Seeing the Unseen

The word for the week: FAITH
Bible Verse: II Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at things which seen, but at things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

No matter what happens to you in this life, God the Father has a reason for allowing you to experience "your outward man perishing, yet your inward man being renewed day by day".

Why? God wants to reveal the depth of His love; His faithfulness. He wants to teach you to count your loss as gain; to find peace in the midst of your sorrow. As you go through the pain and heartache you've been called to endure, will you trust Him?

It's during the hardest parts of life- the darkest moments of despair that God the Father will reveal His love and faithfulness to those who trust Him and call on His name.

To see the unseen is to see God in the situation and know He is in control, even though you can't see His purpose. It's to seek to know the eternal truths He has for you, in spite of the pain. And in doing so, you will find the strength and courage to face what's before you.

Seeing the unseen is to sing songs of praise and thanksgiving even though you have no idea why this thing has happened. Why? Because His love endures. No matter what- He is with you, never leaving you, always comforting you.

It is then, the unseen becomes solid; concrete in your heart and mind. Knowing without a doubt, in spite of all that is happening, God is with you, and will help you get through the pain you're suffering.

How then can you "lose heart" when you know God the Father always has something (eternal) of Himself to give to you? No matter what you have to go through, it will always be worth it in the end.

The more you know Him, the more you will see that everything in this life is temporary(it will end someday). The only thing that's not is God the Father- His love, His faithfulness, His mercy, His grace, and His peace are eternal treasures from His Heart. He is waiting to give them to you if you accept His Will in your life, and trust Him no matter what happens.

copyright 2007 - S. Hunt All rights reserved

Open My Eyes Lord

The word for the week is CHARITY Bible Verse: Isaiah 58:6,7,and 8

Is this not the fast I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness.
To undo the heavy burdens.
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him.
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?


Is there someone you know today who needs help? Stop a moment and look around this week to see who it is that needs your help. Sometimes it's not apparent when someone is in need. Most people are reluctant to share their needs with others. But if you ask God the Father to show you who He wants you to help and how He wants you to help, He will open your eyes.

You may think that you don't have the time or the money. You may not want to get involved, feel obligated, or make a commitment. But God is calling you to to stop and be still for a moment and consider what He has blessed you with that you could share with someone in need.

In every town and city across the nation there are single parents struggling to take care of their children. Many of which, are living well below the povery level. Four of the most important things that single parent families need help with are:

1. Child-care - In order to work, a single parent needs a safe place to leave their children. Could you help pay for child care? Could you offer to babysit - free of charge?

2. Groceries - After the utilities and rent is paid, there's little money left to buy food and personal care items. Could you pick up an extra bag of food items each time you go shopping? Or maybe non-food items like diapers, toilet paper, soap, deoderant, toothpaste, shampoo, or medicine. Children also need school supplies and lunch boxes, backpacks, clothes, and shoes.

Providing any of these items can make a difference as to whether a single parent will be able to make ends meet or not.

3. Community Resources - Can you help a single parent locate and access community resources they may not know exists? Maybe a church, a support group, a pantry or clothes closet ministry or free medical care or dental care?

4. Fellowship - Could you be a mentor to a single parent? One of the hardest things to deal with is loneliness; having no one to turn to for emotional and spiritual support. Single parents need someone who is reliable and sincere that they can lean on. A call or visit every week or a couple of times a month would make a difference in the emotional and spiritual stability of a single parent and their children. Could you be the one who reaches out with God's love and provides encouragement and fellowship to a single parent family?

Will you answer God's Call?

Here are a few suggestions that you may have not considered as ways you might could help:

• Give a garage sale and use the money to buy groceries or pay a utility bill for a single parent family
• Pick up one or two extra personal care items each time you shop. That's one or two less items the single parent has to worry about.
• Buy a book of gift certificates from a fast food establishment to give to the single parent. This is an inexpensive and fun way to provide a treat and relieve some stress.
• Go through your closet and see what you come up with you could give away that a single parent family could use or sell.
• Offer free service: do you cook, clean houses, cut lawns, repair appliances/cars, cut hair or do nails? Maybe you quilt or sew. Maybe you could provide transportation or babysit.
• Buy tokens to wash and dry clothes at a laundry mat or offer to do the single parent family's laundry for them.
• Fill their automobile up with gas.
• Invite a single parent family to have dinner with your family, go out to a movie or play putt putt. Your treat!
• Stop in to visit and drop off a care basket full of treats: fruit, homemade candy, cookies, popcorn, a cake, or even a cassarole can put a smile on lots of faces, and show someone cares.
• Send an ecouraging card in the mail to let the single parent family know you have them in your thoughts and prayers.
• Maybe you have several friends that might be interested in helping too. Look at how much more you could do.

If you stop and take some time to think about how to help someone in need - you will discover that there's lots of ways to help relieve stress and lift the spirits of a single parent family without spending a lot of time or money. A little bit here and there goes a long way.

There are spiritual blessings in store for those who answer God's call.

copyright 2007 - S.Hunt All rights reserved

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Please feel free to share the ideas or suggestions you may have as to how to help someone in need. You never know- your idea might just be the answer someone else is looking for.

Have a great week!

New Beginnings

Welcome to my weekly blog. I hope you will find something here that will help you in some way.

This past week has been a good one for me. I feel excited and confident about my life as a writer. When I look back over this past year, I am amazed at the growth and progress I've made. God has led me to the right places to find what I needed. He has caused me to cross paths with the right people to help fulfill His will in my life. Once again He reminds me that He is faithful to provide what I need just at the right time.