Faith in WHAT?!

Brian and I were watching old episodes of LA Ink yesterday while the boys were skating. I am completely fascinated with tattoos and tattooing.

The thing I like the most about LA Ink is they tell you all the stories of the clients and the reason for the tattoo.

A beautiful woman came in the shop and was getting her first tattoo from Corey (who is no longer on the show) of the word Faith on the inside of her wrist. Anytime anyone gets anything "christiany" I wait with expectancy for the reason why.

Now, at first look you would think this woman was a model. It turns out she is a WWE Raw wrestler. She then went on to explain how no one ever said she could make it as a wrestler or believed in her and she said but I went out and I proved them all wrong because I had FAITH that I could do it! So I sat there waiting for the climax of that statement. I knew what I wanted it to be. I wanted her to say because of my Faith in God I knew I could do it.

But that isn't what she meant at all. She had faith in herself. I was disheartened.

Later as Brian and I were on our way to small group it hit me that just as people use the term "I'm a Christian" yet live their own way Monday through Saturday I'm hearing that word faith thrown around so loosely more and more.

They are having "faith" in just about anything but God these days.

Faith in their careers, faith in their spouse, faith in their family or friends, faith in the future, faith in finances, faith in their Pastor or church. And most of all Faith in THEMSELVES!!!

In small doses faith in these "things" isn't all bad but at the end of the day if we don't have Faith in God none of those "things" matter. They aren't what saves us.

And as believers we have to be ever vigilant and aware of who we are really putting our Faith in.

Hebrews 11:6 And without FAITH it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

So, examine yourself (I know I am), who or what do you really have faith in?

Arrogance, Pharisee's and God's love.

A small yet profound revelation for me this morning as I was praying.

God is not mad at me. I have heard it said more times than I can count not to mention all the sermons with that exact title preached.

But when you realize it for yourself it is something quite different.

I was a Pharisee for years.

Always comparing myself with others and what they were or weren't doing. If you're a christian at any level, I know you can relate to this statement.

I had myself so convinced God was either mad or disappointed with me most of the time. Therefore, if I looked at someone and they were doing things that were worse then God was more mad at them than me, and I could breathe a little easier. Some logic huh?

Then this morning as I was praying for myself, family, church, friends etc.

And I can't explain why but honestly I don't care b/c of the freedom it has brought.

He isn't mad at anyone.

Sad maybe.

But not mad.

God is love.

He loves me, He loves you.

He wants you and will do whatever He can to get you.

He loves the rapist.

He loves the adulterer.

He loves the porn star.

He loves the stay at home mom.

He loves the gang leader.

He loves the drug addict.

He loves the pastor.

He loves the man/woman who is cheating on their taxes.

He loves the homosexual living in sin.

He loves the broken and the hurting.

He is there with open arms waiting to heal the hurt and bring peace and comfort to me, you and anyone else who will let Him.

In my arrogance I never got this before. I am no better or worse than anyone of the above. I am just in need of my Father's love, forgiveness and acceptance.

Read Luke 18:9-14

Romans 2:4 is one of my favorite verses.

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Something else I forgot. Just because I repented and came into relationship with Jesus doesn't mean I never have to repent again. His love and kindness in my life gently shows me other things (sins) in my life that I need to repent of. My heart is bursting with all God is teaching me. I feel so blessed.

As a result of my revelation the Pharisee in me will die and I will walk in freedom.

More importantly, I can now be more effective in helping others see the goodness of God regardless of where they are in life.

He is waiting with open arms, all we have to do is fall into His embrace.

Happy New Year and Fear of the Unknown

Happy New Year!!! Once again it's hard to believe another year has come and gone but here we are ready to start anew.

This can be a really hard time for some people. As we watched the ball drop last night I felt a lump in my throat and fought back the tears as a twinge of anxiety surfaced. See for years I battled depression and anxiety. Most of which are due to me being a control freak and worrier.

As I've grown in my relationship with Jesus I have truly begun to grasp the concept that I don't have to worry about anything. I have literally had moments of pure elation when I realize that even death itself is nothing to fear. Of course those moments quickly pass by and I have to remind myself what I was worrying about. Have you ever been there?

All worrying is is the concept of thinking you are controlling everything and/or everyone in your life. For instance, when I go places with other people I always like to drive because then I am in control of getting to said place safely. It's the exact reason I don't like to fly. I can't see where I am going and someone else is at the controls.

But thats just it. I know the saying "Is God your Pilot" cliche but its so true. Is he?

The reality is we are not in control of anything except ourselves and how we are responding to God's call in our lives. And His basic call to all of His children is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind etc. and to love others. The rest is gravy. He promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrew 13:5 So, do I do you really believe that or don't we? I know one thing is for sure. He is not a man that He can lie so if that is what He says then that is what is true. Which means no matter how we feel about this new year and all the unknowns God will be there to walk us through all of it.

I feel blessed to have learned that once I recognize I am worrying I breathe a prayer of thankfulness that God has it under control and is guiding and directing my steps.

Psalm 37:23-24 says The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.

I love what this says. All you need to do is delight in His way and even when you do fall He upholds you with His hand. That is just beautiful to me.

So trust in this promise and just wait, peace will follow and you will be blown away by it.

I challenge you today. Rest in God's truths not just for this New Year but for all the New Year's to come and may 2011 bring us even closer to Jesus.