Learning to Walk by Faith (2)

 

'...I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!' Mark 9:24 NIV 

             


Learning to walk by faith isn't as easy as it may sounds. With all the different factors that happen through out the day how do we plug God into every action of our day. So here's another question to consider: What is 'walking by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7)? It's living your life based on how things look to the natural eye. It's deciding and acting in accord with your perceptions and circumstances, rather than God's Word. It's being dictated to by your feelings and thoughts. Your thoughts and feelings are - yours! Examine them. Don't let them hijack you. Use your spirit-controlled temperament to bring them under control. Too often we are sandwiched between faith and doubt, in a 'Catch-22' between what our transformed spirit says and what our carnal mind says. One day a distraught father brought his son to Jesus for healing. Jesus told him, '...Everything is possible for one who believes.' (Mark 9:23 NIV) At that point the boy's father said, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!' At times we experience both faith and doubt. This man was honest about his doubts, yet Jesus still worked a miracle for him. If he had needed correcting, Jesus would have corrected him. If his faith was not genuine, the Lord would have known it. But Jesus accepted his declaration of faith, despite his doubts. There are three lessons here for us: (1) Don't be afraid to acknowledge your doubts. (2) Don't let your doubts overrule your faith. God's Word in the matter is God's will for you; stand on it. (3) Hand your doubts over to the Lord and say, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!' How long does it take to learn to walk by faith? A lifetime! You are loved...

Learning to Walk by Faith (1)

 

'For we walk by faith, not by sight.' 2 Corinthians 5:7 NAS

         

             


It's time to 'get with it'! I heard that from my friend Tom time and again when I was a young man floundering in my faith. He would say the same thing to me, 'The just shall live by faith.' (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11 NKJV) This is not a suggestion for theological debate; it's His will for your life. Clearly, God has made faith the only way to live! No alternative is offered. '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.' (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) Let's take a moment and consider some questions arising from this life-transforming truth: (1) Who are 'the just'? Paul writes, 'Know that a person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith...' (Galatians 2:16 NIV) Justification (just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned) can't be earned, it's a free gift that comes by faith. If you have placed your trust in Christ then you are fully accepted in God's eyes. How good is that? (2) What is 'walking'? Paul says, 'We walk by faith and not by sight.' Walking requires that you get up and start moving. You can't just sit around aimlessly, waiting for the rapture. Walking involves: Motivation - you're moved by a purpose. Direction - you've chosen a destination, a goal to reach. Motion - you're committed to mobilising your energy and resources in the pursuit of your God-given destination and purpose. To walk by faith you must be engaged in consistent, forward movement intended to bring you into God's destiny for your life. So, "Get with it." You are loved...

Are You Stressed Out About Money? (2)

 

'...I am the Lord...who teaches you to profit...' Isaiah 48:17 NAS    

             


It's that time of year when we begin to worry about such things as taxes. Am I going to have pay? God I don't have it if I do have to pay. The best way to overcome financial anxiety is by trusting God to meet all your needs. You say, 'That's nice, but what does God know about my business or my work place?' More than you think! He's the CEO of the whole world. When it comes to successful systems, nobody knows more than He does. He created the universe in precise order. He asks Job: 'Can you lead forth a constellation in its season...?' (Job 38:32 NAS) If one star could move even just a little out of orbit without His permission, the whole thing would dissolve into cosmic chaos. Yet when He needs to move a star, He can do it like He did for the wise men that first Christmas. Wall Street could learn a thing or two from Him! Here's part of His résumé: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.' (Isaiah 48:17 NAS) If you want to become more profitable, go into partnership with God. Does that mean you can just stay home from work, go fishing, and God will pay your mortgage? No, God doesn't reward laziness and inefficiency! The story's told of a pastor who stopped by to admire the garden of one of his parishioners. 'Isn't God's handiwork wonderful?' he said. The parishioner thought about it for a moment and then replied, 'Yeah, but you should have seen it when God had it all by Himself.' Understand this: (1) You've got to get up and go to work. (2) You've got to consult God before you make decisions. (3) You've got to honor God with your tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-12). (4) When you've done your best, you've got to trust God with the rest. You are loved!

Are You Stressed Out About Money? (1)

 

'...It is [God] who gives you the ability to produce wealth...' Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV   

             


One of the biggest things that stress people out is money. Marriages end because of it, business partners fight over it. If you want to learn how to handle money God's way, you need to look to scripture for guidance. The story of Elijah being fed by the ravens teaches us that God can take care of us in a bad economy (1 Kings 17:1-7). The story of Joseph teaches us that when we follow God's plan, we will have all that we need to get us through hard times (Genesis 41:37-57). One of the dangers of living in a materialistic society is that you feel 'entitled' to things, even when you can't afford them. To overcome financial anxiety you must practise fiscal discipline. God doesn't bless recklessness. You can't go into debt, then pray that God will get you out of it. Sometimes He does. But if you don't learn from your mistakes you'll just keep repeating them. A popular radio show in Atlanta, USA is hosted by a man called Clark Howard. He begins every program by saying, 'Spend less, save more, and don't get ripped off.' He talks about banks that charge extortionate rates for credit cards, and tells people to live within their means. 'But I'm used to a certain lifestyle,' you say. Get unused to it! If you want peace of mind as Dave Ramsey says, learn the art of contentment. Does contentment mean you can't have ambition? No, it means delaying gratification and enjoying where you are, on your way to where you're going. It means learning to live by these words: 'I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:12-13 NLT) You are loved!

The Secret of Satisfaction

 

'...I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.' Philippians 4:11 NLT   

             
Please update your calendar for the Celebration of Life Service this Saturday January 26th at 10:30am here at CFW. There will be a luncheon to follow the service, and if you can help out with food in anyway please contact Melissa Collins 942-9077 or Amy at 967-2447. Thanks to everyone who has helped and prayed the family through this difficult time.

The next few days we are going to look at money. Most of us wish we had more, and if we had more, we probably wouldn't be able to handle it right anyway. What is the key then to satisfaction? If money guaranteed happiness, wouldn't the rich be happier than everybody else? Studies show that often they're not. Happy people don't follow money, they follow their God-given passion. In What Happy People Know, Dr Dan Baker writes: 'The man in front of me seemed to have it all: money, freedom, friends and family. But he didn't have the one thing he wanted most - happiness. His home life would horrify most people - alienated kids, a wife who resented his obsession with work, no time to kick back.' What was this man's biggest concern? Keeping what he had! Maybe you're reading this, thinking, 'Yeah, but that doesn't apply to me. In his situation I know I could be happy!' No, money can't buy happiness; regardless of how much you have, it's never enough. Fear will always whisper, 'Unless you get more you won't be secure.' So what's the secret of happiness? Paul writes: 'For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT) When you pursue God's purpose for your life, money is secondary. Your real status symbols are salvation, spiritual growth, a secure home, special friends, and the satisfaction of doing what God called you to do. Watchman Nee said, 'I have never met a soul who has set out to satisfy the Lord, and has not been satisfied himself.' You are loved!

Four Lessons Learned on Your Journey (2)

If you did not know Laura Berryhill went home to be with Jesus Tuesday Morning January 22nd. Please continue to pray for the family as they walk through their loss. This is a sad time for them but they rejoice in Laura being in heaven with Jesus. Please update your calendar for the Celebration of Life Service this Saturday January 26th at 10:30am here at CFW. There will be a luncheon to follow the service, and if you can help out with food in anyway please contact Melissa Collins 942-9077 or Amy at 967-2447. Thanks to everyone who has helped and prayed the family through this difficult time.

 

'Call to Me and I will...tell you...things you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3 NIV   

             
Third, learn the secret of prayer. Do you feel lost in unfamiliar territory, uncertain as to what your next move should be? God uses such times to get your attention, call you back to Himself and encourage you to lean on Him, your unfailing source of strength and wisdom. Stop trying to figure everything out by yourself! God says, 'Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you...things you do not know.' Take your problem to the Lord and ask Him for a solution; He won't disappoint you. '...The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.' (James 5:16 NIV) Fourth, learn the power of patience. When the Holy Spirit gives you direction and puts a goal or dream in your heart, it's easy to be quick on the trigger and want it to happen overnight. Timing is crucial. And it's under God's control, not yours! Waiting for God's timing isn't wasting time, it's essential in developing two qualities you need - faith and hope. 'But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.' (Romans 8:25 NIV) While you are learning patience, God is at work arranging things on your behalf, and also producing Christ-like qualities in you. The Psalmist said that his hope was in God. What's your hope in? Good luck? The economy? The doctor's prognosis? As long as your hope is in anything other than God's unfailing love and goodness, you'll wrestle with uncertainty. What's the answer? '...Their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.' (Psalm 112:7 NIV) You are loved!

Four Lessons Learned on Your Journey (1)

  

'In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.' Proverbs 16:9 NIV   

             


Good morning,
I have sad news for you. Laura Berryhill went to be with Jesus yesterday. Please remember the Berryhill's in your prayers. If you would like to help with meals @the memorial service it would be appreciated.

Let's look at "Lessons Learned"
Remember needing a road atlas when you took a trip? Now you just program your destination into the car's GPS and it tells you where and when to turn, how far to the next gas station, and when you'll arrive. No guessing, confusion and wrong decisions; just choose the shortest or fastest route and it will get you there. As a follower of Christ you have a divine GPS, which is the Holy Spirit. He chooses the route and the timing, and guarantees that you'll get to your destination. By listening to Him you learn four valuable lessons. Let's look at them: First, learn to depend on God rather than yourself. Assuming you know all the twists and turns of life makes you act without consulting God. Samson believed he'd 'figured how the system worked'. When Delilah sold him out and the Philistines bound him with ropes, he thought he'd handle things the way he always did: '...I will do as before and shake myself free. But he didn't realise the Lord had left him.' (Judges 16:20 NLT) Living victoriously means living in total dependence on God, not yourself. Jesus said, '...Without Me you can do nothing.' (John 15:5 NKJV) Second, change your perspective. You may not always look where you're going, but you will always end up going where you're looking! Your perspective determines your choices and direction in life. After paying dearly for following his lower impulses, David changed his perspective and prayed, 'My eyes are fixed on You...Lord...' (Psalm 141:8 NIV) You should pray that too. You are loved!