Category: faith

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” John 1:10-12

John tells us that the children of God recognize Jesus as King, the Son of the Living God. They receive Him as Lord and Savior, and believe in His Name. But how do the children of God live?

Andrew Murray wrote: “The life of grace is always and only a life of faith. In the relationship to Jesus the one daily and unceasing duty of the disciple is to believe, because believing is the one channel through which divine grace and strength flow into the heart of man.”

Jesus was constantly challenging His chosen twelve to believe. “Where is your faith?” He asked as they thought they were going to drown in a raging storm. But before I judge the disciples too harshly, I must admit that I’ve been afraid in life and death situations. Though Jesus had promised He was with me, the doubts and fears placed me in the same boat as the apostles. And Jesus whispered, “Where’s your faith?”

Our actions (the way we actually live) speak louder than words (claims we make). I say, “I would not have sunk in the lake like Peter did…” But Jesus might reply, “That’s right, Dana, because you would not have gotten out of the boat.”

Here’s our hope: “Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) He invites us to take a step and says, “Trust Me.” When we truly believe in Him He reveals more of Himself and we grow in faith. If ever I hesitate and pray, “Lord I believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” He smiles and gladly answers. Jesus is the Master Teacher and the perfect Coach. He knows how to lead, how to mold, and how to help us grow into His own image.

We cannot believe in Him too much!

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:36

“Stop doubting and believe.” John 2:27

“Then they asked Him, ‘What must we do to do the work God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work God requires is this: to believe in the One He has sent.’” John 6:28-29

Quote from “Abide in Christ” by Andrew Murray; ©1985 by Barbour and Company, Inc. (italics were Mr. Murray’s)

The coach yells, “Listen up!” The teacher says, “Give me your attention.” The parent warns, “I’m not going to tell you again!” Jesus invites, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The great desire of Jesus the Son of God is for all to have faith. And “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” And Jesus is the Word. He offers Himself but not all receive Him. He speaks but not all listen.

If we could go back in time and choose our status in society, we would not want to be rich or a teacher of the law or a religious leader… these had no advantage. Jesus made it clear that wealth, prestige, and intelligence tended to make it more difficult to ‘hear.’ Wouldn’t we want to be children? Or at least wouldn’t we want to be like children? Has anything changed?

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Luke 10:21

Sheep are not the smartest or strongest or most resourceful animal on the earth, yet this is what we are called. We are His, ’the sheep of His pasture.’ We recognize our Good Shepherd’s voice and His words bring us life and guidance. He has told each of us, “I love you with an everlasting love.” And He encourages us, “Now go love others.” May we listen to His voice.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep who are not of this pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10:14-16, 27

“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.” (John 15:4) Of course I want Christ to remain in me wherever I go, but do I want to remain in Christ wherever He goes?

Though He only lived in Israel (and Egypt for a short time), Jesus climbed mountains, entered valleys, and walked on water. He entered the homes of the poor, the wealthy, the respected, and the despised. He ate with sinners, talked with the lonely, answered his critics, and told stories to the crowds. Jesus welcomed children, touched the sick, and comforted those who experienced loss. He taught in the synagogues of small towns and in Jerusalem’s holy Temple. He brought deliverance to the demon possessed, gave sight to the blind, and fed the hungry. Where was Christ not willing to go?

I want to go to the same places and do the same things, but dare I? I know my weaknesses, my fears, and my limitations… how can I even think boldly? The Master says, “My grace is sufficient for you,” and such grace is found only in Jesus. Andrew Murray wrote, “With this grace secured, we have strength for every duty, courage for every struggle, a blessing in every cross, and the joy of life eternal in death itself.”

My favorite song at the recent Passion Conference was sung by Hillsong United, a group from Australia. Oceans communicates a message and a prayer. Here are the lyrics:

You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery, in oceans deep, my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your Name, and keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters, Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me, You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

So I will call upon Your Name, and keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior

(©2012 Hillsong Music Publishing)

“‘Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” Matthew 14:28-31

(Quote taken from Abide in Christ, by Andrew Murray, published in 1985 by Barbour and Company, Inc., p. 21)

On this earth, the Son was all about his Father. When the religious misrepresented God, Jesus was angered because He wanted everyone to know the real Father. Of course Jesus knew that if a person does not see Him for who He is, that person cannot know God. “You do not know me or my Father… If you knew me, you would know my Father also… If God were your Father, you would love me… He who belongs to God hears what God says… Though you do not know him, I know him.” (see John 8) Jesus knew God and that made all the difference.

So what does Jesus want for those who do believe in Him? “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22) “Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1) Jesus knows He is the way to God and He wants all who put their faith in Him to know beyond any shadow of a doubt how kind, how loving, how wise, and how powerful his Father is. “If my Father feeds the birds, will He not feed you? Why do you worry? You can trust my Father!”

Of course Satan proclaims the opposite message. “Look what is happening in the world… you can’t trust God! What about all those who have died for following Jesus? How can a ‘good’ God allow that? No, anyone is a fool who really believes everything Jesus said.”

So who do I listen to? The enemy uses my circumstances, my surroundings, and my logic to ‘talk’ me out of faith. Satan uses many ‘smart’ people (even some who claim to know God) to produce fear and doubt. His strategies are crafty and his lies often go undetected.

But Jesus tells the truth. He was tempted in every way that we are on this earth, yet He walked as a child who knew, loved, and trusted his Father. No matter the circumstances, surroundings, or arguments, Jesus says: “My Father can be trusted.”

Alex is a teenager who has lived most of his life in a broken home. His parents have joint custody so Alex travels back and forth between his father and mother. He has grown accustomed to broken promises and has concluded that grownups cannot be trusted. In junior high, this young man became friends with another boy from a different home environment where love, stability, and accountability are the norm. When this friend invited Alex to go camping one weekend, there was a lot of skepticism. “I’ll believe it when it happens,” he said. The friend gave a simple reply: “You just don’t know my dad. If he says it will happen, you can go ahead and pack your bags.”

Let’s believe what Jesus says about his Father.

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24

We received another picture of our youngest child jumping into ‘devil’s pool’ atop Victoria Falls in Zambia. I am confident Karlyn did this only because she knew there was a natural rock at the end of the ledge that acted as a barrier preventing her from tumbling over the waterfall.

When she was three years old, Karlyn used to perch on the fifth step of the stairs in our house waiting for me to walk around the corner. Then she would dive out like a flying squirrel knowing that her Dad would catch her. (Perhaps if I had stepped aside one time she would not now be jumping into dangerous waters??)

Little Karlyn only made daring leaps from our staircase because she knew and trusted her father. Some say trusting God is like a ‘blind leap of faith,’ but I think we can keep our eyes open. When God says, “You can trust Me,” we must know there is a reality far stronger than any rock or earthly father.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego probably underwent all types of emotions as they approached the fiery furnace, but their statement to the king expressed what they knew about God and their willingness to die for the One they loved. They did not know exactly what would happen, but the three young men experienced the blessing of fellowship in the fire. “The righteous will live by faith.”

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’” Daniel 3:16-18

“So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.’” Daniel 3:26-28