This past fall I made the significant achievement of completing my first 5K! It was a goal I had made for myself at the beginning of the summer and worked very hard to train for. As the months of training progressed, so did the anticipation of finishing the race. Throughout my training, it was commonly asked by the "serious" runners what finish time I wanted to achieve. I would explain to each that I had no set time; just a desire to finish the race, and to finish it well.
On the brisk fall morning of the run, excitement was high. I made a pact with a co-worker (a regular marathon runner) and my boss to run the entire race together. As I started off, energy was good and I couldn't have asked for better running conditions. However, over the hills and through the streets three miles in and I was about ready to give up. My training had taken me down straight and easy roads, and I was ill-prepared for the more difficult hills that this 5K brought my way.
I had been anticipating this 5K for months and started off the run with high-hopes, however as the difficulty increased, my endurance decreased. It was only at the encouragement (and pushing) of my co-workers was I able to finish that race. As I began to mutter words of wanting to give up, they showed me that the finish line was near and encouraged me to sprint as fast as I could to the end. I gave everything I had left to finish that race and let me tell you, boy did it feel amazing to do so!
My experience at that 5K reminds me very much of certain points in my life. There have been opportunities or situations or relationships that started off very well and all seemed right with the world. Eventually difficulty or obstacles arose, as they often do, that I was not quite ready to handle. In those moments, and I'm sure you can relate from your own circumstances, I debated giving up. I wanted a way out; anything to get me out of the difficulty I was in. It was in my early twenties, a relatively new believer at the time, that God brought me to a beautiful verse that strengthens me each time I find myself in this place:
"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10.35-36
This verse speaks to a particular situation that has one meaning, however we know that although a verse has one meaning there are many applications. The application in my life that this verse has had is invaluable. It has encouraged me to keep going when the going got tough. It has pushed me to persevere and move forward even though I have wanted to give up. You must know that 'there will ALWAYS be situations that will cause us to want to give up. But we cant.
I wonder how many times I have given up on something or someone just before God was about to answer that prayer? I wonder how many dreams I, and all of us, have missed because we gave up too soon?
Let's be honest about a down fall of our current generation, shall we. Can you be transparent with me for a moment? Our generation wants things easy. We are a society of instant gratification, are we not? Innovation is always at work creating the latest gadgets to make life easier. Movies tell us stories of love at first sight. The media feeds our appetite for "I want it and I want it now." How could we not desire to give in? When anything gets tough, we instantly believe it's "not meant to be" or "it's not worth it" and we give up. We give up and we move on to what seemingly appears to be the next best thing. Ironically, anything worth having requires some work and endurance, so we find ourselves in a constant cycle of disappointment.
Work is not a bad thing. In fact, I think the lack of it may be one of the great deficiencies of our culture. I would say we are all very busy, but busy at what? Busy at obtaining and maintaining the things of this world, but unwilling to fight and work for the most precious gifts in life. We all have this voice telling us to keep busy with the distractions of this world, but where is the innate spark to work for what really matters in life?
We were not created by God to be quitters or to be lazy or to....lack faith. Is that not what it boils down to? We lack the faith to see the storms through? We lack the conviction that God is working (even when we can't see it) and do not step out into what He has for us. I"ll admit it was my lack of faith that caused me to give up at times.
We must be PATIENT (I know, that requires waiting) and ENDURE (even harder because it means we can't run away) to receive the reward and promises God has for you. It means relying on the Lord and not on ourselves (constant note to myself!). I am reminded of what John MacArthur said in his commentary on verse 26, "To trust in Christ fully by living daily in the will of the Father." We cannot be people of God who throw away our confident trust in Him!
I've lost things that have really mattered because it was too tough to see it through or I tried to take the easy way out. What about you? A dream? A relationship? It's a question that is not meant to guilt you, but to help you recognize that God has so much more for you than you could ever imagine! Let's commit together, you and me, to be people who won't give up. I'm not talking about forcing the hand, but if God has put something on your heart or has a direction for you, don't give up!
I can't stress enough; I believe this is a message that is very important for me to share and I want to communicate it clearly:
THE BEST THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THE GREATEST CHALLENGE.
Don't give up. Please, oh please, do not give up. Not only are we all in this together, but more importantly, we have a Savior interceding on our behalf at the right hand of God. He is our sustainer. He is our provider. He is our victory.
Don't give up on the dreams and plans God has for you!
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Years ago, I went through a season where I was more fatigued and run down than usual. I struggled with feeling tired and more unmotivated than usual. I was experiencing headaches and a list of other symptoms. I simply remember feeling unproductive during that time.
My husband and I prayed for wisdom for what to do and we felt God was leading me to see a nutritionist/pharmacist/doctor’s assistant. She was very good at being able to discover what was the root cause, or problem, instead of just simply masking it with another medication. So, I met with her and after some blood testing, I simply found out that I had reason to be fatigued! After having four children so close together with close pregnancies and child-rearing to little ones, I was drained of some serious nutrition! I was deficient in Vit B, C and D and was very low in iron. No wonder I was so tired and felt unproductive!
After she started me on some vitamin supplements, I couldn’t believe how much better I felt! My body now had what it needed in order to be productive once again. I won’t tell you that I always had all the energy I wanted…but it sure helped when I was faithful in taking the supplements like I was supposed to! :)
When I was studying 2 Peter 1 this week, it brought back memories of that time in my life. Paul is talking about how God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. But he instructs us on how important it is to supplement that faith with some very healthy and key things. This is just how it is in our physical bodies. We may get what we need through eating healthy foods, but it can be very helpful to supplement with some good vitamins to increase our health. Here’s what Peter tells us:
2 Peter 1:3-11 (NLT), “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters,- work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
If we want to be more productive and useful in our spiritual lives, (and I know I sure want to be!) Peter tells us very clearly what we need in order to supplement our lives and grow.
1. Moral excellence-living our lives with excellent morals!
2. Knowledge-how do we gain this? Getting into God’s word and/or Christian books that will help us grow!
3. Self-control-learning when to say ‘no!’-to things that are dragging us down and slowing our productiveness. (food choices, over spending, unhealthy relationships, gossip, lack of priorities)
4. Patient endurance-when we are going through our daily drudges, endure-push through-don’t give up!
5. Godliness-how do we do this? Fill ourselves with more of God and His truths!
6. Brotherly affection-showing others a caring heart through our actions. (serving!)
7. Love (love, love and love!)
These actions do not come automatically, they require hard work. They are not optional either; we must make them a part of our Christian life. But, we don’t have to attain this on our own-God empowers us and enables us! But just like it was my responsibility to take my vitamin supplements, we also have a responsibility to learn and to grow.
I know that I want to be productive and useful for God and His kingdom…so I am off to supplement!
Love ya!
Stephanie
My husband and I prayed for wisdom for what to do and we felt God was leading me to see a nutritionist/pharmacist/doctor’s assistant. She was very good at being able to discover what was the root cause, or problem, instead of just simply masking it with another medication. So, I met with her and after some blood testing, I simply found out that I had reason to be fatigued! After having four children so close together with close pregnancies and child-rearing to little ones, I was drained of some serious nutrition! I was deficient in Vit B, C and D and was very low in iron. No wonder I was so tired and felt unproductive!
After she started me on some vitamin supplements, I couldn’t believe how much better I felt! My body now had what it needed in order to be productive once again. I won’t tell you that I always had all the energy I wanted…but it sure helped when I was faithful in taking the supplements like I was supposed to! :)
When I was studying 2 Peter 1 this week, it brought back memories of that time in my life. Paul is talking about how God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. But he instructs us on how important it is to supplement that faith with some very healthy and key things. This is just how it is in our physical bodies. We may get what we need through eating healthy foods, but it can be very helpful to supplement with some good vitamins to increase our health. Here’s what Peter tells us:
2 Peter 1:3-11 (NLT), “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters,- work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
If we want to be more productive and useful in our spiritual lives, (and I know I sure want to be!) Peter tells us very clearly what we need in order to supplement our lives and grow.
1. Moral excellence-living our lives with excellent morals!
2. Knowledge-how do we gain this? Getting into God’s word and/or Christian books that will help us grow!
3. Self-control-learning when to say ‘no!’-to things that are dragging us down and slowing our productiveness. (food choices, over spending, unhealthy relationships, gossip, lack of priorities)
4. Patient endurance-when we are going through our daily drudges, endure-push through-don’t give up!
5. Godliness-how do we do this? Fill ourselves with more of God and His truths!
6. Brotherly affection-showing others a caring heart through our actions. (serving!)
7. Love (love, love and love!)
These actions do not come automatically, they require hard work. They are not optional either; we must make them a part of our Christian life. But, we don’t have to attain this on our own-God empowers us and enables us! But just like it was my responsibility to take my vitamin supplements, we also have a responsibility to learn and to grow.
I know that I want to be productive and useful for God and His kingdom…so I am off to supplement!
Love ya!
Stephanie
Category:
encouragement,
faith
0
comments
The other day I was reading in Acts 9, for no reason other than I opened up to it. As I was reading the chapter, I came across the character of Ananias. We find him in scripture twice; once in Acts 9 when he meets Saul and once in Acts 22 as the now Paul mentions him.
In a vision, the Lord calls Ananias' name, and immediately he responds with, "Here I am, Lord." This is a response I had remembered hearing before, so I quickly began to research other instances in the Bible when someone had responded with ,"Here I am" when God called their name.
There are five instances that I could find, using this exact phrasing; four times in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. Needless to say, my curiosity was peaked.
I took some time to study each instance, and each time I saw obedience and courage in the response of the person. As I began to write this devotional, I realized I couldn't fit it all into one segment. In fact, Abraham's experience was enough for one devotional. With that said, I will be turning this study into a five part study on the obedience and courage of those in the Bible who said, "Here I am."
Genesis 22 - Abraham
Abraham waited years, and I mean years, to have a son with his wife, Sarah. After decades of praying, waiting on God, and an attempt to get the process started early, God opens up Sarah's barren womb, and she bears Isaac. Beautiful and heaven sent Isaac...the answer to their prayers.
One day many years later, God calls out to Abraham, "and he said, 'Here am I.'" God tells Abraham that he would like for him to take Isaac to a designated mountain and...are you ready for a shocker? He tells Abraham to sacrifice beautiful Isaac. Really you might ask?! Oh yes.
What floors me and encourages me all at the same time is Abraham's immediate response! Scripture says he woke up early the next morning and set off on a a three day journey to the mountain.
Let's be honest, how many of us would have taken the time to get around obeying? Maybe taking a few days to prepare for the trip? Or taking a week to soak up your final moments with your loving son? It's not too hard to imagine stalling as long as possible. However, don't we fall into this trap more than we would like to admit? God asks us to do something difficult, and though we agree to obey, how often do we beat around the bush? Delayed obedience is still disobedience, no matter what way you try to paint the picture. Abraham didn't just respond immediately with "Here I am" when God called his name, but he responded in action as well. What a great directive for us all.
Furthermore, Abraham didn't even ask for God to reconsider His command! It would have been easy to rationalize with God. To perhaps ask God to spare him of such a thing. To remind God that Isaac was a promise to Abraham. But no. God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son, and in the next sentence we see Abraham's immediate obedience.
Can you imagine it? For years you pray for a child. One son with your bride. And finally, after years of trying and crying out to God, your son arrives. You spend many more years training him in the ways of the Lord. Years in fellowship with your pride and joy. Morning after morning of God'spromise looking back at you. Then one day, your Heavenly Father tells you to sacrifice your most treasured son. Instead of fighting back, your crying heart musters up enough faith to move forward in obedience.
Immediately you set off with your precious son. Three days you journey with him, all the while knowing that the son who is following you so willingly, who has trusted you all the days of his life, is about to be bound on an alter by your very hands.
The anguish Abraham must have carried in his soul...it's devastating to think about it. Yet what obedience, and courage it took to follow God. Surely, an example to us all. If Abraham can be ready to say "Here I am," and offer up his only son, can we not be ready to answer God and have the courage to sacrifice our own dreams.
C.H. Spurgeon, in his study of Genesis 22, made this point about our dreams and loves. "Let Isaac be dear, but let Isaac die sooner than God should be distrusted!"
Wow...
With much relief, we can read that God did not allow Abraham to go with through with the sacrifice. What we can learn from Abraham is followed up in two words: obedience, and courage.
We can also read further in Scripture and see that through Abraham's obedience, God used him to birth a nation. What an incredible testimony.
I pray your heart is strengthened with this message. I pray it will encourage you to be ready to say "Here I am," when God calls your name. I pray that if the last thing you hope God would ask you to do is asked, you would have the courage to respond with immediate obedience. I know this passage challenges me to do so.
In a vision, the Lord calls Ananias' name, and immediately he responds with, "Here I am, Lord." This is a response I had remembered hearing before, so I quickly began to research other instances in the Bible when someone had responded with ,"Here I am" when God called their name.
There are five instances that I could find, using this exact phrasing; four times in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. Needless to say, my curiosity was peaked.
I took some time to study each instance, and each time I saw obedience and courage in the response of the person. As I began to write this devotional, I realized I couldn't fit it all into one segment. In fact, Abraham's experience was enough for one devotional. With that said, I will be turning this study into a five part study on the obedience and courage of those in the Bible who said, "Here I am."
Genesis 22 - Abraham
Abraham waited years, and I mean years, to have a son with his wife, Sarah. After decades of praying, waiting on God, and an attempt to get the process started early, God opens up Sarah's barren womb, and she bears Isaac. Beautiful and heaven sent Isaac...the answer to their prayers.
One day many years later, God calls out to Abraham, "and he said, 'Here am I.'" God tells Abraham that he would like for him to take Isaac to a designated mountain and...are you ready for a shocker? He tells Abraham to sacrifice beautiful Isaac. Really you might ask?! Oh yes.
What floors me and encourages me all at the same time is Abraham's immediate response! Scripture says he woke up early the next morning and set off on a a three day journey to the mountain.
Let's be honest, how many of us would have taken the time to get around obeying? Maybe taking a few days to prepare for the trip? Or taking a week to soak up your final moments with your loving son? It's not too hard to imagine stalling as long as possible. However, don't we fall into this trap more than we would like to admit? God asks us to do something difficult, and though we agree to obey, how often do we beat around the bush? Delayed obedience is still disobedience, no matter what way you try to paint the picture. Abraham didn't just respond immediately with "Here I am" when God called his name, but he responded in action as well. What a great directive for us all.
Furthermore, Abraham didn't even ask for God to reconsider His command! It would have been easy to rationalize with God. To perhaps ask God to spare him of such a thing. To remind God that Isaac was a promise to Abraham. But no. God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son, and in the next sentence we see Abraham's immediate obedience.
Can you imagine it? For years you pray for a child. One son with your bride. And finally, after years of trying and crying out to God, your son arrives. You spend many more years training him in the ways of the Lord. Years in fellowship with your pride and joy. Morning after morning of God'spromise looking back at you. Then one day, your Heavenly Father tells you to sacrifice your most treasured son. Instead of fighting back, your crying heart musters up enough faith to move forward in obedience.
Immediately you set off with your precious son. Three days you journey with him, all the while knowing that the son who is following you so willingly, who has trusted you all the days of his life, is about to be bound on an alter by your very hands.
The anguish Abraham must have carried in his soul...it's devastating to think about it. Yet what obedience, and courage it took to follow God. Surely, an example to us all. If Abraham can be ready to say "Here I am," and offer up his only son, can we not be ready to answer God and have the courage to sacrifice our own dreams.
C.H. Spurgeon, in his study of Genesis 22, made this point about our dreams and loves. "Let Isaac be dear, but let Isaac die sooner than God should be distrusted!"
Wow...
With much relief, we can read that God did not allow Abraham to go with through with the sacrifice. What we can learn from Abraham is followed up in two words: obedience, and courage.
We can also read further in Scripture and see that through Abraham's obedience, God used him to birth a nation. What an incredible testimony.
I pray your heart is strengthened with this message. I pray it will encourage you to be ready to say "Here I am," when God calls your name. I pray that if the last thing you hope God would ask you to do is asked, you would have the courage to respond with immediate obedience. I know this passage challenges me to do so.
Today is the day that my family has been praying for and hoping for some time now. My sister-in-law is getting her kidney transplant. She was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease that caused her kidneys to fail last year. Since then, she has been undergoing dialysis three days a week, while being a mom to three young girls. It’s been a very tough, trying and testing year. My other sister-in-law went through extensive testing and is able to donate her kidney. So, as I write, they are undergoing the surgery. Praise God! When the date was set for the surgery, we all laughed that it was St. Patrick’s day or ‘lucky day’ as some call it. But, as we talked about it, we said, “Isn’t it great that we don’t have to ‘hope we get lucky?” Isn’t it great to know that we don’t have to hope we find some three leaf clover or superstitiously go about today thinking, “This is our lucky day.” No, this is the day that the Lord has planned long ago!
As Christians, we don’t have to hope for luck, we can put our trust in an Almighty God. He directs our days. He is in control of our lives. Maybe you are facing something today that you could be thinking, “I could use some major luck today!” :) And instead, what you really desire is for God’s blessings of peace, strength and hope. A verse from the Bible that has spoken to my heart so many times is this:
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
While living on this earth, we must learn to live by sight and the certainty that comes through faith in God. We must learn to see with the eyes of faith as we follow Jesus, while keeping our mindset on eternity.
Would you say your eyes are set on the temporal or eternal things?
When people approached Jesus to tell him about their circumstances, he’d often say something like, “You’re looking for a drink of water, but look past your circumstances because I’m the living water. I can quench your thirst for eternity, not just in this moment. Can you see it?” Or, “You want to see bread right now, but I want you to see that I am the living bread. I can feed you for this one meal, but-look!-I can feed you for all eternity. Can you see it?”
In some of the difficult seasons of our lives, when our faith is challenged and tested to grow, Jesus says we should see the unseen. How do we practically do that? The way to do that is to stay intimate with him and let the Holy Spirit direct our sight, both our physical eyes and our spiritual eyes. Jesus knows all of the answers to the questions that we ask ourselves. He knows which answers are “yes” and which ones are “no”. He knows when and where to reveal to us our next step. Our part is simply to take the next step of obedience and keep our eyes on him every step of the way. Many times in our lives, it appears God is answering “no” but they are really stepping stones to His amazing “yes”. When we learn to step out in obedience and trust, blessing is down the path. And when times in our journey hold pain, it’s then that we learn to choose trust and obedience over worry, fear and doubt.
Would you say that your mindset is on eternity or are you plagued with fear of what your circumstances look like presently?
“Trusting God completely means having faith that God knows what is best for your life. You expect him to keep his promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary.”
Rick Warren
As you go about today, trust and know that God is in control of all things. Rest in His plans for you, knowing that you don’t have to ‘get lucky’, God’s in control!
Romans 8 tell us that “nothing shall separate us from the love of God”-revel in that today!
In His love,
Stephanie
Category:
challenge,
encouragement,
faith
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"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Hebrews 11.1
Lately I have wondered: what is faith, how do I get it, what power does it have? Knowing the power of faith and releasing it into your life is huge and I feel as if perhaps I have been missing it lately. I wonder who else out there could be too?
I don't mean to imply that faith is non-existent, because I have some faith. But I didn't understand how to unlock the power it had. Now I search the scriptures to find more about what exactly is faith and how do I hold it. I want to be know as a woman of faith. I want people to look at my life and see a person who has faith in God above.
There is so much that I have been learning about faith. I really believe that this is something that God wants us to get a hold of. I really do. Faith gives reality to things that cannot be seen.
I wanted to to study the famous Hebrews 11 chapter that lists those from the Old Testament that were commended for their faith. I thought surely I could learn something from them.
Abel- he offered a more acceptable sacrifice to God
he was commended as righteous
Enoch- faith through obedience to God; he was not because God took him
commended as having pleased God
Noah- constructed an ark for events unseen
reverent fear
Abraham- went out to a place of which he knew not of in a foreign land
looked forward to an eternal city
Sarah- conceived a child past the age
considered him faithful who had promised
Abraham- offered up Isaac, his only son
considered God able EVEN to raise his son from the dead
Isaac- invoked future blessings on his sons
Jacob- blessed as he was dying, bowing in worship
Joseph- mentioned the exodus that was to come, and gave directions concerning his bones
Moses (Parents)- was hidden for three months
they were not afraid of the king's edict
Moses- left the wealth and comfort of the Pharaoh's house to live in hardship with the people of God
considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt
Moses- left Egypt, not being afraid of the king
Israel- crossed the Red Sea on dry land and by faith the walls of Jericho fell
Rahab- gave friendly welcome to the spies
she did not perish
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel...
through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
There they are; there is the faith hall of fame. The words italicized represent a quality of sorts that they had. That I want.
Faith is knowing in your heart, believing that God will be faithful to His promises. And there are so many promises!
I don't mean to imply that faith is non-existent, because I have some faith. But I didn't understand how to unlock the power it had. Now I search the scriptures to find more about what exactly is faith and how do I hold it. I want to be know as a woman of faith. I want people to look at my life and see a person who has faith in God above.
There is so much that I have been learning about faith. I really believe that this is something that God wants us to get a hold of. I really do. Faith gives reality to things that cannot be seen.
I wanted to to study the famous Hebrews 11 chapter that lists those from the Old Testament that were commended for their faith. I thought surely I could learn something from them.
Abel- he offered a more acceptable sacrifice to God
he was commended as righteous
Enoch- faith through obedience to God; he was not because God took him
commended as having pleased God
Noah- constructed an ark for events unseen
reverent fear
Abraham- went out to a place of which he knew not of in a foreign land
looked forward to an eternal city
Sarah- conceived a child past the age
considered him faithful who had promised
Abraham- offered up Isaac, his only son
considered God able EVEN to raise his son from the dead
Isaac- invoked future blessings on his sons
Jacob- blessed as he was dying, bowing in worship
Joseph- mentioned the exodus that was to come, and gave directions concerning his bones
Moses (Parents)- was hidden for three months
they were not afraid of the king's edict
Moses- left the wealth and comfort of the Pharaoh's house to live in hardship with the people of God
considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt
Moses- left Egypt, not being afraid of the king
Israel- crossed the Red Sea on dry land and by faith the walls of Jericho fell
Rahab- gave friendly welcome to the spies
she did not perish
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel...
through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
There they are; there is the faith hall of fame. The words italicized represent a quality of sorts that they had. That I want.
Faith is knowing in your heart, believing that God will be faithful to His promises. And there are so many promises!
As you go into your prayer time everyday, or whenever you lift up a prayer, have that assurance. Ask with boldness. Be specific. I neglected to do either for a long time because in the back of my heart, I somehow doubted. I believed with my mind, no problem. But, and this is just a personal struggle that I have, but in my heart, I guess I always expected that not everything is going to happen for me. I wasn't asking with an assurance, because in the back of my heart I was expecting to be let down. But God isn't human and He won't let you down. And you CAN pray for specific things and ask with boldness, because that's the power that sees action.
If you want more faith, ask for it. The apostles asked for it in Luke 17.
"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' And the Lord said, 'If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you'." (17.5-6)
Hello, there is faith that can tell a tree to go into the ocean! I definitely want that power, don't you? And I can! You can! Ask and believe. If you do, it is yours!
If you want more faith, ask for it. The apostles asked for it in Luke 17.
"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' And the Lord said, 'If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you'." (17.5-6)
Hello, there is faith that can tell a tree to go into the ocean! I definitely want that power, don't you? And I can! You can! Ask and believe. If you do, it is yours!
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For our final look at Romans 4, we will be breaking down verses 17-21.
"We call Abraham 'father' not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, 'I set you up as father of many peoples?' Abraham was first named 'father' and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, 'You're going to have a big family, Abraham!'
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, 'It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child.' Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, 'Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right.' But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God."
Abraham had every reason from human point of view to give up.
Take this to thought for a moment. Abraham and his household lived in an area with much traffic and met many travelers each day. We can assume that as the travelers passed through and Abraham met them on their way, they would exchange greetings. Abraham would instinctively tell these travelers his name (which means "father of many"), and since a name meant something during this time period, people would no doubt respond with, "Oh great! How many children do you have?!"
Of course, Abraham would have to respond, "None." We can assume that Abraham would hear the confusion from the travelers exchanges. Or walking by the tents at night, he would hear his servants whispers about how a man named "father of many" had no children.
Yes, Abraham had every reason from human point of view to give up.
Yet, Abraham believed God when he said that Abraham would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Why?
His faith sprang from the promises of God. It was not irrational or baseless, but an assurance from evidence into the security of God's Word and promises. He concluded that the certainty of the divine promise outweighed every natural improbability.
Where in your life are you focusing on the natural improbability?
Are you believing in God's promise(s) for your life?
Abraham was first named father and then became a father. He dared to trust God to do only what God could do.
Yes, Abraham was 100 years old and certainly beyond the ability to have children. And yes, Sarah had been infertile for decades. But he didn't focus on that. V. 22 says that he "plunged into the promise."
Plunged. To immerse, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action (dictionary.com).
I get this picture of running full on and doing a cannonball into the water. Just going for it, without looking back. Immersed.
As much as Abraham plunged in, neither did he shut his eyes to the unfavorable circumstances. I believe this is a trap for many, including myself. You try to convince yourself that if you ignore the problem or pretend it doesn't exist, it will go away. That's not biblical and certainly not what Abraham did. He carefully considered his age and Sarah's infertility...and realized that God's ability outweighed their inabilities.
Are you closing your eyes to an unfavorable circumstances instead of looking to God, the One for who nothing is impossible?
Abraham's faith did not become weak or doubt.
did not become discouraged by natural weakness.
was fully assured that God would do what He promised.
We must be people of faith! In Hebrews 11, it says that faith is a conviction of things not seen. Does that not represent Abraham completely?!
The word "faith" is used 5 times in this passage. This word has an emphasis that is was faith that secured what God has promised. FAITH.
What promise(s) have you received from the Lord?
"We call Abraham 'father' not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, 'I set you up as father of many peoples?' Abraham was first named 'father' and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, 'You're going to have a big family, Abraham!'
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, 'It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child.' Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, 'Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right.' But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God."
Abraham had every reason from human point of view to give up.
Take this to thought for a moment. Abraham and his household lived in an area with much traffic and met many travelers each day. We can assume that as the travelers passed through and Abraham met them on their way, they would exchange greetings. Abraham would instinctively tell these travelers his name (which means "father of many"), and since a name meant something during this time period, people would no doubt respond with, "Oh great! How many children do you have?!"
Of course, Abraham would have to respond, "None." We can assume that Abraham would hear the confusion from the travelers exchanges. Or walking by the tents at night, he would hear his servants whispers about how a man named "father of many" had no children.
Yes, Abraham had every reason from human point of view to give up.
Yet, Abraham believed God when he said that Abraham would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Why?
His faith sprang from the promises of God. It was not irrational or baseless, but an assurance from evidence into the security of God's Word and promises. He concluded that the certainty of the divine promise outweighed every natural improbability.
Where in your life are you focusing on the natural improbability?
Are you believing in God's promise(s) for your life?
Abraham was first named father and then became a father. He dared to trust God to do only what God could do.
Yes, Abraham was 100 years old and certainly beyond the ability to have children. And yes, Sarah had been infertile for decades. But he didn't focus on that. V. 22 says that he "plunged into the promise."
Plunged. To immerse, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action (dictionary.com).
I get this picture of running full on and doing a cannonball into the water. Just going for it, without looking back. Immersed.
As much as Abraham plunged in, neither did he shut his eyes to the unfavorable circumstances. I believe this is a trap for many, including myself. You try to convince yourself that if you ignore the problem or pretend it doesn't exist, it will go away. That's not biblical and certainly not what Abraham did. He carefully considered his age and Sarah's infertility...and realized that God's ability outweighed their inabilities.
Are you closing your eyes to an unfavorable circumstances instead of looking to God, the One for who nothing is impossible?
Abraham's faith did not become weak or doubt.
did not become discouraged by natural weakness.
was fully assured that God would do what He promised.
We must be people of faith! In Hebrews 11, it says that faith is a conviction of things not seen. Does that not represent Abraham completely?!
The word "faith" is used 5 times in this passage. This word has an emphasis that is was faith that secured what God has promised. FAITH.
What promise(s) have you received from the Lord?
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faith,
romans
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In Part 4, we will be taking a look at V. 14-15.
"If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal. A contract drawn up by a hard-nosed lawyer and with plenty of fine print only makes sure that you will never be able to collect. But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it."
We've all seen a contract...and the fine print that goes with it. With the fine print there are loop holes. What Paul is trying to paint in this picture of a contract is that with fine print, we will never be able to fulfill the contract. We won't be able to hold up our end of the deal.
Our relationship with God is not a contract or a to-do list.
Went to church on Sunday...CHECK.
Put money in the offering...CHECK.
Did my good deed for the day...CHECK.
That is a list of works, not a relationship. A contract eliminates personal trust and relationship. You could never attend enough services, or give enough money, or do enough good deeds to set you right with God, because that isn't relationship.
When I was spending some time over these verses, I got this idea in my mind. Not that I would know personally, but I know there was a time in our history where people could trust each other by their word and a handshake. Today you would never see such personal trust but rather would see people pushing a contract to seal the deal. God doesn't want a signed contract from you, but to take His hand and trust Him at His word.
God wants a personal relationship with you!! Think about the following question for a moment...
Do you remember that first moment when you believed in Him. When you had that personal moment with God?
That was God choosing you, and you accepting His grace. That is a promise.
The person who trust in works nullifies the work of Christ on his behalf. I don't know about you, but I would rather have Christ working on my behalf than trying to get all the work done myself in vain. And yes it would be in vain. With a contract there are penalties for neglecting to fulfill what is there. Since you would never be able to hold up your end of the deal, you would inevitably face penalties.
Think about that for a moment. If it wasn't for God's grace, we would face penalties. How sweet is His grace.
For a moment, let's look at what Jesus has to say about this. In Luke 18. 9-14, Jesus tells a parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector.
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Here is a Pharisee, a man thought by all righteous. And there to the side, a tax collector and one known for his sins. Yet in this picture Jesus highlights the humility of the tax collector. When I try to imagine the scene, I can't help but be shaken. The tax collector couldn't even lift his eyes to heaven while at that same moment a Pharisee is thanking God that he is not like that tax collector. We look at that picture and instantly side ourselves with the tax collector, but I know at times I've seen the Pharisee in me.
I don't want to be known for works but lack grace. I want to be known as someone who coupled the grace given freely to me with works of love.
Who do you see in you? Answer honestly. Is it the humbled sinner saved by grace? Or the self-exalted deemd right by works?
This coming week, examine the motives behind what you do. I know as a result of these verses, I want to carefully examine why I do what I do. And I want to live my life according to His promises and not by a to-do list.
"If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal. A contract drawn up by a hard-nosed lawyer and with plenty of fine print only makes sure that you will never be able to collect. But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it."
We've all seen a contract...and the fine print that goes with it. With the fine print there are loop holes. What Paul is trying to paint in this picture of a contract is that with fine print, we will never be able to fulfill the contract. We won't be able to hold up our end of the deal.
Our relationship with God is not a contract or a to-do list.
Went to church on Sunday...CHECK.
Put money in the offering...CHECK.
Did my good deed for the day...CHECK.
That is a list of works, not a relationship. A contract eliminates personal trust and relationship. You could never attend enough services, or give enough money, or do enough good deeds to set you right with God, because that isn't relationship.
When I was spending some time over these verses, I got this idea in my mind. Not that I would know personally, but I know there was a time in our history where people could trust each other by their word and a handshake. Today you would never see such personal trust but rather would see people pushing a contract to seal the deal. God doesn't want a signed contract from you, but to take His hand and trust Him at His word.
God wants a personal relationship with you!! Think about the following question for a moment...
Do you remember that first moment when you believed in Him. When you had that personal moment with God?
That was God choosing you, and you accepting His grace. That is a promise.
The person who trust in works nullifies the work of Christ on his behalf. I don't know about you, but I would rather have Christ working on my behalf than trying to get all the work done myself in vain. And yes it would be in vain. With a contract there are penalties for neglecting to fulfill what is there. Since you would never be able to hold up your end of the deal, you would inevitably face penalties.
Think about that for a moment. If it wasn't for God's grace, we would face penalties. How sweet is His grace.
For a moment, let's look at what Jesus has to say about this. In Luke 18. 9-14, Jesus tells a parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector.
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Here is a Pharisee, a man thought by all righteous. And there to the side, a tax collector and one known for his sins. Yet in this picture Jesus highlights the humility of the tax collector. When I try to imagine the scene, I can't help but be shaken. The tax collector couldn't even lift his eyes to heaven while at that same moment a Pharisee is thanking God that he is not like that tax collector. We look at that picture and instantly side ourselves with the tax collector, but I know at times I've seen the Pharisee in me.
I don't want to be known for works but lack grace. I want to be known as someone who coupled the grace given freely to me with works of love.
Who do you see in you? Answer honestly. Is it the humbled sinner saved by grace? Or the self-exalted deemd right by works?
This coming week, examine the motives behind what you do. I know as a result of these verses, I want to carefully examine why I do what I do. And I want to live my life according to His promises and not by a to-do list.
Category:
encouragement,
faith,
romans
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Today we continue our look at Romans 4, breaking down V. 8-13.
V. 8-11
"Do you think for a minute that this blessing is only pronounced over those of us who keep our religious ways and are circumcised? Or do you think it possible that the blessing could be given to those who never even heard of our ways, who were never brought up in the disciplines of God? We all agree, don't we, that it was by embracing what God did for him that Abraham was declared fit before God?
Now think: Was that declaration made before or after he was marked by the covenant rite of circumcision? That's right, before he was marked. That means that he underwent circumcision as evidence and confirmation of what God had done long before to bring him into this acceptable standing with himself, an act of God he had embraced with his whole life."
Here we enter that part about works, or in Abraham's case, circumcision. Was Abraham deemed righteous because of his obedient act of circumcision?
V. 9 says that Abraham was declared fit before God because he embraced what God had done for him. Now was this declaration made before or after he was circumcised?
BEFORE. Abraham wasn't circumcised till at least 14 years after the promise God had given to him, and 24 years after his relationship with God began.
Abraham's circumcision was evidence of his faith and came after believing.
V. 12-13
"And it means further that Abraham is father of all people who embrace what God does for them while they are still on the "outs" with God, as yet unidentified as God's, in an "uncircumcised" condition. It is precisely these people in this condition who are called "set right by God and with God"! Abraham is also, of course, father of those who have undergone the religious rite of circumcision not just because of the ritual but because they were willing to live in the risky faith-embrace of God's action for them, the way Abraham lived long before he was marked by circumcision.That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed."
In v. 13, Paul says that the promise given to Abraham was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was given based off of God's grace...His decision to put it all together.
The promises God has given us: that He will supply all our needs, unconditional love, life abundantly (just to name a few) aren't promises we can earn. They are promises God makes to us out of His grace. We simply enter into it.
The word "promise" that is used in this verse comes from the Greek word "epangelia." It represents that God's promise was not based on merit, but grace alone. (I think it's incredible how one word can sum up an entire passage).
Are your works evidence of your faith?
Works are my no means null. In fact, James 2.14-16 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"
Works should be an overflow of our faith in God. Does an act or deed come out of a task, to mark it off, or as a natural part of your relationship with God?
Do you believe in God's promises for you?
I know for me, it's easy to believe that God's promises are true and eternal, but at times I have struggled to except them personally. I think it can be easy to believe God's promises for others, but fail at believing them for ourselves.
To fail to believe God's promise for YOU is to fail in trusting God completely. We must embrace God's promises. Embrace, not earn. We could never earn God's promises...there is nothing we have done or ever will do that will secure God's promises for us. Wow. Praise God it's out of grace He has chosen to put it all together for us!
I pray that you will begin to examine the heart behind what you do. I'm really excited about the verses we will be looking at next time, so check back in a few days!
V. 8-11
"Do you think for a minute that this blessing is only pronounced over those of us who keep our religious ways and are circumcised? Or do you think it possible that the blessing could be given to those who never even heard of our ways, who were never brought up in the disciplines of God? We all agree, don't we, that it was by embracing what God did for him that Abraham was declared fit before God?
Now think: Was that declaration made before or after he was marked by the covenant rite of circumcision? That's right, before he was marked. That means that he underwent circumcision as evidence and confirmation of what God had done long before to bring him into this acceptable standing with himself, an act of God he had embraced with his whole life."
Here we enter that part about works, or in Abraham's case, circumcision. Was Abraham deemed righteous because of his obedient act of circumcision?
V. 9 says that Abraham was declared fit before God because he embraced what God had done for him. Now was this declaration made before or after he was circumcised?
BEFORE. Abraham wasn't circumcised till at least 14 years after the promise God had given to him, and 24 years after his relationship with God began.
Abraham's circumcision was evidence of his faith and came after believing.
V. 12-13
"And it means further that Abraham is father of all people who embrace what God does for them while they are still on the "outs" with God, as yet unidentified as God's, in an "uncircumcised" condition. It is precisely these people in this condition who are called "set right by God and with God"! Abraham is also, of course, father of those who have undergone the religious rite of circumcision not just because of the ritual but because they were willing to live in the risky faith-embrace of God's action for them, the way Abraham lived long before he was marked by circumcision.That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed."
In v. 13, Paul says that the promise given to Abraham was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was given based off of God's grace...His decision to put it all together.
The promises God has given us: that He will supply all our needs, unconditional love, life abundantly (just to name a few) aren't promises we can earn. They are promises God makes to us out of His grace. We simply enter into it.
The word "promise" that is used in this verse comes from the Greek word "epangelia." It represents that God's promise was not based on merit, but grace alone. (I think it's incredible how one word can sum up an entire passage).
Are your works evidence of your faith?
Works are my no means null. In fact, James 2.14-16 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"
Works should be an overflow of our faith in God. Does an act or deed come out of a task, to mark it off, or as a natural part of your relationship with God?
Do you believe in God's promises for you?
I know for me, it's easy to believe that God's promises are true and eternal, but at times I have struggled to except them personally. I think it can be easy to believe God's promises for others, but fail at believing them for ourselves.
To fail to believe God's promise for YOU is to fail in trusting God completely. We must embrace God's promises. Embrace, not earn. We could never earn God's promises...there is nothing we have done or ever will do that will secure God's promises for us. Wow. Praise God it's out of grace He has chosen to put it all together for us!
I pray that you will begin to examine the heart behind what you do. I'm really excited about the verses we will be looking at next time, so check back in a few days!
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encouragement,
faith,
romans
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For this part of the study, we will be looking at V. 4-7,
"If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.
David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man:
Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off,
whose sins are wiped clean from the slate.
Fortunate the person against
whom the Lord does not keep score."
Growing up my dad taught us to work hard. I had my first job at twelve years old! I believe in the value of hard work, and I would assume many of you do as well. V. 4 is by no means saying that hard work is a bad thing. But the idea behind this verse is that of trust.
Do you trust in works to set you right?
The problem enters when we do just that. We must realize that no matter how hard or how long we work, there is a point when work is not enough.
Paul says there are three things that set us right with God:
Seeing that the job is too big for us.
Understanding that only God can do it.
Trusting God to work.
This is what sets you right with God. By God. Sheer Gift!
A gift we cannot earn, but a gift we receive out of grace.
Do you find yourself getting caught up in the ability of your own hands rather than trusting God to do what He says He will do?
Beginning in V. 6, Paul points to another well-known man of the Old Testament. He looks to David to support this claim of faith.
David was indeed a man after God's heart, but he also is one known for his mistakes. Yet even so, in Psalm 32 (where v. 7 is originally found), David is found not guilty before heaven. Paul looks to a man who botched it up (as we all have) and points out his acceptance into heaven. He is pointing to this place of faith which leads to righteousness.
David was found righteous apart from his works because he acknowledged his guilt and cast himself in faith upon the mercy of God.
In a few days we will look more at works as we continue in v. 8. I would encourage you to take time for a careful examination of your life.
Do you find yourself getting caught up in the ability of your own hands rather than trusting God to do what He says He will do?
V. 4 says even if you do a good job...
Even IF, it's not enough. It's not a wage, but a gift.
"If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.
David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man:
Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off,
whose sins are wiped clean from the slate.
Fortunate the person against
whom the Lord does not keep score."
Growing up my dad taught us to work hard. I had my first job at twelve years old! I believe in the value of hard work, and I would assume many of you do as well. V. 4 is by no means saying that hard work is a bad thing. But the idea behind this verse is that of trust.
Do you trust in works to set you right?
The problem enters when we do just that. We must realize that no matter how hard or how long we work, there is a point when work is not enough.
Paul says there are three things that set us right with God:
Seeing that the job is too big for us.
Understanding that only God can do it.
Trusting God to work.
This is what sets you right with God. By God. Sheer Gift!
A gift we cannot earn, but a gift we receive out of grace.
Do you find yourself getting caught up in the ability of your own hands rather than trusting God to do what He says He will do?
Beginning in V. 6, Paul points to another well-known man of the Old Testament. He looks to David to support this claim of faith.
David was indeed a man after God's heart, but he also is one known for his mistakes. Yet even so, in Psalm 32 (where v. 7 is originally found), David is found not guilty before heaven. Paul looks to a man who botched it up (as we all have) and points out his acceptance into heaven. He is pointing to this place of faith which leads to righteousness.
David was found righteous apart from his works because he acknowledged his guilt and cast himself in faith upon the mercy of God.
In a few days we will look more at works as we continue in v. 8. I would encourage you to take time for a careful examination of your life.
Do you find yourself getting caught up in the ability of your own hands rather than trusting God to do what He says He will do?
V. 4 says even if you do a good job...
Even IF, it's not enough. It's not a wage, but a gift.
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romans
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The book of Romans was written by a man named Paul. Born and raised in Hebrew tradition, he was a persecutor of Christians. After a run in with God on the road to Damascus, Paul turned his life over to God. The first missionary, he traveled much of Greece and the east ministering to the Gentiles. This is a letter he wrote to Christians in Rome. In Romans 4, Paul brings up the story of a man named Abraham. Abraham was the founding patriarch of the Israelites and a man well known in the Old Testament.
Of all the righteous men and women in the OT, it would be hard to surpass that of Abraham. In fact, in Isaiah 41.8, God calls Abraham "my friend."
The question being posed in Romans 4 is one in regards to faith vs. works. Was Abraham called righteous because of his faith or because of his works?
V. 1-3
"So how do we fit what we know of Abraham, our first father in the faith, into this new way of looking at things? If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we're given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story. What we read in Scripture is, "Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own."
V. 2 makes an excellent beginning statement in favor of faith. Paul says that Abraham could certainly have taken credit for God's approval of him, IF he had been justified by works. But Abraham did not take credit for anything at all. The account of Abraham's life is not an Abraham-story, but a God-story. Therefore a story only God could take credit for.
Who is taking credit for your story? When all is said and done, will your life be a God-story or a self-story?
Moving on to v. 3, this is a reference from Genesis 15. In the chapter God makes a covenant with Abraham; His famous promise. It's a beautiful picture. God takes Abraham outside and points to the heavens. He proceeds to tell Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This to a man who was well in age and without any children. Can you imagine looking at the billions of stars in the sky and hearing God tell you there would be descendants from you that number as many? Abraham believed God at this and it was counted to him as righteousness.
You see, before there was time, before God created man, He had a plan for Abraham. A plan that was already in motion at the time of Genesis 15. What became a turning point for Abraham was the moment he entered into what God was already doing.
Just as God had a plan for Abraham mapped out, He has a plan mapped out for each and every one of us as well. God is not a respecter of persons, but delights in the plans He has for all of us. That plan for us is already in motion.
At the beginning of each day, are you committing yourself to God?
For a turning point, we must enter into what God is already doing. Some of you may know the plan right now and some of you may be asking how you can enter into a plan at work if you don't know where the plan is. I know there are times in life where you hit a wall. You come to a standstill and you are wondering where to go.
What can you do?
Of all the righteous men and women in the OT, it would be hard to surpass that of Abraham. In fact, in Isaiah 41.8, God calls Abraham "my friend."
The question being posed in Romans 4 is one in regards to faith vs. works. Was Abraham called righteous because of his faith or because of his works?
V. 1-3
"So how do we fit what we know of Abraham, our first father in the faith, into this new way of looking at things? If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we're given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story. What we read in Scripture is, "Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own."
V. 2 makes an excellent beginning statement in favor of faith. Paul says that Abraham could certainly have taken credit for God's approval of him, IF he had been justified by works. But Abraham did not take credit for anything at all. The account of Abraham's life is not an Abraham-story, but a God-story. Therefore a story only God could take credit for.
Who is taking credit for your story? When all is said and done, will your life be a God-story or a self-story?
Moving on to v. 3, this is a reference from Genesis 15. In the chapter God makes a covenant with Abraham; His famous promise. It's a beautiful picture. God takes Abraham outside and points to the heavens. He proceeds to tell Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This to a man who was well in age and without any children. Can you imagine looking at the billions of stars in the sky and hearing God tell you there would be descendants from you that number as many? Abraham believed God at this and it was counted to him as righteousness.
You see, before there was time, before God created man, He had a plan for Abraham. A plan that was already in motion at the time of Genesis 15. What became a turning point for Abraham was the moment he entered into what God was already doing.
Just as God had a plan for Abraham mapped out, He has a plan mapped out for each and every one of us as well. God is not a respecter of persons, but delights in the plans He has for all of us. That plan for us is already in motion.
At the beginning of each day, are you committing yourself to God?
For a turning point, we must enter into what God is already doing. Some of you may know the plan right now and some of you may be asking how you can enter into a plan at work if you don't know where the plan is. I know there are times in life where you hit a wall. You come to a standstill and you are wondering where to go.
What can you do?
1. Read the Word of God.
- Recently I have heard some sound direction on more than one occasion from my Pastor. "Do all of the revealed will of God for your life and God will lead you in discovering the unrevealed will of God for your life." (John Lindell)
What would be the revealed will of God? That you be:
Saved
Filled with the Spirit
Sanctified (Holy)
Submissive to Authority
Giving Thanks
You do what you know to be His will, then He will reveal to you more.
2. Pray
- In any relationship you have, you must communicate with the other person in order to know what's going on. It's the same with our relationship with God. We must be in communication with him DAILY in order to know what He is doing.
3. Fast
- Some things only come by fasting and praying. Sometimes it requires from us to set aside a need in order that we may seek God for direction.
When you commit to seek God, there is no way you can miss what He is doing.
Are you adding God into what you are doing, or entering into what He is doing?
Yes, invite God to be a part of your life, but the wrong approach is if we go about our day, tagging God onto certain parts. That is a life of convenience, not a life of righteousness.
Abraham simply took God at His word and acted accordingly. He understood that he must rely completely on God.
Above I have posed some questions throughout the study in order that you might think about the passage a bit more. Again, I hope you would read the passage for yourself and allow God to minister to you. Here are the questions again...please take a few moments to think about your answer.
- Who is taking credit for your story? When all is said and done, will your life be a God-story or a self-story? In what way(s) can you give glory to God?
- At the beginning of each day, are you committing yourself to God? How?
- Are you adding God into what you are doing, or entering into what He is doing? In what area(s) are you struggling to surrender to God? Perhaps take a moment to say or write out a prayer repenting from your lack of submission and asking the Holy Spirit to change your heart from the inside out.
I would encourage you to check back in the next few days for part 2...it only gets better!
Category:
encouragement,
faith,
romans
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“But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?
What he desires, that he does.
For he will complete what he appoints for me,
and many such things are in his mind.”
Job 23.10-14 (ESV)
Using a fire to refine gold is the oldest and most reliable way to purify this very valuable element. Within the furnace, the radiating fire burns away anything not of pure gold. Using the analogy of being refined in the fire is also one of the oldest analogies we can find of God testing the believer.
“When he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” God has this incredible heart for and vision of His sons and daughters that we cannot fully see. But we know that we are His treasure. You are His treasure; something of much worth to Him. God wants the very best for us, and for us to represent pure gold.
Right now I am going through a very difficult season, and when I read these verses the other day, I was so encouraged. I know that through this fire God has me in, I want to be refined and purified, as much as possible. Don't you want the same for every fire and storm you go through? If we do not allow God to fully refine us, than the trial was worth what? Just a hard time? Or is it worth something far more!
When gold is refined in the fire, it loses nothing of it’s worth, nor is it affected by outside elements. The only thing that is taken out from the gold is that which is impure.
As Job was going through this truly difficult time in his life, his character lost nothing of value, or it’s lustre. The same should be for our own life. When we go through the fire, nothing of our value or lustre will be lost in the fire. If it be genuine, it will lose nothing of it’s quality, only that which is impure.
Although in this chapter Job is wondering where the Lord is in his situation, one thing Job was sure of was his obedience to God. He knew that he had walked faithfully with the Lord, and that ultimately, the Lord would honor him.
Right now I want to be assured of one thing, and indeed I am: that the Lord God Almighty will be faithful to those who serve Him faithfully. In fact, I’m depending on that.
Ultimately, God will do whatever He pleases. Verse 13 says, “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.” But we can know that as His daughters, He has our best interests at heart.
What I find so incredible is that at the end of this book, Job is blessed with double portions. In chapter 1, verse 3, the account is given of Job: “He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.” In Job 42.12 it says of Job, “And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.”
God didn’t leave Job an outcast, but through the fire refined Job, and rewarded his character through the fire by doubling what he had before! What an incredible testimony we can look forward to in our own life!
God really cares for us, and if anything, a fire should prove that to be true. A fire is God’s way of buckling down in us character and purity. Why? Because He has so much planned for us! Verse 14 says, “For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.”
That verse is so exciting to me! Why? Because God has so much planned! God is looking for strong, pure, honorable women in His Kingdom. Those daughters who will rise up for the many plans that He has. Lets not shy away or sit in pity during our fires. But rather lets feel the burn and allow God to purify us the the fullest extent!
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?
What he desires, that he does.
For he will complete what he appoints for me,
and many such things are in his mind.”
Job 23.10-14 (ESV)
Using a fire to refine gold is the oldest and most reliable way to purify this very valuable element. Within the furnace, the radiating fire burns away anything not of pure gold. Using the analogy of being refined in the fire is also one of the oldest analogies we can find of God testing the believer.
“When he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” God has this incredible heart for and vision of His sons and daughters that we cannot fully see. But we know that we are His treasure. You are His treasure; something of much worth to Him. God wants the very best for us, and for us to represent pure gold.
Right now I am going through a very difficult season, and when I read these verses the other day, I was so encouraged. I know that through this fire God has me in, I want to be refined and purified, as much as possible. Don't you want the same for every fire and storm you go through? If we do not allow God to fully refine us, than the trial was worth what? Just a hard time? Or is it worth something far more!
When gold is refined in the fire, it loses nothing of it’s worth, nor is it affected by outside elements. The only thing that is taken out from the gold is that which is impure.
As Job was going through this truly difficult time in his life, his character lost nothing of value, or it’s lustre. The same should be for our own life. When we go through the fire, nothing of our value or lustre will be lost in the fire. If it be genuine, it will lose nothing of it’s quality, only that which is impure.
Although in this chapter Job is wondering where the Lord is in his situation, one thing Job was sure of was his obedience to God. He knew that he had walked faithfully with the Lord, and that ultimately, the Lord would honor him.
Right now I want to be assured of one thing, and indeed I am: that the Lord God Almighty will be faithful to those who serve Him faithfully. In fact, I’m depending on that.
Ultimately, God will do whatever He pleases. Verse 13 says, “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.” But we can know that as His daughters, He has our best interests at heart.
What I find so incredible is that at the end of this book, Job is blessed with double portions. In chapter 1, verse 3, the account is given of Job: “He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.” In Job 42.12 it says of Job, “And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.”
God didn’t leave Job an outcast, but through the fire refined Job, and rewarded his character through the fire by doubling what he had before! What an incredible testimony we can look forward to in our own life!
God really cares for us, and if anything, a fire should prove that to be true. A fire is God’s way of buckling down in us character and purity. Why? Because He has so much planned for us! Verse 14 says, “For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.”
That verse is so exciting to me! Why? Because God has so much planned! God is looking for strong, pure, honorable women in His Kingdom. Those daughters who will rise up for the many plans that He has. Lets not shy away or sit in pity during our fires. But rather lets feel the burn and allow God to purify us the the fullest extent!
Category:
encouragement,
faith,
trials
1 comments
