Do you know what the biggest deterrent to a vibrant relationship with God is? The one thing that it must have: Faith.
There is no 12 step, 3 main points, 40 day goal, for Dummies book that will acquire faith for us. There is no proof. There is nothing tangible. It makes no logical sense. Now faith is the reality of what is hope for, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1
To be forgiven our sins:
We must have faith. Matthew 9:2, Luke 5:20
To be well:
We must have faith. Matthew 9:29; Mark 5:32
To do mighty things for the sake of the Gospel and Jesus Christ:
We must have faith. Matthew 21:21; James 1:6
To be righteous:
We must have faith. Romans 1:17; Galatians 5:5
Why?
...for we walk by faith, not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7
There is, however, a very important element to goes along with faith which we must never forget...
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
It is one of those things we must just accept: Have faith.
For as Jesus said, ..."But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32
Showing posts with label Bible-Luke 22. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible-Luke 22. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Not My Sift, But Thine
I often think of when Jesus told Peter to look out, because Satan had asked to sift him like wheat. (Luke 22:31-32) "But," Jesus said, "I have prayed for you..."
I have become accustom to the sifting process over the last several years. There is just so much there to sift! There are good days where I overcome readily through the power of Christ alone, and there certainly are bad ones where I bemoan and feel the world around me is crashing down with little hope. Either way, I know I am being sifted and what I can and can not do about it.
But what do we do when our loved ones are being sifted?
It's so painful when someone close to us is enduring a powerful sifting- especially when it's a spouse. To me, that's harder than suffering through my own sifting. We can not make choices for those we love which truly affect their character. Only they can do that before God. So what do we do? Once again, let's follow Christ's example: We pray for them...over, and over, and over again. Knowing that we can't change anyones heart leads us to the only place we can do any good- On our knees before God.
Another thing to remember is that Jesus didn't harp on Peter telling him what he should have done or be doing. He just told him to look out and that the issue was a spiritual not merely physical one. Jesus let Peter know, "I'm praying for you."
And that's what we should do too.
I have become accustom to the sifting process over the last several years. There is just so much there to sift! There are good days where I overcome readily through the power of Christ alone, and there certainly are bad ones where I bemoan and feel the world around me is crashing down with little hope. Either way, I know I am being sifted and what I can and can not do about it.
But what do we do when our loved ones are being sifted?
It's so painful when someone close to us is enduring a powerful sifting- especially when it's a spouse. To me, that's harder than suffering through my own sifting. We can not make choices for those we love which truly affect their character. Only they can do that before God. So what do we do? Once again, let's follow Christ's example: We pray for them...over, and over, and over again. Knowing that we can't change anyones heart leads us to the only place we can do any good- On our knees before God.
Another thing to remember is that Jesus didn't harp on Peter telling him what he should have done or be doing. He just told him to look out and that the issue was a spiritual not merely physical one. Jesus let Peter know, "I'm praying for you."
And that's what we should do too.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Happy Anniversary
Today is my 10 year wedding anniversary.!
It made me start thinking though. Why do we celebrate anniversaries? There are all kinds of celebrations too. Some are happy remembrances of a day, such as a wedding or a birth. Others are somber reflections of someone's life on the day of their death, or of a time gone by. No matter the emotion, we tend to remember things that happen on particular days.
I believe it boils down to the fact that God just created us that way. He tells us throughout His Word to remember. We are to remember what He has done, and is doing, for us. God tells Moses to remember the sabbath because it is holy.(Exodus 20:8) He also promises to remember His people and His promises to them.(Leviticus 26:42) Jesus tells His disciples at the last supper to continue to “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) We are made to remember.
As Kevin and I reflect today on the last 10 years, I know we will most be thinking about all the Lord has done for us as a married couple. It still blows us away. Won't you celebrate with us?
It made me start thinking though. Why do we celebrate anniversaries? There are all kinds of celebrations too. Some are happy remembrances of a day, such as a wedding or a birth. Others are somber reflections of someone's life on the day of their death, or of a time gone by. No matter the emotion, we tend to remember things that happen on particular days.
I believe it boils down to the fact that God just created us that way. He tells us throughout His Word to remember. We are to remember what He has done, and is doing, for us. God tells Moses to remember the sabbath because it is holy.(Exodus 20:8) He also promises to remember His people and His promises to them.(Leviticus 26:42) Jesus tells His disciples at the last supper to continue to “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) We are made to remember.
As Kevin and I reflect today on the last 10 years, I know we will most be thinking about all the Lord has done for us as a married couple. It still blows us away. Won't you celebrate with us?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Daily Chaos 2
I wrote yesterday's blog last Wednesday when a few things had gone a bit wrong, and I was so happy about how I was able to respond.
Then the Lord allowed me to be sifted! (Luke 22:31-32)
I honestly would have to say that it was the worst day I have had in many years. I was hit in five different areas in my life, and all of them seemed major: Finances, health, emotions, my children, even my pets! I may have been sliding along on that lubricant of faith I spoke of, but I looked like a grown woman on roller blades for the first time! I kept thinking of 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall!” My comfort, however, came from verse 13,”...He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.”
After Wednesday, I'm humbled by what God thinks I can handle! I did notice that He says He will provide a way for us to bear it. Not skip happily through it. Just bear it.
A study I am going through on Wednesday mornings with a group of ladies has been talking about how King David was angry and afraid of God when Uzzah died as they were trying to bring the ark to Jerusalem for the first time. (2 Samuel 6:1-11) It took him three months to get past the hurt and for the ark to finally come to the city. Remember, God said of David that he was a man after His own heart! (Acts 13:22) There are many times throughout the Psalms that David tells the Lord he is angry, confused, or upset with Him. The point is that He got beyond it quickly, loved the Lord with every once of his being, and followed Him as best as he could in his humanity till the day he died.
Wednesday, I was very hurt and sad. Honestly, I'm still hurt. I'm still sad. But I have a trustworthy God who I KNOW can work everything for His good, and I am excited to see how He'll do it. Most of all, I know He loves me and wants the best for me. I'm just keeping my eyes focused on Him.
I encourage you to do the same.
Then the Lord allowed me to be sifted! (Luke 22:31-32)
I honestly would have to say that it was the worst day I have had in many years. I was hit in five different areas in my life, and all of them seemed major: Finances, health, emotions, my children, even my pets! I may have been sliding along on that lubricant of faith I spoke of, but I looked like a grown woman on roller blades for the first time! I kept thinking of 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall!” My comfort, however, came from verse 13,”...He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.”
After Wednesday, I'm humbled by what God thinks I can handle! I did notice that He says He will provide a way for us to bear it. Not skip happily through it. Just bear it.
A study I am going through on Wednesday mornings with a group of ladies has been talking about how King David was angry and afraid of God when Uzzah died as they were trying to bring the ark to Jerusalem for the first time. (2 Samuel 6:1-11) It took him three months to get past the hurt and for the ark to finally come to the city. Remember, God said of David that he was a man after His own heart! (Acts 13:22) There are many times throughout the Psalms that David tells the Lord he is angry, confused, or upset with Him. The point is that He got beyond it quickly, loved the Lord with every once of his being, and followed Him as best as he could in his humanity till the day he died.
Wednesday, I was very hurt and sad. Honestly, I'm still hurt. I'm still sad. But I have a trustworthy God who I KNOW can work everything for His good, and I am excited to see how He'll do it. Most of all, I know He loves me and wants the best for me. I'm just keeping my eyes focused on Him.
I encourage you to do the same.
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