Faith and Hope. Unseen Yet Real.

(This is a long post. My heart is bursting and I deeply desire that The Body of Christ be encouraged in these truths!) 

I've been deeply reflecting on faith and hope these last few weeks. 

Faith and hope are focused on what we cannot see, but what is real nonetheless. 

We are constantly encouraged throughout God's Word - dare I say - urged to take hold of faith. To believe. To hope. 

Abraham "hoped against hope". Shadrach & friends told Nebuchadnezzar that God was able to save them, but even if He didn't that they would not bow. Paul & Silas singing praises to God in jail, confident that God was more powerful than their circumstances. Also, the many written of in Hebrews 11. 

Faith and Hope. Unseen Yet Real.

Truly we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and are not alone!!! Throughout history, how many people lived fully in awe of God whom we never hear about? Quiet lives who do His work and don't have books written of them. Yet they obeyed and impacted lives around them through their faith... 

Truly, God is at work in His Kingdom here on earth and He is helping us all to do the good works He has given us to do - whether our good work appears clearly to others or not is not the issue. God is revealed through us to those whom God is drawing to Him as we go about His business. 

In all these things, can we not rejoice today? Can we not celebrate His goodness to work in and through us? 

Dear friends, there is something even greater for us to rejoice in! 

When the 70 came back excited from their missionary excursions, Jesus instructed them to have Godly perspective in their victories.

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."” Luke 10:19-20 NASB

Crazy! They had power from The Son of the Real God (not a made up god like cultures around them worshipped). BUT!!!! There was a GREATER gift to celebrate. Their names were written in the Book of Life. They were secure in Christ! 

We also are secure in Christ! We do not shrink back! We are the chosen and equipped warriors of God who seek His face. We work in His strength. We find refuge and encouragement in Him. We are made right with our Maker through Jesus and given authority and power to do the work God gives us to advance His kingdom against the gates of hell. 

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 NIV

The church will not be overcome. She is the Body of Christ. Jesus is in us and overflowing though us. Jesus has all God-given authority and He has given this to His followers so we can do the work God gives us to do. Our names are written in the Book of Life. Nothing can separate us from God's love.

“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39 NIV

Father God, You are glorious! Mighty! Holy! You have not only saved us from sin and death, but also given each of us work to do today. We all have different jobs to do, and all are important. Speak through us to the lives around us. Let our lives be so full of Your Holy Spirit that even strangers would notice and be drawn to You. Open our eyes to opportunities to share Jesus, using words when necessary. Love boldly through us. Reach the individuals who feel lost and unloved. Let them know You are aware of them and that Your love for them is pure. Heal those with diseases, and if not healing in this lifetime, we ask for a mighty outpouring of Jesus through them. Give increased faith to those struggling with anxiety and depression, that they can build their 'believing muscles' today. Thank You for working in our lives and giving us work to do... That we get the awesome opportunity to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus with others! In Jesus' name.

Just some guy.

Remember Barak? The one in the Bible, whom Deborah told to fight Sisera?
Just some guy. With doubts and fears.

A few decades later, God calls Gideon.
Just some guy. With doubts and fears.

God works in and through the lives of common, broken "just a guy" (and "just a gal").
I don't know about you, but I needed that reminder! 

Father God, thank You for giving us the training and tools to do the work You call us to do! I am "just a guy/gal" and I am so thankful that You are with me in my daily training, as well as the big battles. Increase my faith in You, in Jesus. Greater is He who is in me, than he that is in the world. You are at work in us and You are reconciling others to Jesus through us. Love and speak through us, Father. Show me what You want me to do today. In Jesus' name.

Barak's story can be read in Judges 4-5.  

You, my dear, are new!

if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old is gone, the new has come!

We are made new. The old is gone. Easy to read.

Do we really believe it?

The REAL treasure of who we are is still being revealed to us.

God already sees what is.

Who we are.

We’re still getting our eyes adjusted to His light.

You, my dear, are complete.

What if we choose -just for THIS moment- to believe

we’re acceptable, ok, and lovable?

Oh, do I hear some sighs? What's that you're saying?
You don't know what it's like... Life's been hard & taught me otherwise...

I've messed up... How can I be ok?
 Oh, but, sweet girl, listen.

So rooted in Christ that nothing phases us!

What if we were so well-rooted in Christ, that nothing phased us? 

In this world we are like Jesus.

Wait a minute. Who? Me?
I’m like Christ Jesus in this world? Even though I still wage war against sin? Even though I seem to daily forget how important it is to be patient, kind, joyful, full of hope and gratitude?
“…as He is, so also are we in this world.” Wow. Isn’t that incredible???
What a blessed gift!
I am a NEW creation. The old is gone. I’m no longer condemned! I’ve been rescued and set upon a rock that cannot be shattered. I am sheltered by the wings of God Almighty. I’m able to talk 24/7 to the Holy One – and He sees me as clean and loveable.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love 1 John 4:17-18
Abba God, thank You for all You have done. Give me eyes to see Truth: who You are, who I am. Give me courage to walk in faith today… to believe that I really am made like Christ Jesus (not ONLY given eternal life, but also meant to live in freedom and holiness). Truly, You are worth more than I can conceive, and I’m humbled that You love me so well. In Jesus’ name….

Two Roads: Curse or Blessing

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

“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

Beloved sister, do you see? Every one of us has the choice between two paths. The destinations are vastly different and the choice is yours and mine. 

I can’t speak for you, but I sure do want that luscious jewelry-fruit, along with the opportunity to dangle my leg-roots into the babbling brook while my ever-green hand-leaves praise my Father in heaven! 

However, I know that confidence in Him and freedom from worry is not cheap or easy. I must place all my trust and all that I care about in His really big, strong, capable hands. It’s going to take time and practice, but I’ve got a great Teacher!

Abba God, thank You for your promises and generous grace toward us. We don’t deserve to be your children, and we are grateful! Give us hearts which are steadfast to trust in YOU alone, choosing to believe You are faithful and able to provide nourishment and strength for each situation. Give us courage to stand firm in faith no matter what. We give You all the honor, glory, and praise - only You are worthy! In Jesus’ name… 

I'm a Warrior Princess!

A little child once gave me a small decal that said “Warrior Princess.” (I know, so sweet!)

Note to Self ~ When Discouraged

Aaron, you seem incredibly frustrated and discouraged lately.

Inadequate? Yes I am, but...

I have been thinking about blogging for 1 year & 20 days. Wondering how I know? I found my first rough draft dated October 1st, 2010. The topic? Inadequacy. I still struggle with it, and I think I'm glad I do. Being "a mess" has caused me to lean on Christ Jesus more than I might otherwise.