"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and being certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
Faith is not anti-intellectual, it's active confidence in God's Word. It's not escapism or pie in the sky thinking. Faith is believing the Word of God. Faith is what I hold onto while I wait for God to act.
"Lord you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations" Psalm 90:1
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
Titus 1:2 tells us God cannot lie.
Matthew 11: 28-30 says " Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:8
1 John 5:4 tells us faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
These are just a few scriptures I noted during a study on faith by James MacDonald. Why do we Christians find it hard to believe and trust in a God who created the universe and everything in it? Who created it without any help from any of us, and then created us! A God who has been our dwelling place, our refuge and help in times of trouble for generations. A God who is always faithful and never disappoints. Who promises to supply our needs. Who cannot lie. Who promises to work everything out for our good. He doesn't promise a life without trouble but just the opposite. He says we will share in His sufferings. The world will hate us as it hated Him. That in this world we will have tribulation, troubles and that offenses would come. But that He will be with us always.
So, why are we surprised when trouble comes? He said it would. Why can't we believe Him when He says He'll see us through it?
Maybe it's because we like to be in control. What is it that makes us think we know better than Jesus? Jesus wants us to pass Him the reins of our lives and that's the part that's hard for us to do. Maybe it's because we think we don't deserve to have things provided for us. That we think we need to work for everything we get. Maybe it's just pride.
It should be a no-brainer, and it will only get easier the more we get to know Jesus. We get to know Him by reading His Word and seeing how He's helped, provided and protected others in times of trouble. Our faith will be increased as we confess it to others, telling others what Jesus has done for us. Our faith will be increased by walking it out. The Bible says all things are possible to those who believe, Mark 9 :23. The Bible also says that without faith it is impossible to please God. It sounds so simple. Why is it so hard?
Could it be that we simply don't believe and trust Jesus as we should? That's pretty much what it comes down to isn't it?
We have a God who loves us so much that He gave up His only Son Jesus to die on our behalf, so that through believing in Him we might be saved, and pass from death unto life. How can we not trust in a God that loves us more than we can ever imagine, and wants nothing but the best for us? Really, how can we not trust Him?
Father, please forgive and help our unbelief... help us to believe your Word, and act on it no matter how we feel... Help us to see that faith is not just a part of the Christian life, it is the Christian life!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Lessons from Habakkuk
The last few weeks we've been hearing about Habakkuk at our services at Trent. I'll jot down a few things from my notes. Basically Habakkuk was having a conversation with God. He had a couple of complaints for God.
1- Are you listening to what's going on? Why don't you answer my call for help? Why does the evil going on in Judah go unpunished?
It can seem like people are getting away with horrible behavior at times, even prospering because of it. God doesn't always respond the way we'd like Him to. For instance, God would send the evil Babylonians in to attack and judge Judah for the evil they were committing. That's when Habakkuks' faith and ours as well could come upon thin ice.
That's when we need to back up, take some time to reflect on who God really is, and the promises He's made. Then we can commit the problem to God knowing & trusting that He knows best.
2- God you can't look upon evil. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? How could a just God use a ruthless Babylon to judge Judah who was more righteous?
We learn that God does not tolerate sin. Judgement of the Babylonians will come. We learn that God works with great confidence because he told Habakkuk to write down the revelation so that a herald may run with it." For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false."
God is eternal. He sees the end from the beginning and everything in between.. God is in control and has a Divine mandate. He works in His own time. We wait and need to persevere. He sees the whole picture, we don't.
Habakkuk gained confidence when he got a better understanding of who God is. God's mercy falls on those who are righteous and just. Gods' Holiness demands that He deal with sin. God does everything for His ultimate Glory and His Kingdom.
We too need to regain a better undertanding of who God is. He is not just our best buddy. He is the infinitely Majestic Creator of the universe. He is to be Feared and Reverenced. He is Holy and Righteous. He is Perfect in every way. He is Sovereign. He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith and so much more.
Habakkuk gains a better realization of who God really is through remembering what God did for his people Judah and it leads him to praise God. He asks God to do His work and His will. He realized that God can't be stopped and He is faithful and unchanging. He decides to fully trust God. He knows that God does not change because of circumstance.
Habakkuk ends with saying that though he loses everything he will trust in God. " Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
May I too, just as Habakkuk, trust God to work out His perfect will in my circumstances when I don't have a clue what He's up to...
1- Are you listening to what's going on? Why don't you answer my call for help? Why does the evil going on in Judah go unpunished?
It can seem like people are getting away with horrible behavior at times, even prospering because of it. God doesn't always respond the way we'd like Him to. For instance, God would send the evil Babylonians in to attack and judge Judah for the evil they were committing. That's when Habakkuks' faith and ours as well could come upon thin ice.
That's when we need to back up, take some time to reflect on who God really is, and the promises He's made. Then we can commit the problem to God knowing & trusting that He knows best.
2- God you can't look upon evil. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? How could a just God use a ruthless Babylon to judge Judah who was more righteous?
We learn that God does not tolerate sin. Judgement of the Babylonians will come. We learn that God works with great confidence because he told Habakkuk to write down the revelation so that a herald may run with it." For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false."
God is eternal. He sees the end from the beginning and everything in between.. God is in control and has a Divine mandate. He works in His own time. We wait and need to persevere. He sees the whole picture, we don't.
Habakkuk gained confidence when he got a better understanding of who God is. God's mercy falls on those who are righteous and just. Gods' Holiness demands that He deal with sin. God does everything for His ultimate Glory and His Kingdom.
We too need to regain a better undertanding of who God is. He is not just our best buddy. He is the infinitely Majestic Creator of the universe. He is to be Feared and Reverenced. He is Holy and Righteous. He is Perfect in every way. He is Sovereign. He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith and so much more.
Habakkuk gains a better realization of who God really is through remembering what God did for his people Judah and it leads him to praise God. He asks God to do His work and His will. He realized that God can't be stopped and He is faithful and unchanging. He decides to fully trust God. He knows that God does not change because of circumstance.
Habakkuk ends with saying that though he loses everything he will trust in God. " Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
May I too, just as Habakkuk, trust God to work out His perfect will in my circumstances when I don't have a clue what He's up to...
Friday, April 2, 2010
Jesus
It was my sin that held Him there,
Upon that rugged cross you'll see,
The marks of penalty, mine to bear,
He suffered, bled and died for me.
The grave, it could not hold Him fast,
Satans' victory, was ne'er to be,
For He arose after three days past,
He suffered, bled and lives for me.
Now He's in Heaven and lives on high,
At His Fathers' right hand He'll be,
For we as sinners, an advocate nigh,
He suffered, bled and intercedes for me.
But just hang on, there's one more thing,
He's coming back again,
This time He's coming as our King,
He died , He rose, I'll reign with Him!
-c.mcgrath
Upon that rugged cross you'll see,
The marks of penalty, mine to bear,
He suffered, bled and died for me.
The grave, it could not hold Him fast,
Satans' victory, was ne'er to be,
For He arose after three days past,
He suffered, bled and lives for me.
Now He's in Heaven and lives on high,
At His Fathers' right hand He'll be,
For we as sinners, an advocate nigh,
He suffered, bled and intercedes for me.
But just hang on, there's one more thing,
He's coming back again,
This time He's coming as our King,
He died , He rose, I'll reign with Him!
-c.mcgrath
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Powerful and Precious Blood of Jesus
Listening to Dr Charles Stanley this morning on his message about the blood of Jesus. I jotted down a few notes...
Why is the blood of Jesus Precious?
He was the Son of God. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He was sinless, perfect and therefore His blood can atone for sin. His blood was shed on our behalf. Jesus was God in human flesh, therefore His blood was divine. Our eternal destination depends on what we do with His blood.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Redemption: 1 Peter 1: 18-19
We were purchased or redeemed with the blood of Jesus Christ. Not with perisable things such as silver or gold. Jesus was our perfect and sinless substitute. He liberates us from the power of sin.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Forgiveness: Ephesians 1: 7-8, 1 John 1: 7-9, 1 John 2:1-2
We have initial redemption and forgiveness from sin through the blood of Jesus. Also, daily forgiveness through confession. Jesus is our advocate to God the Father. Working on our behalf.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Justification: Romans 5: 8-10
God is Holy and must punish sin. God accepts Jesus' sacrifice as payment, and we are justified through His blood. God is just in forgiving us because Jesus' blood covers our sin debt payment in full. That payment releases God from instituting His own law which says, the soul that sins shall surely die.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Reconciliation: Colossians 1:19-22
God does the reconciling and always takes the first step. We respond to His callings and promptings through the Holy Spirit. Jesus' blood reconciles us to God by covering our sin with His righteousness if we accept His sacrifice on our behalf.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Sanctification: Hebrews 13:12
The shedding of Jesus' blood makes us Holy in God's eyes if we accept His sacrifice. Sanctification is a continual growing and cleansing process in the christian's life. Through Jesus' shed blood we have forgiveness of sin through daily confession.
The blood of Jesus gives us access to God the Father: Hebrews 10: 19-20
We have access to the throne of God ONLY through the blood of Jesus. God is Holy, we need the blood of Jesus to cover us when we come before Him. To think that we can access God just on our own goodness is ultimate pride. God hates pride.
The blood of Jesus is powerful and precious. Our only hope for eternity. Thanks be to God for His most precious gift. It is put aside, or forgotton, at our own peril ...
Why is the blood of Jesus Precious?
He was the Son of God. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He was sinless, perfect and therefore His blood can atone for sin. His blood was shed on our behalf. Jesus was God in human flesh, therefore His blood was divine. Our eternal destination depends on what we do with His blood.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Redemption: 1 Peter 1: 18-19
We were purchased or redeemed with the blood of Jesus Christ. Not with perisable things such as silver or gold. Jesus was our perfect and sinless substitute. He liberates us from the power of sin.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Forgiveness: Ephesians 1: 7-8, 1 John 1: 7-9, 1 John 2:1-2
We have initial redemption and forgiveness from sin through the blood of Jesus. Also, daily forgiveness through confession. Jesus is our advocate to God the Father. Working on our behalf.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Justification: Romans 5: 8-10
God is Holy and must punish sin. God accepts Jesus' sacrifice as payment, and we are justified through His blood. God is just in forgiving us because Jesus' blood covers our sin debt payment in full. That payment releases God from instituting His own law which says, the soul that sins shall surely die.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Reconciliation: Colossians 1:19-22
God does the reconciling and always takes the first step. We respond to His callings and promptings through the Holy Spirit. Jesus' blood reconciles us to God by covering our sin with His righteousness if we accept His sacrifice on our behalf.
The blood of Jesus speaks to Sanctification: Hebrews 13:12
The shedding of Jesus' blood makes us Holy in God's eyes if we accept His sacrifice. Sanctification is a continual growing and cleansing process in the christian's life. Through Jesus' shed blood we have forgiveness of sin through daily confession.
The blood of Jesus gives us access to God the Father: Hebrews 10: 19-20
We have access to the throne of God ONLY through the blood of Jesus. God is Holy, we need the blood of Jesus to cover us when we come before Him. To think that we can access God just on our own goodness is ultimate pride. God hates pride.
The blood of Jesus is powerful and precious. Our only hope for eternity. Thanks be to God for His most precious gift. It is put aside, or forgotton, at our own peril ...
Friday, March 26, 2010
Do I have a critical spirit?
Our small group session was about criticism last night. I found it quite convicting. Some notes I took from the series, "Lord change my attitude".... by James MacDonald.
Criticism: To dwell upon the perceived faults of others, with no view to their good.
Criticism:
- by the above definition is sinful
- ruins our fellowship with God
- ruins fellowship with others
- is personally destructive
- is often petty
What's really bothering me?
- unforgiveness?
- envy or jealousy?
- personal failure?
Criticism is self exalting:
- is painful
- is often inadvertent... a reflex statement
- plugs the flow of God's blessing in our lives
- life becomes a wilderness
Up close and personal:
- am I a critical person?
- am I reaping the consequences?
- am I willing to repent?
Honestly, I would have to say that yes I can have a critical spirit. It's very easy for me sometimes to find fault in others with no view to their good. One quote that stuck with me from last night was " criticism tears down what God is attempting to build up". I need to be very careful what I say about others. God may be at work. He sees and hears everything. He's not pleased when we're critical of others.
The Bible says in Isaiah 59:2, " But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."
I've had some spiritual wilderness experiences. Some very dry seasons. Times when my prayers didn't seem to rise above my eyebrows. Criticism may well have been the reason.
Another quote from last night, "everytime I throw dirt I lose ground". Criticism is self exalting and the Bible says: " Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil." Provs 3:7
Am I willing to confess my critical spirit and repent? Yes, I don't want anything to interfere with God's blessing in my life. The Bible says in 1 John 1: 9 " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
LORD, please forgive my critical spirit. Help me to remember that You may be at work in people's lives. Help me to remember that I have faults of my own to be concerned with. It's not my place to criticise others, but to pray for them, and let You work in and through them.
" May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
LORD, change my critical attitude...
Criticism: To dwell upon the perceived faults of others, with no view to their good.
Criticism:
- by the above definition is sinful
- ruins our fellowship with God
- ruins fellowship with others
- is personally destructive
- is often petty
What's really bothering me?
- unforgiveness?
- envy or jealousy?
- personal failure?
Criticism is self exalting:
- is painful
- is often inadvertent... a reflex statement
- plugs the flow of God's blessing in our lives
- life becomes a wilderness
Up close and personal:
- am I a critical person?
- am I reaping the consequences?
- am I willing to repent?
Honestly, I would have to say that yes I can have a critical spirit. It's very easy for me sometimes to find fault in others with no view to their good. One quote that stuck with me from last night was " criticism tears down what God is attempting to build up". I need to be very careful what I say about others. God may be at work. He sees and hears everything. He's not pleased when we're critical of others.
The Bible says in Isaiah 59:2, " But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."
I've had some spiritual wilderness experiences. Some very dry seasons. Times when my prayers didn't seem to rise above my eyebrows. Criticism may well have been the reason.
Another quote from last night, "everytime I throw dirt I lose ground". Criticism is self exalting and the Bible says: " Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil." Provs 3:7
Am I willing to confess my critical spirit and repent? Yes, I don't want anything to interfere with God's blessing in my life. The Bible says in 1 John 1: 9 " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
LORD, please forgive my critical spirit. Help me to remember that You may be at work in people's lives. Help me to remember that I have faults of my own to be concerned with. It's not my place to criticise others, but to pray for them, and let You work in and through them.
" May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
LORD, change my critical attitude...
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Florida trip
From Peterborough to Whythville Virginia for the first night. Then on to Casey Key Florida for 4 nights. Lots of beach time on a great sandy beach where seashells and shark teeth are in abundance. Truly a seashell enthusiast's dream. Then on to Key Largo via the Everglades, where there were alligators galore! Two nights in Key Largo and snokeling on the coral reef at the local state park.Then on to Cocoa Beach via Miami and Fort Lauderdale (where it was raining) :( Two nights in Cocoa Beach where we went to the Nasa Space Center (almost froze that day) :( From Cocoa Beach to Atlanta Georgia for one night. Next day we toured the Atlanta First Baptist Church complex where Dr Charles Stanley pastors. Definately a trip highlight for me, and an amazing place!
Then on to Scottsburg Indiana where we spent two very enjoyable nights with family. The best accomodations along the trip by far! From Scottsburg we headed home...
All in all a great trip but a little too much driving.... over 6300 Kilometers and aprox 60 hours behind the wheel.
We thank the LORD for safe and trouble free traveling...
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done" 1 Chronicles 16:8
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Pay Jesus now or pay Him later
Watching Dr David Jeremiah this morning he mentioned that Jesus has a sort of "Pay me now or pay me later" plan for His creation. I thought it was well worth passing on...
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2: 10-11
His point being, we can humble ourselves now and bow our knees and accept Jesus for who He is as our Savior and LORD. Or, we can reject Him now and go about life in our own way and bow our knees before Him on judgement day with Him as our Judge and not our Savior.
If we wait until judgement day it'll be too late for salvation. The time for salvation is now. The Bible says:
"As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For He says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation".......... 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
The time is now to receive Jesus as your Savior. Don't wait too long or you'll have to accept Him as your Judge. But...you will bow before Him.... one way or another.
Pay honor and respect to Him now.... don't wait until later.
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2: 10-11
His point being, we can humble ourselves now and bow our knees and accept Jesus for who He is as our Savior and LORD. Or, we can reject Him now and go about life in our own way and bow our knees before Him on judgement day with Him as our Judge and not our Savior.
If we wait until judgement day it'll be too late for salvation. The time for salvation is now. The Bible says:
"As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For He says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation".......... 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
The time is now to receive Jesus as your Savior. Don't wait too long or you'll have to accept Him as your Judge. But...you will bow before Him.... one way or another.
Pay honor and respect to Him now.... don't wait until later.
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