Faith in an Awesome God.

If you are struggling with your faith, I highly recommend reading Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter. Having have in the unseen, awesome God is an. It says, “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.”

Faith is having complete trust and confidence in God. There is no sugar coating the importance of faith that this verse conveys. Without faith it is impossible to please God. It’s not half-way possible, or maybe possible, but it is impossible! If you don’t believe and have faith in God, then you aren’t pleasing to Him (ouch). Not only do you need to believe that He exists, but as this verse says you must also believe that He will reward you for following Him.

It’s not always easy, but the only way to please God is to get out of your comfort zone and take a step of faith. It’s not always going to make sense. Actually, most of the time it won’t make sense because if it made sense, then it isn’t faith. Just as hope that is seen isn’t hope (Romans 8:24), faith that is seen isn’t faith. So if you could see God, then you wouldn’t need faith, which is why it’s so important to Him. As your father, He wants to know that you believe He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.

You have to step out of the boat, just like Peter did, to find out what He has in store for you. If you don’t take that first step then you are going to miss out on all the blessings in store. Expect God to reward your faith! If something is holding you back, ask Him to remove the fear and to step forward in the abundant life He has for you.

May you have a faith that sees you through today and the days to come. May you feel God’s presence all around you. May you believe that God has a plan for you and will continue to bless you. Blessings on your journey.

You are a Child of God.

When I went to basic training for the US Air Force, we gathered as a group of 50 guys from all different walks of life and where just all over the map. But by the end of our seven weeks together, we belonged to each other. We supported one another, encouraged one another, helped each other. We were a family.

Paul in his letter to the Galatian churches is revealing to us we also belong to each other. Each of us were created in God’s image and we are part of the family of God…we are children of an incredible God.

That first century church was intensely relational. There were in each other’s business on more than just Sunday morning but every day of the week. Those followers of Christ belonged to each other and to God. Paul in Galatians 3 is working out that we are justified by faith in Jesus or how we are right with God by just believing in Jesus Christ. So many Jewish Christians were suggesting a “works-based” salvation and Paul is saying we belong to Jesus without works but based upon our belief in a risen Savior. Paul gives us four reasons why we belong in Galatians 3:23-29..

We belong to God because we believe. I don’t belong because I perform or earn it or work for it. I belong because I believe in Jesus Christ, period. You don’t have to clean yourself up and then come to God. You can’t do enough to be right before God. You come as you are and God cleans you up. That’s why it’s called the Good News!

We belong to God because we are baptized. When we believe in the saving power of Jesus Christ, we put on Jesus symbolically by joining Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection. Then, we are immersed in the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Why be baptized? Well, one, because Jesus said so but it identifies us with Jesus death, burial and resurrection; it unites us in the Gospel story and gives us new birth.

We belong to God because we become part of the blended family. Jesus removed all the cultural barriers that separated us. All the social, ethnic, and gender barriers are gone in Christ (Galatians 3:28). The point is, there is no favored status in the church family. Everyone has the same connection to God. Each of us, regardless of our ethnic heritage, skin color or background can be a part of the family of God!

We belong to God because we are beneficiaries of the promises God made to us as far back as Abraham. Because of what Jesus has done for me, belonging entitles me to all the benefits of being in the family. Being in the family doesn’t mean sitting on the sideline but actively being a part of what the family does. Using your giftedness to retell the story of Jesus is what it means to be part of the family.

So, know you belong. It’s nothing you have done but everything Jesus did for you that makes you a family member. It’s time to embrace believing in a risen Savior who has given you so very much. He’s removed the barriers that prevented us from connecting to God and given us life and life in the full. Blessings on your journey.

No Atheist in Foxholes.

There is an age-old saying, “There are no atheist in foxholes.” I believe that every one of us has prayed before whether we are believers are not. We’ve all been in a tight spot and asked God to get us out of it. The odds have been against us and we’ve hoped a higher power would come to our rescue.

In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah has just prayed for fire from heaven and God answered his prayer. After Israel saw that fire, they confessionally believed again that God was indeed the only God. There had not been rain in three and a half years in Israel. This happened because God needed to get the attention of Israel. But now, Elijah prays that rain would come to replenish the earth and fortify the people. As we look at the prayer of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:42-45, we see some elements that become important in our prayer life.

We see that Elijah’s prayer is a humble prayer. After he dispenses with the false prophets, he and his servant climb Mt. Carmel again. Once at the top, Elijah gets on his knees and puts his head between his knees. It’s a sign of respect and humility, outwardly recognizing God is greater than he is. It’s the attitude of John the Baptist in John 3:30 where John says, “Jesus must become greater and greater and I must become less and less.” James tells us in James 4 that God honors those who have humility.

Elijah’s prayer is specific. So many times we prayer generic prayers but I believe God wants us to be vulnerable and open with him. Elijah essentially says, “God, we’ve been without rain for over three years. We need rain now.” James tells us in James 4 that we don’t have because we don’t ask God. So be specific in your prayer life.

Elijah’s prayer is persistent. He has his servant go seven times to the mountain top to look to see if any clouds have formed yet. Trips 1-6 reveal nothing happens. It’s a reminder Elijah doesn’t let the outward circumstances deter him from praying for what he knows is needed. Jesus tells a story of the persistent widow in Luke 18. She wants justice but every time she goes to the judge, he declines to help her. Finally she just keeps coming and the judge says, “I’m going to give the widow justice now or she’ll just keep coming to me.” Jesus explains the parable by saying the judge is God and we are the widow.

So, what have you stopped praying for? Have you stopped praying the marriage will be healed or the adult child will come back to Jesus or the depression will go away or a better revenue vein will be found? Keep praying for the things you believe you need in life so that God will be glorified.

Finally, Elijah’s prayer is expectant. He expects God to give rain. Jesus says in Mark 11:24, “If you believe it and ask for it, it will happen.” And sure enough in Elijah’s story, God sends a storm of rain. So in our prayer life, pray with a spirit of expectancy. Expect the marriage to be healed; expect your kids to follow Jesus; expect your career path to be clear; expect the Holy Spirit to remove doubt, fear and worry; expect to be healed.

You and I as followers of Jesus, believe all things are possible. Pray with that spirit. Your Heavenly Father is for you and wants to reveal himself to you. Pray with that confidence. Blessings on your journey.