Thought for Monday, July 30th

July 30, 2012

Let Faith Arise

One’s faith is a very easy subject to talk about: or at least it is often easier to talk about it than it is to live it out.  But faith is so much more than a verbalized concept, it must become and be an actualized reality that is executed in every thing we do, day in and day out.

It is so easy to say that we know without faith it is impossible to please God: so hence we profess we have faith.   We know faith is the evidence of things not seen in relationship to those things we hope for: so we attest to really believing all things will work for good, if we really love God.

Yet when there is no money with which to pay the bills; the car is sitting in the driveway and will not run: the kids are sick: our mother-in-law wants to move in with us: and the washer and dryer just broke down: this is the place and the times when true faith is essential if we are going to continue to walk by faith and not by sight, allowing the joy of the Lord to be our strength.  

“Philosophic argument, especially that drawn from the vastness of the universe, in comparison with the apparent insignificance of this globe, has sometimes shaken my reason for the faith that is in me; but my heart has always assured and reassured me that the gospel of Jesus Christ must be Divine Reality.  The Sermon on the Mount cannot be a mere human production.  This belief enters into the very depth of my conscience.  The whole history of man proves it. ”

-       Daniel Webster

   For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 Romans 1:16-17

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:5-8

Faith is so much more than a five letter word that describes an attribute we profess to hold: faith must be an action word that embodies and is evidenced in the way we live: our attitude towards life, others and God and it needs to be the very essence of who we are and how we live.

Today’s Prayer

Father, let faith arise in me and let my enemies be scattered:  and let it be to me more than a concept I profess; may it be the very premise and essence of how I live.

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus “

-  Lyrics from ‘Heart of Worship’ by Matt Redman