By Faith or Bye Faith

By faith or bye faith? That is the question. You have the choice. Will you choose to say BYE faith or choose to walk BY faith?

To set this up, I am going to give a few scenarios and I want you to place yourself in each one. If  you were given a choice of a type of life to live which of the numbers would you choose?

1) Tortured daily

2)Receiving a loved one back from the dead

3)Constant imprisonment in chains

4)Not being destroyed because of an act of kindness

5) Dying by being stoned or sawed in half

6)Stuck between a rock and a hard place, then a path is made to go through

7)Being destitute, oppressed and mistreated

8) Winning a battle by obeying. 

Do the even numbers seem much more appealing? I would say yes, I would much rather live in the even than the odd numbers. Alright, some of yall may be saying okay what does this have to do about anything. Well the Bible gives us examples of people of faith and you know what, both even and odd circumstances represent these people (Heb. 11:4-11). So many people today get comfortable in where they are and to live as  a Christian is just words with no weight behind them.  I have to be honest,  I am preaching to myself. Being comfortable is  much more appealing than being uncomfortable BUT I refuse to become/stay complacent. I want more from the Lord because He has more for me. So daily I have to choose how I am going to live my life.

Okay, back to where I was headed.. The Bible called all the evens and odds, people of good reputations because of their faith (Heb.11:39).  From the sound of it, to be an odd was not easy but each one decided to walk BY Faith instead of saying BYE Faith. This brings up great questions for Christians today. What is faith? How important is faith? Am I willing to die for my faith?

   

Alright, so lets define what is FAITH? According to the Webster dictionary it is 

-allegiance to duty or a person:loyalty

-belief and trust in and loyalty to God

-something that is believed especially with strong conviction. 

Now lets look at the meaning of the words defining faith:

Allegiance: devotion or loyalty

Loyalty: unswerving in allegiance.

Belief:  accepted as true, trust or confidence in

Trust: assured reliance, belief in the reliability of

Okay so basically, Faith from the dictionary is unwavering, reliance and devotion to something or someone. Now the Bibles definition is : confidence in what we hope for will actually happen, and evidence of things that are not seen (Heb.11:1) . 

Confidence: certainty, trust, allegiance

Evidence: sign, proof

Hope: desire with anticipation or expectation

Faith is the certainty of what you hope for and is the proof of what you can't see.  Okay, what are Christians suppose to be anticipating or expecting? We are anticipating eternity and unity with the living God (Jhn. 17: 20-21), expecting the rights of being a child of God (Rom. 8:16;23, Jhn. 1:12) , desiring to be with the Lord forever (Jhn. 14:2-3, Jhn. 3:16). This hope we have is not the kind of earthly hope, this hope is based on certainty which is Jesus Christ. Faith is also proof and what is unseen. As a Christian you know God can not lie, and all his promises are set in stone. Therefore, even when we have not seen a promise fulfilled yet we know it will come forth because we trust and know the source (Titus 1:1-2, Rom. 3:3-4). 

Is faith even important? For a Christian, faith (our confidence and evidence) is of the utmost importance. 
God says we can't even please him without faith. 

What? What does God mean, I can't please Him without faith (Rom. 3:25,30 ; Heb. 11:6)? Can I have faith in a chair and please Him?? Okay you may be like, now you are being silly. But I am just trying to make a point. There are a lot of things people can have faith in, but God wants the faith of the Bible. The Bible faith is founded on Jesus and He is the only way to reach the Father (Jhn. 14:6, Acts 4:11-12). If our faith is founded on Jesus that means we need to get to know Jesus. How do we do this? I am glad you asked! :) If you are not a Christian the first thing is to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Rms 10:8-11). That is all. If you are a Christian, Jesus tells us He has given us another helper. This helper is the Holy Spirit (Jhn. 14: 25-26). The Holy Spirit testifies who Jesus is because He was there with Jesus ( 1Jhn 5: 6-8,  Matt. 3:16-17). He is a witness that lives within in us, allowing us to be a witness to others for Jesus.  Isn't that awesome! I am learning the Holy Spirit longs to tell us more of Jesus and to help us resemble more and more like Jesus.

Faith allows us to be made/counted as righteous. 

Am I saying that as a Christian I can call myself righteous? Imma be honest, before I would have hesitated to answer this question. But being saved is a continual process in where I learn new things, and throw away old ways.  The answer to this question is a resounding YES!  The Bible says faith is the only way we can be made righteous (Rom. 1: 16-17; 3:27-28, 30). Being righteous is not perfect and never sinning nor is it never making the wrong turn, BUT it is being found in right standing with the Lord. Because of the blood of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, I am made clean before God ( Heb. 10:14, 21-22). Again, when we sin  the Holy Spirit reminds us of who we are in Christ which allows us to turn straight back to God and continue to grow more like Jesus.

Faith brings about true joy. 

Who doesn't like to be joyful? I mean maybe you don't but I do! I like to be happy, glad and delighted. We are anticipating glorious freedom from death and decay (Rom. 8:21,23). And looking forward to obtaining the full rights as adopted children of the living God. I mean can you even imagine? I will get to share God's glory (Rom. 8:16-17; Rom. 5:1-2). A living God, not fictional superheroes or greek gods, or idols made from human hands to resemble human form. But a living God, the living God wants to spend eternity (forever) with you! He has prepared a place specifically for you and He has chose you to be a part of his family(Jhn 14:3, Rev. 21:1, 3-4). Thank  you Jesus! Thank you Holy Spirit! Thank you Father. Oh how I love you Lord!! My joy runneth over Lord, I want nothing else but you Jesus!

Faith enables us to overcome difficulties in life.

Okay, whether you are a Christian or not you will face difficult even painful times and choices. So if this is something I am guaranteed to face I want help through it, I don't want to go through on my own.  So how does faith help us through this thing called life?  With faith and endurance we are promised to inherit all of Gods promises(Heb 6:11-12). Faith tells us our circumstances does not determine if God loves me. God loves me even when I face trouble and despite this trouble I am still promised the victory through Christ (Rom. 8:35-37).  Because of my confident hope in the one who has promised to never leave me or forsake me, I can be sure that for every situation I go through He is with me. 

God says our trials and problems help to develop endurance, this endurance develops strength of character which leads to our confident hope in salvation (Rom. 5:3-4). Our hope will never lead to disappointment because the Holy Spirit fills our hears with God's love (Rom. 5:5).  So you see every step along the way, the Holy Spirit is with you to remind you that you are loved and that Jesus understands! Doesn't this make since? From the earths perspective pain and sweat come along with trying to get stronger. From the spiritual perspective trials and problems come along with developing endurance. As I am able to withstand harder trials my character builds. I know that Jesus got me through my last trial and I become more sure He will get me through the current trial. I am reminded of Gods love and promises which pushes me to endure till the end where there will be unity, perfectness with God for forever!

Now if you have stuck with me up until now good job! Endure a little bit longer! 

So now you are presented with a choice and it is your decision to make.  You will go through hard times, you will go through trials, there will be times of laughter and there will be times of tears, these are facts.  Life brings about the odds and evens. What then after that? What is left after this life? I am here to tell you eternity is what is after death. Eternity where? Well that is where you decide, eternity with the living God who loves you if you decide to walk BY faith or eternity with the devil who does not care one ounce about you, if you decide to say BYE faith. 

Are you all in or all out? Choose today what step you will take. I choose today to walk by faith, I choose  every day to walk by faith. No it isn't easy, yes I want to just quit sometimes but yes I will continue to choose Faith because God never waivers from His promises. Even when I am fickle and fail, I have a never failing God who calls for me to come to Him every time! 

Thank you Lord for your grace! Thank you Father for sending Jesus to die for my sins and make me righteous before you. Thank you Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit to guide me in all truth and immerse me in your grace and mercy! Holy Spirit continue to teach me who Jesus is, and who I am in Him. God you are sovereign and true there is none like you!! Hallelujah, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come!! We praise your name Lord! Grow me in my faith every day. I need you every day! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

My Daughter, Trust Me.

What does it mean to fully trust?

I am just being honest,  I struggle with fully trusting. It is far to easy for me to worry, doubt, and hold back. It is a daily battle, that I feel I don't always win but that is where grace steps in. Grace is for (in the words of Pastor Brogdon) the "Oh man" moments in life not the "Oh well". What does this mean? I am glad you asked :) . The difference between these two statements shows the difference in my heart condition. When I sin I can say "Oh man! Lord I messed up, I was not walking as a child of God. Forgive me". Or when I sin I can say "Oh well, thankfully grace covers me". Do you see the difference, one heart is repentant while the other continues to walk in sin.

 Scripture tells me to trust in the Lord with my whole heart (Proverbs 3:5-6).  What does this mean? I think it means being a child with no worries, trusting that my father will protect me and provide all my needs. Imagine a father reaching out to his kids hand saying, "hold on to me, I have you".

As a christian we are likened unto a child, we are children of the King (John 1:12). Christians become welcomed into God's family unit. Think of a child, they have parents that take care of their needs. It is not the responsibility of the child to go find food, pay for clothing and figure out shelter. So why do I find the need to figure out where I am suppose to be, work, or live? It is not my job to worry about these things, it doesn't mean I lay on the couch and do nothing but I should not give any energy into being anxious about it. No amount of worry/anxieties can add even an hour to my life (Matthew 6:27) so I should not give any amount of time into it because it is just waisted time.  The Father loves me as a father loves his child, it is a relationship. 

A relationship is defined as "a state of being connected" whether that's concepts, objects or people.  A family relationship calls for responsibilities for all sides. My responsibility as a child was to obey, learn, grow in what I was being taught. My parents responsibility was to teach, provide, and love me. It is the same relationship I am to have with God. As a child I am to obey what the Father tells me, learn what is right and wrong, and grow to bear good fruit.  The Father provides  for all of my needs, teaches me what is right and wrong , and loves me continually through the ups and downs.  The Father only wants what is best for me, his child, therefore He will only do and tell me what is best for me.

Now it looks to me, the Father has not given me one reason to not trust Him. He holds nothing back from me, He allowed his Son to die for me so that I may be apart of His family. The Father just says  to believe in my Son ( Matthew 6:29). So why is there a struggle?... Sin. Sin has entered the world and brought death (Romans 5:12). Sin has brought spiritual death, to keep every person from a relationship from the living God. But God, knew people...He knew I would mess up and He had a plan because He is a good Father who wants all of his children to live with Him. Can you see it?! God's gift, Jesus, allows me the ability to conquer sin and death not by my own power but by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:17).  I now have a right relationship with God (Romans 5:18), because Jesus paid the price of my sin just for me and you. This is truth! And you know the devil will continue to tell you, you aren't good enough, you are not righteous, you are a hypocrite. The devil is constantly accusing the children of God (Revelation12:10). BUT GOD, says no SATAN that is my child! And they are covered by the blood, I have cleaned them of their sins and will make them new. Thank you Jesus! We must...I must combat the devils accusations with truth from the Father himself.

When my dad tells me something, I believe him. God is greater than people, so His Word should outweigh any doubt and fear because He only speaks Truth. The devil tried to make Jesus fall to sin when He was on earth but Jesus' responded with words of Truth from the Father. We must do the same. We must engulf ourselves in the truths and Word of God so that when the devil comes around you have a firm foundation to stand on.


So yes, I have struggles, yes I fail sometimes but God I am here for you to change. Here is my heart, help me to trust with all my heart. Have my ambitions, goals, desires. You are my all in all.  Thank you Lord for this process. Thank you for taking me out of the fire and being patient with me. Lord I am sorry when I lean on my own understanding, when I run to fear before running to you, when I doubt your goodness. Jesus you are my Redeemer (Ephesians 1:7), my stairway to heaven (John 1:51).  Holy Spirit teach me (John 14:26). Father draw close to me as I draw close to you (James 4:8).  Thank you Lord. You are an Almighty living God! You love me Lord, He loves you! He wants you and only wants what is best for you!

For whoever reads this just read this last little bit:
God loves you! Don't let the devil tell you your sin, your mistakes are too big for God to handle. It is not! He wants you! You may have felt unwanted but the living God who made you wants a relationship with you! Come to Him. He will give you a joy, a peace, a love that surpasses all human capability.  Lord, thank you for this reader today, touch them where they are right now. Be with them Lord through every trial. Help them to trust you full heartedly. In Jesus Name
AMEN

Are You Expecting?

            Are you expecting? If you are expecting a child, I want to say congratulations! You have a precious gift hand crafted by the Father. But I am not talking about children in this case. I am talking about are you expecting in your relationship with the Lord? Expecting Him to show up, to use you in His plan? There are many times in the Bible where I just think "man this person or these people are not expecting God to work. When times are tough, they throw faith out the window." 

             In Exodus Chapter 14, the people of Israel felt trapped in between the Egyptians (who were coming after them) and the Red Sea. At this point the people complained, saying they would rather be enslaved than die in the desert. You see from the vantage point of the people they were stuck between a rock and a hard place, how in the world were they going to make it?  BUT God had other plans, He knew this opportunity would only show his Glory more. Here the Israelites were not expecting God to show up. They could only see the physical perspective, little did they know the Lord had a path planned despite of the situation. 

            In Mark, at the end of chapter 4, Jesus and His disciples are crossing a lake when a storm breaks out. The disciples are worried and scared, but Jesus is sleeping. They go to wake Him  saying "do you not care!? it is storming!" and Jesus tells the storm to be still. Once this happens, it amazes the disciples  that the wind and waves listened to Him. Now this is where I think "all right, you just woke up Jesus to do something right? Why are you then amazed when He acts?" They were not expecting a way out because they did not see a way out. To them it was simple, they were in a middle of a storm, in a boat, going to drown. What was there to do? Faith was thrown out the window. BUT again the Lord had other plans, He knew where the authority lie and it was not in what He could see in the physical. 

             You know what, I can be "those people" or "that person" sometimes. I need to make sure I am expecting God to show up in every circumstance. When God says something, expect that He will do it. Expecting with God, is knowing when He just speaks the words it will happen as in Luke 7. Expecting with God, is acting on faith before you even see it work out just as in Hebrews 11: 7. Expecting with God, is preparing the field given to you for whatever the Lord has in store. I want my relationship with the Lord to be expecting. Even with these times being strange and unfamiliar territory, it causes me to be expecting. So many "things" or distractions are turning off, the world seems to be spiraling and there is nowhere to turn but to the Lord. We can not focus on the physical circumstances but place our eyes on the One who is always in control. 

           Lord, thank you for your abundant grace and mercy! I just pray Lord that you soften the heart of these people. Soften my heart Lord so I am receptive to what you have planned for me. In times of uncertainty I pray people will be drawn to your steadfastness, peace and love. Bring forth your laborers to bring in those you are calling. Thank you Lord! You are Adonai, Yahweh, Everlasting King. I love you Jesus and help me to love you more. I come to you expecting a change, expecting an increase in your kingdom. You are mighty and forever. Thank Lord. 

In Jesus' name, AMEN.