It is in my weakness that I am forced to rely upon God. If he did not give me things that made me weak - health issues, car troubles, etc - me, in my pride, would stray.
I thank God for my trials regularly. They are, quiet literally, what will get me to Heaven.
I love these thoughts. Belief that healing can and does happen. Provision can and does happen. We've been doing something with our church called First Things First. Daily taking 10 to 20 minutes every morning in the Word and prayer. It was a tough discipline to create, but we'll worth it. I can't prove to someone that I hear God speak through the Bible, but I make far less stupid choices.
Relatively recently, last year one might say, this teller came to a realization about an old christian argument.
Faith or works.
It's neither.
So often, so shameful is our faith.
So often, so pitiful are our works.
If salvation was up to those, we would unquestionably be doomed.
Thus, it's by His blood. His mercy we are healed, saved.
That's not to say of course that we shouldn't have faith, however faltering, or works, however wretched, but it is by his hand miracle descends.
Even when our Lord walked on water, only one disciple followed out, only for a brief time, 'fore fear of wind and waves claimed his heart. Yet, though he cried out from a danger made of lack of faith, was he not saved?
All the ills and evil of the world have but one sole objective, to make us forgetful, to give up in despair, for no matter what pit we find ourselves in, by our own hand, others or even just the fallen nature of the world...
Our foes know we shall be saved so long as we cry out.
We may falter, we may fail, get ill and even die, but so long as we don't truly give up, we shall not be given up on.
A frequent sermon topic or discussion topic in protestant churches centers on FROG. Fully rely on God. It seems quite simplistic, but managing it is the daily work of a lifetime. A corollary is "Count it all joy." Also simple. But it can be a struggle to implement, especially in what we perceive as dark days.
I am weak.
It is in my weakness that I am forced to rely upon God. If he did not give me things that made me weak - health issues, car troubles, etc - me, in my pride, would stray.
I thank God for my trials regularly. They are, quiet literally, what will get me to Heaven.
You count it all joy!
I love these thoughts. Belief that healing can and does happen. Provision can and does happen. We've been doing something with our church called First Things First. Daily taking 10 to 20 minutes every morning in the Word and prayer. It was a tough discipline to create, but we'll worth it. I can't prove to someone that I hear God speak through the Bible, but I make far less stupid choices.
How beautiful!
Relatively recently, last year one might say, this teller came to a realization about an old christian argument.
Faith or works.
It's neither.
So often, so shameful is our faith.
So often, so pitiful are our works.
If salvation was up to those, we would unquestionably be doomed.
Thus, it's by His blood. His mercy we are healed, saved.
That's not to say of course that we shouldn't have faith, however faltering, or works, however wretched, but it is by his hand miracle descends.
Even when our Lord walked on water, only one disciple followed out, only for a brief time, 'fore fear of wind and waves claimed his heart. Yet, though he cried out from a danger made of lack of faith, was he not saved?
All the ills and evil of the world have but one sole objective, to make us forgetful, to give up in despair, for no matter what pit we find ourselves in, by our own hand, others or even just the fallen nature of the world...
Our foes know we shall be saved so long as we cry out.
We may falter, we may fail, get ill and even die, but so long as we don't truly give up, we shall not be given up on.
Wow! That was beautifully put.
I think you're so right about Peter and the water. What a beautiful analogy for all of us!
A frequent sermon topic or discussion topic in protestant churches centers on FROG. Fully rely on God. It seems quite simplistic, but managing it is the daily work of a lifetime. A corollary is "Count it all joy." Also simple. But it can be a struggle to implement, especially in what we perceive as dark days.
So many of these things are so simple to say, and so difficult to do.