On Faith

I am sharing with you today a blog from my former pastor. His encouragement, leadership, words and questions challenged and changed my walk with God for the better. https://merelyhuman.substack.com/

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen… 13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11.1, 13-16)

Faith is the expression, experience, and expectation of a people on a shared journey—a journey not self-initiated, but catalyzed by the call and command of God. We did not wake up one day and decide to walk toward Him; we were summoned. Drawn. Interrupted by grace.

And like any true journey, this one is both deeply personal and unmistakably communal.

There are stretches of clarity, where the road seems straight and the horizon wide. There are moments of discovery, where something previously unseen becomes suddenly luminous. There are also long miles of fatigue—quiet, unremarkable obedience that rarely feels heroic. There are challenges that test not only what we believe, but whether we will continue to believe. And yes, there are moments of arrival—glimpses of fulfillment that remind us why we began in the first place.

Which means we need a faith that actually fits the journey God has placed before us.

Too often, we speak of faith as if it were fixed—static, immovable, almost rigid. We say things like, “I’m standing firm in my faith,” and there is truth in that. But if we are not careful, we can mistake firmness for inflexibility, as though faith were something we hold in place rather than something that carries us forward.

Scripture, however, presents something far more alive.

Faith, as it is revealed to us, is expansive. Elastic. Capable of stretching without breaking. It breathes. It moves. It responds. It is not less than firm—but it is certainly more.

It discovers—faith is the pioneer, venturing into territories our reason can only observe from a distance.

It grows—it learns, it wonders, it stretches as our lives expand to embrace both possibility and calling. And at times, it feels as though it shrinks—pressed by loss, shaped by disappointment, and thinned by sorrow.

It yearns—it reaches for answers beyond our grasp, answers that refuse to submit to our timelines. And yet, in other moments, it rises and boldly declares what it knows to be true.

Faith can be deeply concrete, anchored in conviction, while also daring to dream beyond what can currently be seen. It can hold both certainty and mystery without feeling the need to force a resolution between the two.

In this way, faith lives along the horizon line.
It stands between the eternal and the mortal.
Between the physical and the spiritual.
Between promise and fulfillment.
Between His pardon and our persistent awareness of sin.
Between our hope and His glory.
It is always, in some sense, in between.

And that “in-between” space is not a failure of faith—it is its proper environment.

Because faith is not the speculation of what might be. It is the response to what has been spoken.

God has spoken. That is where faith begins.

And because of that, faith can endure absence—not because absence is easy, but because presence has already been revealed. Faith is able to remain when outcomes delay, when answers linger, when clarity fades, because it is anchored not in what is seen, but in who has made Himself known.

This is why faith can coexist with longing. Why it can pray and still wait. Why it can ache without collapsing.

Not because it is strong in itself—but because it is held by One who is.

At its core, faith is not confidence in circumstances, nor even confidence in our own believing. It is confidence in the presence of God.

The God who has come near.

The God who has spoken.

The God who has promised.

The God who is, even now, Emmanuel.

And so we walk.

Sometimes steadily.

Sometimes slowly.

Sometimes with questions still echoing in our minds.

But we walk—together—carried by a faith that is not fragile, but made alive by the Holy Spirit, anchored in Christ, and birthed by the Father’s love for us.

On Conditioning the Soil of My Soul

Matthew 13:18-23 MSG  “Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.

20-21 “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

22 “The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.

23 “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

Observation

Just before Jesus explains this parable/story, His disciples ask Him why He tells stories.  He replies: “That is why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it.”  Every story Jesus told left His hearers with the challenge to respond to what they heard.  “What kind of soil are you?  What kind of soil do you want to be?”   There were those that did ponder these questions and those who did not.

Jesus wanted His hearers to question the status quo – all that they had been taught was true religion and how to please God – and compare these to the voice, actions and commands of the One True God as revealed in the Scriptures.   The exercise of religion as defined by the religious leaders of the time (Pharisees and Sadducees, primarily) was condemning, exclusionary, impossibly rigid and a very heavy burden.   Jesus wanted His hearers to know His Father for Who He is rather than following empty man-made rules and rituals.  His stories were told to till the soil of the soul and make it “good earth” in order “to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening” – that any and all who receive and embrace the seed He sows will thrive in God’s Kingdom.

Impact On Me

This story is a beautiful picture of our God and His desire to care for us.  No self-respecting farmer purposely throws seed on the road.  The farmer of this story does because He is generous and hopeful with His invitation to receive and grow in Christ.  He casts the seed (His Word, His influence, His love – all of Himself) on hard and rocky places, taking the chance that the soil will awaken to the change offered, to create that readiness, to nudge toward seeing the Kingdom available, and receive the seed.  I can see Jesus walking in the field and bending down to break up the soil, to pull out the weeds, to scrape away the gravel so the seed has a chance to take root and grow.  This is why He walked the earth and died on the Cross.

I remember when I first heard Jesus asking me to challenge the status quo – what I had been taught to believe – and begin to read the Word of God, sit in His presence, and awaken to Who He really is – patiently and passionately redemptive, loving, merciful, just, faithful, for me and not against me, and so much more – converting obedience to joy.  Over the years, He continues to till the soil of my soul, increasing the breadth of the good earth in me as I allow Him to remove the weeds and rocks that life has buried there.  There is still much field to be cleared and planted.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will allow the Tiller to do all His Kingdom work.

Devotion

Lord God Almighty, King of all kings, Lord of all lords, Persistent Farmer of the fields of our souls, You are faithful, You are diligent, You are untiring and passionate in Your efforts to see us thrive in Christ and in Your Kingdom.  Clear the field of my soul of all the rocks and weeds of life so that the field of my soul expands to be all good earth.  Help me to let go of the weeds that are deep-rooted and the rocks which are large and heavy – not ashamed for them to be revealed but glad for them to be exposed to and carted away by You.  I submit myself to You without reservation.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.

On Exploding Pretensions

2 Kings 7:3-7 MSG It happened that four lepers were sitting just outside the city gate. They said to one another, “What are we doing sitting here at death’s door? If we enter the famine-struck city we’ll die; if we stay here we’ll die. So let’s take our chances in the camp of Aram and throw ourselves on their mercy. If they receive us we’ll live, if they kill us we’ll die. We’ve got nothing to lose.”  So after the sun went down they got up and went to the camp of Aram. When they got to the edge of the camp, surprise! Not a man in the camp! The Master had made the army of Aram hear the sound of horses and a mighty army on the march. They told one another, “The king of Israel hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to attack us!” Panicked, they ran for their lives through the darkness, abandoning tents, horses, donkeys—the whole camp just as it was—running for dear life. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 PhillipsFor look at your own calling as Christians, my brothers. You don’t see among you many of the wise (according to this world’s judgment) nor many of the ruling class, nor many from the noblest families. But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise; he has chosen what the world calls weak to shame the strong. He has chosen things of little strength and small repute, yes and even things which have no real existence to explode the pretensions of the things that are—that no man may boast in the presence of God. 

Observations

This may seem strange at first, but, to me, this is one of the most encouraging stories in the entire Old Testament.  The city has been cut off from resources for months.  The people in the city have resorted to unthinkable ends by the lack of food.  The prophet Elisha has predicted a sudden and dramatic turn around of the situation, but no one believes him. Outside the city gates, with no hope for help or food from inside the city, we have these four lepers.  Now lepers were avoided by others because the disease was communicable (it is a virus), had no cure and resulted over time in disfigurement, even to the extent of losing fingers, toes, noses.  Lepers were considered a waste of space and resources.

These four lepers have an epiphany!  “If we enter the famine-struck city we’ll die; if we stay here we’ll die. So let’s take our chances in the camp of Aram and throw ourselves on their mercy. If they receive us we’ll live, if they kill us we’ll die. We’ve got nothing to lose.”  I can see them hobbling and shuffling toward the enemy camp.  They have nothing to offer and nothing to lose.  But God, in the way He does, uses the least – foolish, weak and men of little strength and small repute, actual outcasts – to save the city.  This is clear evidence of how different God’s standards to judge value and worth vary from our standards for the same.

Impact on Me

There is great value in study of the Word, practicing spiritual disciplines and daily devotions, worshipping together, serving in ministry.  These are all a necessary part of growing in our Christian walk.  However, they do not define our value in God’s eyes.  While they demonstrate our gratitude – our recognition of the grace and mercy poured out on us and for us, our commitment to submit and obey, our desire to return love to Him – they do not make us more worthy in God’s sight.  We are worthy when we choose to be in Christ through the surrender of repentance and accepting the salvation provided for us on the Cross. 

These four lepers remind me “that no man may boast in the presence of God.”  My accomplishments, my talents, my knowledge, my accumulated wisdom, my faithful performance, only has real value when it is offered up in humility and used to walk in obedience to His will and purpose in my life.   The best thing I bring to the table is my ear to hear and my heart to obey. Our God is able to make the fiercest army flee before anyone He chooses, even four starving, crippled, rag draped lepers that society considers worthless.  What can He do with me if I will just get up and go when He calls?

Devotion

Lord God Almighty, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the One Who stooped down from Heaven to redeem my unworthy soul, I worship You.  I want to see with Your eyes and value others with Your heart.  I want to be just who You call me to be, not wishing to be someone else doing something else because they are being seen and recognized and I am not.  I want to remember that what You can accomplish in and through me is only limited by the freedom I will allow to Your Holy Spirit.  Change my heart, break loose the things in me that break Your heart so I may be Your good and faithful servant.  I pray this all in Jesus’ name. 

On Being Part of the Permanent

1 John 2:15-17 MSGDon’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

1 John 2:15-17 Phillips Never give your hearts to this world or to any of the things in it. A man cannot love the Father and love the world at the same time. For the whole world-system, based as it is on men’s primitive desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of all that they think splendid, is not derived from the Father at all, but from the world itself. The world and all its passionate desires will one day disappear. But the man who is following God’s will is part of the permanent and cannot die.

Observation

So, here we are again standing by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  John is telling us that “Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important…” is eating that same fruit.  If we do so, we are choosing to value (want) everything that is temporal, passing away, of no eternal value.  God has not said through John that we cannot have and enjoy things, or be good leaders, or attain high positions.  However, He is saying that we must watch the motives – is it to serve Him, His purposes, and His reward system or all about me, me, me and what I get out of it here and now.

I love this phrase – “The man who is following God’s will is part of the permanent and cannot die.”  This is not speaking about physical death of the body but, rather, about the permanence of the rewards of eternal life guaranteed by placing our full trust in the Father and choosing obedience over our reputation, possessions and praise for our accomplishments.  To follow God’s will be hard on all that is acclaimed and held dear by the world’s system (“men’s primitive desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of all that they think splendid” – KJV “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”).

Impact on Me

I am guaranteed eternal life by the salvation provided in Christ.  John is speaking here to those who have done the bare minimum without any further investment in bringing the Kingdom.  John is speaking of the necessary equipping and the map for the journey of sanctification, becoming more like Christ.  Jesus tells me in Scripture to be lightly attached to the things of this world even though I must have things to live in it.  The Father knows what I need and will provide it.  He also tells me to overcome through love all that is evil in this world (driven by lust and pride).  Here John says it again.  “Never give your hearts to this world or to any of the things in it. A man cannot love the Father and love the world at the same time.”  I must not value temporal things above eternal ones.

In this chapter, John reminds me that loving the Father and loving my neighbor (really anyone including my family) are interconnected.  He is warning me that the love of me and what I have at the expense of others is not moving me along the road to sanctification (becoming more like Jesus).  Being generous with what I have, content in where He places me, loving my enemy, praying for those who spitefully use me, freely extending forgiveness to those who mock and abuse me, trusting God to avenge in His time and way – these are footsteps forward on the journey.  These kinds of reactions to the world’s system may be slightly wounding to my soul (my pride, my reputation, my social status), but they are milestones on my path and please my Father in Heaven.

Devotion

Eternal Father, Redeemer, Comforter, Teacher, Almighty God, You are everything true Love embodies.  I want to do more than just the minimum.  I want to demonstrate my gratitude for all You have done for me by loving and serving all you bring my way so they may be changed by Your Love as I was.  I want to be one who is recognized as Yours in all I do.  Keep me watchful so I can always be following Your will and living/walking in the “permanent” (eternal) every day.  I ask this in Jesus’ name.

On Keeping Watch

1 Peter 5:1-4 (Phillips)Now may I who am myself an elder say a word to you my fellow-elders? I speak as one who actually saw Christ suffer, and as one who will share with you the glories that are to be unfolded to us. I urge you then to see that your “flock of God” is properly fed and cared for. Accept the responsibility of looking after them willingly and not because you feel you can’t get out of it, doing your work not for what you can make, but because you are really concerned for their well-being. You should aim not at being “little tin gods” but as examples of Christian living in the eyes of the flock committed to your charge. And then, when the chief shepherd reveals himself, you will receive that crown of glory which cannot fade.

A little different format this time…

About 20 years ago, I was the ministry leader for a team at my church that encouraged and supported ministries led by members of the congregation.  With some minor updates to make it more relevant to all, I wanted to share with you something I shared with my team.  So, this is written to a group that already has accepted Jesus as Savior and committed to serve Him. 

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Savior, I encourage you to read the New Testament and learn who Jesus was and is and always will be.  You will never regret being His and allowing Him to be a leader in your life.  Wherever you are and whatever your circumstance, Jesus has love, grace and forgiveness ready for you.  Call on His name and He will answer you.

Observations

1.  God is committed to relationship-building.  He wants everyone to have a relationship with Christ and with others in Christ.  Therefore, He has a plan for creating an environment for life that will father, foster, and fertilize spiritual growth and friendships with others – Christian and non-Christian.  God wants us to allow Jesus to shine through what we love to do and whatever else He asks us to do in Jesus’ name.  Our Father’s goal is to have others experience Christ in us so that they will choose to become part of the family of Christ where they can have the same peace, love and security that we have.  Keep watch on who you associate with and how you treat those you meet.

2.  God wants every Believer to GO be His ambassador, evangelist, missionary in and to the world and culture in which they live.  Some are called to go to places that are strange and unfamiliar to them, but, wherever we are planted, we all are called to carry the Gospel in our daily going and being.  Therefore, God is for us as we create opportunity and support for this to happen.  A question I ask myself is:  Am I making GOING a priority in my everyday life?  Do I pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with my actions as well as my words?  How am I encouraging and inspiring others to answer this call?  How am I equipping those who have a heart to go but feel ill-equipped?  How are they responding?  Keep watch on who is in charge of your schedule, as well as what you say and do.

3.  We operate from a position of advantage.  We serve the Almighty God, Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is never surprised by the latest moves of the enemy.  He is never unprepared or taken aback by what happens.  God made His plan before Creation and has no Plan B.  Additionally, He feels no pressure or compunction to react or act according to any plan or timetable other than His own.  He is never concerned about what people will think about an individual battle that seems to us to be lost.  He will partner with us to accomplish His plan and fulfill His will and purpose (which must be like working with a child learning to bake which takes 3 times as long and creates triple the mess).  BUT God will not necessarily bless any short-sighted plan we come up with on our own.  He has already won the war and will lead us into that victory if we will just follow in His footsteps.  It is worthwhile to invest whatever time it takes to hear from Him and be wise enough to embrace His our part in His plan for us.  Keep watch on remembering Whose you are, Who you serve and whose plan you are following.

4.  We have been given superior weapons.  The weapons He gives us are not the weapons the world sees as powerful but are the ones which exercise overwhelming spiritual power and authority.  These are radical weapons against which the enemy has no defense – agape love, unending grace, complete forgiveness, undeserved mercy, self-sacrifice, humility, the armor of God along with all the other fruits of the Spirit and virtues demonstrated by Jesus.  When I truly forgive another, there is no foothold for bitterness or hatred.  I love Micah 6:8: “Do justly, walk humbly, love mercy”.  This is impenetrable armor against the arrows of the enemy of our souls.  The enemy gains no victory if and when we respond according to the Word of God rather than react according to our flesh. While we are not to be ignorant of the enemy’s devices, we should be diligent to learn how to use the weapons God has given.  Keep watch on which weapons you wield in the battles of life.

5.  God is not performance-based.  We live in a culture that defines our worth by our achievements, our status, our possessions gained.  Heavenly culture puts no worth on these.  Will we be judged one day by Jesus for the works we performed in His name?  Absolutely!  James 2:18-24 tells us that our faith is dead without the good works it should produce.  However, showing up at the Heavenly Gates with the many lists of the good things we did in our own strength without consulting Him will not impress Him.  We will enter in simply because we are in Christ.  To hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will depend on how well we listened and obeyed in whatever He asked us to do by faith.  If we can trust God enough to pray and wait to hear His plan, truly setting aside the urgency creating by our timetable and the need to appear pleasing or productive in the eyes of men, we will find that our joy will be full because we have endured to give Him joy in His heart.  Keep watch on who is getting the praise for all you do.

Devotion

Lord God Almighty, Everlasting Father, Redeemer Son and Grace-filled Holy Spirit, You are so gracious, so patient, so kind to include me in fulfilling the plan You set in motion before Creation.  What a mess I can make by anxiously going off in my own direction to fix the world around me.    My intentions are good, but my actions are foolish unless they are what You have asked me to do.  Slow me down, fill me with Your peace, equip me with weapons that wield Your power and authority, and let me see with Your eyes so I will have faith enough to wait for Your directions and obey them.    I want to be that good and faithful servant.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.