Bank Of Faith
"Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him."
1st John 3:21-22
When you pray, are you afraid to ask God for big things? If you are, you need to check your heart to see if your faith level is where it needs to be. Just recently I counseled with a man that stated that he didn't expect God to answer his prayers, because he thought that he was asking for too much, as his business was failing, and that all the circumstances were too complicated. He had received answers from God for some little things he had asked for, but felt that God would not answer this because there were too many details that had to be worked out. In situations such as this, there is nothing that is too complicated for God to handle. It doesn't matter how many details there are, as God can handle all of these, and bring things together if it is in His will to do so. My friend's faith level had taken a nose dive, and he was not trusting and having faith that with God nothing is impossible. His bank of faith was being depleted, because he was not depositing anything in it. The way you increase your faith is to read and study God's Holy Word, and build your relationship with Him. When you begin to obey God, do His commands, and make Him number one in all that you do, your bank of faith will grow, and then when you need to make a withdrawal you have enough faith stored up that God will write a check for. You must remember that when you pray and ask God for anything, you must have enough faith to expect an answer.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Love One Another
Love One Another
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
1st John 4:11
The only way to love one another is to first love God, and experience His love in our hearts. We must learn to accept the love that God has for us, and realize the abundance of it. If we rely on God's love, we find that He has an endless supply. When we try to love other people with our own supply of love, it runs out quickly. It is very difficult to extend love to others, particularly when they have offended us or hurt us. If someone tells a lie about you that ruins your reputation, so often it is hard to love them, as the lie keeps recurring in situations and being brought to the front. You may be able to think you have forgiven them, but each time the consequence of the lie surfaces, it opens the wound again. You may know down deep in your heart that you need to forgive, and love the person that told the lie about you, but you just can't do it on your own. That's when it's so important to lean on God, and borrow some of His love. I know that many of you may have people in your lives today, that have hurt you in some way, and you are having a difficult time forgiving them and moving on with your life, but you cannot keep this buried and expect to receive all of God's love in your own life. You must put aside all the emotions and feelings that you have about that person, and look at the big picture, which is that in Heaven there is not going to be any grudges, no anger, no strife, no hatred and no unforgiveness. It is important to love our enemies. We should do good and pray for them. In doing so, you can change them and also change yourselves, by loving them.
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
1st John 4:11
The only way to love one another is to first love God, and experience His love in our hearts. We must learn to accept the love that God has for us, and realize the abundance of it. If we rely on God's love, we find that He has an endless supply. When we try to love other people with our own supply of love, it runs out quickly. It is very difficult to extend love to others, particularly when they have offended us or hurt us. If someone tells a lie about you that ruins your reputation, so often it is hard to love them, as the lie keeps recurring in situations and being brought to the front. You may be able to think you have forgiven them, but each time the consequence of the lie surfaces, it opens the wound again. You may know down deep in your heart that you need to forgive, and love the person that told the lie about you, but you just can't do it on your own. That's when it's so important to lean on God, and borrow some of His love. I know that many of you may have people in your lives today, that have hurt you in some way, and you are having a difficult time forgiving them and moving on with your life, but you cannot keep this buried and expect to receive all of God's love in your own life. You must put aside all the emotions and feelings that you have about that person, and look at the big picture, which is that in Heaven there is not going to be any grudges, no anger, no strife, no hatred and no unforgiveness. It is important to love our enemies. We should do good and pray for them. In doing so, you can change them and also change yourselves, by loving them.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Meditate On God's Word
Meditate On God's Word
"May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
As you think in your heart, determines who and what you are. Whatever we think about and have in our hearts, is going to come out of our mouths. Out of the abundance of our hearts will our mouths speak. It is very important that our minds meditate on the good things of God, upon His Word. The word meditate means "to go over and over", which means that we must study God's word and constantly be in it, letting it minister to us, and gleaning all the wisdom we can from it. I find that when my mind wants to dwell on ugly, negative things, the best remedy is to seek out certain scriptures or chapters of the Bible. When I begin to read these words of God, my mind will begin to be filled with good instead of evil. God's Word will become the abundance of my heart, and then good will come from my mouth instead of evil. Another special blessing that comes from meditation on the words of God, is that the scriptures will become stored in your mind, much like in a computer. Then, when you are tempted to do something that is not right, you will be convicted, by an inner conscience that this is not right, and you can turn aside the sin. You need to spend time in God's word each day, memorize it, think about it, speak out about it, but most of all act it out in your daily life. You must realize that when you are grounded in God's word, then every word that comes from your mouth, will be acceptable to God. Our words come from the strength of God, so meditate on His Word.
"May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
As you think in your heart, determines who and what you are. Whatever we think about and have in our hearts, is going to come out of our mouths. Out of the abundance of our hearts will our mouths speak. It is very important that our minds meditate on the good things of God, upon His Word. The word meditate means "to go over and over", which means that we must study God's word and constantly be in it, letting it minister to us, and gleaning all the wisdom we can from it. I find that when my mind wants to dwell on ugly, negative things, the best remedy is to seek out certain scriptures or chapters of the Bible. When I begin to read these words of God, my mind will begin to be filled with good instead of evil. God's Word will become the abundance of my heart, and then good will come from my mouth instead of evil. Another special blessing that comes from meditation on the words of God, is that the scriptures will become stored in your mind, much like in a computer. Then, when you are tempted to do something that is not right, you will be convicted, by an inner conscience that this is not right, and you can turn aside the sin. You need to spend time in God's word each day, memorize it, think about it, speak out about it, but most of all act it out in your daily life. You must realize that when you are grounded in God's word, then every word that comes from your mouth, will be acceptable to God. Our words come from the strength of God, so meditate on His Word.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
You Are Not Orphans
You Are Not Orphans
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you"
John 14:18
Within an eight-month period, I had a friend whose husband's mother and her own mother died. Although they both lived into their 90s, eventually their bodies succumbed to illness and infirmity. The full impact of having our parents absent from earth creates renewed sadness and a strange feeling of being orphans. The fact that both of them were the only children made the situation even more difficult. Cleaning out two houses and sifting through years of accumulated possessions, old letters, and ancient photographs brings pleasant, yet bittersweet memories, along with laughter and tears. Perhaps Jesus' disciples and followers experienced similar feelings of abandonment as they huddled behind locked doors following His death. They feared what might happen next. Would they be arrested and executed, too? Although Jesus tried to make them understand in the final days of His ministry, they were unprepared and stunned by His absence, and left with feelings of grief and uncertainty. All of us feel abandoned at times. When health issues, job losses, financial crises, and relationship problems overwhelm, it is human to wonder why God doesn't immediately swoop in and fix everything. Feelings of loss and abandonment seem especially keen at Christmas time, Sometimes we forget God is still with us. He hasn't disappeared. The Holy Spirit lives within, and promises to comfort and counsel us. He is a comforter, helper, and friend. Most of all, He is Father. Having been adopted into the family of God, we are not orphans.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you"
John 14:18
Within an eight-month period, I had a friend whose husband's mother and her own mother died. Although they both lived into their 90s, eventually their bodies succumbed to illness and infirmity. The full impact of having our parents absent from earth creates renewed sadness and a strange feeling of being orphans. The fact that both of them were the only children made the situation even more difficult. Cleaning out two houses and sifting through years of accumulated possessions, old letters, and ancient photographs brings pleasant, yet bittersweet memories, along with laughter and tears. Perhaps Jesus' disciples and followers experienced similar feelings of abandonment as they huddled behind locked doors following His death. They feared what might happen next. Would they be arrested and executed, too? Although Jesus tried to make them understand in the final days of His ministry, they were unprepared and stunned by His absence, and left with feelings of grief and uncertainty. All of us feel abandoned at times. When health issues, job losses, financial crises, and relationship problems overwhelm, it is human to wonder why God doesn't immediately swoop in and fix everything. Feelings of loss and abandonment seem especially keen at Christmas time, Sometimes we forget God is still with us. He hasn't disappeared. The Holy Spirit lives within, and promises to comfort and counsel us. He is a comforter, helper, and friend. Most of all, He is Father. Having been adopted into the family of God, we are not orphans.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
God Bless Our Nation
God Bless Our Nation
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance."
Psalm 33:12
When I look at this scripture I think about the United States and how blessed we have been. We began as a Christian nation, as our forefathers fled to this country so that they could worship God in the manner they wished. Our constitution, our Declaration of Independence, and our Bill of Rights all mention God. We were born as a nation of God, and we have been blessed for it. God has used America to bless the world, as we have helped many nations during their times of disaster, when hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and famines have devastated their countries. I believe we have been the salt of the earth that has lived for God until the past 60 years, but we are losing our saltiness, as we are wandering away from God. There are tremendous needs in our nation today, but there are still tremendous Christians that need to awaken and carry the banner, to again bring us back to God. We must begin to stand boldly for God, and speak out against evil, and not compromise God's commands, to meet our own wants and desires. We must pray that people of God will begin to stand up and defend what our forefathers held so dear, and fought and gave their lives for. I know that my father gave his life to defend our freedom, and our rights to worship our God, and I don't want his sacrifice to be in vain. Each day when we arise we need to thank God for our nation, and our leaders, and pray that He will give them the wisdom to govern us in a godly manner, but most of all pray that we will keep our eyes focused on God, as He will bless us.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance."
Psalm 33:12
When I look at this scripture I think about the United States and how blessed we have been. We began as a Christian nation, as our forefathers fled to this country so that they could worship God in the manner they wished. Our constitution, our Declaration of Independence, and our Bill of Rights all mention God. We were born as a nation of God, and we have been blessed for it. God has used America to bless the world, as we have helped many nations during their times of disaster, when hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and famines have devastated their countries. I believe we have been the salt of the earth that has lived for God until the past 60 years, but we are losing our saltiness, as we are wandering away from God. There are tremendous needs in our nation today, but there are still tremendous Christians that need to awaken and carry the banner, to again bring us back to God. We must begin to stand boldly for God, and speak out against evil, and not compromise God's commands, to meet our own wants and desires. We must pray that people of God will begin to stand up and defend what our forefathers held so dear, and fought and gave their lives for. I know that my father gave his life to defend our freedom, and our rights to worship our God, and I don't want his sacrifice to be in vain. Each day when we arise we need to thank God for our nation, and our leaders, and pray that He will give them the wisdom to govern us in a godly manner, but most of all pray that we will keep our eyes focused on God, as He will bless us.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Do You Trust God
Do You Trust God
"So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?"
Matthew 6:31
Have you ever played the game where one person has to close their eyes, fold their arms over their chest, and fall backward into the arms of friends or co-workers? If you're the person falling backward, you have to trust that the people behind you are going to catch you so you don't hit the ground. I thought of that game when reading this passage from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I suspect the reason we tend to worry is that we're just not sure God is going to be there to catch us. We know God is big and strong, but somehow we're just not convinced that He knows our particular circumstances. Jesus is telling us in this scripture, that He not only has the power (beyond measure) but the love, the care, and the concern to take care of what we need. Jesus also says that when we don't trust God, we act like the pagans — nonbelievers. To them, the idea that God might act on their behalf simply isn't part of the equation. But to us who follow Christ, Jesus says, "Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Trust Him." Our task is to "seek first" (to focus, to live for) God's "kingdom and His righteousness." We're to make the Kingdom our top priority. We do that by investing ourselves in the Kingdom. We decide, by faith, that the Kingdom is where we're going to invest our time, our talent, and our treasure. It all belongs to God anyway. We can say we trust God, but too often, we don't trust Him enough to fold our arms, close our eyes, and fall backward, trusting that He's going to catch us. He says, O ye of little faith, trust me, and I will provide all your needs.
"So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?"
Matthew 6:31
Have you ever played the game where one person has to close their eyes, fold their arms over their chest, and fall backward into the arms of friends or co-workers? If you're the person falling backward, you have to trust that the people behind you are going to catch you so you don't hit the ground. I thought of that game when reading this passage from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I suspect the reason we tend to worry is that we're just not sure God is going to be there to catch us. We know God is big and strong, but somehow we're just not convinced that He knows our particular circumstances. Jesus is telling us in this scripture, that He not only has the power (beyond measure) but the love, the care, and the concern to take care of what we need. Jesus also says that when we don't trust God, we act like the pagans — nonbelievers. To them, the idea that God might act on their behalf simply isn't part of the equation. But to us who follow Christ, Jesus says, "Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Trust Him." Our task is to "seek first" (to focus, to live for) God's "kingdom and His righteousness." We're to make the Kingdom our top priority. We do that by investing ourselves in the Kingdom. We decide, by faith, that the Kingdom is where we're going to invest our time, our talent, and our treasure. It all belongs to God anyway. We can say we trust God, but too often, we don't trust Him enough to fold our arms, close our eyes, and fall backward, trusting that He's going to catch us. He says, O ye of little faith, trust me, and I will provide all your needs.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Confidence In God
Confidence In God
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
1st John 5:14
I have written several devotions using this scripture, almost always talking about that if we ask God anything, as long as it is in His will, He will hear us. Today, however, I want to concentrate on the word "confidence" and how it affects how we approach God, to even ask Him for anything. Confidence is important, because if we aren't confident, how can we trust? God wants us to trust Him for everything, and not depend on ourselves. The Bible tells us that God will provide all our needs, and we need to be confident that He will provide. I am afraid, however, that most people place their confidence in themselves instead of placing it in God. They want to do things on their own, and are confident in their own abilities, instead of being confident in God's ability to take care of them. Having confidence in ourselves is not a bad thing, but when we begin to forget that everything we accomplish in life is not due to our own abilities, but it's due to God making everything possible that we do. When you pray and talk to God, go to Him with "confidence" that whatever you are asking Him for will happen. When you are confident, you are trusting and putting your faith in God and expecting results. I know that during my entire business career, if I was not confident in approaching a large task, the chances of it being successful were very slim, but if I was confident that it would be successful, in most cases it was. Today, take just a few moments; get rid of any doubt and be confident that you fully trust God for your answers.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
1st John 5:14
I have written several devotions using this scripture, almost always talking about that if we ask God anything, as long as it is in His will, He will hear us. Today, however, I want to concentrate on the word "confidence" and how it affects how we approach God, to even ask Him for anything. Confidence is important, because if we aren't confident, how can we trust? God wants us to trust Him for everything, and not depend on ourselves. The Bible tells us that God will provide all our needs, and we need to be confident that He will provide. I am afraid, however, that most people place their confidence in themselves instead of placing it in God. They want to do things on their own, and are confident in their own abilities, instead of being confident in God's ability to take care of them. Having confidence in ourselves is not a bad thing, but when we begin to forget that everything we accomplish in life is not due to our own abilities, but it's due to God making everything possible that we do. When you pray and talk to God, go to Him with "confidence" that whatever you are asking Him for will happen. When you are confident, you are trusting and putting your faith in God and expecting results. I know that during my entire business career, if I was not confident in approaching a large task, the chances of it being successful were very slim, but if I was confident that it would be successful, in most cases it was. Today, take just a few moments; get rid of any doubt and be confident that you fully trust God for your answers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)