5 Keys of F.A.I.T.H

Friday, January 9th, 2015     by Sherry Carter     10 Comments

I took this amazing picture the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the Midland, TX, airport.

Roses blooming in the ice.

They’re determined, aren’t they?

         
The world around them is frozen.

Hostile.

          Still, they bloom.





We all experience winter. We walk in a hostile world.


How can we bloom when our lives feel frozen?




Find protection in your F…A...I…T…H



Fellowship: Friends insulate you from the cold. Hugs block the wind. 
Words of encouragement soothe you like a sip of hot chocolate.
Prayers surround you like a warm blanket.
Snuggle up!


Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11


Armor: It ‘s ten degrees outside –  you wouldn’t think of going
anywhere without your coat…and cap…and scarf…and mittens.
Nothing keeps you warm like the belt of truth, the breastplate of
righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation.
Dress to fight the cold!


Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11


Identity: Stand firm in your identity in Christ. 
You are hidden in Christ.
You are inhabited by the Holy Spirit.
The cold cannot penetrate you.
A chill cannot move into your soul.
You are protected from without and sealed from within.


For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba Father.” Romans 8:15


Thankfulness: Say what? It’s hard to be thankful when you’re shivering.
Remember the times you could feel God’s presence. Trust that the
Lord of the spring and summer is alive and active in the winter.
His presence wraps around you like a soft cloak.


The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 
Psalm 28:7

Hope: total confidence in God’s character. He is faithful.
He is power. He is truth.
He is the flame that glows within you.
Comfort flows from trusting Him.


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Romans 15:13

With FAITH, you will bloom in the ice!



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10 Comments

    The Conversation

  1. Cynthia Lovely says:
    January 8, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Sherry,
    What a great picture and lovely post! You should submit this somewhere as a devotional, beautifully written.

    Reply
  2. Katy Kauffman says:
    January 9, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    I haven't thought of faith in those exact terms before. Thank you for this post. I really needed it today.

    Reply
  3. Caroline says:
    January 10, 2015 at 12:16 am

    I love it! It's totally beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Carol Weeks says:
    January 10, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    If we as individuals are going to make any changes in the world today, we MUST be different. One of those ways is to bloom outwardly when we're frozen inside. This post is a good way to remember how we can do that. Thanks, Sherry…

    Reply
  5. ifeoma ezitonye says:
    January 12, 2015 at 7:22 am

    Hi Sherry, this is awesome. You broke it down nicely. I am Blessed. God Bless You.

    http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com

    Reply
  6. Cynthia A. Lovely says:
    January 12, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    Beautiful thoughts, Sherry.

    Reply