Going Through

 

Going Through

Romans 4: ¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

 

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Approaching a familiar area of traffic, I decided to go around it. I was not familiar with the side roads but they had to be faster than being stuck in congestion. I was caught by numerous lights and slow speed limits. Finally when I saw a clear road that would move a little faster, I rejoiced. I got on it and got caught by a train.

 

There have been many times when I tried to make my own way even though I followed the rules.

There have been many times when I tried to go around the situation versus going through it.

There have been many times when I just wanted the trip to be over, but my detour caused me to remain a lot longer than if I had just stayed on the right road.

 

Paul continues his explanation of Abraham, whom many Jews held with high esteem because GOD declared him righteous. Paul explains that it was not Abraham’s method of going through the Law of Moses that made him righteous, rather it was how he wrestled with going through the unknown while believing in GOD’s promise.

 

GOD wants me to go through difficult situations, believing HE is with me.

GOD wants me to go through easy situations knowing HE is with me there too.

GOD wants me to go through the unknown, believing in the promises HE has for me.

 

Trying to be “good” to get GOD to give me my way will not work. I mean, HE knows why I am following the Law and will count it as unrighteous. But when I believe that GOD has my best interest in mind, even when the situation looks difficult, GOD sees the faith.

 

When I place my faith in GOD’s promises for me, I do not throw out the Law, but I understand I need GOD because of it. The Law shows the need, faith brings out the deed. I gladly place my trust in GOD.

 

Are you trying to get somewhere in life and want to take shortcuts?

Do you believe you can get “closer” to GOD by following the Law?

Will you stop trying to manipulate GOD and simply enjoy the fact that HE loves you deeply and dearly and allow HIM to guide you “faithfully” through HIS Word today?

Job or Faith

 

Job or Faith

Romans 4: What shall we say, then, of Abraham, the father of our race? What was his experience? ² If he was put right with God by the things he did, he would have something to boast about—but not in God's sight. ³ The scripture says, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” ⁴ A person who works is paid wages, but they are not regarded as a gift; they are something that has been earned. ⁵ But those who depend on faith, not on deeds, and who believe in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is this faith that God takes into account in order to put them right with himself. 

 

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My schedule was from Sunday night to Thursday night. Some parts of the job were peaceful, others were a bit stressful. Like the time I had to clean “stuff” smeared on the walls toilet and floor. It put me behind schedule but I did it. When Thursday came, I could not enjoy the weekend because Sunday night was on its way.

 

• I have had many jobs in my life.
• I have showed up for each of those jobs, on time and ready to work.
• I have worked hard on each of those jobs and I was paid for it.

 

Paul gives an example that is widely known amongst Jews and Gentiles. Abraham was declared righteous by GOD because of his faith in GOD. Paul then explains that a person who is paid for work is doing it for the wages. But a person who depends on faith is doing it for GOD and HE will add this to the account HE keeps.

 

• GOD sees every act of faith I do.
• GOD knows when I am being faithful to HIM.
• GOD loves when I chose faith over doing stuff.

 

Acts of faith need no payment. I mean, when I am truly showing faith to GOD, HE knows when I have sacrificed to do something strictly for HIM and not for my well-being. But what about pastors, missionaries, priests and clergy’s? Aren’t they paid? Yes, some are supported by faithful people who use faith to give to those who have dedicated themselves to speaking about GOD.

 

Unfortunately, there are some who speak GOD and who do not believe in HIM. That is not for me to decide, BUT GOD knows. Getting back to faith. It can be shown in more than monetary giving. Faith is believing that JESUS died and rose for me. It also means telling people about this gift. I am grateful GOD enables me to show faith in HIM daily.

 

• What are you faithfully doing for GOD?
• How is GOD stretching you to grow for HIS purposes?
• Will you use more faith today and believe in GOD’s promise HE told you?

Send Word

Matthew 14: ³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

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Hard dress shoes with no socks is the only memory I have of the guy. We were on a mission’s trip in a place where hope was high and money was low. People from all around came to hear us speak. When I spoke to the gentleman, I asked “Do you live nearby?” “Yes, he answered.” “I walked twenty miles to hear you speak.” I looked at his worn shoes.

• When Good News comes in town, the word gets sent.
• When Good News comes in town, people from all around come to hear it.
• When Good News comes in town, hope raises higher than problems.

Humbled by his trek, I took my teaching more seriously. I mean I didn’t want to disappoint a person who walked on a dusty rocky road for hours, just to hear me, and I am not special or so I think.

• GOD showed me the example that all I need is HIS word to give hope.
• GOD gave me HIS word to give to others freely.
• GOD wants me to go to people who are willing to hear and provide HIS healing.

While the people were seeking JESUS as a healer, they more than likely got something they did not anticipate, namely spiritual healing. The crowd touched his garment after coming from all over the countryside to be healed. They touched only HIS clothes and they were healed. JESUS was amazing to them and HE is amazing to me!

• Are you so excited about GOD that you can’t hold it in?
• Do you feel led to talk about GOD to a group of people?
• Can you send word to many people that JESUS is the Savior?

Willing and Able

Matthew 9: ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

²⁸ When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

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“Fall backwards” were the words of a neighbor that I trusted. We had a great idea that we would roll like a circus act, instead I hit my head squarely on the concrete! Years later, at a leadership retreat, those words appeared again. “Fall backwards!” “Hmm… should I trust my team?” ran across my mind.

• Sometimes I treat GOD according to my measure of trust in HIM.
• Sometimes I treat GOD like HE has no powers at all.
• Sometimes I treat GOD as a human with limited abilities.

Life has dealt out a number of blows that could be jarring to anyone’s faith. After feeling the concrete pain of challenges should I really trust GOD? Yes!

• GOD wants me to seek HIM with all my heart and all my soul.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for the impossible and believe HE can and will deliver me.
• GOD wants me to believe and receive according to the measure of my faith in HIM.

Dream small, get small. If I only believe that GOD is the GOD of finding lost keys and growing my career, then HE will probably only deliver that. BUT GOD wants me to dream bigger. HE wants me to believe HE can do anything according to HIS will.

HE wants me to have so many heavenly riches, all I need to do is ask. GOD is willing and able!

• Do you think GOD is small?
• When is the last time you asked HIM to handle something large?
• Will you stop trying to be GOD and let HIM perform miracles in your life?

Belief and Power

Matthew 9: ¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News of this spread through all that region.

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“Absurd” comes to mind when I read this passage. Dead means dead! Why in the world would this guy even think this method would work? I read on. “Absurd again” came to mind. How could a person think that touching a garment would heal the body?

• Belief seems absurd from the outside looking in.
• Belief seems like something only crazy people or poor people do.
• Belief seems to be a last resort rather than a first response.

What I like about this passage is the immediacy of those involved. The synagogue leader immediately went to JESUS, knowing JESUS could do something about the situation. He didn’t say she “may” live, he said she “will” live. The bleeding, ostracized woman said the same. She did not say “Maybe I will be healed and if I’m not then I will try something else.” No, she said “I will be healed.”

• JESUS showed HIS power over death in order to grow my faith in HIM.
• JESUS gave me an example of HIS power in order to make me believe HE can do anything in my life.
• JESUS healed people in order to tell me “Do not worry about your situation, I can handle it.”

If I could just touch HIS garment or get HIS attention then HE can heal anything, should be my way of thinking. I should act like JESUS has the power I read about. JESUS looks at me the same way HE sees these people. The little girl did not ask to be raised from the dead, nor did the woman ask JESUS to be healed.

JESUS wanted the best for them and wants the same for me. HE heals me daily.

• Are you wounded?
• Do you feel your life is dead?
• Can you stop believing in the worst and start believing that JESUS can heal your situation?
• Will you say “GOD WILL” instead of doubting HIM?

Little g or Big G

Isaiah 6: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

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Looking at the pile of bills made me feel discouraged. My car was broken down, rent was due, creditors were calling and I was not making enough to pay any of them. Where is GOD when I need HIM, I thought. I went back to my ways of trying to fix all the broken stuff in my life. I asked for extra shifts, but since I was a student, I was not allowed. What was I to do?

• There are times when it seems like GOD does not care.
• There are times when it seems like GOD has left me by myself.
• There are times when it seems like GOD doesn’t have the power HE says HE has.

“Why am I so poor if GOD has so much power?” I thought to myself. I mean, look at the rich people who don’t seem to serve GOD at all, who treat people with contempt. Then I told GOD that I had tried going to church, but it didn’t work. I got another bill and no miracle money appeared in my account, so I stopped going. I was looking at GOD as a small being who only solves problems. BUT GOD wanted me to see different.

• GOD wants me to see HIM as THE MOST HIGH.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as ALL POWERFUL.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as THE ULTIMATE FORGIVER.

Having the wrong view of GOD made me think of HIM as a banker or philanthropist. I only saw what I could get from HIM, not what purpose HE had me on this earth for. I pouted and doubted but GOD was merciful. HE had me work day to day, only focusing on the blessings of that day. HE gave me the strength to carry on and eventually I began to serve HIM no matter what.

GOD blessed many and I could then see that HE has me here for more than wealth. GOD wants me to serve HIM and be wealthy in HIS kingdom. I no longer see “god” as my servant but I see “GOD” as needing to be served.

• Are you losing your faint in GOD because of your circumstances?
• Do you think GOD has left you?
• Will you stop focusing on your situation and start focusing on who GOD is and how powerful HE is?
• Can you lift HIM back to the place above your circumstances rather than getting discouraged?