Faith is a word that we use a lot, but sometimes we can make it too complicated. Faith simply means “belief or absolute trust”; the word also implies loyalty and commitment.

Faith isn't a huge, complicated concept that we have to stress over. Genuine faith in God simply acknowledges that the message of Jesus' death and resurrection is absolutely true. It happens when we say, "Not only does it make sense to me, but I'm willing to stake my life on it."

The Bible says that the uncompromisingly righteous shall live by faith and faithfulness. One way to think of the uncompromisingly righteous is to think of those who are made right by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Through faith we are made right, and God treats us as His own beloved children.

Today, I encourage you to get back to the basics of faith.  Know that when you put your faith in Him, you are made right. Live by your trust in the God who reaches out to you with loving and open arms, ready to receive you and love you just as you are.

__Joyce Meyer

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Thank You, Heavenly Father

Father, I thank You for all Your many blessings throughout my life. Even when in difficult times, You have always been with me. I thank You for my family and friends, my home and daily blessings of food and clothing, financial well-being, opportunities to be of service, and all the many ways You have provided for me. I know I have not always been the person You wanted me to be, but hopefully in the future, I will be that person. You have given me the faith to trust in You in all things, and for that faith I am grateful. Please show me the way forward, so that I may be of maximum service to You and my fellow beings. I love You with all my heart. In the precious name of Jesus, amen. 

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

          Thank You Lord

Lord, I want to say thank You

Thank You for sending me friends

They all teach me something

The things You want me to learn

So my life will be better

Happier

More fulfilling

Jesus said He came to give us life

The abundant life

For our joy to be complete

And to honor God

Thank You for sending Jesus

The best friend of all

In His Name I pray, amen.*

*from Gene Allen Groner's book of poetry and prayers, The Nature of Angels.

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him.

— Matthew 20:30-34

Compassion alludes to kindness and sympathy, but there is something deeper, something even more profoundly powerful, in its meaning.

The origin of the word helps us grasp the true breadth and significance of compassion. In Latin, ‘compati’ means “suffer with.” Compassion means someone else’s heartbreak becomes your heartbreak. Another’s suffering becomes your suffering. True compassion changes the way we live.

“We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gene Allen Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Please Accept My Prayer

Dearest Lord Jesus
Your birth is amazing
The way the angel Gabriel came
And told Joseph and Mary
That You would be born

And how the Holy Spirit made it possible
The first miracle
Of the New Testament Bible
That is so amazing!

Thank You Jesus for loving me
And for loving all the world
For all the things You showed us and taught us
How to live and be happy

But did You really have to die that way?
It must have been unimaginably painful for You
I'm so sorry
I'm sorry for my sins

All I can say is thank You
Thank You for forgiving me
And allowing me to come to heaven one day
I'll be so happy to see You

I want to hold Your hand
And say thank You from my heart
Thank You from my heart to Your heart
Please accept my prayer
In Your name, amen.*

*from my book of prayers and poems titled, The Nature of Angels,
available on Amazon.com

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love.  See Gene's books of inspirational poetry and messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Slip-ups, Mistakes, and Shortcomings

I am not my slip-ups, mistakes, or shortcomings.
Disappointment in myself
Is a place to visit,
But not a place to live.
               -Anonymous

This morning I wrapped up all my past mistakes
And placed them in a shoebox.
Then I placed the box
At the foot of the Cross
And gave them all to Jesus.
Jesus Christ forgave all my mistakes
When He died on the Cross.
Thank you Jesus. Amen.

This is a New Year
And I am a new man.
Thank you Jesus. Amen

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

January 9, 2019

Let Go and Let God

No one likes to surrender, to admit defeat. But there are times when we need to let go of old thoughts and habits. I have learned that God is always ready and willing to take these thoughts and habits from us so that we can be free--free to become the people He created us to be. Sometimes we need to "Let go and let God" be in charge of our lives. Our lives will be much better and happier, and we will enjoy abundant peace, hope, and love. This is my prayer for today. In Jesus' name, amen.

John 8:36-- “If The Son therefore will set you free, you will truly be the children of liberty.”