This blog is designed to create community for believers and provide support for seekers. I encourage all readers to share their faith in an effort to lift and encourage one another.
“Without rain, nothing grows. Learn to embrace the storms in your life.” David Wolfe
A quote to remember when life is hard.
Father, I thank you for the storms in my life. In those times, you enable me to grow–if I listen for your voice. Keep me always growing closer to you, in the storms and in the calm.
I challenge you to pray this verse for others this week.
Hebrews 10:19-24
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Lord, I thank you for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus. I thank you that His sacrifice ripped open the curtain to the holy of holies and allowed us to draw near to you. Thank you that you forgive us and free us from guilt. Show us how to encourage each other to live in love and to do good deeds for others.
If you haven’t tasted what life is like with Jesus, perhaps you should taste and see for yourself.
Lord, I pray that others would be able to taste the peace, joy and love in life with you.
The Eyes Have It
As I taught the simple rhythm game, dozens of pairs of dark brown eyes danced with glee. Huge smiles covered the faces of the beautiful children sitting on the floor with me in this church in the poorest section of Matamoros, Mexico. In spite of the language barriers—the children spoke no English, and I spoke only a little Spanish—we communicated. As we clapped, snapped, sang, and did crafts together, their eyes sparkled.
Later in the day, whenever I glanced up from my work preparing for the next day’s bible school, one or more small brown faces peeked through the church windows. When I smiled and waved, their hands waved furiously, smiles broke out, and brown eyes danced with glee. Pure joy shone out of those huge, dark brown eyes.
Maria, the mother and grandmother of some of those children often sat, watched, and listened at our daytime Bible school. Even though she spoke no English, she loved to watch us and the children. Part of the day she stayed at her tiny home a block and a half away. There, she watched the men in our group saw boards, pound nails, and paint turquoise walls. Her eyes watched as the new edition to her home, a 10 foot by 16 foot room, nearly doubled the size of her tiny house. Maria, mother of ten, one deceased, watched her house grow. Maria, quietly sitting in a folding chair at the church, watched the children laugh, play, and learn at Bible school. Maria, active member of her church, sang praise songs at the top of her voice and knelt on the hard tile floor to silently pray. In her eyes I saw tremendous gratitude. In those big brown eyes, I also saw amazing peace and amazing faith.
Seventeen of us had traveled to Matamoros, Mexico in two rented vans. For six days we worked in Mexico, joining God in the work he was already accomplishing there. I looked into the eyes of my 16 companions. Some eyes glowed the same dark brown as the residents of Matamoros. Others
shone bright blue or green. At first glance all I saw in those eyes was fatigue. They worked all day in the heat—110 degrees plus heat index—and slept at night together on the roof, praying for a breeze, scattering when it rained. All this produced deep fatigue. Looking past the fatigue, however, I saw more. In those eyes was resolve: pound one more nail, paint one more board, help one more child, serve one more meal. In these eyes I saw true servanthood. In spite of the unbearable heat and the extreme tiredness, I saw the eyes of eager servants wishing to do God’s will.
The eyes…the eyes are what I remember most. Whether the brown eyes of the locals or the multi-hued eyes of their guests, I saw something special shining in all those eyes. Through the eyes, as clear as a cloudless sky, I saw the love of Christ shining through.
In what ways are you letting the love of Christ shine for others?
Father, show me how to let your love shine through me, whether I am ministering in a foreign country, in a homeless community, or in my own neighborhood.
“Sovereignty is a weighty thing to ascribe to the nature and character of God. Yet if He were not sovereign, He would not be God. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens.”
Lord, I pray for your wisdom. Show me how to live a good life and do those deeds you have planned for me.
Friday Prayer Challenge
How beautiful and reassuring. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice,
After an unusually difficult two months—several lingering illnesses that left me constantly fatigued, my father-in-law’s serious stroke, caring for my mother-in-law—I was feeling tired, stressed, and discouraged.
Driving to work, I shed a few tears of self- pity. As I turned to the east, a gorgeous sunrise greeted me. Thin clouds created a golden pink wash against a pale blue sky. Nearer were several larger, thicker clouds. The light behind made them appear black.
Thank you, God, I whispered, for the gift of a beautiful sunrise.
The darker clouds, God whispered to my heart, represent your trials, troubles, and fatigue, tiny compared to the splendor around them. In the midst of your trials I am all around you, surrounding you with my light and my glory—loving you through the hard times.
As I continued to drive, the sun rose higher, casting its light on the darker clouds in the foreground, turning them a brilliant pink, far brighter than the background clouds. This too shall pass, the Lord whispered to my heart. Brighter days are ahead.
God is with us, through good times and bad. We only need to open our eyes to see him.
“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5b
Lord of all creation, help us keep our eyes focused on You. May we acknowledge the beauty of your creation and remember that you are in control, even in the midst of our trials..
Growing Our Faith Together 