Trusting Full Circle

Have you come full circle, knowing now how to get life right, or are you still wandering aimlessly on your journey without a clue?

November’s Awakening, Day 30

We know we’re coming full circle with God when we stand at a very similar crossroad where we made such a mess of life before, but this time we take a different road.

 —Beth Moore, “Believing God”

We trust, instead, in the power of God and the strength of the Holy Spirit and know that our lives have meaning and power and eternality because God’s Spirit is greater than the spirit of this world. 

—Beverly J. Van Kampen and Margery A. Lembke, “The GodSense Journey: Exploring Sacred   Pathways”

           We are not here by chance nor are our lives meaningless, but we have eternal purpose and essential effects in our impact in other’s lives and this world in which we live. You have a reason for being. God planned to use you powerfully from the very beginning and it is up to you to walk down His road. Each crossroad brings a new opportunity to hear his still small voice and follow in the way you should go. Each obstacle is another chance to overcome where you’ve succumbed before. Each battle of resistance opens a new door to victory. It’s a new tomorrow with a new determination to get it right. It’s time to come full circle—wrong choices become right, pessimism becomes optimism, despair becomes hope, weakness becomes strength, failure becomes victory, and quitting becomes perseverance to the very end. Faith and trust coming into maturity, coming into the fullness of His power, coming full circle from our limitedness to His infinite—that’s His plan and that’s His empowerment in us.

Tempered Trust

Trust is tempered and purified in the fiery challenges of life. Are you cracking in resistance or being strengthened?

November’s Awakening, Day 29

I needed to trust Him in order to allow Him to truly order my steps and lead me through the process to the promise and purpose that He had established for my life.

 —Chrystal Armstrong, “God’s Divine Design for Dating and Marriage”

Our story will entail challenges to trust God in ways we never imagined we could, or would, and we’ll one day realize that this was all temporary? This story, our life doesn’t define us in eternity, but it prepares us for it.

 —Cherie Hill, “empty. (Living Full of Faith When Life Drains You Dry)”

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. Psalm 125:1–2 NIV

            Trust is a continual process of knowing with assurance, learning from life experiences, and relying on His infinite power and compassion for us. The challenges of life are precisely the stimuli required to initiate and propel this trust growth process. As difficult as it may be, we must embrace the process rather than resist it. As each life challenge presents itself, we should be looking for the lessons God wants us to learn and know with assurance that He is working it all out for our ultimate good. If we face the obstacle again, it should be much easier to overcome, and for each new obstacle we now have the assurance and experience to know that we can overcome that too.

It’s Cooperative

Trust is cooperative. Do what you are already enabled to do, and trust God to take care of that which is beyond your means.

November’s Awakening, Day 28

We all tend to go to extremes; some rely only on their own preparation and look for nothing more; others, as I say, tend to despise preparation and trust to the unction, the anointing and the inspiration of the Spirit alone. But there must be no "either/or" here; it is always "both/and." These two things must go together.

 —Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Trust in God, Follow His Word, Be True to Yourself and Live with No Regrets unto God – But the secret to doing that is Knowing Yourself and Knowing who God is through His Word.

 —Patrick Baldwin, “The Perfection of Purity: A Message to My Daughter”

            God has blessed us with intelligence and numerous natural abilities and He expects us to use all that knowledge and our talents accordingly. Still, we are to seek His guidance and direction in all things as well. It is a completely cooperative effort—using everything that we are and have and yet relying on Him in dependence also. We are both physical and spiritual and the entirety of our being should be put forth in the best effort to bring about the desired result. We flounder if we try to do it all by ourselves, but also we must not sit back and expect God to do every task for us that He has already enabled us to do. The Christian life is always a balance of this cooperation. After all, it’s not just you, it’s not just God, it’s God in you.

Trusting Freely

Are you passing this life’s test of faith, trust, and obedience to God or are you struggling just to make the grade?

November’s Awakening, Day 27

The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God’s view of life: Life is a test, life is a trust and life is a temporary assignment.

 —Rick Warren

God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.

 —Elisabeth Elliot

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 NIV

            This life truly is a temporary assignment, at least here on earth, as we eagerly anticipate our heaven homecoming. This life is also a test of obedience, faith, and trust in God—relying and depending upon Him to bring about and complete His good, pleasing and perfect will in our lives. In this life journey every aspect of our allegiance to Him is tested and we must choose which path to follow and who we will follow. Freely we believe and come to Him and freely we follow, never being coerced or forced, but oftentimes coaxed by the Spirit’s wooing. Still, we choose. We can walk confidently in the light of His love, or we can stumble blindly through the darkness of the world. 

Trust in the Trenches

Trusting Him in the battle trenches of life forges a powerful trust that undauntingly remains.

November’s Awakening, Day 26

Believers talk about trusting in the Lord with their whole heart and refusing to lean on their own understanding, but no one really knows what that means until circumstances cast them headfirst into a dark and painful place. If we give ourselves fully to God in those moments, we will obtain keepsakes of Him to treasure now and forever.

 —Dr. David Jeremiah, “The Jeremiah Study Bible”

Even if people have disappointed you or circumstances have not turned out as you had hoped or prayed, know that God is with you, cares for you, and loves you. He is working all these things together for your good right at this very moment.

 —Christine Caine, “Living Life Undaunted”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

               It is oftentimes in the battle trenches of this warfare of life where we forge our greatest measure of trust in Him. This is because circumstances are often well beyond our control or comprehension, and we must surrender fully to Him, trusting that His will and His plan are somehow working through all the chaos of these battles to bring about His victory. The battle trenches of life are filled with turmoil, sorrow, and pain, but trust in Him brings us to where He is in security on higher ground. We would do well to remember these trenches, but not remain in them, always thankfully acknowledging His deliverance and rescue from the enemies of the world and the enemies from within. Trust is fired, forged, and purified in these trenches. Remember, reflect, and move ever forward knowing that He’ll be there always and again.

Trust Regardless

Trusting God amidst the chaos of this life is challenging indeed, but knowing the One who’s conquered it all is living in His peace.

November’s Awakening, Day 25

So much of our Christian walk has to do with learning to trust the goodness and faithfulness of God despite what happens to us or is happening around us.

 —Christine Caine, “Living Life Undaunted: 365 Readings and Reflections”

We can live life confidently and boldly with the knowledge that wherever we go, whatever we do, whatever struggles we may face in life, we are walking with the God who holds the entire world in His hand.

 —Christine Trevino, “Experience Christmas”

           

            Happy birthday, Galen and Edwina! A special Scripture just for you—

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7–8 NIV

            “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). Jesus experienced firsthand the trouble of this world and He understands all that we must endure as well. This life is filled with turmoil and our Christian walk is anything but easy. Yet still, we are called to trust in the One who’s been there before and overcame and conquered it all—so take heart! Jesus is right there in the midst of the fiery furnace with you and He’ll wrap His loving protection around you and see you through.

Overflow with Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving, so be thankful for all the truly important things in life and even more so, express that thankfulness wholeheartedly.

November’s Awakening, Day 24—For Thanksgiving

Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him; it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts.

 —Andrew Murray

Genuine thanksgiving is a response to both who God is and what He has done, is doing, and will do.

 —Joyce Meyer, “The Power of Simple Prayer”

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15 NIV

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV

            Thanksgiving is a great day to reflect upon everything of importance that you should show gratitude and appreciation for. But it shouldn’t be the only day. We need to cultivate that attitude of gratitude every day and express it openly. Personifying a grateful attitude is both healing to self and to others, and it keeps us looking forward to a positive tomorrow rather than living in a regretful past. Have a grateful heart, with an always compassionate mind, and exemplify those attitudes wherever you go and to whomever you see. Have Thanksgiving every day.

Worthy of Our Trust

Our trust in God is worthy and reliably certain. Trust in anything else is being tossed about on the waves of the sea. Where have you put your trust?

November’s Awakening, Day 23

Trusting God means thinking and acting according to God's word in spite of circumstances, feelings, or consequences. 

 —Warren Wiersbe, “The 20 Essential Qualities of an Authentic Christian”

Teach yourself to thankfully receive all that God gives you as evidence of His love and faithfulness, and then you’ll find it easier to trust Him next time.

 —Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, “Being Still with God Every Day”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV

            We must never forget that God is truly worthy of our trust, unlike the uncertain trust we place on humanity and the tossing waves of the world. God is unchanging, righteous, and true and that is always His nature—He can be nothing else. Therefore, we can come to Him in complete surrender just because of who He is. And because of who He is, His Word and promises are equally true and reliable. We will be tossed about on the waves of circumstances and emotions and so too the world, but not so with God. It is we who are fickle in our allegiances and commitments and ultimately our trust. We need to know deep in our hearts who He is in all the fullness of His character and trust that no matter what, He responds to us in love and righteousness and faithfulness. There is nothing else in this world that you can trust any more wholeheartedly than God and His Word.

Embrace Him with Trust

If you faithfully trust Him, you will lack nothing good and attain your reason for being.

November’s Awakening, Day 22

We need to let go of control, and embrace God and His truth fully and completely... then we will receive His blessings, and His promises will become our truth reality, protection, and provision.

 —Heather Bixler, “My Scripture Journal: The Promises of God”

Teresa’s Bookmark

Let nothing disturb you,

nothing frighten you;

All things are passing;

God never changes;

Patient endurance

Attains all things;

Whoever possesses God

Lacks nothing;

God alone suffices.

 —Teresa of Avila

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 NIV

            Embrace God and His truth and trust in His promises. When we do, that faithful trust becomes our truth reality and His blessings will freely flow. Trusting God means that we are letting go of our control fully and completely, knowing assuredly that all things are in His hands and His control. Faith and trust are both essential traits that are complementary and we must possess them in ever increasing quantities. As our faith grows, so too, will our trust in Him. He has always been there for us and He certainly will continue to be.

Entrust Your Life to Him

Are you trusting God with every aspect of your life? Are you putting everything of importance into His hands to securely hold? If not, you’re liable to lose it all.

November’s Awakening, Day 21

Dear Lord, although I am sure of my position, I am unable to sustain it without you. Help me or I am lost.

 —Martin Luther

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.

—Corrie ten Boom

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV

            It should be comforting for us to know that even great icons of the Christian faith needed to rely upon and trust in God daily. Are you willing to trust solely in Him and cry out “Dear Lord, help me or I am lost.”? And remember Paul’s thorn? Whatever is was, God refused to remove it and simply said that His grace was sufficient in weakness to make Paul even stronger. We must trust in those types of situations that God knows best and desires the best for us, contrary to what we may deem as best in our limited mindset.

            Give it to God. All of it. If you’re holding on to everything of importance in your own limited strength and understanding, you will often dishearteningly see the world strip it away. We are not the best of managers of anything good, only He is. And He truly knows what is essential and important and of true value. Some things we simply need to let go of, and most things we need to put into His hands. In our hands, it’s just like sifting sand, blowing away in the whimsical breeze and falling through the cracks.

Faith in the Face of Doubt

When doubt tries to stifle your faith just look to the scars in His hands.

November’s Awakening, Day 20

True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie. It is enough that God has said it.

 —A. W. Tozer

The strength of your faith is not measured by the absence of doubt, but by the faithfulness of your life in the face of doubt.  

 —Nicky Gumbel

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Revelation 2:19 NIV

We would all like to have powerful, bold faith all the time but as fallen humans that is not probable. We will all have doubts at times and question the how and the why just like Thomas. We know in our heart that God can do all things but we often wonder, will He, for me. Jesus understands our dilemma and empathizes with us, but the important thing to note is that He commends those who are “doing more than you did at first,” in our deeds, love, faith, service, and perseverance. Growing into maturity is what is most important. Stagnant is stale and lifeless.

            Be strong and courageous in your faithfulness to Him, His Word, and what you know is true. Persevere in the face of doubt, and be encouraged and strengthened knowing that if you need to see and feel the scars in His hands just look to the Cross once more and know.

Flight at the End of the Tunnel

Fight, flight, or faith—which do you choose when you’re going into life’s battles?

November’s Awakening, Day 19

The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in. 

 —R. C. Sproul

When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.

 —Edward Teller

            Faith to believe in God is one thing, faith to believe everything that God is and has said is quite another. Faith vitality comes when we can trust God because of who He is, what He has already done for us, and what He will continue to most assuredly do. Jesus Christ is the One who is faithful and true, the way, the truth, and the life, and the light that is never dimmed or extinguished. All His promises for us are clearly delineated in His Word and they are genuine and valid without expiration.

            How firm is your faith in Him? How unshakable is your faith when you’re in life’s darkest tunnel, seemingly without end, not knowing what lies ahead? Does your faith penetrate the darkness to see His beckoning light? Are you faithfully trusting that once you break through that darkness there’s solid ground anew to take foot? Or better still, are you prepared to fly and soar across the bottomless chasm when you see Him on the other side with outstretched arms urging you onward? Bold faith—unshakable, unswerving, unrelenting, unyielding—that’s the kind of faith He’s looking for in you.

Faith for Your Past, Present, and Future

Faith looks up, to free you from your past, to love you where you’re at, and to give you His blessed hope for tomorrow.

November’s Awakening, Day 18

Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence.

 —Augustine of Hippo

Regret looks back.

Worry looks around.

Faith looks up.

 —John  Mason

            When you reflect upon your past mistakes, faith in His mercy and forgiveness allows you to learn and mature without condemnation. Regret may motivate you to avoid the same mistakes, but sometimes it can keep you in bondage to your past and never allow you to break free from its chains. Faith freely forgives and lets you acknowledge your errors and move on.

            In the chaos of each day, we are often overwhelmed by stress and the busyness of life. We can be overtaken by the worries and the concerns that each day brings or we can choose the way of faith, trusting in His love and His promises for us. Instead of the anarchy of worry, faith gives us His confident assurance that He is in control and has you by His hand.

            Tomorrow will be a bright new day, if we trust and know without a doubt that He will be there too, providing us with every good thing. Faith brings hope for tomorrow instead of only dismal despair. Faith is the unseverable cord that threads together His peace for our past, His assurance for today, and His hope of providence for tomorrow. Faith always looks up.

Eyes of Faith

Are you looking into tomorrow through the foggy haze of the crystal ball or are you perceiving with the perfect clarity of faith?

November’s Awakening, Day 17

God has made for us two kinds of eyes: those of flesh and those of faith.

 —John Chrysostom

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith.

—Author Unknown

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21:14–15 NIV

            Faith sees through the eyes of God not our eyes of flesh. The unknown becomes known, the impossible becomes possible, our inability becomes His perfect ability, and our uncertainty is exchanged for His assurance. With faith, you are not limited to your own talents, abilities, and resources. You have access to Him and all that He is and all that He has, and that’s everything.

            When you’re worried about tomorrow, just remember His assurance to you, “I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” You’re not going into tomorrow’s battles alone.

Faith Doesn’t Need to See or Hear

“I always knew He was there, but I didn’t know His name!”—Helen Keller

November’s Awakening, Day 16

Faith is blind—except upward. It is blind to impossibilities, and deaf to doubt. It listens only to God and sees only his power and acts accordingly.

 —S. D. Gordon

If the blind put their hand in God’s, they find their way more surely than those who see but have not faith or purpose.

 —Helen Keller

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17 NIV

            “Faith comes from hearing the message about Christ,” but what if you can’t hear or see the words of the message? Faith doesn’t need to see or hear—it just knows. Some might say those physical senses are even a distraction. Faith is a spiritual awareness not a physical sensation or a tangible, quantifiable substance. As God is the great I AM, so faith simply is. Faith is the instantaneous and unbroken connection with Him, an invisible lifeline that securely attaches ourselves to Him transcending time and space and the physical order of things.

            Anne Sullivan, herself the epitome of faith, was Helen Keller’s teacher who, despite all odds, faithfully persevered to communicate with Helen. Breakthrough came when Anne simultaneously ran water over one of Helen’s hands while writing the word “water” with her finger on the palm of Helen’s other hand. Helen now understood that everything had a word associated with it. Helen progressed to learn how to speak, read braille, read sign language by touch, and lip read by touch. She earned a college bachelor’s degree and was a noted author, lecturer, and political activist. Amazing.

            Being both blind and deaf was not enough to deter Helen’s faith and perseverance. This world has seen and knows many people just like her. Do your faith obstacles seem so insurmountable now? Faith—it’s the invisible finger of God writing His name on the palm of your hand.

Baby Steps to Leaps of Faith

It’s time to leave home and do it on your own—with faith in Him.

November’s Awakening, Day 15
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. 
 —Martin Luther King, Jr
I do not want merely to possess a faith, I want a faith that possesses me.
 —Charles Kingsley 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV

           

Our faith must start somewhere just like everything else in life. At our conversion to become believers, God gives us a measure of faith to believe but not mountain-moving faith. We begin by taking baby steps but soon that needs to progress to longer and faster steps till we are running and leaping in faith to maturity. Sadly, however, many of us never get past the baby steps.

            We as parents, expect our children to mature and become adults of character and integrity with the ability to be successful in life on their own. Likewise, God expects us to grow and mature in our faith and move away from home and make it on our own. Our increasing faith is what allows us to live in that blessed assurance of who He is, what He has done for us, and all that He will continue to do. Each obstacle that we overcome in this life should be a faith springboard to propel us ever onward and upward. Faith builds trust, trust builds dedication and commitment, and commitment brings us closer once again to Him as our source of it all.

            Sometimes, the mother eagle has to kick the fledglings out of the nest so they can learn how to fly. Sometimes, God allows obstacles in our lives as opportunities to cultivate and grow our faith. Don’t you think it’s time for you to take some flying leaps of faith?

Faith to Move You

Faith to move mountains would be awesome, but sometimes it takes more faith just to move yourself through the day. Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will see you through.

November’s Awakening, Day 14

I seek not for a faith that will move a mountain, but for faith that will some how move me.

 —Author Unknown  

A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.

 —Dwight L. Moody 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV

            Sometimes in the difficulties of our lives we struggle to muster up enough faith to just get through the day, let alone move mountains. But if we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and completer of our faith, knowing what He endured for His joy in us, we can endure with our joy in Him. Do not lose heart. Hold on to every bit of faith within you and given to you by Him. His grace is sufficient and will get you through the day and tomorrow, who knows, you just might move mountains.  

Trusting Faith

We may be blind to our future, but connected to Him it’s of no concern.

November’s Awakening, Day 13

Faith is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future.

 —Author Unknown

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right.

 —Max Lucado 

            Blind faith when connected to Him isn’t blind at all. In fact, we may perceive more clearly and precisely than ever our path and purpose in life just by knowing and fully trusting in Him. There is no better understanding and clarity for your life than spiritually connecting with God through your unshakable faith. The more events in your life that you look back on and see God’s hand, the more you will have faith and trust in a favorable outcome in the next challenging event to come. Faith builds upon your experience, and seeing the hand of God in every aspect, all along the way. He was there for you before, and He will most assuredly be there for you again. Knowing that, believing that, and trusting in that is what unshakable faith is all about. 

Power Is in Your Faith

Are you surrendering Self and relying on your faith in Him? You must have belief in the deepest depths of your heart.

November’s Awakening, Day 12

Faith is a reality and it reaches out to facts that are more solid, more real, more substantial, and more eternal than anything registered by our physical senses. 

 —John Phillips

If you are desperate for healing, help, and hope, ask the Lord to increase your faith today, and make a determined choice to trust Him. When you do, He will meet you at your need and carry the load of your burdens for you. 

 —Gwen Smith

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3–4 NIV

            Faith is powerful and real, just as the spiritual realm is, even though it is intangible and undetectable through our normal senses. The more we exercise and walk in our faith, the more viable and powerful it will become, and our assurance and reliance upon it will exponentially increase. Remember, faith starts as just a seed, but with our continual attention to it and the Spirit’s continual leading, it will soon blossom. If you surrender self and believe and trust Him, your faith will thrive.

A Journey of Faith

Are you walking each day in faith, regardless of your circumstances? Is your faith maturing, preparing you for every good work that He has for you?

November’s Awakening, Day 11

God will test you because He wants you to mature. He wants you to develop a walk with Him that is not based on your fluctuating emotions, but on your commitment to Him as you learn to walk by faith.

 —Greg Laurie

To know and experience what God can do, we must first realize and acknowledge what we cannot do. We must get our eyes off of ourselves and our limited ability, and totally onto Him and His infinite power. 

 —Joyce Meyer, “Be Anxious for Nothing: The Art of Casting Your Cares and Resting in God”

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6–7 NIV

            We come to Christ by faith and we must live our lives by faith, knowing that it is not the visible and tangible that is most important, but it is the continual spiritual awareness and closeness to Him that makes the difference and gives us our significance. It is difficult living beyond our normal physical senses and living by faith and belief in the One we need to connect to, yet if we are spiritually in tune with Him, we will soon discover that our awareness and discernment in the spiritual realm is quite powerful and will manifest itself in subtle ways in the natural. We will “feel” His presence, sometimes overwhelmingly, reacting physically to a purely spiritual experience. It is not the physical reaction that is important but the spiritual awareness that initiated it. Are you spiritually sensing His presence on a regular basis or are you tuning Him out?

Faith While Surviving Reality

It takes a deep and mature faith to balance our expectations of God with the reality of what God actually delivers.

November’s Awakening, Day 10

God allows hardship in our lives so that our beliefs—those handholds of faith in a troubled world—will became more and more real to us and less and less theory.

 —Greg Laurie

Anyone who has believed God to be miraculous, and prayed earnestly for a miracle, understands the complexities of living a life of faith while surviving the context of reality.

 —Christine Trevino, “Experience Christmas”

            We are fallen human beings living in a fallen world, trying to survive the realities of this existence, all-the-while attempting to be positive in the knowledge that it is all just for a time and a season. A complex balancing act indeed, yet essential to our Christian life. We must continue to believe that God will supply all our needs and provide necessary miracles along the way, too. But our perception of our needs and what constitutes the miraculous is different than that of God’s perfect understanding. We see only in part, and that dimly, skewed and tainted by sin, but He sees and knows precisely and in unbiased clarity the truth of what is needed and required. That is why sometimes our expectations of God don’t seem to match the outcome in this reality. It takes faith to believe, trust, and know assuredly, that God certainly has delivered whatever was appropriate and at the allotted time. That is our faith reality.

Living Faith

Is your faith alive, confident, sure, certain, and unshakable in Him? That’s the goal and He’s the prize.

November’s Awakening, Day 9

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man would stake his life on it one thousand times. This confidence in God’s grace and knowledge of it makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all creatures; and this is the work of the Holy Ghost in faith.

 —Martin Luther

Faith is the solid, unshakable confidence in God which is built upon assurance that He is faithful to His promises.  

 —Dr. David Jeremiah

So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Galatians 3:9 NIV

according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:11–12 NIV

            Because of his deep faith in God, Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son, Isaac, the very son God promised to him and Sarah as the one who would bring forth a multitude of descendants. How many of us have faith in God and His promises like that? How many of us have obedience to God like that? That’s faith alive, daring and confident, with unshakable devotion. Along with our spiritual growth and maturity, faith must become a relentless driving force within us to propel us ever closer to God.

Faith Is Confident Assurance

As believers, we’ve been given a certain measure of faith from God Himself. That seed of faith needs to take root, grow, blossom, and continue to produce. How is your measure of faith stacking up?

November’s Awakening, Day 8

Now we shall possess a right definition of faith if we call it a firm and certain knowledge of God’s benevolence toward us, founded upon the truth of the freely given promise in Christ, both revealed to our minds and sealed upon our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

 —John Calvin

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations.

 —Elton Trueblood

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

            It all begins with that small seed of faith. That seed of faith allows us to take that first step and believe in Christ and His finished work on the Cross. Without faith, we cannot believe, and without a continual growth in faith, we cannot move forward into His spiritual realm and receive the abundance of life that He has for us. Not just abundance in His provision for us but eternal abundance in the renovation of our very character and attributes.

Spirituality and faith must grow together hand in hand as they are both complementary and necessary to each other. The intangible quality of faith lies in your spirit essence and your spirit essence cannot connect and stay connected to God without that quality of faith. As we mature spiritually, so too our faith. It requires confident assurance in God, His nature, His promises, and His Word. Where on the scale does your faith measure?  

Your Ever-Present Help in Time of Need

When life is getting the best of you, solace is found through the best of Him.

November’s Awakening, Day 7

God’s Emergency Numbers

When in sorrow - call John 14

When you are lonely or fearful - call Psalm 23

When you want to be fruitful - call John 15

When you have sinned - call Psalm 51

When you grow bitter and critical - call 1 Corinthians 13

When you worry - call Matthew 6:19–34

When you feel down and out - call Romans 8:31–39

When your prayers grow selfish - call Psalm 67

When you are in danger - call Psalm 91

When your faith needs stirring - call Hebrews 11

When God seems far away - call Psalm 139

When others fail you - call Psalm 27

When you leave home to labor or travel - call Psalm 121

When you want assurance - call Romans 1:1–30

For Paul's secret of happiness - call Colossians 3:12–17

For Paul's idea of Christianity -  call 2 Corinthians 5:15–20

When the world seems bigger than God - call Psalm 70 and Jeremiah 33:3

If you believe in Jesus Christ call Him up

 —Author Unknown

            The more you open the treasure chest, the more treasure you’ll discover within. Let His Word renew your heart, restore your spirit, and revive your soul. There’s no better place to find Him.