Tag Archives: Faith

Three Times Blessed – Cheri Swalwell
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More than food

More than food

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6: 25-27 NIV

Our family is among those who have felt the sting of finances in recent months. We were in a pinch and I wasn’t sure how we’d handle the expenses we were facing. Dipping into our savings account would have to be a last resort, and charging the costs to our credit card … a big no-no.

My option was prayer, so I went to my knees and prayed. God, I trust in your provisions. Thank you for never failing us. Still, I wondered how we would handle the expenses that quickly approached.

Two days later, we received our first unexpected blessing. Two days after that, another blessing arrived in the exact same form, addressing the same need. If that wasn’t enough to help my faith soar, God decided to drive the point home by providing again one week later. Three blessings, all needed, all appreciated, each personal and exactly what our family lacked. That was not a coincidence.

God, with unending patience, reassures us in His Word He will provide our needs. My favorite verse refers to this promise and it brings such peace whenever finances or the state of the economy try to steal the faith I have in my Heavenly Father’s provisions: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.

I challenge you to rest in God’s peace. Take your financial burden to Him. Lay it at Jesus’ feet. If God is willing to bless our family three separate times for one specific need, reassuring us of His power, I know He is waiting to do the same for you.

Be specific in your requests when you pray. Trust in the promises God offers, then sit back and watch how He will provide.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Grant Cochrane.

Cheri Swalwell describes herself as a Christ-follower first and foremost, wife, mother, and avid reader. If you want to hear more about the heart she has for marriage, parenting, and relationships from a Christian perspective, feel free to visit her blog: http://journeysfromtheheartofawifeandmother.wordpress.com or like her at Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/cheri-Swalwell/220762911373306.

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Doubting God – Martin Wiles
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Looking for answers

I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side. John 20:25 NLT

If someone announces, “God created the earth out of nothing,” I demand scientific proof – a repeat of the original act. If you’re healed of a terminal disease and claim God answered your prayer, I’m tempted to respond, “How do you know God did it? Doesn’t the body have power to heal itself?”

Before you label me heretical, let me clarify: I believe everything the Bible teaches. But there’s always the temptation to doubt Christianity’s claims, many of which can’t be proven scientifically or experienced with the senses. After all, have you seen God lately?

Thomas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, struggled too. The resurrected Christ appeared to various people, including the disciples, but minus Thomas. When they told Thomas, he replied, I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side. Jesus later appeared with him present but cautioned; You believe because you have seen. Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway.

God requires living by faith, not sight, which involves believing without scientific proof or sense experience. God is patient with our doubts, but expects us to move from skepticism to faith in the absence of proof. Doubt keeps us from trusting him completely and keeps us from stepping into the unknown.

Fear and faith can’t live together.  But when we allow God to perfect our faith, fear will move out. God rewards our faith with His presence.

If you insists on placing your fingers in the palms of Christ, today try holding His hand instead.

Prayer: Almighty God, though we can’t experience You with our senses, we believe You are our Creator, Sustainer, and Deliverer …  the One who clutches our existence in Your hand, and the one who distributes every breath. Increase our faith so fear won’t prevent us from savoring Your future.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and renjith krishnan.

Martin Wiles is a native South Carolinian, author, and speaker currently residing in Hodges, South Carolina. He and his wife Michelle are the founders of Love Lines From God http://www.lovelinesfromgod.com/. Wiles is the author of Grace & Grits & God: Manna From Heaven Served Up Southern Style, (May, 2013). He has also authored Morning By Morning, Morning Serenity and Grace Greater Than Sin, and has served as a regional correspondent for the Baptist Courier. He has also been published in Proclaim, Secret Place ,Word Magic, and Fires of Genius. He is a regular contributor to Christian Devotions, Christian Writers, PCCWebDaily, The WOW Blog, Faith Writers, The Eagle Record, and the Common Ground Herald.

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Roadblocks to Becoming What God Intended – Jennifer Heeren
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Run the race

Run the race

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Roadblocks and weights keep me from being what God intended. I can list them. Things like trying to be perfect, worrying about what people will think, and wondering if I measure up to the world’s standards. I wonder if parts of me aren’t good enough. When these feelings hit, I try to be as invisible as possible, becoming extra quiet so I don’t do or say anything wrong. In other words, I hide my light.

Stripping off the weights which slow me down is on-going and I’m still in the process. I am in a fight to replace my insecurities with the truth of God’s word. I seek to pray my true thoughts, not just what I think God wants to hear. The more I really believe who I am in Christ, the more I am able to shrug off those weights. That allows me to stand in awe over all of God’s creation, including myself.

God made man in His image. He gifted us with His own attributes—attributes that do not include lies about the beauty of our inner soul. He promises that in Him, all things are possible and we are made pure and lovely before Him. When God looks at us, He looks at us through rose colored glasses, choosing to see what is best in us. What love, what amazing love.

I’m learning I’m not perfect. but nobody else is either. Everyone is good at something and nobody is good at everything. Being real and true to how God made me is the only way to live. John sums this up in his first epistle—to truly live in God’s reality and to shut down debilitating self-criticism.

Remember, God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we know of ourselves. Trust in His wisdom. Believe in His promises and He will make you new.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Sura Nuralpradid.

Jenni HeerenJennifer Heeren has always loved to write and has been published on Crosswalk.com. In the last decade, she has enjoyed writing encouraging blog messages, and things that bring people hope and encouragement. Her cup is always at least half-full. Jennifer lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband. Visit her at www.jenniferheeren.com.

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It All Belongs to God – Roy Proctor
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Go forth in joy

Go forth in joy

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 NIV

“I don’t see too many good things happening in this world,” a co-worker said. How does one come to believe in the future promises of God? It’s a tough sell to those that don’t believe in God. This person was one of many who scoff at the idea God is good and that He has a glorious life in store for those that believe.

In Isaiah we read: You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Through this scripture, God promises good things will eventually make up the entire landscape of life. By faith we believe it will eventually come to pass. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is a spiritual process that operates in the supernatural realm. It does not develop by watching the evening news or reading headlines on secular websites. Neither does faith develop through education. Faith develops through a paradigm shift from the natural realm to the supernatural realm.

In the supernatural realm, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. That is the key. We need to listen attentively to anointed preaching of God’s word on a regular basis. The more we listen, the more faith develops and belief becomes solidified in our hearts. Diligently studying and meditating on God’s Word for our own knowledge is another way to develop faith. God’s Word is alive and creates permanent changes in the hearts of those who diligently study and meditate on it.

It would be amiss not to mention prayer as part of developing faith. But use discernment here. Many people regard prayer as a “wish list” of things they want God to do or to provide. Pleading before God is not effective. But prayer for the purpose of talking to God and listening for His reply builds faith.

Faith for the future depends on disciplined attention toward the things of God. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Evgeni Dinev.

Roy ProctorRoy Proctor is a freelance writer. He has written devotions since 2003. They are sent by e-mail subscription and by hard copies to prisoners with which he communicates. Roy is a retired speech therapist and lives in Enterprise, Alabama.

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Aim High – Tom Toya
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Aim high

Aim high

Now Joseph had a dream… Genesis 37:5

It began as a dream. Many thought it. They viewed its light in the darkness, mirroring the sun’s rays. Its strange luminescence intrigued them. Could a man walk on the moon? President John F. Kennedy believed it was possible. On May 25, 1961 he gave his famous speech where he declared that a man would one day set foot on the moon and return safely to earth. He believed this would be accomplished before the end of the 1960s.

The United States Government backed NASA financially, and the scientists and technicians labored feverishly to reach the goal set by their leader. On July 20, 1969 — roughly 8 years since Kennedy’s speech — Neil Armstrong became the first man to stand on the surface of the moon. Then the Apollo 11 spacecraft brought Neil and the rest of the crew safely back to earth.

All would agree that this was a significant accomplishment. The accomplishment, like every achievement, began with the seed of a dream. A dream that required faith, cooperation, and hard work to bring to pass. What dreams do we have that lie dormant? What ambitions has God placed in your heart and mine? The Lord wants us to succeed. He wants us to pursue our God-given goals. I confess that at times I have fallen short in achieving the goals God has for me. But I desire to see all God has for me become a reality. I desire to reach higher.

What are your dreams for your family? What are your dreams for the advancement of the kingdom of God? What are your personal aspirations? Let’s set goals for our lives and let’s apply ourselves to reach them. With God all things are possible. With His help we can achieve great things as long as the dreams we go after come from Him. Let’s aim high!

Lord Jesus, help me to pursue the goals You have given me. Give me the discernment to know what dreams are from You and which dreams I should not go after. Help me to be diligent and faithful to see the fulfillment of all You promise. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Exsodus.

Tom Toya lives with his wife Lou and his Maltese Muy-Muy in Carol Stream, IL. He has been writing for several years, and is a graduate of the Christian Writers Guild. He has written articles that were published in magazines and newspapers. You can read more from him through his blog at www.sendme-tomandlou.blogspot.com.

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Her Ship Came In – Celeste Vaughan
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He’s always faithful

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, For the earth is mine. Exodus 19:5 ESV

“Thirty Dollars. And it’s Friday. How are we going to make it until Tuesday?”

She’d been tithing faithfully, as she’d always trusted God to be faithful. But the financial stress caused her to begin questioning God.

“Okay, God, I know you are with me and you have a plan. But I’ve lost both my parents to cancer, gone through a bitter divorce alone, and attempted to shelter my children from the life we’ve landed in. I’m tired.”

She had put herself back through college and earned a master’s degree in special education, and had loans to repay. It had been years since she’d had a day without a bill smacking her in the face.

“Don’t you think it’s about time for my ship to come in?”

Though her parents passed ten years ago, she had recently received a request for a death certificate from an insurance provider who’d employed her father. Without much thought to the matter, she sent the requested information.

As the needle on the gas gauge crept closer to the “E,” she picked up her children from school and took the shortest route home, stopping at the mailbox before she went inside.

“Duke Power, Citibank MasterCard, Greenville Hospital System, S.H.I.P, American Express … Wait—S.H.I.P? What’s that?”

Disregarding the rest of the mail, she opened the one with S.H.I.P as the return address. God couldn’t have been any more specific in answering her prayer. The envelope contained a check for $10,000.

One of the companies her dad represented as an insurance agent—Senior Health Insurance Providers (SHIP for short)—had been trying for years to find the executor of his estate to pay the royalties he had earned.

Today was just that day. Once again, God was faithful. Her ship came in.

Her prayer and faithfulness kept her in tune to God so when he answered her prayer, it was so specific she knew it was God without a doubt. So not only did he refill her bank account, her refilled her faith tank as well.

Pray, believing God can and will answer your prayers. It may not be an immediate answer, and the answer may not be what you want to hear. But he will answer, and when he does, your faith will skyrocket.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Bernie Condon.

Celeste Vaughan graduated from the USC College of Pharmacy and settled comfortably into her life as a pharmacist, wife, and mom of three children. After fourteen years working as a pharmacist, she found herself on the other side of the counter and suffered for seven years with migraine headaches, grand mal seizures, and severe depression. On September 25, 2010, God intervened in her life and changed her forever. He has now called her into a ministry of writing and speaking, using her story to help others find happiness and their true purpose in life through Christ.

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A Lesson in Faith – Laura Holth
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Wedding Plans

Wedding Plans

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

I was struck with the overwhelming feeling I needed to plan a wedding. But this wedding wasn’t for someone else; it was MY wedding. Why, God? There is no man in sight. Why should I spend all this time and energy planning a wedding?

In response, God asked me a question. “If the right man showed up tomorrow and asked you to marry him, could you say yes? What if he said, ‘Great! You’ve got two weeks, then we’re getting hitched whether you’re ready or not’?”

Yikes! I’d always wanted to get married like that. Once we know, we know, and we’re doing it NOW. I didn’t want to spend months planning a big fancy wedding. I never had. So, there was a practical part to God’s request: I wouldn’t have to plan in a crunch. All the big decisions would be made. I liked this plan.

God reminded me that just like the ten virgins in Matthew 25 who didn’t know when the bridegroom would come, I didn’t know when my husband would appear. Neither do I know when THE Bridegroom is returning. There won’t be time to get my ducks in a row when Jesus comes back. I’m leaving the instant I hear that trumpet sound.

That’s what faith is, isn’t it? Hebrews reminds us: Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. God wanted me to pray in faith for my husband to come and to act in faith by making preparations for his arrival. If I didn’t believe he was coming, I didn’t have to worry about planning. It came down to a lesson in faith and trusting the God who keeps His promises.

Incidentally, my husband did show up two years after this conviction to plan a wedding in faith. We dated for two months and had only a five-week engagement (three of which I was out of town and/or the country). Was I ever glad I already had the wedding planned!

Whatever promise you’re still waiting to see fulfilled, I pray you’ll find the faith to live expectantly. Happy planning, everyone.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and meepoohfoto.

Laura Holth PhotoLaura Holth is a Resident Director, Career Counselor, and Certified Personality Trainer with CLASServices, Inc. While living and working with 120 college women takes up most of her time, she manages to find time to blog about her favorite subjects – relationships, personalities, and encountering God in everyday life – at http://ScatteredWoman.blogspot.com.

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Faithing Finances – Martin Wiles
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God stretches the dollars

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV

What will you do? Where will you go? How is having no income better? All questions asked by concerned people when I resigned. I wasn’t sure of the answers.

I was pastoring a small church in Low Country South Carolina. They were doing the best they could with pay and my wife was trying equally hard to stretch it. But the longer we stayed, the more debt we accumulated.

After months of intense prayer, I resigned. We sold a fourth of our belongings, loaded a truck with the remainder, stacked our earthly possessions in two storage buildings, and moved in with my mom. We quickly learned the truth of the verse: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

People bought our treasures without haggling over price. We received monetary gifts from friends and strangers. A few paid writing assignments materialized for me, and some baking jobs rose up for my wife. She remarked, “It’s amazing how much money we still have even though we’re spending it on bills.”

God is teaching us a few things about faithing finances. Financial situations aren’t a big deal for Him. My concern over finances occasionally borders on worry, but it doesn’t worry God. And if He isn’t worrying, why should I? He obligates himself to meet my needs.

God will be faithful to me when I am to Him. Though our income bottomed out, we decided to honor God with the first fruits of any income whether we could afford it or not. We tithed whether it made sense or not, and we’re convinced that’s why the money is staying in the bank even though we’re spending it.

I never imagined I’d be where I am at midlife, but I don’t worry about it anymore. Your financial decisions may not make sense to others, but if God leads you to them you’ll come out ahead. He promises to meet all your needs and he will when you faith your finances.

Prayer: Father, teach us that all we have belongs to You, comes from You, and will be used by You to meet every need we have in every situation we’re in.

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Martin Wiles is a native South Carolinian, author and speaker currently residing in Hodges, South Carolina. He and his wife Michelle are the founders of Love Lines From God http://www.lovelinesfromgod.com/. Wiles has authored Morning By Morning, Morning Serenity and Grace Greater Than Sin and has served as a regional correspondent for the Baptist Courier. He has also been published in Proclaim, Secret Place, Word Magic and Fires of Genius. He is a regular contributor to Christian Devotions, Christian Writers, PCCWebDaily, The WOW Blog, Faith Writers, The Eagle Record, and the Common Ground Herald.

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A Lesson from a Donkey – Nadia Ianakieva
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Lesson from a donkey

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13 NIV

You need to learn from the old donkey! The thought churned in my mind.

I’d lost my job, felt discouraged, and turned to God for help. Was there a lesson I needed to learn? Turned out there was, and the teacher was a donkey.

The story goes like this: A donkey ended up in an old abandoned well. His owner decided the hole was too deep, the donkey, too old, and it wasn’t worth rescuing him. Instead, he called his neighbor and the two farmers agreed to fill the hole with dirt and bury the animal in the well.

When the cries of the animal subsided, the owner peeked into the well to see what had happened to the donkey. What he saw astonished him. Instead of being buried, the donkey dodged the incoming dirt, standing on the ever-increasing mound, getting ready to jump out of the well.

When I feel trapped by the circumstances, when the dirt of problems threatens to bury me, I remember the story of the old donkey. As a believer I declare, “Faith will always find a way.”

The four men in Luke 5 found a way to lower their paralyzed friend who was lying on a mat, through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. They took action and climbed on the roof. They found a way for their friend to be healed.

Paul encourages us by saying we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength. It takes willingness to accept that truth, but it is what the Bible says we can do. God is our “turn around” specialist. If we trust Him, He can give us the power to overcome any hurdle on the road. He can transform the unfavorable circumstances into a stepping stone for our success, and use us to encourage others.

Don’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Take action. Do the footwork. Believe God can and is willing to help you in trouble. Get off that couch and declare, “Faith will always find a way.”  Stand on the Word of God and believe.

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Nadia Ianakieva is a freelance writer living in Hanover Park, Illinois. She was born in Bulgaria, a country behind the Iron Curtain of Communism. When baptized in the Holy Spirit, she was miraculously delivered and healed of several diseases. In 2000 Nadia’s family moved to America as permanent residents. Her mission is to encourage believers by pointing out the power they have been given in Christ.
Nadia’s articles have been published by Leah, a magazine for Christian women and Breathe Again magazine, designed to uplift the modern women of today. Nadia is the author of The Red Dress Decision: True Stories of a Life Filled with God’s Miracles.
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61663-168-0 http://www.wix.com/nianakieva/nadiaianakieva

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The Price of Freedom – Edie Melson
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I pledge allegiance to...my God and Father

Who is this glorious king? He is our LORD, a strong and mighty warrior. Psalm 24:8

It was our son’s first deployment and we were on base to see him off. Toward the end of our visit, God showed me things I’ll never forget.

The men were called in groups to the low, brick building that held their rifles. When Jimmy came back with his gun, he took great delight in explaining all about it to his brothers and his dad. I stood a few steps away, just watching and praying. As I watched, I realized that he was so comfortable with his weapon, it was like a part of his body. He knew every piece of it by touch and handled it with a casualness that bespoke many hours practice.

After everyone had their rifles, they were called into formation one last time before boarding the buses. I was amazed at how easily the commander got their attention—it was nothing but bedlam and confusion, with families and loved ones vying for one last moment of attention. But those soldiers were so tuned in to their leader, their response was almost instantaneous when called. I was struck by how vital it was they responded like that; after all, soldiers could hardly be effective apart from their commander.

We’re like that too. As believers, we must constantly keep an ear tuned to God, ready at a moment’s notice to hear and obey His commands.

Finally, I realized that no one, looking at them as a group or individually, could mistake them for anything but what they were—soldiers at war. They held themselves proudly, not afraid of who they were or the job they had to do. Anyone, friend or enemy, would know their purpose.

We, too, are soldiers—instantly recognizable to the world and to the prince of this world. My prayer is that I’d be able to stand firm, relying on God’s strength and never dishonoring His uniform.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphoto.net and Imagery Majestic

Edie Melson is a freelance writer and editor with years of experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, and has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. She’s also a regular contributor to Novel Rocket, a Writer’s Digest pick for top writing websites.

She currently has two books available, the best selling eBook, Social Media Marketing for Writers, and her latest project, a devotional for those with family members in the military, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle. Married thirty years to her high school sweetheart, Kirk, they have raised three sons.
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