Faith Mark
I have a faith heritage that finds its roots certainly back to my grandparents and even great-grandparents. I can’t live off of their faith, but I do draw strength from knowing that they knew Him. I recently connected with an old friend who had a lot of influence in my faith journey. He was present with me in suffering and struggle to encourage, motivate and inspire me to seek the Lord. It was very cool to reconnect and look back on that season. My friend’s faith left a mark on my life in a very good way.
I think often about my role as a Dad and now “Pop” to my family. I want to leave a faith mark on their lives as well. The heritage of faith I leave behind finds its depth and strength in the time spent now with the Lord in His Word.
I was reminded this am of the crazy, up & down journey of the people of Israel. They were a chosen people by God, and they disconnected from Him on too many occasions. His love was relentless, and He kept coming back. The Psalmist starts with praise for God and wraps up with praise for God. Check this out….
1 Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?
Who can ever praise him enough?
3 There is joy for those who deal justly with others
and always do what is right.
4 Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people;
come near and rescue me.
5 Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones.
Let me rejoice in the joy of your people;
let me praise you with those who are your heritage.
48 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting!
Let all the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the Lord!(Psalm 106:1-5, 48 NLT)
The longer I know the Lord, the more I can begin to understand His heart of forgiveness and mercy. The more I study Him in His Word, the more I begin to see my need for grace and mercy. If I am to leave a faith mark on others, I must first allow Him to leave a faith mark on my heart. I want to know Him and make Him known. I would rather know Him deeply in private than to be known publicly for my walk with Him. I want my faith to be deep. I want my faith to be very real. I want my faith to be significant. I want my family and friends to see my faith mark and my prayer is that my life leaves a faith mark on them.
Pressing On!
Dwayne