Faith, Hope, Love

Faith makes you see God in the present moment.

Hope brings understanding that something is good in every tragedy.

Love held in a tragedy brings trust in God’s providence.

---- Mother Angelica

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Faith

This picture is from New Orleans a few years back.

Praying for Houston as they endure the same

devastation, and again for the folks in

Lousiana who are in the path again.

Whenever we find ourselves within the storm, keep the faith and know that the clouds are lined with silver and gold on the other side. For the storm, no matter its force or duration, is only a moment in time.

…so that by them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith. – 1 Timothy 1:18b,19

October 8 - Trust

This is the day the Lord has made. . . . In all of its ups and downs, turns and twists, consequences and surprises, it is God's day. So no matter what unfolds, whether joy filled or stressful, reach up to the Lord who orders all things. Place your faith and trust in Him as He holds each moment and let us rejoice and be glad.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - Preparation

No matter how skilled an athlete, he cannot begin a race without a warm-up. He must wake his system and stretch his muscles so that they respond to every need. Just like the athlete, we must prepare. Our Father has planned an incredible race for us. Beginning each day in scripture and prayer strengthens us in mind, body, and spirit.  With this preparation, we warm our spirit to our Father's Will and stand ready respond to every turn within our day.


For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. -  1 John 5:4

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 - Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit nudges us frequently. Some call this our conscience. When we feel a pull to go a certain path, or follow a particular call, we must stop and contemplate this moment. Our Advocate knows what is right and what is needed. Place your faith in Him. Responding to His inspiration can save us many moments of regret.

But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. - Jude 1:20-21

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - Impossible

Because of Christ, even the impossible can happen. In Isaiah, 49:8-15, God sings in triumph for His Son's passion. Because of Jesus, even people from the most unlikely walks of life will be saved. Our God, Himself, sings of Syene, the place in Egypt where God's fallen people sculpted false gods and goddesses from the syenite rocks to later become the site of the largest Christian church in Egypt. "People will come from near and far, east and west and even Syene." He rejoiced that those from a cursed and forgotten land would now be able to come back to Him. When life seems impossible, remember that our God still sings. Raise your voice to join Him and have faith that He will prevail.


Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. - Isaiah 49:15

Thursday, February 28, 2013 -- Memories

When I was a little girl, my mom would greet me with a special treat on cold, chilly mornings. Draped across her arms, fresh from the dryer, would be the clothes I would be wearing for the day. My memories of slipping under the covers to put on the warm, toasty clothes makes me smile just as much as the actual mornings. The memories we make as we journey through each moment of our lives form our faith and mold our reactions. There will be times in our lives when our experiences will give birth to unpleasant memories rather than the good. Yet, even in pain our memories are still necessary to bring us closer in our walk with our Lord. It is in remembering that we learn compassion, increase our hope, and ease our own suffering. I pray that today brings good memories your way and that in each moment you will find praise for the omnipotence and wisdom of our Mighty God and Father.

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. - Psalm 77:11 

 

Monday, February 11, 2013 - Actions

Yes, we know God can, but are we truly worthy enough that He would want to? If He wants to, is it right for Him to intervene? Would helping me hurt someone else? Am I more loved because he spared me and not another? Questions abound that can make our faith very shaky. And as long as we brood on these questions, we will never have an answer. Actions speak louder than words. When we find ourselves questioning God's motives, stop, for in all probability, we will never find the answers while we are still on this earth. What we must do is keep moving forward in faith. Place your thoughts into actions and become His hands to help another, His heart to love each other, and His voice to speak for another. When times are hard, we can be there in His compassion and hope. When we put our thoughts into action, we will find our answers. - Becki


They begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed - Matthew 14:36

Friday, February 8, 2013 - Self Knowledge

My mother used to say, "Be careful what you ask for.  It just may come true." Many times temptation enters into a split second decision. Pressure to act immediately may very well send us down a wrong path. For a person of prayer, these moments are less frightening when they occur. Walking closely with our Lord, makes us receptive to His discernment and our decisions become a whole lot easier. Facing a choice is so much easier with a clean heart and clear conscience.

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." - Psalm 27:8

Thursday, February 7, 2013 - Whine

I catch myself doing this a lot: whining. It is not very flattering. I become annoyed listening to it in another. I've tried to justify this by saying, "I'm just stating an 'awe' moment. I'm amazed that I have the endurance to get through this." But, the truth be known, I'm whining. God places every moment in our lives for us to enjoy. Let me repeat that. We are to enjoy every moment. I've buried loved ones, endured great sickness, watched my children hurt. How can I enjoy that? Merriam-Webster defines enjoy as "to have for one's use, benefit, or lot". Dictionary.com states "to experience with joy". Our loving God surrounds us with His Grace. It is up to us to open our hearts and minds to find Him in the moment. God is our only source of joy. This truth just becomes more apparent in our pain and despair.  

 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire. – Hebrews 12:28-29

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - Discipline

The word discipline is often associated with punishment.  As a child, I received a quite a lot of discipline as consequences to my actions.  Yet admonishment comes in many forms throughout our lives.  Without it, we would be void of compassion, consistency, focus, and self-control. These are the qualities we must possess to live a peaceful and fruitful life. Do not be discouraged when life becomes hard to bear. We must remember that trying times are allowed by God, for these struggles awake our senses and bring us to total reliance on God. In the discipline of His mighty hand, we will be saved from a greater demise and can learn to walk in dignity and grace.

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” - Hebrews 12:5-6

Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - chances

We are placed on earth to help each other. We are also here to accept that help. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we find many opportunities to succeed. Sometimes a door is opened and we discover that allusive opportunity just by being along on the other person's journey. It is good and commendable to stand on our own. However, we must think long and hard before turning away a helping hand. Christ just might be the one extending it. - Becki

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James - Mark 5:37