God is with you

Photo Credit

 

I came across these verses last night and wanted a visual. So I found a picture of the Promised Land and added the verses (thanks Pic Monkey!). In Deuteronomy 11, God is giving the Israelites some instructions before they go into the Promised Land. He's already given the ten commandments and the rest of Deuteronomy is God laying out guidelines, if you will, of what the Israelites are to do after they cross the Jordan. But these are the words that stood out to me. I was thinking of it in terms of God's word. When it says, "place these words on your heart. Get them deep inside you," I thought about holding onto a verse that really speaks to you in a specific time in your life. Maybe it's a verse about peace or strength or healing. But you cling to that verse, you get it deep inside you and you don't let go. That verse gives you strength because you're about to get your breakthrough. You're about to cross your own Jordan River! And at the beginning of the book of Joshua, God tells the people to be strong. Three times in chapter one He says those words. He knew what the people would face. And then He says, "...do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (v. 9). No matter what we face, no matter how we're feeling, God is always with us. Always.

mountain moving faith

“Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.” - Matthew 17:20 (Message)

I read this verse the other day and I've read it before but it stuck out to me this time. What does that kind of faith look like? I wonder if someone could literally move a mountain if they believed enough? And maybe that's my problem. That seems so outrageous to me that I doubt it could happen. But what if it could? What if we believed that way? What if we had so much faith there wasn't room for any doubt? I want that. I want to confidently believe for the big things as easily as I do for the small things. My pastor has said before that, my paraphrase, if we pray for something and it's easy to believe for, we need to think bigger. And, to some, this might not make sense. It might seem we can ask for anything and God should do it but there's a bit more to it. John 15:7 says, "But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!" The more we seek God, the more we begin to want what He wants and therefore as we pray, we're praying and asking for His will for our lives. So, let's get rid of the doubt and move some mountains!

 

by faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 - "for we walk by faith..."

Hebrews 11 - "by faith" is used over ten times

Romans 3:28 - "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith..." 

Romans 5:2 - "through whom also we have access by faith..."

Galatians 3:11 - "But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 5:5 - "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

I found this sign at Walmart and have it hanging in my room. Last week I started thinking about two of those three words, "by faith." "By faith" is a phrase that appears in the Bible quite a few times. To me, "by faith" means walking down a path that may not make sense to the world. It means making decisions that - from the natural - are bigger than yourself. It's saying yes to God. It's thinking from a spiritual perspective instead of an earthly one. And there's a surreal confidence that comes when you walk "by faith." You can know - despite circumstances - that God's working things out. You don't have to worry. You don't have to doubt. You have a peace that's unshakable. By faith."

defining faith

I'm working on growing closer to God. This is something that I always say I want but it seems as if lately, there's just this desire within me to know Him on a deeper level. I'm struggling to wrap my mind around God and who He really is. I've grown up in church and have been saved since I was seven but it's as though I'm finally starting to own my faith. I'm no longer relying on my parents faith but needing to establish my own - what I believe and why. So all of this comes back to what faith is. Hebrews 11:1 gives a great definition but I've been thinking about relevant meanings in my life. Here's what I have so far:

- faith is trusting God when life doesn't make sense
- faith is trusting God when your heart is breaking
- faith is trusting God when all you want to do is give up
- faith is trusting God when you're too weary to take another step
- faith is trusting God when you don't have a clue what to do next
- faith is trusting God when you feel like He's not listening
- faith is trusting God when you're tired of waiting
- faith is trusting God when nothing goes as planned
- faith is trusting God when you wonder if He'll ever answer your prayer
- faith is trusting God

all

I've been listening to a song called "Healer" (the Hillsong version is my favorite). The one line that's been sticking out to me is "I believe You are all I need..." This is where I'm getting hung up. I have to make a conscious decision to mean that line. I'm craving the kind of relationship with God where that truly is my heart's cry. To reach a point where I don't need a guy or anything else but only God. To know who I am in God and be content with the path I'm walking. I've always thought of content as meaning happy where you are and having no desire for anything else and that's not what I want. I want to fulfill the things God has for me and not be satisfied with where I'm currently at - I know He has more for me. But that's not what it means. Philippians 4:12 says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." In other words, no matter the situation, Paul trusts God. He knows God has a plan and will take care of him. God, You're all I need.

steering wheel

content: desiring no more than what one has; satisfied.

I'm making the decision to be content with my life. Not content as in "Yep, I'm good right here" and never want to strive for anything more but content as in "God, there are things I want in my life but I trust You with how and when they'll happen." Philippians 4:11-13 says, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (NIV)."

I think contentment (true contentment) is a by-product of faith in God. When you're content, you have this sense inside you that it's going to be ok; everything will work out so just enjoy the ride. I want to be content. I want to hand the steering wheel over to God while I either watch the scenery or take a nap. Why? Because I trust where He's taking me.