Tag: Faith

Faith! Living Out the Word book give-a-way

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You could summarize the book of James in one word, “FAITH”.  Just what does it mean to have faith?  Every day you demonstrate great faith.  Even now, wherever you are sitting you have placed faith in your chair to hold you up.  Chances are you sat down without a bit of fear or worry that you would be held up.  You are relaxed and confident in the ability of your seat.  We demonstrate faith when we ride in an elevator, when we get in a car, when we fly in a plane.  We demonstrate faith in our doctors and the medicines they give us.  We even demonstrate faith in our own bodies when we first place our feet on the floor each morning to take a walk.  We demonstrate faith in restaurants when we eat food someone else has prepared. We demonstrate faith in our husbands, in our children, in our friends and family. If you pay attention you will find yourself demonstrating great faith throughout any given day.  Faith means to believe in something or to have trust.  But, what does it mean to have faith in God?  Is it enough to just say, “I believe in God.”?  No, for we learn in the book of James that even the devils believe and they tremble.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  And in verse six it tells us that, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Jesus spoke of faith often.  He spoke of those with little faith and those who had great faith.  He said that it was because of their faith that many were healed, that they were made whole, and that they were saved.  Faith moves mountains.  In the book of James we will learn that faith endures trials, faith understands temptations, faith gives us wisdom to pass the tests given, faith obeys the Word, faith produces doers, faith harbors no prejudice, faith displays itself in works, faith controls the tongue, faith acts wisely and faith gives us the ability to resist the devil and draw nigh to God.  

So, what exactly is faith?  My husband often gives a very simple and easy definition of what faith is.  It is simply having confidence in the trustworthiness of God.   In other words, faith is having complete assurance that God will do what He says He will do.  So the only way to build our faith is to know God and His Word.  It is through His Word that we learn of His trustworthiness and through His Spirit working in our lives that our confidence is built. 

So pull out your Bible and dive into the precious Word, verse by verse and line by line.  There is no better way to know Him and by doing so your faith will be strengthened more and more. 

I will choose a winner (US Resident only) and mail out Living Out the Word, Faith.  A verse by verse study for women through James on Monday, November 8th.   You can take a look inside the book here at Amazon.com.

Mandatory to Enter: Leave a comment with your favorite verse from James. 

Additional entries:  TOS Crew members, Subscribe to this blog (rss or email), spread the word about this giveaway (blog, facebook, emails, etc) and leave link in comments.

Entrusted With Arrows

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“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”  Psalm 127:3-5a

 Movie Makers has just released a new documentary which I recently had the privilege to review.  Entrusted with Arrows: Entrepreneurial Homeschool Fathers, is an hour long documentary challenging ordinary men to be extraordinary fathers.  Statistics show that the average father spends less than seven minutes of quality time with their children each week.  Perhaps just as alarming, statistics also show that children in Christian homes are being raised without a biblical worldview.  These children in turn reject the faith of their parents when they reach adulthood.  The film highlights fathers who have rejected the world’s standards.  They have embraced a more biblical model because they understand that they are called to disciple their children.   

 We get a glimpse into the lives of average men who have chosen to not just educate their children at home, but have chosen to come home and lead in the discipleship of their children.  The common denominator in all these families is their faith in God.  We see God open doors as they start home businesses.  They stay with their children on a regular basis and follow the commands of God to teach, train, and disciple.  As they follow in obedience, we see God bless these families.  This film is encouraging and uplifting, pointing us to God and His will for Christian homes.  It is a must see for those whose hearts desire is to follow God in every area of their life.

 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deu 6:6-7)

Salty Enough?

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Salt is a precious commodity. Without it life can be rather bland – literally! But it is not just for flavoring food. Salt also preserves. In fact, salt can be used for a number of things. The last few summers we have used salt in our pool. The salt creates natural chlorine which is safer, cleaner, and less expensive. All summer we have had a beautiful, clean, refreshing pool to swim in.

That is until last week.

This is what happens when you do not have enough salt in your pool water.

The water becomes a nasty green color. So even though it’s still hot outside, no one would dare enter. We figured that we would have one more month to swim so we really needed to clean up the pool. Dana and I had a decision to make. You see, it was very tempting to just put a cover on it, close it down, and call it good for the year. There was only one problem with that – the water underneath would still be green. As much as we would love to cover up the problem doing so wouldn’t make it go away.

This whole episode brought to mind our spiritual lives. Christ says that as His disciples we are the salt of the earth. But sometimes it can seem that we have lost our savour. I know it happens to me on occasion. I’m walking strong with my Lord and Master. I’m reading my Bible every day. I’m studying and memorizing Scripture. I’m praying as I should. Then a day or two will go by. I’ll get busy and I’ll realize that I haven’t been studying my Bible or praying. Out of the blue, I’m not walking with the Lord as I should. It is as though all of a sudden my pool water has become green and nasty. This is where the choice comes in. I can be tempted to throw the cover of busyness, good works, or hypocrisy over it. Or, I can deal with the problem.

Dana and I decided to deal with our pool water by buying some Shock It. It was simple, a few bags and already our pool is turning back to its beautiful blue color.

 The “Shock It” for the Christian is just as effortless. It’s a simple turning back to our Lord. It is running into his outstretched arms. It is slowing down and seeking His face. It is resting in Him and finding joy in His strength. It is feasting on His Word and hiding it in our hearts. So, dear Christian, how are you doing? If it seems as though you’re not salty enough, what are you waiting for?

The fountain of living water awaits.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13)

A Lesson in Loyalty

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I was blessed this weekend with a visit from some like-minded friends. Our family enjoyed three days of sweet fellowship with this dear couple, five precious children, and one adorable Daschund puppy. Some might think that a home filled with 4 adults visiting, working, and cooking; 8 children laughing, swimming, and playing; and 3 dogs barking, running, and whining might be loud and disorderly. But that was not the case. Our home was peaceful. The children were polite and well behaved. And the dogs were…….well; the children were polite and well behaved.

Speaking of the dogs, I was amazed as I watched “Bobbie” the Daschund with his 8 year old owner. Never before have I seen such loyalty in a dog. Wherever this little girl went her dog followed. If she went in a room and closed the door, he would be at the door whining. If she went outside to play, he would pace the floor and whine at the door. When she was in the house, he was in her lap or at her feet. It was as though she was ALWAYS on his mind. The other children or adults could pet him or hold him but his eyes were always fixed upon his little owner.

As I observed all of this, I could not help but think about my Master and my loyalty to Him. Are my eyes always fixed upon Him? Am I anxious when He seems afar off? Am I always looking to sit at His feet? Am I as loyal as this little dog is to his master? These are good questions to ponder. And, as I consider these, I will meditate upon Psalm 123:2 “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.”

The Dogwood

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Living in the middle of a national forest has its advantages. Driving home from town the other day my husband stops the car. He gets out and walks over to a dogwood tree, jumps up, pulls a flower off, and brings it to me. The children and I take turns smelling the fragrant aroma and discussing its beauty. During the drive we were able to enjoy the sight of several dogwood trees. I commented that I would love to have one in my yard. Later that evening my boys rushed into the house and said, “Mom, come here! We have something to show you!” They brought me over to my bedroom window and opened the shade. To my surprise there was a tiny dogwood tree planted right outside my window. It was beautiful! Of course, it was just a large branch that they stuck into the ground. We all knew that our “tree” would not last. But the motive behind my boy’s action was that of eternal splendor. My boys wanted to please me and the desire came from their love for me.

Last night as I was reading in I John, I came across a verse that made me think about this story again. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous,” 1John 5:3. God’s commandments are not burdensome! Our obedience to our Lord should be from a heart’s desire to please Him, not because we have to obey but because we want to! Just as it was in no way burdensome to my boys to show their love for me in action, so should it never be grievous or burdensome for us, as God’s children, to show our love in obedience. Will I always obey with pure delight? No! But I will say this. The only time the commandments of God become grievous to me is when I am doing them in the flesh. When I am walking in the Spirit, His commands are joyous. My obedience flows from a love I have for my Father because of His great love for me. So the next time I look at a dogwood tree it will serve as a reminder of God, His love, and His blessed commands.

A few knives and a “mazooka”

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A few weeks ago we were sitting in the car waiting on my husband to come out of a store. Our next stop was to have pictures made for our passports. The children were talking about them and our upcoming trip out of the country. They were asking if we would be fingerprinted. I told them, “No, we just need pictures taken”. To which Andrew responded with, “I don’t care if they take my fingerprints. I have nothing to hide!” He paused for a moment and then said, “Well, maybe a few knives and a mazooka…”

This statement made me think. How many people go through life with things to hide? How many things do I try to hide? As a child of God, I believe in being sincere and true in all that I do. But even then, there is a part of me, deep within, that I want no one to know about. There are thoughts, worries, fears, and sins of my heart that only God knows. Like the Psalmist I often pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24. I am so glad that I can go to the Lord, for He is more forgiving than mankind. “O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee,” Psalm 69:5. There is great peace in knowing that nothing is hidden from God. Even with all my faults and failures, God knows my motives. He knows my heart. He knows my deepest desire to please Him in all I do. In confidence I can truly say to Him, “I have nothing to hide!” Thank you Lord for that!

By the way, the “mazooka” my seven year old owns is made by Nerf and “the few knives”…well, that’s another story.

Faith – a verse-by-verse study through James

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The second book in my Living Out the Word series is finally finished!  Faith – A verse-by-verse study for women through the book of James.  The proof copy is on its way.  If all goes well we can expect it to be available to the public within a month.  I thank the Lord that He has allowed me to finish this and I pray that He receives all glory.  Below is an insert from the introduction.

 You could summarize the book of James in one word, “FAITH”.  Just what does it mean to have faith?  Every day you demonstrate great faith.  Even now, wherever you are sitting, you have placed faith in your chair to hold you.  Chances are you sat down without a bit of fear or worry that you would be held up.  You are relaxed and confident in the ability of your seat.  We demonstrate faith when we ride in an elevator, when we get in a car, when we fly in a plane.  We demonstrate faith in our doctors and the medicines they give us.  We even demonstrate faith in our own bodies when we first place our feet on the floor each morning to take a walk.  We demonstrate faith in restaurants when we eat food someone else has prepared. We demonstrate faith in our husbands, in our children, in our friends and family. If you pay attention you will find yourself demonstrating great faith throughout any given day.  Faith means to believe in something or to have trust.  But, what does it mean to have faith in God?  Is it enough to just say, “I believe in God”?  No, for we will find out later in James that even the devils believe and they tremble.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  And in verse six it tells us that, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Jesus spoke of faith often.  He spoke of those with little faith and those who had great faith.  He said that it was because of their faith that many were healed, that they were made whole, and that they were saved.  Faith moves mountains. 

In the book of James we will learn that faith endures trials, faith understands temptations, faith gives us wisdom to pass the tests given, faith obeys the Word, faith produces doers, faith harbors no prejudice, faith displays itself in works, faith controls the tongue, faith acts wisely, and faith gives us the ability to resist the devil and draw nigh to God.  

So, what exactly is faith?  My husband often gives a very simple and easy definition of what faith is.  It is simply having confidence in the trustworthiness of God.   As you study through the book of James remember that simple definition of faith.

                     Faith is simply confidence in the trustworthiness of God.                          

In other words, faith is having complete assurance that God will do what He says He will do.  So the only way to build our faith is to know God and His Word.  It is through His Word that we learn of His trustworthiness and through His Spirit working in our lives that our confidence is built.  As we study the book of James, that will be our goal – to study His Word, verse by verse and line by line in order to know Him better.  By doing this, our faith will continue to grow. 

When Bible Study is Wrong

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Humor me a moment as I describe my perfect morning. After a good nights rest I would get out of bed by 5:30 a.m., pour a cup of coffee and sit down in the living room with a blanket, my Bible, and prayer journal. When I first wake I like it quiet. Don’t talk to me. I want to spend a few minutes slowly waking up and preparing to start the day. I like to write in the mornings. I like to read my Bible and pray. Therefore, the first hour is mine.

 On this perfect morning, an hour or so later, I would receive a phone call from my prayer and accountability partner who is a pastor’s wife in Arkansas. For the next 30 minutes to an hour we would talk about scripture, share burdens and encourage one another. Then slowly my children would wake up and we would begin our morning routine. I’ve spent many mornings just like the one described above. However, there is one thing wrong with the above picture…..there is no mention of my husband. I realize that there are some men who are perfectly content with being left alone in the mornings but not mine. He gets up early and wants to talk about the day. He wants his coffee and a companion to share it with. He wants a hot breakfast of biscuits, gravy, sausage and scrambled eggs. So, what’s a girl to do?

 The “whitewashed feminist” in me screams out that “I need my time too.” But, is this the correct Biblical response? As a child of God and my husband’s help meet what kind of example would I be if I neglected him in order to study the Bible? I remember the day clearly when God convicted me. My husband never said a word. He just went to the kitchen and started cooking breakfast while I sat on the couch with my Bible in one hand and the phone in the other. All of a sudden, I did not feel very spiritual. Bible study in itself was not wrong, but my attitude sure was. So I got off the phone, put up my Bible, for a later time in the day, and with a repentant heart began to serve. Am I saying that cooking breakfast is a more spiritual work than studying the Bible? Yes, in this case I am because God is always concerned with the heart.

Sunday

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Throughout the week not a thought was given

Of the One who died and then was risen

So it was no surprise when Sunday came

That this day would be about the same.

A hectic morning, rushing to and fro

Hurry up! To church we must go!

Where’s the Bible, it hasn’t been seen all week.

Not once have we read of Christ so meek.

Nor prayed to God or our sins confessed

Yet on to church, we want to be blessed!

Beautiful songs rang with words so true

But the meanings of them no one knew

A few words spoken, empty prayers said

Mere ritual from hearts that were dead

The God of Heaven saw no contrition

Looking down only man’s tradition.

So He search below to see if He could find

A people who loved with heart, soul, and mind

Those who seek Him every single day

Who feast on His Word and faithfully pray

One day a week, worship is not done

But daily from rising to setting sun

Then on Sunday, fellowship sweet

With brothers and sisters they will meet

With one accord praise rise to the sky

In thanksgiving worshipping Him on High.

True confessions made from deep within

The cleansing and purifying of their sins.

Fervent prayers bringing fire from above

So encompassing and deep is His great love.

Next Sunday, they looked forward with glee

For no other place they would rather be.

I told you so…..

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Some things you just don’t want to be right about.

Back in June I wrote a blog called, “An Obamanation”. In it I warned that things were going to get worse and that if the Lord tarried then our children and grandchildren would witness terribly inmoral things in this country. The reason I said this is because I believe Scripture and in Leviticus Chapter 20 God deals with adultery, then homosexuality and then bestiality. We’ve seen adultery run rampant for several generations and now we are witnessing for ourselves the abomination of homosexuality being forced upon us. So logically what is next?

Today I received an action alert from American Family Association. Here is what it said.

Fox network inserts bestiality into family programming Urgent: File a formal complaint today with the FCC!

The Fox broadcast network featured bestiality on the program American Dad that aired over your public airwaves on Sunday night, January 3rd. But that’s not the worst of it. The network chose one of the most popular animated children’s programs (according to the Parents Television Council) to spew their toxic perversion and sickening content. Keep in mind that this program’s popularity ranges primarily from children 2-11 years old.

 I wish this was an issue that could be ignored. It sickens me to even think about it. But the truth is that if we ignore it than the victory will be given to the workers of darkness. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Eph 5:11) We better start waking up. We better start reading our Bibles. And we better stop being complacent and start standing up for righteousness. I guess I was wrong in one way. I was naïve enough to believe that it would be the next few generations that would have to deal with this but it looks like it will be mine.

 “Oh Lord Jesus how long? How long? Ere we shout the glad song, Christ returneth, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!”