The Foundation of Faith

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Faith is dynamic–ever-growing through trials, sorrows, hardships, and the everyday challenges of life. Faith is based on the child-like belief that if Mommy or Daddy said it, then they believe it.

Throughout the Old Testament, God performed many supernatural miracles based on a prayer of faith. We must know [and believe in] God’s promises found in the Scriptures to receive Divine Intervention. God’s promises are for His believers. The human effort of knowledge, obedience, and faith enables us to live a worry-free life.

So, if faith is that simplistic, why do we suffer from anxiety, fear, and frustration? Answer: We have accepted and adopted the world-view of pursuing success–Doing it for yourself, chasing your dreams, following your heart, etc. We possess faith in our financial status, material possessions, and careers. Our future plans rarely include prayers that ask God for guidance.

Our most significant obstacle is self-reliance, which leads to disobedience. Many Christians do not believe in God’s promises. They acknowledge that God exists but have placed Him on reserve. Trusting in self results in happiness that vacillates like a roller-coaster. The believers who please themselves have an internal war. When their lives are peaceful, they celebrate the blessings of God. Yet, when the unexpected hardships arise, doubt escalates, and they ask, “Where is God?”

Hardships, Trials, and Sorrows Reveal Faith or Faithlessness

How do you perceive God? If you accept God as your Heavenly Father, then you believe that He has perfect plans for your life. When overwhelming challenges rise up, we must ask ourselves? Is the hardship self-inflicted? Did I make decisions based on my experience or desires? Was my plan developed and presented to God without waiting for His approval? “Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the transgressor [unfaithful] is hard.” (Proverbs 13:15).

Or is the hardship a trial to strengthen my faith and develop my character? “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12). Living in obedience gives us the assurance that God will deliver us at the appropriate time.

Our Response Reveals Our Relationship with God

The “Ephesian chapter 6” soldier of God responds to unexpected challenges with fervent praying. They pray for Divine help, and include God’s promises in their petitions. With confidence, they approach God because obedience is practiced daily in their walk with God. Yes, their faith is steadfast: “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14 NLT).

With the desire and a simple prayer of confession, we can become faithful soldiers of God. There is a better way to live. Develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father. He has promised to take care of us. And God’s promises are “Yes, and Amen.”

God’s People Are Comforted

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Prayer: God, we ask for forgiveness of the sin of self-reliance. Hear our prayer and give us the strength to withstand our consequences. And if our hardships are fiery trials to develop our characters, we pray for the strength and patience to wait for You. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

The Story of Your Life

There are many introductions that begin with educational degrees, social status, humanitarian acts, and philantrophic donations. Yes, accolades of one’s earthly accomplishments is the world’s standard. Still, our greatest desire should be the wordless introduction that we are faithful servants of Jesus Christ.

Begin to live every day as a Man or Woman of God. You will need no introduction. The character of Christ will manifest itself in you as a bright light shining in a dark world.

Prayer: Lord, please help us through this journey of life that we will reflect Your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Faith Triumphs In Trouble

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us of the life His disciples will face: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Faith takes effort! Remembering our former blessings and supernatural miracles from the Giver of Life waters the seed of our ever-growing faith. A heart filled with gratitude expressed through prayer is the only way to strengthen our faith.

This verse represents the hardships of our tribulations: “If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people…” (2 Chronicles 7:13)

Yes, the trials and sorrows are too great for us to resolve. Victory is impossible without unrealistic faith, trust, hope, and confidence in God. We do not have to analyze or try to figure it out. A prayer based on belief in a Loving and Omnipotent Father God never escapes the ears of God.

God tells us what is required to receive His Divine Intervention: “…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

Faith is the response of our hearts to God’s gracious appeals for our fellowship with Him.  It is the healing relationship with the One who is the Source of all life, health, and happiness.  Faith restores us to our rightful state, to the condition in which we were created to live: union with our Creator. His Healing Love, D. Winn

Lord, I Believe, Please Help My Unbelief!

Prayer: God, please forgive us for the sin of self-reliance. We desire to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Lord, we desperately need You in times of peace and afflictions. Hear our prayer, and give us the direction and the strength to live as one who is faithful. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

The Treasure Seekers

Last week, I traveled from Florida’s Space Coast to the Treasure Coast. The scenic ocean, beachfront, and Bohemian environment were delightful. At 10 am, one faced a long line to wait for Gilbert’s well-known sugar-free pistachio latte. The eateries include two vegan restaurants with 100% homemade dishes. And lest, I forget this is also a fisherman’s paradise.

Still, many skilled surfers and divers are not interested in the food or the fish. The Treasure seekers are fixated on finding the real sunken treasure with a history of surfacing. Yes, the turbulence of the Atlantic is boisterous enough to move gold, silver, and jewels buried in the watery abyss to float upwards.

The story of the Treasure Coast began over 300 years ago when a fleet of 11 Spanish ships wrecked offshore between the St. Lucie River and Cape Canaveral. These ships were sent to collect new wealth from the American possessions of the Spanish Empire and bring it to Spain. On their way back, this treasure-carrying fleet was sunk by the winds of a hurricane, scattering gold, silver, and jewels over the seafloor. To this day, these treasures can sometimes still be found washed up on the shores by lucky beachgoers, giving the region its well-deserved name. http://www.visitflorida.com

The “Find the real treasure on the Treasure Coast” tourism campaign lures thousands of people year-round. Although the chance of finding buried treasure is minimal, it is human nature to seek the treasures we do not possess. With the certainty that treasure-seekers will always exist, the revenue from Florida Tourism on the Treasure Coast continues to exceed all financial predictions in this state.

Our innate behavior is to desire more than we have. The excitement from beating the odds to find a buried treasure–the extraordinary with high value, or something as simple as finding spectacular seashells on the beach, leaves us victims to our desires for financial gain and a pleasurable satisfaction.

Last year, I found some [perfect beauty] seashells in a secluded beach area. Their artistic design excelled the skills of any renowned artist. After all, who can surpass the Creator’s skills? My entrepreneur brain cells kicked into action. Become a beach bum, search for shells, and sell them to the many Bohemian artists and collectors who love nature’s elegance. Even though the business plan was doable, my excitement waned with the next trip to search for the [treasure] shells. I was not having fun at the beach, which is why I lived on the Coast.

If I continued to find shells as a hobby, it would not have produced my unhappiness. None can escape the uncontrollable desire of treasure-seeking. It quickly turns into a relentless pursuit. When we seek treasure for financial gain, we feed our innate spirit of dissatisfaction.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Jesus gives us a forewarning. He is aware that we cannot control the desires of the heart. The acquisition of material treasures has turned family members against one another, caused marriages to fail, and resulted in prison sentences for embezzlement, Ponzi schemes, and mismanagement of the investor’s money.

Be aware of your treasure-seeking mindset. The passion that drives us to possess earthly treasures leads to spiritual bankruptcy. Do not let people, places, or material things take your heart. Reserve 100% of your heart to love God. After all, who else can give us the incomparable heavenly treasure of a forever life in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth?

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” (Ephesians 3:20)

Prayer: God, we ask for a change in heart from seeking earthly treasures to one seeking heavenly treasures. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Jetty, Treasure Coast, Florida

The Secret Life of a Prayer Warrior

Have you noticed how quickly the years of our lives pass? Finally, we have completed our goals, have successful careers and financial stability, and traveled to mesmerizing vacation spots. Yes, life is good or is it? The level of satisfaction based off of our earthly accomplishments will never provide peace, joy, or lasting happiness.

The person who serves God and is joyful, despite their circumstances is a prayer warrior who has a secret life. “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6).

Our souls require daily spiritual nourishment. There is only one Source of peace–Jesus. No one else can soothe the distress from enduring the ups and downs of a unpredictable life. Prayer connects us to God. Jesus Christ is our Heavenly Intercessor. And we can cast our heavy burdens on the One who can carry them effortlessly.

Desire peace? Become a Relentless Prayer Warrior. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Prayer: God, we are thankful that we can communicate with You through prayer without limits. In Jesus name. Amen.