I was thinking that this month, March 2009, I will have been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and in a wheelchair for 9 years now. That got me to thinking about how my Grandkids said they can't really remember me not ever being sick and in a chair and that they feel bad for me. I had to laugh when they said that and when I think about it now because that is not how I feel at all. Do I miss the days of being able to do what I want and get around on my own? Well of course, I wouldn't be human if I didn't, but I am not sad or depressed or upset in anyway because I know that I am right where God wants me to be.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"(KJV) it talks about a season and time for everything and my season and time for being out of the wheelchair is done and I am now in the season of being where I am right now. I know that God is using me by my having Myasthenia Gravis and other chronic illnesses and being in the chair. I have grown so much in my faith in these last nine years. I have had more time to spend with God and to study and grow and to depend more on God. I have had more opportunities to witness than ever and I am able to understand and talk to others who are facing similar things like I am. I have been able to slow down and concentrate on the things and the work God has for me to do and I truely believe that I am in God's perfect plan for my life. God walks with me through this journey and season so I have peace and I am content knowing that I am doing God's work. God uses us in different ways and our jobs change from time to time but I know that God doesn't make mistakes and that what others see as weakness I see as God's using me to reach others. In a poem I wrote "Vessels" I wrote how others might see me and others like me as broken but we aren't we are just being remade into vessels capable of doing the job God has for us. I wrote this poem after I read Jer.18:4 "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.(KJV)"
God is the potter and we are the vessel that he will make to be used. Never look at an illness, or handicap as being a broken person but a wonderful vessel that God has made to use for his wonderful work.
As Paul said in II Cor.12:9-11 9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.(KJV)" our strength is made perfect in weakness because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the power that I can draw on at this season of my life when I have illnesses and am in my wheelchair. I may not physically be able to do what I use to but I have the power of Christ and that makes me able to do so much for him. God's power surges through me and gives me that peace, joy, and contentment and understanding for where I am now. So yes right here, right now, I am RIGHT WHERE I AM SUPPOSE TO BE PRAISE GOD! I thought I would include my poem Vessels that I wrote. It is copyrighted but if you want permission to use it pls send me a note at lhxpmdj@aol.com.
VESSELS
I’m not a broken vessel, just a different one than you.
God made us both different, with different jobs to do!
God is the master craftsman and we are the clay in his hands,
He works us till he forms us into what is in his plans.
He lovingly creates us into vessels for the job he has for us to do.
The job he gives to me is not the same as the one he has for you.
Each job has its requirements to get the job done,
Each vessel is made a special way and matched with just the right one.
Sometimes our work it changes as life continues on,
So the vessel that we now are may need changes to get along.
The job that we are given is a very important one,
We have been specially chosen to make sure that it gets done.
So God never throws the vessel away, but changes he will make
A new vessel you will become, and remember God doesn’t make mistakes.
So I’m not a broken vessel just a different one than you,
God with his loving hands has made us just right for the work that we must do.
Deb Forbes January 2006
Copyright 2008
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Words A Powerful Tool
Words are powerful tools that can be used to help, uplift, and encourage or they can be used to hurt, destroy and discourage. As a kid do you remember the song that the lyrics say "be careful little mouth what you say" well as we get older sometimes we forget this little warning. I was shopping with my husband one time and these teens were being rude and obnoxious and when they came by me in my wheelchair they said "hey look an extreme makeover reject" and then they laughed as if what they said was really comical. These few words were hurtful and degrading and if I had let them they could of really depressed me. Someone else in my place may have been destroyed by these few words. They didn't do anything but speak but those words could be like daggers if I had let them. I considered the source and figured they hadn't been taught better but I also prayed that they would someday realize what they were doing was wrong and change.
This example may be extreme you think but look at all the bullying that is done in schools and online between kids. Look at put down humor that is out there or just name calling that goes on. Words can destroy and hurt and we need to be more aware of what words can do and teach our children to be aware also.
As Christians we need to think about this also. Sometimes Christians can be cruel too with what they say. Gossip is nothing but hurtful, discouraging words. Then there are those who think they are more holy than the rest and proceed to tell others where they are wrong and how much of a better Christian they are than them. Where are these Christians being encouraging with their words when they are putting others down; they aren't! How are they any better than those teens saying what they did to me in the store? We should uphold each other and be encouraging in what we say and do for others not discouraging. James 3:8-10 8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." We need to think before we speak and make sure what we say are blessings and not evil as it says in these verses. If we have something negative to say we should stop and pray instead and then pray blessings on the person we were thinking about. The old saying if you have nothing nice to say say nothing at all is true but maybe we could add to that and say a blessing on that person also.
Think about how nice it is when someone says something encouraging to you or tells you you are great or smart or wonderful. Remember how that feels when these things are said. We should try to say something nice to people everywhere we go. It can just be have a good day with a smile and that can be encouraging. We try to do this when we go into the stores where we shop and now we are known there and some of the workers come to me to get a hug and a smile and a kind word and all it took was being nice and speaking to them and telling them to have a good day. Blessings not curses should flow out of our mouths. Remember to say encouraging words to the ones you love and to the people you meet. Pray for those who are negative and have nothing good to say and keep trying to encourage them. Remember words can be powerful to the good or the negative. Let's try to make our words powerful to the good and see how things are changed. Remember like the song says "Be Careful Little Mouth What you Say"
This example may be extreme you think but look at all the bullying that is done in schools and online between kids. Look at put down humor that is out there or just name calling that goes on. Words can destroy and hurt and we need to be more aware of what words can do and teach our children to be aware also.
As Christians we need to think about this also. Sometimes Christians can be cruel too with what they say. Gossip is nothing but hurtful, discouraging words. Then there are those who think they are more holy than the rest and proceed to tell others where they are wrong and how much of a better Christian they are than them. Where are these Christians being encouraging with their words when they are putting others down; they aren't! How are they any better than those teens saying what they did to me in the store? We should uphold each other and be encouraging in what we say and do for others not discouraging. James 3:8-10 8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." We need to think before we speak and make sure what we say are blessings and not evil as it says in these verses. If we have something negative to say we should stop and pray instead and then pray blessings on the person we were thinking about. The old saying if you have nothing nice to say say nothing at all is true but maybe we could add to that and say a blessing on that person also.
Think about how nice it is when someone says something encouraging to you or tells you you are great or smart or wonderful. Remember how that feels when these things are said. We should try to say something nice to people everywhere we go. It can just be have a good day with a smile and that can be encouraging. We try to do this when we go into the stores where we shop and now we are known there and some of the workers come to me to get a hug and a smile and a kind word and all it took was being nice and speaking to them and telling them to have a good day. Blessings not curses should flow out of our mouths. Remember to say encouraging words to the ones you love and to the people you meet. Pray for those who are negative and have nothing good to say and keep trying to encourage them. Remember words can be powerful to the good or the negative. Let's try to make our words powerful to the good and see how things are changed. Remember like the song says "Be Careful Little Mouth What you Say"
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Go Ye Who Me?
Witnessing is a very important part of being a Christian. We are to share our faith with others. Jesus says in Mark 16:15-16 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."(KJV) Jesus tells them go ye; not send someone into the whole world and tell them about God and to lead them to Christ. The key here is that it is a job for all to do not just some. So go ye does mean you and me also.
Now to go into the whole world doesn't mean we all have to go to the far reaches of the earth as missionaries unless God calls us to do that but it does mean that we witness to our world which includes first our families, then our friends, then our co workers and neighbors and then to all we meet. So you think are we to go stand on a street corner and preach to everyone we see, no not unless that is what God has called you to do but it means that you do tell people about your relationship with God and tell them about God. You don't have to be pushy but you do need to make sure they know that you are a Christian and tell them how to be saved and become a part of Christ's family.
It is more than just telling them about your relationship with God but it is also how they see you in your actions everyday. One of the best witnesses we have is how we live daily. Do you know people that say they are Christians and then the way they talk, or act you wonder if that is true or not. That is what I am talking about its how we live and act that witnesses to others around us. I once heard a person say that if that is how a Christian acts then what's the difference I might as well still do what I am doing it is no different from them. So the witness of that person to the world was not a good one. This is something we all have to think about. When people know we are Christians they know we should be different than they are and they will watch to see if what we say matches what we do. Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."(KJV) At work my husband is known as a Christian and he says that when the others he works with are around him they watch their cussing and the things they say so as not to offend him so my husbands witness is showing and they know that he is different and doesn't want to hear this. There are others there that are Christians and they cuss as much as the rest of them but are embarrassed when they slip around him. He never says anything to them but it is his witness that makes them embarrassed to act that way when they know they profess to be a Christian too and they know the way they talk is wrong. So yes we should go into the world and tell them of Christ and it should start at home. It should be more than just words but our actions and attitudes too. Remember next time you are in a line at a store and the person working there is rude to be kind and not repay them with rudeness also and this too will be a witness. I have been told by my daughter that at times I am too perky and happy but I know she knows why I can be that way even though I have a lot of physical limitations. She would be the first to notice if I wasn't that way too. So remember that joy comes from the Lord and we as Christians should be joyful and remember to let our faces know too. Put a smile on your face and be happy because we as Christians know that no matter what; we have joy in our hearts from the Lord. Now we should Go ye in to all the world and let them know about our Lord.
Now to go into the whole world doesn't mean we all have to go to the far reaches of the earth as missionaries unless God calls us to do that but it does mean that we witness to our world which includes first our families, then our friends, then our co workers and neighbors and then to all we meet. So you think are we to go stand on a street corner and preach to everyone we see, no not unless that is what God has called you to do but it means that you do tell people about your relationship with God and tell them about God. You don't have to be pushy but you do need to make sure they know that you are a Christian and tell them how to be saved and become a part of Christ's family.
It is more than just telling them about your relationship with God but it is also how they see you in your actions everyday. One of the best witnesses we have is how we live daily. Do you know people that say they are Christians and then the way they talk, or act you wonder if that is true or not. That is what I am talking about its how we live and act that witnesses to others around us. I once heard a person say that if that is how a Christian acts then what's the difference I might as well still do what I am doing it is no different from them. So the witness of that person to the world was not a good one. This is something we all have to think about. When people know we are Christians they know we should be different than they are and they will watch to see if what we say matches what we do. Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."(KJV) At work my husband is known as a Christian and he says that when the others he works with are around him they watch their cussing and the things they say so as not to offend him so my husbands witness is showing and they know that he is different and doesn't want to hear this. There are others there that are Christians and they cuss as much as the rest of them but are embarrassed when they slip around him. He never says anything to them but it is his witness that makes them embarrassed to act that way when they know they profess to be a Christian too and they know the way they talk is wrong. So yes we should go into the world and tell them of Christ and it should start at home. It should be more than just words but our actions and attitudes too. Remember next time you are in a line at a store and the person working there is rude to be kind and not repay them with rudeness also and this too will be a witness. I have been told by my daughter that at times I am too perky and happy but I know she knows why I can be that way even though I have a lot of physical limitations. She would be the first to notice if I wasn't that way too. So remember that joy comes from the Lord and we as Christians should be joyful and remember to let our faces know too. Put a smile on your face and be happy because we as Christians know that no matter what; we have joy in our hearts from the Lord. Now we should Go ye in to all the world and let them know about our Lord.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Words to remember
I was listening to JCTV on The TBN stations the other day and it was music videos. I heard a song and I can not tell you who was doing it or the name of the song but just these words stuck with me, He has a soul, she has a soul, We all have a soul. I thought that's a good song when I heard it but didn't think any more about it. Then later in the week I was upset with someone, who I won't say who it is, but I know that he is doing things that aren't right and I was thinking that is it I give up on him when these words came to mind He has a soul, she has a soul, We all have a soul and I kind of laughed and said Ok Lord I get it. When I told my husband about it he laughed too and said when he gets mad at this person he would try to pray for him too, which is a big step for my husband because he at times would rather tell him off . So instead of being angry I have tried turning that anger into blessings and praying for him and his soul. I guess the lesson needed to be taught again when a woman where my husband works was causing trouble with some of the people at work and she had done this since she started and I was thinking that they should just fire this woman and again those words came back to me He has a soul, she has a soul, We all have a soul, and once again I decided when I thought of her it would be to pray for her soul. The video was talking about homeless people and drug addicts and others we might just ignore but God used these words to remind me that he loves everyone and that we are not to judge but to witness to them and pray for them so that their souls won't be lost. We are all the same in God's eyes we are his children that he wants to come back to him because he loves us and wants us to come home so now I laugh when I hear these words or they are brought to my mind because I know that God doesn't want me to just love and pray for those I love but for everyone no matter how wrong I think they are or how irritating . I am sure that I irritate people and make them angry too at times. My lesson is to love everyone and pray for all those people I know and come in contact with. In the last couple of weeks people have been laid off where my husband works and even though I don't know all of them I did know a couple who I didn't much care for do to their personalities and their gutter mouths but I remember those words and so I pray everyday for all of them. I think by my praying for everyone that I get a blessing too. I hope you will think about this when you see someone or have someone that needs prayer to remember He has a soul, She has a soul, We all have a soul.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Puzzle Pieces of Life
MY PLACE IN THE PUZZLE OR WHERE DO I FIT IN!
Do you sometimes feel like you don’t fit in anywhere? I think we all have felt that way before even at church sometimes. Have you ever felt like you’re not as important as everyone else or that you’re not needed there because you have nothing to offer. Do you think that someone else is more important than you are and that you don’t have anything special about you? I think everyone has probably felt this way at sometime or another. It is easy to think that what you have to offer isn’t as important as what others have to offer but God says we are all important and we all have our own special work that we can do. God loves each one of his children the same and wants each of us to use our talents that he has given us to glorify him. We are all important to him. It is like a shepherd and his flock. All the sheep are important and if one is lost the shepherd will go and look for that one. Luke 15:4 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”(KJV) All of us are important and one is not more important than the other person. We all are the same and we should work together to the Glory of God. It is like a puzzle, is the corner and straight edge piece more important than the inside pieces? No they are all important for if you are missing just one piece no matter if it is the edge piece, corner piece or inside piece of the puzzle the picture or puzzle will not be complete. So each piece is just as important as the next piece and has its own special place in the puzzle. The same is we all have an important job to do for God just like each piece of the puzzle and if we try to forget our job and do someone else’s it doesn’t work just like if you try to force a piece of the puzzle into the wrong place, you might get it to sort of fit but the picture will still not be right. We should not think that someone else’s job is more important and therefore we should be the one to do it and get the recognition because first it isn’t about recognition and second it won’t work out and neither job will get done. We need to go where God wants us and do what he has for us to do and do it to the Glory of God and not to our glory.
Then we should also not limit people and assume that they can’t do anything important either. If we limit people we are limiting God too. An example of this is
when I got sick and had to be in a wheelchair I had so many people say to me that they felt sorry for me now that I couldn’t do anything. I just laughed because I can still do a lot of things just not the same ones as before maybe. They just couldn’t see past the physical limitations to see that I was still a vital part of God’s work. It’s true I have things I can’t do but they are replaced with things that I can do like holding others up in prayer. That is one of the most important jobs we can have in God’s work is to be a prayer warrior. I also can still witness and teach. You see they thought I wasn’t as important anymore but God knew just how important I was and God uses us all and has a job for all of us to do so I am still a piece of the puzzle that is needed to complete the picture or puzzle. We are all needed in Gods work, every single one of us believers and every believer is called to go out and witness and work for God. Mark 16: 15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (KJV) Each of us is important and needed in the puzzle of life to be completed when Jesus comes again. So next time you think that I can’t preach, or I can’t sing or I can’t teach or I am not important remember that everyone has something they can do for the Glory of God and each one of us is important and we all have some kind of talent that God has given us to use for his work. We all fit into the puzzle somewhere and each of us is just as important as the next one.
Do you sometimes feel like you don’t fit in anywhere? I think we all have felt that way before even at church sometimes. Have you ever felt like you’re not as important as everyone else or that you’re not needed there because you have nothing to offer. Do you think that someone else is more important than you are and that you don’t have anything special about you? I think everyone has probably felt this way at sometime or another. It is easy to think that what you have to offer isn’t as important as what others have to offer but God says we are all important and we all have our own special work that we can do. God loves each one of his children the same and wants each of us to use our talents that he has given us to glorify him. We are all important to him. It is like a shepherd and his flock. All the sheep are important and if one is lost the shepherd will go and look for that one. Luke 15:4 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”(KJV) All of us are important and one is not more important than the other person. We all are the same and we should work together to the Glory of God. It is like a puzzle, is the corner and straight edge piece more important than the inside pieces? No they are all important for if you are missing just one piece no matter if it is the edge piece, corner piece or inside piece of the puzzle the picture or puzzle will not be complete. So each piece is just as important as the next piece and has its own special place in the puzzle. The same is we all have an important job to do for God just like each piece of the puzzle and if we try to forget our job and do someone else’s it doesn’t work just like if you try to force a piece of the puzzle into the wrong place, you might get it to sort of fit but the picture will still not be right. We should not think that someone else’s job is more important and therefore we should be the one to do it and get the recognition because first it isn’t about recognition and second it won’t work out and neither job will get done. We need to go where God wants us and do what he has for us to do and do it to the Glory of God and not to our glory.
Then we should also not limit people and assume that they can’t do anything important either. If we limit people we are limiting God too. An example of this is
when I got sick and had to be in a wheelchair I had so many people say to me that they felt sorry for me now that I couldn’t do anything. I just laughed because I can still do a lot of things just not the same ones as before maybe. They just couldn’t see past the physical limitations to see that I was still a vital part of God’s work. It’s true I have things I can’t do but they are replaced with things that I can do like holding others up in prayer. That is one of the most important jobs we can have in God’s work is to be a prayer warrior. I also can still witness and teach. You see they thought I wasn’t as important anymore but God knew just how important I was and God uses us all and has a job for all of us to do so I am still a piece of the puzzle that is needed to complete the picture or puzzle. We are all needed in Gods work, every single one of us believers and every believer is called to go out and witness and work for God. Mark 16: 15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (KJV) Each of us is important and needed in the puzzle of life to be completed when Jesus comes again. So next time you think that I can’t preach, or I can’t sing or I can’t teach or I am not important remember that everyone has something they can do for the Glory of God and each one of us is important and we all have some kind of talent that God has given us to use for his work. We all fit into the puzzle somewhere and each of us is just as important as the next one.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Faith a Way of Life
All these examples of Faith are not just about these people having faith in God but that they exercised their faith. Faith then is believing and trusting in an all powerful, all knowing God who is the creator of everything. It is trusting that God is a loving, merciful God who will reward and protect us. Faith is living in the center of God’s will and never questioning or doubting God is watching out for us and has a perfect plan for our lives. Faith is a relationship with God not just a belief in God. Faith is just knowing that God is who He says He is and not doubting that God can and will do what He says. Faith is more than just belief though; it is a way of life. Faith is assurance that God is with us in the good and bad times and that He loves us and takes care of us. It is having courage to live for God even when it is not the popular way to live. Faith is believing and knowing without a doubt that God hears our prayers and answers them. Faith is living for God in God’s will no matter where He leads us.
When things are going smooth we say we have faith and are living for God but we need to rely on our faith when there are problems and troubles that come our way too. Faith is knowing that God is still God in good and bad times and that God is in control. Faith is a relationship with God and it is how we should live. We should continually pray and read our Bible so our faith grows. Faith is the love we have towards God and our wanting to live for God and be more like God. We should be like these examples from the Bible and our faith should be unquestioning, unwavering, obedient, unchanging, courageous faith just like these examples. Jesus says in Matt. 17:20 that all it takes is a small amount of faith and then nothing is impossible. Matt. 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”(KJV) God is awesome and is able to do anything and all we have to do is have faith and believe in Him and what God can do and nothing then is impossible for us either.
As I conclude this study on faith it is important to remember that faith should be not just what we believe, but how we live in good and bad times. Exercising our faith daily is how we grow in our walk with the Lord. Do not just say I have faith but practice the faith you have. If you live by your faith then your witness to others will be great and God will be able to use you in the work he has planned for you. It is so easy when things get rough to falter, but living by faith means that we rely on God and the knowledge that God provides and takes care of His children. We don’t have to understand everything that we go through we just have to trust and believe that God is in control. In Mark it tells us that if we have faith and don’t doubt then we can move mountains or in other words nothing is impossible for us with God’s help. The key is to believe and not to doubt, to ask and expect to get an answer. Mark 11: 22-24 22“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”(KJV) My desire is to grow in my faith and to live daily in my faith. To have a faith that is unquestioning, unwavering, unchanging, obedient and courageous so that God can use me how ever He sees fit. I pray that all Christians will grow in faith and live by faith too.
When things are going smooth we say we have faith and are living for God but we need to rely on our faith when there are problems and troubles that come our way too. Faith is knowing that God is still God in good and bad times and that God is in control. Faith is a relationship with God and it is how we should live. We should continually pray and read our Bible so our faith grows. Faith is the love we have towards God and our wanting to live for God and be more like God. We should be like these examples from the Bible and our faith should be unquestioning, unwavering, obedient, unchanging, courageous faith just like these examples. Jesus says in Matt. 17:20 that all it takes is a small amount of faith and then nothing is impossible. Matt. 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”(KJV) God is awesome and is able to do anything and all we have to do is have faith and believe in Him and what God can do and nothing then is impossible for us either.
As I conclude this study on faith it is important to remember that faith should be not just what we believe, but how we live in good and bad times. Exercising our faith daily is how we grow in our walk with the Lord. Do not just say I have faith but practice the faith you have. If you live by your faith then your witness to others will be great and God will be able to use you in the work he has planned for you. It is so easy when things get rough to falter, but living by faith means that we rely on God and the knowledge that God provides and takes care of His children. We don’t have to understand everything that we go through we just have to trust and believe that God is in control. In Mark it tells us that if we have faith and don’t doubt then we can move mountains or in other words nothing is impossible for us with God’s help. The key is to believe and not to doubt, to ask and expect to get an answer. Mark 11: 22-24 22“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”(KJV) My desire is to grow in my faith and to live daily in my faith. To have a faith that is unquestioning, unwavering, unchanging, obedient and courageous so that God can use me how ever He sees fit. I pray that all Christians will grow in faith and live by faith too.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Courageous Faith
The last example of faith I want to look at is a courageous faith in God. This example of courageous faith can be found when we look at Daniel who because of his obedience and faith in God he is put into a lions den. Daniel has favor with King Darius and he is going to appoint him chief overseer of the whole kingdom and the other leaders decide they have to find away to get rid of Daniel. They could find no wrong with him so they decided to use his faith in God against him. They get the King to order a decree that no one in the kingdom can pray to anyone but the King or they would be put in the lions den. When Daniel heard this he still went three times a day with the window open and looking to Jerusalem and prayed to God just like he always did. Daniel was not afraid to stand up for his faith in God and not for his own safety to just go along with the decree. The other leaders knew that Daniel had that strong of faith in God and would not even for safety sake go along with the decree which says a lot about Daniel’s witness and his faith. Dan. 6: 3-9 3“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. 6Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”(KJV) As soon as they saw Daniel praying they brought him before the king and the king could not get out of the decree he made but he was upset that he had to put him in the lions den. The king tries all day to think of a way but he couldn’t so he had Daniel brought and he put him in the lions den and sealed and then said to Daniel your God will protect you. So even the king understood Daniels strong faith in God. Dan. 6:10-18 “10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”(KJV) God closed the lion’s mouth and when the king came the next morning and opened up the den Daniel was fine. God had rewarded Daniel for his steadfast and courageous faith. The king proclaimed that all in his kingdom while he was king would worship this God of Daniel so Daniel’s faith that didn’t waiver but even in the face of death was strong brought a king and his kingdom to God. Dan 6:10-28 “19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. 25Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”(KJV)
We need to have a courageous faith like Daniel and not be afraid even when it isn’t popular in the world or our families to believe and have faith in God. God will reward and protect us just like he did Daniel and the world and our families will have a witness of God and his faithfulness to us also. Never let fear come between us and God.
We need to have a courageous faith like Daniel and not be afraid even when it isn’t popular in the world or our families to believe and have faith in God. God will reward and protect us just like he did Daniel and the world and our families will have a witness of God and his faithfulness to us also. Never let fear come between us and God.
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