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Go in New Life- Live by Faith
Once again I am humbled by the outpouring of support. Words fail me. I pray that I can write out what I am feeling and be able to share with you what God is doing!First, I am overwhelmed with how God has used others to touch and support me since my posting last Friday. That same day God had a dear friend (and fellow homeschooler) call me just to chat- she just so happens to be that friend whom I can tell anything to and who won’t mince words with me in return. She encouraged me and prayed with me. Then she called again on Saturday morning to tell me that she had woken up in the middle of the night (3:30 am) feeling God leading her to pray for me and that God had given her a verse for me- Psalm 34:18-19:
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers them from them all.
Wowzers! First, to know that my friend had me on her mind and in her prayers and then to have the Lord speak to me through her and such dear sweet words! You know I cried. The words the LORD delivers just jumped right out- didn’t God just show me thru a verse just last week that He is my Deliverer! [Psalm 40:17] I quickly wrote the verses on a slip of paper and put it in my pocket- retrieving and rereading it thru-out the day.
Then came Sunday- our Pastor’s message was about Faith. I’m so glad I had enough paper left in my sermon notebook! Again the Lord spoke directly to my heart! Pastor shared 3 main points about how Faith sees us through the tough times (his topic verses were Hebrews 10:32-11:1).
1. Remember Past Victories (10:32)
Remind yourself of how God has brought you through thus far- how He has answered your prayers. Remember these past victories when you are going through hard times. Amen.
2. Endure with Courage and Confidence (10:35)
Too often faith is one of the first things we throw away when we face tough times. Don’t have a throw away faith. You can’t face your problems on your own. Verse 36- we need to persevere- we need to “abide under the burden” and we will not be overcome. As a packhorse abides under it’s burden so must we abide under our burden- enduring with courage and confidence.
3. Exercise the Faith within You. (10:38)
God gives us each a measure of faith. We have all the faith we need- what we need to do is develop (or exercise it). It is like muscles- we each have the same number of muscles but some have spent more time exercising and developing those muscles. Exercise and develop your faith! Too often we think we need more faith and what we really need is to develop the faith we already have!
Verse 38 states, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” Pastor shared that we must not shrink back- that God will not be pleased with you. Pastor continued by stating, “A Christian who lives by sight and not by faith is a miserable Christian.” Ahem. I cannot see the end of this crisis and I know feel that I don’t wish to. I do not want to shrink back from this crisis but rest in the assurance that the Lord knows my trouble and is in charge. I want the Lord to be pleased with me!
It’s pretty obvious to me that God has been using those around me to share His Words, His encouragement. I asked Him to give me reassurance and He has. I cannot deny that. I have brought all my anxieties and cares and left them at His mercy seat. There isn’t a burden that He does not bear.
I need to stop hiding behind my faith- the knowing and such and begin to stand tall just knowing He holds me tight in His sheltering arm. I just need to believe He is there- which He is. I don't need any more than that- that simple word picture that He holds me. He loves me. He stands for me.
I need to live by faith and feel no alarm.
I know it, dear readers- God is doing great things!
Leave a Comment
{ Last Page } { Page 275 of 1515 } { Next Page }Untitled Comment
12:55 PM, 2008-Jan-22 .. Posted by AnonymousIt's an amazing feeling when you go to church on Sunday feeling a bit down and lo and behold the preacher touches on a subject that so identifies with your life. He knows what you need!
Blessings,
~Farrah
Untitled Comment
1:49 PM, 2008-Jan-22 .. Posted by LynneAmy,
I know you don't want to count on this just yet, but it is looking more and more likely that Congress will pass some kind of economic package very soon. Apparently Bush is now questioning whether $1600 per couple tax rebate is enough.
Unfortunately, Congress/Bush are hoping you will run right out with that $1600 and buy a big TV at Best Buy or new clothes. I think most families will use it to pay down their debt (if they are smart, they will).
The word is that the checks will be arriving around June. I think we will know for sure if we are getting the money within the next 30 days.
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