We all wrestle with sin. There is not one of us that sin does not desire to penetrate, and subtly begin to transform into its unholy image. One defect in our armor and we are made imperfect; one small scratch, one tiny sin. If we consider Jesus in light of this we see how amazing His sin free life was, and how astounding His work in us is.
Do we believe that Jesus is able to do the things He says? When we are in prayer asking that He heal us, provide for us, or raise someone from the dead, do we truly believe? If we say “YES!” Then there are two more questions to ask before we proceed... have we invited him into our house; into the place where we presently are; into the deepest recesses of our heart? Then finally... do we have faith that He is who He says He is... the Son of the Living God?
It is common to hear the expression “walking in faith”, but what does that mean to us? Is walking in faith like an evening stroll after dinner, or a morning exercise before we begin our day? Is it a few minutes each day spent in prayer, or perhaps carving out an hour at the local soup kitchen to serve a meal? If this is our idea of walking by faith then we have simply dipped a spoon into the boiling pot for a taste, when we should have received the nourishment of a full bowl.
When we are suffering calamity, or our bodies are burning with fever, do we count these things as strengths? When we lose our livelihood, or our children are suffering, do we find that such things cripple us, or are we strengthened by them, even as we call out to the Lord for relief? Many things afflict us in life, but God’s grace remains, and it grows stronger in the eye of every storm.
When we face hardships how do we attempt to solve them? Do we quickly enter into the fray and tackle them headlong, or do we pause to consider the best approach, and only then begin to methodically confront them? Where in our processes do we engage our faith against the trials we face, and at what point does prayer come into play? Our faith should be our first thought, not our last resort.
Do we long for the Holy Spirit? As new Christians, while going about seeking a deeper understanding and comfort in God’s Word, do we realize that God has already sent His Holy Spirit to us for just this purpose? David called out in Psalm 119 for Understanding and comfort too, and just as it is with us in our early days of faith, he really doesn’t know what to call Him. In due time, we come to know His name... Holy Spirit.
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?
How often do you walk with a God? I am not talking about just reading the Bible, attending church, performing works such as feeding the hungry, or praying your needs to Him, but how often do you actually walk with him in conversation? Sometimes we get so busy doing things, and saying things of faith, that we forget that this is not a checklist, or a job, it is a loving relationship, we are children, and that some walks with Him, if we choose to take them, take hours, days, weeks, or longer.
A man is watching as Christians sing and worship Jesus, then he listens as the pastor speaks of life that awaits us in Christ. All of this stirs something in his heart, and he feels an urge to come forward and be saved, but he doesn’t. It is the age old struggle between good and evil that is raging within him. He hears the good news of Jesus, but Satan continues telling him he is lost, and in that lie, salvation seem beyond his reach. Salvation isn’t complicated, and the call to the altar requires only one price... for us to believe.
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.
Praising God is something we can’t do often enough. It is different from giving thanks, which acknowledges Him for providing, healing, or in general, doing specific things for us. “Holy Praise” serves to extol the character, and virtue, of God. We are acknowledging His divinity, loving nature, goodness, kindness, mercy, grace, and every virtue we have come to know as being who He is. Our first words should be to thank God each morning for our new day, but our very next breath should be filled with words of “Holy Praise!” By virtue of our praise we are telling God that He is great... and we are small. This is our sacrifice of self as we acknowledge Him as our Lord.
Are you in the midst of spiritual study, prayer, and contemplation with your spouse, your family, or a small group of friends? Perhaps you are taking a break at your place of work to quickly read a few verses of scripture, or this devotional message, while the daily grind goes on around you. Every moment that we find to spend with God is precious, and to be cherished, but none more so than when we are completely alone with Him..
Do we humble ourselves before God during times of danger, and when we are in need of deliverance, or do we attempt to wield Him like a shining sword before our enemies? Pride, it is one of our greatest ills before God. We are not meant to hold Him over the heads of those who challenge us or those who frighten us, but are meant to call on Him as we seek to know His will, and to pray for His deliverance... even though we are unworthy.
Does the world weary you, and weigh you down? Well, it is rare to find a peaceful refuge in this place of frothing humanity, and sin, but that is exactly what Jesus offers us. Just as He stilled the waters He also settles the souls of those who believe in Him, giving them peace, and in so doing providing them rest. Are you tired and weary today, and in need of relief from the burdens of life? Then Come to Him!
Do we allow the everyday afflictions of the world to redirect our trust away from God? Do we find ourselves, like David sometimes did in Psalms, arguing within ourselves regarding what we know of God’s goodness, provision, and rescue, and the need for our own physical selves to step in and defeat the enemies and obstacles that challenge us? In such times, David described what was happening to his spirit with words such as “cast down”, or “in turmoil”, but today we use terms like depressed, anxious, and lonely, when we face the world alone.