Forgive us our sins...

These words are from the Lords Prayer. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us.The Lord's hint to us here is that the forgiveness of our own sins is predicated on our forgiving others.Another significant thing to note here is that all thoughts that one can just pray for anything in accordance with ones whims and caprices cannot be correct. Conditions apply!So before we come before the Lord we need to conduct an internal check up to see whether we are truly worthy to venture an approach.Carelessness in this respect renders all subsequent activity null and void.

Let us remember at all times that the Lord is not mocked.Mockery also involves trying to approach Him in vain. Even praying without a deep inner feeling is utterly irresponsible and should not be done.

May we learnt to forgive our neighbours so that we too in reciprocity can receive true forgiveness.

What have I gained today?

What shall it profit a man who gains the whole world and loses his soul?We need to close each day by asking ourselves what profit the day has brought. Not only do we have to consider how diligent we have been in the conduct of our earthly duties, but more importantly, what benefit the day has brought to us spiritually.

We need to consider what is of benefit to our spirits.We must feed our spirit with spiritual food by experiencing everything that comes to us inwardly. The experiences include our own actions and the actions of others that come to our notice, the books we read, what we hear and all!Nothing must pass without us trying to gain from it.The things we experience deeply in this way are what we can truly call our own and which will really help us along our paths.

Mere earthly pursuits withought spiritual content counts for nothing and will all be in vain.May we continually work on matters that will lead to our spiritual growth and ascent! So, lets ask ourselves - what profit have we made today?

Whatever is of good report...

Do not miss any opportunity to do that which is good. We should appreciate that the period we spend on this planet is a brief time of learning and that we do not cease to exist after we leave the flesh.We will be called to account for every thought, word and deed.

There is therefore the need to set out now and redeem the times we have earlier on wasted on frivolities.Do the good deed, love our neighbour, show him understanding to the extent that even he will also wish to change for the better. This is the kind of love taught by Jesus.

So, let our thoughts be on things which are pure, things that are good and honourable.Let us have a moral shyness towards acts of indiscipline but engage in the words of Paul the Apostle only in things of good report.

And I will live in the House of the Lord forever...

Some of us must have read or heard these words of the Psalmist. But does it mean to say we are to stay in a particular place forever?

Can other meanings be found for these words? Today I was thinking of these words and I wish to share my thoughts with my readers. Dwelling in the House of the Lord can indeed start from the body in which our spirit now resides. By regarding our very heart and soul a temple dedicated to the Almighty then our bodies are to support this and be dedicated too. It then follows that our homes will be a sanctuary pledged to the service of the Most High. A home that provides the inspiration for members to live in accordance with their
promise to be workers in the Lord's Vineyard.

From this we radiate love to one another and influence all those who we come accross.The whole earth and its inhabitants can be infused with the love for the Will of God and become also the House of the Lord...

May we be able to live in the House of the Lord forever.