I've been reading "Failing Forward" by John C. Maxwell. Its a good book about keeping a right attitude when you fail and about how your failing should to lead to success. In it he quotes Beck Weathers (a mountain climber), "you never know who you are and what you are until you've really been tested."
I guess I'm learning to appreciate the testing of the Lord more in my life. I am amazed at the tenacity of the both God and Satan. There seems to be a relentless battle over my soul and every soul I encounter. God wants to trust me more and give me an opportunity to persevere and succeed. I'm grateful for this.
Read James 1
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (1:2,3)
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (1:12)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Faith
I think that God is recently challenging and encouraging me to be a man of faith. But what does being a person of faith really mean or look like...? Guess I'm still learning.
"NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]." - Heb. 11:1 (AMP)
It seems that throughout the word, God wants to see and reward faith. In Matthew 8 (5-13 NIV) it says that Jesus was astonished by the faith of the centurion. Jesus was a bit taken back by this man's great faith and the centurion got what he asked for. The centurion had faith, he chose to believe for the healing "as real fact" even though the evidence of the "senses" was not present.
The Bible is full of these kinds of examples, read all of Hebrews 11.
I think its clear that God wants us to chose to be faithful. These verses of Proverbs 2 speak about getting wisdom, take note of the words if and then. There is something about God's desire for our choosing the better way.
"NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]." - Heb. 11:1 (AMP)
It seems that throughout the word, God wants to see and reward faith. In Matthew 8 (5-13 NIV) it says that Jesus was astonished by the faith of the centurion. Jesus was a bit taken back by this man's great faith and the centurion got what he asked for. The centurion had faith, he chose to believe for the healing "as real fact" even though the evidence of the "senses" was not present.
The Bible is full of these kinds of examples, read all of Hebrews 11.
I think its clear that God wants us to chose to be faithful. These verses of Proverbs 2 speak about getting wisdom, take note of the words if and then. There is something about God's desire for our choosing the better way.
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
If...Then
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