Thoughts for Life: SEEING BY FAITH

Katara Patton- "During my morning walk, the sun hit the waters of Lake Michigan at a perfect angle to produce a stunning view. I asked my friend to stop and wait for me as I positioned my camera to take a pic. (Lake Michigan)

Because of the position of the sun, I couldn't see the imeage on my phone's screed before I snapped the shot. But having done this before, I sensed it would be a great picture. I told my friend, 'We can't see it now, but pictues like this always come out good.'

Walking by faith through this life is often like taking that pictue. You can't always see the details on the screen, but that doesn't mean the stunning picture isn't there.

You don't always see God working, but you can trust that He's there. As the writer of Hebrews penned, 'Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see' (11:1). By faith we place our confidence and assurance in God — especially when we can't see or understand what He's doing.

With faith, not seeing doesn't prevent us from 'taking the shot.' It just might make us pray more and seek God's direction. We can also rely on knowing what's happened in the past as others have walked by faith (vv.4-12) as well as through our own stories. What God has done before, He can do again.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the ways You've provided for me in the past. Help me to walk by faith even if I can't see all You're doing." Our prayer

# 57 QUOTE - From Merlin R. Carothers book, Power in Praise.

"When we fully entrust an evil situation to God, thanking and praising Him for it, the power of God will be released. His power will overcome the plan of the evil inherent in that situation, transforming it to fit with the perfect plan of God. we may not understand God's plan or recognize it as good, but when we praise Him for it, we release His power to work in the situation for our good."

1311-1315 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1311- Is. 57:19a "I create the fruit of the lips."

1312- Is. 63:4a "For the day of vengeance is in mine heart."

1313- Pro. 14:22b "Mercy and Truth shall be to them that devise good."

1314- Ps. 42:11b "Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the strength of

my countenance, and my God."

1315- Ps. 142:7c "Thou shalt deal boutifully with me."

#57 Hymn- I Would Be True

The hymn "I Would Be True" is based on a poem written by Howard Walter, an American professor who taught English in Japen. Reverend Walter’s creed included the guiding principles he sought to live his life by—principles for daily living that he learned as a young child. His creed affirmed his desire to be someone God and others could count on. Dependability is “fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice.” Reverend Walter lived with the assurance that God would enable him to be “true,” “pure,” “strong,” and “brave.” He firmly believed that, as he depended on God to work in his life and help him live by his creed, he could fulfill the tasks he consented to do, and others could depend upon him."

Some encouraging words-

When Jesus comes into our lives, we are made brand-new inside, and that change is being worked from the inside to the outside, where everyone can see the amazing work God has done in us. We must be patient.

Upcoming posts:

10/26- THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT- Rich Carmicheal

11/2- LOVE LIKE BLAZING FIRE- Winn Collier

9th- MIND BLOWING TEACHING- Tom Felten