Strong Faith

"To know Christ is life's greatest achievement (not even being married 50 years can top that). At all costs, every Christian should strive to have this special relationship with Christ. (Can one even be a Christian without it, I would ask?) The reality of knowing Jesus comes as a result of hidden prayer, and personal Bible study that is devotional and consistent in nature. Christ becomes more real to those who persist in cultivating His presence." selected

"When Victor Hugo was more than eighty years old, he expressed his faith in this beautiful way: "Within my soul I feel the evidence of my future life. I am like a forest that has been cut down more than once, yet the new growth has more life than ever. I am always rising toward the sky; with the sun shining down on my head. The earth provides abundant sap for me, but heaven lights my way to worlds unknown.

People say the soul is nothing but the effect of our bodily powers at work. If that were true, then why is my soul becoming brighter as my body begins to fail. Winter may be filling my head, but an eternal spring rises from my heart. At this late hour of my life, I smell the fragrance of lilacs, violets, and roses, just as I did when I was twenty. And the closer I come to the end of my journey, the more clearly I hear the immortal symphonies of eternal worlds inviting me to come. It is awe-inspiring yet profoundly simple." [as quoted in Streams In The Desert]

"George Mueller, a great man of faith, when once asked the best way to have strong faith answered, "The only way to know strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm through severe testings." If you are enduring great afflictions right now, you are at the source of the strongest faith. God will teach you during these dark hours to have the most powerful bond to His throne you could ever know, if you will only submit. "Don't be afraid, just believe" (Mark 5:36). But if you ever are afraid, simply look up and say, "When I am afraid, I will trust in You." (Psalm 56:3). Then you will be able to thank God for His school of sorrow that became for you the school of faith." God's greatest gifts come through great pain." A.B. Simpson

Seven words from last week's lectionary reading:

warn

afraid

answered

wait

being renewed

family (of God)

faith

The prophet Zephaniah inspires and encourages us with these words; "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.

The Lord will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."