Category: Faith

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It’s In the Script

When our youngest daughter was in middle school and high school, she was very active in drama. It was her creative outlet. She enjoyed being behind the scenes more than being on stage.

It was important for her to see how things came together. The sets, the lights, the staging were all crucial elements in delivering the story. Sometimes we would be at home, watching a movie and she would say, “I wonder why they did it that way”. My reply was always the same, “It’s in the script”. Sometimes that answer caused her to smile and at other times it frustrated her.

But that was the truth. All the stage direction is in the script. The author of the play puts in all the details of entrances and exits, lighting and sounds.

When I was searching for an image, “in the script”, to use for this blog the search actually came up with “in the scriptures”. Exactly. The script that has been written for us is the Scriptures.

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

When it comes to a life of faith, Jesus is our example. He followed the Father’s plan completely.

“God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us. 12 He did this so we Jews would bring honor to him and be the first ones to have hope because of him. 13 Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show you belong to God. 14 The Spirit also makes us sure we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.” Ephesians 1:11-14 CEV

God always does what He plans. From the beginning of time, He put his plan in the script. He chose us. Christ delivered that truth to the world and the Holy Spirit is here now giving us direction, showing us how to put God’s plan into action.

When in doubt about what to do and the way to live all we have to remember is it’s in the script.

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No Coincidence

Through my years, I have learned that there are no coincidences with God.

This morning while I was praying I thanked God, the Father, for providing us with a “free” will. Then I said thank you to Jesus for paying the price for our salvation making it a “free” gift. Lastly, I thanked the Holy Spirit for guiding us each day and reminding us of the freedom that we have in Christ.

Free indeed!

Then I began reading in Psalms and there David was thanking God for freeing him of his past sins. From there my reading took me to the book of Daniel and I read the story of Daniel being sentenced to the lions’ den for his faithfulness to God. When Daniel was freed, he gave credit to God for his salvation.

My Bible reading ended this morning in Galatians, chapter 5.

“We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again…13 My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love. 14 The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” 15 If you continue hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful, or you will completely destroy each other. 16 So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants… 22 But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. 25 We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:1, 13-16, 22-25 ERV

Free will, free salvation, free direction!

Just exactly what I had been praying about before I started reading.

Our freedom in Christ is no coincidence. It was planned in heaven before the world began. While we were in rebellion to God, He made a way for us to be reconciled (made right) with Him.

“So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death. “ Romans 8:1-2

God’s plan is our freedom; free from sin, free from fear, from guilt, from anger, from selfishness, from hate. Our freedom is no coincidence – it’s the intentional plan of our loving Father.

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Free Indeed

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

” So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

On this day of independence, it’s important to remember that we are truly free through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are no longer held captive or enslaved by sin and/or the devil because the Son, Jesus Christ, broke the chains of bondage and set us free! Hallelujah!

Our nation was founded by men and women who were seeking a better way of life; an opportunity to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They trusted in God’s leading and direction in the founding of this nation.

We are blessed with a great heritage of those who have fought for our freedom and with founding fathers who established our nation using the Bible as the base and foundation of our governing laws.

Many things have changed since the founding of our nation but one thing that has not changed is God is still and forever will be, Lord God Almighty who rules and reigns in mercy, truth and justice!

We can trust Him and Him alone! He is our hope, He is our peace, He is our joy, the Everlasting God!

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

Keep your hearts free from fear. When God reigns He brings peace and with Him is ultimate victory.

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Never Underestimate the Impossible

Those are the song lyrics that lulled me to sleep. It was a song that topped the charts in 2002. Here are some of the lyrics:

“Unsinkable ships – sink
Unbreakable walls – break
Sometimes the things you think would never happen
Happen just like that
Unbendable steel – bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I’ve learned to never underestimate
The impossible”

And with that melody still in my heart this morning I began to think about the impossible things in Scripture.

Noah built a boat to shelter his family from the rain, but it had never rained.

Abraham and Sarah had their first child at ages 90 and 100.

Moses talked to a burning bush that was never consumed and parted the Red Sea with his walking stick.

Joshua saw the walls of Jericho fall flat and all he did was walk around the outside wall for seven days.

David killed a giant with a sling shot and a stone.

Daniel used a lion for a pillow.

Mary, a young virgin, gave birth to a son.

5000 people were fed with five small loaves and two fish.

Water was turned to wine.

Peter walked on water.

Lazarus was raised from the dead.

Jesus ascended to heaven.

“Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.’ 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!'” Mark 9:23-24 ERV

You may be facing the impossible. Don’t be deterred; don’t be afraid. Believe God and His word.

“Then this message from the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “Jeremiah, I am the Lord. I am the God of every person on the earth. You know that nothing is impossible for me.” Jeremiah 32:26-27 ERV

Our Father is a creator of miracles. Nothing is impossible for Him!

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Stay Put

Just a bit of a different take on a verse this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever used a clothing accessory in a teaching before but as they say there’s a first time for everything.

Are you familiar with collar stays?

When I was in high school and would iron my dad’s dress shirts it was important to remember to put the collar stays in place when I was finished. I did the same thing for Dave when we were first married. All the nicer dress shirts came with collar stays. They kept a man’s collar for rolling down; they were stiff, rigid and kept the collar looking freshly pressed. It presented a professional image.

Why am I talking about collar stays and how do they apply to today’s teaching?

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord
because he is forever our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

Stayed – rigid, firm, unbending, like a rock.

Last night I was startled awake at midnight. It was so abrupt that my heart was racing and I was shaken. I laid there for a while trying to calm myself and go back to sleep but I was unsuccessful. I got up and came to the couch and laid down here.

I prayed. Then this verse came to mind, and I could hear the Lord speak into my heart, “Kristi, you need to be stayed”. Along with that admonition came the picture of those silly collar stays.

I needed my mind to be stayed. Focused singularly on the Father and His promise to never leave me or abandon me. He promises to be my rock and my hiding place, my ever present help in time of trouble. I have been told to come boldly into His throne room to find help in time of need.

Yes, stayed on His word.

I wasn’t frightened, I didn’t feel as if I was in danger, but my peace had escaped me. It needed to return.

The Lord and talked for a long time and sleep came.

“3  and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.” Psalm 23:3 CEV

I hope this was helpful to you today, I know it was for me. I plan to stay put, with my mind on my Almighty God and loving Father.

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Immovable – Unbreakable

I have been blessed to live most of my life in Arizona. Yes, it has been a blessing!

People who haven’t been to our state think of the blistering hot desert, landscaped with cactus and desert sand. However, the terrain is diverse. Farmlands and sand dunes to the south, mountains and forests to the north. “

One thing it has is a wide variety of mountains. They capture my attention and bring a depth of meaning to some of my favorite verses from the book of Psalms.

“I love you, Lord God, and you make me strong. 2 You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter.” Psalm 18:1-2 CEV

“Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. 2 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure.” Psalm 62:1-2 CEV

“Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalm 19:4 CEV

“Be my mighty rock, the place where I can always run for protection. Save me by your command! You are my mighty rock and my fortress.” Psalm 71:3 CEV

You get the picture, right?

Some of the rock formations of the Chiricahua mountains in eastern Arizona are nearly impossible to climb. This was a land where Geronimo and Cochise keep their people safe from their enemies. I imagine that David, when writing the Psalms, was thinking about some similar mountain tops in Israel as he wrote the words above.

God, our Father, is our mighty rock. Our place of refuge when we are under attack and facing imminent danger.

Jesus told us that God’s word is our firm foundation. It’s like building our house on a solid rock – immovable and God’s word is unbreakable. It is eternal!

“ Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

When I read those verses over again this morning an old hymn came to mind.

“Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
  Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
  I’m standing on the promises of God.”

Maybe you are experiencing something that is causing you to feel shaky. Doubts and fears are swirling around like a fierce wind; run for shelter. Our Father is a mighty rock; dig down to your firm foundation.

God’s word is immovable, unshakable and will not break!

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Growing Stronger

Those words jumped off the page to me – “grow strong in faith”. Faith: complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Faith according to the writer of Hebrews is “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” Hebrews 11:1 AMP

The title deed. Over the past several months I have helped a number of people through the process of transferring title. Once that is done, the property is legally and officially theirs. Faith is our title deed – it is our assurance that God has transferred His promises to us.

“And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17 AMP

A large portion of my early life was spent struggling, worrying, facing the insecurity of my failures and unworthiness. But then I began hearing messages on faith, not in my abilities but in God’s. My spiritual life began to grow stronger, like a plant in the garden that had received an infusion of fertilizer.

“But I am like a green olive tree growing in God’s Temple. I will trust God’s faithful love forever and ever. 9 God, I praise you forever for what you have done. I will speak your name before your followers because it is so good!” Psalm 52:8-9 ERV

How many millions of Christians are like I was wanting to believe God but struggling to trust?

“ So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 ERV

That’s my goal each day; to help others grow stronger in their faith. The Apostle Paul said in Romans that faith comes by hearing and by hearing the WORD of God. That’s why it’s so important for me to fill these morning devotions with God’s word. My opinion and experiences won’t build faith, they can be examples, but faith comes by trusting in God’s word and His faithfulness.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:3-4 ERV

It is my desire to see each of you grow in faith, as you grow in the knowledge of what your relationship with Christ has given you. You have received a marvelous inheritance, the title deed to God’s promises for living the life God has provided.

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Don’t Be Discouraged!

I realized yesterday when I talked about hardships that some of those reading this blog may be discouraged by that thought. So, let’s continue on.

As I pointed out the Apostle Paul had many opportunities to become discouraged because his hardships were many. However, he never accepted defeat. Instead of going from battle to battle, he went from victory to victory. He had his mind set, like concrete, in the truth of God’s word.

“Do not act like the sinful people of the world. Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind. Then you will know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLV

When we come to Christ and begin to study God’s word there is a transformation that begins to take place in our minds. Instead of seeing limitations we see God’s intervention and His power.

“ It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 NLV

The people Paul was writing to were used to seeing soldiers invading their lands; fighting men ready to conquer a weaker or diminished force. He pointed out that ours was a different kind of battle. Ours is a battle of faith – trusting and believing God to do what He has promised. Breaking down every thought that tries to diminish the power of God in our lives.

“This is the last thing I want to say: Be strong with the Lord’s strength. 11 Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil. 12 Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. 13 Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 6:10-13 NLV

Still standing! Going from victory to victory.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

“But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” I Corinthians 15:57 ERV

Hardships, yes. Victory? Absolutely, through Christ we always triumph!

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Flip the Coin

I often hear folks say, “I wish I had more faith, or I wish my faith was bigger or stronger”. This morning, I would like to share a couple of thoughts on “Faith” and “Unbelief”.

Imagine you are holding a coin in your hand right now. One side of the coin is faith, and one side is unbelief. The outcome in the situations of our life is directly affected by the side of the coin that we are looking at.

There are many Scriptures when Jesus addressed “Unbelief” in the hearts and minds of those that he was ministering too.

In Matthew 13 it says that Jesus couldn’t do any mighty works in his own hometown because of their unbelief. In Mark 9 the man who had a demon possessed son brought him to Jesus for healing. Jesus answered if you can believe all things are possible to him and the father responded Lord, I believe – help my unbelief. After Jesus set the boy free, his disciples came and ask:

Then the followers came to Jesus alone. They said, “We tried to force the demon out of the boy, but we could not. Why were we not able to make the demon go out?”

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-20 NKJV

Jesus didn’t say that it was because of their “little” faith or even lack of faith but because of unbelief. He then goes on to say that with faith as little as a grain of mustard seed, nothing would be impossible to them. And as a side note when Jesus said “this kind” goes not out but by prayer and fasting, He was talking about the unbelief.

Faith, simply put, is our belief that God not only can do, but will do, those things that He has promised. Abraham is our walking example of this. He had a lifetime of evidence to support his unbelief in being able to have a child. Barrenness for both he and Sarah. If they had gone to the fertility clinic, everyone would have laughed at them and sent them home. But thank God, Abraham didn’t listen to all the unbelief (his own or that of others) he was strong in faith.

“And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Romans 4:19-21

When we give our life to Christ and are born again, we are given faith as a part of our new nature. Romans 12 says that God has given all of us “the” measure of faith and then in Galatians 5, Paul tells us again that faith is a fruit of the Spirit.

We can all agree it takes faith to get saved. “For by grace are ye saved through faith”. Faith, believing that God will do what He says He will do, and grace, God giving us what we don’t deserve and can’t earn on our own. This was the time in our life that our faith in God was the smallest and yet it was enough to create the greatest miracle – salvation.

So now, what situation has you focused on unbelief. Go to God’s word, find His answer, feed your faith (Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God) and it will cause your unbelief to shrink.

It’s like putting weights on a scale – when the scale is balanced you simply decrease the unbelief because you know that “mustard seed” faith is more than enough to move mountains.

Flip the coin. Faith, we win. Unbelief, we lose. In God we trust!

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Hard to Believe

Yesterday I shared with you some of the reasons I get up each morning and praise God!

I’m sure that at least a few of you read some of those verses and said in your heart “That’s hard to believe”, because at one time, I felt just like that. I would hear sermons and read verses and go “that’s really good, I wish it worked for me like that”.

I was thinking on that very line when I picked up my Bible this morning and began to read. Here’s the first verse in my reading: “All you say can be trusted; your teachings are true and will last forever.” Psalm 119:60 CEV

Then a few verses down there was this: “You give peace of mind to all who love your Law. Nothing can make them fall. 166 You are my only hope for being saved, Lord, and I do all you command. 167 I love and obey your laws with all my heart.” Psalm 119:165-167 CEV

Now wait, “Our Lord, you keep your word  and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.” Psalm 135:13-15 CEV

The more I went on in my reading, the more I realized that God was confirming the strength and power of His word in the lives of each of us who call ourselves Christians, those of us who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God; the One who saves us from our sins.

If you are in the group, and hope and pray that you are I have a couple more verses to share with you that were in my morning reading.

“I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 CEV

But that wasn’t the last verse that I read, there are still a couple more.

“The demon has often tried to kill him by throwing him into a fire or into water. Please have pity and help us if you can!” 23 Jesus replied, ‘Why do you say ‘if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” 24 At once the boy’s father shouted, “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.” Mark 9:22-24 CEV

This man’s son was demon possessed. He came to Jesus asking for help. The father said, “help if you can”. So many times, we are like that father asking Lord, if you can. He can and He will; we need to believe that He not only has the ability but the willingness. He is God and He keeps His word.

“But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

Now, just one more for good measure. “34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not even married!” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37  Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.” Luke 1:35-38 CEV

I know it’s hard to believe BUT God’s word does not fail – never has, never will!

There are so many more verses that I could direct you to that point to God’s faithfulness in keeping His word. He’s given all of them to us, so it won’t be hard to believe.

Just as the sun comes up every morning, the waves come to the shore, the earth spins on its axis, God’s word is infallible and is always true. The more we draw into relationship with Him, the more convinced (faith) we become that it’s “Hard to Believe” anything other than the Word of God.

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