Flames of Faith: Nuggets of Spiritual Wisdom for every Day of the Year

By Rev. L. C. M. Ibeh

Everything we need to live a peaceful and joyful life is in scripture, yet people find it hard to take the time to meditate on it.

Through scripture the Lord sends us his Word to heal the sick, to guide and direct His children who are lost and wandering, to set free those in bondage, and to comfort those who are grieving. He implores us to give hope to our neighbors who are on the verge of despair and to renew those whose hearts are broken. Finally, He guides us to bring peace to those whose lives are filled with chaos, fear and anxiety, and to accompany those who feel lonely.

Flames of Faith offers daily inspiring scripture passages and reflections for your everyday life. They will motivate and encourage faith and help Christians build a daily habit of meditating on scripture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369409251

Rev. L. C. M. Ibeh

Livinus Chinonye Martin Ibeh is a priest of the diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, USA. Originally from the Southeastern Nigeria, Fr. Ibeh received the Nigeria Certificate In Education (NCE) from the OSISATECH College of Education, Enugu, Nigeria in 2001, a Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc) from the Madonna University, Okija, Nigeria, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (B.A), from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, USA, and a Master of divinity from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida, USA. Since ordination, he is joyfully engaged in priestly ministry, serving the local parish communities in the Diocese of St. Augustine, Fl.

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Copyright © 2023 by Rev. L. C. M. Ibeh.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/20/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Part I: Nuggets of Spiritual Wisdom

for every Day of the Year

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Part II: Prayers

Part III: Society of St. Bartimaeus – The Beginning

Everything we need to live a peaceful and joyful life is in scripture, yet people find it hard to take the time to meditate on it.

Through scripture the Lord sends us his Word to heal the sick, to guide and direct His children who are lost and wandering, to set free those in bondage, and to comfort those who are grieving. He implores us to give hope to our neighbors who are on the verge of despair and to renew those whose hearts are broken. Finally, He guides us to bring peace to those whose lives are filled with chaos, fear and anxiety, and to accompany those who feel lonely.

Flames of Faith offers daily inspiring scripture passages and reflections for your everyday life. They will motivate and encourage faith and help Christians build a daily habit of meditating on scripture.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46-47).

I know that I couldn’t do this without the Holy Spirit at work within me. Our Blessed Mother Mary has taught me to praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness. My heart is full of gratitude and my mouth with joyful praise to my Savior, for all the wonders of his grace.

I am grateful to my bishop, Most Reverend Erik Pohlmeier, who took the time to read my manuscript and granted me permission to publish it. I’m indebted to our bishop emeritus, Most Reverend Felipe Estevez, for proofreading my book and making some valuable comments. I am grateful to my brother, Donatus C. Ibeh, for generously paying for my education in Nigeria. I confess that am not very organized in my writing. If this work is orderly, well phrased, and neat, then thank my dear friend, Linda Inglima, an amazing soul, who has a knack of putting things in an orderly and efficient manner. I appreciate Donna Roane who has always been there for me since I arrived in Florida; she offered me an indispensable suggestion to use scriptures to develop my reflections. Drs. Mary and Mike Soha have always opened their hearts and doors for me, giving me a key to their beautiful home since I first arrived in the Diocese of St. Augustine. I am ever grateful to Clifford and Rose Lewis, who sponsored my pilgrimage to Mexico and Canada and continue to love me deeply and make me feel special. A very word of thanks goes to Michele Halpin, for the time and attention she put in corresponding with our publishers, and for serving as our organization’s website publisher. I acknowledge Diane Matusiak for taking the time to edit my work and giving me positive feedback.

Many other people have played an important role in making me feel welcome and part of the community in the States. The incredible love and generosity of Maria and Slavo Valko will ever be cherished in my heart. Dr. Bill and Diane Blattner have profoundly supported me in the course of my pastoral assignment in St. Augustine. Many thanks to my special friend, Pat Sheils for her love and support to my family in Nigeria. I remain ever grateful to Debbie Womack, founder of The Blue Mantle and Triumph Pilgrimages, for her continued support and for inviting me to go on pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Willy and Digna Morris celebrate my birthday every year since I was reassigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel parish. I thank Erica and Tim Miller for their friendship and for always being there for me.

I express my special gratitude to the Board of Directors and the members of our organization, Society of St. Bartimaeus, including Lauren Seibler, Grace Murphy, Bandele Onasanya (Onas Corporation), Uche Onyibe, Rhode-Jean Aleger, Rhodeline Jean, Amy Snowden, Dr. Jess and Luz Socrates, Erik Svendsen, Joe Halpin, Veronica Gordis, Ken Inglima, and many others. I thank Michael and Lucy Scotti for all their help. I owe a debt of gratitude to all our donors who have always been there for me. I deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of all the Healing Flame Ministry team, especially Vicky Dilone and her parents, Edwin and Nancy Dilone. I am grateful to Emily Gehret for trusting me. This book will not be enough to mention the names of all the people who have showered me with love and generously supported and continue to support my priestly ministry and our organization. I hold them very dear to my heart, praying that the Lord may fill their hearts with his peace and joy. My sincere thanks to the parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel, for the many ways they have shown me love and support. Their devotion, love and friendship have continually filled my heart with joy. My soul magnifies the Lord!

FOREWORD

My heart was humbled by the extraordinary insights that shine throughout Flames of Faith by Fr. Martin Ibeh. In his latest book, we are provided with Biblical scripture verses for each day of the year along with his personal meditations, which can be best described as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Each one of his beautifully crafted and powerful reflections engages the reader to contemplate the deeper meaning behind God’s Word and how it relates to their own personal lives.

Fr. Martin challenges us to look within ourselves to see the areas of our lives that need to change. He reminds us that we are all sons and daughters of a loving, merciful God who wishes to grant us healing, restoration, purpose, and His peace. He urges us to remember the immense grace that is born out of a deep trust in God, perseverance in faith and forgiveness of others.

The book contains several prayers written by Fr. Martin addressing many of our spiritual needs to combat the forces of darkness that seek to destroy our connection to God. Many of these prayers can be included in your daily prayer life.

His calling to establish the Society of St. Bartimaeus, a non-profit organization, is a spiritual fruit of this same healing ministry that helps to transform lives with works of mercy to those in the most need – the lost, the fragile, the lonely and the most neglected.

I’m confident that this book will inspire many hearts as it did mine.

In Christ,

Linda Inglima

President, Society of St. Bartimaeus

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I love that Fr Ibeh has included a daily devotional in this, his second book. The gifts of faith and love Fr. Ibeh has received from our Lord are meant to be shared, and not just on Sunday - but every minute of every day. That’s a pretty high standard, one that is not possible without the Holy Spirit. The daily scripture and meditations in this book fit into even the busiest schedules and help us live our faith.

I pray this book is a blessing to you, just as Father Martin Ibeh is to our parish and the Diocese of St Augustine, Florida.

Michele Halpin

Follower of Jesus, parishioner, and Society of St Bartimaeus Member

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Every soul has a Divine Spark. Fr. Martin’s reflections feed the fire in our soul, bringing us closer to Our Lord through prayer, healing, surrender and trust in order that we might become the light of the world.

Mary Soha, MD.

Vice-Postulator

The Martyrs of La Florida

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Father Ibeh is a reflection of God’s love for His people. He shepherds his flock with care. Through Flames of Faith, Fr. Ibeh conveys a light of spiritual clarity and wisdom, hope, faith, and love. May these reflections bless you as much as they did for me.

Rhode Jean-Aleger

Founder of Jax Prayer Club.

Author of From Him and through Him and for Him.

PART 1

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NUGGETS OF SPIRITUAL WISDOM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

JANUARY

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January 1

Scripture: Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me (Psalm 119:133).

Meditate: When I was a little child, my mom always held my hand whenever we were in a crowded place. It was to avoid losing me in a crowd, and to keep me out of harm’s way, for I had a habit of wandering off towards whatever attracted my attention. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd. You have been crying out to God not to let you wander away from Him, but God is calling you to let Him hold your hand. Pray, Lord, take my hand and my heart and keep me always close to you!

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January 2

Scripture: So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, Lord, save me" (Matt 14:29-30).

Meditate: When you find yourself on life’s stormy sea, do not keep your eyes focused on the storm but on the Savior. Lift up your heart to heaven and pray: Lord, keep me from sinking!!

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January 3

Scripture: And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon. But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us" (Matt 15:22-23).

Meditate: When God seems to be silent in your life, know that he is calling you to go deeper in your faith, to get closer to him. Press on and press into him.