Love Abideth Indeed

I CORINTHIANS 13:1-5
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could move mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil...

Love is all around us; it's truly not a secret that God keeps from us. He openly and freely proclaims his everlasting love for his children in every moment, yet many do not see. So often we are lost within the abyss of this earthly life and we simply overlook the countless blessings God lovingly provides.

Until Lord Christ uplifted me I had no idea just how lost I was. I honestly believed I was unlovable. Now it's very clear to me that others haven't escaped the torment of such misery. Praise God, Lord Christ and Holy Spirit for the blessed people who are a daily testimony and willing to share this glorious love with others; they follow after charity and spiritual gifts.

Glorious Father and Honorable Lord Christ, I pray for an unwavering heart, from which your love flows unto others as you choose. Lord, lead me in your righteous ways and make your way straight before me.

Hide Not, For God and Christ See All Works

It is more clear to me now that there is a great difference between those who think they know the truth, and those who simply know the truth. Those that think they know must be willing to go to great lengths to try to disprove the truth and try hard to plead their case. Those of us who believe in the truth know there is no disproving it.

PROVERBS 19:5
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

My faith in God, Lord Christ and the Holy Spirit is unwavering. Try as hard as one might to pursued me otherwise I remain unmoved. Praise God for his love, rod and staff which protect me from evil! Praise Lord Christ for love, salvation and strength! Praise the Holy Spirit for I remain in love and righteousness!

ISAIAH 5:20-24
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

I'm not sorry for sharing my life with you, for I hide not. Go and tell the whole world how wretched I've been and all about the sin that dwells within me. I fear not! Until I hear the truth from you I know you are not as close with GOD as you think. I will keep praying for you, for GOD does hear unto my prayers. I am a testimony of God's mercy, forgiveness and love; for GOD has exceedingly given unto me more than I have hoped and prayed.

PSALMS 51:10-13
Create in me a new spirit O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not the Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold in me thy free spirit. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

In Due Time

I spoke with a neighbor a few days ago and discovered that he is suffering from a terminal illness; one in which the doctors' estimate no more than five remaining years to live. During our conversation I asked him if his faith in God is strong. To which he replied, "VERY STRONG!" My neighbor, Jim, then added that he knew I was a good christian girl the moment we first spoke. Immediately I felt torn apart inside. I realized that this man, whom I ignored for the first few months after he moved across the street from me, saw past my exterior veneer/unapproachable facade. I'm ashamed that I did not recognize him in the same way.

How is it that I let so much time slip by before doing something nice for someone deserving? Yet, I've rushed to let evil in to my life, which hurt me terribly. Ironic it is how time appears to be a double edged sword. It feels as though it has taken me a lifetime to learn patience, yet, this patience which I now possess allows a fair amount of time to slip away.

ROMANS 5:1-11
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

It wasn't long after my conversation with Jim that God revealed unto me (through the aforementioned scripture and the following poem by Rabindranath Tagore) that time as we know it is irrelevant:

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.

Father and Lord Christ, I pray unto you for forgiveness of my trespasses, as I forgive those that have trespassed against me. I pray to be a good friend and neighbor, that uses this blessed life more wisely. I pray that others understand and value patience, experience, hope, joy and love. You have blessed us indeed!

God's Love Conquers All Evil, Vexation and Suffering

I've spent too many years whirling around in unproductive thoughts and behaviors, which have distracted me from God, Lord Christ, Holy Spirit, Truth and Love. The evil that dwells within me (that breeds ignorance and selfishness) has been and may always be my greatest adversary. Even though I have drawn closer unto God, Lord Christ and the Holy Spirit, the ebb and flow of my ignorance and selfishness do remain; a constant reminder of how much love I truly need to be strong in faith and righteousness.

God does love me, for he has blessed me with eyes that see, ears that hear, a heart/body that feels and a soul that experiences...far more than I could ever imagine. Yet, there is much about this life I may never understand; but one thing is clear, I am weak in the flesh! As has happened in my past, I may need to experience the harshness of a fall to learn something monumental. The difference is that I am now armored with faith, hope and true LOVE. God's LOVE conquers all evil, vexation and suffering!

I CORINTHIANS 13:6-13
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Heavenly Father, I pray for others with goodness in their heart to know your love. I pray that Lord Christ bring home all the lost and lonely souls, which when filled with your love will know everlasting joy, peace and comfort. May our minds, hearts and souls be filled with faith, hope and charity forevermore. Amen