We Look At The Unseen

1. Hayden 9-23-19

God calls His people to live by faith. In fact, Scripture tells us that “the just shall live by faith” and that “without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”(Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 11:6). So to live by faith is absolutely critical in developing a strong relationship with our Lord. Unfortunately, so many of God’s people struggle to maintain a life marked by this one guiding principle – that is “living by faith.” So how do we do it?

This phrase can be defined in a couple different ways but I see God’s Word describe it as trusting in God and what His Word tells us in spite of what we may perceive with the five physical senses. Your five senses may see you as weak, but God’s Word tells the weak to say they are strong. Your bank account may claim you are poor but the Bible tells us that God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Those around you may tell you that you can’t accomplish anything, yet God’s Word tells you that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).   For many people who live only by the five physical senses, seeing situations and circumstances by the eye of faith is foreign at best and impossible at worst. But we are not destined to be ruled but what we see for we are God’s children. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

When Abraham was told that he would be the father of many nations even though his wife Sarah was well past child-bearing years, he had a choice. Was he going to believe God and His Word or would he doubt God and believe the deadness of Sarah’s womb? He choice to believe God and it was counted as righteousness before the Lord. And of course, he became what God said he would, the father of many nations. What do you see in your life that tends to contradict what the Word of God declares regarding you? Remember these words from the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris         

Musings – Quo Vadis

1. Hayden 9-26-16

Just exploring a few musings today. Last night after the Elder’s meeting, I did a little channel surfing on the TV and came across this old movie that brought back fond memories. The movie was called “Quo Vadis”, a New Testament-times epic starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr. The title “Quo Vadis” is a Latin phrase meaning, “Where are you going?” The film tells the story of a fierce Roman Commander, Marcus Vinicius who falls in love with a Christian girl named Lygia. Throughout the movie, we are able to witness the evolution of Marcus’ belief as he begins to change from hardened battle commander loyal to Rome to a Christian believer willing to die for “the Faith.” This change begins as he is able to witness first hand the strength and courage of believers as Nero exacts his madness upon Rome, blaming Christians for the fire that He himself started, then executing believers in the coliseum in some of the most hideous ways.

My main muse is over what many of these early believers suffered for their faith in Christ along with many others throughout the centuries and even today. They suffered torments, tortures and even death for their faith. And yet we struggle over the most benign of issues. How could we even hope to be strong enough to be faithful like them when we often make up things to imitate real problems? I could say so much more, but I will let the Scriptures close out this muse. Everyone have a great week!

Hebrews 11:32-38 – ^“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy…”

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris