Category Archives: God’s will

Do You Want Enduring Faith?

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Do you want to have a faith that still speaks even after you are dead?

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“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.”

Hebrews‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Having an enduring faith involves having a heart that is willing to surrender your all to Christ. Romans 12:1 NIV says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1 NIV

“Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

 ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:2-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever wondered why God was pleased with Abel’s offering and not Cain’s? There are four views as to why Cain’s offering was found unacceptable. For the sake of brevity, I will discuss the three I find most plausible.

Not a blood sacrifice.                                                                                                                                Sacrifices in the Old Testament foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice Christ would make to save us in the New Testament. This would have meant Cain would have humbly needed to exchange his fruits for a lamb.

Not Cain’s firstfruits.

When we come to God in worship we are to bring Him our very best— our firstfruits. ‭‭         Proverbs‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;”

Cain had the wrong attitude.

When we come to God’s altar we must come with not only an attitude of obedience but also a repentant and forgiving heart.

  • “But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” -1 Samuel‬ ‭15:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬
  •  “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” -Proverbs‬ ‭21:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬
  •  “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” -Matthew‬ ‭5:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for your infinite love and mercy. Please help us to please You with our worship and have an eternal faith, that testifies of Your love. Amen.

¿Por Qué Tener Fe?

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¿Por qué tener fe? ¿Por qué es tan importante la fe? Tal vez has estado viendo todas estas publicaciones de mi blog y te has preguntado, “¿por qué está haciendo tanto alboroto por la fe?” ¿Es realmente tan importante la fe? ¿No hay toneladas de otros temas más interesantes?

A lo largo de esta serie de blogs, el valor de tener fe se ha revelado tantas veces. Sin embargo, la entrada de hoy se centra en un hombre en particular en la Biblia, cuya fe agradó a Dios tanto que fue recompensado con no experimentar la muerte.

Enoch: Why have Faith?

“Vivió Enoc sesenta y cinco años, y engendró a Matusalén. Y caminó Enoc con Dios, después que engendró a Matusalén, trescientos años, y engendró hijos e hijas. Y fueron todos los días de Enoc trescientos sesenta y cinco años. Caminó, pues, Enoc con Dios, y desapareció, porque le llevó Dios.”- Génesis 5: 21-24 RVR 1960

Note como dos veces, menciona que“ Enoc caminó fielmente ”. Hebreos 11 también hace referencia a la fe de Enoc.

“Por la fe Enoc fue traspuesto para no ver muerte, y no fue hallado, porque lo traspuso Dios; y antes que fuese traspuesto, tuvo testimonio de haber agradado a Dios.“- Hebreos 11: 5 RVR 1960

Tener fe agrada a Dios. De hecho, la palabra de Dios dice que “sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios”. Enoc tenía una gran fe y fue elogiado por eso.

“Pero sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios; porque es necesario que el que se acerca a Dios crea que le hay, y que es galardonador de los que le buscan.” 

– Hebreos 11: 6 RVR 1960

En el Nuevo Testamento, Jesús les dice a sus discípulos que los futuros creyentes serían / ​​serán bendecidos porque creyeron / creerán en Él sin verlo. “Jesús le dijo: Porque me has visto, Tomás, creíste; bienaventurados los que no vieron, y creyeron.” – Juan 20:29 RVR 1960 Tener fe es importante porque agrada a Dios y trae bendiciones de Dios.

Querido Señor Jesucristo, gracias por tus hermosas promesas de bendiciones. Por favor, ayuda la persona que esté luchando con su fe a fortalecer su fe y saber con confianza que está con ellos y que los ama. Por favor, ayúdanos a buscarte fervientemente y caminar en fe todos los días. Amén.

 

Publicado en Ingles el 18 de julio de 2019 

Published in English on  July 18, 2019

Faith in the Fog?

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Have you ever been afraid to trust in God or have faith in Him? Do you have faith in His promise of Salvation and eternal life with Him in Heaven? Do you truly believe God keeps all of His promises written in the Bible? Do you have faith that God will never leave you or forsake you? Or does having faith seem difficult? Have you felt let down in life? Do you feel alone and hopeless? Do you believe the promises of the Bible are not for you? Do you find it challenging to have faith in your daily life?

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“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

– Galatians 3:14 NIV

Just as God promised Abraham that he and his descendants would be heirs to the promised land (and hope in the Savior that was to come), God has promised us that we will be heirs to the kingdom of Heaven. Galatians 3:7-14 NIV says, “Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. –Galatians 3:7‭-‬14 NIV God sent Jesus Christ, His perfect only Son to pay the penalty we needed to pay for under the law. It is by God’s grace and love that we are given the promise of Salvation and so many other promises.

“And this is what he promised us—eternal life. ”

–1 John 2:25 NIV

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” -2 Corinthians 1:20‭-‬22 NIV Jesus sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our salvation and the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven. Romans 8:16-18 says, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Abraham didn’t know where God was leading Him, but He had faith in God and obeyed Him. “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. “-Hebrews 11:8 NIV No matter how hard things get, we can have faith in God and His plans for us. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for all of Your promises. Please help us to have faith like Abraham. Amen.

 

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Previously published on March 1, 2018

¿Fe en la Niebla?

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¿Alguna vez ha temido confiar en Dios o tener fe en Él? ¿Tienes fe en su promesa de salvación y vida eterna con Él en el cielo? ¿Crees verdaderamente que Dios mantiene todas sus promesas escritas en la Biblia? ¿Tienes fe en que Dios nunca te dejará o te abandonará? ¿O es difícil tener fe? ¿Te has sentido decepcionado en la vida? ¿Te sientes solo y sin esperanza? ¿Crees que las promesas de la Biblia no son para ti? ¿Te resulta difícil tener fe en tu vida diaria?

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“para que en Cristo Jesús la bendición de Abraham alcanzase a los gentiles, a fin de que por la fe recibiésemos la promesa del Espíritu.”

-Gálatas 3:14 RVR 1960

Tal como Dios le prometió a Abraham que él y los descendientes serían herederos de la tierra prometida (y la esperanza en el Salvador que vendría), Dios nos ha prometido que seremos herederos del reino de los cielos. Gálatas 3: 7-14 NVI dice: “Sabed, por tanto, que los que son de fe, éstos son hijos de Abraham. Y la Escritura, previendo que Dios había de justificar por la fe a los gentiles, dio de antemano la buena nueva a Abraham, diciendo: En ti serán benditas todas las naciones. De modo que los de la fe son bendecidos con el creyente Abraham. Porque todos los que dependen de las obras de la ley están bajo maldición, pues escrito está: Maldito todo aquel que no permaneciere en todas las cosas escritas en el libro de la ley, para hacerlas. Y que por la ley ninguno se justifica para con Dios, es evidente, porque: El justo por la fe vivirá; y la ley no es de fe, sino que dice: El que hiciere estas cosas vivirá por ellas. Cristo nos redimió de la maldición de la ley, hecho por nosotros maldición (porque está escrito: Maldito todo el que es colgado en un madero, para que en Cristo Jesús la bendición de Abraham alcanzase a los gentiles, a fin de que por la fe recibiésemos la promesa del Espíritu.”–Galatians 3: 7-14 RVR 1960 Dios envió a Jesucristo, su único y perfecto Hijo para pagar la pena que debíamos pagar conforme a la ley. Es por la gracia y el amor de Dios que recibimos la promesa de Salvación y tantas otras promesas.

“Y esta es la promesa que él nos hizo, la vida eterna.”

–1 Juan 2:25 RVR 1960

“porque todas las promesas de Dios son en él Sí, y en él Amén, por medio de nosotros, para la gloria de Dios.Y el que nos confirma con vosotros en Cristo, y el que nos ungió, es Dios, el cual también nos ha sellado, y nos ha dado las arras del Espíritu en nuestros corazones.”-2 Corintios 1: 20-22 RVR 1960 Jesucristo envió al Consolador, al Espíritu Santo como una garantía de nuestra salvación y la promesa de vida eterna con Él en el cielo. Romanos 8: 16-18 RVR 1960 dice:  “El Espíritu mismo da testimonio a nuestro espíritu, de que somos hijos de Dios. Y si hijos, también herederos; herederos de Dios y coherederos con Cristo, si es que padecemos juntamente con él, para que juntamente con él seamos glorificados.Pues tengo por cierto que las aflicciones del tiempo presente no son comparables con la gloria venidera que en nosotros ha de manifestarse.” Abraham no sabía a dónde lo estaba guiando Dios, pero tenía fe en Dios y lo obedecía. “Por la fe Abraham, siendo llamado, obedeció para salir al lugar que había de recibir como herencia; y salió sin saber a dónde iba.”-Hebrews 11: 8 RVR 1960 No importa cuán difíciles sean las cosas, podemos tener fe en Dios y en sus planes para nosotros. “Y Jehová va delante de ti; él estará contigo, no te dejará, ni te desamparará; no temas ni te intimides.” – Deuteronomio 31: 8 RVR 1960

Querido Señor Jesucristo, gracias por todas Tus promesas. Por favor ayúdanos a tener fe como Abraham. Amén.

Publicado en Ingles el 1 de marzo de 2018

Published in English on March 1, 2018

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¿Cómo Murió la Muerte?

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“El fundamento del Cristiano es la paz eterna; es lo que ningún  tiempo, ningún cambio puede destruir. Permanecerá cuando el cuerpo muera; permanecerá cuando las montañas se vayan y las cerros se quitarán, y cuando los cielos se enrollarán como un pergamino. La fuente de su consuelo nunca disminuirá, y la corriente nunca se secará. Su consuelo y alegría es un manantial vivo en el alma, una fuente de agua que brota de la vida eterna.” -Jonathan Edwards

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 “… Sorbida es la muerte en victoria. ¿Dónde está, oh muerte, tu aguijón? ¿Dónde, oh sepulcro, tu victoria?”

– 1 Corintios 15: 54-55 RVR 1960 

¿Alguna vez has pensado en la muerte? Que es la muerte ¿Y por qué se teme? La Biblia nos dice que la muerte es un enemigo, que nos separa eternamente de Dios. [Lea 1 Corintios 15:26 y 2 Tesalonicenses 1: 9] La muerte vino al mundo después de que se cometió el primer pecado.

“Por tanto, como el pecado entró en el mundo por un hombre, y por el pecado la muerte, así la muerte pasó a todos los hombres, por cuanto todos pecaron.” -Romanos 5:12 RVR 1960

La muerte fue el castigo por el pecado. Pero, Dios amó tanto a la humanidad, que creó un camino para que los humanos se reconciliaran con El.

  • “Porque la paga del pecado es muerte, mas la dádiva de Dios es vida eterna en Cristo Jesús Señor nuestro.” -Romanos 6:23 RVR 1960
  • “para que así como el pecado reinó para muerte, así también la gracia reine por la justicia para vida eterna mediante Jesucristo, Señor nuestro.”-Romanos 5:21 RVR 1960
  • “Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna.” -Juan 3:16 RVR 1960
  • “Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.”-Juan 14: 6 RVR 1960
  • “De cierto, de cierto os digo: El que oye mi palabra, y cree al que me envió, tiene vida eterna; y no vendrá a condenación, mas ha pasado de muerte a vida.”-Juan 5: 24 RVR 1960

Pero, no podríamos tener victoria sobre la muerte sin la muerte y resurrección de Cristo. “Porque si no hay resurrección de muertos, tampoco Cristo resucitó. Y si Cristo no resucitó, vana es entonces nuestra predicación, vana es también vuestra fe. Y somos hallados falsos testigos de Dios; porque hemos testificado de Dios que él resucitó a Cristo, al cual no resucitó, si en verdad los muertos no resucitan. Porque si los muertos no resucitan, tampoco Cristo resucitó; y si Cristo no resucitó, vuestra fe es vana; aún estáis en vuestros pecados. Entonces también los que durmieron en Cristo perecieron. Si en esta vida solamente esperamos en Cristo, somos los más dignos de conmiseración de todos los hombres. Mas ahora Cristo ha resucitado de los muertos; primicias de los que durmieron es hecho. Porque por cuanto la muerte entró por un hombre, también por un hombre la resurrección de los muertos. Porque así como en Adán todos mueren, también en Cristo todos serán vivificados.” -1 Corintios 15: 13-22 RVR 1960 Solo por el sacrificio de un Salvador (sin pecado y) inmortal, estamos vestidos de justicia e inmortalidad. Es solo por la resurrección de Cristo, que tenemos la victoria sobre la muerte. 1 Corintios 15: 50-57 RVR 1960 dice: “Pero esto digo, hermanos: que la carne y la sangre no pueden heredar el reino de Dios, ni la corrupción hereda la incorrupción. He aquí, os digo un misterio: No todos dormiremos; pero todos seremos transformados, en un momento, en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, a la final trompeta; porque se tocará la trompeta, y los muertos serán resucitados incorruptibles, y nosotros seremos transformados. Porque es necesario que esto corruptible se vista de incorrupción, y esto mortal se vista de inmortalidad. Y cuando esto corruptible se haya vestido de incorrupción, y esto mortal se haya vestido de inmortalidad, entonces se cumplirá la palabra que está escrita: Sorbida es la muerte en victoria. ¿Dónde está, oh muerte, tu aguijón? ¿Dónde, oh sepulcro, tu victoria? ya que el aguijón de la muerte es el pecado, y el poder del pecado, la ley.  Mas gracias sean dadas a Dios, que nos da la victoria por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.”

Querido Señor Jesucristo, gracias por hacer el sumo sacrificio en la cruz y resucitar de la muerte para que podamos tener victoria en Ti sobre el pecado y la muerte. Amén.

 

Referencia: Kurtbubna.com | http://kurtbubna.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/03/Cross-Empty-Tomb.jpg

Publicado en Ingles el  16 de abril de 2017

Old Version Published in English on  April 16, 2017

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When the Wait Seems too Long?

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Have you ever prayed and felt like God wasn’t listening? Maybe you prayed for help in a difficult situation or maybe you prayed for guidance in your life or maybe you prayed for something else? A day passes. Still, there are no results. Three days pass. Still, there is no answer. A whole week passes. Still, nothing has happened. People keep telling you to pray. But at this point, you may be starting to wonder if God is listening.

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…”

-Psalm 37:7 NIV

In a world where instant gratification is the norm, it can be hard to wait on the Lord. But, oftentimes that is exactly what God is calling us to do. We might get impatient and try to quickly solve the problem ourselves with our own knowledge and strength. When we leave God out of the equation, we don’t get the right solution. Psalm 46:10 NIV says, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10 NIV This verse reminds us to take a step back, be still, and acknowledge that God is God and we are not. Exodus 14:14 NIV says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Sometimes we get impatient and start fighting battles that aren’t ours to fight. During these times, we need to turn our focus to God. Lamentations 3:25 NIV says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

“Our soul waits for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

For our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name.

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,

even as we hope in you.”

– Psalm 33: 20-22 ESV

Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to be still and know that You are God. Please help us not trust our own knowledge and strength, but instead maintain our focus on You. Amen.

Previously published on February 8, 2018

Cuando la Espera Parece Demasiada Larga?

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¿Alguna vez has orado y has sentido que Dios no te estaba escuchando? ¿Tal vez oraste por ayuda en una situación difícil o quizás oraste por guía en su vida o quizás oraste por algo más? Pasa un día. Aún así, no hay resultados. Tres días pasan. Aún así, no hay respuesta. Pasa una semana entera. Aún así, nada ha sucedido. La gente te sigue diciendo que ores. Pero a este punto, puede que empieces a preguntarte si Dios está escuchando. 

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“Guarda silencio ante Jehová, y espera en él…”

-Salmo 37: 7 RVR 1960  

En un mundo donde la gratificación instantánea es la norma, puede ser difícil esperar al Señor. Pero, muchas veces eso es exactamente lo que Dios nos está pidiendo que hagamos. Podríamos impacientarnos e intentar resolver el problema rápidamente con nuestro propio conocimiento y fortaleza. Cuando dejamos a Dios fuera de la ecuación, no obtenemos la solución correcta. El Salmo 46:10 NVI dice: “Él dice:” Estad quietos, y sabed que yo soy Dios; Seré exaltado entre las naciones, seré exaltado en la tierra. ” Este versículo nos recuerda que debemos retroceder, estar quietos y reconocer que Dios es Dios y nosotros no somos Dios. Éxodo 14:14 RVR 1960 dice: “Jehová peleará por vosotros, y vosotros estaréis tranquilos.” A veces nos impacientamos y empezamos a pelear batallas que no son nuestras para luchar. Durante estos tiempos, tenemos que volver nuestro enfoque a Dios. Lamentaciones 3:25 RVR dice: “Bueno es Jehová a los que en él esperan, al alma que le busca.”   

“Nuestra alma espera a Jehová;

Nuestra ayuda y nuestro escudo es él.

Por tanto, en él se alegrará nuestro corazón,

Porque en su santo nombre hemos confiado.

Sea tu misericordia, oh Jehová, sobre nosotros,

Según esperamos en ti.”  

– Salmo 33: 20-22 RVR 1960

Querido Señor Jesucristo, ayúdanos a estar tranquilos y saber que Tú eres Dios. Por favor, ayúdenos a no confiar en nuestro propio conocimiento y fortaleza, sino a mantener nuestro enfoque en usted. Amén.

 

Publicado en Ingles el  8 de febrero de 2018

Published in English on February 8, 2018

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Will You Walk through the Fog?

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“I have no words to say

Don’t know what I should pray

God, I need You

God, I need You

Oh Lord, my faith is tired

And tears fill up my eyes

But I will trust You, I will trust You”   

– lyrics to “Amen” by I Am They

Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever been afraid to trust in God or have faith in Him and His will for your life? Is your faith tired? Is your faith worn out? Do you have faith in God’s promises? Do you truly believe God keeps all of His promises written in the Bible? Do you have faith that God will never leave you or forsake you? Or does having faith seem difficult when walking through the fog? Have you felt let down in life? Do you feel like your hope is fading?  Do you still believe the promises of the Bible are not for you? Do you find it challenging to have faith at this moment in your life? 

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“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”  

– 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

God’s Word is filled with promises for us. I will only list a few:

  • Eternal life (read 1 John 2:25)
  • Christs’ return for us (read John 14: 1-3)
  • A heavenly home (read John 14: 1-3)
  • Spiritual blessings (read Ephesians 1:3)  
  • A new life in Christ (read 2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • Abundant life (read John 10:10)
  • Provisions (read Philippians 4:9)    
  • Comfort in trials (read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
  • Rest (read Matthew 11:28-30)
  • Peace (read Philippians 4:6-7)
  • Strength (read Isaiah 40:28-31)
  • Power of the Holy Spirit (read Acts 17:6)

2 Corinthians 1:2 tells us that all of God’s promises to us are answered “yes” in Christ. It is by the power of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and by his death and resurrection that we are answered “yes” to all of God’s promises.    

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Hebrews 1:3 NIV says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…” John 16:33 NIV says,“….In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We can confidently walk through the fog knowing Jesus Christ sustains “all things by his powerful word.” No matter impossible the situation may seem, we can have faith in Christ, knowing that He is in control and that our victory in is in Him.

“Deep within my heart, I know You’ve won

I know You’ve overcome

And even in the dark, when I’m undone

I still believe it

I live by faith, and not by sight  

Sometimes miracles take time….

You’re faithful every day

Your promises remain

You’re faithful every day

Your promises remain”  

– lyrics to “While I Wait” by Lincoln Brewster

Dear Lord Jesus, thank for Your faithfulness. Thank you for being faithful to fulfill God’s promises in our lives. Please help us to have more faith as we walk through the fog. Whatever comes our way, please help us to be able to sing “Amen, let your kingdom come, Amen, let your will be done.” Amen.

Will You Step onto the Bridge?

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Imagine standing at the edge a riverbank. The sound of the whitewater rapids crashing fills the air. You really can’t see what lies on the other side of the river. The fog is dense preventing you from seeing more than two feet ahead of you. This tumultuous river is the only thing separating you from the other side. You need to get to the other side. This river seems to be the only thing that is separating you from the answer to what you’ve been hoping and praying for.

Bridge fogYou have been praying for sometime when you see it. A narrow makeshift bridge swaying a couple feet above the rushing rapids comes into view. You have two choices. Either you will remain at the edge of the riverbank or you step onto the bridge. What will you do?

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”   

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Deep down, you know your prayers have led you here. A million thoughts race through your mind. How could this be a rational decision? The bridge looks old and flimsy. Who knows if it doesn’t have holes and the ropes you hold onto with your hands aren’t broken? You know very well you could slip through a hole at any moment or lose your balance and fall into the raging waters below. What will you do?  Will you wait for the mist to clear or will muster the courage to take a step of faith onto that bridge?

This seems to be where God brought you. You trusted Him to bring you this far. Will you trust Him to take you to the next destination? What will you do? Will you remain crippled by the fear of the unknown or will you step out in faith?

Psalm 16:8 NIV says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Sometimes we are going to face scary situations. Sometimes we will feel like God is leading us to step onto a debilitated makeshift bridge, but we don’t have to be afraid to take that step because we know that He will hold us up with His “righteous right hand.” Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” If we trust completely in God and surrender our lives to Him, we can be confident that He will direct us into the path He wants us to take.

“In a real sense faith is total surrender to God .”

— Martin Luther King Jr.   

We don’t always understand why God is leading us where He is leading us, but we can rest assured knowing that He is with us and He knows what He is doing. We can’t see through the mist, but He can. Maybe God brought you to the fog, so you would grow in faith by walking through the fog? Maybe God brought you to the dilapidated bridge, so you wouldn’t rely on the strength of the bridge, but instead on His strength.

  “… for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 

 -2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

Where has God led you? Has He led you to a place where you can’t see what lies ahead? Has He led you to an old dilapidated bridge? What will you do? The choice is up to you. Will you wait for the fog to clear or will you step out in faith?

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for always being with us. Thank You for Your guidance. Please help us to know when you want us to take the next step. And, when You want us to take action, please give us the strength to take the first step in faith. Amen.

When You Are Waiting for an Answer?

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“I live by faith, and not by sight

Sometimes miracles take time

While I wait, I will worship

Lord, I’ll worship Your name

While I wait, I will trust You

Lord, I’ll trust You all the same

You’re faithful every day”  

( lyrics to “While I Wait” by Lincoln Brewster)

Do you know what it’s like to hope for something with all of your heart? Do you know this feeling? Have you cried out to God asking for a request? In Psalm 27:7 NIV, the psalmist cries out to God, “Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.” What can we learn from the Psalmist? If you read the entire chapter of Psalm 27, you learn that the Psalmist faces many of the same enemies we face today. He faces fear and uncertainty. He knows that he could be harmed, abandoned, or take the wrong path. Instead of becoming overwhelmed and giving up, he chooses to focus on worshipping God. Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:6 says, “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.” In the midst of uncertainty, the Psalmist found the faith necessary to trust in God and His promises. Psalm 27: 13-14 NIV says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:13-14 NIV  In the same way, we can be confident in God’s faithfulness knowing that God is with us and God is guiding us even when we can’t see where we are walking. We can be confident that God is working in the midst of our worship.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about 

what we do not see.”   

– Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great faithfulness. Please help us to worship You as we wait for Your answers. Please help us to place our confidence in You and You alone. Amen.