Tag Archives: faith

December 24

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Hebrews 10:19-12:29

The “Hall of Faith” is included in the passages we read today. We saw the accounts of the people listed here for ourselves as we read through the Bible in 2013. People like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses whose stories many of us were taught since we were children. Others we read about who might not have been as familiar like Rahab, Barak, Jephthah and others who also lived lives of faith. I hope you can identify people in your own life who display faith in God as they go about the day-to-day. And I pray they would add your name to their own list.

Think about Joseph’s faith – or Mary’s. What we are celebrating today and tomorrow was something that could have resulted in great shame for Joseph and death for Mary had they not had faith that what God told them was true. Think about the early church and the faith they demonstrated by being baptized publicly to identify themselves with Jesus. 

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. The reality of the blessings that result from having faith in God should not be denied.

What does having faith look like in each of us on the Christmas Eve, 2013? Hebrews 12 says we should throw off sin and run. We should fix our eyes on Jesus, grow up, and not lose heart. The faith we stand on is sure and solid and true, if we put our faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I pray that everyone reading this blog will have faith in God, believe His Word, and accept His Son. And I pray that our faith will serve as a part of the cloud of witnesses people are seeing and be drawn to the Savior, too.

May you know the joy, the confidence, the blessings, and the love that come from having faith in the One we celebrate this Christmas.

 

December 22

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Hebrews 2-6

I love milk. My mom used to tell me that, as a two year old, I would snatch my sister’s bottle if Mom wasn’t looking. These days I have learned to drink low fat milk, but every once in a while I buy just a little of the good stuff and drink it like an alcoholic falling off the wagon.

I love milk! But I enjoy steak and potatoes, chicken, pasta, and well… you know. Limiting my diet to milk was fine when I was an infant. But I’m certainly not limiting myself to milk today.

Is that what’s happening in the Church today? Are too many Christians living on just milk? People hear a lot of sermons about God’s love, about the Good Shepherd, about Jesus who pulled little children on his lap, healed blind people and raised the dead. Many Christians are allowing their pastors or some TV preacher be their only source of food, like a baby who lays in his mother’s arms and receives the only nourishment he gets.

Too many of us don’t devour God’s Word for ourselves. The writer of Hebrews tells us Scripture is “sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (4:12)

The Bible reveals sin, lays us bare, beats us up and forces us to our knees before a holy God. It hurts. It refines. 

Just look at what is going on right now. We are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the darling little baby in the manger surrounded by cows and sheep, shepherds and angels, and his young mother gazing into that adorable face. Isn’t he cute?

Well, let me tell you about this precious baby. Scripture tells us he grew up to defeat sin, to die a horrible death because you and I disgusted him. He preached about the holiness of God and the fact that you and I just don’t measure up. We aren’t good and capable. We are depraved sinners who he will have no problem sending to hell unless we humble ourselves and accept his grace. Christmas isn’t just about love. It’s about sin.

That’s hard to hear. But, my friend we need to grow up. We are at war here and I am afraid we are an army of infants. Believe me when I say Satan is loving that.

I hope you will take charge of your faith in 2014. I pray that each of us will be students of God’s Word, we will study it, meditate on it, memorize it, pray over it. May we allow it to cut us, penetrate our inner most being and reveal those things for which Christ died. Simply put, may we grow up.

God is holy. He demands holiness of us. Trust me, that’s a command an infant can’t obey.

God, I know you love us more than we can imagine. I know you loved us so much you came to live among us and die so that we could be forgiven when we come to you. But, God I know you don’t stop there. You hate sin. Sin makes you sick and angry. Sin separates us from you and you hate that more than anything. Forgive us when we would rather concentrate on your love and ignore the elephant in the room. We are sinners. And without your saving grace we will go to hell for eternity. God, if some reading this today need to accept you as their Savior, I pray they will do that right now. For those of us who know you but need to grow up, I pray that you will point that out to us. Then, Father give us the courage to do it. We want to be able soldiers in your army. Feed us a little meat today and help us digest it for Jesus’ sake.

December 6

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Romans 8:18-11:10

My nephew, Geoff, would have been 24 today had he not lost control of his truck that June Sunday and lost his life. Our family would have gathered at his mom’s house, had cake and sung Happy Birthday. Instead we will gather at his grave and remember.

When I read Paul’s words, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”, and “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”, I believe it. But believing it doesn’t mean I don’t hurt.

I hold on to Romans 8:26&27. The Spirit has helped me in my weakness. There are days when I don’t know how to pray. But the Holy Spirit intercedes for me with groans words cannot express. I love him for that. Talk about someone who has my back.

If God is for me, who can be against me?

In him we are more than conquerors.

These aren’t just words. They are truth and I am living proof. What good can come out of Geoff’s death? Were people drawn to the Savior by watching his family? Are there those whose lives have been changed as they see his grieving mom live out her faith? Did Geoff’s sweet spirit, quick laugh, champion of the underdog, reveal his Savior to everyone who knew him?

I’m not sure. But because I believe God’s Word is true, I believe good has and will continue to come out of even this. My prayer its that you will have the same confidence in every circumstance of your own life.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for Geoff’s life. I thank you for that quick smile, that hearty laugh, the kindness, compassion, the loyalty that was my nephew. I am so blessed to have been his aunt for those 22 precious years. God, I pray for his mom and dad, his dear sister as they feel his loss most deeply. I pray for cousins, aunts and uncles, his friends, we who are learning to live with broken hearts. I pray that your Holy Spirit will minister to each of us at the point of our need. And may hearts be drawn to you. Thank you for the assurance that Geoff, who knew Jesus as his Savior, is with you today and one day we will see that ornery smile again. May we who know you point others to the Savior as we continue to miss our boy.

November 25

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I Corinthians 1-4

Paul spends a lot of time talking about wisdom here in these chapters. The intellectuals of the day may have put themselves above the message of faith and the apostle, who spoke their language, called them out on it.

1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.

Paul quoted Isaiah 29:4 where it says God will frustrate the intelligence of the intelligent.

“Where is the wise man?… Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

Paul, who was probably as smart and as schooled as any of the people he was writing to said he put aside everything except Jesus Christ, the crucified Savior so that their faith would be based on Jesus alone and not on Paul’s wisdom. 
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” (3:19)

i don’t care how smart you think you are. You may have an IQ that rivals Einstein or you may have studied philosophy with the greatest thinkers of our time. My prayer, however, is that you won’t talk yourself out of a relationship with your Savior.

You may sit and imagine how you would have done things differently if you were God. But you aren’t God. You may question a God who allows evil, sickness, wars, famine. But you don’t know the mind of God and you never will this side of eternity. 

Don’t listen to the foolishness of men who deny God’s existence when the evidence is so apparent that not only does he exist, but his creation is beyond anything you could come up with on your own.

Do you doubt? Do you have questions? Have you read the Bible with an open mind? Put away the commentaries and the textbooks and just read God’s Word. Ask him to reveal himself to you and I promise you he will.

Dear God, I pray for those who read this blog today and are still unsure of the Truth. Open minds and hearts today, Lord, and may each one put away their foolishness and submit to your godship. Thank you for your Word, for Jesus and his sacrifice on our behalf. May we all bow before you, confess our sin and our helplessness, and allow you to pour your grace on each one. I pray for intelligent, thinking people today who still need the Savior.

November 16

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James 1:1-3:18

I’ve always been partial to the book of James. It is probably the one book of the Bible I have read the most. I think I first realized how rich its content when I coached a Bible quiz team from my church and we studied this book word by word. 

James starts with talking about godly wisdom and ends chapter three talking about the same thing. He invites all believers to ask God for wisdom and believe and not doubt that God will answer that prayer. 

So do you have godly wisdom? Here is James’ checklist. See if you see yourself here.

Wisdom considers it pure joy to face trials, knowing it works to mature the one who suffers. (1:2-4)

Wisdom is humble in whatever circumstance of life one is given. (1:9-11)

Wisdom perseveres under trials, knowing the end of this life is eternal life with God. (1:12)

Wisdom recognizes temptation is not from God. And wisdom doesn’t give temptation a second thought because the more you think about it the more likely that desire leads to sin. (1:13-15) Which is why I watch very little prime time TV that portrays sin as the new normal. I don’t want those subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) attacks on the truth of Scripture to have any place in my mind or heart. And I certainly would not watch those shows if I had young people in my home!

Wisdom understands that God is never changing. (1:16-18) The God of Abraham is the God of today and his demands for holiness has not changed in order to be politically correct. 

Wisdom is quick to listen and slow to anger. And it gets rid of all moral filth.  (1:19-21)

Wisdom listens to God’s Word and obeys. (1:22-25)

Wisdom keeps a tight reign on the tongue. (1:26, 3:1-12)

Wisdom looks after orphans and widows and keeps oneself from being polluted by the world. (1:27)

Wisdom does not show favoritism, but realizes the Gospel of Jesus is for everyone in all walks of life.  (2:1-13)

Wisdom demonstrates faith by how one lives, the good one does in Jesus’ name. (2:14-26)

Wisdom does not harbor bitter envy or selfish ambition. (3:16)

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (3:17-18)

So how did you do? Can you say, after reading these chapters today  that you possess godly wisdom? Or are there some things you need to talk to your Lord about? Remember 1:5-6 says:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Gracious God, thank you for your Word to us today. I pray that your children will seek your wisdom, believing you want us to be wise in light of Scripture. Open our minds and hearts and give us understanding of your Word. And may we accept your wisdom and live out your truths today. Make us wise. And use us to do your will for Jesus’ sake.

 

 

October 21

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Luke 14:25-16:17, 19-17:19

What is faith and why does Jesus keep comparing it to a mustard seed? Is he telling us if we have the right kind or the right amount of faith we would be able to move Mt. Everest to Ohio and point to a mulberry tree and watch it fly into the Atlantic? If that were the case I’d hesitate to walk out of my front door in the morning. I mean all those mountains and trees flying through the air sounds dangerous.

The writer of Hebrews tells us faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (11:1) He goes on to say without faith it is impossible to please God. (11:6)

James tells us faith without action is useless. (2:20)

We know much of Jesus’ ministry was spoken in parables. I believe what he is saying as recorded in Luke is that the amount of faith isn’t important. Maybe it suggests faith can’t be measured. Either you have it or you don’t.

The point Jesus wants us to see is that faith IN HIM can accomplish the unimaginable. Faith in God has allowed my sister to get out of bed every day after the death of her son, and to minister to some needy people from her church. Faith in God is enabling a teenage girl go through chemo with a smile on her face and praise on her lips. Faith in God has made it possible for a couple living with the paralysis of the husband to still host Bible studies and reach out to their neighbors for Jesus’ sake. Faith in God produces a spirit of peace in a man suffering from ALS.

You see, faith itself is not the issue. God is.

If God wanted Mr Everest in Ohio it would be here. And if God wants to move that mountain you are facing in your life, it will move when you put your faith in him. If he doesn’t want it removed, he will give you what you need to live with it! He wants us to put our faith in him who we cannot see, and our hope in the Creator.

So don’t waste time trying to manufacture the right kind of faith or trying to build up enough faith to get God’s attention. Relax. Relax in him, trust him. Give him that mountain and let him move it… or move you. Trust him to bring about a solution that is best for you and that glorifies him.

Dear Father in Heaven, I pray that we your children will trust you because you can be trusted. I pray that we will put our faith in you alone and allow you to accomplish your will in our lives. And may our faith be evident in what we do and say. As we trust you with those mountains of physical diseases, financial struggles, relationship challenges, or whatever we are facing today, may the world recognize our great God. May we demonstrate our faith in you by the lives we live in spite of, or maybe because of, the mountains we are climbing.

October 11

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Mark 521-43, 6:1-6a; Matthew 9:18-26, 27-34, 13:53-58; Luke 8:40-56; John 5:1-15

Jesus made the woman who touched the hem of his garment identify herself. He asked the blind men if they believed Jesus was able to heal them. He asked a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years if he wanted to be healed. Why else would he be sitting by the healing pool? Jesus waited until the man admitted he had tried everthing on his own and that he needed help.

Jesus asks us to talk to him. Be specific. Come boldly. Confess him. Believe in him. Ours is not a blind faith. It is a faith based on a very real man and a very real God.

What is it you want God to do in your life? Tell him. Sure he knows and, yes, he can do anything he wants whether or not we say something. But there is a reason Jesus asked those questions we read this morning and why he asks the same of us today.

Do you believe him? Do you trust him? Yes or no?

Father, I admit there are some things I don’t bother to bring to you, whether I think they are not all that important or I think you’ll do what you want anyway. Forgive me for that. May I recognize your interest in me. And may I put into words the things that are on my heart. I’ll recognize answers to prayers if I do.

September 13

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Esther 1-4

Why is the book of Esther included in Scripture? God isn’t even mentioned in its chapters. Yet Esther’s life paints a beautiful picture of some important spiritual truths.

For instance, Vashti refused to obey the King so her position as  queen was snatched from her and given to someone else. Could this be a picture of the nation of Israel who refused to obey God or accept Jesus only to see their position given over to the New Testament Church?

Is Hamar a picture of Satan who would try to trick us into honoring him? And in the next few chapters will we be encouraged by his defeat?

Are we to learn to depend on God, to go to him boldly after spending time fasting and praying? At the end of chapter 4 Esther is ready to do whatever it takes, even if it results in her death. Can we learn the same determination to obey God?

Esther’s story is a good one and it has even inspired several movies, including one of my favorite movies. But while we read this story of love and bravery, let’s ask God what he wants each of us to learn. There are lessons here for us in 2013.

Dear God, I thank you for including Esther’s story among those you’ve preserved as Scripture. As we read this book I pray that you would speak to each of us and teach us what you would have us learn. May we love you, trust you, stand up against Satan, and be the Queen… the people… who make a difference in our world. And may you get the glory!

August 8

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Jeremiah 51:1-64, 11:18-12:6

Who hasn’t felt like Jeremiah felt in chapter 12 at least once in their lifetime? You look around and see ungodly people being promoted over you, they have these perfect little families while your child is challenging you, they drink and smoke yet can run five miles a day while you struggle with a physical challenge.

“Why do the faithless live at ease?” you might ask with Jeremiah.

“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?” It’s like you finally get over one hurdle only to be slapped in the face with another, more difficult circumstance. And you just have no more energy to take one more step.

The other day I was reading another blog and the author wrote something that has stayed with me. She said, “Desperation is a great condition of heart for learning the faithfulness of God”. (Renee Beamer, sharingloveandtruth.org, “a battle of the wills”)

I don’t want to get into why there are some ungodly people who seem to get ahead and why some Christians struggle. But remember God isn’t interested so much  in the result of the race as he is in the race itself. 

What will you learn about God – about yourself as you meet the challenges of today? My prayer is that you will learn how utterly dependent you are on God and how wonderfully dependable he is!

August 4

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2 Kings 24:5-6, 8-9; 2 Chronicles 36:8-9; 1 Chronicles 3:10-16; Daniel 3:1-30, Jeremiah 9:16-21, 10:17-25, 12:7-17, 19:14-20:18

When we were little girls our dad could make almost anything fun. Even bed time. We could be sitting around the TV and when 9:00 came around he would often say… Shadrach, Meshach, TO-BED-WE-GO! We would giggle, thinking he was the most clever Dad in the world. I never read this story in Daniel without thinking about Dad, and being thankful for having been his daughter.

In reality, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego loved their Father, too. They were convinced that God was who he said he was and they trusted him with every moment of every day. They spoke some of the most powerful words recorded in Scripture:

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O KIng. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

How is your resolve to follow God? I know some people who are facing the fiery furnace of horrific physical challenges, some of emotional pain, others financial or relational. 

Before they ever felt the heat of the fire, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego determined to stay true to God. Then in the midst of the flames they were given the privilege of seeing Jesus right there with them. They kept walking. Jesus walked with them And God brought them out of their ordeal, whole.

I know. I know. God doesn’t promise that all of our problems will turn out like these three. Sometimes God’s provision is to welcome his children home. But I don’t think the lesson in this chapter of Daniel is about the result. I think it’s about the journey.

And in their journey, King Nebuchadnezzar saw Jesus walking with them in the furnace. Think about that one for a while and realize that God would like to reveal himself to others through your journey, too.

Do you trust God with today regardless of what it hands you? Are you determined to serve him even if you lose your job or your health or someone you love? I think what God wants us to see today is Jesus there in the furnace with the men. He wants us to be aware that he knows how hot it is because he is right there in your heart. 

You are not alone. If you know Jesus as your Savior he promises never to leave or forsake you no matter how hot things get. Trust him. And keep walking even if everything in you wants to give up. You may not see him, but Jesus is walking right beside you. 

And if you do, someone who needs him might recognize his presence in your life and find him as their Savior. 

Father, we give you today. May we trust you because you can be trusted. Thank you for promising to walk with us today, even in the midst of trouble. May we, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego determine to follow you whether or not the outcome is what we think we want. Help us to see you. And may others see you in our lives. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.</p>