Blog Posts - NEW WAY TODAY

Christmas Reflection Day 11 - Praising God!

12/11/2017

Day 11 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Praising God!

Scripture: “My soul proclaims the greatness of The Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Luke 1:46-47).

Reflection: Praise is prayer. It’s a very powerful form of prayer in which we give God glory and thanksgiving, above all else. When we pray we grow in relationship with God and also ask Him to assist us in our practical needs, but it’s important to first acknowledge His authority over us. He’s God. We’re not. Even when Jesus taught us to say The Our Father, the greatest prayer of all, He first began with praise – “Hallowed by your name” (Matthew 6:9). Praise and Thanksgiving will open up new doors for us. Let’s pray for the grace to be more grateful for the many blessings God gives us and to glorify His name by our actions and in our prayers.

Questions: Can I make a new commitment to praising God in prayer every day? Do I give God His due credit for the many graces and blessings I receive? What can I do to show my gratitude for God’s Goodness?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know my prayers. You understand all of my intentions. I thank you for hearing every prayer of mine and for taking care of all of my needs. Even when I fail to recognize you in my life, I know by faith that you are there. Help me to be even more thankful for your presence in my life. Help me to thank you continually and to praise your name. Even including one simple “Praise you Jesus” in my prayer life can help me to honor you. Above all, help me to give you the greatest glory by being an example of your Love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day - Day 10 - A STRONG FAITH

12/10/2017

Day 10 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: “A Strong Faith”

Scripture: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45).

Reflection: I believe this scripture points to the subject of long-term faith. We have faith when we feel hopeful and motivated, but what about when things take longer than we thought, or something turns out differently? Do we have the patience of a faith that lasts? Mary believed what the angel said and I’m sure her faith was strong when “the angel departed from her.” But she also had faith when she and Joseph had to make a long and treacherous journey to Bethlehem. Mary knew that when God calls us to do something, He will see us through it. God revealed a truth to her, a truth that would never be understood by the world, and she knew He would bring keep His word.

Questions: How long does my faith last? Have I given up on God? Am I willing to ask God to give me a mission, a new purpose for my life? Do I trust God to carry out His plan in me, or do I try to carry it alone?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know my faith isn’t as strong as I would like it to be. Sometimes life really doesn’t make sense. I want to have a stronger faith. Not one that is fleeting and changing depending on my circumstances, but one that holds everything together. One that lasts. Real faith is in it for the long haul and produces results. Help me to look to you as my strength and my shield on my journey here on earth, and grant me the grace to follow you, to do your Will, and to live with you forever in Heaven. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day - Day 9 - God's Surprises!

12/9/2017

Day 9 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: GOD’S SURPRISES!

Scripture:

"But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be" (Luke 1:29)

Reflection:

Mary probably wasn't expecting this life-changing news for the whole world. It must have surprised her to say the least. It seems she wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first. It was unexpected. Mary, Zechariah, Joseph, and the shepherds in the fields, were all just going about their daily business when the angel Gabriel came to them. They were just performing their regular duties when suddenly God called upon them. God reveals something extraordinary to them, in an ordinary way. This scripture is encouraging to all who may feel stuck, who may feel like life isn't going anywhere, that things aren't progressing the way we'd like. At any moment, God can turn things around. Let's be careful not to plan too much and give God room to surprise us with something more wonderful than we could have imagined ourselves.

Questions:

Am I open to new ideas? Am I flexible in my personal and spiritual life? Can I surrender my plans to God? Who's in control of them?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me not to underestimate the small events of my daily life. You can use them to do great things. Help me to see that you can work miracles in any situation. Help me to place my hope in you, not in the miracle. Help me to trust that you are in control of my life. Lord, you can use anything to bring us closer to yourself, even the little things. Help me to do what you want me to do, and say what you want me to say, and become who you want me to become and I know the miracles will show up. Help me to seek first your Kingdom, and place all of my hope in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 8 - Mary Visits Elizabeth

12/8/2017

Day 8 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Mary Visits Elizabeth ...

Scripture:

"During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth" (Luke 1:39).

Reflection:

With Jesus now within her, Mary immediately brings Him to others. She travels to meet her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John The Baptist, and the two women rejoice over the blessings within them. We are also called to bring Christ to others, but first we must receive Him ourselves. It's easier to talk about Christ than to be His follower. We all struggle with this. No one is perfect. We don't always act like Christians, but we must keep trying. This is how we will bring Jesus into the world, by being an example of His Love.

Questions:

What can I do today that will reflect Christ to others? In what ways has someone shown Christ to me? How far am I willing to go to bring Jesus to someone in need?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I pray for the grace to receive you today in a new way. I ask you to heal me, so that I may then bring your healing love to others. Help me to open my heart to you, so that I can become all you have created me to be. The greatest thing I can do for anyone else is to be the person I'm meant to be, living my life the way you want me to. Your presence within me, will then attract others to you. God, forgive me for all the times I fail to reflect you, and help me to keep moving forward in Love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 7- Mary's Yes

12/7/2017

Day 7 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Mary's Yes.

Scripture:

"Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her" (Luke 1:38).

Reflection:

Mary said Yes. The woman who disobeyed God in the garden of Eden, Eve, is now overshadowed by The Woman who will be obedient this time, Mary. God gives us the gift of free will. As we see in the Bible, God really does give us the choice to accept Him, or reject Him ... to say yes, or no. He doesn't force us to choose Him. We are His children, made in His image and likeness. We are made free. We are made for Love. What makes love real is the choice to love, or not. Mary chose Love. She chose God. She said yes. And because she did, everything changed. We are called to answer yes to God's plan for our lives too.

Questions:

What is God asking of me at this time in my life? Do I feel resistance to it? Is my answer to God based on obedience? Do I think I know better than God does?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, the word "obedience" isn't used much today. It's not very popular to be obedient to something or someone, but you are God. You are worthy of all obedience. We should obey you because you are our Maker. You created us, and you love us, and we should obey you because you know what is best for us. Please train my heart to understand what you are asking of me. Please grant me the grace to stop fighting your Will for my life and to surrender to the peace and plan you offer me. Help me to say Yes to you too. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 6 - Nothing is Impossible For God

12/6/2017

Day 6 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season continues: "Nothing is impossible for God."

Scripture: "And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren, for nothing is impossible for God" (Luke 1:36).

Reflection: With God all things are possible. This truth gives us hope when we pray. When we want something in prayer, this scripture quote is encouraging. It's challenging however, to discern if God wants what we are asking for. He can do anything. But what is His will? God wants us to pray big, gigantic prayers. He wants us to expect great things from Him and to have great faith. But He also wants us to have an open heart, one that trusts Him, and accepts that His plan for our lives is the right one for us.

Questions: What feels lost? What is it that feels impossible? What are my prayers? Is it God's will, or do I hope it's God's will? What size are my prayers? Am I willing to re-present my prayers to God with a new and open heart, and allow Him to guide me? To accept His answer?

Prayer: Dear Lord, everything is possible with you. This has given me such comfort over the years. I have placed my hope in that one sentence: nothing is impossible for God. But now I want to place my hope in You, in who you are, not in what you can give me. You are Love. Help me to love you, to trust you, to turn to you now in prayer and invite you into my life once again. Of course I ask you to help me in all of my practical needs. I also ask you to help me in my spiritual ones. Heal my heart Lord and help me to be open to the extraordinary things you want to do with my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 5 - Emmanuel

12/5/2017

Day 5 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: "Emmanuel"

Scripture:

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel', which means 'God is with us'" (Matthew 1:23).

Reflection:

We believe by faith that God is present to us. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is a living and active trust in God, in all situations, and at all times. We trust in who God is, not in what He gives us. No matter what is happening in our lives, we are called to take God at His Word and trust in His unfailing love. God doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows life is hard, and our heartache is real. God is kind and compassionate. He loves us. And healing is possible, because He is with us.

Questions:

What is Christmas like for me this year? Is it an expression of my faith, or have I lost my faith? Can I give my heart to Jesus now, just the way it is, and trust Him to love? Do I believe God is with me?

Prayer:

Thank you Lord, for coming to us and for being with us always. I know you are in my life. I know you are present to me at all times. But it doesn't always feel that way. Please help me to trust in you at all times, whether I feel your presence or not. Help me to look at the you in the crib and on the Cross, and see you there for love of me. Christmas is supposed to be a joyful time of year, but many suffer heartache and loss. Please bless them and help us all to keep the faith during the trials of life, and bring us the peace and joy of the Christmas season once again. In Jesus' name.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 4 - "The Lord is with you."

12/4/2017

We continue our 25 days of Christmas Scripture Reflections with Day 4: "The Lord is with you."

Scripture: "And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.'" (Luke 1:28).

Reflection: Mary was chosen to be The Mother of God. This was the plan all along. From all eternity God knew He would choose her to bring His Son into the world. Jesus comes to us through Mary. She is filled with grace. God chooses us also to participate in the plan of salvation. We too can receive grace and receive the Lord within us. We do this in a spiritual way. In Mary this is accomplished in a physical way. The Christ is conceived within her, by the power of The Holy Spirit, and therefore she is respected and honored in a very particular and special way. Even the angel Gabriel hails her.

Questions: Can I ask God in prayer what Mary means to Him? Can I ask God in prayer what Mary should mean to me? Can I ask God in prayer to give me a deeper understanding of Mary's role in the plan of salvation, and in my own life? Will I accept God's answer?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see things in a new light - your Light. I thank you for entering into my humanity through Mary our Mother. She brought you into the world for us. She was obedient to your plan. Help me to imitate her in my own life. Help me to be close to her in prayer. She still lives, as do all who died in Christ just as you promised. Jesus, You died to bring us to Heaven, and you never stop hearing and answering our prayers. You also hear and answer your Mother’s prayers. She is our Mother too and prays for us as well. She loves us and will help us by bringing us closer to you, our Savior. Jesus, please help me to be respectful of your mother always, and to be obedient to you, just as she was. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.

Christmas Reflection Day 3 - "Do Not Be Afraid"

12/3/2017

Day 3 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season is on the message of the angel, "Do Not Be Afraid."

Scriptures:

"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard (Luke 1:13)

"Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God'" (Luke 1:30).

"An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife ..." (Matt 1:20).

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).

Reflection: The message of the angel Gabriel is clear, and the message He is sending is from God Himself - Do Not Be Afraid! Mary and Joseph were about to bring forth God's plan of salvation for the world, but it's not a plan they carried out alone. It was God’s work, and He provided them the graces they needed.

God always provides us what we need to do His Will. Notice in the above Scripture quotes that each person is called by name. There is something personal about this message. It's a message for us too. "Do not be afraid."

Questions: Does it comfort me to know that God doesn't want me to be afraid? Have I truly talked with God about this in prayer? Do I ask God to heal me and deliver me from my fears?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know me better than anyone else. You know what it is that I am afraid of. You know better than I do what holds me back from living a life closer to you, and doing your Will. You know how much I need to hear this message of yours. Please give me hope that I may be set free from all of my fears. Please pour out this grace upon me now, and fill me with the gifts of peace and courage. Lord, help me to not be afraid, for your plan is one of perfect love, and "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.

Christmas Reflection Day 2 - God's Promise

12/2/2017

Continuing our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season with Day 2 on the subject of God's Promise ...

Scripture: "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary" (Luke 1:26-27).

Reflection: Through Mary's obedience, God Himself comes to us. He doesn't send any more prophets. He comes Himself. The long awaited Messiah is here. God doesn't send an angel to deliver us. He delivers us. He sends an angel to give us this message, this good news. It's time! God keeps His promises.

Questions: Is there any situation going on in my life right now where I could be more obedient to God's will? Is God giving me a message today? Am I willing to see things differently?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you keep your word. Almighty God, you mean what you say, and you have revealed that you love us. Help me to grow in your love. Help me to accept the promise you made to be with us forever and for always. Please send my heart the message of your unconditional love for me, and prepare my heart for your coming this Christmas. Jesus, make my life new, and give me the peace you promised your followers. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.