“Faith is not a thing of the mind; it is not an intellectual certainty or a felt conviction of the heart. It is a sustained decision to take God with utter seriousness as the God of my life. It is to live out each hour in a practical, concrete affirmation that God is Father… It is a decision to shift the center of our lives from ourselves to Him, to forego self-interest and make His interests, His will, our sole concern.”
-Sister Ruth Burrows, O.C.D.
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It is necessary to mention here a great deception that often befalls those who begin to serve God.
Sometimes they read in spiritual books how great are the consolations of the Holy Spirit and how sweet charity is and they think that the whole path to perfection is filled with delights and that there is no effort or fatigue involved. As a result, they prepare themselves for it as for something easy and pleasant and do not arm themselves for entering battle.
They do not realize that while the love of God is in itself very sweet and delectable, the way to perfect charity is arduous, because to attain it, one must completely conquer self-love, and this involves a constant struggle against self. Thus Isaiah says :” Shake yourself from the dust; arise, sit up, O Jerusalem.” In other words, the soul must shake off the dust of worldly affections and attachments and arise from it’s sins before it can enjoy the pleasure of seating itself in charity. However, God bestows marvellous consolations on those who faithfully struggle and on all those who trade the delights of earth for the joys of heaven. But if this barter is not made and a man does not want to surrender his spoils, this celestial refreshment will not be given to him. For we know that the heavenly manna was not given to the children of Israel until they finished the grain that they had brought with them out of Egypt.
Those who do not fortify themselves with courage are incapable of attaining what they seek, and until they are properly armed they will never find it. They should understand that rest is won only with effort, the crown is gained only after the battle, joy follows tears, and the most sweet love of God is gained only when one spiritually hates himself. That is why Scripture so often condemns and severely censures sloth and indifference, and praises fortitude so highly, because the Holy Spirit knows what a great impediment the one is to virtue and what a great help the other is. -Venerable Louis Of Granada O.P. +1588
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Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
And call on you as my loving protector.
Guide me by your wisdom,
Correct me with your justice,
Comfort me with your mercy,
Protect me with your power.
I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
My words: to have you for their theme;
My actions: to reflect my love for you;
My sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.
I want to do what you ask of me:
In the way you ask,
For as long as you ask,
Because you ask it.
Lord, enlighten my understanding,
Strengthen my will,
Purify my heart,
and make me holy.
Help me to repent of my past sins
And to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses
And to grow stronger as a Christian.
Let me love you, my Lord and my God,
And see myself as I really am:
A pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love
All whose lives I touch,
Those under my authority,
My friends and my enemies.
Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
Greed by generosity,
Apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself
And reach out toward others.
Make me prudent in planning,
Courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity.
Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
Temperate in food and drink,
Diligent in my work,
Firm in my good intentions.
Let my conscience be clear,
My conduct without fault,
My speech blameless,
My life well-ordered.
Put me on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
Keep your law,
And come at last to your salvation.
Teach me to realize that this world is passing,
That my true future is the happiness of heaven,
That life on earth is short,
And the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death
With a proper fear of judgment,
But a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death
To the endless joy of heaven.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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O light, beauty, total love, O my God, when will we love you, you alone, letting go of all that distracts us from this pure union with you, seeing only one thing: the soul that you have given us and you, O my God, who live in it and should be the sole guide and judge of our actions and lives?
Let us try to protect ourselves from the useless stimulation that so often disturbs our lives. May those who are ever more serene and filled with God be sanctuaries open to every troubled conscience and every weak will …
This burning need for justice, this loving flame within us, this deep love for suffering and groaning humanity, all this is and can only be an unconscious turning toward this infinite love and infinite justice, toward the ultimate goodness that is God.
We must give ourselves; that is, we must bring forth from this interior sanctuary where we keep the best of ourselves some thoughts, chosen from among the best and most noble, that, once we have shared them, we become acts of love and words of life. We must firmly desire to try to give our best, to do all the good we can. The unknown reservoir of strength, energy, and nobility lying within our depths must become the property of our brothers and sisters through courageous effort and at generous surrender of our inmost selves.
Let us despise nothing: not any person, for in the worst of them there is the divine spark, which can always flame forth; nor ideas, for in all of them there is a grain of truth, which one must know how to discover; nor other people’s actions, for we often are unaware of their motives and always unaware of their far-reaching and providential consequences.
-Elisabeth Leseur
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Pastor Bob put out the challenge to the staff at First Missionary Church– come up with ten mottoes that guide your life. The alibi is that the stated mottoes were not limited to current life-guiding statements… they could also be goals or personal vision statements. So, without further adieu, and in no particular order — here are my top ten…
1. Watch, pray, obey.
Always be looking to see what Jesus is doing, pray about how I’m supposed to be involved, step-up in obedience. It’s not a motto… it’s a revolution.
2. Cheat my family last.
Andy Stanley put out a book a few years ago called “Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide”. The idea behind the book was we always have to cheat somebody because we can’t do everything everyone wants us to do… Andy’s call was to establish values, and then make sure the family is not cheated. I say “Hooay!”
3. Pursue truth wherever it lies.
St. Augustine said something along the lines of “all truth is God’s truth.” Since this is true, I will pursue and celebrate truth wherever I find it. And I gotta admit– sometimes the rougher the vessel carrying the truth, the more precious the truth appears.
4. Be a good steward of time, talent, treasure.
Waste none, honor God with all. It’s all from God… it’s all God’s… I will value them and properly use them.
5. Daily take care of myself — mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally.
Every day I will do something to care for myself in those areas — for maintenance, for health, and for growth.
6. Be a soldier — live the life and values of a soldier, in uniform and out.
Being a good soldier makes me a better man, and being a good man makes me a better soldier. The values that make me good at one make me better at the other.
7. Value everybody.
God has created everybody — everybody has the jewel of his marksmanship inside. Sometimes its harder to see, other times it is more obvious. I will treat everybody as the apple of God’s eye, and make it my mission help them find that jewel, shine that jewel, and help them to display that jewel.
8. Work six days, rest one.
I will honor the mission God has given me by devoting myself to the call to work six days, and I will follow God’s example by resting on the Sabbath. God has called us to work six and rest one, He has created a Sabbath day for man, but He has never relinquished His day.
9. I will be defined by what I am for, not by what I’m against.
I will live a pro-active life, ensuring my life is characterized by the positives I do, avoiding negativity and cynicism brought on
10. Find pleasure in only the things God gives.
God has promised to give me everything I need for body and life, and He has supplied me with gracious gifts — I will find my fulfillment in them and not the loves of the world, or anything this world has to give.
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Oh, my God, I want to love You
Not that I might gain eternal heaven
Nor escape eternal hell
But, Lord, to love You just because You are my God.
Grant me to give to You and not to count the cost,
To fight for You and not to mind the wounds,
To labor and to ask for no reward
except the knowledge that I serve my God.
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Look to this day
For it is life
The very life of life
In its brief course lie all
The realities and verities of existence
The bliss of growth
The splendor of action
The glory of power—
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision
But today, well live,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
-Kalidasa
Kalidasa, Indian Poet and Playwright, Fifth Century A.D.
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Day 1 : Salvation
“Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”
Isaiah 45: 8 - “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.
II Timothy 2.10 – “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Day 2 : Growth in Grace
“I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3.18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Day 3 – Love
“Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them.”
Galatians 5:25 – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Ephesians 5.2 - “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Day 4 – Honesty & Integrity
“May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.”
Psalm 25.21 - “May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.”
Day 5: Self-Control
“Father, help my children not be like many others around them, but let them be alart and self-controlled in all they do.”
1 Thessalonians 5.6 – “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”
Day 6: Love for God’s Word
“May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb.”
Psalm 19.7-11 - ”The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
Day 7: Justice
“God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do.”
Psalm 11.7 “For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.” (NIV)
Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Day 8: Mercy
“May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful.”
Luke 6.36 “ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Day 9: Respect (for self, others, authority)
“Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as Your Word commands.”
1 Peter 2.17 “ Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (NIV)
Day 10: Biblical Self-Esteem
“Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus”
Ephesians 2.10 ”For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Day 11: Faithfulness
“Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virutes around ther necks and write them on the table of their hearts.”
Proverbs 3.3 “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Day 12: Courage
“May my children always be setrong and courageous in their character and in their actions. ”
Deuteronomy 31.6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Day 13 : Purity
“Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions.”
Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Day 14: Kindness
“Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”
1 Thessalonians 5.15 – “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
Day 15 : Generosity
“Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”
1 Timothy 6.18-19 – “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
Day 16 : Peace-Loving
“Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace.”
Romans 14:19 – “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building.”
Day 17 : Joy
“May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 1:6 – “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit…”
Day 18 : Perseverance
“Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them.”
Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
Day 19 : Perseverance
“God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all.”
Titus 3.2 – “…to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
Day 20 : Compassion
“Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion.”
Colossians 3.12 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…”
Day 21 : Responsibility
“Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load.”
Galatians 6.4-5 – ”But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”
Day 22 : Contentment
“Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength.”
Philippians 4.12-13 – I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Day 23 : Faith
“I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them.”
Luke 17:5-6 – The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Hebrews 11:1-40 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures ofEgypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he leftEgypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith the people crossed theRed Seaas on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls ofJerichofell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two,a they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Day 24 : A Servant’s Heart
“God, please help my children develop servant’s hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men.”
Ephesians 6:6b-7 – “…as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,”
Day 25 : Hope
“May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Day 26 : Willingness and Ability to Work
“Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord and not for men.”
Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…”
Day 27 : Passion for God
“Lord, please instill in my children a soul that ‘followeth hard after thee,’ one that clings passionately to You.”
Psalm 63:8 – “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”
Day 28 : Self-Discipline
“Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.”
Proverbs 1.2-6 – “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.”
2 Timothy 2.6-7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (NIV)
Day 29 : Prayerfulness
“Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing…”
Day 30 : Gratitude
“Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5.20 – “…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
Colossians 2.7 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Day 31 : A Heart for Missions
“Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see Your glory declared among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among the peoples.”
Psalm 96.3 – “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
———————
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, Cross Way Bibles, 2001. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible, New International Version, International Bible Society, 1984.
Values and scriptures compiled by Bob Hostetler, 1998. Distributed by Pray! Magazine, www.praymag.com.
Artwork by Ron DiCianni: Angels Unseen and Spiritual Warfare “
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May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.
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Can you dig it?
- Watch... pray... obey 5 months ago
Getting my Digs In
