Faith In Action

The following is something I had written a while ago. I was reading through it and realized that it needs to be shared - with whom I am not sure (maybe it’s you). Maybe I read it to share it with myself. No matter what the reason, it is here to be read. May God bless you today and remind you of who He is and how much He desires you to put your faith in Him.

September 13, 2003
“Your faith is nothing unless you use it.” (Steve Lotter-friend from RZ)

This really made me think about MY faith. How do I use my faith? The realization that I had tonight is that I don’t use my faith all of the time. I use it when it is convenient and easy. I think to myself: did Jesus only act as God wanted him to when it was convenient for Jesus? Of course not! If he had done that, would God’s will have been fulfilled? NO!!! Jesus came to be the perfect example of a life that is pleasing to God in EVERY way - not just when Jesus wanted to be pleasing. As I think of that it makes me realize that my life is not always pleasing to God. I use the same old excuse “I’m human and I can’t possibly live up to God’s expectations for me”. The problem with that attitude is that it keeps me from pushing myself to do what I know I should - it is an evil crutch and I know that it holds me back.

So, what am I going to do with this revelation from God? I want to say that I have it all figured out, but I know that it is not for me to figure out. God knows what He wants me to do and I need to unclog my ears and listen to the beautiful voice of my Father. I need to put my fears aside - look at how He has blessed me already for doing that! Why is it so hard to be fearless when I hear the voice of God? Part of me has trouble discerning if it is God and part of me wants to convince myself that it isn’t God just so I don’t have to do what he is asking of me. It is a total attitude thing. I need to realize that the things God is asking of me are privileges from GOD! He would not lead me to do something that I am not fully prepared for. That preparation needs to consist of serious prayer and FAITH. And not just saying that I have the faith that it takes, but believing with all that I am and putting that faith to use. I think of how many times my faith has consisted of empty words and I am ashamed of myself. In no way did I lift up God’s name. The only real thing that I accomplished was to make myself look foolish and degrade God. How wretched.

If you are feeling this way or have ever felt like this, I invite you to pray the following prayer. Read it and take to heart the words. It has been my prayer many times, and I open it to you.

Abba Father, I thank you so much for who you are. I thank you that no matter how badly I screw up and make a fool of myself you are there to put me back on the right track. I am a sinful person and I know that you have spent so much of my life on the bottom of my priority list. God I am confessing that this will no longer be. I want to keep you at the head of my life, above all else! I want to live every minute of my days for you, thinking of you, praising you with my life. I pray that you give me the strength and guidance that I know only you are capable to do. Please pick me up when I stumble and let me know that you are always there. Help me keep my eyes focused 100% on you 100% of my time. I cannot fathom your reasons for choosing me, but I know that you have plans for me. I open my heart up to what you have for me to do. Please speak to me in a clear way Father. Lead me in your ways. I want to be the person that you intend me to be. I want to follow Christ in every way of my life. I know that I can do none of this on my own. So, I ask that you fill me with your awesome strength and power, allowing me to do things only through your will.
Thank you so much for sending your Son to be the perfect example. Thank you for using him to give me a second chance and eternal grace. I pray all these things in Jesus’ name. Amen



1 Cor. 15:17 - And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Galatians 5:6 - The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 - The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God . . .