We have three cornerstones to our faith in action: Faith, hope, and love.

Faith is the confidence, trust, reliance, conviction, belief, assurance, devotion, and loyalty, knowing that God is who He says He is. The Bible is the complete and whole counsel of God. Inspired by God Himself. That Jesus not only is who He says He is but also did what He said He would do and does so each and every day. The Holy Spirit was sent from the Father in heaven to abide in us when we submit our lives to Him. The Holy Spirit in us is our strength, power, wisdom, and understanding. He gives us the power to follow God in every aspect.But it is not enough to have faith. There must be more.

With the love in which God has loved us, this is the same love that we need to love one another. Sometimes that is easier said than done; even more so with sincerity. Perhaps it’s a good time to go back to see how God has loved us to get a basis for what He asks us to do.

A look at Psalm 51.

David wrote this psalm after his adultery with Bathsheba and his role in the subsequent death of her husband, Uriah. Nathan the prophet had come to David to confront David’s sin against God and man.

It has been said that David was a man after God’s own heart. He loved God with all that he had, yet in the midst of his passion for God, he fell dramatically in his sin.

But did not stay there.

There are times that we wonder how we can accomplish it all. How often do we look at what we have to do and go “deer-in-the-headlights” overwhelmed?

It’s time to stop, slow down, take a deep breath and see what God has to say on the subject.

Isaiah tells us:

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”

There are times that we just need to allow ourselves to stop, rest and to be rejuvenated. We’re not speaking vacation here; it’s a daily exercise to which we need to avail ourselves. King David understood this so well from the time of his youth he centered his thoughts, emotions and deeds on God.

Why are we praying? When we pray to connect with God, we set in motion the direc tion that our thoughts, words, and deeds can go; if we choose to be connected they will go that way.

How are we praying?

Jesus tells us how to pray:

“Pray with Simplicity

“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

We often think now that I’m a Christian my life should go smoothly. Let me clarify for those who call themselves Jesus followers; God is not concerned with our comfort He is concerned with our character.

There are times when many of us have been through a rough patch or are going through one and you just feel completely wrung out. No energy. No passion. Just fatigue. As for me; I can unequivocally relate at different times in my life to this description. It is at these times that we prove who we are; our character is tried and tested.

Regardless of where we are in our faith; in this world, there is a constant battle for our mindshare, time, talent and money. The barrage is constant on television, radio, texts, emails, and social media. There’s an assault on our faith, values, and standards in all age groups irrespective of what faith you hold to.

Jesus followers have an obligation, mandate, and command. In Matthew Jesus lets us know what is the most important and the foundation of what we are called to do, it is this:

“...Love God with all your heart, mind and soul...and love your neighbor as yourself..." Matthew 22:36-40