Hi Family,
Faith and worry don’t mix well. It is like trying to mix water and oil in the same cup. Having faith and carrying a heavy burden is not God ordained. Our faith is tested daily, but it is up to us to seek God daily, so that our strength in him arms us for all the upcoming battles. One thing for certain is that just like the newfound mercies that we are blessed with daily, there are also newfound battles that we have to deal with.
Activating Our Faith
According to the late evangelist Billy Graham, “Faith literally means ‘to give up, surrender, or commit.’ Faith is complete confidence.” How hard can this be? I’ll answer that, immensely difficult. Surrendering to God is letting go of the things that weigh you down and take you farther away from him. Some sacrifices are so difficult, but the most difficult ones are the ones that require letting go and starting new. Not everyone in your life will or can understand the decisions that you have to make, but it is your responsibility to flee from the things you have fully attached your flesh to, that inevitably denounce God in your life. We can’t serve our fleshly desires and serve God at the same time. In order to have faith, one must practice faithfulness and obedience. Being faithful to God is doing all that he requires of you.
Activating our faith means taking a step closer in recognizing God’s power. Faith is not something we can create. Did you know that it is something that is gifted to us by God? A way we can activate our faith is by counting our blessings daily and reminding ourselves of how good God is. When we begin to do this, we begin to realize how powerful and almighty God truly is. He is so great that we can never explain his limitless supply. This huge realization brings us closer to our father and serves as a constant reminder that we have nothing to worry about and that God has everything under control. We can then come humbly before him asking him to bless us with the things he has promised over our lives as his children. Did you know that God has a specific purpose for each of our lives, but there are promises that we are to see as his children that many others can’t. When you believe in him and develop an intimate relationship with him, you are able to freely come before him and boldly asking him to fulfill his promises. Activating = Recognizing
At times I battle those feelings of complete confidence in the things I don’t see. I know for sure that I believe in Jesus and that my love for him is real, but I also battle with understanding the process and timeline for the things my heart most desires. There are also promises that I believe that God has yet to reveal in my life and for some reason I have felt entitled to knowing the actual date and time, when I wouldn’t clearly hear from the Lord. I have come to the realization that if things were to have happened exactly the way I wanted them to, my life would not be the same today. It would be completely out of order and by this I don’t mean, waking up late, missing that early restful time with my book and cup of coffee, but a complete and total wreck. I am not entitled to, and no longer do I want things to happen my way. I want a life that is guided solely by Christ. This means recognizing and activating my faith daily and that is one of my main practices. Seeking the Lord in the early day before the start of everyday, exalting his name and giving him the freedom to give and take away. That is true surrender! Though I must reiterate that is it not easy and that activating something means being intentional in stirring it up until you see the result you are looking for. You have to be INTENTIONAL. That requires a consistent relationship with God. When I begin to doubt and feel weary, I lift up my hands to the Lord in complete surrender and ask him to alleviate my burden. With faith, it happens and I am amazed daily how I am able to function and work through things when I honestly think I can’t. I am not alone, he carries my burdens and is there with me every step of the way. That is how and why I am able to continue the work he has given me.
The fact of the matter is that God doesn’t owe us anything, but his promises are forever truth and he chooses everyday to love us despite of our disbelief, trust and despite of our disobedience. We need God every second of everyday. He’s always near extending his hands so that you can rest in his love. God’s mercies are made new each day, but I believe they are made new each second of everyday. At least for me, I am sure that I am always failing him, but his grace always surpasses my beliefs. His grace is enough for me. His grace is enough for you.
Matthew 11:28-29 says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“The Bible teaches that faith is the only approach that we have to God. No man has sins forgiven, no man goes to heaven, no man has assurance of peace and happiness, until he has faith in Jesus Christ.“ – Billy Graham