The Holy One calls me this morning. It looks like a crisp, clear, beautiful morning is about to unfold, judging by the stars I see in these hours just before dawn. The refreshing coolness of the garden, rather than the warm humidity that marks the end of summer, greets me this morning.
I am deep in thought about yesterday's teaching from the pulpit of our pastor. Something about his words and Truth is like a thorn in my brain. The Sermon on the Mount and Matt 5 has been the subject of the teaching for several weeks. The high standard of Holiness leaves it's mark upon my mind.
Yesterday, I left the church condemned. The teaching and the standard is impossible. Too high for me to attain to. I confess this to my Counselor, whose job it is to see me to the standard.
He speaks to me what I already know is the Truth, "Apart from Me you can do nothing". John 15:5.
I confess to Him that I know that to be true in the mission fields of life, advancing the Gospel, and serving the King of Kings. But this was all about my attitude toward others who have set out to destroy me, my family, my church, and my attitude about my weakness and failure to meet and live the standard of Holiness. I confess, without Him I cannot even find a foot upon which to stand.
Then our conversation turns: "Do not confuse faith in faith with faith in Me".
This seems to be a point of confusion that Holiness wants to clear up. While it seems to be a fine line to draw, He begins to show me the depths of the difference between the two. I begin to ponder and wonder about the "faith of a mustard seed" it takes to move a mountain in God's economy.
We all have faith in something. It may be faith in the government or faith in the alignment of the stars for good fortune. Whether it be our faith in the chair we are about to sit down on or our faith in our own ability to provide, protect or live a happy or holy life here on earth, we all rely on something to hold us up.
Then, for me as a follower of Christ, I see how much of the time I am demonstrating or relying on faith in faith or faith in myself to bring answers or circumstantial changes to my life and needs here on earth.
The Holy One takes me to John 11 and the account of Lazarus. While there are many points to ponder tucked into this portion of scripture today, He wants me take a look at faith and where it should always be placed: in Christ Jesus alone.
Mary and Martha were beside themselves with grief. Their brother Lazarus fell ill and passed away. The Healer, Jesus, their close friend and the One they understood to be the Messiah had been summoned but He had not yet come in time to heal Lazarus.
While their reaction and the teaching of Mary and Martha's leap in faith is well discussed, the Holy One has me look at Lazarus inside the tomb, 4 days dead. Then He speaks to my heart, "Dead men have no faith, yet I raised Lazarus. You put Me in a box when you think I will not or cannot work in a life where there is no faith. And that is having faith in faith rather than faith in Me".
What an overwhelming distinction He has just made. I confess the truth in His conviction. I look at what seems to be dead and I grow hopeless for people, visions, even dreams yet unfulfilled. Faith in faith is a dead end because it always comes back to me.
Lazarus was raised up, not because of his faith but because Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Lazarus was raised up, not because Mary and Martha acknowledged that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, but because He IS the resurrection and the life.
This mornings conference has been so important for my attitude and provided yet more understanding of the incredible Power and Authority and Character of my God. I do not need to rely on faith in my faith or someone else's to witness the Holy Hand of Divine intervention. Rather, I just need to rely on the One who brings resurrection life into dead places including the deep catacombs of my heart. Faith in faith is a dead end. Faith in Christ Jesus brings forth life.
I cannot change things or people as hard as I might try. I am thankful for my wise Counselor and His willingness to correct my thinking. He alone can take the death of condemnation and change it into life giving conviction. He alone provides the hope that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He alone speaks life into dead places. He alone is God.
Now, when the enemy of my soul comes to me and says, "this or that is because of your lack of faith" or "you just need more faith", I will point to the story of a dead man who had no faith and how the Author of Life worked things out anyway.
The Spirit is calling. Can you hear Him?
I am deep in thought about yesterday's teaching from the pulpit of our pastor. Something about his words and Truth is like a thorn in my brain. The Sermon on the Mount and Matt 5 has been the subject of the teaching for several weeks. The high standard of Holiness leaves it's mark upon my mind.
Yesterday, I left the church condemned. The teaching and the standard is impossible. Too high for me to attain to. I confess this to my Counselor, whose job it is to see me to the standard.
He speaks to me what I already know is the Truth, "Apart from Me you can do nothing". John 15:5.
I confess to Him that I know that to be true in the mission fields of life, advancing the Gospel, and serving the King of Kings. But this was all about my attitude toward others who have set out to destroy me, my family, my church, and my attitude about my weakness and failure to meet and live the standard of Holiness. I confess, without Him I cannot even find a foot upon which to stand.
Then our conversation turns: "Do not confuse faith in faith with faith in Me".
This seems to be a point of confusion that Holiness wants to clear up. While it seems to be a fine line to draw, He begins to show me the depths of the difference between the two. I begin to ponder and wonder about the "faith of a mustard seed" it takes to move a mountain in God's economy.
We all have faith in something. It may be faith in the government or faith in the alignment of the stars for good fortune. Whether it be our faith in the chair we are about to sit down on or our faith in our own ability to provide, protect or live a happy or holy life here on earth, we all rely on something to hold us up.
Then, for me as a follower of Christ, I see how much of the time I am demonstrating or relying on faith in faith or faith in myself to bring answers or circumstantial changes to my life and needs here on earth.
The Holy One takes me to John 11 and the account of Lazarus. While there are many points to ponder tucked into this portion of scripture today, He wants me take a look at faith and where it should always be placed: in Christ Jesus alone.
Mary and Martha were beside themselves with grief. Their brother Lazarus fell ill and passed away. The Healer, Jesus, their close friend and the One they understood to be the Messiah had been summoned but He had not yet come in time to heal Lazarus.
While their reaction and the teaching of Mary and Martha's leap in faith is well discussed, the Holy One has me look at Lazarus inside the tomb, 4 days dead. Then He speaks to my heart, "Dead men have no faith, yet I raised Lazarus. You put Me in a box when you think I will not or cannot work in a life where there is no faith. And that is having faith in faith rather than faith in Me".
What an overwhelming distinction He has just made. I confess the truth in His conviction. I look at what seems to be dead and I grow hopeless for people, visions, even dreams yet unfulfilled. Faith in faith is a dead end because it always comes back to me.
Lazarus was raised up, not because of his faith but because Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Lazarus was raised up, not because Mary and Martha acknowledged that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, but because He IS the resurrection and the life.
This mornings conference has been so important for my attitude and provided yet more understanding of the incredible Power and Authority and Character of my God. I do not need to rely on faith in my faith or someone else's to witness the Holy Hand of Divine intervention. Rather, I just need to rely on the One who brings resurrection life into dead places including the deep catacombs of my heart. Faith in faith is a dead end. Faith in Christ Jesus brings forth life.
I cannot change things or people as hard as I might try. I am thankful for my wise Counselor and His willingness to correct my thinking. He alone can take the death of condemnation and change it into life giving conviction. He alone provides the hope that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He alone speaks life into dead places. He alone is God.
Now, when the enemy of my soul comes to me and says, "this or that is because of your lack of faith" or "you just need more faith", I will point to the story of a dead man who had no faith and how the Author of Life worked things out anyway.
The Spirit is calling. Can you hear Him?
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