Tag: Faith

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Trust in God’s Faithfulness

We’ve been studying Genesis for the past several weeks.  Each time I read the accounts of Adam and Eve, Noah and Abraham I see God’s hand miraculously working.  I see the promises, the covenants, and the fulfillment of those promises, and it gives me hope, even when I’m feeling hopeless.   So, despite a world fraught with tragedy, natural disasters, economic upheavals, constant concerns, you and I can exercise faith in God when all seems to be against us. The Bible constantly reminds us that God uses difficult circumstances to show Himself faithful.  Abraham and Sarah are listed in Hebrews Chapter 11 as members of the elite group of faith believers who trusted in the word of the Lord.  Theirs is one of the “trust standards” for us to learn from and to follow.  Just as He promised Abraham and Sarah that they would conceived the “child of promise” in their old age, God is able to do all things according to His divine plan.  He knows the thoughts He has towards us, thoughts of good and not evil, to bring us to an expected end. (Jeremiah 29-11-13 paraphrased).    He promised Noah he would never again destroy the earth with a flood.  He promised Abraham land, nations, a promised child, and blessings.   He promised us a Savior.  Although, today you and I might be struggling with the cares of this world, God is not.  He knows us, and the plans He has for us.  He is the Lord our shepherd, and He makes us to lie down in green pastures; besides the still waters, and He will restore our souls.   Is there anything too hard for God? God asked Sarah this question when she laughed at the thought of her situation.  Has your situation blinded you to the omnipotent, omnipresence, omniscience of God?

Don’t despair.  Don’t doubt even for a moment.  There is nothing in heaven or on this earth that is too hard for our God.  Today, my brothers and sisters trust in the faithfulness of God.

Psalm 19:14

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

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Morning Meditation by C. H. Spurgeon

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” Exodus 14:13

These words contain God’s commend to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand still.” It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness.  Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the world’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, “do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once-we must do it so we think-instead of looking for the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.” Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands. “Stand still;” –keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”

Amen.

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Coulda/Woulda

Our Assistant Pastor shared this poem with the adult Bible Study class last night.

And I wanted to pass it along.  This may not be for you, but someone you know needs to know this truth.   I hope you will share it.

Coulda/Woulda

Author unknown

If the devil coulda taken your life by now, he woulda.

Just the fact that you are still here, in the land of the living, is a testament that God has a purpose and a plan for your life.

God has a reason for you being here.

That’s why the devil has been attacking your mind and your spirit so fiercely.

If the devil coulda destroyed you…he woulda;

If he coulda destroyed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego…he woulda;

If he coulda destroyed Daniel in the lion’s den…he woulda;

If he coulda destroyed David…he woulda;

If he coulda destroyed Job…he woulda;

If he coulda destroyed Jesus Christ on Calvary…he woulda;

But the truth is that he can’t. You may think that this is the worst time of your life, but let me tell you, it’s just a test.

God is not through with you yet!

The enemy is trying to take you out, but be encouraged my brothers and sisters…if he coulda destroyed you, he woulda done it a long time ago.

The word of God says: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9)

We have the love of God and as long as we have Him, the enemy cannot destroy us.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Romans 8:38-39)

You can make it.

Cause if satan coulda torn you apart, he already woulda!

Be encouraged.

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Just Another Day

Just Another Day

Just another day for millions around the globe. But for believers it is another opportunity to praise the living God.  Another day to love your fellowmen. Another day to engage in loving service. Another day show the world your talents and fulfill those divine instructions.  Another day to be imitators of Christ.  Another day to love ourselves as Christ loves us.  Another day to heal the sick, bring sight to the blind. Another day to comfort the broken-hearted and wounded.  Another day to find the lost and lonely and show them the way to Christ.  Another day to fight the forces of darkness with the light of Christ. Another day to show the world the beauty around us, and celebrate the joy of the Lord which is our strength. Just another day to show mercy and grace. Another day to say “yes” to Him. No matter how many times predictions are made about the end of all days, the day nor the hour will not be revealed until the Son of Man appears in His glory.  But we have a blessed assurance; “My people shall dwell in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:18

No panic, no hysteria, no hoarding up on supplies for believers, because we dwell in the quiet resting places of the most high God.  And in his arms we are sheltered from the storms of life.

Yes, it is just another day, but what a wonderful day for us to show Him to the world.
Glory to God in the highest. Peace and goodwill to all mankind.  Just another day!

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So walk ye in him

A Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon

“So walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:6

If we have received Christ himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with him by a walk of faith in him. Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect that which we believe. If a man walks in Christ, then he so acts as Christ would act; for Christ being in him, his hope, his love, his joy, his life, he is the reflex of the image of Jesus; and men say of that man, “He is like his Master; he lives like Jesus Christ.” Walking signifies progress. “So walk ye in him;” proceed from grace to grace, run forward until you reach the uttermost degree of knowledge that a man can attain concerning our Beloved.

Walking implies continuance. There must be a perpetual abiding in Christ. How many Christians think that in the morning and evening they ought to come into the company of Jesus, and may then give their hearts to the world all the day: but this is poor living; we should always be with him, treading in his steps and doing his will. 

Walking implies habit. When we speak of a man’s walk and conversation, we mean his habits, the constant tenor of his life.  Now, if we sometimes enjoy Christ, and then forget him; sometimes call him ours, and anon lose our hold, that is not a habit; we do not walk in him.  We must keep to him, cling to him, never let him go, but live and have our being in him. “As ye have received Chrsit Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him;” persevere in the same way in which ye have begun, and, as at the first Christ Jesus was the trust of your faith, the source of your life, the principle of your action, and the joy of your spirit, so let him be the same till life’s end; the same when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and enter into the joy and the rest which remains for the people of God.  O Holy Spirit, enable us to obey this heavenly precept.   Amen.

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Wait on the Lord

Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote the following passage, ” It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching.  Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God’s warriors than standing still.  There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desires to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take.  Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption?  No, but simply wait.

Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread the case before him; tell him your difficulty, and plead his promise of aid.  In dilemmas between one duty and another, it is sweet to be humble as a child, and with the simplicity of soul upon the Lord. It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own folly, and are heartily willing to be guided by the will of God.  But wait in Faith.  Express your unstaggering confidence in him…”

Psalm 27:14 [NJKV] “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your Heart; Wait, I say again, on the Lord.

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Faith Note

This quote from E. Stanley Jones about faith and worry had to be shared. 

“I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil”.

Faith is the soil and substance of our belief.  Without it, it is impossible to do anything that pleases God.  Faith means we can and will do it.  We take the leap and move from yesterday into tomorrow.  Faith means we go beyond the surface, beyond the chaos, beyond our fears into the glory of God.   Faith shines brightest in those dark moments when all our human efforts have failed. 

Remember today, that faith is your native land.  Pack your bags and leave the land of Fear-False Evidence Appearing Real, and go home to Faith.

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A Soul’s Rest

This morning the skyline was gleaming with purple light, the whole world seems to be rising quietly, softly with the dawn. I began the day with Psalm 69: 6-36, but paused on verses 30-32[KJV].

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull. The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.”

I arose with the dawn, and a song of praise upon my lips for the blessing of my Savior.  His wonderful gift at Calvary has restored me, and given me a new life.  My soul is at rest-secure in this knowledge.

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Gentleness

Galatians 5:22-24 New International Version (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Philippians 4:4-6 New International Version (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossians 3:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Timothy 6:10-12 New International Version (NIV)
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Peter 3:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

The spirit of gentleness is like a shining garment woven with thread of goodness and strength that provides comfort, security, and faith. Pick up the garment of gentleness, wear it well, and then share it with others.

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Possibility

If all things are possible with God, then all things are possible to him who believes in him. Corrie Ten Boom

I read during my Saturday devotion about moving forward. The devotion was entitled Keep Going, and it described when God instructed the children of Israel to break camp and start moving because they had stayed at Mount Horeb too long. How ironic it is that as people we become comfortable in place and within circumstances even if it hurts. We don’t want to venture beyond our surroundings because we don’t know what’s out there.

We stay on a job too long until force to leave. We endure painful relationships for so long because it appears nothing can be done to rectify or resolve it.
We’ve been told to move along, get moving, try something new, or change our perception from fear to possibility, but can’t seem to gather enough momentum.
God told the nation to keep advancing, and do not veer off the path He established. He has told us the same thing; move forward and experience the fullness of life, but we chose to stay too long at Mount Horeb.

If God-the creator and sustainer of all life, told you [us] to keep going into the realm of possibility, what is holding us back? Fear, lack of faith, people? Whatever we call it, it all boil down to, we don’t believe God.
To get away from the mountain requires grasping the truth of God and his character. He is God, and nothing in the universe is more powerful. In the beginning He created life, and gave us the power to live and live it[life] more abundantly. God created possibility and also sustains it. Circumstances, situations, lifestyle changes, whatever you want to call it, does not surprise, frighten or cause God any alarms. He has all of life firmly, securely and lovingly in His hands. He can handle any situations you and I encountered, as well as any opportunity with the same competent, all-powerful and loving manner in which He created the universe.
If we lack anything, Jesus said seek and you shall find, knock on the door of God, open it and there you will discover what is needed to keep moving into the bright, clear air of possibility. Like the songwriter said, Just a closer walk with thee is all it takes.

It’s time for us to move away from the mountain, and keep walking into our destiny. It’s time to shed the skin of what is now and embrace the light of what is possible. Corrie Ten Boom said, All things are possible with God, but only for those who believe in the All Possible God.

Do you believe?