Faith

FAITH

What is Faith and why is it a must for our lives?  Hebrews 11:1-3 tells us:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things that are visible.”

I am struck by this first thought that faith is the substance of things hoped for.  Hope is what pushes people forward.  When we are hopeless we tend to isolate ourselves and dwell on negatives often to point of depression.  This biblical definition of faith pointing to hope is a great comfort.  As God’s people we need to remember that we have a great hope which should be evident in our lives and that is solidified by our faith.

Our faith is like many other areas of our life in that it will have its ups and its downs.  But when it is firmly rooted in biblical truths it will secure us from being overcome by the trials that we face.  Faith is something that we develop over time through observation, education, and intent.  No one creates a useful or abiding faith without intent.  In my own journey to a saving faith in Christ I remember having a conversation with a minister friend of mine in Jefferson City, MO who told me,

“I know that you will find what you need.

You have a good heart and are seeking the truth,

Just keep it up.”

He was right, I did find what I needed. One of the implications of his statement was that many do not seek after truth.  Without intent it is very unlikely anyone will stumble upon a meaningful faith, and without truth no faith can be meaningful.

So what about doubts?  Many people of faith will have doubts from time to time.  Occasional doubt is a good thing, in that when we don’t have doubts or insecurities it may indicate that we are becoming complacent or overconfident in our faith.  It has been said that “pride cometh before a fall,” and that very easily could be the state of our faith when we claim to have no doubts.  On the other side of things we cannot be in constant doubt, as this would indicate a very weak and passive faith.

Faith is a building block for us to build upon with so many other positive attributes as is shown in 2 Peter 1:5-7,

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,

Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge,

To knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,

To perseverance Godliness, to Godliness brotherly kindness,

To brotherly kindness love.”

This week examine your faith.  Where do you stand?  Do you have doubts?  Set your foundation in faith and add to it through prayer, study, and service.  In these things you will Do Well, and your faith will grow.  As your faith grows you will see a change in how you respond to trials and difficulties that come before you, and others will too.

Midweek Motivation #7

Midweek 

Motivation

#7

Success is the fruit of our past failures.  We must learn from our failures and even better from the failures of others.

Observe, Consider, Improve

www.workoutyourfaith.blogspot.com

Monday Morsel #17

Carpe Diem!

Seize the Day!
(If you don't it may seize you)

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Midweek Motivation #6

Earlier this week I was privileged to spend a couple of days watching a master at work.  Raynard Brown was a guest conductor working with the Arkansas Jr High Treble Honors Choir which convened in Little Rock.  This man set such a positive tone and shared tremendous insight with a group of about 50 students from across our fair state.  There needs to be more Raynard Browns positively impacting and shaping the lives of our young people.  How will you influence our youth?  To quote Mr. Brown, "it's not about you, it's up to you."  Do Well!

Monday Morsel #15

K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple and Serve

MONDAY MORSEL #13

"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other , our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Closing sentence of the Declaration of Independence.  What are we willing to pledge to renew their idealism today?

Road Trips, Restoration, and Renewal

Yesterday morning we sent off a group of around 30 members of our church family, including our daughter Olivia, to Texas to work with a small congregation there on outreach efforts this coming week.  This road trip for them will be of great value to them in growing their faith and aide the membership of their hosts to restore their spirit of service and renew their efforts to reach those who have not found, or who may have forgotten about Jesus.

After sending this group off on their week long journey to Texas, Angie and I took a little road trip of our own.  We set out on the highways and byways of North Central Arkansas and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation.  For those who may never have been to Arkansas they have missed out, as our state is full of beauty that in many cases can only come from God.  The photos I have included are from Blanchard Springs near the microscopically small town of Fifty Six, AR.  What a beautiful site to have right here in our backyard.

Not only did we visit the spring, but stopped by Lake Norfork, a man made reservoir, but nonetheless capturing the beauty of God's creation all around it,  Throughout the journey it was hills and curves, trees and pastures, streams and sunshine, so much to take in and absorb.  The beauty of it all awoke my heart and restored my soul in a way that could not occur just hanging around the house.

The other piece of this journey was just spending some quiet time alone with my lovely wife.  We don't do that enough any more.  We enjoyed one another's company, talked of various subjects, and enjoyed a whole lot of oldies music, primarily from the 50's and 60's.  Yes we are old souls, and yes we are proud of it.  Had we not have taken advantage of this time together, in this way, we likely would have stayed in the ruts and routines of laundry and yard work.  Such a day would have done little to thrill our souls or inspire us in any way.  I am thankful to God for allowing us to take such a road trip, and even more thankful for what it meant to us emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Enjoy the beauty of God's creation.  It doesn't take a grand trip to the Rocky or Smoky Mountains, a vacation at the beach, or hiking in the Grand Canyon to set our eyes on God and His vast creative powers.  There are elements of it visible in everyday life, and additional bursts of it all within a one day road trip of your home, I dare say wherever you might live.  To DO WELL this week I challenge you to get off the beaten path, out of your routine and to seek God in a simple yet special way. 

Monday Morsel #11

Know your true north.  Set your compass and take the journey to your definition of success.

Are You In Full Bloom?

This week's photo was taken at the Creation Museum just outside Cincinnati, OH.  I am not sure what type of plant this is but was impressed with its beauty.

We understand, on some level, the cycles of life that God has put in place in His creation.  Among the most magnificent is that of the plants and their seasonal changes particularly how they bloom.

We also face cycles in our lives.  Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that "there is a time for everything under the sun."  He then went on to describe several of the ups and downs that we might face.

If we want to flower or bloom as so many of the beautiful plants then we need to cultivate habits in our lives just as we cultivate those plants in our care.

Plants are not immune from the elements, and require actions to be preserved in extreme conditions.  If, for example, you have planted a garden early in spring it is possible that a cold snap could damage or kill some of your tender young plants if you do not take the time to cover them.  We too face times where we need an added layer of protection, be it physical or spiritual.

Plants require water to survive, and so do we.  Hydration is a vital component to our health.  Increasing your hydration alone can pay dividends for us that will improve our "blooms".  Spiritually we are born of blood and water through baptism into Christ.

In a garden the plants will thrive when they are given proper fertilizers.  We too must be fed, the spritual food that is the Word of God, and the right physical food to nourish our bodies.  Without either of these we begin to flounder and lose our blooms.

Our plants when well maintained are strong and yet flexible.  We need to look at our physical abilities and ask are we strong and flexible?  If not we should take action to improve in these areas with specific forms of exercise.  Spiritually we must know the Word and be strong in it, while knowing it well enough to be flexible to respond to the multifaceted attacks that will come.

I am sure there are several other lessons available in looking at the beauty of the plant life around us, but today these leapt out at me for consideration.  I hope that each of you will Do Well in improving your bloom, perhaps it will put a smile on the face of someone you come into contact with in the future, just as this plant made me smile a couple of days ago.

MONDAY MORSEL #4

MONDAY MORSEL #4
April 25, 2016

Marriage is NOT a 50-50 proposition as many might say.  It is a 100-100 proposition with a man and woman each giving all they have under God's leadership.

www.workoutyourfaith.blogspot.com

MONDAY MORSEL #3

Monday and Everyday are made by your attitude.  Pick it up and write the best story possible.  With God it is better.

Inspiration, Ramping it Up!

There is something special about youth and the energy they have to share with us all.  I just spent the weekend at a youth leadership development convention for children within churches of Christ called Lads to Leaders.  This was our family's 6th year to attend and though I typically leave physically exhausted I ALWAYS leave with a renewed mind and enthusiasm to work with our kids.

When you combine the zeal of youth with the power of God and implant upon their hearts habits of servant leadership amazing things begin to happen.  We can all take this model and work to deepen our faith and truly get our serve on as we move forward.  By organizing our priorities and looking for ways to grow and serve not only will we develop a better life for ourselves but will very positively impact the lives of others.

I am inspired, in a big way, to up my game just as nearly 10,000 people in Nashville this past weekend likely are too.  Where do you find your inspiration?  There are plenty of options out there and God has placed someone or something in your life to energize, motivate, and inspire you to be the best you that you can be.  Do you see it, hear it, feel it?

This week I challenge you all to look, listen, feel for that special blessing that will move you forward to a better and more Godly you for today and into the future.  Get inspired and Do Well.