Sunday, January 18, 2009

FAITH FILLED

What kind of FAITH do you have?

Is it the kind that you LIVE out everyday? Or do you claim to have FAITH, but never really show it in your actions?

Funny how all last week I had been thinking about my faith and how much I rely and depend on God to take care of everything for me. Then today, our pastor speaks on Faith.

I have been keeping account of several of the things that have happened in my life, since really learning to depend on God, and it's really amazing what a testimony it is. I remember a time when I would have had a meltdown if I were to lose my job or for some unexpected crazy bill to come in that I didn't have the money for. But, over the last several years I have come to the realization that I truly do not have any REAL control over anything that occurs in my life. . . only the way I choose to respond to it. That is where my wonderful husband has helped me. He has shown me how to REALLY trust in God and not to "worry" or "stress" over things.

Our life together has been like one of those bad comic books where the good guy always has something happen to him. Of course, we laugh it off. . . what else are you gonna do? Cry about it? Seriously though, every time we turn around it is some major catastrophe, usually when it comes to health or finances. For example, we got a few unexpected hospital bills that the insurance did not cover, we thought we could take care of it when we refinance the house. . . but the house appraised for less than we expected. Then, dear hubby needed brakes on his truck. . . only trouble is, it ended up needing two new rotors, too. . . $950. . . I need my van inspected and it needs four new tires, breaks, and an alignment. And you know that is not going to be cheap. Life is just crazy here. Any way, you get the point. . . and that all happened within 3 days. Yeah, you see what I mean? So, instead of freaking out and wondering how it's all going to work, I look to Him to show me what we are to do about each thing that occurs and HOW he wants us to handle it. Now, sometimes, I have apparently not done exactly what God wanted me to do, and he has gently reminded me. However, I have found that if I do something in error and that I truly believed I was doing what He wanted me to, then He is a loving and forgiving God! Good thing too! Heaven knows I've made my share of mistakes!

Sometimes, I look to heaven and ask Him. . . "How much longer, Lord?!" And, I know that it is a mute point, because it's gonna happen when He is good and ready. Thankfully, I have my FAITH in Him and all that He has planned for me. Christ is my SOLID ROCK that I stand on. . . all other ground is sinking sand! I've LIVED it, not just talked about it. I have prayed and said "Lord, you are just gonna have to take care of this, because I cannot do it on my own." And within literally HOURS, seen him lay something in my lap and it is the answer to my prayer. We have prayed for others and seen Him answer those prayers. . . prayers of healing, prayers of comfort. God is SOOOOO good!

I have become so dependant on God to show me what it is that he wants me to do with everything that occurs in my life, that I sometimes find myself becoming impatient with loved ones that claim to have strong faith, yet do not live it the way we do. <<>>

I am not saying that it is easy. If anything, He tests me at times and I find myself wanting to scream out "enough already". But, then I remember how much He loves me and all of the wonderful things that He has planned for me that I do not even know about yet. . . and it makes it all worth while!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

What do YOU think?

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Recently, I have noticed that several of my Christian friends are going through some really difficult times. Whether it be financial, health, or family issues. . . everyone has got "something" going on in their lives. This really hit me just before the holidays.

I see the devil working hard to distract God's people right now. I know, he has been working at it for most of his life. But have you stepped back to take notice of all that is going on around you? I was sitting in my home office the other day, looking out the window, remembering when I was young and the issues we dealt with in our day. They are miniscule compared to what our children have in front of them. I used to wonder what it was like for my grandmother to have seen so much happen in her life time. . . now I know. I mean, there were no TVs when she was a kid, and their phones were what we now call "vintage". I liken that to what I have seen in my lifetime:
  • TV sets have gone from the typical "floor model" to hanging them on the wall
  • Floor stereos that had a turntable & 8 track are now ipods
  • We can now carry our phone with us where ever we go
  • Our cars can be tracked via GPS
  • A 1500 sg ft home when I was a kid was about $55000. Now, it is $165000.
  • The latest "toys" for kids are electronics
  • Atari has evolved into XBox
  • Clothing styles have gone through 2 cycles, full circle

These were just a few of the things that most people my age would be able to come up with pretty easily. But, some of the things that really bother me are:

  • How easily it is for most people to watch TV & movies that have such "filth" in them
  • How busy people are that they do not have time to visit their neighbor
  • How some think that "we deserve everything" and forget about those less fortunate
  • How open people are about their sins, and unrepentance of those sins
  • The TV shows that once did not have a curse word, now are riddled with them and various other things of ill repute
  • How kids today have to deal with gangs, drugs, guns, etc AT SCHOOL
  • People now think that they are "entitled" to whatever they want to buy and will put it on credit to get it. . . never thinking about how much the item is REALLY going to cost
  • How hated Christians are for our belief in the BIBLE and what it says, yet any other religion is "off limits" for anything negative to be said about it
  • How God has been taken out of the very things that we grew up knowing He was a part of

Well, I could go on and on. . . but I think you get my point. The moral decline in our country today is holding true to what the Bible says about the last days. Many people are following "false" teachings and "false" prophets. God told his apostles "Take heed so that no man will deceive you". I think that statement is needed even more today!

Take heed dear one, the time is nigh and it is IMPERATIVE that you stay in the WORD of God! Read your Bible every day, Pray every day, show Mercy to others. People, it is time to wake up and hear the call of God. He loves you and wants you to be with Him in His kingdom someday. He loves you so much, that he sent His ONLY son for you. He is the ONLY way. Do NOT let anyone tell you any different. If you are truly seeking and want to find out more about God, He WILL reveal himself to you. You will come upon irrefutable evidence that HE is THE ONLY WAY!

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