Like Gold

The scriptures talk about our faith being like gold, or even more precious.   

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ... (I Peter 1:7)

The daily struggles, the extreme trials we encounter during some seasons of life - all will serve a purpose to make us pure for our Lord when we meet Him face to face.

A Prayer~
O God, merciful Father, who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are sorrowful; mercifully asist our prayers which we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they oppress us; and graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtlety of the devil or man worketh against us, may, by thy good providence, be brought to nought; that we thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen  (From The Great Litany)


TV~ (Today's Verse)
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  [Job 23:10]
 

Another Reason Why

O thou whose life of joy seems reft,
Of beauty shorn;
Whose aspirations lie in dust,
All bruised and torn,

Rejoice, tho' each desire, each dream,
Each hope of thine
Shall fall and fade; it is the hand 
Of Love Divine

That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks 
With tenderest touch,
That thou, whose life has borne some fruit
May'st now bear much.

(Annie Johnson Flint, from Streams in the Desert)

TV~  (Today's Verse)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing... [John 15:5]

One Reason Why

Whenever we suffer, the question is:  Why, God?  Why am I going through this?  Why me?  Why us?

One place where there is a partial answer for that question is in 2 Corinthians 1:4   ....That we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  The Lord will use us to comfort others.

TV~ (Today's Verse)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort...  [2 Corinthians 1:3]

Medicine

TV~  (Today's Verse)
He healeth those that are broken in heart : and giveth medicine to heal their sickness. 
[Psalm 147:3]

Sticks, Stones and Words

Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words.....

Finish the sentence.  How untrue it is.  Words can be extremely hurtful and damaging.  In fact, they can replay in our minds over and over, causing continual pain.

Every morning let us pray:  Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)   May my words be fitly spoken, like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

TV~  (Today's Verse) 

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.  [Proverbs 15:4

Multitude of Sins

On this day where love is celebrated, it can seem perhaps that our romantic partner does not measure up to what we see around us.  This is where true love can be practiced.

True love is not self-seeking, but is patient, kind, longsuffering and humble.  This is the love that comes from above.  This is the love that covers the multitude of sins found in our fallen relationships.  This is love given to one who is undeserving. 

True love means reaching out to our partner within his needs and weaknesses, not distancing ourselves due to those imperfections.  Lord, have mercy upon us.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior… [Titus 3:5]

Expediency vs. Excellency

There are effective, yet unwise ways that we can get immediate results from our loved ones.  Through a show of force, in words or action, we can often be successful in getting what we want.  That is, for the moment.  But force brings about long-term results of brokenness and distance.

Think of a mother who regularly slaps her child across the face to get her to do some chores.  The child may obey for the moment, but as an adult she will not have a close relationship with her mother and there will be residual resentment and anger.

St. Paul spoke of a more excellent way.  The way of love.  I add to that the way of prayer.  The way of love and prayer does not always bring immediate results.  Yet in the end, there will be peace, joy and satisfaction.  The results will take longer to show, but they will be lasting results of true change, not momentary.

TV~  (Today's Verse) 

Love suffers long, and is kind...[I Corinthians 13:4]