A Measure Of Faith

 

 

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 

Romans 12:3

 

 

God did not give one person more faith than another, or stronger faith—He gave each of us a measure of faith.  

 

We can no more live without applying faith than we can live without breathing or thinking.

 

Faith is at work within us every moment of every day and no matter what the situation our measure of faith is at work as we put our trust in God. We wake up and crawl out of bed and we "believe" that there is a floor to walk across, that our legs will carry us, and there will be oxygen flowing through our bodies. 

 

We sit in a chair and believe it will hold us. 

We get in our cars and drive believing that we will safely get from one destination to the other.  

We see rain and believe the ground is getting the water it needs.

We see snow and believe the air is cold.

  

The exercise of faith is a constant process in our lives.

 

We either believe God's Word or we are choosing not to believe what He has promised—when it comes to faith there is no middle ground.  We cannot say we believe what He said but then not trust Him. In Matthew 12:30a it says, He who is not with Me is against Me.

 

If we agree with God we must act like it, talk like it, and expect the manifestation of the promise—a measure of faith.

 

If you are given a gift and you lay it aside, forgetting about it or thinking it was meant for someone else, and then you continue to ask for that same gift over and over you have not received the gift you were already given.  In a sense, that is what we are doing with the faith God has given us. 

 

God has given us every good and perfect gift and what He has done for one He does for all who believe in Him.

 

Are we laying the precious gifts aside in unbelief? 

 

Are we waiting until our natural senses confirm what is already done in heaven before we believe? 

 

Faith believes before the manifestation. 

 

Faith is acting on what God says and not on what our emotions say.

 

Let go of everything that questions God's Word and determine in your heart to trust Him and only Him. Don't wait until you see something you can relate to in the physical.  Agree with the Word of God and accept what Jesus has already bought and paid for—receive the gifts God has promised—a measure of faith.

 

Regardless Of Trials True Joy Comes From Abiding In God

 

 

I have set the Lord always before me;
   because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
   my flesh also dwells secure.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
  or let Your holy one see corruption

 You make known to me the path of life;
   in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
   at Your right hand are  pleasures forevermore.

 

Psalms 16:8-11

 

 

If we are going through a time of great joy, enjoy it and thank God for it. But if we are going through a time of trial, thank God for these days as well. For these difficulties will, in time, yield great fruit. But do not deny the pain and anguish, rather experience it to its fullness, and bring it to God. 

 

God is the source of real joy and it is more powerful than just putting on a smiley face to grin and bear it.

 

Finding joy when facing the turbulent waters in life can be difficult. In fact, it can seem like an impossible task at times, but we must not give in to the raging seas. Instead, we need to accept and acknowledge the trail we are in and bring it to God.

 

As we bring the trial to God and give it over to Him—actually letting go—then and only then will we find hope and lasting joy.

 

God does have a plan and purpose for us all even in the midst of trials that seem so overwhelming at times, and He longs for us to call out to Him and give Him our trials. Every trial we face in life does have a purpose and it is through trials that we are humbled, stretched, and most of all are being refined to becoming more Christ-like.

 

What is keeping you from letting go of your trials and giving them completely over to God, so that in return to have and experience the joy of His ever abiding presence in your life forevermore?

Seeing Trials Through New Eyes

We live in a fallen world and as a result trials are going to occur, but that doesn't mean hope can't occur simultaneously. That doesn't mean the glory of God can't be revealed if the trial isn't removed right away. But as we walk through the trial and let go, giving it over to God, we will prevail with His strength and be stronger for going through the trial as we become more Christ-like.  

 

I think of the story in John 9 about the man who was born blind. When the disciples ask, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answers, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned… but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." This is a different way to see trials we face in life—as a way for God's work and glory to be revealed. In that man's case, the glory of God was revealed in the fact he was healed of his blindness. But whether God heals or doesn't heal, His glory can be revealed—it's just up to us to recognize it.

 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

 

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls (Hebrews 10:39).

 

The only way I don't shrink back from life's trials or challenges is through God's grace. I'm continually amazed at the fact that when we trust God enough to take a step toward Him in hope, faith, or courage, He meets us right there—and then equips us to take the next step. I know that's what He has done and is doing for me.

Trials And Joy

My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

James 1:2

The Holy Spirit will enlighten us as we read through the Scriptures, as well as in various circumstances and trails that we may face. And although being saved is the greatest thing and highest calling for a human being in the history of the Universe, it is also the most difficult on earth with its ups and downs.

Even so, it is great because it means that Jesus Christ has passed over our sins by 1) shedding His perfect blood to bring us back to life or justifying us, and 2) reconciling us with God so that we inherit eternal life instead of eternal destruction.

As Christians, we need to recognize that we cannot create or deliver ourselves from any circumstance or trial. Because of this fallen world, they will inevitably come. We will be faced with temptations and trials that seek to please the flesh because of our fallen nature.

However, we are called to count it all joy when these various trials come about. James tells us to let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (See James 1:4).

James is quite aware that Christians have the propensity to attempt to be self-sufficient and reminds us that in the moment we do so, we prove to be double-minded and unstable in all our ways (See James 1:8).

In the heat of our trials we at times begin to expect things from God because we believe, in our ignorance, that we should be able to produce and provide things ourselves—to change the situation or circumstance that we find ourselves in. We believe in the midst of a calamity and/or trial that we can deliver ourselves. Despite any and every circumstance known to man, in complete humility, we are called to be subjected to the wisdom and will of God.

Trials, despite how long and unruly they seem, are the necessary means that God has chosen to sanctify those He loves and cause us to become more Christ-like. Rejoice in your trial and know that God is making you more Christ-like as you chose to rest in Him.

What is impossible with man is possible with God, so rest in Him and count it all joy!

An Expression Of God

Each one of us is an image of God.

 

Each one of us is a unique expression of God's life, beauty, and intelligence, His creativity and tenderness, His energy and imagination.

 

God's creation would be a less rich expression of Himself were one person missing—were one of us missing.

 

God's love and life are expressed by each of us in a way that has never been expressed before.

 

We affect the quality of our expression of God by how we live our lives.

 

If we ignore God, there will always be a tension inside of us because we were made to have a living relationship with God. Something in us suspects this, even if we don't want to believe it.

 

Without God, we don't live up to our potential. Despite all of our efforts, we somehow never quite live up to being the people that we sense we could be for God's glory.

 

When we recognize God's presence in the very core of who we are, however, our uniqueness of who God made us to be blossoms. We don't waste our lives fighting with ourselves and we are then freer to be a true expression of God.

 

Only in God's presence can we find the freedom to be ourselves as we were intended to be, as He has created each one of us to be a unique expression of Himself.

 

God has no interest in diminishing our individuality, because He created us each as unique individuals. But when we separate ourselves from God, from the source of our uniqueness, we separate ourselves from that which is deepest in us. We know that our innermost self is made in the image of God and thrives in His presence.

 

We can only know ourselves to the extent that we are willing to be in relationship with God. Otherwise, we continue to remain somewhat of a mystery, even to ourselves.

 

As we spend time in God's presence, we cannot help but be changed inside and out. While we spend time with God we will continue to be molded, shaped, and stretched into His likeness. The important thing is that we learn to rest in His presence, to slow down and turn off the noise inside, and to set aside our busyness and our own agendas. Spending time with God is not about us doing or achieving anything (even when praying) but about a relationship.

 

So we need not strive but only relax and be silent, becoming aware of God's loving presence, as He reveals Himself to us. The more time we spend with God, the more we will become like Him in every area of our lives—an expression of God.

Trust Is Releasing

Trusting God is releasing everything to Him... when I get overwhelmed by life in general or my present circumstances, it's because I'm trying to do it again, and not turning it over to Him. When I release all to God, He works everything out for good.

 

"Commit your way to the Lord,
  Trust also in Him,
  And He shall bring it to pass."

 

 -Psalm 37:5

Hints Of God

 

We see the enormity of all of creation, its awesomeness, order, and intricacy, and we wonder about God, as see His beauty, richness, and variety in nature and in each individual. We see the impact of even the smallest act of kindness and are amazed.

 

We see hints of God in people, in amazing acts of generosity, self-sacrifice, courage, and devotion.

 

As spectators, we can experience the joy of losing ourselves in all that God has set before us. This allows us to live in newness and awe daily as we press in to all that He is calling us to, even if only for a while. We get a sense of there being something bigger than ourselves and move forward knowing that God has everything in control and we need not worry or miss a beat.

 

We get a whiff of the infinite, but for a lot of us that's all we get.

 

How do we take the hint and accept the reality; and what would it even mean to say that we believe in God and walk it out daily by faith?

 

It feels like a risky thing to do and we are afraid of what we might lose.

 

But if God is real, there must be something wonderful to gain. 

 

The amazing thing is that God accepts us right now, as we are and we only need to take the hint and acknowledge Him.

 

"Yes, God, I believe You are there. I want to know You more, even if it means I have to change some things. I'm willing to say yes to You, to say yes to goodness and all that You have for me daily. Thank you for Your acceptance and forgiveness of me."

 

And the journey is begun or maybe just refreshed.

 

God will lead the way as we start taking the hints that He gives. Just pay attention, and know that all we have to do is live in today—not in the past or in the future—but what He is blessing us with this very moment.

 

God has so much to offer us as we trust in Him… look for His hints today!