I recently received a heartfelt letter from a follower, who shared some of her doubts and fears about trusting God. Today, I want to respond not just to this individual, but to all of you who might be grappling with similar concerns.
First and foremost, let me affirm that we serve a true and living God, One who eagerly seeks individuals willing to trust Him and allow Him to work wonders in their lives. Often, we as Christians tend to view God solely in terms of His greatness and power, but it's essential to understand that God isn't just interested in doing big things; He desires to do the impossible. As Matthew 19:26 reminds us, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
For almost a decade, one of my daily prayers has been for God to work the impossible within me and through me. And I pose this question to you: What are you praying for? Are you limiting God with your requests, or are you opening yourself up to His limitless experiences and opportunities?
Each of us is endowed with a capacity for faith, and it's a capacity that certainly can grow. We don’t have to remain stagnant, anchored to our past selves. The disciples of Jesus recognized this, and so in Luke 17:5, they asked Jesus to "increase their faith." Jesus affirmed this truth, highlighting that faith can indeed increase. At its core, faith is simply believing God at His word and trusting Him wholeheartedly.
However, differences in faith levels can sometimes lead to conflicts among Christians. Those more adept at trusting God must be mindful of those struggling in their faith. We're called to humble ourselves and meet others at their level of faith, just as Jesus humbled Himself for us. In doing so, we should gently encourage them to exercise their trust in God more. After all, He is trustworthy!
Yet, so many Christians fail to understand this fundamental principle. There will always be naysayers, those who doubt the paths God calls us to tread. Throughout my journey, I've faced much criticism over the years for my work with gangsters and at-risk youth facing perilous challenges. Countless times, fellow Christians have told me I cannot and should not do this or that. I always warmly hear their criticisms and wisely consider them. Only a fool unwisely dismisses criticism. Nevertheless, I always return to the Scriptures and the clear calling God has given me. I reflect on four principles laid out in God's Word for individuals living in God's calling: a divine command (Mark 16:15); a divine choosing (Matthew 22:14); a divine compassion within one’s heart (Jeremiah 4:19); and a personal choice (Acts 15:26) to obey what clearly shows in His Word what we are to do (Jeremiah 33:3).
Indeed, there are times when our calling may defy conventional means, but throughout history, God has used individuals willing to trust Him beyond societal norms. Think of the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, or the modern examples like Corrie Ten Boom and David Livingstone. Their stories inspire us to trust God wholeheartedly, regardless of our circumstances and what others say.
Trusting in God is paramount; it's what pleases Him most, as Hebrews 11:6 tells us. For those who dare to trust Him, there lies an opportunity to experience God in deeper, more profound ways than most Christians can fathom. Do you desire such an intimate connection with the Creator? Then trust Him. Do you desire to see God do the impossible? Then trust Him. God promises to those courageous few who trust venture into the deep seas of life with Him — they will witness the mighty works of the Lord and His wonders — God promises this in Psalm 107:23-24. And I don't know about you, but I've decided to take God up on His promises, and ever since, I've witnessed God do marvelous, impossible wonders that make me scream HALLELUJAH!
Yes, there will be challenges, criticisms, and doubts along the way. But as we venture into the depths with God, we can trust Him to guide us and sustain us. And though there may be moments of sorrow amidst the joy of walking with God, we are encouraged to continue pressing forward in faith. Our faith today can look back at the past and see the countless examples of God’s wondrous workings in yesterday’s faith.
So, dear readers, I encourage you to trust God wholeheartedly, to seek Him earnestly, and to step out in faith, even when it seems impossible. For with God, all things are possible. God is faithful!
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
First and foremost, let me affirm that we serve a true and living God, One who eagerly seeks individuals willing to trust Him and allow Him to work wonders in their lives. Often, we as Christians tend to view God solely in terms of His greatness and power, but it's essential to understand that God isn't just interested in doing big things; He desires to do the impossible. As Matthew 19:26 reminds us, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
For almost a decade, one of my daily prayers has been for God to work the impossible within me and through me. And I pose this question to you: What are you praying for? Are you limiting God with your requests, or are you opening yourself up to His limitless experiences and opportunities?
Each of us is endowed with a capacity for faith, and it's a capacity that certainly can grow. We don’t have to remain stagnant, anchored to our past selves. The disciples of Jesus recognized this, and so in Luke 17:5, they asked Jesus to "increase their faith." Jesus affirmed this truth, highlighting that faith can indeed increase. At its core, faith is simply believing God at His word and trusting Him wholeheartedly.
However, differences in faith levels can sometimes lead to conflicts among Christians. Those more adept at trusting God must be mindful of those struggling in their faith. We're called to humble ourselves and meet others at their level of faith, just as Jesus humbled Himself for us. In doing so, we should gently encourage them to exercise their trust in God more. After all, He is trustworthy!
Yet, so many Christians fail to understand this fundamental principle. There will always be naysayers, those who doubt the paths God calls us to tread. Throughout my journey, I've faced much criticism over the years for my work with gangsters and at-risk youth facing perilous challenges. Countless times, fellow Christians have told me I cannot and should not do this or that. I always warmly hear their criticisms and wisely consider them. Only a fool unwisely dismisses criticism. Nevertheless, I always return to the Scriptures and the clear calling God has given me. I reflect on four principles laid out in God's Word for individuals living in God's calling: a divine command (Mark 16:15); a divine choosing (Matthew 22:14); a divine compassion within one’s heart (Jeremiah 4:19); and a personal choice (Acts 15:26) to obey what clearly shows in His Word what we are to do (Jeremiah 33:3).
Indeed, there are times when our calling may defy conventional means, but throughout history, God has used individuals willing to trust Him beyond societal norms. Think of the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, or the modern examples like Corrie Ten Boom and David Livingstone. Their stories inspire us to trust God wholeheartedly, regardless of our circumstances and what others say.
Trusting in God is paramount; it's what pleases Him most, as Hebrews 11:6 tells us. For those who dare to trust Him, there lies an opportunity to experience God in deeper, more profound ways than most Christians can fathom. Do you desire such an intimate connection with the Creator? Then trust Him. Do you desire to see God do the impossible? Then trust Him. God promises to those courageous few who trust venture into the deep seas of life with Him — they will witness the mighty works of the Lord and His wonders — God promises this in Psalm 107:23-24. And I don't know about you, but I've decided to take God up on His promises, and ever since, I've witnessed God do marvelous, impossible wonders that make me scream HALLELUJAH!
Yes, there will be challenges, criticisms, and doubts along the way. But as we venture into the depths with God, we can trust Him to guide us and sustain us. And though there may be moments of sorrow amidst the joy of walking with God, we are encouraged to continue pressing forward in faith. Our faith today can look back at the past and see the countless examples of God’s wondrous workings in yesterday’s faith.
So, dear readers, I encourage you to trust God wholeheartedly, to seek Him earnestly, and to step out in faith, even when it seems impossible. For with God, all things are possible. God is faithful!
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
