I was invited to join a group of young men who were having a bible study and was blessed by the fact that although they are from extremely different backgrounds, their faith brought them together to give honor to God. Because of them I’m sharing some scripture dealing with the subject of faith.
Today’s Prayer
Father, You were here when we needed You. Your love engulfs us, Your Holy Spirit empowers us, and Your strength sustains us. Oh Lord, let us be there when You need us – to share Your love with another, to be a tower of strength in someone’s weakness, to reflect You in all that we do; for how else can we praise You? How else can we show our heart’s thanksgiving? How else can You know that we love You? It is not enough to praise You and say “I love You” on Sunday; it’s how we live on Monday and throughout the week, isn’t it? Does our life really reflect our love for You in the way we live each day? In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Let’s eat.
Faith and Endurance
John 1:2-18
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Quote of the Day
The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.
Charles (Chuck) Swindoll
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.