I saw this on another adoptive families blog and instantly realized how true it is for us...
YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT IF...
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you. (This statistic was checked out by another mom and found to be true)
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who've experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You've been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You'd no idea how you'd afford to adopt, but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He'd provide. (& He does!)
9. You've taken an airplane half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart's for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means & you can actually pronounce it correctly!
13. You've welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child's so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you're the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
COURT DATE!!!!!!!!
We are another step closer in this process. We just found out we have a court date for March 18th. We are so excited. We were praying about getting a date in March and God has granted us this date. If God blesses us with a successful court date, March 18 our children will be legally ours. We will be able to post their pictures and share all kinds of information about them. They are already our children in our hearts, but this will legally make them ours forever. Thank you, Lord for answering our prayers. There will be only one more step in our adoption process and that will be to go get them and bring them home. This finally seems like this is happening. I am so grateful to You, Lord!!
JOY AND SUFFERING
I've been thinking alot about joy lately and these are some quotes that ministered to my heart with truth.
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Neh 8:10)
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Joy in the bible is the means by which we are sustained in suffering - - - - - - - and joy is that for which suffering is preparing us..... John Piper
"We do not choose suffering simply because we are told to, but because the one who tells us to describes it as the path to everlasting joy." John Piper
"The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow. Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope--and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion
"I miss my wife in numberless ways and shall miss her yet more and more, but as a child of God and as a servant of the Lord Jesus I bow. I'm satisfied with the will of my heavenly father. I seek by perfect submission to His holy will to glorify Him and kiss continually the hand that has thus afflicted me." George Mueller
"We ought to celebrate the positive glorious gifts of God, but the worth of God shines in a powerful way to the world when in the midst of suffering we still don't curse God but say "the Lord gave and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." John Piper
"Joy is that deep settled confidence that God is in control of every area of my life." Paul Sailhamer.
"The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. "We are more than conquerors through Him" IN all these things - not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation". Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (Rom 8:37, 2 Cor 7:4)
"Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Charles Spurgeon
"The discontented person thinks that everything that he does for God is too much and everything God does for him is too little." Kimber Kauffman
"joy is a much sought after quality of life....Joy comes with giving away - losing, not gaining." Evelyn Christenson
"This is the secret of joy. We shall no longer strive for our own way; but commit ourselves, easily and simply, to God's way, acquiesce in His will, and in so doing find our peace." Evelyn Underhill
"Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso
"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." Thomas Moore
"Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy." Felicia Hemans
"How happy a person is depends upon the depth of his gratitude." John Miller
"Affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it." John Donne
"We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust
"As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul
"The true Christian reaction to suffering and sorrow is not the attitude of self-pity, fatalism or resentment; it is the spirit which takes life's difficulties as a God given opportunity, and regards its troubles as a sacred trust, and wears the thorns as a crown." James Stewart
"Once you see your affliction as a preparation to meet God, you won't be quick to call it suffering again. Even though I have rough moments in my wheelchair, for the most part I consider my paralysis a gift. Just as Jesus exchanged the meaning of the Cross from a symbol of torture to one of hope and salvation, He gives me the grace to do the same with my chair. If a cross can become a blessing, so can a wheelchair. The wheelchair, in a sense, is behind me now. The despair is over. There are now other crosses to bear, other "wheelchairs" in my life to be exchanged into gifts." Joni Eareckson Tada
"How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown
Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced cam from doing what his Father sent Him to do. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent me, so I also send you."(Jn 20:21). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it - - to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus has sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear him say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Mt 25:21). We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord. To do this we must have close fellowship with Jesus and must know Him as more than our personal savior. And we must be willing to experience the full impact of Acts 9:16 - "I will show you how many things he must suffer for my name's sake." Oswald Chambers
"It is the very joy of this earthly life to think that it will come to an end." Charles Spurgeon
"It is an unfortunate thing for the Christian to be melancholy. If there is any man in the world that has a right to have a bright, clear face and a flashing eye, it is the man whose sins are forgiven him, who is saved with God's salvation." Charles Spurgeon
"Your sorrow itself shall be turned into joy. Not the sorrow to be taken away, and joy to be put in it's place, but the very sorrow which now grieves you shall be turned into joy. God not only takes away the bitterness and gives sweetness in it's place, but turns the bitterness into sweetness itself." Charles Spurgeon (on John 16:33)
"Sorrow for sin should be the keenest sorrow; joy in the Lord should be the loftiest joy.: Charles Spurgeon (on Phillipians 4:4)
"Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Neh 8:10)
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Joy in the bible is the means by which we are sustained in suffering - - - - - - - and joy is that for which suffering is preparing us..... John Piper
"We do not choose suffering simply because we are told to, but because the one who tells us to describes it as the path to everlasting joy." John Piper
"The difference between shallow happiness and a deep sustaining joy is sorrow. Happiness lives where sorrow is not. When sorrow arrives, happiness dies. It can't stand pain. Joy, on the other hand, rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope--and the hope that has become our joy does not (as happiness must for those who depend upon it) disappoint us." Walter Wangrin, Reliving the Passion
"I miss my wife in numberless ways and shall miss her yet more and more, but as a child of God and as a servant of the Lord Jesus I bow. I'm satisfied with the will of my heavenly father. I seek by perfect submission to His holy will to glorify Him and kiss continually the hand that has thus afflicted me." George Mueller
"We ought to celebrate the positive glorious gifts of God, but the worth of God shines in a powerful way to the world when in the midst of suffering we still don't curse God but say "the Lord gave and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." John Piper
"Joy is that deep settled confidence that God is in control of every area of my life." Paul Sailhamer.
"The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. "We are more than conquerors through Him" IN all these things - not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation". Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (Rom 8:37, 2 Cor 7:4)
"Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." Charles Spurgeon
"The discontented person thinks that everything that he does for God is too much and everything God does for him is too little." Kimber Kauffman
"joy is a much sought after quality of life....Joy comes with giving away - losing, not gaining." Evelyn Christenson
"This is the secret of joy. We shall no longer strive for our own way; but commit ourselves, easily and simply, to God's way, acquiesce in His will, and in so doing find our peace." Evelyn Underhill
"Suffering is a short pain and a long joy." Henry Suso
"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." Thomas Moore
"Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy." Felicia Hemans
"How happy a person is depends upon the depth of his gratitude." John Miller
"Affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it." John Donne
"We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full." Marcel Proust
"As soon as a baby enters the world, the baby is immediately introduced to pain. It is somewhat symbolic that life begins with a cry." RC Sproul
"The true Christian reaction to suffering and sorrow is not the attitude of self-pity, fatalism or resentment; it is the spirit which takes life's difficulties as a God given opportunity, and regards its troubles as a sacred trust, and wears the thorns as a crown." James Stewart
"Once you see your affliction as a preparation to meet God, you won't be quick to call it suffering again. Even though I have rough moments in my wheelchair, for the most part I consider my paralysis a gift. Just as Jesus exchanged the meaning of the Cross from a symbol of torture to one of hope and salvation, He gives me the grace to do the same with my chair. If a cross can become a blessing, so can a wheelchair. The wheelchair, in a sense, is behind me now. The despair is over. There are now other crosses to bear, other "wheelchairs" in my life to be exchanged into gifts." Joni Eareckson Tada
"How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments." Unknown
Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced cam from doing what his Father sent Him to do. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent me, so I also send you."(Jn 20:21). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it - - to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus has sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear him say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Mt 25:21). We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord. To do this we must have close fellowship with Jesus and must know Him as more than our personal savior. And we must be willing to experience the full impact of Acts 9:16 - "I will show you how many things he must suffer for my name's sake." Oswald Chambers
"It is the very joy of this earthly life to think that it will come to an end." Charles Spurgeon
"It is an unfortunate thing for the Christian to be melancholy. If there is any man in the world that has a right to have a bright, clear face and a flashing eye, it is the man whose sins are forgiven him, who is saved with God's salvation." Charles Spurgeon
"Your sorrow itself shall be turned into joy. Not the sorrow to be taken away, and joy to be put in it's place, but the very sorrow which now grieves you shall be turned into joy. God not only takes away the bitterness and gives sweetness in it's place, but turns the bitterness into sweetness itself." Charles Spurgeon (on John 16:33)
"Sorrow for sin should be the keenest sorrow; joy in the Lord should be the loftiest joy.: Charles Spurgeon (on Phillipians 4:4)
"Thankfulness is the secret of joy." Unknown
Saturday, February 23, 2008
John Piper on the Prosperity Gospel
Turn off the music on the lower right side to listen to this video.
Friday, February 22, 2008
WAITING ON A COURT DATE
Six families from our agency were given court dates yesterday of March 6, well, we were not one of those families. I am really okay with this....for once I am not questioning the Lord. Thank you, Father for this peace right now you have given me in this process. I wish I had learned from the start adoption is a hurry up and wait process and it doesn't matter anyway...it is all in God's timing. Why is it we try to manipulate the Lord's timing? All of our efforts are in vain. I am still praying about traveling the end of March, but it is not looking like that will be the case. We will probably be traveling sometime in the middle of April. It all depends on how quickly we get a court date. The great outcome of the court date is, if successful, the kids are legally ours. I can post their pictures and post their names. That sure will seem surreal at this point, but not as surreal as arriving at the care center to meet them for the first time. Oh, I cannot wait. My heart longs for that day!!
Monday, February 18, 2008
ANOTHER STEP CLOSER
We received the results on the second medicals on our children today. The kids have just undergone a complete physical and comprehensive lab work. Everything looks pretty good, so our documents will be submitted to the court for a court date. We are hoping to hear of a court date in the next two weeks. I am so thankful to the Lord that we got our kids results back a week earlier than we were told. I am hoping we will travel to get them by mid April. We are praying that the Lord would continue to help our kids transition well and protect them. Our children's greatest need is for a Savior, Jesus Christ. We are asking the Lord to begin to work in their hearts and soften their hearts to the truth we will begin to share with them. With God's grace, we are finally getting closer to bringing our children home.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Why Does God Answer Me?
Psalm 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me.
It is an amazing thing to me that God would even once hear me, let alone answer! I never get used to the miracle of prayer. It is truly moment by moment. Why does God answer me? In small and large moments in my life, I choose my own agenda over His. I so often run to Him for help with the messes I have made in my foolishness and rebellion to Him. I have no present argument that He should hear me. I have no wisdom to present to gain His attention. I have no constant record of good deeds that would warrent His attention. I've been more often waivering than faithful. I often try to justify my sins rather than seek His forgiveness. I struggle with contentment and am often attracted to temporary pleasures this world offers. The desires of my heart seem to wander again and again. I often seem to forget to Whom I belong and what all I've been forgiven for. Again and again, I seem to contradict the theology that I say I believe with all my heart. I seem to find myself asking for forgiveness for the same sins over and over again. Underserving is the way I stand before Him. This is why I must follow David's example in Scripture by appealing to God's great mercy when I pray. David cannot look to himself for any reason God would listen and answer and neither can I. Yet, there is still a miracle before us, we do not have to fear God's rejection. I have been found righteous in His eyes by the imputed righteousness of Christ. So, why does God answer? He answers because of His own reason. Prayer finds its hope in the character and plan of God, not in the qualifications of the one doing the praying. He answers because of who He is. He answers because of what He is doing. He answers because He loves to provide grace for the moment. He answers to ulitmately bring glory to Himself. God delights in having a people for Himself and in His great love His eyes and ears are attentive to our cries. Throughout Scripture God answers the cries of His people. He commands that we bring all of our cares to Him and assures He really does care for us. The prayers of His people never fall upon deaf ears. God still hears my cries and answers me even in my weakness and failure. He delights in using His power and glory to meet the needs of His struggling child. If it were not for the grandeur of His forgiving grace, I would not be able to have a relationship with the Lord at all. Because of God's amazing grace, I will one day be transformed completely and no longer stand in the need of prayer or forgiveness. God continue to hear my cries and transform me into the likeness of Christ. Lord, Your commitment to Your own glory is my only hope. Because of God's commitment to His own glory, I am assured He will hear and answer my cry. This is the only reason I can approach in confidence. My hope in prayer is never found in me, it is must be found in You.
It is an amazing thing to me that God would even once hear me, let alone answer! I never get used to the miracle of prayer. It is truly moment by moment. Why does God answer me? In small and large moments in my life, I choose my own agenda over His. I so often run to Him for help with the messes I have made in my foolishness and rebellion to Him. I have no present argument that He should hear me. I have no wisdom to present to gain His attention. I have no constant record of good deeds that would warrent His attention. I've been more often waivering than faithful. I often try to justify my sins rather than seek His forgiveness. I struggle with contentment and am often attracted to temporary pleasures this world offers. The desires of my heart seem to wander again and again. I often seem to forget to Whom I belong and what all I've been forgiven for. Again and again, I seem to contradict the theology that I say I believe with all my heart. I seem to find myself asking for forgiveness for the same sins over and over again. Underserving is the way I stand before Him. This is why I must follow David's example in Scripture by appealing to God's great mercy when I pray. David cannot look to himself for any reason God would listen and answer and neither can I. Yet, there is still a miracle before us, we do not have to fear God's rejection. I have been found righteous in His eyes by the imputed righteousness of Christ. So, why does God answer? He answers because of His own reason. Prayer finds its hope in the character and plan of God, not in the qualifications of the one doing the praying. He answers because of who He is. He answers because of what He is doing. He answers because He loves to provide grace for the moment. He answers to ulitmately bring glory to Himself. God delights in having a people for Himself and in His great love His eyes and ears are attentive to our cries. Throughout Scripture God answers the cries of His people. He commands that we bring all of our cares to Him and assures He really does care for us. The prayers of His people never fall upon deaf ears. God still hears my cries and answers me even in my weakness and failure. He delights in using His power and glory to meet the needs of His struggling child. If it were not for the grandeur of His forgiving grace, I would not be able to have a relationship with the Lord at all. Because of God's amazing grace, I will one day be transformed completely and no longer stand in the need of prayer or forgiveness. God continue to hear my cries and transform me into the likeness of Christ. Lord, Your commitment to Your own glory is my only hope. Because of God's commitment to His own glory, I am assured He will hear and answer my cry. This is the only reason I can approach in confidence. My hope in prayer is never found in me, it is must be found in You.
Monday, February 11, 2008
ONE STEP CLOSER
Our kids were moved this weekend to the final transitional foster home. This is actually where will be pick them up when we travel. They will have their second medicals done and once we approve those we will be given a court date. We are still hoping to travel the end of March, but it depends on how quickly we get a court date. I am writing this in tears this morning in awe of God answering my prayers this weekend. He placed this dream in my heart and it is finally coming to the end and becoming reality. We will also be getting updates on our kids and new pictures in the next week or two. We haven't had a new picture on our daughter in 1 year, so we cannot wait to see how much she has changed. I'm so excited and grateful to God for answering me. Thank you, Lord. You have moved us one step closer!! Please pray for our children as they have another transition before them and then another one when we bring them home. God has been so gracious to bring us this far on the journey He has called us to, He will be Faithful to bring it to fruition and bring us home as one family, whose desire is to bring glory to our God and enjoy Him forever.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
SEEKING GOD, BEING REFINED?
Prov. 2:4-5
If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.
I often wonder if I am as diligent about seeking godly things as I am the things of this world? Am I truly seeking the Lord as my treasure? What are my priorities and where are they? Is the Lord first in my life as my greatest treasure? Do I have a biblical fear of God? Am I truly seeking Him with my whole heart? If I have to be truthful, there are many days my heart stinks and my priorities are not where I wish they were. My desire is to seek the Lord more fervently, so why do I fail? I could tell you how much better I need to do, but in the strength of myself I will only accomplish constant failure. This is my greatest struggle to rely and rest in Christ and count on Him for everything. I do need to do better, but not in my works, in my belief that the God I serve is Great and Sovereign and do better in believing and counting on these things. I need to die daily to myself, to live is Christ and to die is gain. God, forgive my complacency. Forgive my unbelief. Help me be more like Christ, refined by Your Word and Your Spirit. Sanctify me for Your pleasure. Help me to serve with a glad and joyful heart. Cause my heart to be broken over my sins. Help me to find joy in the midst of trials and let patience and perseverence be my fruit, but mostly Lord love. Lord, perform your work in me and refine me I am Your clay. Change my heart, O God. May I be more like you, Lord. Make me holy, Lord, this is Your will. Lord, give me wisdom and more knowlege of You that I may fear You as I should!
REFINER'S FIRE
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.
I often wonder if I am as diligent about seeking godly things as I am the things of this world? Am I truly seeking the Lord as my treasure? What are my priorities and where are they? Is the Lord first in my life as my greatest treasure? Do I have a biblical fear of God? Am I truly seeking Him with my whole heart? If I have to be truthful, there are many days my heart stinks and my priorities are not where I wish they were. My desire is to seek the Lord more fervently, so why do I fail? I could tell you how much better I need to do, but in the strength of myself I will only accomplish constant failure. This is my greatest struggle to rely and rest in Christ and count on Him for everything. I do need to do better, but not in my works, in my belief that the God I serve is Great and Sovereign and do better in believing and counting on these things. I need to die daily to myself, to live is Christ and to die is gain. God, forgive my complacency. Forgive my unbelief. Help me be more like Christ, refined by Your Word and Your Spirit. Sanctify me for Your pleasure. Help me to serve with a glad and joyful heart. Cause my heart to be broken over my sins. Help me to find joy in the midst of trials and let patience and perseverence be my fruit, but mostly Lord love. Lord, perform your work in me and refine me I am Your clay. Change my heart, O God. May I be more like you, Lord. Make me holy, Lord, this is Your will. Lord, give me wisdom and more knowlege of You that I may fear You as I should!
REFINER'S FIRE
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
chorus again
Monday, February 4, 2008
171 RECEIVED!!!!
Today we received our approval, from Homeland Security, to bring our children back into the United States! This is great news. This is all we were waiting on to get our children moved to the care center to get their second medicals completed, as well as, getting in line for a court date. We still are hoping to travel in March, but it will all depend on how quickly we get a court date and if we pass our court date the first time around. We have two unrelated children, so a family member or family representative from each child's family will have to show up at court to state before the judge that they are truly available for adoption. I'm not sure who will show up for either child's family, our daughter's mother is deceased and the father was dying when he brought her to the orphanage. Our son's parents died two years ago and his 11 year old brother was raising the three younger siblings. I am so thankful at this point, I don't have to worry about it, if this is the Lord's will He will accomplish it. There have been many hurdles and obstacles through out this entire process, but I will be quick to give God the glory due Him, He has moved them all. Michael and I are so thankful and humbled to be loved and chosen by a God so great. We are blessed to have been called on this journey and want the Lord to be pleased with our hearts and lives. Please continue to pray for our faithfulness to God and for His protection of our children, especially for their purity....this is my heart for all my children. I stand in awe today at all the Lord has chosen to do in my life and what He will do. Thank you, Faithful Father.
Friday, February 1, 2008
FAITH
If there were only one word to describe our Lord, the word faithful definately comes to mind. The Bible emphasizes being a people of faith, a people who would be shaped and characterized by the God of their faith. We cannot be a godly people with being people of faith. Hebrews chapter 11 talks of men and women who lived out the faith deep within them. They were people of faith, and God delighted to associate with them. Does God delight in my faithfulness toward Him? This is something I contemplate often. Am I faithful based on my circumstance? Those described in Hebrews 11 clearly showed their resistance against temptation, lusts and sufferings, so they would gain something greater for enduring and persevering. Their strong faith made them faithful. We must pursue this same kind of faith regardless of its effect on our lives. This one thing matters to our God, for those who know Him... to obey and enjoy Him. What does it require to please God....faith. Am I a pleasure to my God or am I shaming His name and His glory by a lack of faith?
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. Hebrews 11:1-2
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16
And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40
In Ephesians 2:8, we can be sure though faith is a gift from God, we will be faced with situations to apply our faith. Genuine faith produces faithfulness. Faithfulness is the appropriate response to what God would expect from His followers. What areas in your life have you been tested with? Each test is a test of our faith. "For without faith, it is impossible to please God." I so desire to be more like Christ, being full of faith. God often speaks of His pleasure in the Son. God spoke,"Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased" (Mark 1:11). Do you realize we would always succeed if we were always faithful and did what God desires. Tests of our faith are an opportunity to trust God. Each circumstance is an opportunity of growing in faith. In Romans 4, Paul speaks of Abraham not waivering in unbelief, but growing strong in faith, giving glory to God. Oh that I would bring such glory to my Lord. I am guilty of becoming too self-reliant and less dependent upon Christ. I sometimes forget whose I am and the price that was paid for my remdemption.
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me… John 12: 25-26
God promises us our faith is strengthened by a firm belief in His Word and being tried. I think this starts with a simple question...how much do I love God and His Word, and do I believe He will answer my prayers. Oh, Faithful One, help me to see past my circumstances and believe more in You. Lord, let me be known as a woman of faith who finds her pleasure in You and is pleasing in Your sight.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. Hebrews 11:1-2
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16
And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40
In Ephesians 2:8, we can be sure though faith is a gift from God, we will be faced with situations to apply our faith. Genuine faith produces faithfulness. Faithfulness is the appropriate response to what God would expect from His followers. What areas in your life have you been tested with? Each test is a test of our faith. "For without faith, it is impossible to please God." I so desire to be more like Christ, being full of faith. God often speaks of His pleasure in the Son. God spoke,"Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased" (Mark 1:11). Do you realize we would always succeed if we were always faithful and did what God desires. Tests of our faith are an opportunity to trust God. Each circumstance is an opportunity of growing in faith. In Romans 4, Paul speaks of Abraham not waivering in unbelief, but growing strong in faith, giving glory to God. Oh that I would bring such glory to my Lord. I am guilty of becoming too self-reliant and less dependent upon Christ. I sometimes forget whose I am and the price that was paid for my remdemption.
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me… John 12: 25-26
God promises us our faith is strengthened by a firm belief in His Word and being tried. I think this starts with a simple question...how much do I love God and His Word, and do I believe He will answer my prayers. Oh, Faithful One, help me to see past my circumstances and believe more in You. Lord, let me be known as a woman of faith who finds her pleasure in You and is pleasing in Your sight.
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