“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
Do you know what Fear and Faith have in common? A future that hasn’t happened yet.
Fear believes in a negative future. Faith believes in a positive future.
Both believe in something that has not yet happened.
So I ask you, if neither the positive or negative future has happened yet then why not choose to believe in the positive future, the one that trusts God and knows that He is ultimately in control?
Fear sabotages our joy and success. It robs us from living the life that God intended us to live, which is why overcoming fear is talked about so many times in the Bible.
God does not want us to be shackled by the chains of fear.
God wants us to live in the powerful freedom of faith.
Think about the words of Jesus for a moment:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27
I believe that during these challenging times we have a choice between two roads. The positive road (faith) and the negative road (fear). The problem is that we can’t be on two roads at the same time. So we have to make a choice. This choice determines our belief about the future and the attitude and actions that we bring to the present.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t have any fear. There are times when fear is a gift. A healthy dose of fear causes us to examine our situation and plan for the future. Fear can be a catalyst for change. When used wisely it allows us to manage risk and make better decisions. Some fear is good.
However, what I have observed lately is a supersized, mega dose of fear that is pervading the hearts and minds of far too many people. This jumbo sized fear is causing people and leaders to either act irrationally or to not act at all. They are either scurrying in a million different directions because of fear or paralyzed by it. In both cases, fear is leading them to take the negative road, which leads to failure.
The answer is the positive road paved with faith and a belief that your best days are not behind you but ahead of you. The positive roads trusts in God to provide even when things might be confusing or look like there is no hope. The positive road truly believes that…
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26
With this belief you make the right choices and actions today that will create your positive future tomorrow. You continue to invest in your organization, your people and yourself. You seek God daily, you follow His direction, and you live your life according to His word (faith in action). You stay calm, focused and committed to the vision and purpose God has given you. You look for ways to avoid making irrational fear-based decisions that sacrifice your future success. You identify opportunities in the midst of the challenges and you focus on solutions instead of problems.
When you do all this, you are living in faith and sharing it with others (because they are watching).
As we come to a close with today’s message, read this verse below from 2 Timothy. Replace the word US with ME. Read it aloud a few times. Rest in the assurance that God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of sound mind. Do more than just read it, believe it and live your life as if it is true (because it is).
When you live by faith and trust in God’s word, you are believing in a positive future. That belief leads to powerful actions today. The future has not happened yet and you have a say in what it looks like by the way you think and act.
Fear or Faith. The choice is yours.
Scripture of the Day: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
Showing posts with label faith in God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith in God. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
A Blueprint for Blessings
Jesus assures us that the only way to live a righteous life is by not only hearing His words, but obeying them also. It is in the section of the book of Matthew that Jesus tries to convince the listener to grasp the importance of faith in Christ. It is through Christ that our righteousness is obtained. It is through Christ that salvation is assured. It is through Christ that we obtain the blueprint for blessings. In verse Matthew 7:24 Jesus is saying whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
There is a difference between the Christian and the counterfeit. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus points out there are at least three ways that the people tried to get by without obeying the word of God. 1: Claiming a love of and a loyalty for Jesus in word only, 2: Performing wondrous signs by casting out demons, and 3: Claiming to do it in the name of Jesus. The blueprint for blessings does not include any shortcuts. The blueprint for blessings does not allow for inferior material to be used. The blueprint for blessing demands that the specifications are followed “to the T.”
Blueprint is defined by Webster’s as a detailed plan of action. God’s word is a detailed plan of action. It was God’s word that called for Moses to go to Pharaoh not once, not twice, but several times to have Pharaoh let God’s people go.
It was God’s word that called Abram out of his own country to a land that God would show him.
It was God’s word that transcended time, for God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. When the blueprint is followed, life is full of blessings and favor of God. Even in the midst of tragedy, there is blueprint for blessings. Even in the midst of calamity, there is a blueprint for blessings. Even in the midst trial and tribulation, there is a blueprint for blessings. God’s word ensures that we have an answer to the question, what do I do now?
How many times have we tried to assemble something only to have a screw or two left over at the end. The structure was standing; it worked, it even looked like the picture. But there was still a part leftover. Life is the same way. When we try to make it through without following the blueprint, we make look good on the outside; we may even make it through life for awhile. But at some point, we find ourselves missing a part.
The text helps us understand that while there are a whole lot of people hearing the Word, it will be those who hear and do who will be blessed by the Word. 99 ½ just won’t do. We must give God all. When we pray, wait for an answer. When we seek Him, don’t get tired and give up. When times come where it seems as though nothing is working and we’re confused, keeping doing what the Word tells us to do.
Scripture of the Day: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew 7:24-27
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Report Card
As a preacher's kid, I grew up hearing and reading about faith. As an adult I've come to know and experience what faith is and does. FAITH: loyalty, belief and trust in God. I am a fan of Webster.com and when I typed "trust" I noticed the derivatives were, "trustability", "trustable", "truster", "trustingly", "trustingness".
Nothing came up for "trusted". It may very well be a word, but not acknowledged by Webster. My point, "trust" is never past tense. It's not something you did once and it didn't work out for you. A friend once said to me, "to say you've trusted is to say life got stuck in a previous experience of failure or hurt." As believers its never a thing of the past, it's our now, our life. It's the fundamental fact of our existence.
"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him." Hebrews 11:6 Amp.
I, like so many others have found myself to the point of frustration and really wanting to be enlightened when it came to the subject of faith. I'd ask, What am I doing wrong?, What am I not getting? Why is my life not yielding certain results? There have been numerous Biblical testimonies of faith set before us to show us that if we get in the habit of believing (without options, without a plan b) our lives can yield the same results if not better. They stood firm, in the state of mind in which they had un-shakeable confidence and faith in God.
Abraham when asked was ready to return his promised son, Isaac back to God not knowing that other provisions had already been made. Abraham didn't go to the undisclosed location with Isaac and an optional sacrifice. He knew that there was a reason God was asking for the son in which his descendants would spring forth.
Now he very well could have asked a plethora of questions and refused to make a move until he understood. I'm sure nothing about this was making sense to him. However, he didn't seek to understand it, he moved and believed. God saw his heart, his desire to please Him. Therefore, He provided the ram.
Noah, who was a farmer and aspiring entrepreneur. He was probably in the process or planting his very own vineyard so he could open a farm winery, but God interrupts his plans. He was asked to build an ark in the Summer's heat, if I may. The process of building a boat/ship/ark is a traditional craftsmanship which is a refined art delivered from master to apprentice. The skill is passed on by doing and often without a sketch or blueprint.
In Genesis 6 and 7, God (the master) gave detailed instructions for the ark and Noah (the apprentice) obeyed. Why? He was in the habit of believing. Noah's habit affords us the opportunity to experience the brilliant beauty of the consequent rainbow today.
Enoch's habit caused him to be caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not see death.
SELF ANALYSIS: Is your faith failing or satisfactory?
1. Like Abraham, has God ever asked you to sacrifice something he promised you with no explanation why and not knowing the end result?
2. Like Noah, has He ever wanted to interrupt your plan because He had need of you?
3. Just as Enoch did, He expects us to be "caught up". Get caught up in the habit of trusting Him, so that our faith grows increasingly faster than any giant/deathly circumstance we may face today.
A firm mindset of faith influences a habit of faith.
Scripture Of The Day: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Monday, July 16, 2012
Got Salt
As a stay-at-home Mom, everyday things become learning opportunities for my toddler and infant. Many times I set out to teach them something and the Holy Spirit uses the lesson to teach me. Today was one of those days. My toddler picked up our salt shaker and curiously asked, “What’s this?” I told her that it was salt and that we use the salt to help our food taste better. Immediately, I shared with her the scripture where Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth in Matthew 5:13. I told her that like the salt, we make things better. She took her finger to put some of the salt on her tongue. I told her that you don’t eat salt by itself- it’s for the food. She laughed and moved onto the next thing, but I paused to really absorb this concept.
Salt is something that we all have in our homes. It’s an everyday thing—nothing too special in and of itself, but when it’s missing, you notice it. And salt was not created just to hang out with other salt, it was created for FOOD. If we really are the salt of the earth, then where’s the ‘food’ that we are to season? Are we missing in the lives of others who need us to help them to be better?
Many times as believers, we tend to go into quarantine, isolating ourselves from the very world that needs our seasoning and preserving nature to make them better. Yes, there are certain situations that we should guard ourselves from, especially if we have a weakness in that area. But God’s intent was never for the body of believers to retreat. Just like yeast—the other example that Jesus used to teach us about the Kingdom of God—we must be mixed with something in order to work. Salt and yeast by themselves are inactive. But once they come in contact with food, they come alive!
Let’s just face it, the world and those in it are full of sin and filth. Does that intimidate you? It shouldn’t. Jesus surely wasn’t. He was amongst thieves, drunks, murderers, lepers, yet He became the answer to their problems right where they were instead of just hanging out in the temple and waiting for them to come to Him.
Is your spiritual excitement lacking? Are you feeling dormant in your Christian walk? It may be that your active ingredient needs to be put to work in the lives of others. Ask and believe God for opportunities to sprinkle your salt in the lives of those who have need of you. Inevitably when we set out to be a blessing to someone else, our overwhelming Father jumps right into our lives to energize our faith and encourage us in our area of need. Use your salt shaker and make this world taste better.
Scripture of the Day: "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men." - Matthew 5:13 (Amplified)
Friday, July 13, 2012
Trust The Delay
Picture this. It’s very early in the morning. My husband and I are sitting on a plane in Houston preparing to return to Atlanta. We’d had a late night so we were exhausted. We settled into our seats and prepared for the less than 2 hour plane trip. My husband pulls out his iPad & I pulled out a magazine and we got as comfortable as you can on an airplane. The plane began to taxi away from the gate and we were on our way. And that was a good thing. Because once we landed, two little girls, errands, meetings and chores awaited us.
The plane continued to taxi down the runway, but then it came to a complete stop. Initially we didn’t pay much attention to it because we’d started losing our ability to concentrate on the iPad and magazine…our eyes were slowly drifting shut. But after about 10 minutes we realized that we’d been stopped longer than normal.
Right about the time we realized we’d been sitting for a while, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom and informed us that there was a mechanical issue with the plane. We were told that we would have to sit on the runway until the mechanics came to check it out. He jokingly said “thank goodness we caught it while we were still on the ground. We’d hate to get into the high altitudes and expect the mechanics to come up there”.
Eventually the mechanics arrived to the plane, fixed the issue and we were off! We arrived slightly behind schedule, but safe. Thank God.
I so love how God teaches me life lessons in the midst of my ordinary, every-day situations. This was no different.
See, as we waited on the mechanics to check out the plane I was reminded that the same scenario often happens in our lives. We board the “plane” of our dreams, hopes, and goals. We make sure everything is on point…or at least we think everything is on point. We prepare for take-off. But often as we are about to start a new journey, go to the next level, or experience something different, something happens and there is a delay.
I don’t like delays. If I am supposed to leave at 8am, I want to leave at 8am. Not 8:15am, not 9am. I want to leave at 8am.
I don’t like delays.
But I have learned (well. Honestly? I am learning….) to trust the delay. And trusting the delay means having faith in God. Having faith that His plan and will for our lives is so much more strategic and purposeful than we could ever imagine or conjure up!
Unlike the pilot, I find no humor in “middle of the air mechanical problems”, but all jokes aside the pilot preached a mini-sermon to me in that moment.
“Thank goodness we caught it while we were still on the ground. We’d hate to get into the high altitudes and expect the mechanics to come up there”.
Did you catch the mini-sermon? The pilot was talking about a plane…but I heard it for my own life. One of my constant prayers is that my gifts don’t take me anywhere that my character can’t keep me.
As you and I continue to move into new dimensions in every area of our lives, we don’t want to go higher and then crash because our character couldn’t withstand the pressure.
Don’t get me wrong. We never get to a place where we’ve arrived and are free from the need to make character adjustments. But at each new level we must make sure that who we are can withstand the pressures that will inevitably come as we ascend.
So as much as I don’t like delays, I know that the delay may be God’s greatest gift to me.
Just like with the airplane on our trip from Houston, the adjustment that needs to be made might be minor. Think about it. We didn’t have to get off the plane and we didn’t have to turn around and go back. We simply had to stop for a minute, fix the problem and then we were able to keep going.
The delay may be the same for you. It doesn’t mean that you stop, walk away and give up on your dreams. It may simply mean that you need to allow your team (your spouse, family, counselor, pastor, etc) to help you fix the problem and then you will be on your way.
Ignoring the delay is dangerous.
Moving forward despite God’s whisper to wait…
Refusing to allow yourself to be surrounded by “mechanics” that can help you address the issue…
Placing your dreams and goals above the bigger picture…
Ignoring the delay is dangerous. So don’t do that. Don’t ignore the delay. Be still. Be quiet. Be open.
Have faith that if God has pushed pause then you should heed the warning and trust the delay.
Scripture of the Day: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." - Proverbs 16:9
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Faith Over Fear
On any given day I consider myself a woman of great faith. Not because of stories that I have read or been told, but because of my own personal experiences. Encounters where I know it was nothing but the strength, love and grace of God that brought me through.
With that said – I believe there are many people who feel defeated in their faith walk because it doesn’t come natural for them yet. They look around and see the “faith talkers and faith walkers” and think they have it made. But they don’t see the journey that it took to get there.
Yes I am a strong believer that my faith must always trump my fears.
However that doesn’t mean I walk around with a big F on my chest all the time.
It doesn’t mean that I don’t get scared and wonder how I am going to make it through certain situations.
It doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes allow the stresses of life to weigh me down.
It doesn’t mean that I am immune to heartbreaks, sickness, or attacks of the enemy.
It doesn’t mean that sometimes I don’t exercise bad judgment or make horrible decisions.
Yes, sometimes I worry, sometimes I get angry, sometimes I even cry about the things I see in the natural.
And that’s ok. Those are normal reactions to life’s unpleasant moments and there is no reason to feel ashamed of those moments.
But the key is to not stay and dwell there.
The key is to build up your faith arsenal when things are going well, so that you are equipped for the not so good moments. Study those scriptures on faith and commit them to memory so you can speak to your fears when they arise.
The key is to hold close the memories of the times that you activated your faith and God stepped in. And if you are short of experiences, glean from those that have stories to share about their faith.
The key is to still be able to cry out to God in your weakest moments knowing that regardless of what you are facing … He is STILL God. You don’t have to come to Him with it all together … He is there when you are completely broken… even when you can’t even say a prayer because of the intensity of your tears.
There isn’t a magic potion for increasing your faith, it’s a process. However the more you activate your faith instead of going (or staying) in panic mode– the more it will become a way of a life and not a second thought.
And one day you will boldly be able to declare that your faith ALWAYS trumps your fears.
Scripture of the Day: “Be still and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10a
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
No Fear Faith
Anyone with sense at all would want to live without trouble in his or her lives. If we could, we’d live without disappointments, mistakes, mishaps or mix-ups. We would never see a dark day, dark side or a dark cloud in the sky.
We would love to live without ever having an argument or uttering a harsh word to friend, family or foe. There would be no stress, tension, tension headaches, worry lines, wrinkled foreheads, ulcers, or premature gray hair.
Imagine days where friends would always be friendly, lovers would always be attentive, spouses would always be considerate, parents would always be charming and children would always make you proud. If we could, we’d live without failure and regrets would always be few. Pain would permanently be removed from the vocabulary. Suffering would be a figment of someone’s imagination and heartache would be songs sung for fun.
In a perfect world, tragedy wouldn’t know where you live. Temptation would never call your name, sin doesn’t know you, and evil would never catch up to you. But this is not a perfect world. Upsets occur, disappointment knocks, problems come and go, and into this life some rain must fall. Yes, in this life, we shall have tribulation, says Jesus, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world!
The psalmist didn’t live in a perfect world either. Psalm 27, traditionally attributed to David, is filled with crises. There are the wicked, enemies, foes, hostility, army, trouble and false witnesses who breathe out violence. He seems to be surrounded by intimidating people and events that threaten his existence.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalm 27: 1 (KJV)
The psalmist is faced with a choice. He could choose fear or faith. The psalmist meets these issues with a confession of faith in God. God, who is my light, expels the darkness of fears and enemies. God, who is my salvation, can rescue and saved me, so whom shall I fear? God, who is my strength and refuge, thus whom shall I be afraid?
David overcomes fear with faith, by putting God first. He no longer depends upon others or himself. But he depends on a God who provides a triple shield of light, salvation and strength. In our daily walk, we are tempted to take the word of others over the Word of God. We seek first the media reports, and then seek the face God.
David overcomes fear with a personal faith. He uses possessive pronouns in his confession of faith, my light, my salvation and my strength. This is the same David who said the Lord is my Shepard. What lifts him is not a second hand faith, but a faith that grows out of a deep relationship with God. He overcomes fear with a faith that has a memory. In verse two, he remembers the triumphant of the past. In remembering, fear falls and faith rises.
Another songwriter sings “When I think of goodness of Jesus and all he’s done for me, my soul shouts hallelujah, I thank God for saving me.” We do not live in a perfect world. We would love to avoid crises, challenge and even change for the good. Fear is a real threat to our faith. Sometimes, we even make decisions based on what we are afraid of rather than on faith. We’re afraid this is going to happen, so we choose this direction. We’re afraid that someone will do this, and we choose another course of action.
In the face of financial foes, hostile job
market, and a gushing oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico that continues to breathe out violence, our hand may become shaky on our shield of faith. David’s fearless faith gives us an example of how we can fight back. Put your personal faith in God into action by putting God first and remembering the victories of the past. The same God who got us through the last time is still able today.
Scripture Of The Day: "So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God." - Mark 11:22 (NKJV)
Thursday, July 5, 2012
At Midnight
People of God, adversity comes in many shapes forms and fashions. These perplexing, confusing, and mystifying predicaments show up at the most inconvenient and awkward times in our lives, and the frustrating thing is that adversity does not need an invitation to enter your home.
One moment life appears to be serene, calm, peaceful and quiet; then the next moment we find ourselves caught in the middle of the storm. For some of us life is just one storm after another.
One of the strange things about this season is that it seems like it is lasting forever. One of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our faith in Him and not in stuff or in people. You know your faith is maturing by what you do and how you act during your storm and in your problem.
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Acts 16:23-28 (NKJV)
Here in the book of Acts we find a story about the Apostle Paul and Silas who find themselves in what seems to be a storm. Paul & Silas were called by God to take the gospel into the region of Macedonia. However, when they got there, instead of wide open doors, like they might have expected, they ran into a season of opposition!
They are locked up and in chains because they were at the place God wanted them to be, doing the very thing God told them to do. What I love about Paul and Silas is that they still had faith in God. The text does not say they were crying and angry but that they were praying and singing praises.
This is my favorite part of the text, it says “but at midnight”. I know you have heard people say that midnight is the darkest hour and it’s when you’re at your lowest, but what I want to point out here is that midnight is also a transition period. It is the transition from an old day to a new day. It can confuse you because when you think of transition you think of a sudden, rapid change.
Midnight transition is very minute because nothing really changes but the time.
I want you today to put all your faith in God no matter how it looks my sister and no matter what they say my brother. Don’t allow the code red to detour you because there is a transition about to take place in your life but you have to trust God.
Remember you are where He wants you to be. It’s not time to put your faith in the things you see but put to your faith in the God who holds you in His hand.
Scripture Of The Day: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)
Marquis D. Boone is the Lead Pastor of Fresh Start Church whose mission is to Re-vive, Re-fresh, Re-lease and to Re-store people back to God. For more information about Pastor Boone; log onto http://www.myfreshstartchurch.org or http://www.dreamoutloudtoday.com.…
One moment life appears to be serene, calm, peaceful and quiet; then the next moment we find ourselves caught in the middle of the storm. For some of us life is just one storm after another.
One of the strange things about this season is that it seems like it is lasting forever. One of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our faith in Him and not in stuff or in people. You know your faith is maturing by what you do and how you act during your storm and in your problem.
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Acts 16:23-28 (NKJV)
Here in the book of Acts we find a story about the Apostle Paul and Silas who find themselves in what seems to be a storm. Paul & Silas were called by God to take the gospel into the region of Macedonia. However, when they got there, instead of wide open doors, like they might have expected, they ran into a season of opposition!
They are locked up and in chains because they were at the place God wanted them to be, doing the very thing God told them to do. What I love about Paul and Silas is that they still had faith in God. The text does not say they were crying and angry but that they were praying and singing praises.
This is my favorite part of the text, it says “but at midnight”. I know you have heard people say that midnight is the darkest hour and it’s when you’re at your lowest, but what I want to point out here is that midnight is also a transition period. It is the transition from an old day to a new day. It can confuse you because when you think of transition you think of a sudden, rapid change.
Midnight transition is very minute because nothing really changes but the time.
I want you today to put all your faith in God no matter how it looks my sister and no matter what they say my brother. Don’t allow the code red to detour you because there is a transition about to take place in your life but you have to trust God.
Remember you are where He wants you to be. It’s not time to put your faith in the things you see but put to your faith in the God who holds you in His hand.
Scripture Of The Day: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)
Marquis D. Boone is the Lead Pastor of Fresh Start Church whose mission is to Re-vive, Re-fresh, Re-lease and to Re-store people back to God. For more information about Pastor Boone; log onto http://www.myfreshstartchurch.org or http://www.dreamoutloudtoday.com.…Monday, July 11, 2011
Today's Battles, Tomorrow's Strengths
One of my favorite Southern Baptist preachers, Johnny Hunt, once said that the only time he ever gets headaches is when he finds himself trying to fight today's battles with tomorrow's strength.
I think Pastor Johnny was quoting another pastor when he said it. Come to think of it, the idea originated with Jesus:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:34
God supplies all the strength we need to do all that He's called us to do.
But He rations this strength much in the same way He rationed manna to the children of Israel.
He provides sufficient strength each day for the challenges of that day...and that day only. This strength doesn't carry over from one day to the next. You either use it, or lose it.
And He will not give you enough strength today for the confrontations, obligations, and challenges of next week, next month, or next year. That strength will be deposited in your account precisely when you need it, and not a moment before.
If you're stressed and overwhelmed today, check your strength supply. I'll bet you have enough to get you through this day.
And that's all you need for now.
Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
Steven Furtick is Pastor of Elevation Church, located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Under his passionate leadership, Elevation Church was named one of the 10 fastest growing churches in America. A devoted husband and father of two, you can find Steven blogging at http://www.stevenfurtick.comThursday, July 7, 2011
What is Your Reality?
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5)
A close friend was the victim of a home invasion last year while her husband was at work and she was in the house with her 2-year-old. The intruder broke in through a downstairs window, rummaged through a few things on the first floor then walked upstairs to lock eyes with my friend and her daughter who calmly asked, "Mommy, who is that?"
It was only about 7 feet of space that separated my friend from a complete stranger in her own home. After a quick but intense mutual stare, the intruder scurried back down the stairs and out the front door. I got word of what happened and took action right away. Sad to say I jumped right into the arms of fear.
"You've gotta move to a new neighborhood. Houses are for sale in my subdivision...I'll start making calls..."
I thought I was helping them, but I was only parading my lack of faith. Yes I acknowledged God's grace. The situation could have been much worse. The intruder didn't get physical or violent; instead, he fled.
But because my faith was a no-show, I couldn't inspire faith in my friend. In an instant without flinching, I adamantly suggested they uproot the family and essentially "run" because the intruder could return to finish business.
While I spewed faith-void opinions, my friend's neighbor stepped forth to deposit this more sound advice:
"Here's where you prove what you say you believe. Your faith in God must now become more than words. Is it your reality?"
That question ended up shaking me out of my foolishness. Even though it was my friend's experience, the whole ordeal felt just as scary for me. I lost sleep over it before finally realizing I needed the wake-up call. Spiritually, I wasn't where I thought I was.
It was emotionally challenging for them, but my friends decided to focus on moving the family forward. They embraced the small miracle that no one was hurt, repaired their window, installed an alarm system and continued on with their lives...stronger, more thankful and certainly more faithful.
It's cool to be faith-filled when things are going good. But in the greatest time of need, what is your reality: Faith or fear?
Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine, Lisa Birch has a passion for music with integrity. Along with her husband Chris, Lisa is the co-founder of Vertical Fix internet radio. A 15-year writer and editor, Lisa has contributed writings for corporate, creative, editorial and ministerial environments. For more on Lisa, log onto http://www.verticalfix.com.
A close friend was the victim of a home invasion last year while her husband was at work and she was in the house with her 2-year-old. The intruder broke in through a downstairs window, rummaged through a few things on the first floor then walked upstairs to lock eyes with my friend and her daughter who calmly asked, "Mommy, who is that?"
It was only about 7 feet of space that separated my friend from a complete stranger in her own home. After a quick but intense mutual stare, the intruder scurried back down the stairs and out the front door. I got word of what happened and took action right away. Sad to say I jumped right into the arms of fear.
"You've gotta move to a new neighborhood. Houses are for sale in my subdivision...I'll start making calls..."
I thought I was helping them, but I was only parading my lack of faith. Yes I acknowledged God's grace. The situation could have been much worse. The intruder didn't get physical or violent; instead, he fled.
But because my faith was a no-show, I couldn't inspire faith in my friend. In an instant without flinching, I adamantly suggested they uproot the family and essentially "run" because the intruder could return to finish business.
While I spewed faith-void opinions, my friend's neighbor stepped forth to deposit this more sound advice:
"Here's where you prove what you say you believe. Your faith in God must now become more than words. Is it your reality?"
That question ended up shaking me out of my foolishness. Even though it was my friend's experience, the whole ordeal felt just as scary for me. I lost sleep over it before finally realizing I needed the wake-up call. Spiritually, I wasn't where I thought I was.
It was emotionally challenging for them, but my friends decided to focus on moving the family forward. They embraced the small miracle that no one was hurt, repaired their window, installed an alarm system and continued on with their lives...stronger, more thankful and certainly more faithful.
It's cool to be faith-filled when things are going good. But in the greatest time of need, what is your reality: Faith or fear?
Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine, Lisa Birch has a passion for music with integrity. Along with her husband Chris, Lisa is the co-founder of Vertical Fix internet radio. A 15-year writer and editor, Lisa has contributed writings for corporate, creative, editorial and ministerial environments. For more on Lisa, log onto http://www.verticalfix.com.Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Where Does Your Faith Lie?
If you have been keeping up with current events, you know that the story told by the media is very bleak. Unemployment numbers are at an all time high, crime is on the rise, marital relationships are deteriorating, the financial institutions and auto companies are failing, and life threatening diseases are killing millions of people...
One could find themselves depressed, panicky, stressed and overwhelmed if they allowed these reports to rule their lives. And what’s unfortunate is that the church sometimes seems to be just as scared right now as the world. Which brings me to the question of where or in whom does your faith lay?
If your faith is built on worldly institutions – than yes, you should be running to the hills fearing for your life. But if you have built your faith in God than your head should still be hung high as you confidently go through each day knowing God is in control.
Now I am not foolish enough to think that we won’t sometimes get discouraged and that worry may not creep up and rear its ugly head – but when those times come – we must seek God maybe like we have never done before to get through those times. God knows that our faith will sometimes be shaken up...He just wants you to take that first baby step...
“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Have you seen the size of a mustard seed? It’s super tiny! So don’t throw in the towel because you can’t seem to muster up an overwhelming amount of faith...walk in the little bit you may have...and as you continue to seek God’s face and direction – your faith will continue to grow.
It’s just like a flower, you have to water it and nurture it in order to cultivate it. And there is no better time than the present to start (or continue) that process. Do it and watch God honor your commitment.
Scripture Of The Day: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Tanya S. Martin-James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality (http://www.armedanddangerous.biz). Her devotional, Coffee Moments: A Work in Progress will be available July 2011. She also blogs at http://www.mycoffeemomen
One could find themselves depressed, panicky, stressed and overwhelmed if they allowed these reports to rule their lives. And what’s unfortunate is that the church sometimes seems to be just as scared right now as the world. Which brings me to the question of where or in whom does your faith lay?
If your faith is built on worldly institutions – than yes, you should be running to the hills fearing for your life. But if you have built your faith in God than your head should still be hung high as you confidently go through each day knowing God is in control.
Now I am not foolish enough to think that we won’t sometimes get discouraged and that worry may not creep up and rear its ugly head – but when those times come – we must seek God maybe like we have never done before to get through those times. God knows that our faith will sometimes be shaken up...He just wants you to take that first baby step...
“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Have you seen the size of a mustard seed? It’s super tiny! So don’t throw in the towel because you can’t seem to muster up an overwhelming amount of faith...walk in the little bit you may have...and as you continue to seek God’s face and direction – your faith will continue to grow.
It’s just like a flower, you have to water it and nurture it in order to cultivate it. And there is no better time than the present to start (or continue) that process. Do it and watch God honor your commitment.
Scripture Of The Day: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Tanya S. Martin-James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality (http://www.armedanddangerous.biz). Her devotional, Coffee Moments: A Work in Progress will be available July 2011. She also blogs at http://www.mycoffeemomenTuesday, July 5, 2011
Faith Report Card
As a preacher's kid, I grew up hearing and reading about faith. As an adult I've come to know and experience what faith is and does. FAITH: loyalty, belief and trust in God. I am a fan of Webster.com and when I typed "trust" I noticed the derivatives were, "trustability", "trustable", "truster", "trustingly", "trustingness".
Nothing came up for "trusted". It may very well be a word, but not acknowledged by Webster. My point, "trust" is never past tense. It's not something you did once and it didn't work out for you. A friend once said to me, "to say you've trusted is to say life got stuck in a previous experience of failure or hurt." As believers its never a thing of the past, it's our now, our life. It's the fundamental fact of our existence.
"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him." Hebrews 11:6 Amp.
I, like so many others have found myself to the point of frustration and really wanting to be enlightened when it came to the subject of faith. I'd ask, What am I doing wrong?, What am I not getting? Why is my life not yielding certain results? There have been numerous Biblical testimonies of faith set before us to show us that if we get in the habit of believing (without options, without a plan b) our lives can yield the same results if not better. They stood firm, in the state of mind in which they had un-shakeable confidence and faith in God.
Abraham when asked was ready to return his promised son, Isaac back to God not knowing that other provisions had already been made. Abraham didn't go to the undisclosed location with Isaac and an optional sacrifice. He knew that there was a reason God was asking for the son in which his descendants would spring forth.
Now he very well could have asked a plethora of questions and refused to make a move until he understood. I'm sure nothing about this was making sense to him. However, he didn't seek to understand it, he moved and believed. God saw his heart, his desire to please Him. Therefore, He provided the ram.
Noah, who was a farmer and aspiring entrepreneur. He was probably in the process or planting his very own vineyard so he could open a farm winery, but God interrupts his plans. He was asked to build an ark in the Summer's heat, if I may. The process of building a boat/ship/ark is a traditional craftsmanship which is a refined art delivered from master to apprentice. The skill is passed on by doing and often without a sketch or blueprint.
In Genesis 6 and 7, God (the master) gave detailed instructions for the ark and Noah (the apprentice) obeyed. Why? He was in the habit of believing. Noah's habit affords us the opportunity to experience the brilliant beauty of the consequent rainbow today.
Enoch's habit caused him to be caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not see death.
SELF ANALYSIS: Is your faith failing or satisfactory?
1. Like Abraham, has God ever asked you to sacrifice something he promised you with no explanation why and not knowing the end result?
2. Like Noah, has He ever wanted to interrupt your plan because He had need of you?
3. Just as Enoch did, He expects us to be "caught up". Get caught up in the habit of trusting Him, so that our faith grows increasingly faster than any giant/deathly circumstance we may face today.
A firm mindset of faith influences a habit of faith.
Scripture Of The Day: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Latrice A. Pace, longtime member of Gospel group, The Pace Sisters. Latrice was recently featured in Tyler Perry’s What’s Done In The Dark, as well as the stage musical play, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. She has performed with and contributed background vocals for many of today’s most popular gospel artists.At Midnight
People of God, adversity comes in many shapes forms and fashions. These perplexing, confusing, and mystifying predicaments show up at the most inconvenient and awkward times in our lives, and the frustrating thing is that adversity does not need an invitation to enter your home.
One moment life appears to be serene, calm, peaceful and quiet; then the next moment we find ourselves caught in the middle of the storm. For some of us life is just one storm after another.
One of the strange things about this season is that it seems like it is lasting forever. One of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our faith in Him and not in stuff or in people. You know your faith is maturing by what you do and how you act during your storm and in your problem.
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Acts 16:23-28 (NKJV)
Here in the book of Acts we find a story about the Apostle Paul and Silas who find themselves in what seems to be a storm. Paul & Silas were called by God to take the gospel into the region of Macedonia. However, when they got there, instead of wide open doors, like they might have expected, they ran into a season of opposition!
They are locked up and in chains because they were at the place God wanted them to be, doing the very thing God told them to do. What I love about Paul and Silas is that they still had faith in God. The text does not say they were crying and angry but that they were praying and singing praises.
This is my favorite part of the text, it says “but at midnight”. I know you have heard people say that midnight is the darkest hour and it’s when you’re at your lowest, but what I want to point out here is that midnight is also a transition period. It is the transition from an old day to a new day. It can confuse you because when you think of transition you think of a sudden, rapid change.
Midnight transition is very minute because nothing really changes but the time. I want you today to put all your faith in God no matter how it looks my sister and no matter what they say my brother. Don’t allow the code red to detour you because there is a transition about to take place in your life but you have to trust God.
Remember you are where He wants you to be. It’s not time to put your faith in the things you see but put to your faith in the God who holds you in His hand.
Scripture Of The Day: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)
Marquis D. Boone is the Lead Pastor of Fresh Start Church whose mission is to Re-vive, Re-fresh, Re-lease and to Re-store people back to God. For more information about Pastor Boone; log onto http://www.myfreshstartchurch.org or http://www.dreamoutloudtoday.com.… Sunday, June 12, 2011
More Good Stuff from Christianity Today
What Faith Is: Accepting Conditions
Poor Man's Blues
Poor Man's Blues
Glenn Kaiser on his new album, Chicago's homeless, his own history with poverty, and the 40-year anniversary of the Jesus Movement.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
From Faith to Faith
By Bishop Keith Butler
One way to grow in your walk with God is to never allow the things you've learned in the Word of God to get away from you. When you are introduced to more truth from the Bible, take it and add it to what you're now walking in. What you already know is a foundation on which to build. Therefore, don't throw away or forget the old. New truth does not negate the old. It is but another brick to add to the strong foundation of your spiritual house.
To walk in the blessings of God you must have faith. Therefore, it is important that we hold on to our faith and not let it slip away from us. Let's read the text from the Amplified Bible: "Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths t hat we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away."
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." - Hebrews 2:1(KJV)
Now notice what Paul says here (I believe that Paul is the writer of Hebrews). He says we ought to give more earnest heed to the truths we have already heard. He said we ought to pay more attention to what we already know.
In other words, what we know, we don't throw away. We don't have to get a new revelation. I've heard people say, "I don't need all that faith stuff anymore. I don't need all that confession stuff anymore. I'm past that; I'm into a deeper revelation."
But you're always going to need faith. And you're always going to have to deal with the ramifications of the words of your mouth whether you know it or not. And let me tell you, when you let these things slip away - when you let them get away from you - you pay the price.
In fact, Paul said in our text that we ought to pay even more attention to these things.
So often people learn something, they move on to somet hing else and forget about what they've already learned. You should always be adding to the house, so to speak. This way, when the trials of life come they won't even be able to shake you. You'll stand strong in the Word of God.
Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." - Hebrews 2:1(KJV)
Bishop Keith A. Butler is the founder and pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI, and Word of Faith Christian Center in San Antonio, TX. For more information about Bishop Butler, visit http://www.woficc.com.
One way to grow in your walk with God is to never allow the things you've learned in the Word of God to get away from you. When you are introduced to more truth from the Bible, take it and add it to what you're now walking in. What you already know is a foundation on which to build. Therefore, don't throw away or forget the old. New truth does not negate the old. It is but another brick to add to the strong foundation of your spiritual house.
To walk in the blessings of God you must have faith. Therefore, it is important that we hold on to our faith and not let it slip away from us. Let's read the text from the Amplified Bible: "Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths t hat we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away."
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." - Hebrews 2:1(KJV)
Now notice what Paul says here (I believe that Paul is the writer of Hebrews). He says we ought to give more earnest heed to the truths we have already heard. He said we ought to pay more attention to what we already know.
In other words, what we know, we don't throw away. We don't have to get a new revelation. I've heard people say, "I don't need all that faith stuff anymore. I don't need all that confession stuff anymore. I'm past that; I'm into a deeper revelation."
But you're always going to need faith. And you're always going to have to deal with the ramifications of the words of your mouth whether you know it or not. And let me tell you, when you let these things slip away - when you let them get away from you - you pay the price.
In fact, Paul said in our text that we ought to pay even more attention to these things.
So often people learn something, they move on to somet hing else and forget about what they've already learned. You should always be adding to the house, so to speak. This way, when the trials of life come they won't even be able to shake you. You'll stand strong in the Word of God.
Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." - Hebrews 2:1(KJV)
Bishop Keith A. Butler is the founder and pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI, and Word of Faith Christian Center in San Antonio, TX. For more information about Bishop Butler, visit http://www.woficc.com.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Fearless Faith
By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
Anyone with sense at all would want to live without trouble in his or her lives. If we could, we’d live without disappointments, mistakes, mishaps or mix-ups. We would never see a dark day, dark side or a dark cloud in the sky.
We would love to live without ever having an argument or uttering a harsh word to friend, family or foe. There would be no stress, tension, tension headaches, worry lines, wrinkled foreheads, ulcers, or premature gray hair.
Imagine days where friends would always be friendly, lovers would always be attentive, spouses would always be considerate, parents would always be charming and children would always make you proud. If we could, we’d live without failure and regrets would always be few. Pain would permanently be removed from the vocabulary. Suffering would be a figment of someone’s imagination and heartache would be songs sung for fun.
In a perfect world, tragedy wouldn’t know where you live. Temptation would never call your name, sin doesn’t know you, and evil would never catch up to you. But this is not a perfect world. Upsets occur, disappointment knocks, problems come and go, and into this life some rain must fall. Yes, in this life, we shall have tribulation, says Jesus, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world!
The psalmist didn’t live in a perfect world either. Psalm 27, traditionally attributed to David, is filled with crises. There are the wicked, enemies, foes, hostility, army, trouble and false witnesses who breathe out violence. He seems to be surrounded by intimidating people and events that threaten his existence.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalm 27: 1 (KJV)
The psalmist is faced with a choice. He could choose fear or faith. The psalmist meets these issues with a confession of faith in God. God, who is my light, expels the darkness of fears and enemies. God, who is my salvation, can rescue and saved me, so whom shall I fear? God, who is my strength and refuge, thus whom shall I be afraid?
David overcomes fear with faith, by putting God first. He no longer depends upon others or himself. But he depends on a God who provides a triple shield of light, salvation and strength. In our daily walk, we are tempted to take the word of others over the Word of God. We seek first the media reports, and then seek the face God.
David overcomes fear with a personal faith. He uses possessive pronouns in his confession of faith, my light, my salvation and my strength. This is the same David who said the Lord is my Shepard. What lifts him is not a second hand faith, but a faith that grows out of a deep relationship with God. He overcomes fear with a faith that has a memory. In verse two, he remembers the triumphant of the past. In remembering, fear falls and faith rises.
Another songwriter sings “When I think of goodness of Jesus and all he’s done for me, my soul shouts hallelujah, I thank God for saving me.” We do not live in a perfect world. We would love to avoid crises, challenge and even change for the good. Fear is a real threat to our faith. Sometimes, we even make decisions based on what we are afraid of rather than on faith. We’re afraid this is going to happen, so we choose this direction. We’re afraid that someone will do this, and we choose another course of action.
In the face of financial foes, hostile job market, and a gushing oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico that continues to breathe out violence, our hand may become shaky on our shield of faith. David’s fearless faith gives us an example of how we can fight back. Put your personal faith in God into action by putting God first and remembering the victories of the past. The same God who got us through the last time is still able today.
Scripture Of The Day: So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God." - Mark 11:22 (NKJV)
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, and serves as a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. For more on Bishop McKenzie, visit http://www.13thame.com or hear her messages daily at http://www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com.…
Anyone with sense at all would want to live without trouble in his or her lives. If we could, we’d live without disappointments, mistakes, mishaps or mix-ups. We would never see a dark day, dark side or a dark cloud in the sky.
We would love to live without ever having an argument or uttering a harsh word to friend, family or foe. There would be no stress, tension, tension headaches, worry lines, wrinkled foreheads, ulcers, or premature gray hair.
Imagine days where friends would always be friendly, lovers would always be attentive, spouses would always be considerate, parents would always be charming and children would always make you proud. If we could, we’d live without failure and regrets would always be few. Pain would permanently be removed from the vocabulary. Suffering would be a figment of someone’s imagination and heartache would be songs sung for fun.
In a perfect world, tragedy wouldn’t know where you live. Temptation would never call your name, sin doesn’t know you, and evil would never catch up to you. But this is not a perfect world. Upsets occur, disappointment knocks, problems come and go, and into this life some rain must fall. Yes, in this life, we shall have tribulation, says Jesus, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world!
The psalmist didn’t live in a perfect world either. Psalm 27, traditionally attributed to David, is filled with crises. There are the wicked, enemies, foes, hostility, army, trouble and false witnesses who breathe out violence. He seems to be surrounded by intimidating people and events that threaten his existence.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalm 27: 1 (KJV)
The psalmist is faced with a choice. He could choose fear or faith. The psalmist meets these issues with a confession of faith in God. God, who is my light, expels the darkness of fears and enemies. God, who is my salvation, can rescue and saved me, so whom shall I fear? God, who is my strength and refuge, thus whom shall I be afraid?
David overcomes fear with faith, by putting God first. He no longer depends upon others or himself. But he depends on a God who provides a triple shield of light, salvation and strength. In our daily walk, we are tempted to take the word of others over the Word of God. We seek first the media reports, and then seek the face God.
David overcomes fear with a personal faith. He uses possessive pronouns in his confession of faith, my light, my salvation and my strength. This is the same David who said the Lord is my Shepard. What lifts him is not a second hand faith, but a faith that grows out of a deep relationship with God. He overcomes fear with a faith that has a memory. In verse two, he remembers the triumphant of the past. In remembering, fear falls and faith rises.
Another songwriter sings “When I think of goodness of Jesus and all he’s done for me, my soul shouts hallelujah, I thank God for saving me.” We do not live in a perfect world. We would love to avoid crises, challenge and even change for the good. Fear is a real threat to our faith. Sometimes, we even make decisions based on what we are afraid of rather than on faith. We’re afraid this is going to happen, so we choose this direction. We’re afraid that someone will do this, and we choose another course of action.
In the face of financial foes, hostile job market, and a gushing oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico that continues to breathe out violence, our hand may become shaky on our shield of faith. David’s fearless faith gives us an example of how we can fight back. Put your personal faith in God into action by putting God first and remembering the victories of the past. The same God who got us through the last time is still able today.
Scripture Of The Day: So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God." - Mark 11:22 (NKJV)
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, and serves as a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. For more on Bishop McKenzie, visit http://www.13thame.com or hear her messages daily at http://www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com.…
Monday, July 5, 2010
Faith Report Card
By Latrice Pace
As a preacher's kid, I grew up hearing and reading about faith. As an adult I've come to know and experience what faith is and does. FAITH: loyalty, belief and trust in God. I am a fan of Webster.com and when I typed "trust" I noticed the derivatives were, "trustability", "trustable", "truster", "trustingly", "trustingness".
Nothing came up for "trusted". It may very well be a word, but not acknowledged by Webster. My point, "trust" is never past tense. It's not something you did once and it didn't work out for you. A friend once said to me, "to say you've trusted is to say life got stuck in a previous experience of failure or hurt." As believers its never a thing of the past, it's our now, our life. It's the fundamental fact of our existence.
"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him." Hebrews 11:6 Amp.
I, like so many others have found myself to the point of frustration and really wanting to be enlightened when it came to the subject of faith. I'd ask, What am I doing wrong?, What am I not getting? Why is my life not yielding certain results? There have been numerous Biblical testimonies of faith set before us to show us that if we get in the habit of believing (without options, without a plan b) our lives can yield the same results if not better. They stood firm, in the state of mind in which they had un-shakeable confidence and faith in God.
Abraham when asked was ready to return his promised son, Isaac back to God not knowing that other provisions had already been made. Abraham didn't go to the undisclosed location with Isaac and an optional sacrifice. He knew that there was a reason God was asking for the son in which his descendants would spring forth.
Now he very well could have asked a plethora of questions and refused to make a move until he understood. I'm sure nothing about this was making sense to him. However, he didn't seek to understand it, he moved and believed. God saw his heart, his desire to please Him. Therefore, He provided the ram.
Noah, who was a farmer and aspiring entrepreneur. He was probably in the process or planting his very own vineyard so he could open a farm winery, but God interrupts his plans. He was asked to build an ark in the Summer's heat, if I may. The process of building a boat/ship/ark is a traditional craftsmanship which is a refined art delivered from master to apprentice. The skill is passed on by doing and often without a sketch or blueprint.
In Genesis 6 and 7, God (the master) gave detailed instructions for the ark and Noah (the apprentice) obeyed. Why? He was in the habit of believing. Noah's habit affords us the opportunity to experience the brilliant beauty of the consequent rainbow today.
Enoch's habit caused him to be caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not see death.
SELF ANALYSIS: Is your faith failing or satisfactory?
1. Like Abraham, has God ever asked you to sacrifice something he promised you with no explanation why and not knowing the end result?
2. Like Noah, has He ever wanted to interrupt your plan because He had need of you?
3. Just as Enoch did, He expects us to be "caught up". Get caught up in the habit of trusting Him, so that our faith grows increasingly faster than any giant/deathly circumstance we may face today.
A firm mindset of faith influences a habit of faith.
Scripture Of The Day: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Latrice A. Pace, longtime member of Gospel group, The Pace Sisters. Latrice was recently featured in Tyler Perry’s What’s Done In The Dark, as well as the stage musical play, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. She has performed with and contributed background vocals for many of today’s most popular gospel artists.
As a preacher's kid, I grew up hearing and reading about faith. As an adult I've come to know and experience what faith is and does. FAITH: loyalty, belief and trust in God. I am a fan of Webster.com and when I typed "trust" I noticed the derivatives were, "trustability", "trustable", "truster", "trustingly", "trustingness".
Nothing came up for "trusted". It may very well be a word, but not acknowledged by Webster. My point, "trust" is never past tense. It's not something you did once and it didn't work out for you. A friend once said to me, "to say you've trusted is to say life got stuck in a previous experience of failure or hurt." As believers its never a thing of the past, it's our now, our life. It's the fundamental fact of our existence.
"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him." Hebrews 11:6 Amp.
I, like so many others have found myself to the point of frustration and really wanting to be enlightened when it came to the subject of faith. I'd ask, What am I doing wrong?, What am I not getting? Why is my life not yielding certain results? There have been numerous Biblical testimonies of faith set before us to show us that if we get in the habit of believing (without options, without a plan b) our lives can yield the same results if not better. They stood firm, in the state of mind in which they had un-shakeable confidence and faith in God.
Abraham when asked was ready to return his promised son, Isaac back to God not knowing that other provisions had already been made. Abraham didn't go to the undisclosed location with Isaac and an optional sacrifice. He knew that there was a reason God was asking for the son in which his descendants would spring forth.
Now he very well could have asked a plethora of questions and refused to make a move until he understood. I'm sure nothing about this was making sense to him. However, he didn't seek to understand it, he moved and believed. God saw his heart, his desire to please Him. Therefore, He provided the ram.
Noah, who was a farmer and aspiring entrepreneur. He was probably in the process or planting his very own vineyard so he could open a farm winery, but God interrupts his plans. He was asked to build an ark in the Summer's heat, if I may. The process of building a boat/ship/ark is a traditional craftsmanship which is a refined art delivered from master to apprentice. The skill is passed on by doing and often without a sketch or blueprint.
In Genesis 6 and 7, God (the master) gave detailed instructions for the ark and Noah (the apprentice) obeyed. Why? He was in the habit of believing. Noah's habit affords us the opportunity to experience the brilliant beauty of the consequent rainbow today.
Enoch's habit caused him to be caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not see death.
SELF ANALYSIS: Is your faith failing or satisfactory?
1. Like Abraham, has God ever asked you to sacrifice something he promised you with no explanation why and not knowing the end result?
2. Like Noah, has He ever wanted to interrupt your plan because He had need of you?
3. Just as Enoch did, He expects us to be "caught up". Get caught up in the habit of trusting Him, so that our faith grows increasingly faster than any giant/deathly circumstance we may face today.
A firm mindset of faith influences a habit of faith.
Scripture Of The Day: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Latrice A. Pace, longtime member of Gospel group, The Pace Sisters. Latrice was recently featured in Tyler Perry’s What’s Done In The Dark, as well as the stage musical play, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. She has performed with and contributed background vocals for many of today’s most popular gospel artists.
At Midnight
By Pastor Marquis Boone
People of God, adversity comes in many shapes forms and fashions. These perplexing, confusing, and mystifying predicaments show up at the most inconvenient and awkward times in our lives, and the frustrating thing is that adversity does not need an invitation to enter your home.
One moment life appears to be serene, calm, peaceful and quiet; then the next moment we find ourselves caught in the middle of the storm. For some of us life is just one storm after another.
One of the strange things about this season is that it seems like it is lasting forever. One of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our faith in Him and not in stuff or in people. You know your faith is maturing by what you do and how you act during your storm and in your problem.
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Acts 16:23-28 (NKJV)
Here in the book of Acts we find a story about the Apostle Paul and Silas who find themselves in what seems to be a storm. Paul & Silas were called by God to take the gospel into the region of Macedonia. However, when they got there, instead of wide open doors, like they might have expected, they ran into a season of opposition!
They are locked up and in chains because they were at the place God wanted them to be, doing the very thing God told them to do. What I love about Paul and Silas is that they still had faith in God. The text does not say they were crying and angry but that they were praying and singing praises.
This is my favorite part of the text, it says “but at midnight”. I know you have heard people say that midnight is the darkest hour and it’s when you’re at your lowest, but what I want to point out here is that midnight is also a transition period. It is the transition from an old day to a new day. It can confuse you because when you think of transition you think of a sudden, rapid change.
Midnight transition is very minute because nothing really changes but the time. I want you today to put all your faith in God no matter how it looks my sister and no matter what they say my brother. Don’t allow the code red to detour you because there is a transition about to take place in your life but you have to trust God.
Remember you are where He wants you to be. It’s not time to put your faith in the things you see but put to your faith in the God who holds you in His hand.
Scripture Of The Day: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)
Marquis D. Boone is the Lead Pastor of Fresh Start Church whose mission is to Re-vive, Re-fresh, Re-lease and to Re-store people back to God. For more information about Pastor Boone; log onto http://www.myfreshstartchurch.org or http://www.dreamoutloudtoday.com.…
People of God, adversity comes in many shapes forms and fashions. These perplexing, confusing, and mystifying predicaments show up at the most inconvenient and awkward times in our lives, and the frustrating thing is that adversity does not need an invitation to enter your home.
One moment life appears to be serene, calm, peaceful and quiet; then the next moment we find ourselves caught in the middle of the storm. For some of us life is just one storm after another.
One of the strange things about this season is that it seems like it is lasting forever. One of the purposes God has for our lives is that we grow to maturity in our faith in Him and not in stuff or in people. You know your faith is maturing by what you do and how you act during your storm and in your problem.
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Acts 16:23-28 (NKJV)
Here in the book of Acts we find a story about the Apostle Paul and Silas who find themselves in what seems to be a storm. Paul & Silas were called by God to take the gospel into the region of Macedonia. However, when they got there, instead of wide open doors, like they might have expected, they ran into a season of opposition!
They are locked up and in chains because they were at the place God wanted them to be, doing the very thing God told them to do. What I love about Paul and Silas is that they still had faith in God. The text does not say they were crying and angry but that they were praying and singing praises.
This is my favorite part of the text, it says “but at midnight”. I know you have heard people say that midnight is the darkest hour and it’s when you’re at your lowest, but what I want to point out here is that midnight is also a transition period. It is the transition from an old day to a new day. It can confuse you because when you think of transition you think of a sudden, rapid change.
Midnight transition is very minute because nothing really changes but the time. I want you today to put all your faith in God no matter how it looks my sister and no matter what they say my brother. Don’t allow the code red to detour you because there is a transition about to take place in your life but you have to trust God.
Remember you are where He wants you to be. It’s not time to put your faith in the things you see but put to your faith in the God who holds you in His hand.
Scripture Of The Day: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)
Marquis D. Boone is the Lead Pastor of Fresh Start Church whose mission is to Re-vive, Re-fresh, Re-lease and to Re-store people back to God. For more information about Pastor Boone; log onto http://www.myfreshstartchurch.org or http://www.dreamoutloudtoday.com.…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)