Do You Trust God?

“May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.”  
                                                                                                     – Psalm 119:41-42

 

They will always challenge your faith.  There will be no end to the ridicule and taunting, because you have demonstrated something others refuse to accept.  Live your life in full representation of the love instilled in you by God the Father.  I was 15 the first time someone actually told me that there was no God and I was foolish for believing in something I couldn’t see or touch.  This person’s premise was that he could not believe in something that wasn’t visible.  His impression was that Christianity was nothing more than a crutch for those who were weak, and struggling with their own independence.  He did not need anyone or anything else to make him feel good, it was completely his own wisdom and strength that would get him through this life.  I responded simply that he was right, I am weak and I can’t do it alone.  I pointed out to him that there is no way for me to experience eternal life without Christ Jesus death on the cross, and resurrection.  He challenged the existence of eternity as fodder.  There is no proof that eternity exists, this life is all there is and then we die; was his postulation.  To which I replied, then why are you here bothering me, if I’m going to die and you’re going to die and that’s it, why do you care how I live my life?  For that matter, why are we even alive? 

There is no real purpose for this life, why not end it now?  You see (I continued) if our lives mean nothing, than there is no hope for justice or reason for love or compassion or helping others.  Life has no value.  Your life, my life, the hungry child in Africa, the senile person in the nursing home – none of it matters.  In your position we are nothing but a waste of matter, breathing air and watching the clock tick/tock until we die.  The God I believe in has instilled in me a promise that there is more than this life.  There is more than what we see with our eyes and through a belief, faith and trust in His Son, we can experience that one day.  I have something to wake for each day, the ability to share His love with another in hopes that they will one day experience it as well.  When you wake up each morning, it’s just another day of breathing air.  I’ll keep believing in God, you can choose what you want to do tomorrow when you wake up.  With that he called me foolish and walked away.

God’s promises are our strength.  We trust that He will follow through, just as He has every time in the past.  Is there proof that Christ walked the earth?  No; there is no tomb, no pictures, no videos or DVD.  There are no eye witnesses that CNN can interview who can testify to His life.  There are countless promises from God the Father though, and every one of them are more credible than the trials and reports that have been published trying to prove His non-existence.  I trust in God’s promises for salvation, for grace and for eternal life.  Do you?

© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Who do You Trust

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."      - Joshua 1:9

 

The turning of the page so to speak in the Israelites flight to the Promised Land.   Moses had passed away without crossing over the river Jordan and experiencing the joys and abundance the Lord had promised.  Joshua was now to take the reins and lead the children of God into the land God had prepared for them.  Just as Joshua needed to hear from the Lord that day, as I’m sure the emotions were high and the task at hand seemed overwhelming, we need to hear it as we face the challenges in our lives. 

God’s promise was clearly articulated to Joshua on that day.  Joshua 1:5, “No one can stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you.  I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  - I’m sure Joshua took that to heart.  I mean if the God of the Universe told me that no one could ever defeat me, I’d be walking pretty tall and confident.  Regardless of what challenge he came upon or who threatened his life or his purpose, he knew without a doubt that God was his protector.  But it required Joshua to be very strict in following the law handed down to Moses, and to meditate on it day and night. 

How much more so are you in need of God’s promise to walk with you daily and be your protector?  I surely have fallen at moments in my life when I was fearful and in need of a certain, strong provider.  Drawing on the faith that only through God can a situation be resolved, forces one to reflect on His promises to us, similar to His promise to Joshua.  Do you recall in Matthew 28:20, “…surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.”  These were the words from Jesus to His disciples to encourage them after His death and resurrection.  This same spirit that was given to the disciples is available to you and I, if we so chose to accept and grab a hold of it.  Also, I’m sure you’ve heard Paul’s words to the Hebrews, in the 13^th chapter the 5^th verse “… Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”  The same claim from Joshua 1:5 is recalled here by Paul in his epistle to the Hebrew nation, not by co-incidence, but carefully thought out and perfectly structured to encourage them and us 2000 years later.

We need to hold true to these promises of Jesus Christ and those of His disciples recorded in the New Testament.  God is our provider, our comforter, our strong tower and our protector.  He will stand before us against all enemies and protect our rear from evil that might approach unseen.  You can trust in God’s promises to His children just as Joshua did as he led them into the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey.  Pass them on to your children, and their children.  The God of the Universe is with you everywhere you go and will not forsake you.

Finding Me - Day 20

October 6, 2014

What is the most important thing in the world to you?   If you had to choose one thing, therefore not a group of people, or all-encompassing object (water, air, world peace or happiness).  What would you say?  What do you think most people on the streets of America would say?  Setting priorities in life is difficult.  There are so many things we value and lift up in this world; including our family, friends, material objects and positions of status.  I think we would all be surprised if we asked this question to the masses, that most of them would indicate some person of importance in their life (parent, spouse, child).  Still others might indicate the most important thing to them is money or time.  But, how many would say that the most important thing is Jesus Christ and their eternal salvation?

I would like to believe that is how I would answer that question.  My wife knows I love her dearly, and would do anything in the world for her; so do my children, Grand-children and family.  My friends know how much I care for them as well do the people at my work.  But, they all know that Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my world.  I often find myself guilty of elevating ‘things’ above Him and must remind myself that it is all His, and I am nothing but a steward.
    

Day 20: Prioritizing Life
“He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” – John 3:31

How could there be something more important in life, more valuable, more treasured than the love and acceptance of the Creator Himself?  Tell me, who has done more for you than He?  Who has given up more for you than He?  Who else can give you eternal life, but He?  For without God’s grace and promise for eternal life we have nothing to look forward to, we have no hope for a future, no reason for life.  Take a moment today and carefully think through those things which stand between you and your relationship with God.  Yes, it will include people, material things and desires or dreams.  Now ask yourself one question; “Are you willing to walk away from all of those things to love and serve God?”  Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, and the others did.  When Jesus said “Follow Me” they left everything and followed him.

Prayer:
Father,
You alone are above all things.  You are seated upon the throne and we all bow before Your glory.  We are but servants to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Let us serve You unashamedly, without abandon and fear of rejection.  Let us be stewards of all that You have given us, and use it for Your Kingdom.  My hope is in You and Your promises for eternal life, which helps me overcome all fear from mankind.  Strengthen me with courage to stand for what is right and pure in Your eyes.   – Amen

Sondove Enterprises ©, 2014
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Walk with Confidence

Read it, Live It, Learn It, Share It

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."      - Joshua 1:9

The turning of the page so to speak in the Israelites flight to the promised land.   Moses had passed away without crossing over the river Jordan and experiencing the joys and abundance the Lord had promised.  Joshua was now to take the reins and lead the children of God into the land God had prepared for them.  Just as Joshua needed to hear from the Lord that day, as I’m sure the emotions were high and the task at hand seemed overwhelming, we need to hear it as we face the challenges in our lives. 

God’s promise was clearly articulated to Joshua on that day.
v 5a. “No one can stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you.  I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  - I’m sure Joshua took that to heart.  I mean if the God of the Universe told me that no one could ever defeat me, I’d be walking pretty tall and confident.  Regardless of what challenge he came upon or who threatened his life or his purpose, he knew without a doubt that God was his protector.  But it required Joshua to be very strict in following the law handed down to Moses, and to meditate on it day and night. 

How much more so are you in need of God’s promise to walk with you daily and be your protector?  I surely have fallen at moments in my life when I was fearful and in need of a certain, strong provider.  Drawing on the faith that only through God can a situation be resolved, forces one to reflect on His promises to us, similar to His promise to Joshua.  Do you recall in Matthew 28:20, “…surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.”  These were the words from Jesus to His disciples to encourage them after His death and resurrection.  This same spirit that was given to the disciples is available to you and I, if we so chose to accept and grab a hold of it.  Also, I’m sure you’ve heard Paul’s words to the Hebrews, in the 13^th chapter the 5^th verse “… Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”  The same claim from Joshua 1:5 is recalled here by Paul in his epistle to the Hebrew nation, not by co-incidence, but carefully thought out and perfectly structured to encourage them and us 2000 years later.

We need to hold true to these promises of Jesus Christ and those of His disciples recorded in the New Testament.  God is our provider, our comforter, our strong tower and our protector.  He will stand before us against all enemies and protect our rear from evil that might approach unseen.  You can trust in God’s promises to His children just as Joshua did as he led them into the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey.  Pass them on to your children, and their children.  The God of the Universe is with you everywhere you go and will not forsake you.

Prayer:Heavenly Father,
We hold firm to the truth that you are in our presence and our stronghold in times of need.  You are our protector and our comforter.  We lean upon the promise that no one can stand against us; no evil, unrighteous and ungodliness act can succeed against Your power in our lives.  Even unto death we are victorious when we are walking in Your light.  Build within me the strength and confidence to draw upon Your promise as I face trials, tribulation and strife, for I have faith in Your Son Jesus Christ as the redeemer of my soul.  Amen.

(c) Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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