July 22, 2017 – Dispute

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in proving our point, we forget to fight for the cause.  The focus of any dispute should be to reveal truth, not to win the argument. We must face each disagreement with an open mind, willing to compromise, even at risk of abandoning our own fervor if we find a greater truth is revealed.

But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. – John 16:13

July 21, 2017 - Confirmation

God always gives us confirmation that we are on the right path.  We may not receive it fully, though, until the task is completed.  When we move in faith, God will direct us. Sometimes we feel His direction in soft nudgings. Other times, He takes things totally out of our hands to move us forward.  But when we place our hope in Him, we can be assured that all is as it should be. 

And Moses said to God. “Who am I that I should go to Pharoah?…He answered, “I will be with you; and this shall be your proof that it is I who have sent you: when you bring my people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this very mountain. – Exodus 3:11-12

July 20, 2017 - Empty

When words are hard to find and motivation escapes me; all I have left is to sit in God's presence and gather His warmth. For when I do not feel, when nothing is left within me, then God can finally come in. 

Now it happened that he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray. . . Luke 11:1

July 19, 2017 – Encourage

When we are faced with a journey that calls us to be something greater than we suppose we are, remember; Christ is before us and is leading us in every moment. It is in Him that we have our strength and through our faith and trust in Him we will find success. His Glory will prevail.

To end then, brothers, we wish you joy; try to grow perfect; encourage one another; have a common mind and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. - 2 Corinthians 13:11

July 18, 2017 - Friendship

Sisters . . . forever friends

One of God’s greatest gifts is friends.  A good friend is one who can laugh, cry, celebrate, morn, cheer, chastise, hope and dream alongside every moment. Blessed are those who have found that friend.  Blessed more the one who is.

But where their friends and those who relied on them were concerned, they had always stood by their friendship. – 1 Maccabees 8:12a

July 17, 2017 – Reality

Life sometimes creates unbelievable times that jolt our system and test our faith. When we find ourselves lost in these surreal moments, our peace shattered, and our yoke heavy, reaching out to our very real God is the only answer to get us through.

Whoever does not firmly hold to the fear of the Lord, his house will soon be overthrown. – Ecclesiastics 27:3

July 16, 2017 - Cause

Cause and effect; it is a theory learned in school and proven throughout life.  Whenever something happens, no matter where, when, or why, it affects something and someone else. There will be times in our lives when something happens beyond our control that will be devastating and impact our lives in ways we feel we are not prepared to take on. We must remember, however, that as we do carry on, the way we embrace our own pain and suffering will impact the loved one next to us. It is a hard battle and a tough choice to release our pain to God and allow each choice we make to affect another as one of grace instead of sorrow.  May we align ourselves so closely with our Father that our actions reflect His very being and the effect becomes one of eternal grace.

Remember the last things and stop hating, corruption and death, and be faithful to the commandments. Remember the commandments, and do not bear you fellow ill-will, remember the covenant of the Most High, and ignore the offence. - Ecclesiasticus 28:6,7