Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Step Out on Faith
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” Hebrews 11:6
What is Faith? It’s putting your belief and trust in something or somebody outside of yourself, and then acting on that belief. Think about the examples given in Hebrews 11. Like, for instance, Abraham, venturing from his home to the unfamiliar, trusting a promise that wouldn’t materialize for decades. How about that same patriarch, placing his beloved son, Isaac, on the altar, trusting that somehow God would either provide an alternate sacrifice or raise his son from the dead? Or think about Moses, choosing to leave behind the pleasures and power of the pharaoh’s palace to shepherd a group of grumblers out of slavery into the Promised Land. Step by step, day by day, Moses acted on his faith in a promise that wouldn’t even completely materialize until after his death. The writer of Hebrews recounts these and many other examples of trust in this “Hall of Faith” chapter.
Of course, acting on faith isn’t always easy. It calls us to step away from what is comfortable and safe and, like a two-year-old at the edge of a vast swimming pool, look into unknown and unfamiliar circumstances. Maybe it’s a challenge to surrender our finances to God’s control, a career change, a move overseas, or waiting patiently on the Lord for the right spouse. It may be forgiving an offender or risking something for the sake of integrity or purity. Whatever the case, when God nudges our heart beyond what we can manage and manipulate on our own, we have an opportunity to act on the faith that we profess to believe.
So the ultimate question becomes...what wil you do? Will you act out on the faith that you profess each day? Or much like many others, will you allow the fruit of your actions to contradict your words?
-Point5
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2 comments:
Yeah, even when you're old you have to step out like a 2 year old in everyday living and situations that seem to have no answer. God always has an answer. Good message. 1st time I ever blogged! Love ya, Grandma Lily
It is true that Our Lord calls us to step out in faith, many times without a "safety net"! But, like that two year old that should not jump in the pool until her daddy tells her too, we also must only jump when He says! That is why, as Christians, we must always be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit! If that sweet two year old sees the pool, however scary it may be, and she jumps before her daddy is in the water to catch her...well, he may jump in and save her, but not before she goes under the water! Jeremiah 22:21 says, "I spoke to you in your prosperity, But you said, 'I will not hear.' This has been your manner from your youth, That you did not obey My voice." **So we must listen to His voice.***Proverbs 3:6, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 4:7, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Matthew 24:45, "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?" Acts 3:16, "And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." 1 Corinthians 2:5, "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." *******So as we be still, knowing he is God, and listen for that still small voice from which he speaks, we receive our missions, our assignments, our direction. And if we wait until He says go, and go when He gives the order, we shall live our lives in His perfect Will for our lives. Praise God for the brothers and sisters who walk by faith! You are my brother, and I love you! Amen
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