WHEN FAITH AROSE TO ACTION

     

 When we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives; we accepted the invitation to walk by faith.  According to the Word, "The righteous shall walk by faith." It's a very exciting journey; it's a personal journey to walk with Jesus.  Yet, our walk with Jesus will not be the same as everyone else's.  Our journey and our departure on this earth will not be the same as anyone else's; it's our very own personal walk with Jesus.  We will all face hardships, trials, and tests but faith will not be true; unless it's tried.  

Hebrews 11:33-35 says, "who through faith CONQUERED kingdoms, ADMINISTRATED justice, and GAINED what was promised; who shut the mouth of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who because POWERFUL in battle and routed foreign armies.  Women received back their dead, raised to life again.  Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection."   

Regardless of where we walk; it's only conquered through faith.    

Romans 1:17 says, "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." 

If we truly want God to reveal His righteousness; it's found in His Word.  Faith isn't just the belief of taking God at His Word.  It's a living action-we move in response to it.  Sadly, so many people want to "claim" or "stand" on the Word but don't responded to it.  Your deeds and the words you speak will reveal what you believe.  James 2:18 says, not complemented by action, is dead.  So, can our faith be evident to the lives of others?  Absolutely!  " But someone will say, "I have faith and I have deeds."  "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." James 2:18-19

"So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead." James 2:17.   

 Sadly, so many people don't encounter breakthrough or deliverance because they are un-willing to do what God's Word says.  Or truly believe what He said; fear has blocked there ability to see clearly.  We have allowed the wind to speak louder; than the voice of Jesus.  Faith will cause us to throw the stone towards the giant's head.  Jesus didn't ask Peter to dip his toe in the water.  He said, "Come." (Matthew 14:29)  

Peter didn't listen to how crazy it sounded?  Yes, it was a different experience!  Who ever walked on water?  Peter didn't have time to ask for counsel or from the expertise of others.  It was a personal invitation from Jesus!  Only Jesus and Peter were able to experience walking on water.  Yet, didn't all of the disciples hear the voice of Jesus?  We can choose to remain in our tradition, our fear, or we can walk towards the face of Jesus.  

 What is blocking your ability to see?  Fear is truly a power tool of the enemy to torment the mind; it's blocking faith to emerge.  In Matthew 14:22-31, only one person had a transforming life experience with Jesus ; while eleven watched it.  Jesus was preparing the disciples for a revelation of the Son of God; He was doing something different than expected-He walked on water.  Yet, all of the disciples were afraid or believed it was a ghost.  Sadly, they couldn't see through their fear who He was.  It was only when Jesus spoke; Peter's faith arose.  Jesus placed the disciples in the circumstance but only one got a true revelation!  Keep in mind, Jesus prayed before coming to the disciples.  So, it's a comforting thought, he was praying for them before this test.  Oh, I am so grateful Jesus is praying for me!  Yet, Jesus wants to speak directly to us about our fear.  He doesn't want us to remain in this state, He will speak words of comfort, "Take courage!  It is I.  Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water."  Jesus said, "Come."

It's the same invitation to us: will we come?  I don't want to remain in the boat with the others shaking in fear; I want to see Jesus, himself.  When we are walking through the un-familiar of life it feels so dark-but Jesus is still coming to our aid in the storm.  Jesus didn't leave the disciples to face the storm alone.  Jesus came to reveal Himself as the Son of God with truth, power, and assurance.  During this storm it's tempting to allow the wind to cause us alarm.  Yet, it was the voice of Jesus that arose the faith in Peter.  When Peter faced Jesus; he could walk towards Him.  But WHEN HE SAW the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sin, cried out, "Lord save me!"

  So, are you staring at the wind or the face of Jesus?  Both can move us but only one can save us!  Quit allowing fear to rob your life of new adventures, walking in what God has said , and tormenting your mind.  Quit trying to convince yourself of the impossible task in front of you.  Quite yourself in His love.  Allow Jesus to speak into your heart, so your faith will arise to action.

Faith Conquers Cities

When I grew up in Maryland I truly loved the mountain-view surrounding my home, its beauty would always take my breath away.  Usually upon the front porch or staring out my bedroom window, I enjoyed watching the seasons change.  Change always brought about hope, expectation, and beauty to behold.  Yet, it's not so easily viewed beautiful in my life, honestly it's difficult.  We can't have transformation without a change, so why do I fight it so?

 As the mountain stands perfectly still; it’s quite intimidating.  It’s massively large, beyond my ability to move, and it’s preventing my view of the Promise.  Honestly, I don’t desire to sing again, “She will be coming around the mountain.”  It seems to have become my theme song.  Although God’s calling is clear on my life, the directions right now are foggy.  I can’t seem to find the road map to get to the mountain trail.  God’s silent.  So, in His silence, I admit I have felt abandoned in the process.  With no reception, no response, and I am in a state of panic!  I feel as if I am screaming, “Is anyone out there?”

Don't allow God's silence to prevent your heart from staying obedient.  Stay faithful to His Word, it will shine the direction for your steps.  Maybe the direction isn't what YOU WANTED but God's still working.  Yet, our expectations have been shattered, our desires have faded, and our hope is slipping away so we hide.  It’s easier to withdraw into the night, so our hearts can’t be revealed.  Fear is a prison; faith is the only key to fit the lock to open it.  God’s promises don’t come without a challenge of faith.  Oh, it’s God’s Word pure and true.  It’s tightly held in my fist to claim but our foot is still locked.  Doubt, insecurity, and fear have flooded our mind, it's hindering the voice of God from being heard.  God’s silence isn’t punishment; it’s a test of faith.  Our faith will be tried, no one is exempt from being tested.  Yet, it’s only when we are tested, we will be shine as gold. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. ~ Job 23:10

At the moment the mountains may stand tall, so tall you can’t see.  Yet, may I remind you who created the mountains, the ocean, and who created you!  God doesn’t give us a mountain to conquer in our own ability but His.  Keep in mind, the children of Israel wandered in a desert but they had to CONQUER a city before entering the Promised Land.  A desert will cause us thirst for God’s will but the city will be overthrown by faith in God.  Only when we walk in faith will God part the waters of the Jordan. 

 

We won’t see the miraculous of God’s hand until we take His hand by faith.  God’s will never abandon or misled His children to the place of unknown; He leads us to place of His own.  So, hopefully the first step will not be hard to take, God’s awaiting your move.  Besides God’s already melted the hearts of your enemy, they heard God’s coming!  So gird your weapons, blow the shofar, and start walking around the walls of Jericho!  Get ready to shout!  No wall or mountain can stand against the presence of the Lord!  Mountains melt like wax in the presence of the Lord. (Psalm 97:5)

"When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” ~ Joshua 2:11 

God’s already intimated your enemy, so don’t fret.  Your enemy has no courage to attack, God’s fame has been heard!  No one is able to stand against Him, nobody!  Yet, only the redeemed will be able to see the beautiful place He has prepared for them.  A promise of God is worth waiting for, standing for, and walking in!  Don’t allow your mountains to intimate you; introduce your mountain to God.