We Walk By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV) 11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

I planted a garden on a beautiful Spring day in April, the day of my sister’s funeral. I had not planned to plant a garden that day, just like I had not planned to say goodbye to my sister Patty so soon. Nonetheless, I spent a good part of the day turning and fertilizing the soil in raised planter boxes, then carefully created the rows to plant the seeds, lightly covering and tamping the dirt.  Finally, using a watering can I gently soaked the soil, careful not to disturb the seeds.  

Three weeks later, as I faithfully watered my garden, I received word of the sudden death of my beloved brother Mikey. This season of Spring which always represented to me new life, growth and hope brought me loss, despair and time in slow motion.  

Through my pain, I prayed and kept vigil tending to my garden and watching the tiny seedlings turn into adult plants filled with blossoms. Soon the blossoms became baby produce clinging tightly to the vine and I continued to nurture them, filled with wonder as each plant flourished.   

For the past two-weeks I have been harvesting large quantities of vegetables from my garden; beets, squash, green bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes and raspberries. I am overwhelmed and grateful for this bounty of perfectly shaped and sweet flavorful produce to enjoy and share with others.

Yesterday, I was so pleased with the results of my labor I decided to take pictures. I sent one via text message to a friend of mine, acknowledging the bountiful harvest from God.

She wrote back, “Abundant fruits are given to those who believe even when you don’t see.” The gift of that simple text was enormous, reminding me that we walk by faith, not by sight. 

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NKJV) 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 

Faith is believing without seeing. The fruit of faith is the only proof we need. When I planted the garden, I did so with unquestioning faith that it would grow. When my brother and sister passed way, despite my loss of their physical presence on earth, I know by faith that their spirits are soaring to new heights with our Father.   

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 

Most times we don’t understand why things happen in our lives, especially tragic events.  Sometimes life just kicks us in the stomach, but through it all God walks with us, comforting and guiding us to a better place. It may take time, but through our faith we will get there. 

When we take our hands off the controls and turn our lives over to Him, walking in faith, he can do amazing things in our lives. Never lose hope, believe with all your heart and watch as the beauty of God’s grace unfolds before your eyes.   

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.  Saint Augustine.

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light” Helen Keller

Have a blessed day as you walk in faith with our Father.  

Praise God

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him, all creatures here below.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host, 
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

These beautiful words of praise were written by Thomas Ken in 1674 and is commonly used in worship.  I remember standing next to my mother in church as a child singing these words, but not really considering what they mean. It was just another part of the service, but as an adult I have come to  appreciate this verse as more than mere words, but sweet refrains of worship and praise for our Father.   

Psalm 9:1 

I will praise you, O’ Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all of your marvelous works.

Psalm 79:13

So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations.  

The Psalms written by King David are filled with prayers and songs of praise.  The Psalms are uplifting and inspirational.    

Many times however, when I am communing with God, I find that I am usually asking him for something, sometimes thanking him for something, but rarely praising him. In reality, praising God should always be the first thing on my list and not the last. To praise God is to honor and glorify him through our behaviors as well as with our words.

This started me thinking about what are some ways I can demonstrate my praise for God each day.  Here is what I came up with and will focus on going forward: 

• Acknowledge him to all for His beautiful creations and blessed works in each of us.
• Worship him through song, prayer, study and communion with others.
• Start each day with a grateful heart, giving thanks for the glorious dawn.
• Honor him by living each day according to his commandments.
• Walk through each day with hope, faith and joy.    
• Be happy, humble, forthright and gracious to all.
• Talk, but also do the walk. 

How do you praise God? 

I love this YouTube video of the common doxology of praise.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SHl_BmTqfk

Enjoy!  May God Bless You and give you peace. 

Praise be to God!

I Will, God

To know God’s will, say, “I will” to God.  Author Unknown

It seems that for some people understanding and committing to God’s will comes easily, clearly and early in life. For others, the struggle for understanding is a lifelong pursuit. We become lost in the world and search blindly for a complicated grand plan. But if we stop and quietly pray and listen with our hearts and open our minds without judgment to the possibilities we may learn that the plan is right in front of us. 

Making a commitment to say, “I will” to God and living life as a Christian is where it begins and ends. Paul wrote some very clear guidelines on what “good” looks like when it comes to being Christian.

Romans: 12: 9-18 (NKJV)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 
17 Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

Living and behaving as a Christian is the beginning of honoring God and it will lead to doing God’s work and to understanding His will.  Living God’s will is as unique and special as we are as individuals. It requires perseverance, trust and faith in what we don’t know, understand or cannot see.

It requires a belief that God has a specific plan and is ready and excited to direct our path accordingly, if only we ask.

Behaving as a Christian is a great place to start as we take a step one day at a time to find clarity. It starts with three little words:

“I will, God”!    

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the spirit.

But I came to learn that God never shows us something we aren’t ready to understand. Instead, He lets us see what we need to see, when we need to see it. He’ll wait until our eyes and hearts are open to Him, and then when we’re ready, He will plant our feet on the path that’s best for us…but it’s up to us to do the walking.”  Immaculee Ilibagiza, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.