Week of February 21st:
Thought~ I am sure you have all heard at one time or another that "Ya gotta have faith," The question is faith, in what? Make sure you put your faith into something (actually, someone) worthy. In a word, God. Can you possibly think of anyone better? Of course, in a world of uncertainty, faith sometimes seems out of reach. But remember this: God exists and He never changes. We can put our complete faith in him, and He will never fail us.
" Have faith in God," Jesus answered. " I tell you the truth , if anyone says to this mountain, "Go throw yourself into sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:22-24
Prayer~ - Dear Father, I pray that You will send me the opportunities to follow Your calling. Help me to recognize my faith in you and to feel Your presence in my life. Give me dreams for the future and strength to take that leap of faith in Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of February14th:
Weekly Thought~ Worship is not only for church. At School, home, or exercising, whenever- we can be in a constant state of worship, praising God for His goodness. He doesn't expect eloquent or lengthy prayers. In fact God is probably most pleased with the simplest words. That childlike faith that we all have. We are His children and He, the Father is their listening with an open heart and mind. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing just express to God your thankfulness for Him.
When we're alone with God, there are no more distractions to the development if intimacy. It is just us and him. The rest of the world must wait. ~ Wellington Boone~
Come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6
Prayer: Lord, You care for us every day of our lives no matter where we are. Help us to recognize Your daily care and concern for us all. Continue to strengthen us through Your Holy Word. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of February 7th:
Weekly thought~ Relationships is a multipurpose word. it can cover your friendships, family ties and even your church connections. Our relationships are made up of special people who share with us, our happiness and our pains. These people in our lives laugh with us, listen when we need an ear, pray with us, encourage us and help us through adversity. God knew that we would need this kind of support, so He gave us relationships. Take time this week to thank Him for the ones He's brought into your life. Also thank those people who are important to you and let them know you appreciate them.
"This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." JOHN 15:12-13
Prayer~ Dear Lord, thank you for always being present in my life. Thank you for bringing deep friendships into my life that will challenge me and help me to grow in you. in Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of January 31st:
Thought~
Courage, something we all wish we had, even the cowardly lion asks for it from the Wizard of Oz. Courage is doing the right thing, even when the right thing scares you. You'll have to make many decisions in life. Some may be easier than others. Resolve today that, with God's help, you will have the courage to make the right choices-every time.
For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:26
Prayer~ Lord, I thank you for giving me courage and strength. Through your Word I can find the answers to make the right choices in my life. I commit to turning to you before I make any decision, I will be open to hear and follow your Words. In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Week of January 25th:
Thought~ Each one of us possess an amazing power - The power of words. With words, you can affect another person's life dramatically- in either a positive or a negative way. We often do not take the time to think before we speak. We need to think hard about the words we say before we say them; unlike a computer discs or video tapes, those words can't be erased once they've been spoken. Make it a point always to speak positively- words of kindness, helpfulness, and mercy. Use your power for good! "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." ~ Mother Teresa
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6
Prayer~ Dear God, we all need Your help. even if we do not realize it, we can not accomplish things in our life without Your presence. Help us realize the power of our speech, remind us Lord, that we need to be kind to one another. Grant us the grace to think before we speak, so that when we do, we are spreading Your love and goodness. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of January 18th:
Weekly thought~
Is your first priority pleasing God? Do you stop to ask what can I do today to put a smile on God's face? When He is your first priority, you know that you have reached a deeper level of faith. As children of God we should want to bring joy to our Father. How you may ask? It's easy to say that we love God, but it is so much more significant to show that we love Him. Tell God through your actions how much He means to you, and how thankful you are that He is your God.
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment." Mark 12:30
Lord, my desire is to bring a smile to your face today. I commit to live and act in a way that shows you I love you. I will hold you close to my heart today and always. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of January 11th:
Thought for the week~
Growing up can be very hard today. Often you are being pulled in many different directions. You try to stay away from drugs and alcohol. you parents went from being your comfort to now wondering if they really do understand you. You try to not cuss and swear. Society tells you sex is okay in almost all circumstances. Keeping up with homework is hard, often times you think " it gets in the way, I'll do it on Monday." and religion is for nerds.
Even though you may feel far away from God. He is still right there by your side. God promises in His Word that He will never leave us to face the trials of the world alone. In fact, God sends His own spirit to live in us so that we can always rely on him instead of just ourselves. God gives you strength to face the world. Use His word and love to act as a shield against all the difficult times you face. Your best weapon is faith!
Prayer~
Dear Lord, be my refuge, be my shield, be my weapon to face the world. And when difficult days come, the ones I don't like, let me remember that You gave me life, and promise to always be by my side. As I put my trust in you, I know You will lead me down the right path in life. Amen
Week of January 4th:
Weekly thought~ New Years is the time of year, when we often reflect on things we would like to change in our lives, things we can work on or improve. We make New Years Resolutions with the hopes of keeping them. Sometimes the things we have chosen seem out of our control. maybe there is something you want to do, but can't imagine doing it on your own. It's vital for you to realize that you can allow God to be your strength. Talk to God about your dreams and hopes. God offers his greatness so we can live with endless possibilities. Allow your mind to explore all things you could do by relying on the strength of God. With His help you have a much better chance of keeping those New Years Resolutions. I encourage one of your resolutions to be spending more time with Christ. He is there waiting with open arms, take a moment each day to give praise and worship to our Lord. You are both worth it!
Prayer~ Dear Lord, I commit to having You in my life. With you I know all things are possible. Thank you for always being there. I know that you will always take care of me, for this I am utterly thankful. I pray for Your blessings over this next year. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of December 14th:
Thought~ When you sin, which we all do.
So you've blown it. You're mad at yourself because you've done it again. Maybe it's the same sin as the last time. You asked for forgiveness, and now you feel embarrassed to come back to God again.
You are not a slave to your sin. Jesus died to set you free. John 8:36 says, " Therefore if the Son sets you free, you shall be freed indeed." Remember, that 1John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us." When you ask the Lord to forgive you. He makes you clean. When you ask for forgiveness, your sin is cast away.
Prayer~ Lord Jesus, I thank you for your promise, and I confess to you that I have blown it again. Forgive me, cleanse me, and set me free from this sin. In your name Amen.
Please try and attend Reconciliation. It will enhance your advent season.
Week of December 7th:
Weekly Thought~ Do you really want to be somebody? We all have dreams of wanting to be somebody special, maybe a great athlete, a politician, or successful entrepreneur. All of these vocations are worthy aspirations. but if you are an encourager you'll have a far more lasting impact on the world around you.
Encouragement comes in many forms; a smile, a telephone call, a note, the gift of your time. Make these uplifting acts a habit, and you can change the world- at least a little part of it. Even though you may never know all the effects of your encouragement, be assured that others will remember you as someone special.
Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Philippians 2:4
Prayer~ Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see when opportunities exist where I can make a difference in someone else's life. Help me to care and treat them the way that you do. In your name. Amen.
Week of November 30th:
Thought~ As we sit and wait, with great anticipation for our Savior, to be born during the Advent season, It reminds me, how difficult it is to show patience. "patience is a virtue." Virtuous or not, what exactly is patience? Patience is more than merely waiting for something to occur; it's a waiting coupled with the right heart attitude a conscious belief that God is working out His purpose in our lives, no matter how immediate circumstances appear. Sure, we all know it is easier said than done- but developing patience is one of the best investments you'll ever make in yourself.
"Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful." Romans 12:12
Prayer~ Lord, Help give me patience. As I encounter life situations, please give me strength and wisdom to understand your plans for me, Thank you for giving me the gift of prayer. I will turn to prayer when I feel anxious, to receive your comfort. In Jesus' name. Amen
Week of November 16th:
Weekly Thought~ Do you live to give or do you live to get? Most people in our society live to get. They want to get attention, approval, or admiration, They live a very "me-centered" life. They are so busy thinking about themselves that they do not have the time to think about anybody else.
But Jesus lived His life to give. He encourages us to give our lives away in the same way that He did. You can choose to be either a giver or a getter. Look for opportunities to give love, compassion, your time, talents or kindness. Live your life to serve others. Jesus said" Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant" (Matt. 20:26) An anonymous quote also puts it this way: " Be kinder than people deserve because they probably need it more than you know."
Prayer~ Lord, I refuse to be like the rest of the world in being "me-centered." Today I choose to live my life to give it way so that I can touch others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of November 9th:
Thought for the week~ Forgiveness is the oil of relationships - Josh McDowell
How many times have you heard a person say, " I could never forgive him or her for ....."? Forgiving others is not an easy thing to do, especially if the other person hasn't asked for forgiveness. But God's Word is clear: We are to forgive others just as He has forgiven us. Wow does that sound too hard? It certainly can be but, God gives us the ability through His Spirit. Be sure to confess your sins to Him and ask him to forgive you. Then ask forgiveness of others whom you may have offended. Being faithful in these areas will make it easier for you to forgive others. The amount of forgiveness you give is the same amount of grace and forgiveness you will receive.
Christ accepted you so you should accept each other, which will bring Glory to God. Romans 15:7
Prayer~ Lord, I choose to forgive. I am making this decision right now, even though it may feel hard, through your grace let me feel forgiveness in my heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of November 2th:
Weekly thought~ Life is full of choices. As a teenager, you are faced with choices everyday, such as who your friends are, what you're going to do with your life, what sports you will play. Many young people who are trying to make a decision pray, " Lord, what should I do?" Then after about ten seconds, they make their decision. They do not wait because they do not know what they are waiting for. What should they expect? Maybe something written in the sky or an audible voice? The fact is, the answer is already available in God's Word. If you take biblical principles and apply them to the decisions you need to make, the you invite God's blessing on your life. Instead of a hunch we feel, we need to give thought to our steps. We need to consider God's plan, Remember that God' will never goes against His own principles, which are spelled out in His Words. With any choice you make, you should be able to back up your decision with a scripture verse.
Prayer~ Lord, I thank you for giving me wisdom in your Word. I commit to diving into your Word before I make any decision. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Week of October 26th:
Thought for the week~ How often do you doubt? Do you doubt God and His existence?. Some teens only go to church because their parents make them. Some only believe in God and Jesus because the pastor says that it's a good thing to do. but in everyday life, they live in doubt because they are relying on someone's else's faith not their own. if you have doubts about God's goodness, then ask yourself: Do I have a connection with Jesus that is my own? When you really know Him, a confidence floods your heart that can't be described with human words. Have you completely opened yourself up and committed the deepest part of yourself to him? If you want to turn your doubt into faith, then get to know God through Hid word- read it mediate on it and say it to yourself again and again. As you do this, your faith will grow, and your doubt will fade away.
When you pass through the water, I will be you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. – ISAIAH 43:2
Prayer~ Lord, thank you that you are my Savior. I put my life in your hands, and I choose to build my faith by knowing your word. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of October 19th:
Thought~ Some people think that by being Catholic and attending church we will some how be excused from difficult times. But the bible doesn't promise us an easy road. Instead it promises something even better: God's love and help. We all need to stop looking at the problems but begin looking for help. When troubles hit our lives, we need to respond in faith rather than fear. If you turn your eyes upwards, you can focus on God and His ability to help us. But if you dwell on the trouble you fear, then you will begin a downward spiral of depression. We need to lift our eyes "to the hills" and remember if God can create the hills then he can certainly help us with whatever troubles come our way.
"I will lift up my eyes to the hills- From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." PSALM 121: 1-2
Prayer~ Lord, I praise you for being my Creator and for being so good. I don't have to live in fear. I choose to live in faith, believing that you are on my side and you will rescue me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of October 12th:
Thought~ God wants people with a heart. People who don't just say they love Jesus with their mouths, but who have a heart that really cares about the things that God cares about - people who care less about themselves and more about others. Having a heart for the things of God means being responsible. Instead of just walking by people in need, you reach out to them. You realize that as a Catholic, you are responsible for sharing, caring, loving, giving, and ultimately bringing people to Jesus. We all need to be disciples. You don't respond simply because somebody is telling you, " Please tell this person about Jesus" or " Please give a dollar" or " Please go on a mission trip" You respond because your heart has grown big enough to sense what God wants you to do, and then you do it.
Prayer~ Lord, I refuse to live a self-centered life. I choose to let my heart grow as big as yours and to reach out in compassion to those that are in need around me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of October 5th:
Thought~ Make every day count. It is so important that we do not live with the thoughts of I wish I could have done or I wish I had not done. Right now is when you can make a difference in your life. As you move on with your day, don't say " Tomorrow I might make a difference." Your someday is here! People are desperate and hurting right now and are waiting for you to touch them. Right now is the only time you have. David wanted to be reminded of the shortness of his life so he could focus completely on the present. He said" Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days" (Ps. 39:4) Make every day count for Jesus. Go forth and be a disciple of Jesus!
Prayer~ Lord, I refuse to waste my life. I will seize the day today. Help me use my life to make a difference in this world. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Week of September 21st:
Have you ever noticed that, oftentimes, when you a have specific need, exactly what you need, or a reasonable facsimile, presents itself and the need is filled? This phenomena is brought about by the Living God that gives order to, and provides all things.
God is the instant and immediate Source of all you'll ever need. This includes the day to day 'stuff' required to get you through all areas of your life. Reminding yourself of this fact greatly aids you in 'letting go and letting God' guide you and shape your world. Your knowledge of this fact (Divine
Provision) increases your confidence, which increases your faith, and allows you to experience victory over seemingly large obstacles. Remember; obstacles are what you see and experience when you take your eyes off the goal.
Focus is also an imperative ingredient. By focusing on a particular outcome you are letting God know your need. As you stay focused, while trusting in Him to provide, you will experience the joy of the answered prayer! Focus on the reasons why something can, will and should work. Be specific as to what you need while asking God to illuminate the darkness and reveal the Omnipresent Light of Christ operating in, through, around, and for you to do His perfect will!
Week of September 14th:
Thought~ Take a moment and think about today's examples in our society today: athletes, movie stars, stars in the music industry, even cartoon characters.. These examples may not be noble or honorable, but if they are cool and popular then the world likes them . Unfortunately, if we imitate their behavior and lifestyle, then our lives become just as chaotic and confused as theirs.
Jesus Christ can be the perfect model for our lives. If you put your trust in Him and look to Him as your example, then nothing that anyone else says or does can cause you to be led astray.
Remember the slogan WWJD" What would Jesus do?" in any situation, we can look to him for example. We should ask, How would He love? How would He care? How would His heart reach out?
Prayer~ Lord Jesus, I thank you that you've given me a perfect example of how to live. I commit to looking to you as the chief example for my life. In your name. Amen