Tag: faithfulness

Posted in bible, faith, friend, God, heart, Holy Spirit, hope, kind, love, loyalty, meditation, mercy, People, politics, prayer, scripture, Spiritual, words

Loyalty

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

“Chesed” is the Hebrew word which means “loyalty” in English. “Chesed” is lovingkindness, steadfastness, mercy, faithfulness, loyalty. Last month I wrote about God’s faithfulness. Today I write about people’s faithfulness. Oh, that word “loyalty”. Is it lost while in survival mode in this earthly life and forgotten in this me-myself-and-I selfish society? With the current political climate and personal turmoil unrelated to politics I seek the meaning to the word “loyalty”. According to the dictionary “loyalty is the state or quality of being faithful, dedicated, and steadfast in your support of a person, group, country, institution, or ideal. It means standing by someone or something through changing conditions or difficult times rather than abandoning them.” But what does the Holy Scripture say about loyalty?

I found this helpful online list of scriptures from What Does the Bible Say About Loyalty? These are the words to address what I am dealing with in my own life. How about yours?

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things,” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV. Lord, help me with this.

“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.” ~ Proverbs 3:3 NLT. Let my heart lead me with Your heart, my God.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. ~ Matthew 18:15 NLT. I have gone to this person, yet he sees no sin. Now what? Lord, show me if I am in error. Convict this other person if the error is theirs.

“Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” ~ Proverbs 27:17 NLT. Let this friend sharpen me as I sharpen my friend. Mutual respect.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” ~ Galatians 5:22-23 ESV. As I live with You and Your will, let Your fruits resonate in my life.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV. With watchful eyes, let me stay true to what You have called me to, and keep me strong while reflecting Your love.

Now, let these words become life as I meditate on them, and then live them.

Posted in body, faith, God, goodness, health, love, Physical, quote, rain, scripture, Spiritual, St. Francis, thankful, weather

Faithfulness of a New Sunrise and Rain

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

A new sunrise, a new day, a gift. As I creak out of bed or it seems with stiff joints, I am mindful to thank my God for this new day. I was able to sleep in a bit on the day off from my culinary work. I get into the warm shower to help loosen by body. My daily stretches need to start up again. I became laxed as I have been feeling so good over the past few months, but the joint aches are creeping up this past week or so. My faithfulness with wall push-ups and chair yoga every day is required again. The online program offered through my health insurance company has wonderful stretches I can participate with to avoid physical therapy sessions once or twice a week. A time and money saver. Thank you, God.

I go into the kitchen to make my breakfast. There is a full dishwasher with dirty dishes. Darn it anyway, the dishwasher must have not gotten turned on and run last evening. The floors are screaming, “vacuum me”! Oh, the to-do list is climbing higher by the minute. Yet, what is God calling me to this morning? Sit before Him. As I read I am reminded from the St. Francis novena sent to my inbox,“to be grateful for the beauty (and not so beautiful) around me and to care for it responsibly … cultivate a heart that treasures creation and honors it as an expression to love God, reflecting His goodness in all I do.”

“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” ~ Psalms 36:5 NIV

Another new sunrise, this one is magnificent pinks, oranges, and reds. The red is a sailor’s warning for dicey weather later today. The humidity is so thick you can cut it with a knife. The weather people are saying by the evening hours, plenty of rain into the night and tomorrow morning. We need precipitation but let it come steady and easy. I hear the mist has started, followed by the steady, soothing sound of God’s faithfulness, the rain. As faithful as the rain is tonight, let His faithfulness and my faithfulness reign in my relationships and endeavors.