Hope delayed

Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." The pure joy of answered prayer. I will rejoice in hope. I will bear my trials as discipline from a loving Father. I will pray constantly.

Trust in God's Providence - St Teresa of Avila

St Teresa had complete trust in God’s Providence. "To those who give up everything for Him, God gives Himself," she wrote. "Nothing is insignificant in our lives. Every event represents a divine opportunity, a divine call, a definite contribution to the intricate design of God's Providence." She says that God is watching and will care for you; therefore she advises: "Cease to be anxious for yourselves, for He bears your anxiety and will bear it always." (St Teresa of Avila)

Productive Moments

"All our moments are made productive by our obedience to the will of God, which reveals itself in a thousand different ways, each of which successively becomes our immediate duty. Together they mold and perfect within us that "new self." (John-Pierre de Caussade, SJ)

The hope of our calling

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones."  (Ephesians 1: 17 - 18)

Matthew Henry comments on the subject of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians:
"Now what is it that Paul prays for in behalf of the Ephesians? Not that they might be freed from persecution; nor that they might possess the riches, honors, or pleasures of the world; but the great thing he prays for is the illumination of their understandings, and that their knowledge might increase and abound: he means it of a practical and experimental knowledge. The graces and comforts of the Spirit are communicated to the soul by the enlightening of the understanding. In this way he gains and keeps possession. Satan takes a contrary way: he gets possession by the senses and passions, Christ by the understanding." (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Present Moment

"What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the best and holiest thing that could happen to us." (John-Pierre de Caussade)

Do you still not understand?

"When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?"  (Mark 8: 17)

What do I need to understand and remember today about Jesus that will enhance my faith?
First, whenever I remember the wonderful things Jesus has done for me, my faith is boosted.  When I understand that Jesus did these awesome things for me because He loves me and also because He is sending a signal through His actions, I become not just full of trust but even courageous as I confront the world.

Memory and understanding are important abilities in the life of faith.  Every believer has the responsibility to develop these two faculties.  I keep a daily journal of  events in my life.  I guess that these journals capture 90% or more of significant events.  The act of writing helps memory.  But how often do I forget the wonderful things God does for me.  If it were not for the work of the Holy Spirit, I will remember so little of these amazing things.  My faith in God today is in direct proportion to my awareness of what God is doing in my life.  For this, I owe all the thanks to the Holy Spirit who reminds me always.

Endure your trials as discipline

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.  But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing."
(James 1:2-4 AMP)

"Everything is bread to nourish me, soap to cleanse me, fire to purify me."  (John-Pierre de Caussade)

Be my rock of safety

"For you are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me."  (Psalm 31: 4)

Do I know God as my rock and fortress?  Where do I run to in crisis?  Where do I place my hope for rescue and safety?

O Lord my God, You are all that I have.  For the sake of Your Name, lead me, guide me and use me.