1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, NEVER LOSES FAITH, is always HOPEFUL, and endures through every circumstance."
Faith, hope, and love are tied very close together. A great verse to show that bond is 1 Corinthians 13:13. It says, "Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." The Bible tells us that to love someone through our actions, we must always have faith and hope in them. So, what does that look like?
Synonyms for FAITH: Acceptance, assurance, belief, certainty, and confidence.
Synonyms for HOPE: Ambition, anticipation, assumption, belief, and promise.
"Hope is what you've got left when nothing else is working out right. Taking it to God in prayer, removes the obstacles of alone-ness and worry. If He'll take care of the lilies of the field, He will take care of you." -swinter5
"He who has faith has... an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well - even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly." -B.C. Forbes
Sin and temptation are constantly pulling at everybody's faith and hope. "I'll never be able to do this." We think. "I just don't know how to trust God when I don't know what will happen." We say. Believing that God is in control is one thing. KNOWING that He is in control is another. His Word tells us that through Him, all things are possible. To love Him, we must obey Him. To obey Him, we must have faith and hope.
2 Timothy 1:7- "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
Faith and hope share one common synonym- Belief. Just as you believe that you will be able to get up and walk tomorrow morning, take in a deep breath, or talk when you want to, believe in the things that God can do through you. Everyone can make a difference. If you are truly a changed person in Christ, you have already made an impact. Keep believing! Also, believe in the people around you, and never stop loving them. God gives us great rules to live by!
1 Corinthians 12:31- "So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all."
-Jenna Hampton
with swinter5 and B. C. Forbes
So glad I have my computer back so I can read your inspiring blog. Love, Mimi
ReplyDeleteLord, help me to put these things into practice.
Wonderful! I really like that you read them. :) Its encouraging. I wish more grandchildren were close to their grandparents. I like to spend time with you! And so does Chloe. :) You are awesome Mimi! I pray that God will work through you in all the things you are trying to do for him and for your life. Goodnight!
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