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Ash Wednesday 2015 - God's Mercy

2/18/2015

"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment" (Joel 2:12-13).

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and God invites us to come back to Him. By His grace, and through prayer and sacrifice, we have an opportunity to gain a whole new life. It’s a time to make some changes, to admit our sinfulness but also to trust in the saving power of Christ.

It's a time to listen to the voice of God within us and hear the longing of our soul for His unconditional love ... something that can only be found in union with Jesus Christ - the reason for this day, the reason for every day.

God doesn’t want the past to hold us back from a relationship with Him any longer. Jesus has opened the door for us, and it’s time we walk through it.

In preparation for Easter, Lent is a time to re-evaluate ourselves. What are our priorities? Where are we spiritually? What sort of person do we want to be? Has our past decisions really brought us the happiness we seek? Is there something more? How can I grow closer to God?

There are a few things we can do to make this Lent more meaningful. We can increase our prayer time, make small daily sacrifices, go to confession, perform acts of charity, and simply open our hearts a little wider and allow Jesus Christ to enter. But let’s not allow this special time of grace to pass us by. Let’s make a commitment to grow in our faith this Lent, to "let go of the old self and put on the new self”, and to make things right with God, with ourselves, and with others.

So today, let’s approach God in humility, knowing we are nothing without Him, yet having absolute confidence in His infinite Love and Mercy toward us. God is just a prayer away, and today His arms are reaching out to you saying “I Love you. I created you. I know you. I’ve never left you. I’m still here … Come back to Me.”

"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart."

May He Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you, this Lenten season, and always.

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Be Transformed!

2/12/2015

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The following is a sample chapter from our book, "A New You! Letting Go of the Past, Trusting God with our Future."

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly, by a complete change of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

The change we're seeking is huge. We're reading this book because our old way of doing things hasn't brought us the fulfillment we hoped for and we know there must be something more to life than what we've experienced so far.

The world makes it easy for us to stay as we are, without challenging us to become better people. It teaches us to be as comfortable as possible with as little effort as possible, while making ourselves the creators of our own eternal happiness. God tells us here to reject that.

What the world forgets to teach us is that there is a spiritual law to be obeyed, that God comes first. The world says our will should come first. This is more likely to lead us away from God and so God tells us here not to conform ourselves to the world's standards, because these standards are set pretty low and can take us down the wrong path, away from Him.

This scripture tells us that what we need is an overhaul of our old self, to be utterly transformed, to undergo a complete change of our mind, not just a little bit, but to be made brand new.

How does this transformation take place? From the inside out! Let's listen to this scripture again. "Let God transform you inwardly ..." So what do we do? We pray. We ask God for the grace to surrender our lives to Him completely. We open our hearts to the action of The Holy Spirit, who is Love itself. We seek first the kingdom of God, and everything else falls into place.

We stop trying to earn our way, fight our way, or keep our way. We stop trying to be right and we start trying to forgive. We accept that apart from God, on our own, we are nothing. But we also accept that we are not on our own! We have a God who is with us, every step of the way. He doesn't leave our side not even for a second. He Loves us like no other, and we mean everything to Him.

We need God and God knows what we need. He can bring about the change within us that we want. Through prayer, God will help and heal and set our hearts free - but we have to ask for this. This may not come easily for those of us who like to solve our own problems, on our own. Why do we have such a hard time asking for help?

Pride is the culprit here. It's the culprit in opposition to any personal or spiritual growth. Pride says we can do it by ourselves. It says we don't need God and we certainly won't admit our dependence upon God. Many find this a difficult word, but really, dependence on anything other than God would make it a difficult word. We are dependent upon God for our very next breath. Our hearts do not beat because we tell them to. There is a life source sustaining us at every moment. This life source has a name, and He loves you.

With an understanding that we are not alone, that there is a loving God by our side, we can embark upon the journey of changing ourselves with confidence. We can be assured that we will receive grace because scripture has shown that our Creator wants this more than we do.

God wants inner peace for us all, to heal us and make us whole. He wants us to continually improve ourselves, to mature and develop spiritually because He knows where it will lead - to Him. So we can be certain He will help us get there.

Reflection Questions

In what way have I allowed the world, or things, or even people, to get in the way of my relationship with God?

What standards do I set for myself?

Have I been trying to make changes on the outside in order to achieve peace on the inside?

Am I comfortable asking for help?

Do I feel I need to solve my problems on my own?

Do I see how interconnected we all are, that we need God but we also need one another?

Prayer

Dear Lord, so many times I have tried to change. I no longer want to try without You. With You by my side I can overcome any fault I have, anything that needs improvement. I want to better myself.   I want to be free of the anxieties of life and cope better with situations that are difficult. I ask You humbly now, to grant me a New Way of approaching change since my way doesn't work as well as I'd like. Grant me the grace to embrace the Love you offer me. You are real. You are with me. I am dependent upon You and that's a great place to be. I wouldn't want to be dependent upon anyone or anything else. Who better than Love itself to show me the Way. Please help me in what I know will be a daily struggle to let go of my pride, to let others into my life, and to let Your love into my heart. Please pour out your grace upon me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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By God's healing grace, we can have a new life ... A New You is waiting!

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A NEW YEAR PRAYER FOR 2015

12/31/2014

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A Prayer for the New Year:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for this New Year and for your great Mercy which is always ready to give me a fresh start. Lord, you make all things new and I ask you for your healing presence in my life in this coming year! I'm so happy to have the chance to start again. Thank you for carrying me through this past year and for always being by my side. I look forward to all the wonderful things you have in store for me.

I know your Mercy is so great that every day is a chance to start fresh. You are always ready, willing, and able to forgive us our sins and bring us into a new life. I ask for this new life now.

I ask to be made a new creation in your Son, Jesus Christ. I want to become the person you created me to be! I will need your help. Please make ways for me where there are no ways. Please build bridges and remove obstacles, and make my path straight. Give me strength and peace as I journey on with you toward a bright future.

I ask for the grace to let go and put the past back where it belongs. I pray for the grace not to carry the old baggage into the new year, and to place my future into your care. I pray for you to pour out your healing love in every area of my life. I ask for your help to truly live my life, in You, with You, through You and for You.

Help me to move forward in your Love for me. Please help me to respond to the action of your Holy Spirit within me. Help me to come to know you in a deeper and more meaningful way, and to Trust you again with my whole heart. Help me to make a serious commitment to you my God and to put you first in my life, to make you the center of my life, to make you "my all".

Finally, Thank you for sending your Son into the world and into our hearts. Thank you for your unfailing love. I know that you are Good, and Loving, and that you are always with me. I ask for your blessing on this New Year. Please bless and protect my family and everyone near and dear to me. Please guide us all into the Light of your Truth, and help us to walk day by day, step by step, in Your direction.

May the Peace of Christ remain with us all year long, and may we grow in love and faith in a New Way, starting Today. In Jesus' beautiful name. Amen.

Happy New Year!

(Make a commitment towards positive change this year with our 2015 Calendar Journal and our book "A New You! Letting Go of the Past, Trusting God with our Future." For these and other New Way Today books visit our Amazon page.)

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Scriptures on Peace

12/26/2014

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"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Phil 4:8-9).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6-7).

"I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Gal 5:22-23).

“Agree with God, and be at peace. Thereby good will come to you" (Job 22:21).

"The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses his people with peace" (Psalm 29:11).

"Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it" (Psalm 34:14).

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of The Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future full of hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

"Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you" (John 20:21).

I hope these scriptures bring to mind our Lord's desire that we live in peace, both inside and out. It is only by the power of His Holy Spirit that we can attain such an immovable and unshakeable interior peace. The world can't give it to us. It comes from within. Let's open our hearts to receive the peace of Christ today, and to bring His peace to others.

I pray you have a peaceful day, in Jesus' name.

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The Father's Love Letter

12/26/2014

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Here is a beautiful compilation of scriptures in which God The Father is revealed to us. Please take a moment to read this. I did not write it and I'm not sure who put it together but I think it's wonderful. I love how each scripture is presented as one message. God Our Father speaks to us through His Word. Let's listen to what He has to say ...

THE FATHER’S LOVE LETTER

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

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The Love of Christ

12/26/2014

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A very powerful scripture from Ephesians Chapter 3 ...

"For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name.

I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith.

I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love.

Yes, may you come to know his love - although it can never be fully known - and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

To Him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: to God be glory in The Church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen." (Eph 3:14-21)

This scripture is so beautiful and rich in its meaning. Each sentence is powerful. We are called in this scripture to "have our roots and foundation in love." To make God our center. It is His Love that we should build a foundation on. He is our rock, and His Love never ends. There is no limit to His Mercy. He is always ready to heal us and ready to help us.

God doesn't abandon His children. He stays with us, and He never leaves. Let's be open to His Holy Spirit so that we may become "strong in our inner selves." Let's open our hearts to Jesus in a new way today and allow Him to "make his home in our hearts." Let's allow the Love of God to fill us and transform us .. to make us New!

God is just a prayer away. Let's turn to Him now, and may He Bless you and everyone near and dear to you. In Jesus' name.

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Christmas Reflection Day 25 - A Savior Is Born

12/25/2014

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Day 25 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: A Savior is Born.

Scripture: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

Reflection: Thank you. This is the message of today's reflection. Thank you God Almighty Father for sending your Son into the world to save us. I pray that today will be a day of heartfelt gratitude for God's presence in our lives. God is always with us. He always Loves us. He is always ready to heal us and make us new. Today is a time to rejoice, to be grateful, to make a decision to allow Christ to grow within us, and through us to others. It's a day to pray for one another, for those who are experiencing the joy of Christmas, and for those who are encountering the Cross at Christmas. God is with us. And today, He reaches out to us all. He opens His arms wide, looking to embrace us once again, and invites us to enter into a new life, a new hope, a new way of living, united to Him.

Questions: In what ways can I wish Jesus a Happy Birthday today? In what ways can I show my gratitude to God for His presence in my life? Am I willing to allow Christ to change my heart?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! Thank you for coming into my life. Lord, you now open the doors to Heaven for us. Open my heart, and grant me the grace to follow you. Help me to accept your unconditional love. Help me to believe in a Love so great, without conditions. Help me to let go of my pride, and surrender everything to you. Give me the gift of faith, hope and trust in you. Fill me with your Love and allow your Love to spill over into everyone in my life. Thank you for taking on my humanity and saving me from eternal death. Help me to accept the Divine life you offer me. Through you, I can obtain Heaven. Help me to be your follower and grant me the Joy of Christmas. Grant that I may know your Love in a New Way, Today! Amen.

Merry Christmas! May God Bless you and everyone near and dear to you with the Peace of His Birth, this Christmas and always!

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Christmas Reflection Day 24 - Silent Night

12/24/2014

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Day 24 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Silent Night.

Scripture: "Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).

Reflection: I found this scripture to be appropriate for Christmas Eve, a silent night to reflect on the Advent Season of waiting for the arrival of our Savior. Tonight is a time to ponder, to follow Mary's example. No matter how the past few weeks have gone we have a new opportunity right now to pray and reflect. If the true meaning of Christmas has gotten away from us this year, we can take a few minutes now to open our hearts to Christ. Every moment is a moment to start over. We can ponder in our own hearts what God's presence in our lives means for us. Take this time to create your own silent night, your own silent few minutes, to have your own time in prayer with God, one on one, friend to friend. The One who loves you, is always reaching out His arms to you. Pick up the infant Jesus in your heart tonight, hold Him close, tell Him what's on your mind, and be at Peace.

Questions: What do I treasure? What means most to me this Christmas? Can I stop whatever I'm doing and put aside a little time for prayer? Can I give my heart to The Christ Child this Christmas? Am I willing to let go of all of my anger towards God for the past, and give Him a new place in my heart? Give Him all of my heart??

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this time together. Thank you for this Holy season. Thank you for all of your blessings, seen and unseen, in my life and in the lives of my loved ones. I know you are holding them tight tonight, watching over them. I know you are taking care of me and that you hear every prayer. Lord, touch my heart. Help me to enter into the silence of this Holy night, and fill my soul with Peace... Your Peace. A Peace no one else can give me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for our final reflection. May God fill you with the peace of Christmas Eve, and may He Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you. In Jesus' name.

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Christmas Reflection Day 23 - Glory To God

12/23/2014

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Day 23 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Glory To God.

Scripture: "Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests'” (Luke 2:13-14).

Reflection: God's favor rests on you. God wants to pour out His peace upon you. God invites us to enter into a new relationship with Him, one so closely united to His Divine nature by means of His uniting Himself to our human nature. God becomes man in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. God takes on human flesh, and becomes one of us. This is an extraordinary thing, and the angels in Heaven sing praises to God for His great love for us. The message this Christmas season is this: God wants to be close to us, to be close with us. He is here, now, offering His hand to us. See the child Jesus reaching up His arms to you now, asking you to please accept Him, and all the Love that He is. God is Love. And Love, loves us.

Questions: Do I ask God for peace in my life, in my heart, in my family? Do I ask God to show me ways I can be a person of peace and bring peace into the situations going on in my life right now? Am I open to forgiving, to healing, to restoration of broken relationships? To what degree do I want peace, only for myself in prayer - or can I bring peace to others by my actions as well?

Prayer: Lord, you took on my human nature out of Love for me. With a desire to restore my brokenness, you have come to set me free. Please deliver me from all the fears I have of following you. Help me to realize that you are the answer to my life. You are the answer to every stirring of my soul. Help me to pray to you in a more intimate way, sharing my heart with yours. Thank you Lord, for coming to earth, and remaining with us always. Help me to be a peaceful presence in the lives of my family and friends. Restore me and renew me once again. I rejoice with the angels in glorifying your name and I ask for this unshakeable Peace you promise to your followers. Amen.

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

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Christmas Reflection Day 22 - Humility

12/22/2014

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Day 22 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Humility

Scripture: "You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12).

Reflection: Jesus comes to us in the plain, ordinary circumstances of life. The King of Heaven and Earth comes into the world as a helpless newborn. He goes on to live a quiet life prior to His 3 years of preaching followed by His death and resurrection. God became a man. What humility. We also are called to practice humility and to continue to find Jesus in the ordinary circumstances of our lives. This is where He still lives in the world today.

Questions: Where do I look for Christ in my life? Do I look outside of myself or within me? Do I look for Him in the big things or in the small ordinary moments? Can I ask God to reveal Himself to my heart in a new way from now on?

Prayer: Dear Lord, my heart is searching for you. My limited intellect cannot comprehend your Glory or your plan, but my heart knows that you are present with the human race. You have not abandoned us. You are Emmanuel - God with us. I ask for the gift of humility, in accepting my part in the plan of salvation. I ask for the grace to find you in "the little things" of life. Please grant me the grace to let go of my pride, to open my eyes wider, and to rely on you more. Grant me the humility to surrender every area of my life to you, my God and my all. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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

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