FAITH IS A VERB
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" Heb 11:6
Faith is a verb not a noun. Faith is an action not a possession. There is a world of difference between those who talk faith and those who take action. God desires us to step out in faith (or action) for His kingdom and His purposes. In fact, scripture says if we want our life to be pleasing to God we must be stepping out in faith.
This means that you and I can be a good moral person, do what is expected - read our Bible, go to church, mind our P's and Q's, and even serve our community...but if we are not living by faith, you and I may not be very pleasing to God.
I believe everyone's Christian life is marked by windows of opportunity that demand a radical step of faith in order to follow Christ and fulfill His purpose. Our walk with Christ is defined by our response to such opportunities - will we step out in faith or shrink back?
"But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him" Heb 10:38
Where do you sense God challenging you to step out in faith? There is no "diet" Christianity. God wants us, expects us, to break out of our comfort zones and take radical steps of faith that bring Him glory and build His Kingdom.
Remember, risk is different for everyone. What one calls risk may mean little to someone else or vice versa. Faith can not be defined by measuring ourselves to others.
I encourage you to make a decision to please God. Be willing to take a risk for God's Glory and step out of your comfort zone for His Kingdom.
Remember, Faith is a verb, not a noun!
Blessings,
Darren
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Inward Strength
Eph 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
One of God’s greatest promises is to strengthen our inner being. The core, or foundation, of our life becoming firmly rooted in Him. A deep foundation gives strength to face and overcome any and all storms in life.
Matt 7:24-27
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." - NIV
God may not remove all our storms but He will ALWAYS strengthen our foundation! Rest assured God wants to INCREASE our grip on Him. Weary? Stressed? Weak? Ready to give up? Lost and looking for direction? Determine to strengthen your grip on CHRIST!
Set aside time for PRAYER. Read and MEDITATE on God’s Word.
The provision, promises and resources from God’s Word and Spirit stand ready to strengthen you today in your inner being!
Have a great week!
Blessings,
Darren
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
One of God’s greatest promises is to strengthen our inner being. The core, or foundation, of our life becoming firmly rooted in Him. A deep foundation gives strength to face and overcome any and all storms in life.
Matt 7:24-27
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." - NIV
God may not remove all our storms but He will ALWAYS strengthen our foundation! Rest assured God wants to INCREASE our grip on Him. Weary? Stressed? Weak? Ready to give up? Lost and looking for direction? Determine to strengthen your grip on CHRIST!
Set aside time for PRAYER. Read and MEDITATE on God’s Word.
The provision, promises and resources from God’s Word and Spirit stand ready to strengthen you today in your inner being!
Have a great week!
Blessings,
Darren
Monday, June 6, 2011
Simple...but not easy
1 Thess 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Some of the most profound things God prescribes in His Word for His Children are the most simple. Not simple as in easy, but practical. Be Joyful, Pray Continually, Give Thanks in all circumstances. Simple…but not easy!
Paul understands that the devil’s number one weapon against believers is their mind. What we think on, dwell on, how you perceive yourself, others, your circumstances has a direct impact on your faith and life. A mind focused on the negative will produce fear, doubt and confusion. All of which moves us away from faith and away from God’s will for our lives.
Consider the words of Jesus…
John 16:33
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The point? Even Jesus himself has told us that in this life there will always be something to complain about.
Paul’s instructions to us are not because everything is perfect BUT because everything is not perfect. Giving Thanks reminds you & I to keep our minds on what is good and positive which for all of us is a whole lot more than what is bad! I encourage you to begin and end your day with the practice of Giving Thanks for all the blessings in your life. Resist the tendency to complain.
One more encouraging verse from Paul (which he wrote while in prison!)…
Phil 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Stay in God’s Will…be joyful, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances!
Blessings,
Darren
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Some of the most profound things God prescribes in His Word for His Children are the most simple. Not simple as in easy, but practical. Be Joyful, Pray Continually, Give Thanks in all circumstances. Simple…but not easy!
Paul understands that the devil’s number one weapon against believers is their mind. What we think on, dwell on, how you perceive yourself, others, your circumstances has a direct impact on your faith and life. A mind focused on the negative will produce fear, doubt and confusion. All of which moves us away from faith and away from God’s will for our lives.
Consider the words of Jesus…
John 16:33
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The point? Even Jesus himself has told us that in this life there will always be something to complain about.
Paul’s instructions to us are not because everything is perfect BUT because everything is not perfect. Giving Thanks reminds you & I to keep our minds on what is good and positive which for all of us is a whole lot more than what is bad! I encourage you to begin and end your day with the practice of Giving Thanks for all the blessings in your life. Resist the tendency to complain.
One more encouraging verse from Paul (which he wrote while in prison!)…
Phil 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Stay in God’s Will…be joyful, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances!
Blessings,
Darren
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