Lead me Lord

Psalm 143:7-10 “Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those that go down to the pit. Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you in refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.”

We all want to follow the right path that is pleasing to Jesus. The path that is usually the right path is also the most challenging and difficult one to walk. The bumps and hills on the road can help us to build character and shape us to a deeper love and trust in God. If we turn to Jesus in prayer and careful discernment, He will strengthen us with confirmation that we are on the right path. Place your trust in Him and allow His love to mould you to be the person He created you to be.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for the bumps and hills in life that have us turn to you for guidance. I pray for continual strength and trust in all of us to seek you wholeheartedly. Thank you for loving us and shaping us. Amen.

A new life, a fresh start

Colossians 1:21-23 “And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I Paul, became a minister,”

I personally enjoy reading the writings from Paul the apostle. The deep love he has for God and his gift of faith can minister to our hearts. I can relate to this passage very much in the sense of how Jesus can transform our lives if we trust and keep persevering. Jesus can restore your life, and make you holy. My past was not a very easy one, I was doing evil deeds and far from God. If you asked me twenty years ago if I thought I could have a good, healthy life I most likely would have doubted that. Where I was then and where I am now is like night and day. Start seeking Jesus and ask Him into your heart, and in time your faith will grow and your hope will increase. The only way to move past the evil and brokenness in our lives is through knowing Jesus.
Dear Jesus, I pray for all those who are hurting and suffering. People who are trapped in darkness and are unaware of your love for them. I pray for them to come to know of your goodness and love. Amen.

Divine peace

John 16:33 “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,”

Recently I have had my fair share of trials. Struggling with the unknown of certain circumstances and waiting to see how things were going to unfold. As I faced one serious trial I soon had several other obstacles placed on my path. The weight and stress of it all soon became a very heavy burden and I asked my Heavenly Father to help me.
I was feeling very overwhelmed and I knew that I needed to stay close to God, which gave me peace through the storm. In the past I used to carry my own burdens, which would cause anxiety and physical ailments. It took a while before I could trust Jesus and He waited patiently with me. I am grateful now that I have Jesus in my life and that He has given me the gift of faith. I want you to know that Jesus loves you very much and He is always with you. Turn to prayer and adoration when you are heavily burdened and seek the peace that can only come through him.
Dear Jesus, I thank you for the gift of faith. I pray that each one of us that calls on your name will receive this special gift. It is through faith that our eyes will be open and are our hearts will be healed. Amen.
* Please include my name as author when you are sharing these devotions as I have come to recognize they are being shared without the source being included. Thanks

Bless the Lord

Psalm 34:1-3 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

There are days that can be extremely difficult and we can quite easily become discouraged and frustrated. Times where we feel lost and our minds become filled with unanswered questions. The thoughts that run through your mind could lead to anxiety and fear in a matter of minutes. Are you willing to seek Jesus in the midst of your trial?
Instead of allowing fear to consume your mind, turn to Jesus who is always at the door of your heart. If we turn our fear into praise, the Prince of Peace will fill our hearts with love and joy. Jesus can heal our hearts and bring true peace in the midst of our storms. Together let us exalt his name as we praise our king!

Dear Jesus, I thank you for the trials that bring us closer to you. Help us to trust in you more each and every day. With thanksgiving and praise we turn to you in search of true peace and restoration. Amen.

* Please include my name as author when you are sharing these devotions, as I have came to recognize they are being shared without the source included. Thanks

The Lord watches over his children

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

In September, a neighbouring city was hosting a healing mass where the relics of Saint Faustina and Padre Pio would be present. I seen the poster online but I decided to not go due to the large crowds and knowing I’d be having to stand for hours with my sore feet. The Friday before the mass an acquaintance of mine messaged me the poster and I never replied back as I had already made my decision to not attend. That following Sunday I felt a need to message back about the poster and I thanked them for thinking of myself and I asked them to say a prayer for me if they were attending. In that regard I was told that the Priest was with them at that moment and he could pray for my healing through the intercession of these saints. What a blessing that he was able to call me on his way to the church and pray.
The following morning I was able to visit Father Vic in person and was given the opportunity to spend time praying with the relics of these saints. This opportunity touched my heart so deeply as it was a reminder to myself as to how much God loves me. I have been asking the intercession of these two saints daily for years and here I was given this beautiful gift. Jesus knew what I needed and I was reassured that he hears my prayers.
I’m sharing this with you to reassure you that God hears our prayers. There are times when we all feel and wonder if Jesus is even listening to our small problems. I’m telling you “yes” he does and to continue to pray each day for he watches over all his children.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for the many gifts you have given us. I pray for each of us to continue to make time each day for prayer. Touch the hearts of your people who are lost that they will recognize the love you have for them. Amen

Be transformed

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Three years ago I made the decision to step away from an active ministry. I was the current president of a particular ministry at the time when God placed on my heart that it was time for me to move on. I had felt a pull to move on and that God had other plans for my life, but I needed time to let go of what was.

Presently, I am at home and still discerning what God’s will is for myself. I persevere in prayer daily and feel quite content resting in the moment of each day. I am grateful for this quiet time where I have learned to relax and be still. I was reminded lately, that though I’m not active in physical ministry at this time that Jesus is pleased with me. Jesus is very patient and gentle when we let go and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for your patience that you have for each one of us. Help us to let go of things that are blocking us from your will. Allow our hearts and minds to be transformed and renewed according to your divine will. Amen.

You are redeemed

Isaiah 44:22 “I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

My foundation growing up was quite unstable. I made very bad decisions and choices based on my brokenness at that time. Thinking back to that time period in my life is now a very faded memory. The darkness I once lived has been washed away like a mist in the wind.

Jesus wants to do the same for you as he has in my life. Start by turning to him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation where he will begin to sweep away your transgressions. Stop looking back at the darkness that once was and move forward with God. Take his hand as you walk together down the road to redemption.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for the healing you have done in my life and for the healing that is to come. I pray for those who are lost that they will be found. Heal their brokenness as they open up their hearts to you with true repentance. Amen.

* Please include my name as author when you are sharing these devotions, as I have found through email others sharing them without adding the source. Thanks, Shawna

Turn to me

Psalm 25:16-18 Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

The last few weeks I had found myself engulfed in burdens that became quite heavy. In the midst of these trials my prayers felt empty and dry as I called out to God for help. I wondered if he even hears my prayers, as sadly I felt distant from his presence.
I believe there are times we all feel this way when we allow the hurts of this world to burden us. We are not meant to carry our struggles alone that is why Jesus died on the cross for our salvation. When circumstances in life start to rob you of peace and joy, you are not allowing Jesus to intervene. Remember we are never alone in this journey through life, as Jesus is always with us.

Dear Jesus, I pray for those who carry burdens that are not meant for them to carry. Help them to let go of situations that they have no control over. Fill them with your peaceful presence as they turn to you in prayer trusting in your mercy. Amen.

From Darkness to Redemption

I am inviting you to listen to a recent interview where I was invited to discuss my new book and discuss my journey from darkness to redemption.

Offer it up

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

There are times when my body feels great and I tend to forget that I am a chronic pain sufferer. Life seems so breezy on these days and I function at my fullest capacity. More often there are days where pain seems to settle in my body and I have learned to just ignore or deal with it to the best of my ability. There are occasions where I have became frustrated and upset that my body won’t allow me to move as much as I use to. Thoughts run through my mind as to what is my purpose, and how am I to serve God at this time.
I had struggled in the past when it was suggested that I should offer up my pain and unite it to the cross. Who am I to think that my prayer would have any significance or value in that regard? I am a sinner and felt I had no worth. Therefore, would it not be foolish to think my suffering could be united to the cross to help others.
If you read the lives of the saints you soon learn that Jesus uses our trials and suffering to bring about a greater good. The smallest act of love for another can become redemptive as
Jesus hears our every prayer. Our hearts and flesh will fail, but God is our strength.

Dear Jesus, I pray for all those who struggle with self worth in their lives that they will recognize how much you love them. You know the pain of rejection Lord, and I pray that you will heal the hearts of those who feel rejected. Help them to see their worth and value in your kingdom. Amen.