Friday, February 15, 2013

Faith Overcomes



“. . . for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)


As we mature in Christ, we more easily accept what He tells us and we grow closer to Him. For me, this has a special meaning. For me, things of this world are just that, things. Now, please, don’t misunderstand me. I know we have certain possessions that are basic to living safely. I know we aren't to get attached to them. These products serve a purpose and break down. But we shouldn't act defeated when this happens; our faith is not in that equipment but in the LORD.

Faith Statement My life is not my own. I belong to Christ.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Our Faith Needs To Grow


               “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Do we remember how we felt when we first accepted Jesus into our hearts? Paul tells the Colossians and us how to become rooted, built up, and strengthened in our faith.
“. . . continue to live in him . . .” When we ask Jesus into our hearts, we intend to have that relationship forever. Following Jesus is not something we do part-time. He went to the cross in order for us to become acceptable for entry into heaven.
“. . . strengthened in the faith . . .” We learn as we read His Word. God gives us instructions about how to live, giving us power to overcome the trials and circumstances the world throws at us.
“ . . overflowing with thankfulness. . .” As children of God, we should be giving thanks to Him each time we pray, every time we see a sunrise or sunset, and each time we hear of a miracle.
I have heard it said that “If we do not grow in our faith (move forward), we stagnate in it and then regress (go backwards). Given the tenor of the times, I believe it’s safe to say that no Christian would want to not grow in faith. With all the Bible studies, devotional books, and translations of God’s Word, we have advantages over the Colossian believers to facilitate our growth in the faith.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Faith Pleases God

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“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 (NIV)

The writer of Hebrews states some very definite points here.
               1.) In order to please God, we have to have faith.
               2.) We must believe He is real or we cannot approach Him.
               3.) If we earnestly seek God, He rewards us.
There was a term used in the late 1960’s that described what some people seemed to do then.
By and large, they seemed to ‘play church’. The best way to describe it was that they attended church on Sunday and, as they left God’s house, they laid aside that part of them that believed in Him and went out into the world and acted like all those around them. Come Sunday morning, they approached God’s house and picked up what they had left there and went in and went through the motions of belonging to Him.
Christians have watched as the world lowered its standard for morals. I am reading Next Door Savior a book by Max Lucado. He uses a term that describes what I mean-Mardi-Gras morals. Could it be that those watching us decided valued our Monday through Saturday personas more than we did our Sunday selves?
Christian believers have been praying for God to pour out His grace on our world in order to bring around revival.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...