as the leaves change, the Lord's faithfulness does not.

changes are happening. the colors of the leaves are becoming bright oranges and deep reds. students are spending more time doing homework because midterms are near. seven people i know got engaged within the past week. two dear friends of mine are in other countries. my brother got on a plane for europe today. and the list goes on.

throughout the changes, there are things that are the same. almost every college student i ask how they are doing still answers good or busy. i still am asked a few times a week what i will do after graduation and i still say i am not sure because there are so many possibilities. the Lord continues to bless me with free meals a few times a week. and i am still amazed at how much i am learning (not necessarily in my classes).

the biggest thing that i see being consistent is the Lord's faithfulness. i need to remind myself of this daily because of the hurt i see or hear about, worries and stress that comes, questions i have about the future, and discouragement i get from what i see in our society. 

i have been reading the book of Matthew the past few days and one of the major themes i see in the book is faith. the word is used many times from Jesus saying to one of His disciples, "O you of little faith, why do you doubt," to Jesus saying, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." 

Jesus is saying all throughout Matthew that faith is important and we need it to live for Him. This is something I would like to work on. I encourage you to do the same. Next time you doubt yourself or God, or a situation arises that is stressful, or you are discouraged by things going on around you, PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS. He is more faithful than you could every imagine. When you do this, your eyes will be opened to a new way of living. It is something I am experiencing right now. Yes it is hard, but the reward is incredible.

"The kingdom of heaven is like TREASURE hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine PEARLS, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." -Matthew 13:44-46.

My prayer is as I am learning what it means to put  my faith and hope in Jesus Christ, you will too. Talk it out with God and then with a friend. Read the Word, you will see countless times that God is faithful to His children.