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Better than sight

27 Sep

Better than sight

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith shows there is no difference
In your eyes open or not;
Faith is the invisible handle
On what you have got.

Faith does not need to see
God’s writing on the wall;
Faith does not need proof
Faith does not need to see at all.

To seek to see shows lacking
Your faith is not that strong;
If sight is what you rely on
Your missing it all along.

Anyone can see
Only His can feel;
His presence in themselves
Never doubting He is real.

A heart can see the proofs
As the eyes never can attain;
The soul becomes strengthened
Passing the intellect of the brain.

Faith cannot be taught
In books it can never be learned;
Faith is a move of God
With Him it is earned.

Faith is possessed
It cannot be taken away;
The hope that you have
Must be on display.

Your faith encourages others
They want what you proclaim;
Make your when you share it
The glory is in His name

 
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Posted by on September 27, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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When YOU are ready

15 Sep

When YOU are ready

Hebrews 11:1-2     Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Helloooo…..is there anybody up there????? God, are you hearing my prayers? I have been praying to you about this, but you don’t answerrrrrr me. Why don’t you answer me? We all have made those statements; those statements show our level of faith in them. Not receiving an answer, or maybe even receiving one we don’t like, so we continue to pray hoping to change God’s mind. Thank you God for so many unanswered prayers. It is in our little minds that we lack that understanding of how God operates out of the confines of time; He created time, rules time, and is not bound by time. When I stress out over the things that don’t happen on my timetable with God, the Holy Spirit always seems to whisper this scripture to me: 2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Can you look at the entire Bible in the light of that scripture? In God’s eyes, it has only been a couple of days since Christ payed for our sin debt due. Look at how our world has run from God again; we are just like the stubborn, stiff-necked Israelites of the Old Testament. We see the proof of God, and then turn our backs on him, over and over again.

Hebrews 11 is the place to go for the proof of those patriarchs of faith. Those people that had such great faith in God, they put their lives entirely in his hands. It was by this faith, that verse two shows that God considered them righteous by their faith. Hebrews 11 is the chapter on which one’s faith is proven by the action that is taken. The level of our faith can be found in the understanding of the sunrise we see every day. The simple beauty and incredible complexity of all creation, right down to us as His greatest creation. Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (ESV) If God can breath a star into existence, the details of my life are a breeze. The level of your faith will determine how you live your life. “You are what you believe”, a best friend, and the Godliest man I know once told me. Your faith is found in that statement and self-analysis. It will guide your every decision in the background of your mind. When you are wondering the “whys” of your life, and or your prayer life, consider that God is testing your faith in delayed responses in and to them. Keep drawing near to God and He will answer you, when YOU are ready.

 
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Posted by on September 15, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Unedjumicated

03 Sep

Unedjumicated

1 Corinthians 2:4-5   And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

I have had a lot on my mind the past couple of weeks. I was humbled greatly when I was able to deliver my first sermon; I struggle to explain what that experience is like, but I hope God gives me that opportunity again sometime. I had hoped that I would gain clarity for the direction of my life in it; you know, that billboard from God that we all desire to know what he wants us to do. I wish I could say I got that neon sign, but faith lives in the hope of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). I was able to spend time with the Godliest man I know, and a best friend. He was able to speak to me words of encouragement just as God always uses him to do; I am beyond thankful for him and our relationship. You must surround yourself with Godly influences to hear from God; He will speak to you through the people that spend time with Him; there is that audible voice you desire.

I have openly shared of my struggles with memory, and looking back long ago in life it most likely translated to my problems in school. I can understand complexities, I just cannot retain what I learn. This carried on into my studies the past year at Liberty University Online. The sermon title that God gave me was, “You don’t have to go to seminary to be a disciple.” The title has weighed on me. There ain’t nuthin’ special about me; I only have a heart for God and the things of God, and try to spend time with him daily learning more about him. All that I have has been found by what He has given me; you can have it too. My heart lies in encouraging other Christians to open their Bible every day and to seek Him. It is in that response to your heart for God, and the pursuit of him, that your life will change. Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. You simply cannot spend time daily with God in prayer and His Word, and He not change you. He will begin to conform you to the image of His Son.

I have decided to withdraw from Liberty for many reasons. I have decided to live what I preached. I am blessed with this ministry that God has given me, and I thank all of you for letting Him use me to speak to you. My prayer is that you begin to seek God on your own; for this to be the catalyst to get you in His Word; to see what ministry he has laid out for you. I am thinking of taking that sermon and making it a book. My testimony is one of pride, great sins, and worldly pursuits; then a life forever changed by Christ and the desire to know more about him every day. All you must do is to spend time with Him every day. All you must do is to have a heart for God, and the things of God, and you will find Him. You will not be able to contain what He shows and gives you. You will become a disciple and seek to share what you now possess. You will begin to produce heavenly fruit for your labor of your love for Him. You will gain eternal rewards in heaven for your heart for Him. Your life will never be the same, and neither will those in your circle of influence that respond to His call.

 
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Posted by on September 3, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Elected should obey

26 Apr

Elected should obey

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Paul in the scriptures prior to this had touched on the topic of predestination; in its simplest form the idea that God knows who is, and is not, going to be a child of His. Those that the Spirit tugs upon their hearts, and they respond to His calling, are all known by God outside the sphere of time. It is impossible for us to understand the idea of foreknowledge, for our entire lives are centered around time. But if you can grasp with a  humble heart in the recognition of being a chosen child of His, you can grasp the understanding of the security of a hope that grows in that knowledge. You are one of the elected by God, and you hold His promises of eternity.

I am in the final days of the biggest act of obedience in my life; putting our home up for sale. God laid it on my heart three times, the first two I denied, the last I could not. The only thing that even came close was downsizing my business in the midst of a booming economy. It is a very scary thing to lead my family out into the unknown, but I know God is telling me to. I know God laid it on my heart, yet in these closing days my enemy is hammering me in doubt and fear. Satan is the king of deception, and the father of lies, and he comes to try and get you to take your eyes off God; to stop these acts that draw you closer to Him. But in these trying days with a heart that seeks Him continually, my faith grows. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It is in my daily growing relationship that I know He has a plan for me; I know Whom is the still small voice I am listening to. It is through daily time in prayer and His Word that these things are found.

Paul continues in Romans 8 with a beautiful summary of Gods love in 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Are you living your life in the understanding that you are one of the “elect”? Are you living your life with the understanding that no-matter how hard it may get here, that you will live in paradise for eternity with the One whom elected you? Or are you letting that evil one plant fears and doubts keeping you from obeying what God has laid on your heart? That is most likely keeping your eyes from being opened to another realm of what God has in store for you. Being an elected child of God, is being an obedient disciple to what He lays on your heart. He will use your heart of obedience to draw you closer to Him, and to draw others through those acts also.

 
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Posted by on April 26, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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A glimpse

05 Sep

A glimpse

2 Kings 6:15-17 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

“And he saw…..” The Lord gave Elisha’s servant a glimpse into a spiritual world that surrounds us every day, and very few have ever seen. The king of Syria had sent a great army after Elisha, but God had sent a greater army to protect him. Elisha was a man of great faith, and God used him in powerful ways throughout his life as Elijah’s successor. The servant in this story was about to hit the panic button when one of life’s situations came at him. He did not know which way to turn, but Elisha simply told him to look up; to focus on where his faith lied and the understanding that God was always in control.

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We all get so wrapped up in our own little worlds and our focus of things in our daily lives. We have families, careers, desires, and the list could go on and on. The world through stresses and strains almost daily tries to us to drag our attention away, or to even readjust our focus to another. But all the strains of life will either take us simply one direction or the other. We will be pulled down into those anxieties of this world, or we will look up to our Lord for the strength He and His army provide. Can you imagine Elisha’s servant’s immediate leap of faith with that glimpse?

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I openly battle anxiety and everything that comes with it. I return to God’s Word and prayer daily for the strength He provides through them. It is only through these things that I gain the strength and the faith to fight this war that I cannot see. I am not worthy to even be considered for the tasks my Lord may place before me; but as a soldier for Christ I am only to obey and to rest in the faith He is sovereign, and in complete control. The faith that Elisha’s servant, and even Elisha had is available to us. It will only come with a heart consistently looking upward, and not being dragged downward to the strains that lie before us.

 
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Posted by on September 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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A Mystery

25 Jul

A Mystery

Ephesians 3:3-4 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

The word ‘mystery’ is used over 20 times in the New Testament, many times by the Apostle Paul. It is used in many different contexts, many times in the relations of Jews and Gentiles, but mainly on Christ and God’s grace that extends through Him. Many could not understand the principle of grace; of receiving a free gift from God they did not deserve or work for. That was a root of pride that still tugs people away today thinking they may have to earn God’s graces.

What is is about a ‘mystery’ that draws us? It is the unknown, the lack of understanding, the desire to understand from within. God has wired us that way and from that wiring we can either use the draw of that mystery to blaspheme or draw in to Him. We will never understand for our minds are too simple to grasp the things of God. Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. To try to explain away what we cannot understand can become blasphemous against God. The strengthening of our faith in the lack of understanding is what is found in continually seeking the things of God. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. In study concerning Christ; I came upon this from Matthew Henry as a great summary to the mystery surrounding Him. “First, He who was manifest in flesh was God, really and truly God, God by nature, and not only so by office, for this makes it to be a mystery. Secondly, God was manifest in flesh, real flesh. Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, Heb. 2:14 . And, what is more amazing, he was manifest in the flesh after all flesh had corrupted his way, though he himself was holy from the womb. Thirdly, Godliness is a mystery in all its parts and branches, from the beginning to the end, from Christ’s incarnation to his ascension. Fourthly, It being a great mystery, we should rather humbly adore it, and piously believe it, than curiously pry into it, or be too positive in our explications of it and determinations about it, further than the holy scriptures have revealed it to us.” Let the mystery draw you near, strengthen your faith, and to praise a Holy God who blessed you with the mystery of His work through His Son.

 
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Posted by on July 25, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Inquiring minds want to know

24 May

Inquiring minds want to know

John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

I love the story of Nicodemus. He was a leader and sat on the council that investigated John the Baptist. He was held in high regard, but yet he secretly knew that there was something of merit to all he was hearing of this Christ. His faith overcame his pride and he snuck out one night to find Jesus and speak to Him. This was a huge risk, but also a huge step of faith. In his mind, he knew He was Christ, and in his heart he wanted to know more. If the things of God tug at your heart as his, swallow your pride and seek Him also. That is Christ knocking at the door, and only you have the key.

Christ began to explain to him of the acceptance of becoming “born again” by the Spirit to gain access into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. This troubled Nicodemus and his mind has some practical questions to the words Christ spoke. His mind was getting in the way of his faith. Our mind seeks the logical, the things we can see or obtain. The heart moves on faith, and the heart or soul is where the His Spirit lives. It is a battle between mind and spirit. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. If you feel that stirring in your heart, spend some time in the Gospel of John. You will find Christ there and the keys to eternal paradise as Nicodemus did.

 
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Posted by on May 24, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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On Track

17 May

On Track

2 Timothy 2:3-4   You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

If we are not to become side-tracked, then are we able to say we are focused? If we are focused we should have a sole purpose, a goal we are trying to attain. If we are focused on that goal, anything that doesn’t pertain or help us accomplish that goal is a deterrent and side tracks us from stepping closer. The apostle Paul writes much in analogies of the focus of our Christian life using many metaphors. The verse above is the relationship of a soldier to his commander and the focus it demands. So much of our Christian life is warfare and our enemy provides all the distractions here to draw our focus away from Christ.

Our focus could be a measurement of our faith. Our faith is the hope of things unseen, and the enemy desires to draw our focus away with things we can see, and even feel we can attain. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Paul was spending much time encouraging Timothy in his faith, for Paul knew he was surrounded by those who could deter, or side track him from his faith and purpose. 2 Timothy 3:10-11 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra–what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. The ability to remain focused, the ability to have great faith, is gained through time spent with God in His Word and prayer. These daily times of preparation allow you to remain focused, to strengthen your faith, and to remain on track with the sole purpose you have for the day. Your sole purpose for the day is wherever Christ has you at that time; to represent Him and reflect Him to those surrounding you. That is where you show the great faith that you possess in your Risen Savior and your ability to share Christ with others.

 
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Posted by on May 17, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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What size is your faith?

30 Apr

What size is your faith?

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

This morning the word Faith was heavy on my mind. We had a kids production at church last night founded on the faith of Abraham, the patriarch of great faith. What is the definition of faith? “Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust.” Faith is at the core of any belief, yet faith in Christ as the Risen Savior and Redeemer is essential in the Christian faith along with the understanding that God is in control. Abraham was told to simply “GO” and he had the faith to follow God’s direction. His blessing and descendants have outnumbered the stars as a result of his great faith in God. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

You are what you believe. You are defined by what you place your faith in. Where your faith resides will shape many of the decisions you make every day and your thoughts for the next. If you place your faith in yourself and believe that you can do all things, pride will destroy you for an eternity. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Faith is the realization that you are not in control, therefore God is, and the faith and peace that come from that realization is where you can reside. Great faith comes with a peace that surpasses worldly comprehension, and the world will challenge your faith. The greater the challenge, the greater your faith, the greater your God. Let go and let God grow your faith that has come as a result of accepting the gifts of Grace He has given, and will continue to provide in the means He designs.

 
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Posted by on April 30, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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You can’t understand

02 Mar

This morning I am still in thought about the things facing me at registering for school, and the daunting tasks that lie ahead. The title of this post easily describes me.

 

 

You can’t understand

John 18:4     Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

“Knowing all things”, outside the traps of time, outside our finite minds, we simply cannot grasp the Omnipotence of God. Webster’s dictionary description is an ‘almighty or infinite in power, as God’. There is none other than our heavenly Father that can carry such a title. In the garden that night Christ knew the fate that faced Him. He knew all the sufferings that He was about to endure, and He approached the Roman detail in peace. He had hidden when early in His ministry  the Jews sought to make Him a king (John 6:15), yet at this time of suffering He stepped forward to meet His fate as He understood was the plan laid out by His Father.

Matthew Henry says of our suffering “it will do us good to expect suffering in general, so that when they come we can say, It is what we looked for, the cost we sat down and counted upon.” God limits our ability to understand, therefore that is where our faith and our reliability of His omnipotence comes in and grows. If we understood many of these things, would we face them as Christ, or take another path that would lead us away from Him? Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Rely and rest in the power and design of the plans He has laid out for you. You cannot and will not understand what you may face today or tomorrow, but you can rest if you are a child of His that as Romans 8:28 says And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. It is in these things I rest, and describe my walk as Peace.

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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