Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” – John 4:34

Examination: In this section of the chapter, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman telling her that He is the Messiah of whom the prophets spoke. While she returns to the town to tell others, His disciples encourage Him to eat. Jesus explains to them that it is His work for His Father that sustains Him, and what is most important.

Application: I remember when I first fell in love with my husband. I was in high school, but my studies no longer filled my mind. Instead, all I could think about was him. It seemed as though everything in my life revolved around him. I focused on cultivating our relationship with dreams of eventually becoming his future “Mrs.”

After I married, I became a nurse. I was very focused on caring for my patients. I followed the doctors’ orders without deviating, and tried to anticipate problems before they happened to circumvent complications. That focus helped me do well in my chosen field.

Focusing on something enables us to move forward with determination to meet a specific goal. That was very evident in the life of Jesus. He stated, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38). Even as a 12-year-old boy, Jesus was intent on doing what His Father had sent Him to do. Luke 2:49 records His response to His parents when they found Him in the temple, “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Jesus was well aware of the reason He was born into this world, and He knew the price He would have to pay to redeem mankind. As focused as He was, it was not an easy road for Him to walk. Just prior to His arrest, He prayed to His Father, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:29).

Regardless of what He knew His future to be, Jesus remained focused on His purpose all through His life. Jesus was sent by His Father to become the Saviour for all mankind (1 John 4:14). To do so, He became a man, lived a sinless life, and then allowed Himself to be crucified and separated from His Father… all because of the love He has for us. At any time, He could have said, “No.” He could have called legions of angels to stop the crucifixion. But He said, “Not my will, but thine.” (Luke 22:42). Jesus’ focus was on me and you. He wanted to give us the opportunity for redemption and receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life instead of what we deserved… everlasting punishment. His focus was love.

And it was this love that kept His focus on the cross.

Memory Verse:  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What things get in the way of focusing your life on God?

2. How can you improve your focus on living a life pleasing to God?

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world's delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true one, He is the just one,
He has the words of life.

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

(from “I Am Resolved” by Palmer Hartsough)

Scripture: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14

Examination: Paul is writing to the believers in the church at Philippi. He is reminding them to live by faith, not my traditions or works. He encourages them to remember Jesus’ power as evidenced by the resurrection, to serve Him only, and to focus on spiritual benefits, not carnal ones.

Application: Living the Christian life is not an easy one, and it was never promised to be one. The world that we live in is constantly at war with the spiritual life we strive to walk. We face the same challenges that non-believers face; there are no pitfalls in life in which believers are immune. Financial woes, serious illnesses, rejection, loneliness, aging, death of loved ones… this list that goes on and on is no respecter of persons. Christian and non-Christians face these struggles throughout life equally, but there is one extremely important difference in the lives of Christians. We never have to face these challenges alone.

Amazingly (considering who we are and who He is), Jesus has done everything to make a relationship with Him possible. His sacrifice on the cross demonstrated the incredible love that He has for each one of us! It was His precious blood that paid for every one of my sins, and that is what makes me determined to live for Him today. My faith is not a fire insurance policy; it is the conscious commitment to the belief that I hold in what Jesus did for me on the cross and what He says in His Word. I am determined to trust Him and to try to live according to what the Bible says every day of my life. Easy? Not at all. But I have the sweet assurance that I am held securely in the hand of God, and He is helping me become more like Jesus every day. Philippians 1:6 reminds me, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

Jesus never promised my life would be a bed of roses. In fact, He stated just the opposite. 2 Timothy 3:12 states, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” But Jesus also promised that no matter happened in my life, He would always be with me. Joshua 1:9 reminds us of this truth, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

While Satan will do everything he can to diminish or destroy my faith in God, I am determined to follow my Lord as long as I live. When times are hard, I know to Whom I can depend; when times are good, I know the One who has blessed me, and when times are uncertain, I know Who controls everything.

Determining to trust God with my life and my soul is the best decision I have ever made. My life’s journey has had many ups and downs, but since Jesus became my Saviour, I’ve never walked alone… and I never will.

Memory Verse:  “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” – Psalm 56:4

Stretching your thoughts:

1. How can you encourage someone who is going through a hard time and struggling with their faith?

2. How has someone helped you navigate through a struggle that seemed overwhelming at the time?

My faith has found a resting place, not in device nor creed.
I trust the ever-living One; His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.

My heart is leaning on the Word, the written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name, salvation thro' his blood.

I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.

(from “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” by E. E. Hewitt)

Scripture: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14

Examination: Paul is writing about his delay incoming to visit in that he doesn’t want to cause anyone sorrow. He desires to be one who is able to bring joy, not sadness. He speaks about restoring a church member to their fellowship… a restoration of joy to one who sincerely repented.

Application: The last week of Jesus’ earthly life began and culminated with celebrations. The days in-between were filled with sorrow, fear, death, and despair.

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem saw Jesus riding upon the back of a young donkey to the praises of those lined up along the road into the holy city. Cries of “Hosanna” and “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9) filled the air as the onlookers waved their palm branches in honor of His approach. Sadly, these accolades rapidly shifted to cries of  “Crucify Him!” in less than a week when the people saw that Jesus didn’t fit their mold of what the Messiah should be. They wanted a mighty warrior king to overthrow the Roman government, and thus they rejected the Prince of Peace who promised them a kingdom that would never end.

Many times when God doesn’t fit the mold as the “Almighty Wish-Granter”, our faith struggles. Sometimes we forget who we are and who God is. We expect Him to respond according to what we feel is right. But that theology is vastly incorrect. God does hear and respond to our prayers, but it always aligned with His perfect will and timing.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean that God is at our beck and call whenever we pray. It means we have access to our heavenly Father because of the work that His beloved Son Jesus accomplished on the cross. When that temple veil was torn in two, we gained entry into the throne room of God, bringing our prayers directly to Him, but that doesn’t mean He answers every prayer in the way we want.

God sees the big picture; He knows what is best, and the smartest human being cannot compare to God. It is important to remember that as believers, we belong to God. He has bought us with His precious blood. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Think about what that means. We belong to the Creator of the universe! Because of that, we can live a triumphant life despite struggles, challenges, and disappointments. Here’s why we can have a triumphant faith.

• We have a promise that our sins are not only forgiven but forgotten by our heavenly Father when we accept Christ as our personal Saviour.
  • “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” – Isaiah 43:25
• We have the promise of a heavenly home for all eternity.
  • “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” – 1 Peter 1:3-4
• We have a promise that wherever we are, God is with us, and He will NEVER leave us from the moment of salvation throughout eternity!
  • “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5
• We have the promise that one day, Jesus is going to come for us, and take us to be with Him forever.
  • “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3
• We have a promise that whenever we pray, God does pay attention, and He will respond. Maybe it won’t be the way we had hoped, but He will answer every time we pray.
  • “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” – Psalm 116:1-2

These are just a few reasons the Bible explains why we can have a triumphant, faith! And one day soon, that faith will become sight, when we see our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Then triumphantly we will be able to echo those cries of long ago, “Hosannq! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”

Memory Verse:  “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it hard for some Christians to trust God’s answer to prayer when it differs from their desired response?

2. What would you say to someone struggling with their faith in these types of situations?

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory  

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

(from “Victory in Jesus” by E. M. Bartlett)

Scripture: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” – James 1:2-3

Examination: James writes about godly living, seeking God’s wisdom and applying it to daily life. He explains that the Christian’s faith should produce righteous works for the Lord, and that hard times help to grow our faith and serve Him better.

Application: Testing comes in many different forms. Tests in school are often preceded by increased stress as studying becomes more intense the closer the day of the test becomes. Some tests are referred to as tests of time, which means that the proof of something is in its durability. Examples of items that fall into this category include appliances, fashion, and even friendships.

There are also occasions when one’s faith is tested. There are many examples in the Bible, and perhaps one of the most well-known is found in the life of Job. Eventually, God rewarded Job for his faithfulness, but the process was a very difficult one for the biblical patriarch.

You may have heard it said that Christians are either in a storm, just exiting a storm or about to enter one. These are the times of testing for our faith. Like any other type of challenge we face in life, being prepared helps us navigate through them more successfully. Being victorious through hard times depends on several things.

1. Maintain your perspective.

• Remember that God allows challenges in life to grow our faith, and while it may be a tough pill to swallow at times, trust God’s plan.
• “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11

2. Fall back on your personal spiritual support system.

• When facing trials, this is not a time to withdraw from daily prayer and Bible study. Instead, stay anchored to God as you go through hardships for His comfort and peace.
• “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10

3. Trust the Lord

• During the testing  of our faith, we often try to take control in an effort to generate the results we desire, but often our will is not God’s will for us. We must purpose to surrender control to the Lord and trust Him through the situation and for the outcome.
• “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

4. Reach out to others

• Moses had Aaron; David had Jonathan; Ruth had Naomi. When times are tough, reach out to a trusted Christian for support through prayer, wise counsel, encouragement, or simply a shoulder to cry on. It can be a church leader, family member or friend.
• “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

5. Have a spirit of gratitude

• It’s so easy for negativity to fill our minds, and that can lead to depression and despair. Instead, remember to be thankful for the blessings God has already given to you. Start your day thanking God for what He’s done for you in the past and for what He has promised to do for you now and always. Knowing that God is faithful and nurturing a spirit of gratitude will help you go through those times when your faith is being testing.
• “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1

Memory Verse:  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it difficult for Christians to trust God in challenging situations?

2. How could you help someone struggling with their faith when hard times come?

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well (it is well), with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

(from “It is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford)

Scripture: “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” – Isaiah 58:11

Examination: Isaiah is comparing the empty “going through the motions” forms of worship to authentic heartfelt worship. He then explains the results of worship that truly honors God.

Application: In the southeast, there is no doubt as to when spring arrives. One night you go to sleep, and when you wake up, the world has turned a lovely shade of yellow. Pollen season can be quite a nuisance when cars become yellow, porches are covered with the fine dust, which of course is carried into the house, and itchy eyes are the norm. But without pollen, our world would struggle to survive. Without pollen, the majority of our trees and flowers would eventually die out. It’s the same with our faith.

If our faith isn’t provided that which it needs to thrive, it will be barely alive within us, and eventually it will fade away. So, how do we pollinate our faith?

1. Pollinating our faith

• “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17
• Our faith begins when we read or are told about the Lord Jesus Christ, and how He died, was buried, and then rose again to be our Saviour. God’s Spirit opens our understanding to our need to have our sins forgiven and shows us that Jesus is the only way.
• Just as a new seed forms from pollination, a new faith begins when an individual accepts Christ as his or her personal Saviour.

2. Feeding our faith

• “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
• In order for our faith to grow, it must be spiritually fed. Faith grows from learning more and more about God, and that comes from His Word.
• Attending church as well as engaging in personal Bible study provides the nutrients our faith needs to grow.

3. Watering our faith

• “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6
• Since we also learn by example, fellowship with believers who are strong in the faith also helps our Christian walk. Choosing our friends wisely can help produce a thriving faith.

4. Reproducing our faith

• “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” – John 15:5
• As we continue to draw near to Jesus, learning more about Him and obeying His precepts, our faith will begin to produce spiritual fruit. Others will see us blossom in our relationship with Christ and seek to know what is happening in our lives. That gives us the opportunity to spread some of our “pollen” as we share the gospel message!

5. Cultivating our faith

• “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” – John 15:1
• God is our spiritual Gardener. It is He who continues to teach us through His Word, prune us through trials and testing, and provide exactly what we need to grow strong in our new life with Jesus “…that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Colossian 2:6-7 reminds us, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

May we continue to bloom brightly for our Lord!

Memory Verse: “… and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.” – Jeremiah 31:12

Stretching your thoughts:

1. In what stage of growth is your faith?

2. How could your faith produce more fruit?

I am the vine, and ye are the branches,
Bear precious fruit for Jesus today;
The branch that in me no fruit ever beareth,
Jesus hath said, "He taketh away."

I am the vine, and ye are the branches;
I am the vine, be faithful and true;
Ask what ye will, your pray'r shall be granted,
"The Father loved me, so I have loved you."

(from “I Am the Vine” by Knowles Shaw)

Scripture: “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” – Isaiah 40:18

Examination: This chapter proclaims the majesty of God. Isaiah writes that there is nothing that can compare to God, and writes the words of the Lord Himself as He asks, “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal?” (v 25).

Application: Who or what can be compared to God? The world has been trying to prove that God is not supreme, not the Creator, not God… to no avail. Here are a few areas in which none can compare to God.

• Creator of All
  • “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” -Genesis 1:31
• Wisdom
  • “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” – Romans 11:33
• Power
  • “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” – Ephesians 1:19
• Love
  • “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” – Ephesians 3:19
• Greatness
  • “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” – Psalm 145:3
• Merciful
  • “O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” – Psalm 136:3
• Faithful
  • “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” – Psalm 119:90
• Forgiving
  • “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” – Micah 7:18
• Holiness
  • “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:2

Colossians 1:15-17 refers to Jesus, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

There is none that can compare to our God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Memory Verse: “O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” – 1 Chronicles 17:20

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What other attributes of God are incomparable?

O Lord my God When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout The universe displayed!

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

(from “How Great Thou Art” by Stuart Hine)

Scripture: “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” – Matthew 7:25

Examination: In the end of this final chapter of the “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus is teaching about the importance of obeying His teachings. Those who do so will be able to weather life’s storms and remain strong; those who don’t will struggle and eventually be destroyed.

Application: What was this rock upon which the wise man built his house? Jesus actually explains it in the previous verse. His reference is to the importance of doing what He has taught. Normally, Christians think of the rock as only being Jesus, but it is more than that. It is Jesus plus His teachings, which are found in the Bible.

A strong foundation for our faith is woven throughout the pages of Scripture. The Bible is full of “stones” that are used to create our footing, but Jesus Himself is our corner stone. In masonry, the corner stone is the first stone set, and it determines the position and alignment for the rest of the structure. The corner stone guides the placement of the rest of the stones that will be used. As our corner stone, Jesus is the One who sets our faith and aligns the other biblical “stones” that support our practice of that faith.  

When we accept Christ as our personal Saviour, our cornerstone is set, and then as we learn more about God through His Word, our foundation becomes stronger as we build it up with more “stones”.

• The Cornerstone
  • “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” – Isaiah 28:16
  • Jesus is our corner stone.
• Memorial stones
  • “And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.” – Joshua 4:20
  • Joshua built an altar of twelve stones as a memorial to God’s grace.
  • Our faith grows stronger when we read about His grace to His children in the Bible, as well as remembering God’s amazing grace in our own lives.
• Ebenezer stones
  • “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” – I Samuel 7:12
  • “Ebenezer” means “stone of help.” Samuel set up a stone as a reminder to the children of Israel of God’s help in battle resulting in victory for them against the Philistines.
  • Our faith grows stronger when we see God helping us through answered prayer, divine protection, illumination of His Word in our hearts, and providing spiritual victories.
• Promise stones
  • “And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.” – Joshua 24:27
  • Joshua sets this stone as a symbol of the covenant between God and His people. It stands as a physical reminder to obey the Lord.
  • Our faith grows stronger when we read and experience the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises.
• Living stones
  • “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5
  • We are the living stones upon which the church is built. Through our service to God, our faith continues to grow stronger, and our testimonies encourage the growth of faith in others.

When our faith is firmly set upon the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, it will continue to grow through the addition of more biblical “stones” to our foundation. Let us build a house for Jesus that will stand through the ages, and then one day, one final stone will be added. Revelation 2:17 states, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” We can look forward to the moment when Jesus will give us a new name that will be written in heavenly stone!

Memory Verse: “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.” – 2 Samuel 22:47

Stretching your thoughts:

1. If someone’s life is built on “sinking sand”, how could you help them build a foundation built upon the Rock?

2. When circumstances in life try to chip away at your foundation, what steps can you take to fortify it?

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

(from “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote)

Scripture: “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” – Mark 9:24

Examination: Jesus is approached by a father whose son has been possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus tells the distraught man that if he has the faith, it will be done. The father then cries out, asking Jesus to help his struggling faith, and then Jesus heals the child.

Application: Most likely, everyone can name at least one occasion when their faith has wavered. When circumstances seem overwhelming despite our petitions to the Lord, our faith can often begin to weaken. For example, serious illnesses that linger, broken relationships that are not mended, loss of a job or promotion, the death of a loved one…these and many other situations can seriously test an individual’s faith.

Those out-of-control situations draw us to God and implore Him to intervene, but if He doesn’t respond in the time frame we desire or in the way we want Him to do so, our faith can suffer. Since we cannot avoid unpleasant circumstances in our lives, how can one’s faith be strengthened to navigate these times successfully?

Unfortunately for many of us, we’ve got the idea that if we show even the slightest bit of fear, worry, concern, sadness… you name it…, we have little faith in God and are poor testimonies to others. Not so!! The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”  How can we fulfill this directive if no one ever shares their burdens! When we start worrying about what others will think of us if we show a “weakness” in our faith, we have another issue to deal with, and that is pride. Romans 12:15 states, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” We’re usually pretty good about doing the first part of this verse, but the latter means we have to be vulnerable and let others see that we are hurting and in need of emotional support.

Christians are not called to suffer in silence. I Peter 4:16 reminds us, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” When we share our struggles with others, keep our eyes on Christ, seek God’s guidance through prayer and reading the Word, God is honored and glorified through our obedience.

As always, the answers to how our faith can be strengthened can be found within the pages of God’s Word. Here are a few directives to help us move toward a stronger faith that overcomes adversity in our lives.

• Trust God. When you can’t see the answers you seek, continue to trust God. He has a plan and a purpose for everything He allows in our lives.
  • “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
• Keep praying. Don’t quit sharing your fears, worries, broken heartedness, etc. with God.
  • “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” – Luke 18:1
• Stay in the Bible. The Scriptures are full of wisdom and direction to help our faith grow.
  • “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17
• There is a divine plan for you. We may not know His exact plans for us, but He has a divine purpose for each of us.
  • “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11

To strengthen our bodies, we must feed it healthy food, exercise regularly, and keep our minds focused on positive things every day, not once or twice a week. The same goes for our faith. In order to strengthen it, we need to feed it with the Word of God, exercise prayer regularly, and keep our minds focused on things above every single day. One day a week just isn’t enough to put muscles on your faith!

Memory Verse: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” – 1 John 5:14

Stretching your thoughts:

1. How does guilt or the fear of judgement factor into a Christian withholding sharing their struggles?

2.  How does becoming vulnerable make you feel when it comes to sharing your heart with someone?

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

(from “Be Still My Soul” by Kathrina von Schlegel)

Scripture: – “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

Examination: Paul writes against requiring Gentiles to follow Jewish laws and customs. He emphasizes that salvation is not of works, but rather putting one’s faith in the work of Jesus Christ alone.

Application: Salvation is a personal decision, but it is very easy to leave that individuality at the altar and begin one’s journey of faith following in the religious traditions of one’s family (biological or church), and not internalizing the realities of a new life in Christ. It’s easy to assume that what is taught in a Sunday school class or preached from the pulpit or discussed at the dinner table is biblical, but that is not always the case.

As Christians, whether newly saved or seasoned, we have the responsibility to study the Bible ourselves, listen to His Spirit as He speaks to us through His Word, and then make decisions about our stand in faith based upon those gleanings. 2 Timothy 2:15 states, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It is imperative that we take time to learn what God is saying to each one of us individually. It is not okay to simply blindly accept what a person says to you… or what you read in someone’s blog (mine included!). Pastors, Sunday school teachers, Christian school teachers, and even parents are not perfect. Religious beliefs AND traditional interpretations are often passed down from generation to generation and accepted as biblical truths when they are not.

Even though many men are called by God to lead our churches, they are not infallible. We must still be faithful ourselves to compare what we hear from our church leaders to what God has given us in His Word. As an example, my pastor has spent years of study in higher level ministry education as well as hours upon hours of Bible study in his office (I’ve seen him!) to equip himself with the truth of God’s Word in his messages. As much as I respect him and his position, I am still required by God to compare what he preaches to what is in the Bible, and when I don’t understand something, I can go to him and ask him to help me understand. That is due diligence on my part. That is how I make my faith my own… it is not my parents’ faith, my grandparents’ faith, or my pastor’s faith. It is MY faith.

The Bible tells me that I also have to be able to defend my faith to others. 1 Peter 3:15 states, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” To effectively witness for Christ, I have to be able to explain the reasons I believe what I believe, and it must be based upon what is written in the Word of God, not because someone told me it was what I should believe.

The only way to make my faith my own is to be actively involved in cultivating it. Passively sitting in a pew and listening to a message in church one a week will not help me internalize Scripture and apply it to my life. But if I diligently seek to know God personally… on my own… and find out what He wants me to know from His Word, my faith will transform into the most wonderfully intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe and all that is within it. I will begin to understand His plan for my life as I learn more and more about Him through His Word, and the journey will be ongoing until He takes me home to heaven.

Making my faith my own will reward me with the most amazing relationship with my Saviour! I will spend each day of my life on this earth with Jesus! Together, we will face the struggles and challenges of this earthly life, share sweet moments in His Word, and rest in the Father’s love. And one glorious day, Jesus will take me to my forever home in heaven, where my very own faith will become sight! Oh, what a day!

Memory Verse: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” – Philippians 4:9

Stretching your thoughts:

1. When questions arise regarding your faith, to whom can you go for sound biblical truths?

2. How would you defend your beliefs to an unsaved person? Can you back up your beliefs with Scripture?

I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;
And this my faith confessing, unmoved I stand upon his Word.
Our reason cannot fathom the truth of God profound;
Who trusts in worldly wisdom relies on shifting ground.
God's Word is all-sufficient, it makes divinely sure,
And, trusting in its wisdom, my faith shall rest secure.

(from “I Know My Faith is Founded” by Erdmann Neumeister)

Scripture: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” – Jeremiah 17:7

Examination: Jeremiah warns the people of Judah about their sin by contrasting those who trust God with those who reject Him. He stresses that those who trust in God and follow His ways will reap blessings from the Lord.

Application: Life is full of circumstances that tend to make us distrustful of others. Some issues stem from childhood experiences, like broken promises from friends or the divorcing of parents, while other more “adult” situations like the sudden loss of a job or betrayal from a spouse. Even the smallest of infractions in relationships can impair one’s ability to trust others. For example, sharing a secret or telling a “white lie”. All of these and more can destroy our ability to trust others.

Fortunately, trusting in God will never lead to disappointment. He is faithful to His Word always. Psalm 9:10 tells us this, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Throughout the Bible, we can read of occasion after occasion where God has demonstrated His faithfulness to His children.

Here are four examples in Scripture of individuals who trusted God completely.

• Abraham trusted God to give him a son.
  •  “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” – Romans 4:20-21
• David trusted God repeatedly to help him in times of war.
  • “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” – Psalm 13:5
• Daniel trusted God when he was in the lions’ den.
  • “… So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.” – Daniel 6:23
• Mary trusted that God would do exactly as He said.
  • “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” – Luke 1:38

Trusting in God doesn’t mean that we get whatever we want from Him. God is not a “wish-granter”. He is the sovereign Creator of all things, and He does what is best for us according to His perfect will for our lives. Trusting in God means believing that what He allows or does in our lives is what is best. Trusting in God is believing that His Word is completely true. Trusting in God is believing in Him regardless of circumstances surrounding us.

God is trustworthy. Deuteronomy 7:9 states, “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”

God is faithful. Joshua 23:14 states, “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”

Lastly, David writes in Psalm 62:8, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

Memory Verse: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” – Proverbs 30:5

Stretching your thoughts:

1. In what areas do you struggle to trust God?

2. What steps can you take to move you closer to trusting God completely?

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!

(from “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” by Louisa M. R. Stead)