Day 12: January 19, 2024
Plant More Seeds of Faith
Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Ponder: In the summer of my ninth-grade year, Mr. Parks, from our church, took me and my buddy Chip backpacking deep into the Sequoia National Forest. It was a fantastic experience. We actually wondered why he invited the two of us as we didn’t have much of a relationship with him. The more I’ve thought about it, it was probably his effort at an intervention. We were hoodlums to say the least. Mr. Parks provided everything- backpacks, food, tiny cooking utensils and the guidance we needed to finally reach some of the most beautiful parts of God’s creation. After 3 days of camping, we headed back down the mountain. It rained the whole way. We were slipping, sliding, and sloshing the whole way. Admittedly, there were some times I just wanted to sit down and pout and maybe even cry. But I dare not lose sight of Mr. Parks. Following him was my only way out of the dense forest and into the awaiting warm, dry car.
I had almost let a momentary challenge ruin an experience of a lifetime. Much like my memorable backpacking experience, you and I have seasons of experiencing and enjoying God’s wonderful blessings. In those seasons, it’s easy to trust in God, as we sense His presence. But we are all too familiar with the reality that there are also seasons where it seems to be pouring down troubles that weigh heavy on our soul, and we just want to sit down, pout and maybe even give up. This is where faith comes in. You see the very real trouble before you, but God is the object of your faith, and is also very real. Faith is staying focused on God, though He may be unseen, He is present and actively leading you through. He is the same God leading you through and out of the storm, as He was when He was leading you in and up onto the mountain top. You are planting the seeds of faith today by fixing your eyes on what you know to be true- God is working this season for your good. Stay in step with Him today.
Practice: Do you recall a time you couldn’t see God, and your situation was dire? Looking back, how did God end up working that out for your good? How are you seeing the unseen God at work in your life or family right now?
Pray: Lord, though you are unseen to my natural eye, I have seen you at work on my behalf. Forgive me for the times I’ve given myself to fear and doubt, when my problems were all that I could see. Thank you that you have promised to never leave me or forsake me, this is the seed of my faith, and I will grow to trust you more in my life. Amen.
Plant More Seeds of Faith
Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Ponder: In the summer of my ninth-grade year, Mr. Parks, from our church, took me and my buddy Chip backpacking deep into the Sequoia National Forest. It was a fantastic experience. We actually wondered why he invited the two of us as we didn’t have much of a relationship with him. The more I’ve thought about it, it was probably his effort at an intervention. We were hoodlums to say the least. Mr. Parks provided everything- backpacks, food, tiny cooking utensils and the guidance we needed to finally reach some of the most beautiful parts of God’s creation. After 3 days of camping, we headed back down the mountain. It rained the whole way. We were slipping, sliding, and sloshing the whole way. Admittedly, there were some times I just wanted to sit down and pout and maybe even cry. But I dare not lose sight of Mr. Parks. Following him was my only way out of the dense forest and into the awaiting warm, dry car.
I had almost let a momentary challenge ruin an experience of a lifetime. Much like my memorable backpacking experience, you and I have seasons of experiencing and enjoying God’s wonderful blessings. In those seasons, it’s easy to trust in God, as we sense His presence. But we are all too familiar with the reality that there are also seasons where it seems to be pouring down troubles that weigh heavy on our soul, and we just want to sit down, pout and maybe even give up. This is where faith comes in. You see the very real trouble before you, but God is the object of your faith, and is also very real. Faith is staying focused on God, though He may be unseen, He is present and actively leading you through. He is the same God leading you through and out of the storm, as He was when He was leading you in and up onto the mountain top. You are planting the seeds of faith today by fixing your eyes on what you know to be true- God is working this season for your good. Stay in step with Him today.
Practice: Do you recall a time you couldn’t see God, and your situation was dire? Looking back, how did God end up working that out for your good? How are you seeing the unseen God at work in your life or family right now?
Pray: Lord, though you are unseen to my natural eye, I have seen you at work on my behalf. Forgive me for the times I’ve given myself to fear and doubt, when my problems were all that I could see. Thank you that you have promised to never leave me or forsake me, this is the seed of my faith, and I will grow to trust you more in my life. Amen.
Posted in Harvest Devotionals
Fill out my online form.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Harvest Devotional Day 1Harvest Devotional Day 2Harvest Devotional Day 3Harvest Devotional Day 4Harvest Devotional Day 5Harvest Devotional Day 6Harvest Devotional Day 7Harvest Devotional Day 8Harvest Devotional Day 9Harvest Devotional Day 10Harvest Devotional Day 11Harvest Devotional Day 12Harvest Devotional Day 13Harvest Devotional Day 14Harvest Devotional Day 15Harvest Devotional Day 16Harvest Devotional Day 17Harvest Devotional Day 18Harvest Devotional Day 19Harvest Devotional Day 20Harvest Devotional Day 21
No Comments