"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5: 14 - 15
As those of us on the Gulf Coast watch in horror as the hole in the sea floor pumps out 5,000 barrels of oil each day, endangering not only our beautiful beaches and wildlife but our very economic existence, we wonder what we can do. I volunteered on the phone bank Saturday, taking calls from all over the country, people just wanting to help. Many people are praying, and that is a GREAT thing and I encourage everyone to pray.
However, what are the prayers? Are we asking God to help the people and animals through this trial or are we asking God to STOP THE SPILL. I told someone yesterday my prayer was for God to reach His hand down from Heaven and plug the hole. They said to me "The experts say they can't plug the hole for a month of more."
It hit me then, are we praying to God with the confidence he requires?
I was reminded of Exodus 14. The Israelites literally had their "backs against the wall". The Red Sea on one side and the approaching Egyptian army on the other. They were scared and saw no way out, crying out to Moses "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (Exodus 14:12b)
What did Moses say, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:13-14) The lesson, God can deliver us from ANYTHING. Nothing is too big for God.
I notice when we pray, we sometimes seem to be shy about asking for the miracles. As we look at scripture it seems clear God wants us to ask, and he wants us to ask with confidence, not hesitation! (1 John 3:22) In fact, he has commanded us to believe and not doubt, advising that those who pray with doubt in their heart will not receive anything. (James 1:6-8) God has told us, "ask and you will receive" (John 16:24b). He is the God of power and might, do you doubt his ability to stop the oil, to turn it away from our shores? Are you afraid or hesitant to ask Him to do that?
Today, I ask ALL of you to pray for an END to this Oil Spill. Pray for God to safely remove the oil, keep it from the shores. Pray for the miracle, confidently knowing "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
Please share this message with as many people as you can. We need the biggest prayer chain ever to push this oil back in the ground and plug the hole!! Thank you and God Bless you all!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
"May the Lord make his face shine upon you and give you peace"
"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." - Colossians 1:19-20
When I was a kid, growing up in a Lutheran church with all it's liturgy, my favorite part of the service was the benediction...
"May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace."
I didn't know what countenance meant but I do remember thinking those were the most beautiful words..."may the Lord make His face to shine upon you...and give you peace". It always made me smile!
Granted, I had no idea what that peace really meant and it wasn't until this Easter, my first as a "born again" Christian, when I truly understood what it meant for my Lord to "give me peace." In fact, even though I am no longer a practicing Lutheran, I went to a Lutheran service on Easter just to hear those words again. This go around it was AWESOME!!
Let's consider the peace of the risen Christ. What were the first words Jesus spoke to the disciples? "Peace be with you!" In fact, those were the second words as well. And when he showed up the first time Thomas was present, his first words to our doubting friend were also "Peace be with you!". (John 20:19-27)
While some skeptics might say, "That was a common greeting among Jews of that time" and not give it much significance, they are wrong. The greeting was intentional and had significant meaning. For there was really NEVER any peace until Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
What do I mean? Jesus' death broke down the barrier between us and God (Matthew 27:51). Through Jesus' shed blood, we were given the ability to approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14). We were justified through Christ's blood (Romans 5:9), reconciled to our Father (Romans 5:10) and set free from the punishment of sin, which was death (Romans 6:23). Only now can we have true peace over the thing that scares us the most, death (1 Corinthians 15:26).
Friends, today, I want you to to know Jesus' death, burial and resurrection has saved you. It has brought with it a peace which those who have yet to know and receive the Lord can't comprehend or understand. Today, you are blessed to walk in the resurrection peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Radiate that peace, share it with a friend, a co-worker, a member of your family who has yet to experience it. It wasn't a gift to be horded but to be shared!!
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
When I was a kid, growing up in a Lutheran church with all it's liturgy, my favorite part of the service was the benediction...
"May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace."
I didn't know what countenance meant but I do remember thinking those were the most beautiful words..."may the Lord make His face to shine upon you...and give you peace". It always made me smile!
Granted, I had no idea what that peace really meant and it wasn't until this Easter, my first as a "born again" Christian, when I truly understood what it meant for my Lord to "give me peace." In fact, even though I am no longer a practicing Lutheran, I went to a Lutheran service on Easter just to hear those words again. This go around it was AWESOME!!
Let's consider the peace of the risen Christ. What were the first words Jesus spoke to the disciples? "Peace be with you!" In fact, those were the second words as well. And when he showed up the first time Thomas was present, his first words to our doubting friend were also "Peace be with you!". (John 20:19-27)
While some skeptics might say, "That was a common greeting among Jews of that time" and not give it much significance, they are wrong. The greeting was intentional and had significant meaning. For there was really NEVER any peace until Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
What do I mean? Jesus' death broke down the barrier between us and God (Matthew 27:51). Through Jesus' shed blood, we were given the ability to approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14). We were justified through Christ's blood (Romans 5:9), reconciled to our Father (Romans 5:10) and set free from the punishment of sin, which was death (Romans 6:23). Only now can we have true peace over the thing that scares us the most, death (1 Corinthians 15:26).
Friends, today, I want you to to know Jesus' death, burial and resurrection has saved you. It has brought with it a peace which those who have yet to know and receive the Lord can't comprehend or understand. Today, you are blessed to walk in the resurrection peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Radiate that peace, share it with a friend, a co-worker, a member of your family who has yet to experience it. It wasn't a gift to be horded but to be shared!!
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Great Commission
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" Romans 10:14-15
Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!! What an awesome event. I went to two church services, both filled to the brim with people in their new dresses, suits, hats. Easter is a day to dress up, be with family and attend church. As I looked around the churches, I was overwhelmed with Joy at the number of people who show up on Easter Sunday. I don't judge and question why it is the only day of the year they come. I praised God that they DID come and asked Him to open there hearts and minds so they would hear something that would bring them back!!
However, as the days march on and we get back into the habits of our daily life, I am saddened that we seem to lose the final message of Christ on earth. Why do we let those people who only come to church once a year slip back into the habit of not coming? Is is not our duty to now go out and preach the Good News of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Is that not the final command given to us by our Lord and Savior? That is our Great Commission as believers in Jesus Christ. ( Matthew 28:19-20)
Let us pray for God to soften the hearts and minds of those who have not found the great peace His resurrection brings. Let us spread the Good News. Let us not be silent and wait another year for Easter to come and go. It is our duty as Christians to reach out and touch the lives of others. To be salt and light to the world. We cannot sit back and hope someone else will do it.
Each of you who are compelled to read this post, I encourage you to share this note. Ask people to subscribe to this BLOG or join us on Facebook. Help spread the good news of Jesus. Over the next few weeks, I want to explore the peace of Jesus. The resurrection peace that comes from His death, burial and resurrection. There are so many people out there hurting, suffering, searching for that peace. Let us fulfill our responsibility to the Lord Jesus Christ, to spread the Good News of the Gospel and reach people who are hungry for His peace.
Join me today. Let's grow this page, let's spread the word.
Lord, thank you for leading people to this page and this note, please set their hearts and minds on Your commission to "make disciples of all nations". Fill us with the Holy Spirit, giving us the strength to overcome persecution for our beliefs and thereby spreading your good news. Help us to reach someone who is hurting, suffering, lonely, someone who needs to hear your word. Lord, use us to bring the sheep of your flock home. In Jesus name, Amen.
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power and the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all." Acts 4:32-33
Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!! What an awesome event. I went to two church services, both filled to the brim with people in their new dresses, suits, hats. Easter is a day to dress up, be with family and attend church. As I looked around the churches, I was overwhelmed with Joy at the number of people who show up on Easter Sunday. I don't judge and question why it is the only day of the year they come. I praised God that they DID come and asked Him to open there hearts and minds so they would hear something that would bring them back!!
However, as the days march on and we get back into the habits of our daily life, I am saddened that we seem to lose the final message of Christ on earth. Why do we let those people who only come to church once a year slip back into the habit of not coming? Is is not our duty to now go out and preach the Good News of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Is that not the final command given to us by our Lord and Savior? That is our Great Commission as believers in Jesus Christ. ( Matthew 28:19-20)
Let us pray for God to soften the hearts and minds of those who have not found the great peace His resurrection brings. Let us spread the Good News. Let us not be silent and wait another year for Easter to come and go. It is our duty as Christians to reach out and touch the lives of others. To be salt and light to the world. We cannot sit back and hope someone else will do it.
Each of you who are compelled to read this post, I encourage you to share this note. Ask people to subscribe to this BLOG or join us on Facebook. Help spread the good news of Jesus. Over the next few weeks, I want to explore the peace of Jesus. The resurrection peace that comes from His death, burial and resurrection. There are so many people out there hurting, suffering, searching for that peace. Let us fulfill our responsibility to the Lord Jesus Christ, to spread the Good News of the Gospel and reach people who are hungry for His peace.
Join me today. Let's grow this page, let's spread the word.
Lord, thank you for leading people to this page and this note, please set their hearts and minds on Your commission to "make disciples of all nations". Fill us with the Holy Spirit, giving us the strength to overcome persecution for our beliefs and thereby spreading your good news. Help us to reach someone who is hurting, suffering, lonely, someone who needs to hear your word. Lord, use us to bring the sheep of your flock home. In Jesus name, Amen.
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power and the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all." Acts 4:32-33
Friday, April 2, 2010
Is there a cross in your life?
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11
This morning, I stood looking in the mirror at the two crosses hanging around my neck. One mine, the other my Mother's, both beautiful. I never take them off. They are very special to me. However, on this Good Friday my thoughts went back to the day our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. In those Roman times, there was nothing beautiful about the cross. It was an instrument of punishment for the most vile of criminals. It was beyond cruel, a slow death with great suffering for all to witness. Scripture even notes the shame of death by crucifixion. (Hebrews 12:2)
The cross was absolutely essential to God's plan. Only through the witness of the cross could God show the world His uncompromising love. He sacrificed His son in the most vile and shameful way so we might grasp "how wide and long and high and deep" His love is for us (Ephesians 3:18). It was the only way we could be rescued from death that is sin.
Jesus' death on the cross was our only hope for reconciliation with the Father. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:13-14
So, as I look at the two beautiful golden crosses around my neck, I am reminded through the power of God, something so vile, so ugly, is transformed into something of great beauty. Isn't that exactly what happens to us at the moment we accept Jesus Christ into our lives? We are transformed from an ugly sinner to a beautiful child of God!!
So, today my friend, ask yourself, is there a cross in your life?
This morning, I stood looking in the mirror at the two crosses hanging around my neck. One mine, the other my Mother's, both beautiful. I never take them off. They are very special to me. However, on this Good Friday my thoughts went back to the day our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. In those Roman times, there was nothing beautiful about the cross. It was an instrument of punishment for the most vile of criminals. It was beyond cruel, a slow death with great suffering for all to witness. Scripture even notes the shame of death by crucifixion. (Hebrews 12:2)
The cross was absolutely essential to God's plan. Only through the witness of the cross could God show the world His uncompromising love. He sacrificed His son in the most vile and shameful way so we might grasp "how wide and long and high and deep" His love is for us (Ephesians 3:18). It was the only way we could be rescued from death that is sin.
Jesus' death on the cross was our only hope for reconciliation with the Father. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:13-14
So, as I look at the two beautiful golden crosses around my neck, I am reminded through the power of God, something so vile, so ugly, is transformed into something of great beauty. Isn't that exactly what happens to us at the moment we accept Jesus Christ into our lives? We are transformed from an ugly sinner to a beautiful child of God!!
So, today my friend, ask yourself, is there a cross in your life?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
God's Due Time
"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way." Matthew 26:53-54
"But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfil lied." Matthew 26:56
As we read the accounts of Jesus' life, death, and Resurrection, we see references over and over to Old Testament prophecy. Jesus was the fulfillment of a promise thousands of years in the making. God, through his mighty sovereignty set the course for our salvation before the formation of the world. He knew Adam and Eve would sin, he knew we would be bound by death unless He provided the means of our salvation.
Do you know where the first prophecy of Jesus appears? In Genesis 3!! God, admonishing the serpent says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) Her offspring would be Jesus....who would deal a fatal blow to the head of sin and death but only after Satan had struck His heal (crucifixion is the only form of corporal punishment that bruised the heal!!).
If you were like me and ignorant to this passage and it's significance, take a moment to let the magnitude of it soak in. God knew from the moment sin entered the world how and when it would be conquered once and for all!! From that point on, there are many references to the coming Christ throughout the Old Testament, some more subtle than others. Most notably Isiah 53, written some 600 years before the coming of Christ and ending with Malachi 4:6, when God shut His mouth and the people waited.....for 400 years!!
The perfect solution to conquering sin and death once and for all took time and great patience. God knew what He was doing, creating the exact moment when all the prophecies would be fulfilled and we would be given THE promise. Many people question why God would take so long, if He is the Sovereign Lord or all, why he didn't just kill the serpent in the Garden and be done with it? Why allow sin and death in His world at all?
Well, let me say, I don't think our little pea brains have the capacity to comprehend or understand God's grand plan. We are not God. That being said, I believe everything was designed so that faith would be our key. God took the time to lay out His plan so we could see promises made and promises fulfilled thereby building a faith in us which would be the key to salvation.
"But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:22-29
I don't know about you, but God's abundant grace in patiently and perfectly laying out the plan for our salvation, for our reconciliation with Him, shows me just how much He loves us and wants a relationship with us. In His final appearing to the Apostles, Jesus said to them,"This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms,"..."This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise form the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these of these things." Luke 24:44-48
For 2,000 years the faithful have been charged with spreading the Gospel of Jesus, so that "none will be lost." In God's due time, we, the faithful, will rule and reign with our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Jerusalem!!!
"But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfil lied." Matthew 26:56
As we read the accounts of Jesus' life, death, and Resurrection, we see references over and over to Old Testament prophecy. Jesus was the fulfillment of a promise thousands of years in the making. God, through his mighty sovereignty set the course for our salvation before the formation of the world. He knew Adam and Eve would sin, he knew we would be bound by death unless He provided the means of our salvation.
Do you know where the first prophecy of Jesus appears? In Genesis 3!! God, admonishing the serpent says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) Her offspring would be Jesus....who would deal a fatal blow to the head of sin and death but only after Satan had struck His heal (crucifixion is the only form of corporal punishment that bruised the heal!!).
If you were like me and ignorant to this passage and it's significance, take a moment to let the magnitude of it soak in. God knew from the moment sin entered the world how and when it would be conquered once and for all!! From that point on, there are many references to the coming Christ throughout the Old Testament, some more subtle than others. Most notably Isiah 53, written some 600 years before the coming of Christ and ending with Malachi 4:6, when God shut His mouth and the people waited.....for 400 years!!
The perfect solution to conquering sin and death once and for all took time and great patience. God knew what He was doing, creating the exact moment when all the prophecies would be fulfilled and we would be given THE promise. Many people question why God would take so long, if He is the Sovereign Lord or all, why he didn't just kill the serpent in the Garden and be done with it? Why allow sin and death in His world at all?
Well, let me say, I don't think our little pea brains have the capacity to comprehend or understand God's grand plan. We are not God. That being said, I believe everything was designed so that faith would be our key. God took the time to lay out His plan so we could see promises made and promises fulfilled thereby building a faith in us which would be the key to salvation.
"But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:22-29
I don't know about you, but God's abundant grace in patiently and perfectly laying out the plan for our salvation, for our reconciliation with Him, shows me just how much He loves us and wants a relationship with us. In His final appearing to the Apostles, Jesus said to them,"This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms,"..."This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise form the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these of these things." Luke 24:44-48
For 2,000 years the faithful have been charged with spreading the Gospel of Jesus, so that "none will be lost." In God's due time, we, the faithful, will rule and reign with our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Jerusalem!!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Jesus Knew
"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." - Matthew 26:36-39
The eve before He was to be crucified, Jesus was "sorrowful and troubled". He was standing at the precipice of humanity, knowing what laid ahead. Knowing he would take on the darkest, ugliest, most vile sins of mankind, suffer brutally at the hands of evil men and hang until dead on a cross. He knew.
As if that weren't enough to be "sorrowful and troubled" about, Jesus knew he would be separated from God. He knew God, in all his Holiness, could not be in the presence of sin, so Jesus knew He would have to endure the hardest thing imaginable, separation from God, His Father. Jesus, who had always walked in oneness with God the Father, knew He would be alone. He knew.
Jesus asked God three times to let this cup pass from Him. To find another way. However, He also knew it was God's will not His. When it became clear God's answer was NO, Jesus obediently submitted to the will of the Father, for He knew the prophecies must be fulfilled. The Kingdom of God was at hand. He knew.
I know it sounds crazy to say it brings me great peace to know Jesus, while facing the ultimate sacrifice, was "sorrowful and troubled" and probably a bit frightened. However, the knowledge that He was human, that He experienced in the flesh just how hard it is for us, gives me an everlasting peace. Because He endured the cross at the will of God, suffered great pain, great loneliness, separation from His Father, He builds a perfect bridge for mine and your relationship with God,our Father.
As I face the struggles of my day, wondering sometimes how I will make it through my current situation, the reminder that Jesus knows, HE KNOWS, is all I need to take the next right step.
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" - Revelation 5:12
The eve before He was to be crucified, Jesus was "sorrowful and troubled". He was standing at the precipice of humanity, knowing what laid ahead. Knowing he would take on the darkest, ugliest, most vile sins of mankind, suffer brutally at the hands of evil men and hang until dead on a cross. He knew.
As if that weren't enough to be "sorrowful and troubled" about, Jesus knew he would be separated from God. He knew God, in all his Holiness, could not be in the presence of sin, so Jesus knew He would have to endure the hardest thing imaginable, separation from God, His Father. Jesus, who had always walked in oneness with God the Father, knew He would be alone. He knew.
Jesus asked God three times to let this cup pass from Him. To find another way. However, He also knew it was God's will not His. When it became clear God's answer was NO, Jesus obediently submitted to the will of the Father, for He knew the prophecies must be fulfilled. The Kingdom of God was at hand. He knew.
I know it sounds crazy to say it brings me great peace to know Jesus, while facing the ultimate sacrifice, was "sorrowful and troubled" and probably a bit frightened. However, the knowledge that He was human, that He experienced in the flesh just how hard it is for us, gives me an everlasting peace. Because He endured the cross at the will of God, suffered great pain, great loneliness, separation from His Father, He builds a perfect bridge for mine and your relationship with God,our Father.
As I face the struggles of my day, wondering sometimes how I will make it through my current situation, the reminder that Jesus knows, HE KNOWS, is all I need to take the next right step.
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" - Revelation 5:12
Friday, March 26, 2010
Great Faith
""And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
My journey to release worry and anxiety has been truly tested. As I have found out, when we try to obtain a better understanding of God, the devil works hard to interfere with our quest. I have been dealt a few things in the past few weeks which have pushed me to the edge and I have been fighting very, very, very hard to remain committed to releasing it to God. Praying for guidance.
And my faithful, merciful and loving God has answered, as He always does. He has spoken to me through His word. Brought it right to me, a mirror reflecting back the message He wants me to hear. The key to releasing the worry and anxiety is having GREAT FAITH.
First, He brought me to the lesson in Numbers 13 and 14. If you don't recall the story, I would suggest you stop and read it now. God has brought the Israelites out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, sustained them through the desert and brought them right to the border of the promised land. God directed Moses to send spies into the land, which he did. The spies came back and advised it was indeed a land of milk and honey as promised but there was no way they could take the land because it was inhabited by giants and people of great strenght. They spread this bad news to all the people.
The Israelites, instead of relying on their faith in a God who had seen them through their flight from Egypt and through the desert. A God who was constantly visible to them as a pillar of cloud and fire. A God who had proven His majesty and faithfulness in countless miracles. Their faith was not strong enough to believe He could deliver the land He promised.
In His wrath, God would not allow them to enter the promised land. In fact, He would have struck them all dead had Moses not intervened. God said to them "Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert."
At first I read that story and though, what a bunch of daft folks. How could they doubt the God who had brought them so far. How could they not know he would deliver on what He promised. Then the light bulb went off...."you daft girl, you are doing the same thing. You worry, you doubt God will bring you out of this!".
After that realization, I was brought back to Hebrews 11, which begins, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." This chapter shows all of God's most faithful. How they persevered in their faith and how they were rewarded for remaining faithful to God.
If you research references to God's commands for us not to worry or be anxious but to be strong and courageous, you will find it is the most repeated command in the scriptures. Why do you suppose that is?
God knows how hard our life here on earth is....Jesus certainly knows it first hand. He knows we need great faith to remain on the path of righteousness. He has given us abundant examples of that kind of faithfulness. Mentors in our quest for great faith. I bet if you look around your church or community you can find people you know who exhibit this kind of faith. Seek them out, talk to them, understand how they get through the worries of life. God gave us each other for a reason!!
I heard someone the other day wrap this up in a nutshell. They said "fear is the opposite of faith". When I heard her say it, I knew how right she was. Overcoming fear strengthens our faith. As we continue on our journey to be a person of "great faith", fear will release its hold on us. This is my goal. I know I can't do it, but God can. I am asking him to forgive my fear and to fill me to the brim with His spirit, so I too can become a person of GREAT FAITH.
Lastly, I saw these points written out in a blog and found them helpful....
"Great faith isn't given to some and not to others. It is a choice we make to trust and pursue God even when at first there appears to be no response.
* Great faith leads to great undertakings
* Great faith brings about great expectations
* Great faith awakens great earnestness
* Great faith conquers great difficulties
* Great faith achieves great victories"
So, today let us all pray for God to help us be a person of great faith. Let's also pray for everyone who is on this journey with us.....everyone here at A Closer Walk....that God will continue to guide us in His word on our quest.
Peace and love to you all and thank you so much for praying for me....I certainly did feel it!!
My journey to release worry and anxiety has been truly tested. As I have found out, when we try to obtain a better understanding of God, the devil works hard to interfere with our quest. I have been dealt a few things in the past few weeks which have pushed me to the edge and I have been fighting very, very, very hard to remain committed to releasing it to God. Praying for guidance.
And my faithful, merciful and loving God has answered, as He always does. He has spoken to me through His word. Brought it right to me, a mirror reflecting back the message He wants me to hear. The key to releasing the worry and anxiety is having GREAT FAITH.
First, He brought me to the lesson in Numbers 13 and 14. If you don't recall the story, I would suggest you stop and read it now. God has brought the Israelites out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, sustained them through the desert and brought them right to the border of the promised land. God directed Moses to send spies into the land, which he did. The spies came back and advised it was indeed a land of milk and honey as promised but there was no way they could take the land because it was inhabited by giants and people of great strenght. They spread this bad news to all the people.
The Israelites, instead of relying on their faith in a God who had seen them through their flight from Egypt and through the desert. A God who was constantly visible to them as a pillar of cloud and fire. A God who had proven His majesty and faithfulness in countless miracles. Their faith was not strong enough to believe He could deliver the land He promised.
In His wrath, God would not allow them to enter the promised land. In fact, He would have struck them all dead had Moses not intervened. God said to them "Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert."
At first I read that story and though, what a bunch of daft folks. How could they doubt the God who had brought them so far. How could they not know he would deliver on what He promised. Then the light bulb went off...."you daft girl, you are doing the same thing. You worry, you doubt God will bring you out of this!".
After that realization, I was brought back to Hebrews 11, which begins, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." This chapter shows all of God's most faithful. How they persevered in their faith and how they were rewarded for remaining faithful to God.
If you research references to God's commands for us not to worry or be anxious but to be strong and courageous, you will find it is the most repeated command in the scriptures. Why do you suppose that is?
God knows how hard our life here on earth is....Jesus certainly knows it first hand. He knows we need great faith to remain on the path of righteousness. He has given us abundant examples of that kind of faithfulness. Mentors in our quest for great faith. I bet if you look around your church or community you can find people you know who exhibit this kind of faith. Seek them out, talk to them, understand how they get through the worries of life. God gave us each other for a reason!!
I heard someone the other day wrap this up in a nutshell. They said "fear is the opposite of faith". When I heard her say it, I knew how right she was. Overcoming fear strengthens our faith. As we continue on our journey to be a person of "great faith", fear will release its hold on us. This is my goal. I know I can't do it, but God can. I am asking him to forgive my fear and to fill me to the brim with His spirit, so I too can become a person of GREAT FAITH.
Lastly, I saw these points written out in a blog and found them helpful....
"Great faith isn't given to some and not to others. It is a choice we make to trust and pursue God even when at first there appears to be no response.
* Great faith leads to great undertakings
* Great faith brings about great expectations
* Great faith awakens great earnestness
* Great faith conquers great difficulties
* Great faith achieves great victories"
So, today let us all pray for God to help us be a person of great faith. Let's also pray for everyone who is on this journey with us.....everyone here at A Closer Walk....that God will continue to guide us in His word on our quest.
Peace and love to you all and thank you so much for praying for me....I certainly did feel it!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
