Encouragement to Continue in Faith

Here is an excerpt from What Women Fear by Angie Smith.  This passage is in reference to Jesus/Peter’s walk on the water.  Jesus is really saying to Peter:

“Why didn’t you have enough faith to keep walking?  I had such a great experience waiting for you if you would have just taken a few more steps.  I don’t want you to miss what I have for you in these times of trial, so stop doubting.  Stop having a faith that gives up.  Keep one foot in front of the other so you can see for yourself that I can do the impossible.  Am I capable of rescuing you?  Of course I am.  But you could have had something different….something powerful…something you had to learn about Me for yourself.”

I don’t know about you, but I certainly needed to hear this.  Peter cried out to Jesus to save him and immediately Jesus did.  However Jesus desired that Peter had persevered onto greater things that He had planned for Peter.  Peter missed out on a greater experience with Jesus because he gave in to doubt and fear.

The Lord has more for you.

Did you hear me?  The Lord has MORE for you!  A greater experience with Himself.  Build your faith.  Hold on to your faith.  Eliminate doubt.  Press on.  Be encouraged.  Stay the course.  Stand firm.

Lord, help me to remember that You are capable.  My doubts are just that – MY fears.  Help me be a woman who does not fear the terrifying but who trusts completely in You alone.  Help me walk on the churning waters below me with no thought of the circumstances that surround me because I possess a clear and simple focus on my savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Droplets of Grace

I was working on a project involving spray paint today….

If you’ve ever had to use spray paint, you understand.  Must be outside, must be a correct temperature, keep your hand moving or you’ll have paint dripping off of your project and the piece de resistance….  Overspray.  Little tiny droplets of paint will be on anything within breeze range; grass, patio furniture, your shoes, your glasses, even the dog if she is nearby.

I started wondering if that is what happens when you’re around a mature Christian who lives life for the Lord Jesus.  Little droplets of grace just seem to land on anything that is within breeze range.  Little droplets of joy.  Little droplets of peace.  Their lives are filled with grace for every moment of the day.  This is the work of the Lord in our lives.  Transforming our minds and our lives to more closely resemble Jesus Christ.

Peace that surpasses understanding.

Joy that is persistent in the face of unyielding suffering.

Contentment in all circumstances.

Genesis 9:11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

God’s promises to us are truth in a world filled with deception and lies.  Even though flood waters may disrupt life – even take life, God’s word is still truth.  His promises bring hope and encouragement.  And we can have peace in the midst of the floodwaters.  Lord, thank you for the saints who have scattered grace droplets in my life.  Thank you for the encouragement that mature Christians have given me along the way.  Help me to live a life that encourages others and oversprays with droplets of grace that come from You.  Amen.

Please Hold for the Next Available Operator

Customer service line….   40 minutes and counting….   I completed and mailed a government form over two months ago.  It should have been processed in less than one month and yet no word.  So I’m attempting to find out what is happening to my form.  Where is it in the process?  Did it never arrive?  Is it lost in the mail?

Thank you Lord God, that my prayers to You are never lost; they are immediately received thanks to the powerful work of Your Son Jesus Christ on the cross and in His resurrection.  No 40 minute wait for a customer service representative.  No two month delay with no news.  No middle man.  Even though the answers to my prayers are not always what I’d like to hear, I am grateful for Your answers as I know that You love me.

Here are some great scriptures and teachings on God’s hearing and answering our prayers.  I hope you’ll read through this and be encouraged today as you take all of your cares and concerns to Jesus.

God’s Promise to Answer Prayer

Full Reliance on the One True God

I am so thankful that our God is supreme and sovereign; not just over me or over the nation or even over earth but over ALL of creation.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  (Colossians 1:16-18)

When life happens, when difficulties come, when the storms rage around us, when flood waters rise, and bombs explode, He is in control.  When we’ve lost all sense of direction and peace, He provides us with His peace that surpasses all understanding.  We should not be surprised when life is difficult.  It should be expected – we will lose loved ones – even our own lives.  Our bodies are not meant to live for hundreds of years, they are wasting away from the day we are born.  Every person is born with a sin nature and we all have the capacity and will do harm to others in one way or form.  We live closely with other sinful people who will harm us.  Governments are corrupt, because they are made up of sinful people.  Our sin nature, left to its own devises, will cause much pain.

God’s ways, when applied to our lives, protect us from the ravages of sin – ours and others.  Studying, praying, living out His commands and holding to His promises brings the fruit of the Spirit to life.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:19-25, ESV)

Walking daily with Jesus as my savior and Lord makes all the difference for me.  When the difficulties of life come my way I am anchored in the one true God who is sovereign over every situation and circumstance.  I need no answers from men.  I have no need to control circumstances myself as I trust in His control over the situation.  I know His voice and follow after Him alone.

It has been a process of many years of studying God’s Word, teaching it to others, years of prayer asking for God to change my heart and build my faith.  He has proved faithful in all things building my trust in Him.  This trust and faith are the keys to His peace.  He isn’t done with me yet.  I am still a work in progress, but I know in whom I believe.  We proclaim Him.

No More Excuses – Raised to New Life

I will one day stand before my Lord God (maybe it will be today) and give an account for all of my choices.  I’ll give an account for how I chose to follow Jesus Christ and allow Him to be Lord of my life.  My salvation is secure but my eternal rewards for Christ are not.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10-12)

I consider this moment of giving my account and I see all of my excuses.  The Lord God will ask me what return I have gained on the treasures and blessings that He bestowed on me.  Will I be the servant who doubled my Master’s property, or will I stand with empty hands because I simply buried what He has given me?  Will I be able to say that I did my best or will I stand with regret for the lost opportunities and lack of faith?

My heart desires to hear God say, “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21), but I fear that I have fallen short in the past.  So I consider the commands He has given us:

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 – the greatest commandment – Love the Lord your God will all your heart, mind and soul; to diligently teach the things of God to our children…Keep all of His commandments…

Let’s just take this one thing; have I spent my life doing this?  Honestly I must confess that the answer is yes and no.  There’s been a lot of “living” for myself; a lot of “I wants”.  I think I’ve tried to walk the line of “good enough”.  Good enough for what?  I made an effort – a half-hearted one!  God desires that I give Him ALL of my heart.  I have spent more time reading books, watching TV, on Facebook and Pinterest than actually teaching my children the things of God – I certainly didn’t hit the “diligent” threshold.  I’d try and then get discouraged – start a devotional with them and then stop, take them to church (surely they can teach them better than I can right?).  We’d talk about the shows we watched on TV in light of God’s Word (sometimes), we even memorized the books of the Bible – SCORE! (not).  I’d slide back into my “old self” and have to regroup – again.  In my own power, I’m just muddling through at best.  God’s standard seems too high for me to reach.  All of my heart.  All of my mind.  Really?  And this is just one commandment!  How is that possible given all of the other distractions in life?  How is that possible given my self-centered heart?

The answer is simple – eliminate the good and fill your life with God.  Live each day with His power and strength – take up your cross daily.  Eliminate the distractions.  Eliminate the excuses, the fear, the world’s priorities, and obey only God’s will.  Choose it.  Live it.  Do it.

Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  Help me to center every moment on you; to pass all of my decisions through Your loving hands and accept and find contentment in what You have for me.  Let me not settle for “good enough” when following You.  Help me to keep striving in Your power to live a holy life that brings glory to Your name.  Let me live my life each day with no more excuses.  Help me focus on living my life for You rather than being quick to criticize the lives of others.  Let me be a blessing to others rather than a stumbling block.  Help me Lord to walk humbly with You.  Let my life be a drink offering poured out for Your glory.  Amen.

More

I read something recently that in essence stated that these physical bodies of ours come with a “weakness” for wanting more pleasure.  When we experience pleasure, our bodies desire more and more of it.  Having self-control over this physical desire is a struggle for many.  I was reminded of this this morning as I savored a piece of Reese’s chocolate.  I was stressing mildly over what to write, when I walked past the candy dish and snatched a piece.  (See, chocolate is beneficial in many ways!)  It is very difficult to stop with just one bite of yummy goodness.  I WANT MORE! 

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, (Titus 2:3, ESV)

This physical weakness leads us into addictions as we are “filling” our desire for more with earthly things rather than with God.  We are focused on our bodies rather than on our creator.

The Vanity of Self-Indulgence

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:1)

Satan can use even the simple pleasures in life to render us ineffective for God’s Kingdom.  A little wine can be good for you, but it is all too easy to allow a little to become a lot.  Let us be wise to his schemes.  A section on mentoring in “Women Reaching Women” states: “Any behavior that takes your mind and focus from God is not in His will.  Escaping reality does not promote biblical living.”  We must be diligent and self-controlled to avoid this behavior and help others do the same.

Put On the New Self

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

Seek the things that are above where Christ is!  Yes!  Now I really want MORE!  More of Jesus in my life.  More of His freedom and His peace.  Lord, help us to not desire the simple pleasures of this world more than we desire You.  The pleasures You’ve given us are good only when combined with the self-control that comes from the power of the Holy Spirit within us.  Thank you, Lord.  Amen.