Simple Faith in Action

Two more examples of faith is when a ruler tells Jesus his daughter is dead but that if Jesus would just come and lay his hands on her she would live again and Jesus followed him and as they were going there in the crowd was a woman who was sick for many years and she knew if she could just touch Jesus’ garment she would be healed and when He passed the woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and Jesus knowing this had happened turned and told her that her faith had made her whole. Matt. 9:18-25 18 “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose” (KJV) These two people had a faith that was simply knowing that Jesus was who He said He was and they knew they just had to ask or do and it would happen plain and simple they were confident that Jesus could help them. What a faith to have to just simply know with out question that God can do what is needed but not stopping there to be bold enough to then just put into action that faith expecting the miracle to happen. Because they believed that Jesus could and would help them then because of this faith it happened. So many times we think we can’t ask God for things or if we do ask then we never believe it really will happen so we limit God by not asking or believing. We need to be like the ruler and the woman in the crowd and believe, ask and know that God will. We have at our church a sign that say Expect a Miracle. It is a reminder not to just ask for a miracle but expect it to happen too. We need to have faith and act on it knowing that if it’s God’s will it will happen. Next time you pray for someone or yourself remember to not only believe in God’s ability but have faith he will take care of your or the one you pray for. Expect and answer and Expect a miracle.

Job a faithful Servant

Before I share this next devotion on faith I would like to ask prayer for my Grandson's friends. They went to school yesterday and while they were there they got word their Mother died. We don't know what happened but God knows and these kids need prayer.

Job's faithfulness to God

We all remember Job. The people in the world were wicked and full of sin and Satan says to God that he is running around the world and the people are following him not God and God says have you considered my servant Job. Job 1:6-12 6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”(KJV) Job was so faithful to God that God told Satan that it wouldn’t matter what happened Job would still be faithful to him. This means that we all should strive to be like Job that our faith is so strong that no matter what comes our way we stay faithful to God. Job lost his family, his wealth, his health and still he was faithful. Even his wife and so called friends told him to curse God and he refused to. God knew Job would stay faithful and that is why he allowed this all to happen. Sometimes, today even, people see someone going through tough times or a sickness and they say to them you better get things straightened out with God because you must have made God really mad at you, just like Job’s friends told him. Maybe God is just using that person to touch others by their faithfulness to him through trouble. When you become like Job’s friends then you show your lack of faith when you believe that God is out to get you is the only reason that trouble is there. God didn’t forget Job but trusted him to stay faithful. Because of Job’s steadfast faithfulness God gave Job more than what he had lost. Job 42:10 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”(KJV) What a testimony that 1. Job was so faithful to God that God trusted him to be tried by Satan, 2. That all through the trials Job was steadfast in his faith to God even when his friends tried to get him to curse God, 3. Job even through all his troubles obeyed and prayed for his friends and 4. Because of Job’s faithfulness God rewarded him. God is always a just and loving God and he rewards our faithfulness. I hope that the next time there is a bump in the road that we like Job will be steadfast in our faith and trust in God. Let us be good uplifting friends helping those around us to be strong in their faith too and not be like Job’s friends and be more of a hindrance than a help. Let us be faithful to God so that God can say of us have you considered my servant.

Noah's Faith

Noah Builds An Ark

Another example of a man of faith is Noah.Gen.6:12-22 12 “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 21And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. 22Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” (KJV)God told Noah to build an ark and Noah did. He showed faith because he built the ark even though the world was ridiculing him. He obeyed God even though he didn’t understand all that God was asking of him. He shows faith in just being picked by God to build the ark. God picked him because he was faithful. Gen 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (KJV) God knew that Noah was faithful and that he had been following him so he laid this job on Noah and Noah stepped up to the task and not only started it but faithfully completed it. Noah exercised his faith by building the ark and doing it exactly as God asked and not straying from the plan God had and trying to make it his own. Noah was a faithful man of God so that is why God could use him. We should try to be this faithful also so that God can use us in anyway He sees fit. Then Noah had a complete faith in God and God’s plan and did exactly what he was told. How many times do we tell God your will be done and then try to tell God how we think it should be done. We try to improve on God’s plan and in the end we just mess everything up. Or better yet we tell God we will do his will and we start doing the job God has for us only to never finish it because it becomes hard or we get bored or we decide we aren’t getting enough attention for our work. What ever the reason we just never get it finished. We need to be more like Noah with our faith and follow through on our work for God. Noah completely trusted God and did what was asked of him with out question. Gen 6:22 “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”(KJV) We should strive to be faithful and live for God so that he is able to use us for his work and then like Noah to follow God completely and finish the task as God has told us too. We should have a complete and trusting faith in God. That is my prayer to be ready at anytime for God to use me.

Peter's Stroll

Peter Walks on water towards Jesus

The next example I think of when I think about examples of faith is Peter when Jesus came to the disciples walking on water and Peter was the only one who stepped out of the boat to go to Jesus. Matt. 14: 22-32 22 “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”(KJV)Now you may question why I think this is faith when Peter failed and began to sink but really think about it. Peter was the only disciple in that boat who had enough faith to even step out of the boat onto the water and even attempt to walk to Jesus. His problem wasn’t a lack of faith but his problem was he momentarily took his eyes off Jesus and began to doubt and only then did he begin to sink; but then he showed faith because he cried out to Jesus to save him. Jesus reached out to him and they both went back to the boat. So Peter showed faith when he trusted that Jesus could and would save him. He stepped out on faith and started to Jesus but was distracted by the storm; took his eyes off Jesus, and then he began to sink. How many times do we live by faith but when it gets a little tough and storms or troubles come into our lives do we like Peter get distracted and forget to keep our eyes on God? The key to this is that we like Peter should only let our doubt last for a short time and then like Peter we should return to our faith and cry out to God to help and save us. Don’t get so distracted and forget all about your faith when trouble comes along, but remember that like Peter we can cry out to God and then believe and know that he is there to save us. Peter’s faith was not lost but was momentarily shaken by the storm but he never forgot totally his faith. How many times do Christians slip and then just beat themselves up instead of by faith call out to God for help and forgiveness. So to me Peter put his faith into action and then stumbled but recovered and again exercised his faith and asked for help. Do not be one who stumbles and slips and then continues down because of feeling like a failure. God is waiting for us to step back out on faith and call on him. Remember too that we should always keep our eyes and minds on God and then we will be less likely to stumble and be blind sided when things get bumpy in life. Step out on faith, live daily by your faith and remember that if we stumble to ask God to save us and help us and then believe he will.

Faithful Abraham and Isaac

First when we think about examples of people who showed great faith one of the first to come to mind usually is Abraham when God told him to sacrifice his son Isaac to Him. Gen 22:1-3 1 “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him” (KJV) Abraham trusted God and so took Isaac his son to sacrifice him and in so doing showing his faith and trust in God. Abraham didn’t question God he just got up; got the things he needed, and went never asking any question of God. This is true faith and trust. Again when he came to the spot that God had told him to go to he once again didn’t question God but took Isaac up bound him and took his knife and was going to slay him but God stopped him and God sent him another sacrifice and Isaac was spared because Abraham was faithful. Gen. 22:6-13 6 “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” (KJV) Abraham had unquestioning faith in God. When he came to the place he never once hesitated but bound Isaac and set to slaying him never asking God to spare his son but just obeying God knowing that God had things in control and would provide. What wonderful faith to never question when God asks anything of us.
I think that we have to look at Isaac as having a great deal of Faith also. He didn’t fight Abraham but had faith that his father Abraham was doing what was right and obeying God. Isaac asked where is the lamb for the offering but when Abraham bound him and laid him on the altar he didn’t fight him he trusted his father. He had faith and trust not only in his father but also in my opinion God. He showed enormous faith in the act of submitting himself to his father and ultimately to God. Isaac had to have great faith in God himself to go without fighting and pleading to be saved. So when I think of faithful men I think Isaac has to be included with Abraham.
The next time you are asked of God to do something you are uncomfortable with like witnessing to someone, or pray for someone, or go somewhere to bring his message, then remember about Abraham’s unquestioning faith and remember God has a perfect plan and will provide for you.

What is this thing called Faith?

What is Faith? In Webster’s dictionary it says: Faith (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust.
In the bible it says faith is believing in that which can not be seen. Heb. 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (KJV) So faith is believing without seeing. Faith in God is believing in Him and trusting God in every way. As a child growing up I was brought up in a Christian home and was surrounded by people that had great faith in God and who taught me about faith. My Dad and Mom showed me how to live by faith and the importance of prayer. They didn’t just talk about having faith but they daily put their faith in practice in all parts of their lives. I was lucky to have Grandparents and an Aunt that also were very strong in their faith in God. When my Grandmother was diagnosed with cancer her faith in God not only sustained her and all of the rest of the family, but it was seen by all those who came in contact with her. I can remember going into her room at the hospital and there would be Christian music playing and she would be very peaceful. She was a great witness to her doctors and nurses too because of her faith in God during her illness. She never forgot that God was in control and her love for Him and God’s love for her sustained her till He took her home. Faith then is not just believing in God but it is living for God also. It is daily walking with God as the center of our lives. When something comes along such as illness if you only talk about faith but don't really live by faith then that is when we stumble. When I got sick I had these examples from my life of faith and I had a strong faith in God and so it seemed to me only natural to rely on that faith and in God through this illness. I put my faith to work and I know and believe that God has a plan for my life and as long as I live by faith in Him and stay in His plan for me then what could be better. Even if that means having this and other illness. Faith is not just a word we say but it is a way of living with God as the center of our lives. I have and had great examples of people living by faith in my life through my family.
We can find many examples in the Bible of people of faith who not only proclaimed they had faith but also practiced their faith in their lives. This is what I want to share in the coming blogs examples of men and women of faith in the Bible. These people can show us how to be faithful and grow in our faith in God by their examples.
James 2:17-18 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." (KJV)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The year 2008 has ended and 2009 has begun. We don't make resolutions at our house because we should resolve every day to do our best so we figure we don't need resolutions. I do have a couple of things I hope to get done this next year though. I am going to read the Bible through for one and do a Bible study everyday and I also am going to work on getting my writing together. We hope to get our 17 mile, walk for them, ride in my chair for me done this year also. These are things to look forward to in this year.
God was good to us this last year and we look forward to the blessings he has in store for us in the upcoming year. I look forward to each day that is ours in the year to come and I hope to be a blessing to others each day too. I want to tell and be a witness for Christ to all I meet through my words, actions and life in general. I am starting on another devotion on faith and will share as I go. The one thing for us to remember in the coming year is that God goes with us and never leaves us. He is our strength and power to make it through each and every day. So I am striving to glorify God each day this year and then 2009 will be for us very fine.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint