Trust in God

Trust is looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have. When you trust your heavenly Father, you can wait patiently and confidently. Some people trust everyone; others trusted at one time but have since found it to be too painful because of past betrayals and now trust no one. The Word of God tells us that we are to trust the Lord completely. God has promised to hold us by our right hand and help us in our time of need. He has also promised to never leave nor forsake us. Do you have that assurance from anyone else in your life? Our family and friends are limited in what they can do for us, but God is not. People will disappoint us from time to time. They cannot always do what we would like for them to do. Promises are broken no matter how hard a person may try to keep their word but Jesus Christ is the authentic promise-keeper. No one who puts their trust in God will be disappointed.

If you want to learn how to trust, begin by trusting God. God will show you His faithfulness. He will cause you not to fear. If you are emotionally suffering from a past relationship where your trust was violated, let the love of God heal you. God’s love is everlasting and unconditional. God is love.

Where Is Your Faith?

The gospels recount the story of Jesus, after experiencing a long day of ministry, tells his disciples to get a boat because he wants to go over to the other side meaning they had to cross over the Sea of Galilee. Jesus decides to go to the back of the boat where he soon falls asleep. The disciples find themselves in the middle of a strong storm with huge waves that cause water to spill over into their boat. The disciples become fearful and they wake up Jesus not understanding how he could sleep with this storm raging. Jesus speaks to the wind and the waves and brings peace and calm to their situation. Jesus then asks the diciples why they were so fearful and where was their faith?

Everyone will go through a storm in their life. No one is exempt. It doesn’t matter how good you are or how bad you are; bad things do happen to good people. Jesus knew that this storm was ahead of them but this did not change anything. The disciples encountered this storm even though they were in God’s will. After all, it was Jesus who told them to get a boat to take them to the other side. This was a test for the disciples, a test of their faith and they failed. The disciples just had to remember who Jesus was and could have stood on their faith in God.

Your journey on earth may not be easy. You will encounter storms, and you might even get wet, but do not fear. You will make it to the other side. Jesus is in your boat with you and He can calm any storm. Sometimes He will allow the storm to rage but will calm you instead. Just remember that He is the creator of heaven and earth. Often, our greatest storms are within us and not around us. So when your boat begins to shake, hold onto Jesus and stand on your faith. He is the only life guard you need!

Mustard Seed Faith

The Bible tells us that each of us has been given a measure of faith, but it is up to us whether or not our faith develops. If you look at a mustard seed, you will see that this seed is very, very small, yet it has the potential to grow into bushes as tall as four feet. Yet, that little bit of faith is all it takes to move mountains. Seeds must first be planted and over a period of time the harvest will come if the seed was planted into good soil.

Our faith is small as a baby Christian but over time, our faith is to grow and develop so that we become more and more Christ-like. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God.’ Faith gets God’s attention and our spiritual growth will depend on how much faith we have as we journey through this life on earth. Just as it takes time for a seed to germinate and produce a harvest, it also takes time that is filled with heart ache, trials and tribulations to produce patience as we wait upon the Lord to see us through our dark times.

Make certain that your faith is developing and growing day by day so that you become a mature Christian who is able to show your heavenly Father that you trust Him and that you believe that He is who He says He is and that He will do what His Word says He will do. Faith as small as a mustard seed is understandable at the beginning of your walk with God but if it remains small after 5, 10, 15 years, you should begin to seek God with all of your heart. Remember, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Don’t let him steal the faith you should possess that will cause you to live a victorious life.

Are You Listening?

Many Christians attend church regularly but I wonder if they are really listening when tbe Word of God is preached?  You can easily become distracted by thinking about what you are going to do when you leave the service or what you have to do when you get home, but how much of the Word have you actually heard?  Faith comes by hearing and when you listen and hear the Word of God and actually apply it to your life, you are then growing into the person God wants you to become.

As you listen, the spirit of God will bring revelation to you and you will then be able to understand what God is actually saying to you.  If you are changed by the Word, then your heart is good soil and the Bible says you will reap 30, 60 and one-hudred fold.  Just hearing the Word is not enough.  The Word must go down into your being so that you become rooted and grounded and will not waiver when the trials of life come.  If you don’t listen, if you do not hear, the Word falls on stony ground and Satan will be able to steal the Word from you.

Make it a point to listen, hear and be changed by the Word of God and remember that God’s Word will not return to Him void but it will accomplish what He has sent it to do.(Isaiah 55:11).