Power of Blessing

"Look to Abraham your father

and to Sarah who bore you;

for he was but one when I called him,

that I might bless him and multiply him."

Isaiah 51:2 ESV

It started with one man.  The one became many and grew into a nation.  How?  Was there something special about Abraham?  No.  He was a man like any other man.  God set him apart, though, by choosing him to be the father of many, and it was through God's sovereign plan that he was blessed for the Lord's holy purposes (Genesis 12:1-3).  This blessing of God literally changed the whole world (Genesis 22:17-18)!

Jesus came through the line of David that can be traced back to this one man, Abraham (Matthew 1).  And it is Jesus who delivered the blessing of life eternal and abundant to all nations (John 3:16, 10:10).  So when I do as Abraham did and trust God with my life through faith in Jesus Christ, this blessing that flowed down from this ancient man transforms my life.  

 Little Becomes Big.  I live in the land of large; hefty portions, grandiose dreams, great expectations, full calendars, lots of stuff.  Americans seem to subscribe to the belief that the more there is, the better.  Therefore, I tend to think if I am going to put the effort into something, anything, it must be big if it is to have an impact or be worth my time.

Consequently, I take this mindset into God's kingdom and assume that whatever I do for God must be big if it is to make a difference.  Far-reaching ministries, growing numbers, complicated programs; whatever I do, it must have spectacular results! Or so I think.  In reality, its the quality of fruit about which my Father is concerned, and only that which is produced as a result of working in tandem with Jesus will last (John 15:1-5, 16).  Therefore, a little faith placed in a mighty God will change the world, even if I can't detect the impact my faith has (Luke 17:6).

My little becomes big when it is done by faith in Jesus.

Lowly Becomes Great.  I live in a world that strives for greatness.  Whatever I do I've learned that it won't amount to a hill of beans unless I reach the top, succeed in accomplishing my goals or progress further today than I was yesterday.  What good is writing a book unless it is a bestseller?  Why would I work long hours expect for to climb up higher on the corporate ladder?  I do my best so that I can be promoted, get a raise, receive the accolades of my peers in my chosen industry, right?  The world teaches me to strive for prominence, renown, even fame.  

Consequently, I take this mindset into God's kingdom and become ambitious, finding myself striving for more, not settling for the small jobs but always working my way toward that top position.  I assume my goal should be to move up, while God structured the Body of Christ to work differently, with each of us doing our very best in honor of Him no matter what the job (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).  And so it is my attitude while doing what God has called for me to do at this very moment that matters to Him.  And when I humble myself for the glory of God and clean the toilets with gusto, wipe the runny noses with compassion, listen to the forgotten generation with patience and understanding, I am great in His eyes (Luke 9:48, Matthew 23:11-12)!

My lowly service becomes great when done in honor of Jesus.

Broken Becomes Whole.  I live in a place that breaks even the strongest, that destroys the will to live, that toys with my emotions as I experience letdown after letdown.  I work hard only to experience failure, to endure hardship, to find failure.  I love wholeheartedly only to experience loss, to endure heartache, to find betrayal.  I do what is right only to experience disappointment, to endure letdown, to find ruin.  And so I learn to put up a wall of protection.  I adapt by expecting the worst and hoping for the best.  I get comfortable with the brokenness of my soul.

Consequently, I take this mindset into God's kingdom and get used to the broken nature of this world.  The thing is, Jesus' mission is all about turning the ashes of my life into astounding beauty, weaving the shreds that are left into a breathtaking tapestry, reassembling the remains into a gorgeous masterpiece (Isaiah 61:3).  He is here to restore, to make new, to build up which is quite the opposite of what I've learned to expect in this physical realm that moves toward chaos and is marching steadily toward decay.  Jesus goes against the second law of thermodynamics and creates something out of nothing, improves that which seems hopeless, builds up what has been torn down.  In His hands, the broken becomes whole (Matthew 15:30-31).

My brokenness becomes whole when entrusted in the hands of Jesus.

It all started with one man, chosen by God and blessed through his obedience.  As a result, I now stand as a beneficiary of God's great promise made thousands of years ago to a childless man and his wife.  Through Abraham came Jesus, the One sent from above to change the world.  And by turning away from my old, sinful ways and to Him by faith, I discover a new economy at work.  I find that my little becomes big, even lowly service is seen as great, and all that is broken is restored to wholeness.  In these ways and more, I am experiencing the power of God's blessing!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to receive His blessing that comes through Jesus.

When do I block this blessing by living as if Jesus didn't exist?

How am I striving for greatness instead of seeking to obey God?

    

The Chair

Today's edition of Writings on the Doorframe comes from my new book, "52 Days of Grace," available now on Amazon:

The Chair

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?  If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.  What does Scripture say?  ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’  Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.’

“Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?  We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.  Under what circumstances was it credited?  Was it after he was circumcised, or before?  It was not after, but before!  And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.  So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.  And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”  (Romans 4:1-12)

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  (Hebrews 11:1)

Jesus, being the author and perfecter of our faith, has equipped us to trust God for our justification.  No one that ever lived has been successful to work his way into God’s graces.  Even Abraham, who was considered to be a friend of God and made it into the -- Hall of Fame of Faith -- found in Hebrews 11, was made righteous not by his effort, but by his belief in God.

When we refrain from working to try to get right with God but instead trust simply in Him, the dividend of this faith is righteousness.  We can’t trust God without faith in Him, and we can’t be made righteous without trusting God.  Trust is the manifestation of our faith.  We know we have faith in God when we act on that faith by obeying His calling, just like Abraham did many times.

Think about a chair.  Before we sit down, we have to have faith that the chair will do as it promises to do; hold our full weight without collapsing.  We put that faith to the test by trusting this chair with our load, and thus lowering ourselves down to rest in it.  The act of sitting would never occur if we didn’t trust the chair, and we’d never trust the chair if we didn’t have faith in its integrity, character and ability to deliver on its promise to hold us.  Likewise, action (obedience) is the evidence of trusting God, but trusting is impossible without faith in Him.  This faith in action results in the gift of righteousness, something that can never be earned in our own effort.

When we show our faith in God,

we are made sinless in His eyes.

How do you try to earn your righteousness by doing good deeds?

When do you feel so unworthy of God’s love that you keep your distance in shame?

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your unspeakable love.  This amazing love sent Jesus to the cross, taking the punishment meant for my sins and thus making a way for me to get right with You.  Help me to treasure this bond that has been created between us by the blood of Jesus, holding it as my most treasured possession.  Every time I trust You enough to live as You intended me to live, I am using the gift of faith You have provided.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

Do you want your own copy of 52 Days of Grace?  

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Promises Kept

Today I am publishing another excerpt from my new book, 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon:

Promises Kept

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”  (Romans 1:1-2)

“But Mom, you promised!”  I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that desperate cry from the mouths of disappointed children.  As parents, it’s common to break a promise.  We may have every intention of keeping our pledge, but, life happens, circumstances change, and our ability to fulfill that guarantee falls through.

God, however, does not have that problem!

The promise of our salvation through Jesus Christ was given all the way back in Abraham’s time when God said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3 and Galatians 3:8) What a God of planning and forethought we worship!

Since we know the One True God is a God who keeps promises, we can trust Him with our very lives.  If He can fulfill prophecies made thousands of years before the birth of the Messiah, can He not free us from the bondage of worry, or the desire to control, or the pit of despair?  Yes, He can.  He has more than shown His trustworthiness.  Now it’s time to show our trust in Him by surrendering all to Him.

“Faith is two empty hands held open to receive all of the Lord Jesus.”  --Alan Redpath

How do you place God in the same category as man, assuming He will let you down?

What area of your life do you struggle with surrendering to the One who loves you unconditionally?

Have you sometimes said, “It’s not God I don’t trust, it’s me!  I’m the one who will mess it all up.”  How is this attitude showing a lack of respect for the Sovereignty and Power of God?

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the One who I can trust completely.  You will never let me down.  Help me to forget all the bad experiences I’ve had with people and judge You completely based on Your own merits as a loving, Promise-Keeper.  When I am tempted to use my own frailties as an excuse for not trusting You, remind me of Moses who also let his pride get in the way of following You without reserve.  You are a God who is in control and I place my life in Your hands.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.


Click on the picture of the book to learn how to order your own copy!

Questions

"The other men turned and headed toward Sodom,

but the LORD remained with Abraham.

Abraham approached him and said,

'Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?

Suppose you find fifty righteous people

living there in the city--

will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?

Surely you wouldn't do such a thing,

destroying the righteous along with the wicked.

Why, you would be treating the righteous

and the wicked exactly the same!

Surely you wouldn't do that!

Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?'

And the LORD replied,

'If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom,

I will spare the entire city for their sake.'"

Genesis 18:22-26 NLT

"C'mon, let's go to the store!"

"Why, Daddy?"

" 'Cause we're out of milk and we need to buy some more."

"Why?"

"Well, we use a lot of milk in our cereal and to drink with our meals."

"Why?"

"It tastes good and is good for us."

"Why?"

"Okay Vanessa, that's enough of the questions.  Let's just get in the car and go!"

"Why?"

Dealing with a 4-year-old's constant probings can be tedious and aggravating;  sometimes there simply  isn't an answer!  But a preschooler learns by asking questions and a patient father will take the time to give a thoughtful response.  While it sometimes seems a child is being fresh, she is really seeking understanding.  There is so much to learn about this world and her place in it!

In the same way, God welcomes my questions when I seek to understand, for it is in His response that I learn much of His character, experience His patience, and am reminded of His power.

His Character

It is said that my character is exposed when no one is looking.  Who I am, how I respond and what I do when I am by myself reveals my true nature.  If there's no one around late at night in the grocery store and I'm starving, will I pocket that candy bar?  When I'm filling out my taxes at the kitchen table, do I fudge the numbers to increase the amount of my refund?  If I see a toddler crying all alone on the side of the road when I'm late for an appointment, do I stop and try to help?

While my sin nature is constantly at war with the leading of the Holy Spirit within, persistently presenting opportunities to do the right thing, God is never faced with a dilemma.  His nature is constant and sure; never varying, and He never faces a moral quandary.  He is the Father of heavenly lights, source of all good things who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)  When it comes to God, I know what to expect.

In today's Scripture passage, Abraham learns more about God's nature by probing Him with a series of questions.  He wants to know how precious life is to Him, how just is His nature, and if He can be trusted.  Maybe Abraham wanted to know where he stood with God and how far the Creator of all things would go to save him if he were a resident of Sodom.

At the end of the exchange, the receiver of the promise seems to be satisfied with the character of the Giver of the promise.  He decides he can trust the Lord because His character is genuine.

The same is true for me.  I can trust God to never leave me, to bring good out of every circumstance, and to always provide a way out when I am tempted to stray. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13)  The character Abraham discovered by asking a seemingly endless string of questions gives me a solid rock on which to build my life.

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for it always reveals His solid character.

His Patience

"Where are you going?"  Every time any member of our family gets ready to leave the house, we are accosted by the cute but curious children who live next door.  My eldest daughter is often irritated by their innate curiosity and their propensity for dispensing their own form of wisdom.  When my daughter responds to the inevitable probe with, "I'm going to work," the 4-year-old girl consistently comes back with, "But girls don't work!"

While this may not be the most encouraging way to be sent off to start one's day, the constant questions are a part of living in our neighborhood.  Therefore, the barrage can either be accepted with patience or dismissed as just another source of annoyance at the beginning of a long and frustrating day.

Thankfully, God never faces this dilemma.  It is in His nature to entertain the questions meant to teach me more about Himself with patience and endurance.  Therefore, I need not fear being brushed aside with annoyance.  God always takes the time I need.

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for His patience is never ending.  (Psalm 86:15)

His Power

He revealed His plan for her life and she laughed!  Sure, it seemed absurd; giving birth to a child at her old age.  Even her husband was old and well beyond the years of fertility.  Why would she belief her frail frame could withstand such an ordeal as child bearing?  Instead of focusing on her own human weakness, however, her faith would have been bolstered if Sarah had remembered the power of the One who spoke.

God wasted no time in reminding her of His might when He asked Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  (v 14 NLT)  This is a good reminder for me, as well.  

When money runs short and the bills keep piling up, I can focus on my Father who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and promises to provide for my needs.  (Psalm 50:10, Matthew 6:31-33)  When tomorrow seems so dark and I'm afraid of what I will face, I can focus on my Father who is already there, shining His light into the unknown.  (Psalm 139:7-12, Psalm 91)  When it seems there is no one around me I can trust, I can focus on my Father who is faithful and true.  (1 Corinthians 1:9)

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for He will use that opportunity to remind me of His mighty power.

Many times I have heard it said to never question God, but a study of His Word shows that those who were closest to Him learned by asking probing questions.  While it may reveal my lack of faith when I ask, "Why," there are other questions that can teach me about His character, demonstrate His patience, and give Him an opportunity to remind me of His power.  These are the kind of questions God welcomes from His children who are honestly seeking to know Him.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will think of God as my Father who delights in my desire to know Him more.

When am I afraid to question God?

How do I withdraw from my Father in fear?  

Lessons of Faith (Part Three)

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

Kids love to play "Follow the Leader" where one child takes on the role of leader and all the other children follow behind.  It is especially fun in the snow or in a field of tall grass where a path must be plowed or trampled in order to make the way clear for those who come behind.

In the same way I am following behind a parade of giants of faith whose testimonies have been left behind as guideposts.  I can learn a lot by paying attention to the way they handled the situations God brought into their lives, and apply these lessons to my own so that I can stay on the path God has for me. 

Let's see what the Hall of Fame of Faith inductees found in Hebrews 11 have to teach us today.

Promise Receiver

It didn't make sense to him, but he had already accepted the fact that he'd be the father of many nations so he knew God would make a way for Isaac to survive.  The very instrument through whom the world would receive this tremendous blessing was now being placed on the altar of obedience.  Abraham would do nothing else but comply with His heavenly Father, receiving the promise into the depths of his being as he did. (Hebrews 11:17-19)

The fact that Abraham had taken on the role God had placed upon him as a conduit of blessing, he didn't hesitate to do something out of obedience that seemed to contradict God's promise.  Instead, he trusted that God had a plan he didn't know anything about.

It is easy to hear a promise God has made to me, like that I am His child, but not take it on as part of my identity.  Abraham received his promise so fully that it was bonded into his flesh so that nothing could divide him from that blessing.  It reminds me of when I make chocolate milk. Once I mix the chocolate syrup and the milk, there is no separating them: They are now a new compound.

If I am to truly receive the promise of my adoption into God's family, it will change my chemical makeup and I will become a whole new creation.  Instead of fearing when hard times come, I will trust my Father in heaven who supplies all my needs because that's what it means to be a child.  Any other reaction stems from my inability to embrace this promise.

A lesson I can learn from Abraham is to fully receive the promises God has made to me, taking them on as a part of me.

Yield

Legacy.  Many people talk about the legacy they will leave when they have departed from this life.  It is good to consider for what we will be remembered when we're gone, but I see something a little bigger going on during these beginning stages of the nation of Israel.

When Isaac, Jacob and Joseph each came to the end of their lives, they thought not of their own legacy, but the heritage of God.  Jacob was blessed by Isaac as the eldest, even though he was second born. (Genesis 27)  While it was his mother Rebekah who hatched the plan for her favored son to receive the special blessing, God was the one who had chosen Jacob from the beginning. (Romans 9:10-13)  

Likewise, Jacob and Joseph each spoke life into God's sovereign plan through their blessings and instructions given on their death bed.  Each of these men was used by God to propel the master plan into action, keeping in mind that what was to come in the future depended upon what they did at the time.

While God's plan is not dependent upon my actions, whether or not I'll be on His side is up to me.  If I do things out of selfish ambition or self-preservation or self pity, I am not following my Shepherd and will not glorify His name.   When I submit myself to His ways, however, future generations will benefit and I will get to be a part of His legacy.

A lesson I can learn from Isaac, Jacob and Joseph is to yield to God's sovereign, far-reaching plan instead of only being concerned with the here and now.

Fearless

It was a scary time.  The king had issued a decree that all boys should be thrown into the Nile upon birth. (Exodus 1:22)  This man was known for his cruelty and no one dared to defy his wishes.  Yet one family, seeing that their son was a special gift from God, hid their baby boy away for three months, revering God more than they feared Pharaoh.  (Exodus 2:1-2, Hebrews 11:23)

What do I fear more than God?  I sometimes let my dread of failure, or standing out in a crowd, or looking like a fool stop me from doing what is right.  A lot of times I'd rather not try than to fall short, blend in with the masses than to rock the boat, and save my reputation than to look stupid.

If I were to take on the same attitude as the parents of Moses, however, I would fearlessly and recklessly place God's call above my own welfare, knowing how much more important that is than my own comfort and safety.  Then I'd plunge forward with abandon, relish sticking out like a sore thumb, and live like a fool for Christ.

A lesson I can learn from Isaac, Jacob and Joseph is to live my life without fear.

Today's lessons can take me far in my walk with God.  These faithful few compel me to fully receive God's promises as part of my being, to yield to God's Sovereign plan in all my ways, and to live fearlessly for Him.  In these ways I will become like one of the giants of faith.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God more than I fear failure.

When do I doubt God's promises because I haven't really accepted them as my own?

How am I a coward for Christ? 

God of Integrity

"On the third day Abraham looked up

and saw the place in the distance.

He said to his servants, 

'Stay here with the donkey while I 

and the boy go over there.

We will worship

and

we will come back to you.'"

Genesis 22:3-4

The future was uncertain.  Death loomed, throwing it's oppressive shadow on the happy troupe as they climbed to the spot the Lord had designated as their destination. The father was so proud of his son and loved him as only one who has waited for the special blessing of parenthood can understand.  How could he sacrifice his only son?  The thought of it sent him into despair.  But how could he not?  The God he feared and followed had spoken; how could he disobey the One who meant so much to him? (Genesis 22:1-2)

Abraham made a choice that day.  He decided to act with confidence based on what God had promised.  Knowing that God is faithful, he chose to believe that he could trust the Lord to bring about His assurance that Abraham would be the father of many nations and that a great blessing would come through his child, Isaac.  (Genesis 12:2-3,  Genesis 15:5, Genesis 21:12)

Abraham didn't know how God would fulfill His promise, but he knew without a doubt that somehow, both he and his son would return from Moriah.  He had every intention of taking the life of his beloved, knowing in his heart that God would bring him back to life.  (Hebrews 11:17-19)

What drove Abraham to act was his understanding of the nature of God.  He knew God as One who could be trusted to carry out what He proclaimed.  I, too, can become a woman like unto Abraham.  Even when things look dismal and beyond hope, I can live in a way that proclaims my faith in a God of integrity.

Actions

By all accounts he was a righteous man who loved God.  When his Lord spoke, he put the plan into action.  This proposal was preposterous and would bring him much grief.  His reputation would be ruined, his home would be one filled with betrayal and pain, and there would be much speculation at the city gate as to his sanity, but Hosea trusted God and did as He commanded.

This prophet of God was used to illustrate the love of God to the unfaithful people of Israel through the circumstances of his life.  Hosea would become an example of the devotion of the Creator to the ones He chose as His own, even though their affections were for other gods.  Hosea was called to marry and cherish a prostitute; an adulterous woman who did not take her marriage vows seriously.

God may call me to live in circumstances which could bring about great pain to myself and those I love in order to bring Him glory.  Maybe it is a job in a far-away place that will mean separation from extended family.  It could be that He has a plan for me that includes living in poverty for a time.  Or, God might bless others through my willingness to share about a stronghold of sin that troubled me for a time.  

Whatever God is asking of me, I can be assured that my obedience will bring about great blessing, no matter how bleak my situation may seem.  Like Hosea, God will use my obedience to deliver a message of hope and love to a world doomed for destruction.

When I choose to obey God's calling despite the consequences my submission may bring, I am saying with my actions that I serve a God of integrity.

Vision

The reports were glowing.  The land was filled with good things to eat and flowing with milk and honey.  Grapes larger than ever-before seen were growing freely, and juicy pomegranate and delicious figs were abundantly available.  This was a wonderful paradise!

Oh, but there was one tiny problem.  The people who lived there were vicious giants who would not easily give up their land to the Israelites.  Thankfully, two men carried a vision of what God could do to those puny monsters!  Caleb and Joshua knew that God would deliver on His promise to guide His people into the promised land.  These two young men could see the twelve tribes living there as if it were already a done deal. (Numbers 14:7-9)

Because of their faith, Caleb and Joshua were the only two out of an entire generation who were allowed to enter into the land God had set aside for His people.  I, too, can live my life like these two men who believed God was capable of slaying giants.

When impossible circumstances present themselves, I can move forward as if God has already delivered me.  For the times the bills are piling high and my pay is dwindling, I can live as if my Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  When my child is behaving as if he doesn't know Jesus, straying far away,  I can treat him as lovingly as my Father cherishes me despite my waywardness.  During the rocky times of my marriage, I can treasure my vows, knowing that God will bring us through.

No matter how large the barriers in my life, God is up for the job.  Only He can give me the strength and courage to hang on when the storms of life rage around me. (Isaiah 43:2)

When I am in the middle of the seemingly impossible, I can choose to move forward with the assurance that God will deliver me.

Example

The sun gleamed, reflecting off the blade of the knife held high over his head.  Even though he lay in such a vulnerable position, laid out as a sacrifice to the Lord, his heart beat steadily.  The words of his father ran through his mind, bringing him comfort and the assurance that all would turn out well.  "We will come right back," he had said to their servants. (Genesis 22:5)  Isaac knew he would return home with his father.

As the mother of four daughters, it is hard for me to think about killing one of them in obedience to God's calling.  The more I know about God, however, the more plausible it becomes.  Abraham's faith in God was strong.  As a father, it was his desire to not only obey God, but to demonstrate his faith through the example he left for Isaac.  As one who loved his son as much as I love my daughters, his act of obedience wasn't cruel or unloving.  On the contrary, I would say he probably showed great love and care as he placed Isaac on the altar.

More importantly, though, was the faith he exhibited for his son.  Instead of feeling fear and trepidation at what was to come, then, Isaac only felt peace as his father's faith rubbed off on him.  His father's confidence in a God who could raise him from the dead gave him reassurance to move forward with a quiet sense of calm.

I, too, have the opportunity to demonstrate my faith to those who are following me or simply observing my life.  When hard times come, do I boldly live, knowing that God will provide or do I sink into depression, afraid that my life is over?   When I am asked to do what seems impossible, do I willingly rise to the occasion knowing that God will equip me or do I shrink away from the challenge, troubled by the thought of the test?  When bad things keep happening, do I speak of the hope I have in Christ, or only of the pain I feel in my heart?

However I react, I can be sure that people are watching.  Either they will gain confidence in the God I trust or they will see that my God is really not all that great.

When I speak the vision my faith gives me, all those around me can share in God's mighty acts and will then give Him glory.

What I believe about God is evident in the way I respond to His call.  When I move forward down the path He laid out for me despite the difficulty it brings, live with the vision of what He has promised as if it were a done deal, and leave a powerful example in my speech, then my life will  express a faith in a God of integrity.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can live my life this day as if my God can do anything.

How do I betray my lack of faith in the way I tackle difficulties?

When do I convey a spirit of doubt in the way I talk about my circumstances?

Faithfulness of God

"For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ

with a resounding 'Yes!'  

And through Christ,

our 'Amen' (which means 'Yes')

ascends to God for his glory.

It is God who enables us,

along with you,

to stand firm for Christ.

He has commissioned us,

and he was identified us as his own

by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts

as the first installment that guarantees

everything he has promised us."

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NLT

Track Record.  I usually know whether or not I can depend on someone based upon their past behavior.  Some are dependable, others are flaky and forgetful.  Behavior betrays one's faithfulness.

I can always count on God as recorded in His Word.  "I will proclaim the name of the LORD.  Oh, praise the greatness of our God!  He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."  (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)

When all around me seems unstable and unsure, I can stand on the Solid Rock.  Even when I don't know the answers, God holds the blueprint for my life in the palm of his hand.  In the times when I feel I can't trust myself, let alone those around me, I can trust God.  

Why can I put all my eggs in God's basket?  It is because He possesses a flawless track record.

Abraham

The years past by and hope turned to dust; dry and lifeless like the rocky land in which he lived. I want to believe God, but how long must a wait for a child?  I'm an old man. . . maybe I was hallucinating.  Maybe God wants me to do something to make His promise happen.  Maybe I imagined the whole thing.  

Abraham and Sarah had to wait over 25 years before the promise God made in Genesis 12 was fulfilled; the promise that, ". . all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. . " and, "To your offspring I will give this land." (v3, 7)

Finally, when Abraham reached 100 years of age, Isaac was born; the promise had been fulfilled.  God has His own timetable and it has nothing to do with me.  If I'm going to trust Him I must not bind Him with the parameters of time.  

I often grow weary of waiting; for things to get better, for relationships to be healed, for hardened hearts to soften.  As one who follows a faithful God, I know that I can trust Him to do as He has said He will do.  He will finish what He has started, bind the brokenhearted and work a miracle in a heart.  He is able. . . if I am willing to wait on Him.

God is faithful to keep His promises. . . on His timetable.

Joseph

It all started with a dream.  He foolishly and arrogantly shared the dream with his brothers of all their sheaves of wheat bowing down to his.  Soon, he found himself the victim of his brother's cruel jealousy, sold into slavery and on his way to Egypt to become the slave of Pharaoh's captain of the guard.  

As if this wasn't bad enough, despite the position of trust he had risen to in the house of Potiphar, he soon found himself imprisoned due to a false charge by his master's wife.  Years later, God enabled him to interpret the Pharaoh's dream, landing him a position as second in command in all of Egypt.  After 13 years of unfair circumstances and undeserved treatment, Joseph had risen to an unimaginable level.  As he later said to his brothers when they were reunited, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  (Genesis 50:20)

You see, Joseph's life seemed like one big tragedy, but because of the foresight revealed by Pharaoh's dream, the prophecy from a boy's long ago dream came true.  And through Joseph's position of power, God was able to use him to prepare a country for a famine that no one else knew was coming.  Soon, all would come to Egypt looking for grain.  Even his brothers would bow before him out of desperation.

I often feel like life has not been fair to me or those around me.  I work hard and try to do the best I can, but I can't seem to catch a break.  I lose my job.  I am falsely accused.  I am taken to court.  The car breaks down, the roof springs a leak and my knee goes out all in the same week.  When will things get better?

Even though life is harsh and circumstances seem unfair, God has a way of taking something bad and using it for the good.  He has a knack for utilizing weak and broken people for powerful and restorative acts.  The Lord can turn the tables in a heartbeat, leaving observers with a serious case of whiplash.

The Apostle Paul reassured us with the thought that, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Joseph's purpose was ultimately to provide a way for the Israelites to enter into slavery in Egypt, thus opening a need for delivery in a way that would showcase God's great power and proclaim His name throughout all the earth. 

Who knows what plan God has for my life. . . or for your life?  Future generations could be affected by circumstances that I am going through right now.  My ancestors might benefit from the fruit that is produced from my heartache.  A seed that is planted right now in the midst of my trouble could sprout and grow for many to see in years yet to come.

Putting my trust in a faithful God means leaving the outcome up to Him, no matter how unfair circumstances now may seem.

Messiah

"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."  (Isaiah 53:5)

"You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay."  (Psalm 16:10)

"The LORD ways to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.' (Psalm 110:1)

Generations of Jews studied these, along with many other prophecies, as they awaited the coming of their Messiah; their promised deliverer.  When would He come?  How will He vanquish our enemies?  How long must we wait?  They must have quivered with excitement of the prospect of their liberation.  

God did fulfill these prophecies in the Person of Jesus Christ.  He died on the cross, taking the punishment for my sins and giving me a peace with God through faith in Him.  He rose again on the third day, illustrating His victory over death.  He is now seated at the right hand of God as the conqueror of the power and consequences of sin in my life.  All mankind is liberated from the death sentence our sin deserves.  

From the moment when Adam first sinned and the state of mankind fell from it's original design, we have been estranged from God.  In that one instant on the cross, the relationship was restored and the impossible once again became possible.  The imperfect is reunited with the Perfect One.  The unholy can abide with the Holy One.  The estranged is brought back together with the Beloved.

If God can accomplish the impossible task of redeeming my hopeless, sinful soul, then I can certainly trust God with everything in my life.

It is not easy to trust those who let us down, but because of God's faithfulness to keep His promises, I can stand firm on His strong foundation.  The constricts of time, harsh circumstances or impossible tasks do not get in His way.  His will prevails. . . of this I can be certain.   

This is the God on Whom I will stake my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember all that God has done to help me believe in all that He will do.

How do I get bogged down in the difficulties and forget that His plan can use those troubles?

When would it benefit me to remember the impossible task of redemption that Jesus accomplished on the cross?