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Thursday, June 26, 2014

Faith Is ~ Week one

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1 

                                                                 "Faithful" by Hank Nelson - click here!

This summer I am involved with a group Bible study on FAITH by Heather Bixler! As an introduction first week, we tried to define faith, explore where our faith comes from, and attempt to understand the origin of faith. Hebrews 11:1 gives the Scriptural definition of faith. Faith is the foundation of hope. Faith is believing without seeing. In Hebrews 12:2 we found that Jesus is the "Author and Finisher" of our faith. Faith comes through Jesus, and He completes our faith. Faith comes with the hearing of the word of God, and this interconnects with the sharing of the Gospel message. (Romans 10:17)
"Our faith begins with what we know and believe about God." Heather Bixler
Our beliefs about God affect our faith. Knowing the character of God matters because He is the object of our faith. If we believe God remains unchanging in Goodness, Love, Patience, and Mercy, believe God is Creator, Sovereign, All-Powerful, and Infinite, believe God always keeps His promises, judges fairly, and knows all things, we will discover His shelter and solace, His rescue and refuge, His purpose and provision. Bixler says, "Faith is a choice." True. Faith is also a gift from God through Jesus Christ. Faith is a response to love - God's love for us, and God's love within us. He is Faithful! ~dho

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Forever Faithful


"Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come" ~ Kutless


It is in GOD, the forever faithful One, that we must trust. His goodness in unmeasured! When our hopes and expectations fall short, when the outcomes and resolutions remain incomplete, when diesease conquers and dreams fade, GOD never fails. ~ dho

Thursday, June 12, 2014

God Alone

Rest in God alone, my soul!
       He is the source of my hope.
Psalm 62:5 New Jerusalem Bible
 
photo by Allison Oswalt, coast of  S. Africa
Holy Father ~
I fall on my knees in Your presence. Illumine my mind when darkness lingers. Protect my heart when doubt threatens.  Rescue my soul when uncertainty challenges.  When I am weak, You strengthen me.  When I stumble, You catch me.  When I am weary, You hold me.  In countless ways, You bless me!  My prayers of praise, insufficient but whole-souled, applaud Your Glory. Still on my knees, I surrender my own desires and offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, for He is Grace.  Amen. ~dho

Doxology
To Him who can keep you from falling and bring you
safe to His glorious presence, innocent and joyful, to
the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our
Lord, be glory, majesty, authority and power, before
all ages, now and forever.  Amen.
Jude 1: 24-25 New Jerusalem Bible

Friday, June 06, 2014

New Places

 [God] is waiting to explode our smallness and put us in places of which we have only dreamed. . . Do not settle for smallness, . . . God is waiting to take you into places and open you up to opportunities that exist only in your wildest dreams. 
Dennis Kinlaw from his devotional book, This Day with the Master



Kinlaw goes on to point out that these opportunities do not come from our own making, rather "you must let [God] give you the opportunities and move you into new places."

Why is it that we  complain about the smallness of our lives, the smallness of the moments? When does our complacency allow us to be content with our smallness? How often do we go in search of new places and opportunities by ourselves? Do we seek God's will for our moments or charge ahead, desperate to create our own? 

These are questions that wrestle with my mind. The many possibilities can create conflict for me, and other times, the waiting stagnates my willingness. If these words are true, that God desires to put us in places of which we have only dreamed, dare I not wait with Him? Likewise, if we must let God provide the opportunities and move us to these new places, dare I not trust His leading?  I must trust Him absolutely! ~dho

God, the One and Only - I'll wait as long as He says.
Everything I need comes from Him,
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul.
. . . So trust Him absolutely.
Psalm 62:1-2,8 The Message