The Balance Beam Of Life

"I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. “He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26-27)

 How many times has life seemed like walking on a balance beam?

In dealing with all the pressures and challenges of life, you feel like at any moment you're going to fall, and face a crisis that will be devastating.

No one knew trials better than the prophet Daniel. I have often wondered what it would feel like, when the lid to the lion's den was opened, and he heard the roar of the lions below. How do you balance something like that? The only way he faced that, and the only we are to face the trials that come in our lives, is to place our faith completely in the Lord.

As it says in out text about the Lord: "He delivers, and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and earth, who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." (vv.26,27) 

King Darius finally got it right. But the question is: Do we have it right?
To walk the balance beam of life, is to have the support of the Lord with us at all times. (Psalm 121)

None of us will escape the trials of this life. But it is better when we know that we don't have to face them alone! GP

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Jesus Our Bridge-builder

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17) "He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." (Matthew 8:26) 

A young girl, unaccustomed to traveling, was taking a train ride through the country, and it happened that in the course of the day her train was obliged to cross two branches of a river and several wide streams. The water seen in advance always awakened doubts and fears in the child. She did not understand how it could safely be crossed. As they drew near the river, however, a bridge appeared, and furnished a way over. Two or three times the experience was repeated, and finally the child leaned back with a long breath of relief and confidence. “Somebody has put bridges for us all the way!” she said in trusting content. (Ministry127.com) 

Will Jesus build bridges for us, like He did when He went to the cross and died for our sins? Indeed He will! But the question is, will we trust Him?

 Taking on the challenges of this life, by ourselves seems to be the norm. But how disappointing in so doing, we find ourselves unable to bring about the right results. The bridges the Lord builds for us (to build to better relationships, or to better circumstances, may take time. But it is better to wait in faith, than to panic, and try to hurry results, that may not develop by our efforts.

We need to build our confidence in the Lord, by staying in His Word, and trusting that He will calm the storms in our lives, and in due time, build those bridges that will help us cross over to victory in our lives! GP

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Obstacles To Faith

"So Soul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head, he also clothed him with a coat of mail. And David fastened his sword to his armor, and he tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them." So David took them off." (1 Samuel 17:38-39)

 No one was big enough to meet the challenge of defeating the Philistine giant Goliath.
(1 Samuel 17) Saul stood head and shoulders above everyone else, but he was not big enough to meet Goliath. David being a person of faith, was determined to take the giant down to his death.

The world has so many suggestions to how we can meet the challenges of this world. So much is written with good intention, yet cannot match the results of a simple faith in God.

Like the world, Saul tells David, to put on this heavy armor to do battle against Goliath. And David did put it on, and was so encumbered by it, he couldn't hardly move. How is a small boy going to fight a giant, wearing something like that?

 What David knew would work, was his sling, some stones, and most of all, his faith in His awesome God. David proved which was better. It was not the obstacles of the wisdom of men, but the Word of God.
All through the Bible we see the emphasis on faith in God. We can meet any challenge head on, knowing that God is with us, and that He will provide what is needed, to accomplish His will for our lives.

It is written, and we need to receive it in our hearts. So let's go, our giants are waiting! GP

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A Legacy Of Faith

" when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5)

 When I think about the word "legacy" 
I think about someone wanting to leave behind something for family and friends to remember them by. Or leaving behind a cause, or a purpose, for others to continue pursuing.

In our text the Apostle Paul shares with his son in the faith Timothy, how grateful he is that Timothy's grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice instilled in him a strong faith in God. Of all the things that we can possess in this world, our faith is the most valuable of all. Peter said that our faith is more precious than gold, and even when it is tested by fire (trials) it will remain. (1 Peter 1:7)

 I can honestly say, that my family passed on to me a legacy of how valuable God is, and yes, how vital it is to put our trust in Him. My family was not rich in the things of this world, but they were rich in faith.

 When we think about what we can leave to our children, not only to remember us, but something that will help them in their lives. There is nothing better than "faith" When the things of this life begin to crumble around them, they will be able stand firm upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, because of their faith in Him.

Mother's Day is this Sunday. Let's thank our mothers for their influence in our lives, helping us to have a faith that will see us through the challenges of our journey, and a faith that will sustain our children as well! GP

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Faith Walk

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead." 
(James 2:20) 

I have heard people say this, and I find myself saying it: "If you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk!"

The Christian life, is a walk of faith.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

James in his letter, tells us, that just to say we have faith, is not enough. We must put our faith in action. It is the proof to God, to others, and especially to ourselves, that our relationship with God, is more than just talk.

It's not enough to just say that, that car, or that tractor, or riding lawn mower, runs good. We need to fire it up, and see how good it runs.
It is the same way with our faith. When we put our faith in action, it demonstrates what we can do, when we move forward, with God leading the way.

And there are many opportunities waiting for us, to exercise our faith. And to say. if we don't get involved in productive ministry, who will?
We hope that many will. Like Esther, an influence of one, was able to save her people from destruction.

We can become more than we think, and accomplish more than we could ever imagine, simply by putting our faith in action. By putting one foot in front of the other.
It's more than just talk, it's a walk in faith. So, fellow Christians, let's get going! GP

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Walking Through

"Yea, Though I walk through..."(Psalm 23:4a)
There are some mountain roads that are high up in elevation, and have no protection to keep you from going over the side. I have not had the pleasure of traveling those roads, and I hope I never do.
I am afraid of heights, and this would be a very difficult experience for me.

The Psalmist David, had rough roads in his life.
He was as I would call him, a warrior King, and one who at one time, was a fugitive from King Saul. Rough roads indeed.

The apostle Paul, described our Christian journey as "a walk." In Ephesians 4:1: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the callings with which you have been called." There were times in Paul's life that he had to walk the walk of a "prisoner of the Lord." He was arrested and placed in prison for preaching the Gospel. He knew that there would be opposition to his evangelistic endeavor.

I don't believe that Paul was surprised at his imprisonment, but he didn't try to run away and hide, he faced his situation head on. No matter what comes in our Christian walk, we are encouraged by the example of Paul, to keep walking through the storms of life.

The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples, that He would be with them even unto the end of the age. Every step that we take, the Lord Jesus takes one beside ours. He is with us everyday, and every moment of our lives.

Some of the situations we have faced, have felt like driving on those mountain roads. But the co-pilot we have next to us, knows, what is around every turn, and will get us safely to where He wants us to be.

With that promise, let's keep walking through....GP

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What To Do With Our Faith?

There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time, his throat became very dry, and about that time, he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack, and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read: "Pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it. If you do this, you will get all the water you need." Now the man had a choice to make. If he trusted the note, and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn't work, he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it, the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle. At first nothing happened, and he got a little scared. But he kept going, and water started coming out. So much water came out, that he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: "After you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler." The man refilled the jug, and added to the note: "Please prime the pump, believe me it works!"

Like that little jug of water, our faith is the most valuable possession we have.
What are we to do with our faith? Three things:
1. Realize The Value Of Faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)
2. Recognize The Vision Of Faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)
3. Rejoice In The Victory Of Faith (1 John 5:4-5)

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know "Thus saith the Lord." ___Stead

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Trusting In The SON

"The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises." (Ecclesiastes 1:5) 

Today the heat index is going to get to 115 degrees. It is going to be a very hot and humid day. When I go for a walk every morning, I am greeted by this faithful star, that God has set in position to support life on our planet. Even though the exact time of it's rising and setting is not the same everyday, it always shows up, to provide the light and heat we need, for our day to day survival.

How faithful is the sun. What would we do without it? That same question should be asked concerning Jesus Christ who is the "SON" of God, our Savior and Shepherd. He is faithful in His work to bring to us the blessings of God.
He is faithful to provide all that we need for this life, and life eternal.

The greatest blessing of all, is our gift of eternal life, that comes when we enter a relationship with Him. When we give our heart and life to the Savior, we are secure in His hands for eternity. Isn't that what we want? Shouldn't that be what everyone should want? Why is it that they don't?
Many today, do not even believe that this hope exists. They don't believe that Jesus has the key to heaven.

Solomon writes about the faithfulness of the sun, and we trust that every morning, we will see it in its position, to support life here on planet earth.
Why can't we have the same faith, in trusting the Son Of God to provide all that we need for our spiritual, as well as our physical well being, today, and forever? GP

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Hold On To The Rope

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:1-5) 

I remember growing up on the farm, we had some very thick, long, and tough ropes in our hay'mow. If you grabbed on to one of these ropes, they would hold you, and keep you from falling from a high place.

I look at our Lord Jesus Christ, as being like one of those ropes. In times of temptation and trial, we can hold on to Him, and He will keep us from falling. His Word will tell us what to do, and His presence will assure us that we have done the right things according to His Word. We will feel His peace in our hearts.

When all else fails, we can hope in the Lord. In so doing, it will help us to develop perseverance, and in perseverance, character, and proven character, hope, which does not disappoint, because the fiber of the rope (Jesus Christ) is His love, which is poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit! GP

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Developing Faith

"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." (Mark 4:35) 

From today's Our Daily Bread devotion (5/24/2016) comes this story: "A comfortable plane ride was about to get bumpy. The voice of the captain interrupted in-flight beverage service and asked passengers to make sure their seat-belts were fastened. Soon the plane began to roll and pitch like a ship on a wind-whipped ocean . While the rest of the passengers were doing their best to deal with the turbulence, a little girl sat through it all reading her book. After the plane landed, she was asked why she had been able to be so calm. She responded, "My daddy is the pilot and he's taking me home." (ODB 5/24/2016 Radio Bible Class)

 In time of turbulence in our lives, do we have this kind of faith? I know myself, I am a worrier, and I do get discouraged easy, and stay discouraged for a long period of time. It seems that to develop a child-like faith, is a very difficult thing to do. To have that feeling of dependence, that I had when I was a small child, would be so wonderful to have today.

 The key is having Jesus in our boat, when we (like the disciples) face those raging storms in our lives. Without Him in my life, I couldn't get through this life. Even though it is tough for me to have faith, He helps me to have it, when I stay in His Word, and spend a lot of time in prayer.

The line of the songs that says, "Don't worry, be happy!" With Jesus, we can! GP

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The Great Cloud Of Witnesses

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1) 

The large group of witnesses that are mentioned in Hebrews eleven, are great people of faith. It is not that they are watching us, as people in a stadium watching a sport's event. The English word "Martyr" comes from the Greek word "witness."

The lives of these saints who have gone on before, are a testimony to us, of how important it is to have faith in God, and in having this faith, we can get through anything challenging, that comes our way.

 From the beginning it was, and is, the plan of God, that we accept His plan for our lives on faith. Both our salvation, and our daily provision, is provided on the basis of God's grace, and our faith.

Will we be like these people of faith, the Hebrew writer tells us about,
or will we trust in ourselves, as we take on the testings and trials of our lives? There is a race, or a course, that is set before us. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus, who awaits to reward us, for both our faith, and our faithfulness, when this life is through! GP

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