Happy Sunday , have a great week !! Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Tears of Faith Have you ever had your heart broken? Or your dreams shattered? Or had your plans crushed by reality? That happened to the Jewish people when they were forced to leave their homes and become exiles in a foreign land. Their grief was surely deep and their questions surely plenty, but even their tears couldn’t stop new growth. Recorded in Psalm 126, regarding the time “when the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem…” “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭126:5 NLT‬‬ Like the Israelites, you might be in a season of unexpected sadness, but joy, fruit, and abundance are waiting on the other side. Are you worried about someone in your family? Are you frustrated with someone at work? Are you devastated or numb regarding a situation in your life? Are you baffled by what you see on the news? Is your health failing you? Is this season not quite what you’d hoped? Maybe you truly want to make a difference and you want the people around you to know God, but it’s hard—because you’re trudging forward through tears. The great news is, seeds aren’t picky about moisture, and tears can be a catalyst for growth. Like any good book or movie, there’s conflict before there’s resolution. Like a woman in labor, there’s pain before there’s new life. Like a prisoner, there’s the angst of captivity before there’s the relief of freedom. Like any real farmer knows, there’s dirt and sweat before there’s any kind of harvest. We don’t always get to choose the environment in which we sow seeds. But regardless, we—people made in the image of God—are called to love Him and love people, to be fruitful and multiply, to go and make disciples, and to trust Him with our grief. Joy is often preceded by tears, which should give us great hope. So, let’s continue to do the good work God has put before us. Let’s continue to plant seeds in faith, even through tears. Let’s honor Him as we sow our seeds and trust Him with the harvest.

“Even when God's will does not correspond to your own desires, it is always beneficial for you.” St. Arnold Janssen Today's Meditation "I believe we shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavoring to know God, for, beholding His greatness we are struck by our own baseness, His purity shows our foulness, and by meditating on His humility we find how very far we are from being humble. Two advantages are gained by this practice. First, it is clear that white looks far whiter when placed near something black, and on the contrary, black never looks so dark as when seen beside something white. Secondly, our understanding and will become more noble and capable of good in every way when we turn from ourselves to God: it is very injurious never to raise our minds above the mire of our own faults." St. Teresa of Avila An excerpt from Interior Castle: Pg. 17

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." — James 1:5 Big decisions this week — hire, pricing, partnership. I don't have all answers. But I can ask. • ✅Pray specifically before deciding • ✅Write options + seek counsel • ✅Trust God to give clarity What decision are you praying over? Let's lift it up together. #James15 #Wisdom #FounderFaith #Leadership #DailyDevotion

“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” ‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Sweetness of Patience Have you ever plucked fruit prematurely? Perhaps you were drawn in by its vibrant color or sweet scent moving through the air. But when you took the first bite, you realized it lacked the ripeness you anticipated. Everything seemed right at first glance, but there was one missing ingredient… Time. Even the simple act of picking fruit can teach us about time and patience: "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You, too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:7-8 The author, James, penned these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to a community of new Jewish converts to Christianity, dispersed throughout various regions. These early Christians faced many trials, including persecution and opposition, because of their newfound faith. James’ call to wait patiently and endure was more than mere words on a page; they were a lifeline of hope and encouragement in the midst of adversity. And just as those early believers confronted trials, we, too, will encounter challenges and suffering in our Christian journey. And, just like those early believers, you can choose patience—allowing the fruit of the Spirit to ripen within you, no matter the season of life. And when you do, your character will mature, your faith will deepen, and your relationship with God will become sweeter than you could imagine. Patience always bears the fruit of perseverance and strength, even today and even for you! https://www.myfaithradio.com/faith-media/