I am coming to new realization of faith, sometimes we as believers will claim to have Faith in Christ but it's only in times of despair and trouble is it ever revealed whether or not that faith is real. In my human understanding and the trails I am going through the Holy Spirit is telling me to back off and stop doing and start trusting Him. In my human understanding the idea in distress is to be proactive, DO SOMETHING! But when the rubber meets the road I found there are just some things in this life you have absolutely no control over. And this is where Faith is born and steps in. Faith is not taking action but dropping to your knees and following the Lord's instructions and if that is stop then STOP and if it is go then You better Go.What gets us tripped up often is the fact that we as humans want to rush the hand of God. So we scheme we think of clever things to say etc in order to try and speed the process along. But faith at times is neither quiting or pressing but remaining neutral in the matter and waiting for God to move His own hand, and ultimately move the hearts of those around you and to move your own heart.We must remember that EVERYTHING that happens is for a reason and EVERYTHING works out for the Glory of Christ, who are we to tell God what will bring Him more glory? Who are we to try and force God's hand.The Paradox of Faith, until it's tested and tried with fire, you never really know you have it, nor do you know the depth or strength of it. If you are in God's will remember HE IS FOR YOU NOT AGAINST YOU!God Bless,Matthew
_________________Matthew Guldner
Matthew you wrote:What gets us tripped up often is the fact that we as humans want to rush the hand of God. So we skeme we think of clever things to say etc in order to try and speed the process along.___________This is so true. I think the hardest lesson I have learned and continue to learn is to wait upon the LORD. So often we want to take the reigns and be in control all the while God wants us to wait on HIM. There is much wisdom in being slow to speak or respond at times. In our flesh we want to come rushing in and attempt to "solve" our situations and make things better but often our actions can in fact make them worse...____________________________You wrote:The Paradox of Faith until its tested and tried with fire, you never really know you have it, nor do you know the depth or strength of it. If you are in God's will remember HE IS FOR YOU NOT AGAINST YOU!______________________________Don't you find also that as you walk through this life and trails come your way that He increases your faith, and strength to sustain you. As I type this I think of my own life and the many times I thought I can not deal with this pain LORD and yet when I cling to HIM some how I come through and HE has been with me the entire way. As you said "everything" does happen for a reason and there is much that goes on that I do not understand but I am glad of it because my understanding is limited while HIS is not. I know i can trust HIS decisions, HIS plans, and HIS lead in my life and that gives one great comfort in times of struggle...God Blessmj
Matthew...all I can say is thank you and amen.
MatthewJust wanted to add that am still keeping youand your family in my prayers.God blessMaryjane
Thank you for your prayers and your replies :)Christ is building up my faith daily and my strength is found in my weakness because He is becoming my strength. Here lately has been difficult because I know the depth sin can take you, and my wayward loved one is in great danger but now she is blind. I have faith that Christ will woo her heart much sooner and better than I will, I just want her to know of the forgiveness of Christ and His love. How beautiful it is that Amazing Grace!The song that plays in my heart daily is Christ the Solid Rock I stand ALL other ground is shifting sand! If God wishes to restore what has been lost then that will be in His hands not my own. I guess really that has been one of the many problems in all of this, I want to rescue and save her but 1. she doesn't want rescued and 2. Christ has to be the one that rescues her, not me. otherwise she will likely be lost again if I do the rescuing and surely my attempts will all be failures. In HIM alone is Salvation, and In HIM alone is Love, Forgiveness, Peace, Mercy, Hope, and that is who I wish to put my faith in, In Him alone.
