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.
“Praying is no easy matter. It demands a relationship in which you allow someone other than yourself to enter into the very center of your person, to see there what you would rather leave in darkness, and to touch there what you would rather leave untouched.”
Henri Nouwen~
Relationships can be difficult, but we are called to treat others as Jesus would. Perhaps we should spend more time in the gospels, learning about Christ’s mindset.
Pray this scripture for others this week.
Colossians 1:9-12
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
My prayer for you, my friends (and for myself!):i May God’s wisdom and understanding fill you with knowledge of God’s will. With this knowledge, may you please the Lord and may you continue to grow in his knowledge as you complete his good works. May God fill you with his power, giving you endurance and patience. May he fill you with joy because he has forgiven you an enabled you to share his inheritance in his kingdom.
My hope doesn’t lie in money or reputation. It doesn’t lie in friends or family. My hope lies in the Lord of the universe, the God of all creation.
Lord of all, I thank you and praise you for the hope you give us. You are my provider, my helper, my hope for a fulfilled life on earth and a glorious life with you in heaven. Thank you for providing hope, even in seemingly hopeless situations.
We walk along the water’s edge, watching the foam from the waves rush up, attempting to capture the sand, then fall back to join the blue ocean water. Our heads down, we look in the sand for shells or coral unbroken by the battering waves. I stoop to examine a piece of elkhorn coral broken from the reef 200 yards offshore.
Scott has continued walking and I observe his footprints. Here at the water’s edge his foot sinks several inches into the soft, wet sand, leaving a deep impression. But only for a moment. Then the hungry waves rush onto the beach, carrying sand back with it into the waves. The deep imprints of his footprints instantly fade to a small indentation in the beach. Another wave sweeps ashore, totally obliterating his footprints. It’s as if he had never walked along this beach. Here for only a moment, his footprints are totally erased from the sandy beach.
The Bible reminds us that we are on this earth for but a moment, like flowers that wither and grass that fades away. I Peter 1:24 and 25 come to mind as I watch the waves erase his footprints in the sand. Once we’ve gone from this earth our memories last for a time, but then are slowly washed away until new generations walk the sands of life, leaving their own brief footprints. I think about how I’ve spent my short time on this earth. Have I done anything of lasting significance? Have I lived my life so that it affects someone else for eternity? My time is fleeting. I must keep my eyes on the eternal, for the footprints quickly wash away.
I Peter 1:24, 25 “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field, the grass withers an the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Oh God, keep my eyes on the spiritual, eternal things of life. May the path I walk leave footprints to help others to know your eternal power, loving-kindness, and saving grace.
“We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts”― A.W. Tozer
Lord of the empty spaces, keep my mind aware of your presence, even when I feel alone, even when I do not sense your presence. Thank you for always being with me, even when I am unaware.
For some reason, this verse makes me think of the book, Green Eggs and Ham. You know, the character won’t taste the green eggs and ham anywhere under any circumstances. But when he finally relents and tries the food, he is amazed at how good it tastes. Isn’t that the way it is with listening for God’s will and being willing to follow it? “Oh, no, God,” we think, “you surely don’t want me to do or say that.” We think we know more than God. When we finally give in and taste what the Lord has to offer, we are amazed at his goodness.
Lord, keep my heart and mind willing to listen and to follow your will for me. You are so good. Thank you for loving and saving me.
Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
May you allow Christ’s peace to dwell in your heart, especially when you are around those who irritate you or make you angry. May you feel grateful to God in every circumstance, especially those that are difficult or unpleasant. May His peace indeed rule in your heart.
Please pray this scripture for others this week.
Lord, teach me to ask for the good gifts you long to give me. Fill me with your wisdom, your love, your peace and your willingness to serve.
I don’t remember hearing my parents telling me, “I love you,” but I know they do. They have shown their love in countless ways. When I was growing up they worked hard to provide a comfortable home, food, and clothing. They made sure my brothers didn’t pick on me, at least not too much. Even today, they listen when I have something important to say. They encourage me when I’m discouraged or when I start a new venture. Their eyes shine with pride at my smallest accomplishments. Their actions have always left me feeling secure and loved.
I have never heard Jesus say to me, “I love you,” but I know he does. He provides my every need. He sometimes allows difficulties in my life, but never more than I can bear. He listens to me and knows my heart, even when I seldom speak to Him. He is the source of my abilities and is pleased when I work to develop them. When I’m discouraged, he wraps loving arms around me, encouraging me with the same arms that stretched wide open on the cross. Because He became sin, I am adopted into his family and will live forever with him in heaven. His actions leave me feeling secure and loved.
Through our own wordless love, others glimpse our loving savior. When we understand another’s feelings, or listen to other’s problems, we show God’s love. When we assist an elderly neighbor or babysit for a friend, we demonstrate his love. When we accept others without judgment, they see God’s love.
God, your actions demonstrate how much you love us. Humble us and show us how to also act in loving ways.
Growing Our Faith Together 