by Suellen | Faith
In the last post, we saw how Jesus marveled at the centurion who was so full of faith. This man was a Roman, and had neither been trained in God’s Word nor an understanding of God’s power. Yet he heard about Jesus, and recognized the authority in which He walked. As a result, he was able to receive a miracle.
In the same chapter – Matthew 8 – we see a different story. This time, Jesus and His disciples were in a boat crossing the sea when a great storm arose. The winds were whirling around and the waves were tossing the thee vessel about. Jesus was sleeping soundly in the midst of the storm until His disciples awoke Him. “Save us, Lord, we are perishing,” they cried.
As Jesus woke up and rebuked the winds and the sea, the atmosphere became perfectly calm. Then He rebuked His disciples. “Why are you timid, you men of little faith?”
Stop and think about that. If you had been one of the disciples, how would you have reacted? Would you have been as the disciples, frightened and worried? That seems like a normal reaction, doesn’t it?
Yet if what they were doing was what He expected of them, why did Jesus rebuke them?
There is a level of faith which is far above anything that any of us has attained but which is available to those who seek Him. But it doesn’t come from seeking Him for the faith. It comes from seeking a deeper relationship with Him. (more…)
by Suellen | Awakening, Quotes
When we delve into the history of our country, it’s remarkable how many of our leaders were devout Christians. To know that for certain, we can take a look at some of their comments. Let’s take a look at some words from our fathers. You may be surprised.
John Hancock
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I John Hancock, . . . being advanced in years and being of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given to God-therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God. . .
Will of John Hancock
Patrick Henry
Governor of Virginia, Patriot
This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.
Will of Patrick Henry
Robert Treat Paine
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I desire to bless and praise the name of God most high for appointing me my birth in a land of Gospel Light where the glorious tidings of a Savior and of pardon and salvation through Him have been continually sounding in mine ears.
Robert Treat Paine, The Papers of Robert Treat Paine, Stephen Riley and Edward Hanson, editors (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1992), Vol. I, p. 48, March/April, 1749.
[W]hen I consider that this instrument contemplates my departure from this life and all earthly enjoyments and my entrance on another state of existence, I am constrained to express my adoration of the Supreme Being, the Author of my existence, in full belief of his providential goodness and his forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state, acknowledging with grateful remembrance the happiness I have enjoyed in my passage through a long life. . .
Will of Robert Treat Paine
Benjamin Rush
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press for the American Philosophical Society, 1948), p. 166, Travels Through Life, An Account of Sundry Incidents & Events in the Life of Benjamin Rush.
Roger Sherman
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution
I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. . . . that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God. . . . that God did send His own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners, and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer.
Lewis Henry Boutell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1896), pp. 272-273.
John Witherspoon
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other [Acts 4:12]. . . . [I]f you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish.
John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, pp. 276, 278, The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ, January 2, 1758.
Many thanks to http://www.wallbuilders.com for providing these documents.
by Suellen | Faith
Have you wondered why God chose Abraham?
We know that God chose Abraham to be the father of the Jews, the people who would eventually bring forth Jesus. But why was he so special? What was there about Abraham that made God choose him?
Something set him apart from others of his day. What was it? (more…)
by Suellen | Bible, Prayer
Today we are moving into deeper water. The discussion today is one of the most important ones we will cover.
There are so many people who want God involved in their lives, but they don’t know how to get Him involved. They pray “help” or “why me” prayers, or they just copy someone else, but they don’t understand how God designed His plan of prayer.
So let’s start with the big picture.
(more…)
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Ezekiel 37-39
Does your life seem dry? Well this one’s for you.
One of the most famous stories in the Bible is the “Valley of Dry Bones,” as we see here in Ezekiel. Songs have been written about it throughout the generations. Yet do we really get the full meaning of this story? Probably not.
Ezekiel sees the vision of these dry, dead bones scattered around. No life whatsoever. Yet God tells Ezekiel to speak to the bones and tell them to hear the Word of the Lord, and as he does, the bones come together and stand up on their feet. Then God’s breath is breathed into them.
First of all, the vision stands for prayer and more prayer. And prayer with faith. The bones are too dead to stand up on their own. They have to have help, so Ezekiel takes his stand as the intercessor for these people.
So how does this concept help us? We all have those around us who seem to be dead to the things of God. They may be alive physically, but they have a deaf ear turned to their Creator.
So we begin to speak to those bones – not in their presence, of course, but when we are alone. We speak God’s Word and we tell those bones to rise up and come together. Then we call for the Holy Spirit to blow His breath into them.
This life of intercession is incredibly powerful. There are those around us who don’t know thow to pray for themselves, but we can pray for them. We ask on their behalf for God’s good blessings to fall upon them and wake them up to a new life in Him.
Now God won’t cross their will, but He will bring them countless opportunities to know Him and to change their direction. Many will do just that.
Then we have the privilege of not only praying for our immediate family, but for others around us. Our communities, our nation, and the world are all in need of awakening – which comes in this way.
There’s an awakening on the horizon. In fact, it’s already started in some quadrants. If we will work with our Father, just as Ezekiel was instructed to do, we will be able to get in on His plan.
II Peter 1-2
Do you like checklists? Do you like to have a list of things to follow as you plan your finances or a more organized home? Well, Peter has one even better than that. He has a checklist for having a life which never stumbles.
It starts with appreciating the “precious and magnificent promises” which our God has brought to us through His Word. If we will partake of these we will partake of His divine nature. (1:4) So how do we partake? We believe the promises He has given us, and we believe that they are for us – not just for others.
So we start with faith in that Word, and then we add to it. We add moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. If these things are increasing in our lives, we will never stumble.(1:5-10)
This is the thing. If we keep our focus on our Father, His Word, and on applying the principles to our lives, we will continue to grow. We won’t get distracted by the things of the world which try to pull us away from Him.
And we won’t stumble. We may have days which don’t seem so great, but the overall trend of our lives will be for the good.
