Hi Friends,
I am 'fasting' for a while to clear my head and body... I guess. this is not the right way to lose weight, I know, but I am doing it non the less. Who knows that I might just order a pizza from the lame country bumpkins up here.... lol. Last time they dropped it and most of the goodies had shifted on one side. I will try to be nicer on the phone this time, maybe. But they don't know how to listen on the phone.... !
The posted text/ message, here, today gave me pause, as I did a self examination to check if I was putting all my Faith in God and the Bible. The true, real, test, is dropping all your 'back up plans' --- from what I understand to just rely on God, only. I am afraid that it may just come down to that scenario in the end. Faced with a 'do or die,' situation, what would we do?
I remember that horrible time in Colorado, and the Columbine high school slaughter, where many people chose Christ -- to death, and so they died with honor and Faith. I think that most folks would pick the side that they know and believe in, but IMHO, careful study of the Word -- THE KJV BIBLE, on a regular basis is key to sounding down all that true information into the heart and mind.
Yes, I have my own 'demons' to struggle with, being a combat, disabled Vietnam Veteran: 68-70, plus some inherent tendencies to contend with. Ha! We must take the bad with the good, and there are going to be some dreary days, like today, that I just don't feel like putting on my shoes and driving to the town to get some hot food.
Now... I have studied fasting and Herbs for the past 40 years, so I know what I should do, plus I am retired. Right now my mind is worried about getting my Tax papers together to take in for processing. Remember: "That the cream always rises to the top." Meaning, that the important things will / should come to the fore so that they will take presentence.
It's along drive to get a hot meal at my favorite place, and then I have some personal business that I am worried about, from some of the medicine I took.... that I cannot mention here, today.
Sometimes I read things over a second time to let it sink in better and see if I missed any important points.
Warm Regards,
Tom
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” - Romans 1:16-17
LIVING BY YOUR FAITH
Paul lived in a world that was similar to ours. His country was divided on political issues of their time. As the Roman empire expanded so did the people that took refuge in it. Other countries were attacking the Roman empire to disrupt and instill fear in the people. Different religious beliefs permeated the Roman world. Plus the preaching of Jesus and the cross was quite contrary to the religions man had created at the time.
Paul was not ashamed to be different. He did not mind not fitting in because he knew the power of God that could save anyone who would believe. Now that is living by faith.
What is living by faith?
Living by faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, regardless of how we feel, because God promises a good result.
Living by faith is an active confidence in God who has revealed Himself, not a vague uncertainty about an unknown someone. God has proven Himself real again and again, and if you’ve not yet experienced His reality, you can. Your faith comes alive as you believe the Word of God and act upon it.
Let’s say you ask God for guidance in prayer.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You focus on living that out trusting and acknowledging God in “all your ways.” That’s faith. It’s your active confidence in God, the thing you hold onto while you wait to see how the Lord is going to answer your request.
Faith is also the evidence that God is faithful. We are not the first people to trust God.
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” (Psalm 90:1).
Remember that God is the same God that delivered Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and is the same God that did miracles in the lives of Moses, Ruth, David, Mary, John, Paul and Timothy.
You see, people have been trusting God for thousands of years. This is not a foolish thing to do. The faithfulness of God, not only in generations past, but also in our own life, provides you with evidence.
That’s the evidence of things not yet seen.
That’s the evidence of things not yet seen.
Faith is not believing in a vacuum; it’s belief based on the Bible. God inspired the Bible throughout the different chapters and it illustrates a living example of how He can work in our lives. Our faith isn’t in the stock market, the media and not even the news feed or comments on Facebook or Twitter, no matter how wise and well-meaning. Everyone and everything else fails or fades anyway.
“But the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:25).
Genuine faith is always a part of your life. While we claim to believe all kinds of things, if they don’t influence the way we live, then we don’t really believe. We need to learn from Paul’s example and carry that kind of confident boldness into our world.
When you’re willing to put yourself at risk, your faith in God becomes active. Only when you know God’s grace is your only option, when you’ve cut off all back-up plans and thrown yourself entirely upon God’s mercy, only then is your faith the substance and evidence God’s Word says it will be.
Think of a situation you’re facing right now where you can put your faith into action by believing God’s Word and acting on it, not mapping out a back-up plan.
Just you, God, The Bible, prayer and your faith!
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