The Man’s Own Faith

God, Guidance, Obedience, Trust 0

Observe the grandeur of redeeming liberality in the apostle.  In his heart of hearts he knows that salvation consists in nothing other than being one with Christ….

And yet he says, and says plainly, that a man thinking differently from all this, or at least quite unprepared to make this wholehearted profession of faith, is yet his brother in Christ.  Even in such a one he believes that the knowledge of Christ, such as it is, will work, the new leaven casting out the old leaven until he too, in the revelation of the Father, shall come to the perfect stature of the fullness of Christ….

But how can he help him if he is not to press upon him his own larger and deeper and wiser insights?

The answer is clear.  Paul will press, but not his opinion, not even the man’s own opinion.  But he will press the man’s own faith upon him….

Obedience is the one condition of progress, and Paul entreats them to obey.  If a man will but work that which is in him, will but make the power of God his own, then it will go well with him forevermore.  Like his Master, Paul urges to action…. 

Whereto you have attained, walk by that.

George MacDonald, Your Life in Christ, p. 203-205

Faith in God and from God

Guidance, Trust 0

When God tells us something or asks us to do something, the faith to believe it or to do it comes with the word from God….

Faith is the product of the spirit; it is a spiritual force.  The enemy doesn’t want you and me to get our mind in agreement with our spirit.  He knows that if God places faith in us to do a thing, and we get positive and start consistently believing that we can actually do it, then we will do considerable damage to his kingdom.

— Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind, p. 98-99

Perspective

Forgiveness, Guidance, Healing, Trials 0

Remember to ask Jesus to stand between you and your spouse, and to say only things you would say to Jesus and to listen to everything through the heart of Jesus.  When I have felt discouraged, thinking all this was unfair, I often hear Jesus from the cross saying, “And me, what have I done to deserve this?”  Bear your cross with humility, patience, and confidence in the Lord.

— testimonial in Your Father Knows Best, compiled by Bob and Charlyne Steinkamp, p. 71

God’s Guidance

Guidance, Trust 0

Here I am moving from point A to point B to point C — in a fog.  I turn to God and say, “How do I get to point D?”  But God gently replies, “Take my hand and I will lead you out of the fog.”  Then I get stubborn and say, “You didn’t answer my question!”

— Hugh Prather, Spiritual Notes to Myself, p. 10

A Word from God

Guidance, Inspiration, Prayer 0

“When reading the Bible, people commonly experience a special ‘word in the Word,’ in which a particular passage seems to apply to an individual situation in a new way….  This ‘quickening of the Word’ encourages us that God is near and deeply interested in the particular circumstances of our lives.”

— Richard J. Foster, Prayer:  Finding the Heart’s True Home, p. 137