"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4

I feel like it is easy to forget sometimes that we are not only baptized into Christ's glorious Resurrection, but also into His death. This is no easy thing. In order to reach the "newness of life," we really have to die to ourselves and to the ways of this world. I have been doing some thinking lately about the end of the semester and where I have come this past school year. It made me think back to last year, when I was in quite a different place, as a senior in high school. I was looking at the face of the unknown, college. I knew I was going to have to pass on from the stage of life that I had grown comfortable with, high school. By this point, high school was what I knew and was comfortable with. But in order for the next stage of my life to begin, I had to say goodbye to this stage. And that was painful, but I never would have experienced all the things that I have experienced this freshman year and I never would have met the friends and people who have become a huge part of my life this year if I had not let go. I had to let go in order to receive the next blessing Christ was giving me. In the same way, we have to let go of our life of sin and attachment to the world in order to receive the life of Christ. Although we may have already undergone a conversion where we initially decide to follow Christ, I would argue that this detachment and death to self is something that we have to do every single day of our life, in the small everyday choices. Although living a life for Christ is difficult now, we will one day be raised to eternal life with God in heaven. Persevere! 

I hope you have a wonderful week! You are in my prayers. May God bless you abundantly. :) 

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'" - Matthew 16:24

I think this is a really great verse to reflect upon during holy week, when we are really attempting to enter into the passion, death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This verse says that we must take up our cross if we wish to follow Him. It should be apparent this week more than any other week, that the cross isn't easy. Christ's cross involved Him completely emptying Himself for us. On Calvary's pain, there was real pain and sacrifice and even though it was the most incredible act of love ever to be done, it looked to the observer like a failure. In the same way, we must empty ourselves for Christ. Granted, this does not mean we will literally be crucified in a physical sense, but this does mean that we might be crucified in another sense, crucified to ourselves. And sometimes, this will make us look like a failure in the eyes of the world. But He has already conquered the world. He invites us to respond to His love with love. What sins or failures in your life are you going to allow to be conquered at Calvary this week? 

Have a blessed Holy Week! :) 

"You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14

With being on mission in Honduras, the idea of mission work has been on my mind and heart a lot lately. I have been thinking about what it means to a missionary, which led me to think about the call that each and every one of us have to be missionaries. Although it can, being a missionary doesn't necessarily mean going to far-off places to witness and be a light to people. I think many times we think of missionaries as someone who leaves everything and goes to a foreign land to preach Christ. Instead, each of us are being invited to be missionaries, to be a light and to bring love, in our every day life. Our mission field is our every day life. The people we pass on the way to class, the waitress at the restaurant, the people who are in the elevator with us, our co-workers, or the random stranger we pass on the street. We are called to bring light to each person we come in contact with, which is something we can do right where we are. And it doesn't take much. A simple smile or a "how are you?" can be enough. Small acts of kindness are sometimes the most important. In fact, I think being a missionary in every day life comes before other mission work. With the mission trip last week, it really hit me that how can I even begin to love a child in Honduras who I just met when I am not being loving towards my roommate or my friends. How can I go to Central America to pray with strangers when I don't even invite my friends to pray with me. This week, I am inviting you to enter the mission field. Make your life a mission, and see how Christ can love through you. 

I hope you have a wonderful week!

"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" - Psalm 139: 17-18

When I take a step back to think about it, I find it incredible how much God loves us. And I think this verse is just another beautiful way of showing that love to us. As the verse says, God thinks about us constantly out of love. I would just like to invite you to take this verse to prayer this week. Really contemplate on the love of the Father. For He loves you, SO much. 

Have a wonderful week! God bless! :) 

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7

Sometimes, it can be really hard, or scary, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's not always what is the most popular thing to do, and sometimes it really takes humility to stand up for what you believe. But in this verse, St. Paul is telling us that God has not made us to be afraid, He has made us to have power, love, and discipline in Him! I know whenever I hear this verse I am comforted, because there are just situations where I just wouldn't be able to stand true on my own. But with Christ's power within us, a power that conquered and triumphed over death itself, there is truly nothing to be afraid of. This week, I challenge you to be not afraid, for you have Christ within you! 

I hope you have a wonderful week! God bless you always! :) 

"'Yet even now,' declares the Lord, 'Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.' Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness and relenting of evil." - Joel 2:12-13

I think this verse is absolutely perfect for the beginning of Lent. I think all too often the question of "what are you going to give up for Lent?" becomes routine. But I think this verse really helps get back to the heart of WHY we give things up during these 40 days. It takes a look inward to come up with a sacrifice that will truly allow us to return to Him. Rather than just giving up what you might give up every year, this year I encourage you to really reflect on the things in your life that keep you from God. Is there something that gets in the way when you are going to pray? Is there something recreational that steals a large amount of time in your life - time that could be spent with God? Notice also that the verse says "return to Me with all your heart." The Lord is calling us to a complete return to Him during this season. For when we rid ourselves of the things that keep us from the Lord of Love, is when we will be able to draw closer to Him all the more. 

Have a wonderful week! God bless you! :) 

"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." - Psalm 73:26

This is one of my favorite Scripture verses of all time. It is just so encouraging, simple, and really provides a purpose that we can live each and every day. Although things happen in this life - we or loved ones get sick, we get tired, we go through various moods, we have things to celebrate - we have God as the strength of our hearts. He is always with us and we can rely on Him. This week I challenge you to truly live this verse. Live with God as your strength. 

God bless you always!! You are loved! :)