Planting the Seed of Faith

Welcome! I’m over at 5 Minutes for Faith today talking about how the seed of faith gets planted in others. Here’s an excerpt of what you’ll find…
This summer, I have two healthy cherry tomato plants growing in my garden, despite the fact that I didn’t plant them and I’ve done nothing to make them grow.
                   
Long after they started to grow, my daughter heard me talking about these plants, and she innocently said, “I planted them.”
                                     
What?
With a shrug, she said, “I planted two tomatoes last year.”
Apparently, not knowing if they would grow, she took two tomatoes from last year’s plant and buried them. Not seeds, but whole tomatoes.
I thought the extreme temps and very little rain would be the end of them, but my husband started watering them and they continued to grow.

As I’ve been enjoying the fruit of their labor, I’ve been reminded of another seed that grows—the seed of faith.
Will you join me at 5 Minutes of Faith to read the rest of my devotion? I’d love to see you there!

In Christ,
Laura

The Light of the Lord

Welcome! I’m joining In Other Words today where each week’s hostess chooses a quote or Scripture verse to ponder on and share our thoughts. This week’s hostess is Karen at In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus. She has chosen Micah 7:7-8. As I spent time reflecting on these verses, I read further and have decided to include Micah 7:9 as I share my thoughts.

As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me,
and my God will certainly hear me.
Do not gloat over me, my enemies!
For though I fall, I will rise again.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
I will be patient as the Lord punishes me,
for I have sinned against him.
But after that, he will take up my case
and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies.
The Lord will bring me into the light,
and I will see his righteousness. – Micah 7:7-9 NLT

Darkness through one’s own sin.

Maybe like me you’ve been through a time when you felt like you were surrounded by darkness. Where you could see no way out, and you knew it was not because of someone else, but by your own mistakes and actions.

Every one of us makes mistakes and struggles through some time in our life. We find there are consequences to our actions, and God will let us face those consequences. He loves us too much not to.
And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” – Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT
God knows that through the times of darkness and discipline, is an opportunity for us to grow closer to Him. When we repent, He promises to forgive us; when we lean on Him, He gives us strength. When there is nothing else getting us through, we learn that God is there, walking beside us, and He is all we need.

Don’t be fooled by the darkness, and don’t believe the enemy when he tells you he’s won. God is there lighting our way through His Son Jesus. You may not see it at first, for it may only appear as a pinhole of light, but trust Him—it will continue to shine brighter and be easier to see until it’s so bright it’s blinding.

I don’t know how long your darkness may last. I don’t know when mine started or ended, but I do know He was there throughout. When I saw no way, He made a way. When I felt surrounded by darkness, the light was there, no matter how little of it I could see at the time.

Will you wait confidently for the Lord? He hears you and knows what you’re going through. Let His light be your glimmer of hope. For even though we fall, He picks us up and shows us the way. And His Way is always good.

In Christ,

Psalm 91:2 {Something to Think About}


This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
- Psalm 91:2 NLT 

Sunday blessings to you!

In Christ,
Laura


Here…

Here is where life happens.

Each day.

Right now.

Here is where the moments we don’t want to miss are…where memories are made.

Here is where He is…with us…every step of the way.

Yesterday haunts us with regrets, but here is where a difference can be made.

Mistakes corrected.

Forgiveness asked for, given, and received.

Tomorrow changed…simply by what happens…here.
There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Message
It’s Five Minute Friday where Lisa-Jo offers a writing prompt and for 5 minutes we write, without editing or over thinking. Today’s word prompt: Here.

In Christ,
Laura