Hebrews 11:1-19 & Mark 4:35-41
                                                                                             
It is so easy when making decisions and steering a path through life to consider everything but the faithfulness of God.  Yet whenever I take the time to ‘trace the grace’ of God and pause to give thanks for even the smallest of mercies received, I find that the faithfulness of God’s love and the trustworthiness of God’s truth are more sure than any item or institution of human design. How often do I consider and remain mindful of the faithfulness of God? Holy Spirit, help me consider the faithfulness of God. 
                       
That we … might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (Luke 1:73)
                                                        
Soli ad gloriam dei

Psalm 37 & Mark 4:26-34
                                                                                             
It is as simple as planting a seed, and leaving the plant to grow within nature.  When I put my trust, not in my own faculties and abilities or the wonders of scientific and academic constructs but, in the Lord, and just continue on, taking the next best step by doing good, things unfold in life-giving and enlightening ways. Though it is simple, it can be the hardest challenge of life, to trust God in the midst of the despair and dysfunction of our present age, and to do good in a world where doing evil has become a norm.  Only with the help of the Holy Spirit of God can I persist in walking this path of life. Holy Spirit, help me trust in the Lord and do good. 
                       
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. (Psalm 119: 105)
                                                        
Soli ad gloriam dei

Mark 4:21-25
                              
When I take scripture for granted, it ‘goes in one ear and out the other’.  But when I selectively tune into the reading of God’s word, I mindfully pay attention and reap many, many benefits.  Jesus told his followers that ‘the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you.” When I deliberately commit my time and attention to hearing the word of God at all levels of life, I will receive much more than I expend. When I look into scripture with even just a little faith, hope and love,  I can receive abundant confirmations of faith, profound, light-filled and life-giving hope, and  many cups running over of love from and towards God, others and even my own being.  Christ Jesus, help me pay careful attention to hearing your word.  
                                                                                                            
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. (Psalm 119: 105)
                                                        
Soli ad gloriam dei

Hebrews 10:11-18 &Mark 4:1-20
                              
A cultivator is an implement that digs down deep into the soil to turn it up, exposing it to sunlight and loosening the dirt so that fresh air and moisture can more easily reach the roots of a crop. Left untended, my life can become hardened so that the rains of God’s mercy, and the breath of the Holy Spirit cannot penetrate.  When I allow Christ, at once the Gardener and the True Vine, to work and grow up around and through me, the soil of my being is loosened, letting in the faithful love, life and grace of the Spirit of God. Then the words of scripture that have been sprinkled in and through  my being my whole lifelong will be able to grow and bear abundant fruit. Christ Jesus, cultivate my being to become good soil for your word. 
                                                                                                            
I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. (Hebrews 10:16)
                                                        
Soli ad gloriam dei

Psalm 40 & Mark 3:31-35

In our immediate, materialistic, ‘scientifically proven’, and reality-show world, the values of faithfulness, holiness and salvation find little place in society’s collective consciousness.  How, then, can I do the will of God out there in the streets, market places and homes of this world? Is it by simply slipping into the church to make private sacrifices, hidden sacraments and confidential prayers? The Psalmist set an example: ‘I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation.’ I, too, as a mother, a sister or a brother of Jesus, can speak of the faithfulness and steadfast love of God by tracing the grace of God with my life and proclaiming it both loudly and quietly in word and deed.  Holy Spirit of God, teach me to speak of your faithfulness and salvation.                                                 

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.  (Matthew 11:25)

Soli ad gloriam dei