All tagged faith
Have you prepared yourself for the challenges of faith ahead? Are you ready for the trials that lie before you, or are you totally out of spiritual shape? Be as Jesus was... ready for the moment of God's calling... be ready to join the Father in the race of your life.
Are we satisfied with what God has done in us? When we look in the mirror in the morning are we pleased and at ease with the fact that Jesus has filled us with His teaching and that the Holy Spirit has expanded us to the point of popping at the seams? All of this is wonderful, but what is really asked of us isn't to achieve self-fulfillment, but rather that we Channel all we are given to the betterment of those around us. Our measure is in the redistribution of our faith and loving service, not simply in the volume of work we do.
How strong is our belief in Christ? Have we grown in our faith to the place where those things that are not seen leave shadows before us? Is heaven as real to us as the earthly home we return to each night? When Jesus holds our hand can we feel the warmth of the blood coursing through it and the love of His touch? Following the death of Moses, God spoke wonderful words to Joshua as He gave him His anointing. He gave him encouragement and directed him, but not once did He feel inclined to command that Joshua’s faith be strengthened, nor did He ask Joshua to trust in Him... because He already did. God didn't say who He was because Joshua already knew His voice. Listen as God speaks...
We say we are Christians but continue to live our lives of faith like suits of clothes; we treat our belief in Jesus Christ lightly by wearing them superficially and only letting Him brush lightly against our skin when we should actually be taking Jesus into our very being, our hearts, and consuming our faith in Him like the communion meal demonstrates. We should be making Him the ingredient that every other part of us feeds on, is nourished by, and is completed by. When we take the body and blood of Jesus into us, we become as one, and our faith is made whole in Him. In this way we have without a doubt become believers… and Christian. Do we do this?
Are there things in our lives that distract us from focusing on Jesus Christ? You know the ones... an unresolved argument that worries and distracts us during prayer, a problem with our home or automobile that nags at us when we sit to read and study scripture, or perhaps too many planned activities in our day that tempt us to place them before the important things of life… like worship. Do these symptoms of an overly busy life sound familiar? Well, this problem is quite common in most people’s everyday life but today let’s look at this phenomenon with our focus specifically on our spiritual lives.
Are we ready to step forward in our faith and enter into a new role of servitude? Our inclination as new Christians is to go only so far and then fall dutifully behind a spiritual mentor, allowing them to teach and lead us on from there. However, God would have use step through that spiritual season, move beyond being mentored, and cross into a larger life with Him. This is an inevitable event.
Is what God is doing, or not doing, in your life a frustrating mystery? Do you pray for a certain thing repeatedly, but it just doesn’t seem that you are being heard? How about the troubles in your life? Does God's plan for you regarding them stump or escape you? Well don't feel alone, because many have faced this challenge through the years. Many have asked Him “Why Lord” and “When Lord?” So, let's explore these puzzling spiritual questions today.
Are we steadfast in our faith? Are we allowing God to work in us so that we might be perfected and brought to completion? These are my thoughts this morning and I invite you to join me in contemplating them.
When I came to Jesus it was in full submission to Him, but have I served Him over all else in my life? Have I been the servant that God expects me to be, or has my commitment to Him become a convenience on my part? These are my thoughts this morning and as I seek the answers to them, I find that they often serve to convict me. I gauge my faith and belief against that of Jesus and find myself lacking. It is in moments like this that I cry out for mercy, grace, and to be covered in the blood of the perfect lamb, Jesus Christ. Will you join me in this quest for true faith, and a plea for mercy?
How mature are we as Christians? Have we moved from that stage in our faith where the focus has shifted from learning who Jesus was, and how to live the life of a Christian, to that of actually knowing Him and living alongside Him? Are we fully engaged in and surrounded by the will of God, and in close relationship with Jesus? Or are we still battling within ourselves to wrest control from the sinful man that resides there?
Am I working hard enough and practicing my faith with enough diligence and dedication so that I will, at last, be called a mature son of God? Is my faith increasing, and my everyday life reflecting that increase, by exhibiting the true character of Jesus? Everyday life doesn't grow easier for the Christian, but it does grow more certain spiritually, and robust in belief and faith.
There comes a point in our faith life when we have given ourselves over to God, and trust so completely in Jesus Christ, that the struggle for righteousness ends and our faith becomes as natural as taking our next breath. Is this what we seek today, or do we fight daily with our human nature in an attempt to walk a fine line between our earthly life and heaven... and not truly becoming a resident in either place.
Do you follow Jesus without a second thought? Do you give your faith free and unquestioned rein to rule your life? These are the questions that face us all and the crux of my morning contemplation today. Peter walked on water by faith, but he sank into the roiling sea out of doubt. I have personally allowed doubt to steal my victory on more than one occasion... have you experienced this in your walk with Jesus?
Do we spend an inordinate amount of time trying to achieve the perfection of Jesus Christ and too little time just living out our daily lives like He did? Are we wrapped up in searching for some hidden meaning in God’s Word at the expense of just living out the obvious things scripture teaches us? Our goal should be to follow Jesus and learn at His feet, but we can't do that unless we are walking with Him and making camp where He makes camp. Are we doing this? Are we reading scripture with the open minds of children?
Troubles are a part of our lives. In daily life we face many trials, but as Christians and believers in God the Father, we face them from a point of great advantage and strength. We find confidence in God's ability to bring us through them, and they strengthen our faith as we face them, but what of the good times?