Even as I sit to write this, my neighbors’ chimes, are chiming away. I do not love

chimes. My other neighbor used to have 12 in her back yard and 2 on her front deck.

They drove me crazy! Honestly, it was the chimes that pushed me to get ear buds and

listen to music when I wanted to sit outside!

The sound of these chimes reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3,

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing

gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries

and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not

love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body,

but have not love, I gain nothing.” A complimentary verse, Galatians 5:6b, states, “The only

thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

We know that God Himself is the Author of love and He is the one to whom we look to fill us

daily with His love. Faith also comes from Him, and both must walk together.

I have seen many great things done, lovingly, with an absence of faith. While it is really

nice, it does not have the power to change lives for God – meaning there is no chance

of hope that leads to knowing Christ. Those dear people who were recipients of all that

kindness, go home satisfied for the moment, but they don’t have the hope that knowing

Jesus provides. The One who helps us through the storms of life, the Author of Wisdom,

our Burden Bearer, our Redeemer!

Love and faith walk hand in hand. I think the point that I am trying to make is simply this:

Regardless of messes we must walk through in our lives, don’t allow that season to be

defined by stress and fear. While we may find ourselves overwhelmed by it for a

moment, we don’t stay there. We stand on the Solid Rock and have our faith there. When

we read the news and find it depressing, we remember who holds our lives in the palm

of His hand. As we face difficult people and touchy situations, may love and faith be in

the centre.

We are told in God’s Word that people will know we are Christians by our love- that is

because love with faith, looks different then what is in the world.

Dear Father,

I thank You for the way You help us to live out this love and faith combo. Show me

where I am lacking. I want my life to be marked by faith and love. Thank You Father.

In Jesus Name,

Amen