Ok so we have about a week till Christmas, and everyone is rushing to plan, and buy presents and we are all super busy..I mean it's the holidays who isn't busy. But what if we all stopped for a second, forgot about presents, and planning and just thought about the real reason we celebrate Christmas? On Christmas Day Jesus was born! Now just think about that for a moment how much do we acknowledge the real meaning of Christmas? I mean planning dinner, and having people over, and giving others presents that's all important but the Christmas season is a time of waiting and preparing ourselves for the coming of the Savior. In this last week before Christmas take a moment and stop to look at all the joy Christmas brings people, and thank God because he is the reason for all the joy in the world.
This time of year is probably the best time of year for everyone because we get a bunch of presents just because it's Christmas. It's great to get presents and everything but I think it's even better to give presents. On Thursday a friend of mine reminded me that the real joy of Christmas is found in giving to others. So, I got this really good friend of mine a gift and I also gave her a card, and when she opened her present she was so happy. The look on her face and the excitement in her voice just melted my heart, it made me realize why giving is such a good thing. When we give we make someone else happy, and we sacrifice for them, but in turn we also get something which is the joy of seeing how happy they are, and their excitement. We shouldn't be giving to get recognition back, but we should be giving to make them happy, and in turn giving ourselves the joy of seeing them happy.
God Bless,
Sarah
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Friday, December 9, 2016
Why?
Why? This is probably the most frequent question we ask God right? Why are bad things happening, why did this happen, and so on. I've been through enough deaths of family members, but for me it is worse to watch a close friend morn over their relative. We don't know God's plan, but what we can have faith and trust in is that everything that happens is for our own good. When someone close to us dies it just means that God has called them home, but it doesn't mean God is mad at us or that he wants to take them away from us. Too often we think God is always out there trying to get us to mess up, or become depressed, but that in reality is the devil doing that. God is doing the exact opposite he wants us to be happy to know our relatives are with him, he loves us so much, that he makes sure his plan for us fits our personal needs. Sometimes we meet people for certain reasons either to help them or for them to help us and this is all part of his plan for us! God loves us and he doesn't want us to be depressed because an event has happened in our life, he wants us to trust him to trust his love, and to know him personally. Recently my grandma died and let's just say we didn't really have the closest relationship towards the end of her life, but by trusting God I got peace that she was with him, and that she loved me and was watching over me. All I had to do was trust the God of the universe, who loves me, and when I did that my life changed I stopped worrying I stopped becoming depressed, and I started to become happy, and people began to notice.
God, I pray for everyone who has died during this 2016 year, for my grandma, for my friend's grandfather, for my friend's great grandfather, for my friend's father, and for anyone else who has died this year. Please give all those who are morning peace.
Here is "I Need You" by OBB.
God Bless,
Sarah
God, I pray for everyone who has died during this 2016 year, for my grandma, for my friend's grandfather, for my friend's great grandfather, for my friend's father, and for anyone else who has died this year. Please give all those who are morning peace.
Here is "I Need You" by OBB.
God Bless,
Sarah
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Being in the world not of it
How often do we stray from God, and most of the time it isn't because we don't love him it's just that maybe we want to fit in more with our friends. Although God didn't make us to be of the world he made us to be in the world NOT of it. Instead of "fitting" in with others we know we should be living by example, and we should be showing them what it means to live the Good News. In 1st John 2:15-17 we hear this:
15"Do not love the world or the things of the world.* If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.17Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever."
John is telling us do not love the world, which is exactly what Jesus tells us throughout his life. He was totured and died for us, and we want to say we are Christians when we don't follow his example? Jesus lived by example he was ridiculed and suffered for our sins, and we want to repay him by not living his example? What good is that for any of us?
We aren't all perfect, but God understands, and he doesn't want us perfect he only wants our willingness to be his servants, and our willingness to be apart of his plan. We can't just go through the motions anymore if we want a relationship with God. We can't all of a sudden decide to become part of the world because we want to fit in or because something bad has happened to us. And if we do then we should run back to God who's arms are wide open to receive us, and forgive us.
When something bad happens in our lives who do we run to? A lot of times we run to the world because we are mad at God for what has happened. We don't fully see God's plan in our lives, because God asks us to trust him; just like he did with the Israelites in the desert. We don't know why things happen, but what we need to remember is that everything happens for a reason. We can't let the devil tempt us anymore. God needs us now more than ever to say yes to him, and to love him, and have a relationship with him.
Here is "Rise" by Danny Gokey
15"Do not love the world or the things of the world.* If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.17Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever."
John is telling us do not love the world, which is exactly what Jesus tells us throughout his life. He was totured and died for us, and we want to say we are Christians when we don't follow his example? Jesus lived by example he was ridiculed and suffered for our sins, and we want to repay him by not living his example? What good is that for any of us?
We aren't all perfect, but God understands, and he doesn't want us perfect he only wants our willingness to be his servants, and our willingness to be apart of his plan. We can't just go through the motions anymore if we want a relationship with God. We can't all of a sudden decide to become part of the world because we want to fit in or because something bad has happened to us. And if we do then we should run back to God who's arms are wide open to receive us, and forgive us.
When something bad happens in our lives who do we run to? A lot of times we run to the world because we are mad at God for what has happened. We don't fully see God's plan in our lives, because God asks us to trust him; just like he did with the Israelites in the desert. We don't know why things happen, but what we need to remember is that everything happens for a reason. We can't let the devil tempt us anymore. God needs us now more than ever to say yes to him, and to love him, and have a relationship with him.
Here is "Rise" by Danny Gokey
Thank you Lord, for giving us hope, and thank you for being so merciful and patient with us.
God Bless,
Sarah
Monday, July 25, 2016
What is our daily prayer doing to help us?
We question all of things in life, but the one thing most of us seldom question is our prayer. When we pray we do it for many different reasons, yet we never question how it is helping us or if it is changing us; changing our attitude or outlook, making us more patient or giving us more humility. This is what prayer should be doing for us. I mean some of us pray out of habit, others do it out of love for God, and still some people only do it in their time of need.
So, when we pray are we transforming into the person God wants us to become? I mean if we pray 5 rosaries a day, yes that is good, but what is it doing for us? If it is doing nothing and our attitude isn't changing then we need to rethink our prayer strategy. Prayer in the simplest way communication with God, which is supposed to help our relationship with him and our journey to holiness. Prayer is not to persuade God to our will, but to accept his will instead.
In Yesterday's Gospel (Luke 11:1-13) the disciples asked Jesus how to pray because whenever Jesus went off to pray he always came back refreshed something actually happened something changed. They prayed a lot as Jews, they had daily prayers, and they had different rituals to abide by, but they noticed all the prayers and rituals didn't do anything for them like Jesus' prayer did for him. They knew something had to change they had to fix something, and who better to ask than Jesus?
Everything matters to God especially our relationship with him, and our journey to holiness. He cares about what is going on in our lives, and he loves us more than we could ever imagine. So ask yourself and ask God how can you change your prayer life to better benefit you and your relationship with God? He will certainly give you the answer.
Here is "Matter" by For King and Country:
Thank You Lord for reminding us that we matter to you. Help us to becoming holier and to pray not for our will but for yours.
God Bless,
Sarah
So, when we pray are we transforming into the person God wants us to become? I mean if we pray 5 rosaries a day, yes that is good, but what is it doing for us? If it is doing nothing and our attitude isn't changing then we need to rethink our prayer strategy. Prayer in the simplest way communication with God, which is supposed to help our relationship with him and our journey to holiness. Prayer is not to persuade God to our will, but to accept his will instead.
In Yesterday's Gospel (Luke 11:1-13) the disciples asked Jesus how to pray because whenever Jesus went off to pray he always came back refreshed something actually happened something changed. They prayed a lot as Jews, they had daily prayers, and they had different rituals to abide by, but they noticed all the prayers and rituals didn't do anything for them like Jesus' prayer did for him. They knew something had to change they had to fix something, and who better to ask than Jesus?
Everything matters to God especially our relationship with him, and our journey to holiness. He cares about what is going on in our lives, and he loves us more than we could ever imagine. So ask yourself and ask God how can you change your prayer life to better benefit you and your relationship with God? He will certainly give you the answer.
Here is "Matter" by For King and Country:
Thank You Lord for reminding us that we matter to you. Help us to becoming holier and to pray not for our will but for yours.
God Bless,
Sarah
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Fear
Fear holds us back from serving God, and doing things that would immensely help us. We have plenty of fears every single day whether big or small. Sometimes its financial problems, other times trying something new, or even what other people are saying or thinking about us. How do we overcome these fears, and is it even possible to overcome them? Of course it's possible to overcome our fear because Jesus gives us courage; we just have to accept it. Jesus gives us the exact amount of courage we need to overcome each fear. Do we accept it? Sometimes no, but Jesus still encourages us. And God tells us time and time again in the bible do not be afraid (Joshua 1:9):
I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.
Why do we sometimes let fear control us if we know we have God on our side? It is just the human side of us, we aren't all perfect, and we don't always want to step out of our comfort zone. But God knows what is best for us, we on the other hand do not. Our judgement is clouded by sin, and our human state, while God's judgement is not clouded by anything because he is all good, and has our best interest in mind. So why not, why not trust God to best of our ability even in hard times? Sure we can be stubborn but once we get past our stubbornness we can, "do all things through him who strengthens us." (Philippians 4:13).
Here is "The God I Know" by Love and the Outcome:
Lord, please remind us that you know what is best, and that you give us courage. I pray for all those going to World Youth Day, that you may give them the courage they need to be able to make this trip. Thank You for guiding us with your hand, and giving us the courage to overcome fear.
God Bless,
Sarah
I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.
Why do we sometimes let fear control us if we know we have God on our side? It is just the human side of us, we aren't all perfect, and we don't always want to step out of our comfort zone. But God knows what is best for us, we on the other hand do not. Our judgement is clouded by sin, and our human state, while God's judgement is not clouded by anything because he is all good, and has our best interest in mind. So why not, why not trust God to best of our ability even in hard times? Sure we can be stubborn but once we get past our stubbornness we can, "do all things through him who strengthens us." (Philippians 4:13).
Here is "The God I Know" by Love and the Outcome:
Lord, please remind us that you know what is best, and that you give us courage. I pray for all those going to World Youth Day, that you may give them the courage they need to be able to make this trip. Thank You for guiding us with your hand, and giving us the courage to overcome fear.
God Bless,
Sarah
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Being A Good Samaritan
How often do we overlook others, and we make up different excuses for why? A lot of times with our busy lives it is hard not to overlook others, but Jesus wants us to put others before ourselves. In Today's Gospel (Luke 10:25-37) we hear Jesus asking us to care about others, to not overlook others:
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
We are all imperfect, we all have our moments, but trying and striving for holiness is what makes Our Lord happy, and what benefits us for eternal life. This week we need to strive to be a 'good Samaritan' every day, because Jesus has asked us to do this very thing. If we are to serve God we must heed his words right? It doesn't have to be anything huge life helping a half-dead person on the road, BUT just letting someone know you care, and then praying for them as well; a text, a simple hello, or asking what's wrong. Whether its a friend or a stranger or even family this is what God is asking of us!
So ask God today to give you the compassion to not overlook others, and the grace to be merciful no matter what it means to our earthly reputation.
Here is "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets:
God Bless,
Sarah
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
We are all imperfect, we all have our moments, but trying and striving for holiness is what makes Our Lord happy, and what benefits us for eternal life. This week we need to strive to be a 'good Samaritan' every day, because Jesus has asked us to do this very thing. If we are to serve God we must heed his words right? It doesn't have to be anything huge life helping a half-dead person on the road, BUT just letting someone know you care, and then praying for them as well; a text, a simple hello, or asking what's wrong. Whether its a friend or a stranger or even family this is what God is asking of us!
So ask God today to give you the compassion to not overlook others, and the grace to be merciful no matter what it means to our earthly reputation.
Here is "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets:
God Bless,
Sarah
Monday, July 4, 2016
Happy Independence Day America!
Dear God,
Today is our Independence Day, and we ask that you, the all-powerful God may bless this country. We ask you to give her the leadership she needs to become great again.
We ask that this country may go back to the principles on which she was founded.
That America may not be destroyed by greed, but that she may be empowered by her trust in you,
And remain one nation under God indivisible with liberty and Justice for all.
We ask that you may keep our men and women who are in service, safe, and give them the grace they need to protect this country, because it is through their sacrifice that we enjoy the freedom we have today, and please give their families the grace they need to be strong. Lord, give us a president, who believes in this country, and will make us great again. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, and through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reins with you and the Holy Spirit forever, and ever. Amen.
Here is a Little Video I found on YouTube about independence day:
God Bless,
Sarah
Today is our Independence Day, and we ask that you, the all-powerful God may bless this country. We ask you to give her the leadership she needs to become great again.
We ask that this country may go back to the principles on which she was founded.
That America may not be destroyed by greed, but that she may be empowered by her trust in you,
And remain one nation under God indivisible with liberty and Justice for all.
We ask that you may keep our men and women who are in service, safe, and give them the grace they need to protect this country, because it is through their sacrifice that we enjoy the freedom we have today, and please give their families the grace they need to be strong. Lord, give us a president, who believes in this country, and will make us great again. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, and through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reins with you and the Holy Spirit forever, and ever. Amen.
Here is a Little Video I found on YouTube about independence day:
God Bless,
Sarah
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