Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Stepping Stones: There Is No Knowing, There Is Only Faith

Transformational Tip
Many times we use our lack of knowledge as an excuse for believing and receiving. We think there are things we need to know. In reality, there is so little we need to know...it's not about knowing, it's about believing.
We also live with the unnecessary burden that our faith is not strong enough. Jesus teaches us through His Word that the amount of faith we have is not as important as its genuineness. Are we genuinely living what we believe? We all have our intellectual creed, but is our behavioral creed, you know, what we actually do each day, really what we know is the right thing to do. Taking a look at what we actually do is how we assess what our beliefs actually are. If I believe time with my kids is a high priority, but I keep blowing them off to watch ESPN, read the financial reports, or take a nap, I find out the my belief really is my kids aren't a priority at all, no matter how much I say it is.
Lastly, the most important thing.....What do you put your faith in. I can have 100%, strong faith in a rock to keep me afloat. It ain't going to work. I can have 100%, strong faith in my arms to help me fly when I jump off my roof. Again, not the right thing to put my faith in to get desirable results. What do you put your faith in for your eternal destiny, and everyday life management. Instead of self, others, and things, trust in Jesus, God, and the Bible. You won't be disappointed.
Go to the "Spiritual Basics" link at the bottom of this devotional and then click on "Salvation" to learn more about what little we need to know in order to receive God's gifts.

Prayer
Dear God our Father, I take baby steps of faith, and based on this genuine faith, I am confident that You will show me what You can do. I want to know the excitement of seeing Your Work in me. All glory to you my Lord.
Through faith I receive Your Spirit. Help me get out of the way of Your Spirit today and everyday. Your Spirit empowers me to go beyond my human limitations...beyond my physical ability and strength...for without You I am so much weaker. Help me Lord to not measure my human limitations as I face the challenges and burdens before me today. Help me remember that the issue is not my human limitations...the issue is Your Strength, not mine. I believe by walking closer to you, I can better understand and accomplish Your purpose with Your strength, not mine.
I pray in the name and authority of Jesus Christ. Amen

The Truth
And the apostles said unto the lord, Increase our faith.
And the Lord said, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."
Luke 17:5-6
6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:6-8