Note today In Other Words is being hosted at Sting My Heart Please visit to see others' comments on today's quote."Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time."
~ Oswald Chambers ~
Jewel's memory verse a few weeks ago was Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
It was a joy to hear my four year old walking around saying, "now fayfe is..." If you ask her what the verse means she will say "knowing Jesus is right." That is not exactly what I taught her, but that is the essence she was able to grasp. And as she grows up I pray that she will continue to believe that.
Faith is a choice. But it is also acting on that choice. My pastor reminds us frequently that if what we believe is not changing our behavior then we really don't believe it. And it is so true. I can say I choose to have faith, but if I'm not acting upon it then it is just words. This is important because James 2:14 cautions that faith without action is dead! I must make the deliberate choice to pattern my actions after the One who I say I believe. Faith is making the conscious choice "today I believe that Jesus/God is right" and then allowing the Holy Spirit to mold me more into God's character. I may not understand how His character is built in me, but as long as I know Who is at work then I will be transformed. And the transformation leads me to a greater understanding and greater faith. That is one of the best things about faith, it is a full circle. I don't have to wait until I understand. Instead I have to act and trust, and through that I will understand more and more. And then be able to act and trust in even more confidence. And on and on and on.
So do you have faith? Do you believe "Jesus is right?" If so, act in confidence like it is true. If not, I pray today is the day you find that confidence and make the deliberate choice to follow Him.
God Bless you for reading!
10 comments:
Thank you so much for sharing those wonderful thoughts on faith today. I think too that the biggest thing about faith is trust. Trusting Him to see us through.
I love what your little girl said "knowing Jesus is right" - I have to remember that...
Blessings on your day and always.
Oh MiPa..I am never disappointed and always inspired when I come by to visit. I often think about how amazing it is that when I choose to act on faith alone...it creates more opportunities to share, follow, and learn....or rather God places those opportunities in front of us....exactly how you so succinctly put it...."full circle"....thanks for taking the thoughts in my head and writing it ;)
Faith is a choice, a choice you have chosen to pass on to your daughter, which does MY heart good. I love reading about your daughter's journey towards her faith and how you lead her so perfectly. God bless you both!!
I think Jewel is right on! Of all things, knowing Jesus is right is the most important part of Faith.
We sure can learn a lot from our children's child-like faith. They "just believe" don't they?!?!
Thanks for sharing so beautifully.
This is just perfect. Exactly. Lord, please give me child-like faith, Amen.
if what we believe is not changing our behavior then we really don't believe it
MiPa, how that really spoke to me and brought things into a great deal of perspective (with much chagrin) of the way I do some things. Thank you for your insight and sharing on this week's IOW.
thank you for your comment on my post. it made me cry. maybe i'm not so bad afterall.
now i'll go back and read this post of yours
what a beautiful post; what a beautiful reflection of you :)
if we have the opportunity, i'd love to meet you "in person" someday :)
"Knowing Jesus is right".....Jewel has a way with words!
Post a Comment