~Faith~
I was reading a question in my devotions this morning. It was talking about works-based faith and
faith-based works. There is such a
difference. I think of all the times in
my life when I have seen God’s hand of mercy in my friend’s lives. Watching their lives come together and watching
all the good happening and thinking if “I” work hard at having faith I can have
that too. It took my whole life, all the
pain, suffering and wrong roads to finally get me to the place where I am
today. Knowing that it is not in “me” that God does anything, it is in “Him.”
We do not have faith to prove to God we are ready for what He has for us. We go through our own seasons, our own shacks
and allow Him to guide us and learn our own lessons. We have our own relationship with God and
learn to hear Him in our own way. When
we get to that place where we learn to have faith not in our situation or by
our own acts, or even in people, we learn that our faith is truly in the Lord. That no matter what the situation and no
matter what is happening, we have to trust the Lord’s will to be done. Knowing that He truly does act in our best
interest. He replenishes, blocks,
protects, guards, and restores our hearts.
We have to have an inner faith that says “you know what God, this is
what I want, but if you don’t want that in my life, I trust you to remove it
and replace it with what you feel is best for me.” That is when you have found true faith.
"where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
We must remember that true faith is knowing that God is with us
and taking those steps that sometimes feel impossible, knowing His hand is in
it and He will bring around His acts in and through us. We do not come by this naturally of course it
is taught to us through the countless times God has been there to pick up the
broken pieces. All the times that He
faithfully stayed by our sides when we ran off in all kinds of crazy directions
trying to find our own way. It can be in
just a moment realizing that is where you are at, but it takes our whole lives
to learn to live in that state of faith.
Where the world shakes around us; God stands within us. That is having the faith that does not shake
us.
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” Isaiah 28:16
I have said this before, but I am a Peter. I tend to believe when I see and then lose
faith as I walk across the water. Going
through what I have in my life, I have learned a different kind of faith. Maybe a true faith? That it is not in our own faith that takes us
out on that water, it is His love for us, His determination to be with us, to
show us His true heart. To trust that He is with us no matter what and even if
we fall, He will catch us. You don’t
have to start walking and have faith you will make it towards what you want,
you start walking knowing that no matter what God will take care of you. If this is His will, He will guide your path
and get you to your destination. If
there is another way, another path, trust that He will show you, guide
you. If you make mistakes along the way,
fall and get hurt, He will be there to pick you up and heal you. He will even provide a new way to help you
get started again.
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11
God has a way of leading me right where I need to be. I sure do make a mess of things and allow
myself to get all twisted up. But God is
always there to unravel me. To pick me
up and love me through it. He helps me
to remember that His grace is sufficient.
He is more than enough for me.
His love will help me to be the woman He is calling me. I have faith in that. I know that when I pray this scripture, He is
guiding me by His truth and He teaches me.
He is my everything and my hope is in Him alone.
“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your TRUTH and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Pslam 25:4-5
I know I will not always feel this strong in where my life is
going, but I pray that God would always remind me that He taught me how to get
here, now I need to trust that He will always get me back here.
This is my prayer for you reading this: (Ephesians 1:15-23)
15For
this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists
among you and your love for all the saints, 16do
not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my
prayers; 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of Him. 18I
pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know
what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints, 19and
what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These
are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which
He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at
His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far
above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And
He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all
things to the church, 23which
is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
AMEN
Remember to love God, love yourself and always, always, always,
remember to SHINE on!
