My son and I were going to hike a trail that I’d read was moderately challenging from a physical perspective. The real problem was, apparently, poison ivy, especially on the first quarter mile or so.
Just as we were about to begin, an older man emerged at the trailhead, sweaty, clad in running gear and holding clippers. We exchanged “good mornings” and went our separate ways.
And sure enough, the first part of that trail was strewn with cuttings of the harmful plants so that it wasn’t overgrown. Did he do this every morning? Did he just decide because of the recent rains it was probably needed? Whatever the case, I was grateful that this man had used his time to help with such a simple task, but one that was so very helpful to all those who’d be traveling the path that day.
"God created us to love and be loved, and so we hunger for chances to love and be loved. The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread." St. Teresa of Calcutta
Amy what a great reflection. Little do we know about how someone has prepared the way for us here on earth . Living Faith today's wisdom of the Saints is "There was no cross to bear that Christ has not already born for us, and does not now bear with us" Saint John Paul the Great. tomorrow's is " Be constantly committed to prayer or to reading Scripture; by praying, you speak to God, in reading God speaks to you" Saint Cyprian of Carthage. Living faith family today's is adoration chaple day. I will be praying for Daniel, Mark Irene, Garrett. VickyG, Salina Pam,Jane ,Stormi your thoughts and prayers always strengthen me. Living faith family please Continue to keep Terry, Shelly and Dennis, Debbie and Anna,Stephanie and Christine in your prayers. Motorcycles and stairs and traffic lights are back. Ken
Thank you, Lord, for all those who have helped me along the trail, especially those whom I was not even aware of. May their efforts be blessed!
In NIrV translation, this benefit is for ALL in 1 Corinthains 12:7, 11, "The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all.......All the gifts are produced by One and the same Spirit. He gives gifts to each person, just as He decides!" *** The source of all gifts is the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:4, "There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given to believers by the same Spirit!" *** Different gifts (spiritual, service, workings) but the same source (Spirit, Lord, God) in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God Who produces all of them in everyone!" *** Examples of gifts (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, tell the spirits apart, speak unknown languages, translate unknown languages) by the Holy Spirit to believers in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, "To some people the Spirit gives a message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives a message of knowledge. To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that One Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others He gives the power to do miracles. To others He gives the ability to prophesy. To others He gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others He gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others He gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages!" ******* Same Spirit, different gifts and different believers in 1 Corinthians 12, but here is ONE single gift from the Holy Spirit to ALL believers, the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" *** I used to think there were nine fruits by the Holy Spirit, but Scripture says there are nine parts of the (one) fruit of the Holy Spirit!!! When you have the indwelling Holy Spirit, you have the (one - all nine parts) fruit of the Holy Spirit!!! *** In contrast, the fruit of the Holy Spirit above is mentioned right after examples of our sinful nature listed in Galatians 5:19-21, "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God!" *** Just 'believe' and receive the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 1:13-14, "And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, Whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased (by the blood of Jesus) us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him!"
1 Corinthians 2:14, "The person without the Spirit doesn’t accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. These things are foolish to them. They can’t understand them. In fact, such things can’t be understood without the Spirit’s help!"
By His Grace and for His Glory ❤️✝️❤️ *** Place For Me by Jason Gray https://youtu.be/BgqGZ4bvYFw?si=ZM7pSXEpjKL_Swvn
Help me Lord on my path. May my talents help guide others. Amen!
Amen
Peace to you Mark T and all who need help, prayers and reassurance of God’s great, unending love for us.
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those who have been hurt, killed and impacted by terrorist attacks. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen