Faith that costs us nothing is not yet faith.
Think about it. The greatest victories required an abandoned trust.
Moses before the Red Sea, caught between deep, im-passible, waters and a vast, innumerable, Egyptian army. Gideon, the least of the least among Israel's tribe, runs to battle against incalculable Midianite's with only 300 men.
Today, I am fully aware, unless God shows up, on my own I will fail miserably. Before, I always felt me and Jesus, we can accomplish anything. Now, I am completely abandoned and realize, Oh God, if you don't show up, this will never get accomplished.
God's love takes us to the place where there is NO doubt in our mind WHO provides the victory. I've faced insurmountable battles many times in life: my marriage, my parenting, my writing, my ministry, my finances, my relationships, my hopes, my mission, my dreams...my you name it...
Each time, God lovingly positions me to realize HE ALONE provides the victory. HE ALONE provides my hope. HE ALONE heals, sustains, strengthens, delivers...
So, what Red Sea is in front of you today? What Egyptian army closes in behind you?
Faith doesn't conjure up some noble notion and whisper hear I go, Lord, now bless. Instead, faith responds to God by aligning our life up with HIS voice.
IN my marriage, God commissioned me to allow Him to change the things in me that need changed, to focus on what I needed to surrender to Him...and in return He would change in Greg the things that needed to be changed. He instructed me to STOP trying to be Greg's Holy Spirit. :) The result? A marriage I thought destined for divorce was healed by HIS power!
In my ministry, I've experienced innumerable times of impossible circumstances. The vision at times is so big it intimidates and overwhelms me. Each time, God reminds me..."I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Gen 28:15, NIV) He's taught me that (like Abraham) I may never see the full fulfilment of His Promise...but that He will accomplish all that He has said He would. I simply need to remain faithful. He doesn't require me to be successful He simply requires that I live obedient.
Friend, God is with you. You are not alone. He will not leave you until He has done all that He has promised you.
So, join me in this simple prayer: Father I realize "Faith that costs me nothing is not yet faith." So, I offer you all that I am, and all that I have, that I might honor you in all that I do. Empower me to love as you have loved me. Amen!
Jules, thank you for this AMAZING post!! Makes you just wanna shout praise to the Lord!!
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs, Rob
:) As we face this sea, we can take that step of faith and say "Yes Lord, I believe you are who you say you are, I believe that you know the plans for my life and I trust you and will follow you" and as the path is forged through that sea we can walk with our heads held high in knowing that the power we have in Him who guides us is to much more powerful than what ever problems and troubles like ahead...and that only comes from faith!
ReplyDeleteI also faced lots of trials but Lord has always been there for me but i did not have that strong Faith to HIM until i had a very scary nightmare happened only this month on 1st of Dec. 2 images keep pulling my 2 hands. 1 was wearing black and other one was wearing white. I was laying tilted with my 2 hands lie on my bible together. I couldnt move or speak. My mind tells me to say something but there was no voice coming out from my mouth or i couldnt open it. I keep fighting those 2 images in my mind to let me go but they wouldnt. My mind asking for help but i dont who am i going to call for help until suddenly my mouth open and i said it loud "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus and the 2 images gone. Jesus saved me! That night everything changed the way i live. He open my eyes, heart, mind and soul to know the truth. Now, i WORSHIP HIM and thank HIM more than ever. God is so good all the time. THANK YOU
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