“Now Faith is the substance of all things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1

Where is our faith? Is our faith resting fully in God? Is it in our significant other? Ourselves? Our Parents?

Faith is all things hoped for…is our faith in our possessions? Visualizing only the things that we want here on earth and not yet have? Is it faith in the future? Is it faith in Heaven? What and where is our faith resting?

I read through the entire book of Hebrews 11 today and I was reminded and greatly encouraged by some great leaders of faith all through the Bible. I’d really like to challenge you to take time out to read this entire chapter yourself.

This verse came to mind today as I was reading my Bible and I will put it out there for you as well to think about…
Hebrews 11:6

“But 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 diligently seek Him.”

For a little while now, I’ve been feeling very excited and hopeful about writing everyday about my devotions.  To be honest this has been an intention for awhile and then every time I go to just do it, I feel like I can’t.  I get scared at times, instead of just putting myself out there and writing to help others, I think “I really don’t know anything”, when really I do, or “I’m going to offend somebody”, when maybe I should.  I get caught up in knowing I’m not a great writer and I don’t have all the answers.  But I know right now that I am growing.  I know right now that I have something to offer, and I know right now that my heart is fixed on serving God, and if I can do that even a little through writing, I’m going to do that.

This passage of scripture is what made it really click for me:

Jeremiah 1:1-10

1   The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
2   To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
3   It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
4   Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5   Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6   Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7   But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8   Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9   Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10   See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
This got to my heart because Jeremiah spent years in ministry, and he was very young when God called him.  I love verse 6 that says “I cannot speak for I am a child”.  I can relate to that in so many ways, yet I just want to desperately share what I have learned and devote my life to God.  To be a servant of His, to be a godly wife, mother, friend, hairstylist, or even writer.  God called Jeremiah, and from a young age I’ve felt Him calling me. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t know exactly what God will want me to do, but I am ready to start.  Fear that I will make a mistake or of what others may think really is just a silly excuse I am making.  God said to Jeremiah not to say that he is a child, and God equipped him and gave Jeremiah what he needed to minister.
If you feel as though God is calling you, take heart in that.  It’s ok to be a little scared, but God wants to use you.  God will be with you just as He was with Jeremiah, and just as I know He is with me now.

I am totally amazed and excited to think about what God is going to be doing in my life and my families life, and I really look forward to what God can do in yours.

My pastor gave a wonderful message on Sunday based out of Proverbs 26:13-17.  He was really touching down on the subject of the sin of laziness.  It spoke to my heart in many ways, not only in my own life, but also gave me something to share with others.

He touched in on Matthew 25:14-29 and this is what I really want to point out and share today.

This passage shares the parable of the talents and the servants that used then wisely for their lord.  Talents in the Bible was a measurement of money, but I also think this greatly applies to actual gifts of service that we each have.

There were 3 men who where each given a certain number of talents the first man was given 5 talents, the second was given 2 talents and the last man was only given one.

When the master returned to see how his servants had been doing, the first man said I have gain 5 more talents to add besides the 5 he was already given.  The second man had gained two more talents on top of the two that he was already given.  The last man who was given only one talent, hide his talent because he was afraid of his master. Isn’t it funny how often we get scared and let fear take over and not allow us to use our money or our talents to serve or expand?  We make excuses much like this man!  Now let’s go to the end of this passage

Matthew 25:29

“For EVERYONE who has more will be given and he will have abundance but from him who does not have even what he         has will be taken away”

This verse stood out to me in that way of thinking that rich get richer, poor get poorer.  It all comes right back to your way of thinking. The responsibility you are taking, the actions you are taking, the fear you are letting hold onto you and the excuses you make.

I just finished reading an excellent book called The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T Harv Eker and he gives many principles on how to manage your money wisely, and on the thoughts you are thinking and how the control what this very Bible verse talks about.  This book is not a biblically based book, but I’ve seen quite a few biblical principles and most of all responsibility for your life come through, which is one thing I’m seeing most of our society missing.

I received a prayer card from one of my very dear friends today as she is looking to raise support for a missions trip to South Africa this spring. On this card she had this verse,

Ephesians 3:20

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
This is something that I would like to put out there as a reminder to my friends as well…God is so amazing - we can’t even comprehend it. But this verse is also a bit of a challenge too… Let’s look at a few of the surrounding verses so we can really start to grasp the love of Christ Jesus…this love gives us strength to our inner most depths, beyond anything we can ask or even think. You see there is so much truth in this little passage of scripture and I would like to share a few things that God has been teaching me. God wants to work in and through us, He wants us to be grounded in Him, in His love. He wants us to experience Him for the fullest of joys and happiness!
Ephesians 3:16-21

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith: that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever”

The first thing that jumps out at me is God’s precious riches! That’s not merely an earthly possession that can rust and be destroyed, it is the riches of God, His wonderful glory! It is something that through FAITH gives us incomprehensible joy, peace, contentment and fulfillment right now! It is setting your mind to and your heart toward God, and in seeking Him, He will do more for you than you could even ask!

I’d like to take minute to talk about a few life applications to start living out the experience of this verse…

First - I’d love for you to memorize this little section of scripture - hang it on your bathroom mirror, next to your bed, by your work station, wherever you can see it and be reminded of HIS Abundance for at least the next 30 days look at this verse. When you go about your day THANK Him for working in us for more than we can even THINK!
Second - I would love for you to take your list of Goals and Dreams, and I want you to meditate on God’s power here. Are you seeking Him in these goals and these dreams that you are after? What action steps have you taken in process to achieving these goals? Do they line up with God’s Word and how He would want you to take action? Can you feel God working in your heart to love as He loves us?

Third - Completely give everything you are planning over to God. Trust Him with fullest faith to bring about exactly your desires, needs, goals and dreams through His power. Thank Him, Seek Him, Trust Him with your all! Continue diligently to grow and to serve, continue to strive towards the goals that you are truly seeking. Picture yourself exactly where God would have you, and experience Him today!