“Where is your faith?” That's a question Jesus asked his disciples when they were on the lake in the little boat as the storm raged. Jesus was asleep. Out of fear of drowning, they awakened him. Was their faith only good when the sea was calm? What about us? Do we trust God only when things are going our way? Is our faith based upon our situation? Do we chase after a religion that teaches, “If you have enough faith all your problems will disappear”?
Through years of pastoral counseling, I have come to the realization that our biggest problem is a lack of faith. We try to avoid difficult times. We seek to control our every situation believing that if we are in control, we are safe. Yet, our loving Father is allowing problems to teach us and help us grow.
When we commit ourselves to God, we say we want to become like Christ.
God sees where we are lacking in the Christ-like qualities, (Fruit of the Spirit), and puts us n the classroom necessary to develop those qualities. If we lack patience; tribulation! If we lack love; obnoxious people! If we lack faith; trying times. Faith means believing in the love and faithfulness of God that enables us to yield control of our lives, in every situation, to God. However, when push comes to shove, most of us have more trust in doctors than in God. When we have surgery, we sign a document giving permission that allows the doctor to perform the planned surgery and any other deemed necessary. When the storms arise and difficult times come, we want out! Surely a God of Love would not want His children to suffer. Yet Paul says if we are to know the power of His resurrection, we must experience the fellowship of His suffering.
Though Jesus spoke and the waves were stilled, His greater desire was for the disciples to understand His power and love so they would totally surrender their lives to Him. God wants us to “faith” him and live without complaining or murmuring. No harm can come unless God has a greater purpose in it. Can you relax and live within God’s purpose for your life because you “faith” Him completely? I am like the man who asked Jesus to heal his child. Jesus answered, “If you “faith.” The man answered, “I have a little faith, help my faith to grow.” May that be our prayer. I would appreciate your feed-back. Click on “comments” and fire away!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Mutual Relationships
Within 24 hours I read two statements, one from Bruce Larson and the other from Keith Miller, which said the heart of sin is a desire to be in control. Should this be a surprise since Satan’s temptation of Eve was, “You will not die. Your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” Ever since then, people have sought control, over their lives and over the lives of others. We have lived under the curse.
Paul says “all who rely on observing the law, are under a curse.” We are to live by faith for he again says “The just shall live by faith.” Christ came to free us from the curse by being cursed for us. We live in freedom through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14)
Faith changes the way we relate to God and one another. Part of our trouble in understanding the faith walk is that there is no English verb faith. We have the noun and the verbal, but no verb. The Greek word is a verb that involves action. The Greek verb contains the following actions; belief, commitment, dependence, and expectations. I like to sum it up as “yielding control.”
We are to yield control to God for He is Creator, Sovereign, Lord, and Master. He has every right to be in control of our lives. Paul says the journey of sin begins with the failure to give God the glory due Him. Thus, we worship the created instead of the Creator. (Romans 1:21-23) We live by faith as we “yield control” to God.
Our relationships with others are to be marked by faith. Paul says “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” I call this the principal of mutual submission. He demonstrates the principal in three different relationships; husband/wife, parent/child, and employer/employee. We are to recognize one another as our equal. We are joint heirs with Christ. For me to control you is to believe I am “better than you,” “smarter than you.” And the list goes on. This is contrary to Paul’s advice to esteem others better than self.
On the human level fear prevails. There are some people who are not safe for me to be in relationship with. How can I know to what level I can trust? Please note, “mutual submission.” Anyone who is not willing to be submissive to another is not a safe relationship to enter into. They have what is sometimes referred to as “the messiah complex.” They are primarily interested in themselves. Selfish!
I hear “Someone has to take the lead.” There is a difference between leadership and dictatorship. Dictatorship come out of low self-esteem, looks down on the dictated, resents input from the dictated, makes decisions, and blames others when the decision is wrong. Leadership flows from a healthy self-esteem, looks upon the lead as worthy, delights in their input, makes decisions with the interest of all and if the decision is wrong takes responsibility.
I challenge you to walk by faith, developing healthy relationships by “faithing” God and one another.
Do you have questions? Do you agree or disagree? Please make comments at the bottom of this page. I long to dialogue with you concerning this subject.
Paul says “all who rely on observing the law, are under a curse.” We are to live by faith for he again says “The just shall live by faith.” Christ came to free us from the curse by being cursed for us. We live in freedom through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14)
Faith changes the way we relate to God and one another. Part of our trouble in understanding the faith walk is that there is no English verb faith. We have the noun and the verbal, but no verb. The Greek word is a verb that involves action. The Greek verb contains the following actions; belief, commitment, dependence, and expectations. I like to sum it up as “yielding control.”
We are to yield control to God for He is Creator, Sovereign, Lord, and Master. He has every right to be in control of our lives. Paul says the journey of sin begins with the failure to give God the glory due Him. Thus, we worship the created instead of the Creator. (Romans 1:21-23) We live by faith as we “yield control” to God.
Our relationships with others are to be marked by faith. Paul says “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” I call this the principal of mutual submission. He demonstrates the principal in three different relationships; husband/wife, parent/child, and employer/employee. We are to recognize one another as our equal. We are joint heirs with Christ. For me to control you is to believe I am “better than you,” “smarter than you.” And the list goes on. This is contrary to Paul’s advice to esteem others better than self.
On the human level fear prevails. There are some people who are not safe for me to be in relationship with. How can I know to what level I can trust? Please note, “mutual submission.” Anyone who is not willing to be submissive to another is not a safe relationship to enter into. They have what is sometimes referred to as “the messiah complex.” They are primarily interested in themselves. Selfish!
I hear “Someone has to take the lead.” There is a difference between leadership and dictatorship. Dictatorship come out of low self-esteem, looks down on the dictated, resents input from the dictated, makes decisions, and blames others when the decision is wrong. Leadership flows from a healthy self-esteem, looks upon the lead as worthy, delights in their input, makes decisions with the interest of all and if the decision is wrong takes responsibility.
I challenge you to walk by faith, developing healthy relationships by “faithing” God and one another.
Do you have questions? Do you agree or disagree? Please make comments at the bottom of this page. I long to dialogue with you concerning this subject.
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