Daniel had made quite the impression on King Darius…not only for his exceptional qualities of trustworthiness and integrity…but in his worship of God. Daniel’s life was one unending devotion to God…whether he was at work or at home…whether he was with other Christians or co-workers…his focus didn’t change. Can we say the same thing about ourselves? Would your co-workers readily comment about you as King Darius had observed about Daniel? Has your walk made such an impact on the people around you that they truly know from where your faith comes? Let us pray then that God would give all of us boldness to live a life worthy of the Gospel.
Tag: faith in action
Matthew 6:30 ” If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
Jesus didn’t mince words with the Disciples. He used the phrase, “O you of little faith” many times throughout the book of Matthew in dealing with them. In Matthew 8:26 Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” In Matthew 14:31 He again asked, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Here were men who had witnessed miracle after miracle…bodies made whole, blind eyes receiving sight, dead bodies brought back to life…and they still hesitated to fully trust Jesus. If these men had trouble with their faith, why should it surprise me if I fall short? The Believer’s journey is taking that meager crumb of faith we’re given and growing it day by day…of being open and honest when we doubt…and asking the Lord to help us in our unbelief.
Genesis 12:1 ” The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’ “
It takes huge faith to respond to God’s call when He says, “Go!” And it takes tremendous trust to say “Yes” when you don’t have a clue what’s to come. But without that faith and trust in God…you’ll never fulfill His plan and purpose in your life. Sometimes, God will ask you to take a leap of faith, but know that He’s there ready to catch you…you just have to jump.
Psalm 119:116 “Sustain me according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.”
You can’t have faith without hope…and hope without faith…they go hand and hand together. When shattered human emotions come to the point of hopelessness, there’s nothing left but disillusionment and a broken spirit. But if we have faith, we are lifted up and supported…encouraged and assured that God is there. Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He Who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” The Lord is always there to comfort the brokenhearted and grief-stricken. For faith will give way to hope…and hope will usher in faith.
I Corinthians 1:9 ” God, Who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”
God is faithful…keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations. (Deuteronomy 7:9) He is trustworthy, just, and true, unlike anyone else on this planet. For others will betray you…even those professing their love for you. But God will never go back on His Word. He can be trusted…so in turn, we can believe in Him. And in that confidence, springs hope. (Hebrews 10:23)
Mark 4:18-19 ” Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the Word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful.”
In the Parable of the Sower, the seed (the Word of God) is sown among the thorns…obstructing its growth. When as a Believer, we don’t see fruit in our lives, we need to be asking ourselves – “What’s distracting me from God’s plan and purpose in my life?” The world’s frenzy is enough to distract us from what really matters, so we need to prioritize everything by these categories: God first, family next, world last. Distracted faith is as bad a luke-warm faith…it’s a unfruitful faith that God can’t use.
Romans 10:4 ” Christ is the end of the Law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the Cross to fulfill the demands of the Law. He freed us from the impossible observances of those Laws…giving us instead His perfect Law that offers freedom from sin and guilt. For anyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus…the old Law-keeping vanishes, as the new covenant is activated in their heart.
I Kings 8:23 ” O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below – You Who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.”
He’s a promise keeping God. If He’s said it…He’ll do it. He’s also a faithful and trustworthy God…He will never go back on His promises. Have you trusted Him for something lately? Not just saying it, but really standing on His Word and believing? That kind of faith building strengthens our walk and allows us to rely on Him more. And as we come to rely on Him more, our love for Him grows, and so does our trust.
We’ve got to live: Faithfully in His Word
In James it says to not merely listen to the Word…but do It. In order to put your trust in the Lord, you must take what you hear and apply it to your life. You need to take that head knowledge and internalize it into heart knowledge. The Word of God is powerful and alive, but if it goes in one ear and out the other, it’s of no use to you. For just hearing God’s voice will never cause change within… unless you do something with it.
Hebrews 10: 39 ” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
The scripture today is a continuation of the thought from yesterday…a encouraging thought for all of us… that we are stronger than we think, braver than we can ever imagine, and only need to trust the Lord in order to succeed. We are exhorted here that we are not of those who shrink back, but rather have faith. For what hangs in the balance is simple…eternal life, or eternal damnation.
Safetypinlove 