WALKING OUT OF THE PRISON OF FEAR

Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that. People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison and slams the doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

-- Max Lucado in “Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear”

#5781

TRUSTING IN GOD’S PLAN

"So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we will have to run aground on some island." (Acts 27:25-26, in reference to Paul's shipwreck on the Island of Malta)

Sometimes it takes a shipwreck to get us where God wants us to go.

I believe in planning. Failing to plan is planning to fail. But when we trust our plans more than we trust God, our plans can keep us from pursuing Him and His will. And sometimes our plans have to fail in order for God's plans to succeed.

Failure (or what at the time looks like failure) can become a cage if you let it. It can keep you from pursuing the passions God has placed in your heart. But there's life after failure. The door of the cage swings open, and the Wild Goose [the Holy Spirit] calls you to a life of new adventures. 

-- Mark Batterson in “Wild Goose Chase: Reclaiming the Adventure of Pursuing God”

#5637

THE LIFELINE OF HOPE

“For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.”  (Psalm 71:5 ESV)

Hope is the lifeline tossed out to us from God. It sustains us when we feel like we are drowning, and God gently pulls us and the lifeline toward the shores of spiritual growth. With hope we also have faith -- not faith that we will be spared pain and despair but faith in the God who will lead us through the difficult times.

Therefore, in our struggle to understand God’s will, let us not concentrate solely on our pain and despair. Instead, trusting in the Lord, let us look with hope and faith toward attaining new, rich experiences of the abundant life God has given us. 

-- Adapted from John R. Wimmer in “Blessed Endurance: Moving Beyond Despair to Hope” 

#5485

FAITH IN ACTION

Faith is not merely a belief in ideas or concepts but a belief that moves us to action. The New Testament usage of "faith" derives largely from the Hebrew understanding that "to believe" is to have firmness, reliability, or steadfastness. Faith in action is a steadfast trusting in God and in our relationship with God. ...

A significant part of our faith is how we live it out daily, for our actions and our lifestyles witness to the true faith we hold. Somehow in our upbringing, many Western Christians have missed the critical link between faith and lifestyle. Faith should express itself in what we eat, how we spend our time, how we entertain ourselves, and how we spend our money. ...

For faith to grow, we must be open and listening to God through scripture, prayer, worship, music, nature, people, and the circumstances of our lives. Then we must be obedient to God's will and direction for us as we discern them. True Christian faith leads us to involvement with others and sensitivity to their needs. 

-- Ann Hagmann in “Climbing the Sycamore Tree”  (Nashville, Tenn.: Upper Room Books, 2001)

#5274

A REAL PEACE

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7 NRSV)

Tragedies bring various responses. God does not seem to deal with them or the people affected by them in a predictable manner.  For some, there seems to be a gift of peace that prevents a total collapse. For others, that peace does not surface for months or even years. Whatever the reaction, those who experience peace early are no better or worse, no stronger or weaker. The experience of one person should not be demanded for another.  Lack of peace does not mean lack of faith. People in pain do not need sermons on peace. They need love and care and assistance.  Remember, faith in God will produce a peace that will go beyond all understanding. It probably won't be an instant peace, but it will be a real peace. 

-- Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton in “More Jesus, Less Religion” 

#5126

A REMINDER TO FATHERS

Men, it is past time that our families knew their place in our lives. It is time to take action, even extreme action if necessary. Our families don't want our wealth, our gifts, our prestige, or our applause. They want US. They want to know that, other than God, they are the most important thing in our lives.

-- Ronnie W. Floyd in “The Meaning of a Man” 

#5120

A FALSE IDEA

Many centuries ago there was a man from Britain who visited Rome. He noticed that many Christians were not living very holy lives. Pelagius became disgusted and frustrated by it. He began to preach sermons focusing heavily on morality. He also taught that people could learn to be good if they'd just try harder. Have you ever caught yourself doing that? Many people leave Jesus behind because they think they can solve their problems on their own. This kind of false idea of God only reinforces their actual separation from Him. Pelagius was wrong, and his approach to human problems has been proven wrong again and again. The Bible says that, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6) 

-- Rev. Michael P. Walther

#5108

GENUINE GESTURES OF FAITH

“It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists and that He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.”  (Hebrews 11:6 The Message)

Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good.  Faith is not a mystical experience or a midnight vision or a voice in the forest… it is a choice to believe that the One who made it all hasn't left it all and that He still sends light into shadows and responds to gestures of faith…

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want.  Faith is the belief that God will do what is right. 

God’s economy is upside down (or right side up and ours is upside down!). God says that the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation. The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers. The darker the room, the greater the need for light. God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it. Nothing results from apathy…

Do something that reveals your faith.  For faith with no effort is no faith at all.  God will respond.  He has never rejected a genuine gesture of faith.  Never. 

-- Max Lucado in “Life Lessons with Max Lucado: Book of Hebrews”

#4974

FULLY ACCEPTED BY FAITH IN CHRIST

“So again I ask, does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”  (Galatians 3:5-9 NIV)

Just like Abraham, we are made right with God by faith alone. And just like Abraham, we are commissioned to bless all nations by sharing and showing the good news of God’s forgiveness. God’s intention is for us -- now forgiven and free -- to be bright beacons of hope and life in the world. But when we forget that salvation is by grace, we stop shining. Living in our own strength darkens our hearts and deadens our enthusiasm. What’s more, when we fall into the trap of trying to earn God’s approval, we paint a misleading and unattractive picture of what it means to be a child of God. Revel in the astonishing good news that you are -- now, already -- fully accepted in Christ. Then spend your life revealing that amazing grace to others. 

-- Max Lucado in “Life Lessons: Galatians”

#4922

THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  (Psalm 23:4,6 NKJV)

Remember the Garden of Eden?

The serpent didn’t bother trying to convince Eve that God was an evil monster. He merely suggested that God wasn’t being entirely honest about why He instructed her and Adam not to eat the fruit that was growing on the tree in the middle of the garden. He said, “God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Do you see the subtle implication? God isn’t bad, exactly. He just isn’t as good as you thought. Satan knows that when that idea sinks its roots into your mind, the draining of your faith will begin in earnest. From that point on, every time something bad happens, you’ll throw a suspicious glare in the Lord’s direction. 

-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus”

#4921

A MATTER OF PERSONAL INVESTMENT

“So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it -- so long as it stands alone.”   (James 2:17 WNT)

Too many people think of religion, and particularly Christianity, as a matter of having to believe impossible things.  Faith and belief are related, but they are not the same things.  I can believe all kinds of things (dogs are better than cats, angels have wings and stand by my bed at night, or even that God exists), that make little or no practical difference in how I actually live my life.

Faith, on the other hand, is a matter of personal investment.  Faith usually implies belief, but it also assumes that this belief makes a profound difference in how I treat others, engage the world, or spend my time and money.  Faith moves me to risk, sacrifice, grow, and challenge.  Believing is easy; it requires nothing much of us.  But having true faith is the hardest thing in the world.  Interestingly, many people report that they don't really know what they believe until they begin to act on faith. 

-- Clifton F. Guthrie in “Faith: Living a Spiritual Life” 

#4919

ALMOST CHRISTIANS

"Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am.’”  (Acts 26:28-29)

[In the 1700’s John] Wesley challenged listeners throughout England (and Scotland, Ireland, and Wales) to a deeper level of commitment and a serious pursuit of a holy life. Wesley said that many who thought they were Christians seemed to be in name only; they were “almost Christians.” They did not have the joy, assurance, or peace that comes from being wholly surrendered to God. They lived their lives in compromise with sin, willing to do just enough good but no more. They entertained evil, provided that it wasn’t too extreme. They did little or nothing to grow in love with God.

In what ways did the church in Wesley’s day resemble the faith in our churches today? Some would suggest in a great many ways.

Wesley said there is so much more to being a Christian than simple acceptance; there is a power, love, and joy that come from walking with God. And God expects more of Christians than simply trying to not be so bad as other people. 

-- Adam Hamilton in “Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It”

#4912

DON’T YOU EVEN CARE?

[In the midst of the storm the disciples asked Jesus,] “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are going to drown?” (Mark 4:38)

Don’t you even care? This is the question that always burns in our hearts when trouble comes and our Lord doesn’t seem to be doing anything to help us. It’s a question produced by faith running on fumes -- a question we often hate ourselves for asking but can’t seem to avoid. It’s the question that was burning a hole in Job’s heart when he said, “I cry to You, O God, but You don’t answer me” (Job 30:20).  And it’s the question that tore a bitter wail from the psalmist: “I am forgotten, cut off from Your care” (Psalm 88:5).

If your faith needs a refill, Don’t you even care? may be the question you’ve been asking lately.

If so, you’ll find your answer in the same place the disciples found theirs -- in Jesus’ words. When He said, “Quiet down” He was commanding the storm, but even more so, He was sending a message to the disciples. He was saying, “See, I do care.”

This is one of the most important things you can understand about Jesus’ words. It doesn’t matter who (or what) He’s speaking to in Scripture, He’s also speaking to you and me. Every sentence has significance, and woven throughout His words and phrases are the answers to all of life’s most important questions. If a passage doesn’t seem relevant, it’s only because it doesn’t meet your need at that particular moment. The probability is that someday it will. 

-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus”

#4895

A LEAP OF FAITH

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

The African impala is well-known for its remarkable leaping ability. It can jump ten feet high and thirty feet long. One might think zookeepers would have a tough time keeping impalas in their enclosures, but it’s actually quite simple. A three-foot high wall will do the trick. Here’s why: an impala will not jump if it cannot see where it will land.

We have the same problem, don’t we? We want money-back guarantees before we take a step of obedience, but it eliminates faith from the equation. Sometimes we need to take a flying leap of faith.

We need to step into the conflict without knowing if we can resolve it. We need to share our faith without knowing how our friends will react to it. We need to pray for a miracle without knowing how God will answer. We need to put ourselves in a situation that activates a spiritual gift we’ve never exercised before. And we need to go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. 

-- Mark Batterson in “All In: You Are One Decision Away from a Totally Different Life”

#4867

DEFINING FAITH

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

To have faith is to have a firm persuasion, a conviction based on hearing. It is used in the New Testament always of faith in God or in Christ, or things spiritual (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). Theologian John Stott defines faith as “a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.”

-- Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose in “Pathway to God's Treasure: Ephesians"


#4711

AFFECTING EVERYDAY DECISIONS

“Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  (Colossians 3:17 NLT)

Spirituality encompasses all of life. It is not something that belongs in a special compartment, separated from the rest of life -- work, school, family, and so on. Instead, one's beliefs, values, and actions should compose a single fabric. Spirituality has to do with one's basic sense of what life is all about. If life is more than just a futile exercise that leads to death and decay in the grave, then faith in God must affect everyday decisions and, most important, relationships.

-- Craig Kennet Miller in “Encounters with Jesus”


#4647

LIVING BY FAITH

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith…By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going… And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”  (Hebrews 11:7-11 NIV)

When you live by faith, it often feels like you are risking your reputation.  You’re not.  You’re risking God’s reputation.  It’s not your faith that is on the line.  It’s His faithfulness.  Why?  Because God is the one who made the promise, and He is the only one who can keep it.  The battle doesn’t belong to you; it belongs to God.  And because the battle doesn’t belong to you, neither does the glory.  God answers prayer to bring glory to His name, the name that is above all names.

-- Mark Batterson in “The Circle Maker”


#4646