Faith, From Mom, Next Installment

Faith.  To "hear" God's Word, to "read" God's Word, to "obey" (practice) God's Word.  Mark 11:22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God."  Faith is a forward focus on God, His Word, and His promises.  Faith also looks back at the blessings of God to give strength.  Faith always allows us to flee confidently to God when in trouble and to abide in Him for protection  Faith determines action, produces obedience, overcomes, becomes fruitful. Faith occurs when we cease to do something on our own.  Faith acts,  To believe it is to do it.  Faith, an attitude of the heart.

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Footnote: "Faith is a conviction concerning things unseen and settled experience of a future with God."
"Substance" in Greek literally means "standing under" to support its validity.  This "faith is the support of things hoped for."  Assurance rests on God's promises.  Step out in faith.  Simply, trust God.

God's way:  seek Him, talk with Him, listen for Him to speak, wait on Him, obey Him.

Every day, all day commit your ways to Him.  Psalm 37:5  Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.  Seek and desire with all your heart, wisdom, understanding, discernment, to walk His way and keep His commandments.  1 Kings 3:12, 14  "I will give you what you asked for!  I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have...And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did I will give you a long life."

From me:

Today is not going well.  My checkbook is messed up (I am horrible with numbers), my printer and computer refuse to communicate (and I think I've made it worse trying to fix it), I keep misplacing important items....faith is in short supply for this struggling heart today.   So basically, I am walking around feeling quite bad about myself, and my ability to handle life. The self talk is really gloomy and negative, then I  start to question God as well.  I'm thinking sitting down and crying would be a good plan about now!

 All this is swirling and floating around in my head as I type (with about a thousand typos!) this message, and then I come to the verse Psalm 37:5  Commit everything you do.....Hmmm, can I do that?  What will happen if I do?  The Lord promises that He will help me.  I know He is trustworthy. I know all these things have happened before and I've gotten through them.  I can have faith!  I can let the negative, the unbelief and the self-focus go and just look up and trust the one who only does good.  And I can be at peace.  Peace with myself, my circumstances, my checkbook, and especially with God.

This entry from Mom's journal was timed perfectly by the Lord to strengthen and sustain me. Think about it. She wrote this journal of hers years ago.  And then she asked that it be shared with others. And then I decided (or should I say God directed LOL) to start sharing it here on this blog after she died to honor her request.  And then the entries had to line up in timing for this specific one to be entered on this particular day  To give me, and  I'm sure certain other specific individuals going through a rough patch, hope and confidence. He is so good.  Are things going to change?  I don't know.  I do know that I will.

Thank You Lord for Your perfect timing and Your individually designed care.  I really needed this today.  I'm sure I'm not the only one, so I lift up all who are having a hard time today...and I thank You that You love us and are tenderly caring for each.

Speak positively about yourself and your circumstances today.  Change the pessimistic song in your head.