Author: Faith

^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ^23 [a]gentleness, self-control” – Galatians 5:22-33

We all suffer at times.  Sometimes it’s an illness or someone we love – leaves…War, hunger and poverty all cause great suffering…Worry, anxiety and fear, can also cause great suffering.  Sometimes it’s a crisis of faith that causes great pain and fear.

Jesus knew that in this world there would be “troubles”.  Because God loves us so, He sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort and help us during these times.  To lift us up and out ?.  To lead the way ?

When it feels like the “chips are down” and pain or fatigue overwhelms us, this is a great prayer:

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” – Psalm 51:12

God sent us the Holy Spirit for a reason, call upon Him today.  Be lifted up ?

“The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned.” -Isaiah 50:4

It’s hard to encourage someone who is weary if we don’t know how. God’s Promises are many and filled with Hope, but in order to share that Hope, we have to know those Promises!

“In the book All the Promises of the Bible, the author Herbert Locklear found 7,147 promises from God to man in the Bible. That is a lot of promises”-ChasingVibrance. And it is! Sometimes it can be hard for some to know where to start when reading the Bible. So if you are looking for a place to begin, look up God’s Promises 🙂

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”-Psalm 119:105

Remember all those Sunday School classes where we learned to memorize Bible verses? They were more important than we realized! Or the 25 Bible Verses to memorize from Focus on the Family? Or Veggie Tales? They all helped our children to memorize God’s Word in their Hearts. And because they did, they can share them with others 🙂

Whether it is illness or death, or simply the fatigue that can come from life, God’s Word can lift us up and help us keep walking. Just as God’s Promises can give us the Hope to hang in there. It is one of life’s greatest privileges to be able to offer both 🙂

The Rainbow belongs to God. It is a reminder for us that God Keeps His Promises 🙂. The Rainbow belongs to God. It always will because God made it 🙂

“Hide God’s Word in your Heart”, so that you can share it 🙂

^“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may ^[b]prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you^[c] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7-9

God told Joshua the above after His servant Moses died.    It was true then and it is true now!  One of the reasons God created these laws is because having created us, God knew what would help us to be happy and successful.

Let’s look at one example.  “Thou shall not kill”.  Killing doesn’t bring happiness to anyone.  Nor does it bring success.  But if we repent, Jesus forgives all. However, even if Jesus forgives us, we at times, find it difficult to forgive ourselves. And so the guilt and pain may stay with the “killer” long after Jesus has already forgiven them.

Yes, God does give us the “law” to teach us how to live a righteous life.  But part of the reason our Father teaches us how to live a righteous life is because He knows that it is a righteous life which will bring us happiness and success. 

Just as being with God, is all that we need ?.

Prepare, Watch & Pray.  Be Ready.  Our Time Is Coming…

Sometimes it is good to take a moment to remember the faith of our youth, whether it is the faith of our childhood, or whether it is simply the beginning of our faith (for example, if we came to faith when we were older).  When we are young in our faith, faith is simple.  And it is joyful. 

As we grow in faith, we begin to also take on the responsibilities of being one of the faithful.  And we begin to see the world as it is, instead of how we wish it were.  And because we do, we also begin to see that we have our own responsibilities in it.

At times, we hear this difference sometimes referred to as the difference between a “young” Christian and a “mature” one.  Both are needed!

So often, the “young” Christian brings the enthusiasm, energy and courage that we all need ?.  They have no doubts, no fear and no fatigue.  They question everything, but doubt not the Lord.  They are ready to climb any mountain, fight any fight, and pull us along with them.  They make every one around them smile.  They bring hope where hope is needed, just as they sometimes bring change where change is needed ?

Then there are the “mature” Christians.  They are just as necessary.  They have lived a long time with Jesus as their Savior.  Their Bibles often have turned corners and worn pages.  They pray often and long.  They known the Lord well, and the world well too.  They have experienced their share of suffering and survived with their faith intact.  They have learned how to turn to the Lord in their day of trouble and lean on Him.  And they have learned how to be in the world, but not of it. Their faith has stood the test of time, and they have much wisdom to share.

We need each other!

In a church, in a Bible study, praying together.  And praying for each other.  It matters not where we stand physically, but that we love God and each other always.

“The storm is strong; He will give you rest”, (Rest by Enterline).

In Jesus’ Name, Do Not Fear

“A little science estranges men from God, but much science leads them back to him.” – Louis Pasteur

What was God’s Greatest Promise? God Keeps All Of His Promises! But The Greatest Promise That God Ever Made was that we would find Him 🙂

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

And that is A Promise God will always Keep 🙂

In Jesus’ Name. Amen 🙂

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. ² Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. ³ Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. ⁴ Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” -Psalm 105:1-4

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Phillipeans 4:7

We live in dark times, but God is the Light :). The Light we follow and the Light that fills our heart :). We need to Focus on God and all the good in our lives. We need to rest in His Provision for us.

It is important that we don’t allow the world around us to make us to weary now, for darker times are coming.

Watch, Prepare and Pray. Focus on God and all that is good. Be Ready 🙂

” Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” – Isaiah 60:1-2

As the world grows darker, many will seek the light-The Light of Christ, for it is Light of Christ who will lead them Home to Heaven.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

But sometimes those we love, and even those we don’t know very well, need our help to find the way:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Be The Light!

Some have asked me why my faith, in the face of so many challenges, remains so strong. It’s not something I did, but something God did :). Faith comes through prayer. And that’s why my faith stays strong, no matter what life brings.

I pray always. I pray when I feel like it and when I don’t. I pray when my faith is strong and when it is weak. And when I can’t think of anything specific to pray about, I pray the Our Father and the Rosary.

I pray when I am happy (I say Thank You a lot). And when I am angry or sad, I pray and ask God not to allow my heart to harden. And when I have been hurt and need to forgive someone, I ask God to help me.

But whatever is happening in my life; I never stop praying! And I pray like others breathe.

It has always worked for me, and it will work for you. Because God is that good and He loves us 🙂

Faith is not about how we feel on any given day, but about who we choose to follow every single day 🙂

In Psalm 83, it starts with, “Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.  They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.”

There can be no doubt that the world has become a scarier place then it used to be. There’s the war in the Ukraine. There’s the fact that there are some who no know boundaries when hurting others. Their evil fills them as they lash out and hurt others. There is the growing crime and riots, the constant attacks on those who would keep us safe, the growing inflation, the rising gas prices… There’s Disney and it’s obsession with gay rights. Who thought we would live in days where evil seems to be everywhere . And make no mistake-it is. Evil spreads best in a time when people reject our Lord and do not appear to know right from wrong!

But God is here too :). And He will protect us, if we let Him. For there is no power, no evil that can “win” against our Lord. And there is nothing that can keep us from going to Heaven-other than us :).

And there is something else hopeful to dwell on. God knew that these days would come! Our Father is not without a plan for these difficult days. He did not watch His Only Son on the Cross, only to forsake us now. We just need to Trust Him 🙂

Sometimes a storm can cloud our vision. But our Father said, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10

And He meant it! We need not fear, God is here! And He always will be. How Blessed are we that He loves us so 🙂

“Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.² For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.³ They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.” – Pslam 83: 1-3

It’s easy to look around the world these days and worry that evil is winning. But it’s not! Jesus already won the war :).

We are the ones who are fighting still., but there is only one fight that must be won! It’s the fight to keep our faith alive and well, vibrant and filled with love.

Our Lord said to us:

^“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” -Matthew 10:28

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

No matter what occurs on this earth; we are going to Heaven and no power can stop us! Do not fear this world! God is Always Faithful and Always Keeps His Promises :).