All in Faith, Prayer, Work
Do we claim the joy of our faith? Do we claim it even when things aren’t going well? The church is filled on Sunday with joy, and singing, but so often we see those same saints on Monday morning with sad faces, somber, and with the look of a mourner. Reentering our day to day life is no reason to abandon the joy we know in Jesus, or the hope we have in our faith. Have we become on again/off again Christians, and what message does that deliver to those around us... and to God?
You say you are a person of faith, but what does that mean? As it concerns our life there are two ways that we can approach our walk of faith; the first is by making our faith a part of our life, and the second is by making our life a part of our faith. We should each ask ourselves the question... “Which way do I order my life?” On the surface we might think it sounds like an academic exercise, but in the eyes of God it is much more than that.
Are we working so hard at getting through our daily life that we miss the beauty and happiness swirling around us? What about in our faith? Are we so busy minding our religion, and the other things in life, that the joy of faith escapes us, and the rejoicing seems to be for others, but not for us? My friends, don’t let Satan rob you of the inexplicable joy that is rightfully yours, and the glory we find at its heart. He will attempt to refocus your attention so completely on the mundane duties of church life, that you will miss the fruit of faith, and your relationship with God.
Sometimes we get absorbed in the trials and tribulations of the world’s daily life, so much so that we not only miss the fullness of joy that comes with our faith, but we almost refuse to allow ourselves the slightest pleasure of it. Have you ever been so convinced of your misery, or perhaps in the fact that you are undeserving of happiness, that you won’t allow yourself to feel the inexplicable joy of faith? Well, you are meant to be joyous, meant to be filled with the glory of God, and to experience the Peace of Christ.
Are you suffering in some manner today? Do you have a disease of the body that plagues you, trouble at your job, people that oppress you, or is there constant worry, broken relationships, or some other hardship stalking your every thought? So many issues exist in our daily lives that can distract us from our faith, and the joy, peace, and comfort that awaits us there, but when we turn our attention towards Jesus He conquers some, and gives us peace in the others... He overcomes the daily issues, and stresses in our lives with God’s love and goodness.
Are we ready for the challenges of life that stand before us? Do we use the call to be humble, and meek as an excuse for weakness and cowardice in the face of life’s trials? Well, Jesus was both humble and meek, but was anything but weak, or cowardly. When He faced temptation in the desert He did so with firm resolve, and as He went to the cross His courage and bravery was there for all to see. Are we ready to be brave, and more than conquerors with God by our side?
Are you being tested in life? If you find yourself facing hardships, and I am certain that you are in some fashion, then let me ask a quick follow up question... how is your faith doing in the face of it? You see, Faith is cultivated and fertilized by adversity.
Have you ever been in a situation where praising the Lord was difficult? How about being so encumbered that you had to struggle for the words? Or, perhaps that it became impossible? Probably not, but In such a situation we would find out just how important our God is to us, and exactly how much we would miss being able to speak with Him. Can you imagine living through such a situation, or place?
Who wins out for control over our souls? Do we read volume after volume of some empty philosophy, imagined, and written by a man, or do we look to Christ for the understanding of who we are, who He is, and how we interact with the divine, and the world?
How often do we praise the Lord? Do we praise Him with exuberance, and in the presence of our children, our wives, and others? Any time we thank God it is good, even when we do so in the quiet solitude of our prayer closet, but there is something special about praising Him boldly, and openly, and it increases our faith.
Do we understand all that Jesus does for us each day? Even when we look at the cross, and think we understand, do we really? We see the end result, the forgiveness of sin, and the defeat of death, but do we really understand all that occurred in just those few days; in just those final moments? Do we grasp all that He endured for us, or how we came to benefit from His sacrifice? In our ignorance, and bold arrogance we might feel like we do, but Jesus Himself tells us we don’t.
Do you need prayer for your faith right now? Are you suffering doubt, or find yourself silent in your belief? Maybe you are loudly proclaiming a faith that is more like the skin of an apple than it’s sweet flesh beneath. Do you need prayer for your faith at this moment, and are you uncertain who will pray for you? In seasons such as this Jesus prays for us, and if our faith is the least bit evident, we obey Him, and pray for those around us who might be struggling in their faith.
Even when things are going our way, and the Lord God is blessing us at every turn, we can experience doubt. This is one of the most frustrating challenges to our faith, and the sharpest tool that Satan has at his disposal. When doubt confronts us do we allow it rattle our belief, or do we face it with the resolve that God is true to His Word, and of unwavering character?
Have you ever been so put upon, so set upon, or felt so downtrodden in life that you feared God Himself had abandoned you? What did you do in that time of great fear, sorrow, or suffering? What was the state of your faith at that moment? Were you on the verge of turning away from the Lord, or did you seek Him more fervently? Was your faith waining, or was it surging as you leaned upon it?
Do we look to men for our help and protection when God has already promised to give it to us, and does this cause us to be embarrassed before God for our lack of faith? How too have we made the Lord appear when we do this; has it made him seem weak because of our distrust in His provision? Our faith should remain strong, and we should be careful to defend the honor of our God.