When I went to Bible school we would sing a song that went like this:
Act on the Word, act like it's true
Quit being down, quit being blue
Stand up and step out, do what you couldn't do
Act on the Word, act like it's true
It is easy to act like the great promises of God's Word is true when everything is going good. But, when times are hard and challenges are before you it is much easier to act like all is lost. When we say we are believers in Jesus Christ, then we must believe what He has said even when we don't see it or feel like it.
It is very easy then to say we believe the Word of God. But acting like it is true is another story. To act like the Word is true, and we should since the Word is true, means to think, speak, and do what the Bible says. Doing or acting like Jesus has given us the victory, or answer, or provision, that we know He promised, when we are in a tough spot is not easy. We don't have it yet and we certainly don't feel like the Word is true. But since we can count on God and His Word when all else around us is failing then we should not act like we are defeated or in despair. We should trust Him and act like we have the promises already. Act like the Word is true. Stand up and step out. Be a hearer of the Word and not a doer only. That is true faith.
Hebrew chapter 11 is the Faith chapter. It records many great people who acted in faith. Noah built an ark. He acted before anyone had seen any rain. Abraham went to a new place that was promised to him though he had never been there. By faith Moses chose to leave the king's palace and be the deliverer of God's people. By faith the people of God marched around Jericho for seven days and the walls fell flat. They took action though it did not make natural sense to do so, but because they did act they got supernatural results.
Act like the Word is true. It is not time to be down and blue. James 2:17 says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." What are you believing? Take action on it today and see your faith come to life.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Weather Outside is Frightful
Enough already! It's cold outside and has been for quite awhile. This winter is the coldest and snowiest we have had in a few years. Right now it is 11:30 a.m. and it is -11 degrees out. I understand fully those that are 'snowbirds.' They leave and live down south where it is warm and come back for our beautiful Wisconsin summers. If only I could convince the whole church to be 'snowbirds' and live somewhere like Florida or Arizona, all in the same town, and we could have the First Church of the Snowbirds.
We would live and have church there all winter and then we could come back up here when it is too hot down there and continue to have church here. But, that is only dreaming. It is OK to dream as long as we live, today, in reality. Today it is at least sunny and it feels good as I type this sitting at the south facing window with the sun warming me. But, my feet are still cold, though.
You know the grass always appears greener on the other side. Well, I can't see any grass and it will be March or April before anyone around here sees it. But, what I mean is that we sometimes think that being someplace else, or another job, or situation, would be better than what we have now. God knows where we should be and is certainly capable of leading and getting us there. Unless it is where He wants us to be we will be miserable even if it is 'paradise.' Being in the center of God's will is the best place to be. That is where your provision, grace, joy, blessing, peace, etc., is located. Yes, there is a place that God calls us to. He may at some time move us, but in the mean time we better enjoy where we are and stop wishing we were somewhere else.
Of course with the weather outside being frightful it is a great temptation to want to be somewhere else. Ask yourself, "Where does God want me to be?" Now, when you know, you must settle it in your heart and mind. Take the worst of what you have to experience in that place, or this place, and make the lemons into lemonade. One thing that I did was to embrace the snowy winter by enjoying snow skiing. It may be something different for you, but whatever it is get busy with it. I need to get busy with enjoying skiing, but it is too cold!
So, I will start having a basketball night with the guys at church. We will have it the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of the month at 6:30 p.m. It is something that I use to so enjoy and was fairly good at. I have not played in a long time. The key here is that it is indoors and will be great fun to hang out with the guys. Again it is 'indoors' and we can play. So enjoy today and the place God has planted you. Put down some roots and quit wishing you were in greener pastures. That greener grass is probably over the septic tank anyway!
We would live and have church there all winter and then we could come back up here when it is too hot down there and continue to have church here. But, that is only dreaming. It is OK to dream as long as we live, today, in reality. Today it is at least sunny and it feels good as I type this sitting at the south facing window with the sun warming me. But, my feet are still cold, though.
You know the grass always appears greener on the other side. Well, I can't see any grass and it will be March or April before anyone around here sees it. But, what I mean is that we sometimes think that being someplace else, or another job, or situation, would be better than what we have now. God knows where we should be and is certainly capable of leading and getting us there. Unless it is where He wants us to be we will be miserable even if it is 'paradise.' Being in the center of God's will is the best place to be. That is where your provision, grace, joy, blessing, peace, etc., is located. Yes, there is a place that God calls us to. He may at some time move us, but in the mean time we better enjoy where we are and stop wishing we were somewhere else.
Of course with the weather outside being frightful it is a great temptation to want to be somewhere else. Ask yourself, "Where does God want me to be?" Now, when you know, you must settle it in your heart and mind. Take the worst of what you have to experience in that place, or this place, and make the lemons into lemonade. One thing that I did was to embrace the snowy winter by enjoying snow skiing. It may be something different for you, but whatever it is get busy with it. I need to get busy with enjoying skiing, but it is too cold!
So, I will start having a basketball night with the guys at church. We will have it the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of the month at 6:30 p.m. It is something that I use to so enjoy and was fairly good at. I have not played in a long time. The key here is that it is indoors and will be great fun to hang out with the guys. Again it is 'indoors' and we can play. So enjoy today and the place God has planted you. Put down some roots and quit wishing you were in greener pastures. That greener grass is probably over the septic tank anyway!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2009, Leave the Past Behind
It is hard to believe that it is 2009 already. Where did 2008 go? For many it will be a welcome relief to let 2008 be over and a distant memory. I hope that you had a great 2008 and will be missing it for all the great things that God did in your life. Wherever you are at on this spectrum, be sure to find things to be thankful for in 2008.
2009 is here and we better enjoy it, even in the face of trials and challenges. God knew that you would be here in this time. He knows what you are facing. He cares and will give His help to those that call upon Him. We can be confident in knowing that God is in control. He will take control of your life if you will let Him. It takes faith to do that. Let 2009 be the year you trust Him more even in the face of a recession, war again in the middle east, etc.
1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.NIV
This is the confidence that we should have in our God. But, we must know what His will is in order to be able to ask with confidence and receive from Him. God does not want us to be fearful or dismayed by the events that are happening. We have to trust Him and dare to ask Him. We can be confident in the midst of adversity knowing that God is not only able, but willing to help us. Let's believe together that 2009 is the year our faith and confidence in the Lord will increase and therefore 2009 is to be our best year yet.
2009 is here and we better enjoy it, even in the face of trials and challenges. God knew that you would be here in this time. He knows what you are facing. He cares and will give His help to those that call upon Him. We can be confident in knowing that God is in control. He will take control of your life if you will let Him. It takes faith to do that. Let 2009 be the year you trust Him more even in the face of a recession, war again in the middle east, etc.
1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.NIV
This is the confidence that we should have in our God. But, we must know what His will is in order to be able to ask with confidence and receive from Him. God does not want us to be fearful or dismayed by the events that are happening. We have to trust Him and dare to ask Him. We can be confident in the midst of adversity knowing that God is not only able, but willing to help us. Let's believe together that 2009 is the year our faith and confidence in the Lord will increase and therefore 2009 is to be our best year yet.
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