To keep that faith alive and thriving, we have to put it to use. One way to put your faith into action is through praise and worship. Praise is a supernatural force that causes you to stand strong in faith even when your thoughts or circumstances are coming against the truth. Praise keeps your thoughts going in the right direction. It’s hard to be negative when you are declaring the goodness of God!

Today, let praise make you stable and strong. Put that faith in your heart into action. Look for reasons to thank God. As you do, you’ll feel that inner strength and be empowered to move forward into victory all the days of your life.

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Hebrews 2:14-18

Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

M ark 1:29-39 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Every one is searching for you." 38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee , preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Meditation by Tamora Whitney

W hen I started writing this reflection, my mother had just had a minor stroke but was recovering remarkably. Between then and when I finished this, she suffered a major stroke and is in ICU, paralyzed, can’t speak and is looking at serious rehab for recovery. And I’m re-writing. Those of you who “follow me” on Daily Reflections, may know I’ve had a seriously tough time lately. My husband died last year, my dad died over the summer, and now my mom is seriously ill and debilitated. My intent for this reflection was to talk about the gospel and I’m still going to, but I think my perspective has changed in the past few days.

In the gospel, Jesus heals a seriously ill woman, then she gets up a serves him. I know gender roles were very proscribed back then, and in some ways haven’t changed significantly since, but I always thought that part was pretty harsh and sort of sexist. This woman had been very ill, and as soon as she’s healed, she gets up to serve the men. I think she should be allowed to rest a little and the men can serve themselves for once. I think of my own family, and all the holiday dinners the women spent in the kitchen and the men spent in the family room. And my mom spent her whole life serving her family. She stayed home with me and my sister, and then with my sister’s kids. My sister and her kids live and work very near my mom’s house, so everyone went there for lunch every day. My mom particularly dotes on her oldest grandson, and when he came for lunch she would bring him his plate and napkin and then refill his plate or his glass. He never had to lift a finger. And after her mild stroke a couple weeks ago, she was back to making lunch for everyone. I tried to get her to sit down, let the boy fix his own plate, but she lived to serve her family and loved cooking for us all. When I took her to the store last week she was concerned about what she could fix for lunches.

Then she had a major stroke. My sister and I have been with her in the hospital, and yesterday when they brought her lunch tray in, I fed her. And she hated that she was unable, not only to take care of herself, but also that she’s unable to take care of us. When the tray came, she tried to pick up the soup bowl with her good hand, and I was so afraid she would spill hot soup all over herself. I said, “Please, Mother, let me help you.” I could see that she was angry and discouraged. She hated to accept the help that she needs now. She was able to hold the milk carton and drink the milk herself through the straw – we are happy for whatever, even small improvements. I would be so happy if Jesus came into her room and healed her, and I’m sure if he did she would jump right up and make him a sandwich. But since that’s not the situation we’re dealing with, I’m glad I’m in town, and out of school right now so I’m able to be there with her, to take care of what she needs now, and feed her supper. She spent almost fifty years serving me (and I wasn’t always an easy child to raise) and I am very glad and willing to serve her now. And I’m thinking now that the woman in the gospel perhaps did not feel put upon at all, but was grateful for the opportunity to serve her Lord.

Supplementary Reading

Put Your Faith into Action

“No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God” - (Romans 4:20, AMP)

S cripture tells us that faith without works is dead. In other words, if the faith inside of us doesn’t get expression through our actions and words, it will no longer be alive. If we don’t use it, we will lose it, so to speak. We have to step out in faith in order to keep faith alive.

Every person has been given a measure of faith by God. When we hear the truth of God’s Word, we receive more faith. That’s why it’s so important to put the Word of God inside of you because when you do, you are building your faith. To keep that faith alive and thriving, we have to put it to use. One way to put your faith into action is through praise and worship. Praise is a supernatural force that causes you to stand strong in faith even when your thoughts or circumstances are coming against the truth. Praise keeps your thoughts going in the right direction. It’s hard to be negative when you are declaring the goodness of God!

Today, let praise make you stable and strong. Put that faith in your heart into action. Look for reasons to thank God. As you do, you’ll feel that inner strength and be empowered to move forward into victory all the days of your life.

Heavenly Father, today I choose to bless Your name. I thank You for life. I thank You for breath. I thank You for provision, healing, strength and joy. Today I choose to put my faith in action by praising You all day long. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. - Joel & Victoria Osteen