I WILL ANSWER...

• Have you prayed and prayed and prayed and no answer has come?
• Do you claim, "cast down but not destroyed?" (I Cor 4.9-11)
• Do feel "weary in the battle?" (Gal 6.9)  
• Do you think an answer will NEVER come? (Jms 1.3, 4) 
• Do you feel the fire that seems never to end? (Zech 13.9)

The prophet, Jeremiah, who never saw a convert and was known as the "weeping prophet," had a word from the Lord in Jeremiah 33.3; "Call unto me, and I WILL ANSWER thee, AND show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."  Israel was indeed delivered and later prophecy fulfilled when they became a nation again. But not for a looooooooooong time.  We can see, however, that God did answer.

                                                    So, will you trust Him or not?

In the early part of this believer's life after the Lord opened my heart in salvation, all I wanted to hear was "hellfire and damnation" style preaching.  After all, it is what I "cut my teeth" on.  Also, I could "amen" and affirm such messages because "I didn't do those things."  As I've grown older physically and spiritually, I now understand why encouragement is what is needed.

The burdens and cares of life are indeed heavy.  However, I Jn 5.3, 4 explains "His commandments are not grievous" and we are "overcomers."

• Does it seem time is running out?  
• Are you watching your dreams go up in smoke?

Hold on, dear one, a little longer - "...I the Lord will hasten it in his time."  (Isa 60.22) "Coming down the road was Jesus, RIGHT ON TIME!"

This blogger offers two illustrations that have many scriptures to back them up.  However, if you are reading this, you understand and probably already know these truths.

Prayerfully submitted to one who is suffering and waiting.  

Hold on a little longer, HELP IS ON THE WAY!

The heart is heavy today. The mind is clouded with useless things.  The spirit endeavors to focus and center on help.  Prayer has been made. Now what? Time and age have taught the thought in the verse presented here. There is nothing else, just trust His promise.  A promise given to Moses in Deut. 31.6,8 and Joshua 1.5.  The statement of belief given in Hebrews after teaching on "brotherly love, entertaining strangers, marriage being right over adultery, instruction against covetousness and being content," THEN "I will NEVER leave thee nor forsake thee."

With all the troubles, sorrows and heartache in life, a promise, "I will NEVER leave...nor forsake..." Antonyms for the word "NEVER" would be "always and forever."  No room in either word for pause or hesitation.  The Lord told Moses to tell the people in Exo 3.14, "(the) I AM hath sent me to you." Again in Heb 13.8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, AND FOREVER."  

So, if the "I AM " never changes and never means always, dependence on the Lord "NEVER" leaving His children should put every burden, sorrow or heartache to rest.  True, easier said than done and that's where faith steps in and trusts with that "childlike faith" demonstrated in Mt. 18.2-3.

 

GBC

Wednesday Evening Service

These that have turned the world upside down! (Acts 17.6)

 

Faith

According to Webster's 1828 Dictionary, "Faith" is to draw towards anything, to believe, to obey.

According to Strong's concordance from Hebrews 11, "Faith" is also persuasion and moral conviction of religious truth or the truthfulness of God.

Of the 231 verses that contain the word "faith," only twice is it found in the old testament. (Deut 32.20 and Hab 2.4).  Indicating that before the Lord Jesus came it would seem folks only followed what they could see and what the man of God/prophet said whether personally believed or not.

However, Hebrews 11 gives testimony to Old Testament characters that "all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded...and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."  (Heb 11.13)

What persuades you?

We are instructed in Hebrews 1.1 that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

To the world, it appears that believers blindly follow ancient texts and mentally unstable "preachers."

What does "faith" do?

According to 11.3, "we understand that the worlds were framed..."

How? "by the Word of God."

Why is "faith" needed? "without faith, impossible to please (God)..." 11.6

Looking at the photo shown to illustrate faith, the question is posed, 

Would you step off a cliff to please God?

• Have you ever felt impressed of the Lord to do something you knew you were unable to do?
• Are you trusting in yourself for eternity?
• Do you depend on yourself to get a job done?  
• Do you consider who allows every breath you take?
• Are you thankful to live in His world and breath His air?

The truth is as stated, "without faith (it is) impossible to please Him:

Why?

Because, He that cometh to God MUST believe that HE IS...a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.?

Well, to put the thought to rest. One may not know the Lord God apart from His Son. (Jn 14.6)  

To know Him is to love Him. (I Jn 4.8) 

To love Him is to trust Him. (Prov 3.5, 6)

To trust Him is to have faith in His Word. (Rom 10.17)

Faith in Him is to eternally be with Him. (Jn 3.16)

What/whom is your faith in?