What does it mean to have strong faith? How do we get strong faith? Our faith is nothing that we can boast about outside of the work of Jesus Christ. Although faith without works is dead, in other words as the NIV points out in James 2:17 , ... faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Who wants dead faith? So we work and strive and try to do more to gain God's favor and in so doing we often convince ourselves that our faith is dependent on us. In Tim Keller's book, Romans 1-7 for you , says that if saving faith equals obedience then we have something to boast about but faith is separate from our works. He says that saving faith is a trust transfer. We trust in the promises of God through Jesus Christ and HIS work! If we want to live by works of the law and not Christ's atoning work then the law of faith is nullified and the promises of God are bankrupt! Romans 4:14 For if it is the adherents of the law who ar...
My 17 year old cat died over Thanksgiving weekend and although she lived a long full life she left a vacancy in our hearts. The morning following my cat's death I had an unusual visitor on my pillow for the next two mornings. My calico cat, who is young and healthy, laid on the top of my pillow purring. I couldn't help but remember how my cats from my childhood would do the same thing and how if brought me so much comfort. I don't' know why I am always surprised when the Lord uses ordinary things to comfort us. Jesus himself said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Jeremiah 31:13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies ...
Have you ever noticed all of the large rocks in a river or creek bed? Water has the capability to move large rocks even boulders. As the water flows over the rocks they become smooth due to erosion. When a large amount of water flows through a river or creek it has the ability to overturn and displace these large obstructions. Much like a river bed our hearts accumulate large obstructions that hinder the flow of God's Spirit. There are a variety of things that can ultimately hinder the movement of the Spirit of God in our lives. There are also many things that can take up residence under these obstructions. I was walking through a creek bed with my youngest son this week looking for salamanders in a vernal pool. A vernal pool is one in which the flow of water has stopped and little pockets or pools remain where animals can find refuge without being washed away. Salamanders and other creatures like the spider I found, bank on this lack of m...
Comments
Post a Comment