Right Now Faith!

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:1-8 NIV (Read the entire chapter)

Many people claim to have faith in God and yet their actions refute their claim. How do we know? True faith, means we do not doubt--no matter what happens. For did not Jesus say that if we have faith--as tiny as a mustard seed--and did not doubt--we could move mountains?

This "now" faith differs depending upon how one explains it. Some say the "now" is an adjective--modifying faith and some say it is an adverb--indicating when. No matter how anyone explains it--faith--the confidence we have in God--to do what He said He'd do, whether we can see it or not, should be sufficient for the moment of our need. For if we can see the results of our faith, we no longer need to have faith for it.

We can declare by faith, that we will obtain a good job and proclaim it even though we don't see it--yet. While we're proclaiming it, we must do something in order for us to obtain what we say we believe. So now, we'll go to school or fine tune job skills until we get that job. "Faith without works, is dead." Once we have obtained the job desired, we no longer need faith "to get it," but we'll certainly need faith to keep it. So we perform the job with integrity and honor no matter what and even though we cannot see the end of days when we might leave it--we maintain our faith to keep it.

I've taken a rather circuitous route to get to this point--to encourage all those who are resisting the madness in the White House. Don't get discouraged! Maintain your faith in what you do to see that justice prevails for all and that we will see an end to the madness! We don't have to see how it's going to happen, but to have faith that it will happen--without doubting.

For all who read how the rest of the chapter relates the faith of those blessed by God--note this one thing: It was the individual's faith in God that was recognized and blessed and though some died--without seeing the end result of their faith--their faith in God was maintained. Though Noah had never seen rain before, his faith in what he knew God had told him to do, kept him going in building the ark, no matter how people laughed at him or ridiculed him, he kept building. When the rain came, they were no longer laughing, but it was too late for them to change course, once the ark was closed and sealed. I realize not everyone reading this believes in God or has a relationship with God, but I'm counting on my relationship with God and my faith in Him to know; all will be just as He planned it.

I'm counting on His love for us to see us through all the turmoil and chaos and we'll be left standing with a praise in our mouths, giving Him glory!

And that faith I have--is for right now--this very moment in the time of need for many who are fearful and distressed over what we see which causes us to doubt that God is able--right every wrong. Truth will prevail and every wrong deed will be avenged by God as we continue to fight the good fight of faith.

Where Our Confidence Should Be!

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Proverbs 25:19 KJV
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.  Psalm 118:4-9 KJV

No matter what happens for the balance of this day, the year or my life, I know in whom I can trust and my complete confidence is in God--who knows the end from the beginning.

Though my confidence is in Him, I know that nothing worthwhile happens without active engagement. Therefore, I will be actively engaged in fighting injustice while I yet have the ability to breathe on my own and use my fingers to encourage others to stay in the battle until victory is won.

This was the attitude of the colonists who fought to get out from British rule and won forming the United States of America. These same Americans--those who resisted oppressive rule and domination--made provision for all who followed them to do the same--without reprisal from authoritarian leaders.

This is America--this is not a communist region under the thumb of a dictator and we will not be dominated by an ego-driven maniac who lacks self-discipline, wisdom and knowledge.

Every battle for justice has been won because people stood up and actively engaged in the process--for the Suffragettes, for Civil Rights, for Women's Rights, to protest Viet Nam involvement and for so many other matters--we stand up and speak up when we see our rights being trampled upon by those who would attempt to rule by bullying tactics. 

Silence implies consent in matters where people submit and cave to the dictates of others. Resistors are always the group of people who make change happen--we will not be silent and we will not stop standing, speaking up, marching, and writing opinions--expressing truths and giving voice to those who think they are not heard.

We will maintain our stance  like Noah who was mocked for building an ark and talking about rain; like Moses in the presence in the Pharaoh; like David standing against Goliath; like Job who refused to listen to his friends; like John the Baptist crying in the wilderness; like Jesus who knew what He had to do to save mankind, like Paul who though once an enemy to those "in the way" became a lion in promoting "the way."

We will not be silent so don't expect us to be quiet in the face of danger from a megalomaniac who does not know how to think and whose handlers are afraid to tell him the truth. 

The real impediment to peace in this country are those who think in boxes and never see the bigger picture. For one or two agendas, they promoted a pathological liar as God's choice for president. They overlooked the welfare of all Americans to appease the few. And now, the welfare--of all is in jeopardy--the sticky wickedness held in the web of deceit.

But my God--the creator of all things and without whom nothing was ever created--is faithful and just and it is in Him, my faith and confidence will continue--in spite of having a clown in the White House whose only concern is what appeases his ego and those who stroke it.

Lord, thank You for giving us the courage and strength to stand and remain standing against the wiles of the enemy, being a voice for those without a voice, resisting the evil that tries to encompass and rule us. We praise You for all Your mighty acts and for victory in all things that honor You. In Jesus' name I pray and thank You, Amen!

Knowing Your Gift!

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:4-10 NIV

One of the reasons many people never accomplish what God has planned for them is because they have really identified and refined the gift He has given each and every one of us. Every person has been given at least one gift and many have multiple gifts they have identified and refined--some natural and some spiritual, but we need the spiritual gifts to identify the natural, develop and fine-tune them.

What keeps people looking sideways at others as they move along the continuum of life--envying and coveting the gifts of others-- is they have lost their focus and never sought God for understanding of what He has given them. In order for us to walk the path He has designed for us, we must always seek Him, first.

There are times when it appears--to others--that some of us are off track, but that's because when we do things that seem unusual, we do them at God's guidance and not man's and therefore they would not understand. Being obedient to God is not always; especially when the outcome is uncertain and we have to complete an obstacle course, that could be perilous. Nevertheless, if we trust God, we must simply follow through on what He has spoken to our hearts and if others don't understand--it's okay.

When we look at Paul's life and how he started--being a stalwart defender of what he was taught by men--and then after his Damascus Road experience appeared to take a 180 degree turn in his promotion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was actively engaged in the community of Believers and non-Believers--inspiring many and even though he lost his life--he was obedient to God.

I know some are concerned with my current direction in actively engaging in resisting a Trump presidency, but they can rest assured, I have spent time with The Lord and know I am obeying what He would have me do in this season. Whatever happens in the interim, I know--what He wants me to do and I know it is for the good of all, not just myself.

We know that in order for evil to reign and change the landscape--good people sit silently and watch it unfold--doing absolutely nothing. My gift is research and writing and then expounding upon the truths found--by any means necessary. That gift is not only meant in teaching God's Word, but in the secular setting in which we all reside on a daily basis. If I did not research a subject matter, I could not teach it effectively and if I am not teaching effectively, I am not utilizing the gifts He's given me.

Here's the thing--man has no ability to gift us with anything other than material items that will rust or fade in the course of time. The gifts God gives us are for our use for as long as we walk the earth. Therefore, I will not allow what people think of me--one way or the other--to hinder my obedience to God. I'm mindful of Noah when people thought he was crazy in building an ark and talking about rain when it had never rained; Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt; Daniel opening the window and praying out loud even though it was forbidden; Esther going to the King without being summoned. The list could go on and on.

The bottom line for me is--man has no eternal resting place for me, but my Father in Heaven does. Guess who I will obey? No matter what what happens, I'll know I played a part in the historical events unfolding in this season and will hold them dear to my heart.

Lord, open the eyes of those who are blinded by fear and whose hearts are clouded with doubt and uncertainty. Let them see there are more with us, than against us--both naturally and spiritually and that victory in Jesus will be celebrated.