Welcome to this week's blog. Throughout scripture God reminds us that we, as mortals, are fully equipped to grow and walk in faith without sight. He even tells us throughout scripture how we can grow in our faith with Him, starting with "Follow Me." What exactly does this mean for the mortal man who believes very little without seeing with their own eyes that their prayers and petitions will come to pass in their time? The polar opposite of this belief is having faith that God does hear our prayers, and He does answer our prayer requests. We do receive straight path answers from Him, but only if it aligns to His ultimate plan for our life? It is only through sincere trust that we build our faith in Him. It really is that simple. God is not a complicated God, but a mathematical God who makes all things possible in His perfect time and space for the good of all - through Him and for His ultimate glory.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
So, what does it mean to walk by faith, and not by sight? The best example or analogy I can share, is my own life experiences. I am far from a scholar on the subject, but I can testify as a witness that once I put all of my trust and faith in God, He revealed my salvation. When I first became a student, a Christ-follower, I quickly learned from my teacher (God personally) that as a mortal, the old me always expected to see instant results from my prayer requests, and immediate resolution to my life challenges. The old me was a broken, injured, weathered child with an old soul. I was a selfish, demanding, and frustrated individual when I didn't see immediate answers to my prayers. It was a false conclusion back then that I was not loved by God, our Heavenly Father, and He didn't have time for my minuet, simple demands. My expectations were for immediate gratification. Interesting enough, it's fair to mention that as mortals, many of us have a very limited understanding of faith. Many continue to struggle today comprehending any prayer has been or will be fulfilled unless they can see it before their eyes, and with immediately results. The truth is, man's wisdom is not convinced of any truths, unless these truths are right in front of them in clear and plain sight.
That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:5 (ESV)
I believe God's greatest work in us is His hidden work, not in plain sight. There is so much we do not understand about how God works in our lives. Some of my prayers and my asks have taken ten or more years to come to pass. The teacher taught me patience. Then there were other times in my life where God was right there on the scene, and heard my cry for help. In those situations, the teacher taught me to put all of my faith and trust in Him, and Him only. I learned long ago, the simple words of "God Help Me!" are powerful words in times of uncertainty, and in troubled times where God has never failed to hear when I've cried out to Him.
For nothing will be impossible with God. - Luke 1:37 (ESV)
In my deepest being, when I cry out to Him for help, my Savior knows my need before I do. My Savior knows I am weak and vulnerable without Him. He knows before I know how He's going to rescue me, and shield me from harm that comes my way. I truly believe, deep within my being, that I do not go through any situation, glorious or horrifying, that hasn't passed through God's hands first.
Why do I believe this? Because I believe my Heavenly Father pre-ordained my life for His glory, not for me. I believe the Master of the Universe (God), did not create me without a purpose or plan as I live out my life on this earth. I believe I was beautifully and wonderfully created by the hands of God. I believe He knew when He created me that I would go through all of the life experiences I've gone through, and will continue to go through until it is my time (His mathematical time) to return home. In the beginning, He created me. He called me by my name. He called me His child. He loved me before I knew how to love me. He rescued me from the old me, and made me new. He has called me to follow Him and do His work. He has chosen me, and promised to save a place for me in eternity with Him.
He has written my name in the Lamb's Book of Life. A forever record of all people considered to be righteous before God. To be blotted out of the Lamb's Book of Life, signifies death and not salvation. How do I know this? I know this because I have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of my sins, and I believe and have proclaimed out loud that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Therefore, my name has been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world. My name will never be blotted out according to God's promise in Revelation 3:5. He orchestrated my beginning, and my ending at the beginning of time.
God says,
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. - Revelation 3:5 (NIV)
Unless each of us, with all of our heart and being, invest in knowing God, and desiring a deep seeded relationship with Him, and knowing His love for each of us, we will truly never understand the meaning of faith. Nor will we truly understand that everything in our lives is only possible through the deep love and compassion God has for each of us. This is why we first must have faith in something bigger than ourselves. We must first have faith in something we cannot see, but we feel His presence (Holy Spirit) in our lives. Therefore, we are to walk by faith, not by sight.
And Jesus answered them, Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:22-24 (ESV)
Blessings until next week my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Debra Pauli
Unstoppable Believer
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