Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 By faith we understand that the ages were framed by a word of God, so that the things being seen not to have come into being out of the things that appear. ( MKJV )
The Message Translation puts it this way : Heb 11:1 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. 2 The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. 3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see.
With my mouth I confess what I believe.
So often our words contradict what we supposedly believe. Even our confession, our statements, should be the result of choice. I have the free will and the ability to choose what I say about a situation. Do I speak life or death over situations?
This is my choice:
Never again will I say, "I can't," for "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Phi_4:13).
Never again will I admit lack, for "My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Phi_4:19).
Never again will I fear, for "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2Ti_1:7).
Never again will I harbor doubt and lack of faith, for "The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear" (Psa_27:1).
Never again will I allow the supremacy of Satan over my life, for "the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1Jo_4:4).
Never again will I admit defeat, for "God always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him" (2Co_2:14).
Never again will I lack wisdom, for "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (Jam_1:5).
Never again will I be worried and frustrated, "Casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1Pe_5:7).
Never again will I be in bondage, for "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2Co_3:17).
An old country preacher used to say: "There are two parts to the Gospel. The first part is believing it, and the second part is behaving it." The hearer only is the one who is satisfied with just believing without behaving. That is what James describes as dead faith (Jam_2:17).
What We Think
Our Thinking:
"It's impossible."
"I am too tired."
"Nobody really loves me."
"Nobody really cares for me."
"I cannot go on."
"I cannot figure things out."
"I cannot do it."
"I am not worth it."
"I cannot forgive myself."
"I cannot afford to."
His Thinking:
"All things are possible" Luk_18:27.
"I will give you rest" Mat_11:20-30.
"I love you" Joh_3:16.
"I care for you" 1Pe_5:7.
"My grace is sufficient" 2Co_12:9.
"I will direct your steps" Pro_20:24; Pro_3:6.
"You can do all things" Phi_4:13.
"I am able" 2Co_9:8.
"It will be worth it" Rom_8:28.
"I forgive you" Psa_103:12; 1Jo_1:9.
"I will supply all your needs" Phi_4:19.
You cannot control the length of you life-but you can control its width and depth.
You cannot control the contour of your face-but you can control its expression.
You cannot control the weather -but you can control the atmosphere of your mind.
Why worry about things you cannot control when you can keep yourself busy controlling the things that depend on you?
There's much truth in saying that every man is the architect of his own fate. Your choices affect your destiny. Out of a rough block of stone one man may make a beautiful statue, another, gravel. Both products are good and useful under certain conditions. But a statue can be immoral in conception, and gravel can be the grudging and punitive work of a criminal condemned to a rock-pile.
The point is, whether you are a gifted artist or a competent gravel maker, you can choose whether to use your abilities worthily or unworthy. In building a Christian life you have the same choice.
Think about this:
A certain farmer had an unusual weathervane on his barn. Inscribed on the arrow were these words: "God is love." A passerby turned in at the gate and asked the farmer, "What do you mean by that? Do you think God's love is changeable; that it veers about as that arrow turns in the winds?" "Oh, no," replied the farmer, "I mean that whichever way the wind blows, God is still love."
Finding the Blessings with a Thankful Heart
“If one should give me a dish of sand, and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet, and sweep through it, and it would draw to itself the most invisible particles. The unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find some heavenly blessings.” ( author unknown )
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
Have you ever watched little children?
It always amazes me how, being naughty, mischievous, deceptive, selfish comes natural to a child. From birth they know exactly how to manipulate, throw tantrums, take cookies from the cookie jar when nobody is watching.
Yet we have to teach them, how to `play nice now`, how to `say thank you` and `please may I`.
It`s like we are told in the passage above, we have to cultivate thankfulness. By implication, it does not come naturally. Perhaps because of our fallen nature. The fact remains, we have to work at being thankful.
It`s so much easier to complain about things we do not have than it is to be thankful for what we have.
2Th 1:3 You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it's only right that we give thanks.
It`s only right that we give thanks. To be thankful for our salvation, to be thankful for the ability to be thankful. For life, children ( even the naughty ones ), so many things to be grateful for.
Psa 106:1 Hallelujah! Thank GOD! And why? Because he's good, because his love lasts. 2 But who on earth can do it-- declaim GOD's mighty acts, broadcast all his praises? 3 You're one happy man when you do what's right, one happy woman when you form the habit of justice
This Psalm says it all: Why should we thank God? Because He is good and He has an everlasting love for us. The Modern King James Version : Psa 106:1 Praise Jehovah. O give thanks to Jehovah; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of Jehovah, or cause all His praise to be heard? 3 Blessed are those who keep judgment, he who does righteousness at all times.
Do you notice verse 3? Being thankful is equated with being righteous, and that blessings will follow who act righteous all the time.
How often do we face a child that is skulking around the house, `dragging a long lip` around because they `don`t ever get anything`? then we tell them “stop sulking and put a smile on your face” or else……..
Perhaps God has such a desire for us. To start celebrating what we do have, to be thankful in all things, and as we begin to praise Him in all things, the shackles will fall off.
Praise and worship, coming from a grateful heart just does something to an otherwise miserable situation.
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