You know early in the mornings, while the sun is just beginning to peek out from the horizon, the cool morning air is crisp and you can nearly see your breath as you exhale... across the back yard there are numerous waffer thin white patches glistening in the new morning light... These are of course dew soaked spider webs... however they are Beautiful and I love them! They always remind me of God's provision of Manna for the Israelites, and thus remind me of God's provision for me, His Unspeakable Love and Grace that He pours out for me! Every day, every hour, every breath. His Love not only covers me but carries me through the raging storms swirling all around me.
My God, my Father, OH How I Love You! Thank you for Your infinite wisdom and Your unending Love. Thank you for Your beautiful reminders of Your Love and provision, and Lord Thank you for the storms for they also remind me of my total dependence on You. You truly have Everything in Your Hands. Covered by the Blood of Christ I lay my life before You, Cleanse me, mold me and use me for Your Kingdom I pray. Amen
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Forgiveness
Have you ever really thought about what it truly means to forgive others like Jesus forgives us??
I Have! and the scripture that says do not judge or you too will be judged, or the one that says the same measure you use will be used against you are very scarry in light of the kind and depth of Jesus' forgiveness.
I fall so short of this goal...
Just think for a moment what exactly do you think Jesus was thinking when he cried out " FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING"?
I do not think Jesus meant that the men who nailed Him to the cross didn't know that they had actually nailed a man to a cross, nor did He mean that they didn't know who He was.
I believe that Jesus looked past the violence toward Him, He looked straight into the hearts of those men, and straight into the hearts of you and me and saw that our unrepented, prideful, self centered hearts are leading us away from God, away from Him, away from LIFE ETERNAL and That pained Him so much that He cried out for us, on our behalf to the God of Heaven to please forgive us becasue we do not see how our actions separate us from the only one that truly loves us.
In this light, how can we desire to get even or wish for punishment for someone who has wronged us? I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me to look past the violence or meaness that is aimed at me and look into their heart and cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy for them, and ask Jesus for their salvation.
I Have! and the scripture that says do not judge or you too will be judged, or the one that says the same measure you use will be used against you are very scarry in light of the kind and depth of Jesus' forgiveness.
I fall so short of this goal...
Just think for a moment what exactly do you think Jesus was thinking when he cried out " FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING"?
I do not think Jesus meant that the men who nailed Him to the cross didn't know that they had actually nailed a man to a cross, nor did He mean that they didn't know who He was.
I believe that Jesus looked past the violence toward Him, He looked straight into the hearts of those men, and straight into the hearts of you and me and saw that our unrepented, prideful, self centered hearts are leading us away from God, away from Him, away from LIFE ETERNAL and That pained Him so much that He cried out for us, on our behalf to the God of Heaven to please forgive us becasue we do not see how our actions separate us from the only one that truly loves us.
In this light, how can we desire to get even or wish for punishment for someone who has wronged us? I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me to look past the violence or meaness that is aimed at me and look into their heart and cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy for them, and ask Jesus for their salvation.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Original Sin continues
Genesis 3 tells us that the serpent was more crafty than the other wild animals and he said to the woman "Did God Really say, You must not eat from ANY tree in the garden?"
and the woman responded with " We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die' ".
The serpent then said to her "You will Not Surely Die" "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
The woman took the bait. She took her eyes off God and placed her eyes and thoughts on worldly pleasures and power. She then shared her sin with her husband and he followed her into it willingly, even though he also knew what God had told them. They tried to hide their sin from God, but it didn't work. They tried to make excuses and place blame on another, but that didn't work either.
God is True to His Word. God punished the man, the woman and the serpent for their disobedience.
How often do we do the same thing! We are still falling for the same lie...
We say or think -surely God does not really mean:
to forgive others or you will not be forgiven
what about those people that are mean to me? or those who I just don't like?
to love as Christ loves us
what does this Really mean, do I really need to always put others needs before mine? I get tired of always being the one to do for someone and no one does for me, surely I deserve better.
to keep yourself pure
everyone has a different idea on immorality, a touch to intercourse, to same sex to whatever... but what about indecent dress, indecent talk, indecent movies or books... What I watch, or read or say or do for that matter does not really affect me.. or so I think.
to give to those in need
our "tithe" surely is enough, but some weeks I "need" more money for me, so it's surely okay for me to skimp a little some times, besides who will know anyway?
WHO WILL KNOW IS GOD
Our disobedience is very displeasing to Him.
Disobedience will be punished, whether we believe it or not.
He is our loving Father and desires the best for us, and the Best is in Obedience to Him.
Let's Stop listening to the evil one, stop falling for his traps and lies and stop trying to out smart God and Start Obeying God. Our Hope is NOT in this world with it's pleasures and desires, but our Hope is Found Only In Christ our Lord and Saviour, son of the Living God.
and the woman responded with " We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die' ".
The serpent then said to her "You will Not Surely Die" "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
The woman took the bait. She took her eyes off God and placed her eyes and thoughts on worldly pleasures and power. She then shared her sin with her husband and he followed her into it willingly, even though he also knew what God had told them. They tried to hide their sin from God, but it didn't work. They tried to make excuses and place blame on another, but that didn't work either.
God is True to His Word. God punished the man, the woman and the serpent for their disobedience.
How often do we do the same thing! We are still falling for the same lie...
We say or think -surely God does not really mean:
to forgive others or you will not be forgiven
what about those people that are mean to me? or those who I just don't like?
to love as Christ loves us
what does this Really mean, do I really need to always put others needs before mine? I get tired of always being the one to do for someone and no one does for me, surely I deserve better.
to keep yourself pure
everyone has a different idea on immorality, a touch to intercourse, to same sex to whatever... but what about indecent dress, indecent talk, indecent movies or books... What I watch, or read or say or do for that matter does not really affect me.. or so I think.
to give to those in need
our "tithe" surely is enough, but some weeks I "need" more money for me, so it's surely okay for me to skimp a little some times, besides who will know anyway?
WHO WILL KNOW IS GOD
Our disobedience is very displeasing to Him.
Disobedience will be punished, whether we believe it or not.
He is our loving Father and desires the best for us, and the Best is in Obedience to Him.
Let's Stop listening to the evil one, stop falling for his traps and lies and stop trying to out smart God and Start Obeying God. Our Hope is NOT in this world with it's pleasures and desires, but our Hope is Found Only In Christ our Lord and Saviour, son of the Living God.
Friday, May 23, 2008
My DREAM
THIS past Sunday my pastor spoke about dreams; our dreams and God's dreams and how they compare to each other.
ABOUT 6 months ago I felt like God was challenging me on my dreams. I really started thinking much more about my dreams / my goals in this life and increased my prayers on this. Then I read a daily devotional that was titled "God allows your dream to be sold so His dream can be made known." I felt like God was speaking straight to me, which if you have never experienced this- It's scary! You see, my husband and I run a music venue for all ages in our area, it is our ministry. We desire to have a place that young people can come and be accepted as they are, to enjoy themselves in a clean and safe atomsphere, listen to music with decent lyrics and often to music that glorifies God. We strive to give God glory in it all. We desire to expand our ministry to more nights per week and start a mid week worship for these young people who do not have or feel comfortable in a traditional church.
BUT God said He was allowing the sell of our dreams. Around that same time we found out that the owner of the building we rent was going to sell it and someone else had made a legal proposal to buy it.
LOST with out direction was how we felt. But still God had clearly said He would allow the sell of our Dream so HIS CAN BE MADE KNOWN. I believe this with all my heart, still do not know what God has planned or is dreaming of for us but I know He is in control.
CURRENTLY we are still in the same building, still having shows and still asking God what His plans are for us and our ministry.
HOWEVER.. BACK TO MY DREAM
Through Much prayer and listening to God and opening my heart to His, my dream has changed from the above one. These things I have grown more passionate about and desire more and more.
MY DREAM
UNITY in the Body of Christ in my community- ALL denominations who profess Jesus Christ as the son of God, Lord and Savior, Loving and Supporting each other. Joining Together to reach out to the lost and the hurting in our community, Standing Together as a United front against our true enemy-Satan.
A Place where TRUTH AND VALUE are experienced by all who enter and is supported by every Christ centered Church in our community. A place that all are accepted for who they are, all are given opportunities to explore their God given talents, and all share in the responsibility of looking out for each other. A place that is free from violence, immorality and judgements. A place where all can experience God's love, acceptance and forgiveness.
I desire or dream of this for my community first, then across our state, our nation and our world. God tells me there is NOTHING too difficult for Him and I believe Him.
ABOUT 6 months ago I felt like God was challenging me on my dreams. I really started thinking much more about my dreams / my goals in this life and increased my prayers on this. Then I read a daily devotional that was titled "God allows your dream to be sold so His dream can be made known." I felt like God was speaking straight to me, which if you have never experienced this- It's scary! You see, my husband and I run a music venue for all ages in our area, it is our ministry. We desire to have a place that young people can come and be accepted as they are, to enjoy themselves in a clean and safe atomsphere, listen to music with decent lyrics and often to music that glorifies God. We strive to give God glory in it all. We desire to expand our ministry to more nights per week and start a mid week worship for these young people who do not have or feel comfortable in a traditional church.
BUT God said He was allowing the sell of our dreams. Around that same time we found out that the owner of the building we rent was going to sell it and someone else had made a legal proposal to buy it.
LOST with out direction was how we felt. But still God had clearly said He would allow the sell of our Dream so HIS CAN BE MADE KNOWN. I believe this with all my heart, still do not know what God has planned or is dreaming of for us but I know He is in control.
CURRENTLY we are still in the same building, still having shows and still asking God what His plans are for us and our ministry.
HOWEVER.. BACK TO MY DREAM
Through Much prayer and listening to God and opening my heart to His, my dream has changed from the above one. These things I have grown more passionate about and desire more and more.
MY DREAM
UNITY in the Body of Christ in my community- ALL denominations who profess Jesus Christ as the son of God, Lord and Savior, Loving and Supporting each other. Joining Together to reach out to the lost and the hurting in our community, Standing Together as a United front against our true enemy-Satan.
A Place where TRUTH AND VALUE are experienced by all who enter and is supported by every Christ centered Church in our community. A place that all are accepted for who they are, all are given opportunities to explore their God given talents, and all share in the responsibility of looking out for each other. A place that is free from violence, immorality and judgements. A place where all can experience God's love, acceptance and forgiveness.
I desire or dream of this for my community first, then across our state, our nation and our world. God tells me there is NOTHING too difficult for Him and I believe Him.
Friday, May 9, 2008
A Lesson from a Death
My brother in law died last week. He was 53 years old and had been diagnosed with cancer for only 10 weeks, he knew the chemotherapy wasn't working for only 4 days before he died. He was a quiet man, always willing to help anyone and knew a little about everything it seemed. He was not perfect, he wasn't forceful in trying to change anyone's ideas to his own. He was one of those guys people just took for granted that he was there, no big deal. He knew how to have fun and was considerate of others. He was just Mike.
I had asked God for Christ to be glorified in Mike's healing or in his death, whatever God's will was. I knew God had the power to heal Mike but I didn't know if that was God's will.
Obviously it wasn't. However, Christ WAS glorified in Mike's death.
The day he died I spent the whole day at my sister's home and was blessed to see God's hand at work in theeir lives and So many others that God's love had touched through Mike. I was blessed to share Jesus's grace, love and mercy with my sister and nephew and neices. For the first time, we spoke openly about our faith in Christ and our hope of eternity with Him and the peace in our hearts that Mike had beat us to Heaven. We shared One God, One Lord and One Faith, even though three different denominations are in that one family of five!
Sharing Christ and His love draws believers closer than anything else, even family ties.
God revealed to me that I am such a fake! I go to church, I support ministries, I do all the things that "church goers" are supposed to do. But, my brother in law LIVED as believers should! Everyone of his neighbors came and told how Mike had welcomed them in the neighborhood, or helped them fix something, or do something for them, or just came to visit and cared for them. His work buddies likewise had similar stories of Mike's geniune care and concern for them. There were so Many people that came to tell how Mike had touched their lives. And I do not even know some of my neighbors names, How ashamed I am!
In my prayer group last night one of the women asked what does living for Christ mean to us? God has said to me- Be a neighbor/ a friend to EVERYONE, care about their well being, put their needs before my own, and not just the ones in a ministry, or church, but the next door neighbor, the patients I see at work, my coworkers, the people that God places in my path. And to Not worry about what someone else says or thinks about what I do or my motives, but concern myself with what God thinks about me and my motives.
I had asked God for Christ to be glorified in Mike's healing or in his death, whatever God's will was. I knew God had the power to heal Mike but I didn't know if that was God's will.
Obviously it wasn't. However, Christ WAS glorified in Mike's death.
The day he died I spent the whole day at my sister's home and was blessed to see God's hand at work in theeir lives and So many others that God's love had touched through Mike. I was blessed to share Jesus's grace, love and mercy with my sister and nephew and neices. For the first time, we spoke openly about our faith in Christ and our hope of eternity with Him and the peace in our hearts that Mike had beat us to Heaven. We shared One God, One Lord and One Faith, even though three different denominations are in that one family of five!
Sharing Christ and His love draws believers closer than anything else, even family ties.
God revealed to me that I am such a fake! I go to church, I support ministries, I do all the things that "church goers" are supposed to do. But, my brother in law LIVED as believers should! Everyone of his neighbors came and told how Mike had welcomed them in the neighborhood, or helped them fix something, or do something for them, or just came to visit and cared for them. His work buddies likewise had similar stories of Mike's geniune care and concern for them. There were so Many people that came to tell how Mike had touched their lives. And I do not even know some of my neighbors names, How ashamed I am!
In my prayer group last night one of the women asked what does living for Christ mean to us? God has said to me- Be a neighbor/ a friend to EVERYONE, care about their well being, put their needs before my own, and not just the ones in a ministry, or church, but the next door neighbor, the patients I see at work, my coworkers, the people that God places in my path. And to Not worry about what someone else says or thinks about what I do or my motives, but concern myself with what God thinks about me and my motives.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Christians who do not live like christians
I feel an urgency for christians to really know God and completely surrender to Jesus.
This may sound strange for me to say that christians need to know God and surrender to Jesus but the Holy Spirit has heavily laid this on my heart. God will not tolerate "lip service" much longer. He demands our heart and many who call themselves christian live for the world not God.
Here are some things the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart:
WHY are we, people who believe in and say we love God so smug and comfortable in our worldly lives?
If God, who loved the Israelites and rescued them from their oppressors the Egyptians, and lead them out under great circumstances so they would truly Know Him and His power and His love, and desire to fellowship with Him; would then not only allow them but cause them to die in the desert because of their idolatry, sexual immorality, and grumbling- disobedience?
(see I Corinthians 10)
WHY do we believe we will be treated different? We live like we believe we can do whatever, as long as it's not "too" bad and God will over look it. We say we are saved because we have confessed and have been baptized by water, but then only to live just as the world does.
I Corinthians 10: 5 says God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
WHY do we christians try to justify to ourselves and others why we do not Freely give to God and His Kingdom?
God said in Matthew 10:8 Freely you have received, freely give.
He also said to set aside the FIRST fruits of all we have for Him.
We try to use worldly ideas to justify our "tithe" to be After taxes and other deductions "because that is what we really get to live on" (I actually heard a leader in my church say this a few years ago). Other excuses I have heard are "I just don't have the "Extra" money at this time", "I have so many bills due now", "I give to my church and they distribute it to missionaries so I don't have to do any of that".
First of all, First Fruits is FIRST FRUITS, not after taxes or other deductions or after bills, It is Not what is Left over. And if God struck down dead the husband and wife team in Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira of the early church for "justifying to themselves" (LYING) about their giving( greed??), WHY do we think God is pleased with us? We have this sense of false comfort in believing that God will bless us for our greedy giving!
We should be trembling in fear of the ONE who has the Power to not only destroy this body but cast our soul in Hell for eternity!!
WHY do we believe that it is more important to have a retirement account than to support those who go out from our midst to proclaim the Word and Truth of God, or feed the hungry, or care for the needy?
Have we learned so little from the rich farmer who had good years of crops and his barns were not big enough to store all his grain, so he said to himself, I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and goods. I have plenty laid up for myself for many years, I'll take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.
Sounds like a Retirement plan to me!
But God said to him "You fool, This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God" Luke 12:16-21
We give out of our Abundance, out of our leftovers (Greed?)
We give to Only those WE feel are worthy of "our" money (Judging others??/ Pride?)
We want to make sure we get a tax credit for it (Greed?)
And we think HOW GREAT I AM for giving! (Pride?)
NOT only does our Greed blind us but also our Pride!!
I fear that the Lord Almighty will say, you fool! Tonight I will take away all that you have horded up for yourself and smash your puffed up pride.
WHY do we christians claim to love God and follow Jesus when we do not even KNOW Him?
We do not seek His face and His Truth, and we do not Fear Him!
We say we pray... but our prayers are mainly worldly. Our prayer lists and prayer chains are filled with physical/worldly problems. Seldom do we pray for spiritual healing and unity in the body of Christ.
DO WE NOT HEAR JESUS CRYING OUT- ITS NOT ABOUT THIS WORLD!!
Did not Jesus say of worldly christians, Depart from me, I do not know you? see Matt 7:21-23
Jesus says of the seed that fell among the thorns that these are the people that readily accepted the word planted in them, BUT the Worries of this life and the Deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it Unfruitful.
Jesus also said in John 15 that any branch that does not bear fruit will be cut off and thrown out, but if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. A branch connected to the vine has a constant source of nutrients; our nutrients come from Jesus, His Word and constant contact/communication. Jesus said "apart from me you can do nothing".
Jesus goes on to say " My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you".
True Love is placing others needs and well being BEFORE your own.
My heart grieves for the "church" because I do not see this kind of Love in many "christians".
No wonder the world does not want our God.
I Pray for strongholds to be broken and hearts to be laid bare before the Lord in true repentance, for Truth to cut through all deceit and lies that has blinded us for years so that we will be TRUE DISCIPLES of CHRIST.
This is necessary before we can lead others to the Love, Grace, and Forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
Will you join me in this prayer? The Word of God says that if we repent and turn and seek His face, He will forgive our sins and heal our land.
This may sound strange for me to say that christians need to know God and surrender to Jesus but the Holy Spirit has heavily laid this on my heart. God will not tolerate "lip service" much longer. He demands our heart and many who call themselves christian live for the world not God.
Here are some things the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart:
WHY are we, people who believe in and say we love God so smug and comfortable in our worldly lives?
If God, who loved the Israelites and rescued them from their oppressors the Egyptians, and lead them out under great circumstances so they would truly Know Him and His power and His love, and desire to fellowship with Him; would then not only allow them but cause them to die in the desert because of their idolatry, sexual immorality, and grumbling- disobedience?
(see I Corinthians 10)
WHY do we believe we will be treated different? We live like we believe we can do whatever, as long as it's not "too" bad and God will over look it. We say we are saved because we have confessed and have been baptized by water, but then only to live just as the world does.
I Corinthians 10: 5 says God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
WHY do we christians try to justify to ourselves and others why we do not Freely give to God and His Kingdom?
God said in Matthew 10:8 Freely you have received, freely give.
He also said to set aside the FIRST fruits of all we have for Him.
We try to use worldly ideas to justify our "tithe" to be After taxes and other deductions "because that is what we really get to live on" (I actually heard a leader in my church say this a few years ago). Other excuses I have heard are "I just don't have the "Extra" money at this time", "I have so many bills due now", "I give to my church and they distribute it to missionaries so I don't have to do any of that".
First of all, First Fruits is FIRST FRUITS, not after taxes or other deductions or after bills, It is Not what is Left over. And if God struck down dead the husband and wife team in Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira of the early church for "justifying to themselves" (LYING) about their giving( greed??), WHY do we think God is pleased with us? We have this sense of false comfort in believing that God will bless us for our greedy giving!
We should be trembling in fear of the ONE who has the Power to not only destroy this body but cast our soul in Hell for eternity!!
WHY do we believe that it is more important to have a retirement account than to support those who go out from our midst to proclaim the Word and Truth of God, or feed the hungry, or care for the needy?
Have we learned so little from the rich farmer who had good years of crops and his barns were not big enough to store all his grain, so he said to himself, I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and goods. I have plenty laid up for myself for many years, I'll take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.
Sounds like a Retirement plan to me!
But God said to him "You fool, This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God" Luke 12:16-21
We give out of our Abundance, out of our leftovers (Greed?)
We give to Only those WE feel are worthy of "our" money (Judging others??/ Pride?)
We want to make sure we get a tax credit for it (Greed?)
And we think HOW GREAT I AM for giving! (Pride?)
NOT only does our Greed blind us but also our Pride!!
I fear that the Lord Almighty will say, you fool! Tonight I will take away all that you have horded up for yourself and smash your puffed up pride.
WHY do we christians claim to love God and follow Jesus when we do not even KNOW Him?
We do not seek His face and His Truth, and we do not Fear Him!
We say we pray... but our prayers are mainly worldly. Our prayer lists and prayer chains are filled with physical/worldly problems. Seldom do we pray for spiritual healing and unity in the body of Christ.
DO WE NOT HEAR JESUS CRYING OUT- ITS NOT ABOUT THIS WORLD!!
Did not Jesus say of worldly christians, Depart from me, I do not know you? see Matt 7:21-23
Jesus says of the seed that fell among the thorns that these are the people that readily accepted the word planted in them, BUT the Worries of this life and the Deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it Unfruitful.
Jesus also said in John 15 that any branch that does not bear fruit will be cut off and thrown out, but if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. A branch connected to the vine has a constant source of nutrients; our nutrients come from Jesus, His Word and constant contact/communication. Jesus said "apart from me you can do nothing".
Jesus goes on to say " My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you".
True Love is placing others needs and well being BEFORE your own.
My heart grieves for the "church" because I do not see this kind of Love in many "christians".
No wonder the world does not want our God.
I Pray for strongholds to be broken and hearts to be laid bare before the Lord in true repentance, for Truth to cut through all deceit and lies that has blinded us for years so that we will be TRUE DISCIPLES of CHRIST.
This is necessary before we can lead others to the Love, Grace, and Forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
Will you join me in this prayer? The Word of God says that if we repent and turn and seek His face, He will forgive our sins and heal our land.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Where lies your Faith?
Why do we, Christians, claim to have faith in God, but only rely on our own abilities and our own resources?
Is this not the same thing that the 10 spies related back to the Israelites when they were sent to spy out the land that God said He was giving them? They said the people were too big and too many, surely they would not win the battle to take over the land.
If we have to have assurance that something will be paid for, our faith is in someone’s money not God.
I have heard it said from a good Christian man, that ministries that do not prosper are probably not directed by God… I guess he thinks Paul’s ministries were not directed by God, after all Paul was stoned and left for dead, he was ship wrecked and bitten by a viper, he was ran out of many towns and cities, and he was thrown into prison.
Jesus also was a homeless wanderer, rejected in His home town, hungry, dirty and tired much of the time. He had no bank account, no retirement plan; He even said He has no place to lay His head. But was God with Him? According to the world- No. But God said of Jesus- This is my son, of whom I am well pleased!
What do we Really have our faith in? our own abilities? our bank accounts? our material possessions? Do we have to have proof that our plans will succeed? And by what standards do we judge success? The world's or God's? Do we look for a life that the world approves of or do we live a life that God approves of?
Jesus said in Matthew 6: 33 to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...
What is your faith in?
Is this not the same thing that the 10 spies related back to the Israelites when they were sent to spy out the land that God said He was giving them? They said the people were too big and too many, surely they would not win the battle to take over the land.
If we have to have assurance that something will be paid for, our faith is in someone’s money not God.
I have heard it said from a good Christian man, that ministries that do not prosper are probably not directed by God… I guess he thinks Paul’s ministries were not directed by God, after all Paul was stoned and left for dead, he was ship wrecked and bitten by a viper, he was ran out of many towns and cities, and he was thrown into prison.
Jesus also was a homeless wanderer, rejected in His home town, hungry, dirty and tired much of the time. He had no bank account, no retirement plan; He even said He has no place to lay His head. But was God with Him? According to the world- No. But God said of Jesus- This is my son, of whom I am well pleased!
What do we Really have our faith in? our own abilities? our bank accounts? our material possessions? Do we have to have proof that our plans will succeed? And by what standards do we judge success? The world's or God's? Do we look for a life that the world approves of or do we live a life that God approves of?
Jesus said in Matthew 6: 33 to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...
What is your faith in?
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