Just HOW Important Is Faith?

During this time of socio-economic melt-down in our country, it's easy to get sucked up into the "Chicken Little" syndrome and run around screaming "the sky is falling! the sky is falling!" Which of course can't be considered exercising any faith at all, but when you think about it, it's practically the only thing those of us NOT in control can do - after all, we're on this rollercoaster built by politicians, and people who don't have OUR best interests at heart.

How does God look at "Chicken Little" faith? Can he honor the kind of faith that only sees a glass half full? Can he work within the confines of your faith if all the faith you can muster is to give up, throw your hands in the air, and begin looking forward to December 21, 2012? Jesus tells us that it only takes a VERY little bit of faith - that of a mustard seed,

“I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matt. 17:20)

But what if you're like a lot of us out there - where even "mustering up" even a mustard seed's worth of faith is hard right now? The best advice I can give is to TRY. Why? Well, if only a little bit of faith can move a mountain, and all you're trying to do it make to through the day, it would take so much less than moving a mountain - right?

I know this sounds simplistic, but I'd like to share something with you I came across in the Word this morning. As I was reading in Isaiah, I came across an amazing passage that I'd read several times before, but suddenly, it jumped out at me this morning. In chapter 7, verse 9 near the end, it says,

"Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm." (NLT)

It says it slightly different in other translations, but it really spoke to my heart this morning. If I don't have firm faith - even if it's a little less than a mustard seed's worth - the Lord cannot use that faith to help us stand firm in the face of adversity! "Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm!" Think about it! The Lord desires to bless us - he wants good for us, and blesses us continually. But when we're facing an uphill struggle, and it seems impossible to reach the top, exercise a little faith - make sure it's firm - and trust that the Lord will make you stand firm through the trial!

I love this picture... a fortification - BUILT ON THE ROCK!

"Standing firm" to me speaks of being established, of being fortified, of being braced for whatever may come our way. Only God knows what our future's hold, and if He's willing to help us stand firm through through the experience at the cost of a little faith on our part, who wouldn't search their heart and see if they can't find a little bit of faith in the dusty corners of our hearts?

Who wouldn't go and seek out where their faith can be bolstered? Who wouldn't do what it took to find that little bit of faith to show forth firm to the Lord, trusting that he will establish us? I know I will. I must.

A little faith... firmly established in your heart, will cause the Great Lord and Master of all Creation to take notice of you, your situation, and your needs, and move Him to make you stand firm through it all. What an amazing promise. Find the faith friends. Put your trust in the Lord, and watch His hand at work in your situation.

Blessings.

I'm Grateful that SOMEONE Knows What's Going On!

I've stepped back from myself and have realized that I'm getting depressed. I've been asking myself why I was let go, why no one will tell me the "real" reasons why - or why they chose me. I've tried very hard to stay away from anger, knowing that it will only come back on me to roost, and I've tried very hard to not become vindictive or bitter, but to trust that God has this in control, and that it's part of a plan. Can I just tell you, it's hard to hold on to that sometimes?

I don't want to be depressed. It hurts, honestly. Stress adds to my pain. Depression adds to my pain. Frustration adds to my pain. Pain makes me more stressed, frustrated, and depressed. Talk about a vicious circle! Those of you who experience constant pain know of what I'm speaking.

Not too far from how I'm feeling!

Well, today as I was in the Word, and spending some time whining to God... What, you never whine to God? Come on! We all do it! ANYway... as I was whining to God this morning, I kept hearing a snippet of scripture rattle through my mind... "... I know the plans I have for you... something something something... to prosper... something something something..." And I couldn't pull it out of my head for love or money. When I started pulling down the bibles and opening up the study software, I finally found it - Jeremiah 29:11 - 14a. It gave me hope... and it helped my depression... and it put my thoughts back on where they need to be... Jesus Christ.

The passage says,

"...For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD.

Wow. Abba Father has a plan for me. Not only that, but it's not one of disaster! In addition, it's one that will GIVE ME A FUTURE AND A HOPE! Incredibly, He'll listen! If I look for Him, I WILL find him! In fact, God's so sure of that, he says it again, "I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU!" Wow. Is it just me, or do you sometimes read things like that and ask yourself, "why was I whining? What was I worrying about? What a putz!" I did. I'm not a works salvation guy... it's just not biblical... but I am a salvation works guy... once saved, you've got a lot to do. While I know that God has a plan, it takes me to do the things that will produce a result. Like planting a field... if I don't plant the seeds, no matter how much God has a great plan for a harvest from that field, NOTHING IS GOING TO GROW. I need to sow the seeds of my success and then trust that my "Papa" will provide the harvest. Isn't that how it always works? Wow.

Day before yesterday I took a mental health break and read the book, "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's not a big book. I read it in one sitting - through and through. If you've never read it, may I suggest that you should? It will change your life! Anyway, as I read it, I realized that "Papa", or "Abba" is extremely fond of ME. And I also realized that while things are not always "mountain peak" experiences, I'm alright in spite of my pain. That reminds me of something. A very wise brother in the Lord, Kirk Jackson - a brother who helped me find Jesus while in the Air Force - told me once that we all want to live on the mountain peaks, but God does all his work in the valleys. Well Kirk, I'm in a deep dark valley, and Dr. God is doing surgery, and it hurts. Do I trust Him? Certainly I do. Does it give me hope? Amazingly, it does.

It's all part of the journey. It's all part of HIS plan... I pray that He'll give me the strength, endurance, and joy to see it through.

Blessings!

Unemployed Musings...

Greetings faithful fans and readers... all ONE of you! LOL...

As I've embarked on this grand unknown journey, I've had some time to really think about the things that matter most, and the things that are worth hanging on to, and NOT. I'm blessed. I have a beautiful wife, wonderful children, a nice home (for now!), and many, many other things that make my life wonderful. I know that Chris doesn't feel that way. And believe it or not, I understand.

With the passing of her little brother, this seems like one huge ol' kick in the gut while we're down. And to some extent, it is. But it's not over, and I feel very encouraged to say that God's not done with me, or us. It's hard to see God's hands in any of this in fact, and every day that goes by is a test of whether or not I'm going to fling it all in His face and walk away. I doubt I will though... I'm hooked... I need Him too much. In light of that, I wrote this for my sweetie.

The War Is On!

There's not a thing that I can do
But watch you in distress and tears.
I'm trying hard, you know it's true,
To put at rest your doubts and fears.

I have no job, and things look black,
Our hopes and dreams seem all stalled out,
But I'm not done! No looking back!
The war is on, begin the charge complete the rout!

There's lots of fight left deep in me!
The world's never seen my type of fire!
I'll see us through, you watch and see!
Things need not seem so dark and dire!

A plan is set by God above,
And I'm but just a lowly actor,
We'll make it through, I swear, my love!
This need not be our end's disaster!

I'll do the things to get us by,
You watch, this won't spell the end of days!
The darkened clouds will leave the sky,
And we'll once again see bright sun rays!

I'm sorry, dear - I've brought us here
I wish things could be safe and sure,
But there's no room for doubt or fear,
When trusting God with vision pure.

We'll fight together, you and I;
We'll stand and see this trial through.
And side by side we'll more than try;
We'll win this fight! No less will do!

So wipe the tears from 'neath your eyes,
And take my hand and stand with me!
It's not so bad, don't buy those lies!
We'll win the day, just trust in me!


Michael Hunter

I trust that God has something better, greater, and more inspiring for me. I'm standing on that.

It's a journey... not always an easy one.

The Testing Has Begun

I think that the Lord is absolutely amazing. A few weeks ago I posted the bit about stress during Christmas. The words of encouragement from the Gospel of Matthew were amazing then, but they're even more amazing to me now.

I lost my job on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, and then lost my insurance coverage the day after on the 31st. With the previous week having to deal with the loss of our brother(& in-law), it was one blow on top of another. I can see how it could cause some to be bitter, and to feel as though the Lord isn't in this, or that He was somehow punishing us, or not protecting us. And if I were totally honest with myself, I'd have to admit I've wondered. But when I spend time in worship, or in prayer, I can't bring myself to point my finger at God. I know that all things work for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), but there are times when it's really hard to put your complete trust in those words - and by extension, in God.

Job, and his "friends", Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar

I don't believe that God uses coincidence to reach us, but I do believe that there is something called Divine Providence that sometimes causes certain things to align during a trial. I happen to be reading the Book of Job in the Old Testament right now. I read the bible from cover to cover in cycle continually throughout the year, and right now, I happen to be in Job. The elements of the story are not my own, it's true, but who can deny that Job represents all of us when we're down and out? It's hard not to get lost in some of the more abstract comments Job and his friends make, but there are times that something comes out that is so clear, so perfect, so applicable, that you just know that the Lord was drawing your eyes and heart to the passage. For instance, this morning in my reading, I came across some very uncharacteristic words from Eliphaz - who is normally a "look dude, you're obviously so steeped in sin that God is slapping you around to punish you" kind of guy, that I had to read it a couple time to ensure I was understanding! this is what he said:

“Stop quarreling with God! If you agree with him, you will have peace at last, and things will go well for you. Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart. If you return to the Almighty and clean up your life, you will be restored. Give up your lust for money, and throw your precious gold into the river. Then the Almighty himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver!

“Then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and look up to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him. Whatever you decide to do will be accomplished, and light will shine on the road ahead of you." (Job 22: 21-28)

I'm not quarreling with God, but I do seek His peace. I need to listen to his instructions and store them in my heart. It says that I should give up my lust for money - to basically toss it into the rushing river, and God Himself would be my precious gold and silver... He will be my treasure! At a time like this when I'm wondering where the next mortgage payment is coming from, and if I'll be able to keep the lights on, I felt encouraged by these words and want, more than anything, for the Lord to be my all in all - my treasure! Not only that, but I want Him to hear my prayers, and I want to fulfill my vows to Him, and to know that whatever I decide will be accomplished (within His will of course), and most of all, that His light would shine on my road ahead! I needed this. I needed it bad.

Knowing that I'm not to worry about what I'm going to eat, wear, live etc. and knowing that He will light my path, gives me the strength I need to stand up today, and tomorrow, and place one foot in front of another to do what it will take to provide for my family, and that as long as I'm on my knees before Him, He will hear me, will be my treasure, and will be my light.

Yes, it's a scary time for us. We don't know what will happen. But I believe I've been called according to God's purpose, and I know that I love Him. Therefore, I know that things will be alright.

We're told that:

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up. This miracle will bring great honor to the LORD’S name; it will be an everlasting sign of his power and love." (Isaiah 55:10-13 - NLT)

And,

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Is. 55:10-11 NKJV)

I am standing in faith that God has my best interests at heart. That doesn't mean my life it goingt to be "trial free," but rather that I won't have to go through those trials on my own.

I'm on my life's journey, it's true... I've got wonderful travel companions, and the Lord to direct it all. In that, I will rest.