vessel.

None of these decisions and their consequences along the way were easy, and the changes orchestrated by God sometimes took longer than I would have planned for myself.  However, the Lord is weaving a masterpiece that includes much more than me.  We are all connected, as the Body of Christ, and there are consequences to our actions that affect others, in a direction that we are unable to see.

I have learned to trust in the Lord with all of my heart, instead of just focusing on myself.  Because…And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28  

 All things work together, for those that love Him…even when we sin and our choices are not the best.  That is when He is working the closest in our lives.

May the Lord open your eyes to the ways he has worked in your life through the choices you have made, and may He carry you in His love, wisdom, peace and mercy throughout the New Year!

 

 

 

 

Dreams of Love

Today I will be sharing a dream that was an amazing blessing to me.  When I think about what was revealed, I am filled with the comfort and love that could only radiate from God, and my faith is strengthened.

This soul touching dream occurred on the night of Sunday, February 12, 2017.  Hopefully, you will absorb what my husband and I did when we understood the connection between the two of us that night…that could only be explained through the power of the Holy Spirit in our marriage.

When I woke up on Monday morning, the dream I had the night before was deeply etched in my spirit.  In my dream, there was an older man that I loved deeply, that was in the process of dying.  As he was lying there, it felt anguishing and surreal as I was comforting him.  While I was holding his hand, he lifted his head, and his face was radiant.  I followed his gaze and saw a sort of rolling light/fire/water.  It was a soft triangle of indescribable blazing light, moving in a live, flickering way.  It was a brilliant royal blue color and contained within it, a dazzling white center.

The light entered the man, and as it moved through him, it then filled me.

It was the most amazing feeling I have ever experienced.  A warmth and love that is indescribable.

So…after I shared and explained my dream with Joe, my husband, he was quiet.  I then asked him if he had any dreams the night before.

He shared that he dreamt he had died, but he didn’t realize he was dead at first.  He walked over to a fireplace, and at that moment he started to see in black and white, which let him know he was dead, and he saw that he was a spirit…like a white mist.  He saw me, in our bed, inconsolable.

He wasn’t sure how to help me, so he allowed his spirit to enter my body, and as soon as he did, I was at peace.

Wow!

Although this connecting dream, between my husband and I, was about death, it did not scare me or make me feel anxious.  We both were amazed at how the Holy Spirit has blessed us in our marriage, truly making us one in Him.  Also, we feel comfort in knowing that death is not the end…that there is much more waiting for us.

It is my intent and prayer, that by sharing this dream, your heart might be inspired with love and faith.

God the Father is real.  Jesus is real. The Holy Spirit is real.  

May all of us continue to open our hearts to God’s love.  Do not be confused as to where and what the Source of Love is.  It is not found in the world…it is found in Jesus.

 

 

 

No Eye Has Seen

But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9          

 

This bible verse has been one of my favorites for many years.  The mere thought that as humans, our senses  can not even fathom the wonders that await us…prepared by God who loves us and desires to draw us to Him!

Imagine the most magnificent sights you have ever enjoyed.  They are countless, however, a few stand out for me.    The faces and smiles of my husband, sons, grandson, family, and friends.  Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.  Never ending stars twinkling in a black sky.  A rainbow. Niagara Falls.  The beauty of one rose, or the splendor of a field of wildflowers.

Imagine the most beautiful sounds you have ever heard.  For me, that would include the consoling and refreshing sound of the waves breaking on the shore, the musical notes and harmonies of birds singing in the morning, and the pure delight of hearing babies’ giggles and the sweet voices of my loved ones.

Now, without reservation, imagine what would be the “perfect heaven” for you.  Our imaginations can run wild with this one…all of the things that we feel would make us perfectly happy.  What are those things for you?

Anything that our eyes, ears, and mind can reveal to us, will never even come close to what God has already prepared for us.  His love, mercy, and vision for our lives and our future with him are out of our realm of understanding or discovery.  Wow…we are so loved by God, that he has made preparations for us so wondrous, that we can not grasp the full beauty of it!

Now read the verse again…“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”

“For those who love him” jumped out at me a few days ago while reading this verse.  I had never thought about that aspect of this verse before.

Many times, those that consider themselves “saved” will nonchalantly answer “Jesus loves me just as I am, no matter what I do” when confronted with the truth regarding sin in their life. Essentially, we tend to make excuses for our behavior, believing that Jesus will love us know matter what our actions or thoughts are.  And he will.

However, this verse does not say “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those that he loves.”  It specifically states…for those who love him.

Think about that…in what ways do you love Jesus?  In what ways do you attempt to grow closer to him?  What are the ways that you show him you care for him and want him in your heart…in your life?

In a true loving relationship, the focus is not on “me.”  The focus is, “what can I do to please my loved one?”  What changes in my life would  bring joy and happiness to the one I love?  How do I make a conscious effort to love God?

Dear Lord, please fill me with your Holy Spirit.  Open my eyes, ears and mind to the ways I can show my love for you.  Engulf me in your mercy and love, and allow me to open my heart as a vessel for your love to flow through to all who live in darkness.  Teach me to love you.

 

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.  Isaiah 64:4

But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9  

 

 

Let Us Kneel Before the Lord

Yesterday, the daily devotional from “A Catholic Woman’s Book of Days”  really touched my heart.  

O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!  Psalm 95:6

The author recounted a time when she took a group of high-school students to a retreat day at a Monastery.  Part of the day involved attendance at Mass.

Afterward, some students remarked that the experience had been different from Mass at their home parishes.  “Here, it was like the focus was all on God.  At home, it’s more like it’s all about us.

Wow.  Such insight from young minds.

For many years, I was the one who was sometimes bored, thinking that Mass was supposed to entertain me, or that it was meant as only a fellowship time with my Church friends.  If the music was “good,” and the homily was “catchy and interesting,” I considered myself “fed.”  Otherwise, I really just went through the motions, fulfilling my Sunday Mass obligation.

Then I read “The Lamb’s Supper” by Scott Hahn.

How misguided and totally selfish I was.   You see, the Mass is not intended to be of entertainment for us.  We can be entertained anywhere in this world.  The Mass is a gift offered to us…to share in the Eucharistic Table together, in humble worship of Our Lord and Savior.  How blessed we are, that we have been invited to share in this banquet feast…The Lamb’s Supper.

During Mass, we are led to turn our minds and hearts to Our Lord, Jesus.  We worship through hearing His Word, singing praises to Him, and receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus.  Through the Eucharist, Jesus becomes one with us. He is in us, and we are in Him.  What could be more spirit filling than actually receiving Jesus into our bodies…into our beings?

How does that miracle of love even remotely compare to being “entertained?”

When at Mass, we are in communion with The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We are also accompanied by  God’s angels and saints.  The Communion of Saints…how mystical and beautiful!

How blessed we are to have a tangible way to be intimate with our Lord.  To be totally one with Him, and through Him.

Lord, I thank you for gifting us with your Church on Earth.  Thank you for inviting us to this Loving Banquet.  Please send your Holy Spirit to infuse our hearts, minds and will with your amazing and unfathomable love, joy, and mercy.

 

Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.  John 6:52-56

 

 

 

The Luminous Mysteries

This is the fourth in the series of “How Praying the Rosary Changed my Life.” Please click here for the background of how I was led to The Rosary, and also to learn about The Joyful, Sorrowful, and and Glorious  Mysteries.

Today I will cover the Luminous Mysteries, which are prayed on Thursday.

My prayer is that The Holy Spirit will open your heart to these great mysteries, and fill you with the love, joy, and peace of Our Lord, Jesus.

There are five meditations associated with the Luminous Mysteries. I will cover each one.

1. The Baptism of Jesus  Matthew 3:13-17  (For the Desire to Live my Baptismal Promises)  Dear Lord, you did not need to be baptized…for you are God.  Thank you for submitting to your Father, and allowing John to baptize you.  How unworthy he must have felt.  However, you accepted his baptizing you, in total love and humility.  We hear our Father’s words, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Help me Lord, to follow in your foot steps.  Even though I am unworthy due to my sin, help me to always look to you to help me to live my baptismal promises.  To live my faith each and every day.
2. The Wedding at Cana  John 2:1-11  (For the Desire to do Whatever Jesus Says)  Lord, thank you for performing your  first public miracle at the wedding in Cana.  The first thing I think of, is that you and your Mother were celebrating a holy marriage!  Imagine the wonder and joy of having God Himself in attendance of their wedding feast! Help me to understand that it was your Mother that informed you that there was no wine.  She interceded for the need of the wedding hosts, and when you answered that your time had not come…she proceeded to tell the servants to “Do whatever he tells you.”  It is the same when I bring my needs, prayers, and sufferings to Mary.  She intercedes on my behalf to you…guiding me to “Do whatever he says.”
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God  Mark 1:14-15  Matthew 5:3-12 (For the Desire of God’s Forgiveness)  Dear Lord, help me to know that your kingdom is as close as my own heart.  Help me to open my heart to you, always desiring that you fill me with your love and mercy.  Help me to stay strong in this world that we are living in…allowing my eyes to be open to your truth and to be very aware of the existence of sin.  Please help me to seek your forgiveness and mercy for my own sins, and also that I may look at others who are living in darkness, with that same love and mercy.
4. The Transfiguration  Matthew 17:1-8  (For the Desire to be a New Person in Christ)  Dear Lord, thank you for  revealing  your glory through your transfiguration…allowing us humans to experience the glory and radiance of your Godhead.  Help me to always look to you to transform me into a completely new person in you.  Thank you for infusing my heart with your love, and shining your love through me.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist  Luke 22:7-20  John 6:50-53 (For the Desire for Active Participation at Mass)  Lord Jesus, we are so blessed in the privilege and honor of celebrating Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist…your body and blood. Please help me to always remember, that each and every Mass is a miracle, for you are truly there among us.  Help me to realize that it is your precious body and blood that I receive…making us one.  You are in me and I in you. We are joined together.  Thank you for inviting  me to your table,  The Lamb’s Supper.  

 

Pray the Rosary  A Saint Joseph Edition  A wonderful little Pamphlet

For information on how to pray the rosary…Click here

May your day be blessed in the love and light of Jesus, Our Lord. May your heart be touched through these Luminous Mysteries.

Remember, that these meditations come from my own heart.  When you pray the rosary, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of the mysteries directly to you.  Please feel free to comment with any questions or thoughts.

The Glorious Mysteries

This is the third in the series of “How Praying the Rosary Changed my Life.” Please click here for the background of how I was led to The Rosary, and also to learn about The Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries.

Today I will cover the Glorious Mysteries, which are prayed on Wednesday and Sunday.

My prayer is that The Holy Spirit will open your heart to these great mysteries, and fill you with the love, joy, and peace of Our Lord, Jesus.

There are five meditations associated with the Glorious Mysteries. I will cover each one.

1.  The Resurrection  Mt 28:1-7  (For the desire of a Strong Faith)  Dear Lord, through your glorious triumph over death, help me to constantly desire a stronger faith.  Too many times I focus on the darkness and evil in this world, thus allowing myself to be entangled and attached to it.  Help me to focus on the beauty of your love, and your triumph over death, allowing me the opportunity  to bask in the truth of your saving grace.  You are my savior.  Help me to overcome fear and find solace in you, through you, and with you.
2. The Ascension   Luke 24:50-53  Acts 1:10-11  Mk 16:19-20  (For the desire of the Virtue of Hope)  Lord Jesus, thank you for allowing your disciples to witness your glorious ascension into heaven… taking your  place at the right hand of God.  Through the eyes of faith, allow me to fully hope and trust that you are preparing a place for me, so that I can be with you forever.
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit   John 14:26  Acts 1:5-8  Acts 2:1-6 Acts 2:38-41  (For the desire of Zeal for the Glory of God)  Dear Lord, so many times I try to find happiness through the ways of the world, and through my own limited perceptions.  Please help me to realize that my real, true happiness can only come from you… for your love, power, and glory are endless.  Fill me with a strong desire for you, that my life and the desires of my heart may glorify you.  Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit…and help me to stay open to only you; that my heart be filled with your loving and merciful presence.
4. The Assumption of Mary  Rev 12:1  Judith 15:9-10  The Assumption  (For the Desire of Grace for a Holy Death) Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of your Blessed Mother. Through Mary, help me to be drawn closer to you, because her heart is forever joined with yours.  Through her humility, great love, gentleness, and sinless example to me, help me to trust in your grace for a holy life and a holy death.
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary   Luke 1:46-49    Coronation of Mary  (For the desire for a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary)   Dear Lord, thank you for bringing me closer to your Blessed Mother…my mother.  Since I have been powerfully drawn to her through the Rosary, my faith and my life have been completely transformed.  She loves me, and loves all of us, with the intense love of a mother for her children.  And her love is one with yours…so I am being drawn closer and closer to you. Thank you. 

Pray the Rosary  A Saint Joseph Edition  A wonderful Little Pamphlet

For information on how to pray the rosary…click here.

 

May your day be blessed in the love and light of Jesus, Our Lord. May your heart be touched through these Glorious Mysteries.
Please feel free to comment with any questions or thoughts.

Do it Yourself?

Oh, the things my thirteen month old grandson, Brayden, teaches me!

Brayden’s Sunglasses

While spending time with him the other day, Brayden fumbled through a pocket in his diaper bag, and excitedly pulled out his cute little sunglasses.  He seems to be intrigued by glasses…always reaching out to touch and pull off mine.  After a moment or two of inspecting the glasses, and then trying to open them, he looked over at me, and handed them over.

At that moment, he knew  that I would be able to help him.

Brayden sat there smiling, so I put the sunglasses on him, and he sat there for about two seconds before pulling them off and looking them over.  Then he proceeded to attempt putting them on.  No matter what he did, those glasses were not going on correctly.  They were either on his head, hanging from an ear, or around his neck.  He kept shaking his head “no” when I put my hand out to help/guide him, and literally pushed my hand away.

Evidently, Brayden’s desire to “do it himself” closed his mind to the guidance that he needed.  He lost his faith in me, and after a few minutes of trying every wrong way to put the glasses on, he threw them down, and went on to the next adventure.

That really got me thinking.

How many times do we do that very same thing?  When there is something that we desire, or need, we know that God can help us.  We pray earnestly, and then hand it over to our Father.

We expect an answer.  We expect our answer.

When our prayers aren’t answered as quickly as we would like, we start to look for ways to make it happen ourselves.  When things still aren’t going our way, we come up with countless more attempts.

As all this is occurring, the Lord is speaking to us in many subtle, and sometimes, not so subtle, ways.  He is answering our prayers in ways we don’t allow ourselves to see.  Sometimes, He may be guiding us to something even better than we prayed for.

We push His hand away.

You see, so many times, our desire to “do it ourselves” is so strong, that we close our minds and hearts to the direction and guidance that is right there in front of our faces.   Sometimes, all we need to do, is take a step back, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us up and lead us.

Then we need to listen to the Voice that is longing to speak to us, and is waiting, in love, for us to hear.  Really hear.   Our God, our Creator, the God of the Universe, has a Divine Purpose for all of us.  Each one of us has been placed here, at this particular time, for a particular reason.

Our Lord God knows that reason, and is leading us on a path that will reveal our purpose to us at the proper and perfect time.

In the meantime, when it seems as though our prayers aren’t being answered as quickly as we would like, we must remember that when Our Lord has a unique purpose for us…He will lead us to it.  It is up to us how long it takes for our prayers to be answered and to arrive to our destination.  How long will we keep trying to “do it ourselves?”

Don’t be like Brayden throwing down the sunglasses and moving on to his next adventure because he couldn’t figure things out on his own.

Allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in you, and have total faith that God will direct you, bless you, and bring the desires of your heart to a fruition that you can’t even fathom.

 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.  Psalm 37:3-5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.  Proverbs 3:5-7

Yes, Jesus loves you. Do you love Him?

Lately I have been really noticing a pattern among many Christians who remain in darkness.

The darkness may lie in depression, family or relationship issues, finances, addictions, and/or emotional, spiritual, mental or physical ailments.

Over and over, in their suffering, I hear them profess how much Jesus loves them.   And then I see the same people  post on their social media sites, that they love Jesus, and trust Him to heal them and answer their prayers. Years go by, and they remain in their same anguish.

When I see and hear the pain they are experiencing, my heart aches for them, and I pray for total healing in their lives.

The troubling pattern is this…many of these same people do not understand that believing that Jesus loves them is only the start.

Even Satan and his demons know that Jesus is God.

Relationship with Jesus is the open, acceptance of His gift of salvation to all of us.

The gift sits there, unopened, until we make the free choice to accept it, and open it. Once opened, do we choose to just let it sit there, or do we interact with Jesus in thanksgiving?

In other words, do we choose to have a relationship with Jesus, or do we just lean on the knowledge that Jesus loves us no matter what?

In a loving, happy relationship, do we just sit back and bask in the love offered to us, selfishly saying “he/she will always love me no matter what I do?”

Do we intentionally dishonor our loved one, by publicly announcing honor and support for another…that is in total opposition or disrespect to our beloved?

Or do we interact with that love…making sure to spend time with our loved one, forsaking others due to our commitment, sacrificing our wants and needs in order to please our loved one, making changes in our behaviors that may hurt our relationship. Thinking of “we” instead of “me.”

Do we do these things in a loving human relationship, however, not so much when it concerns our relationship with Christ?

As Christians, each day brings us opportunities to align ourselves more closely with Jesus.   Many things we are doing that keep us at arm’s length from His total love and mercy. For some reason, we hold back, and look to the world for the answers. We keep looking toward other sources for our happiness, love and “warm fuzzies”.

This is a grave mistake that keeps us from full relationship with Jesus. “Warm fuzzies” do not offer us love, mercy and salvation.

First, let me make perfectly clear, I know that I personally struggle or have struggled with many of these, or other, things. These observations are meant to shine a light on possible ways that we are damaging our relationship with Jesus, thus remaining in “the muck and darkness” year after year.

Little or big doors that we crack open that allow Satan or his demons to enter into our souls, and lives.

Many times we even forget these doors were once opened, or we are unaware at all. I can tell you, that Satan has not forgotten. He uses any point of entry that he can find…he uses our weaknesses, our curiosity, our pride, and our ignorance to infiltrate our lives and souls.

 

Some of the dangerous things I am noticing that are being shared on social media, by Christians, that jump out at me:

Interaction with or sharing of horoscope info

Belief or interest in mediums

Posting memes and/or belief in New Age philosophies

Dabbling in “cute” witchcraft or spells

Claiming to be a Christian, while promoting other World Religions. I am not talking about being tolerant of other religions, which we are called to do. I am talking about treating all religions as though they are one of many truths. In fact, in many cases, sharing quotes from secular sources, and other religions with more ardor than Christianity. As though it is almost an embarrassment to proclaim Christian values, customs, beliefs, and truths.

Worshiping “Mother Earth” instead of The Creator

Taking part and promoting entertainment…movies, books, magazine, games…that are in opposition to God

Spewing hatred, as in labeling and name-calling, toward specific people that we disagree with, instead of simply professing our stand, and praying for and with them.

Professing love for God with words only…and not by showing day to day loving actions and change in our lives

Any of these things, or something I haven’t mentioned, could be part of the darkness you are living in. Confession, and repentance in any area that is in opposition to Our Lord, will allow the light of the Holy Spirit to heal you, inside and out. This total healing may happen in an instant, or may happen gradually, as you grow in faith.  The key is to invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate you and fill your soul with His Holy Presence…and then place your trust in God.

Sometimes, the Lord will allow certain things to remain in your life to help you on your journey to Him, or for His glory. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will live with a deep joy that will help you through any struggle in this life, and you will learn to look to Him in confidence and trust.

Remember, Jesus will always love you! Are you showing your love for Jesus?

 

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy,^[a] drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
 John 14:6

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.  Romans 1:25