Words of Faith

Kinsman-Redeemer, Savior of my soul, Restorer of my life. I worship You, I acknowledge that all I have, all I am is because of You and what You’ve done.

Reading the story of the flood recently (Genesis 6-8), I noticed that the story’s bookends are the same. God knew the condition of man’s heart, and it wasn’t going to change despite the flood. Before the flood, we read that God was grieved when He saw that the wickedness of man was great, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was continually evil (Genesis 6:5).

Although I was content with my life and grateful for the prayers that were being answered, it didn’t change the fact that one of my deepest desires — to have a family of my own — had not been realized. It’s a beautiful burden of the human heart to bear many, seemingly contradictory, emotions at the same time. But what do you do when joy and hope for the future in front of you are mixed with heartbreak and grief for the future you thought you would have by now?

Maker of all, my Lord and Creator, I marvel at Your greatness, bow Low before Your power. I have no Words, no way to fully comprehend The awesomeness of who You are Of all You’ve done: Your might, Your wisdom. In holy awe, I bow, Fall to Your feet and worship You

And yet, in my own way, I know what it is to feel His breath upon my cheek. To watch this world fade away. To slip off the shoes of my day-to-day. And in these glimpses, a dawning. A realization of what Moses knew to be true. Once you have stood upon holy ground, no other ground will do.

When enemy armies come my way Where does my help come from? May I seek His voice, His face My help comes from the LORD

Furthermore, it reveals that life in the kingdom of God is not a competition to get your name higher on the scoreboard so that God will love you more or think you better than another of His children. It is all by grace. This parable cuts to the heart, through envy and pride, showing that there is no room for these in the kingdom of God. Instead, as we follow Him, He wants us to enjoy His generosity and live in contentment.

Lord, help me live in the light: full fellowship with You And all who follow You in Spirit and in Truth. Purge from me all that would hinder True fellowship; enable me to be All You desire, all You have planned for me.

Koinōnia: fellowship. The Light of the World Shone into our darkness, Exposing, expunging Our sin and shame, Making us Yours.

For some of you, this word might bring up pleasure at the thought of the home that you have. Perhaps it calls to mind memories of joy and comfort from the home you grew up in. Or maybe, this word feels like a weight on your heart or an empty hope. Home. We long for a place of love and safety, yet so often the peace doesn’t last, or the ideal falls terribly short. In John 14, Jesus tells us of a different kind of home that we have to look forward to.