Good Morning,

The Shield of Faith that is referred to in scripture is not a physical shield that one would brandish as a show item or as a show of force, it is a protective shield that surrounds us as we develop it. Those who have run marathons understand that preparing for the race encompasses all areas of our lives including diet, weight management, sleep, and a proper exercise regimen beginning many months before the race. So, faith is action-oriented that is, we can talk up a good story but until the story is executed, it is just that a story (James 2:26).

My encouragement for you today is that you would take the small seed you used to come to the Lord and you would plant it in your heart and nurture it through the watering of the Word of God. If we never develop our faith, we will always be defeated. When we have no faith, the minions of our enemy will compel us to believe that there is no way we will ever fit in with this crowd and we will never be more lonely than at that moment sort of like Elijah (1 King 19). Faith will never stop the storms from coming but it will protect our minds and body through them.

Father,

Without faith, it is impossible to please you because we will never do anything, overcome anything, and/or repair anything. Each of us, me included, would like to move mountains in our life but fear holds us in our comfort zones. Millions of people the world over deal with trust issues because someone has misused our faith in them and has scarred us; unfortunately we bring those fears into our relationship with you and I know you have had to help me through them too. I pray for those who are dealing with trust issues may these writings encourage them in their walk. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you Father.

I.H.S. MK