Got Faith?

Luke 22:31 & 32
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” NIV

Life has its way of throwing curve balls when we're least expecting. If you're willing to be honest, you've experienced some times in your life when you could say, "If it ain't one thing, it's another." Or "When it rains, it pours."  I'm a firm believer that while God does not send or cause these "issues" in our lives, He does allow and permit them.  So, in light of the fact that our all-knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent) and all-present (omnipresent) God has permitted these not-so comfortable experiences, what should our posture be?  We do agree that Satan is not slipping one by or over on God, right?  If we agree on these simple, but important principles, then what is God up to?

I'm not speaking to those who are purposefully leading and living unproductive, reckless lives.  But this is meant for those who have made a conscious decision to surrender the lordship of their lives to God and find themselves in rather uncomfortable and unexplainable places in their lives.

I won't pretend to know all the purposes and plans of God.  But He has given us His Word to shed some much needed light--insight, guidance and wisdom.  In our opening passage, Jesus makes Peter and the other disciples aware that they will experience a time of testing and great trial.  I found this passage rather interesting in that Jesus doesn't mention having prayed that Peter and the others would not experience difficult times.  Instead, Jesus has prayed that their "faith" endures--does not fail.  Lesson #1:  Life will not be problem free.  Lesson #2:  Faith in God is the key ingredient to surviving.  Without faith, it's impossible to please God.

Why did Jesus pray this way?  I believe the answer is found in the latter part of the passage: "And when you have turned back ("converted" KJV), strengthen your brothers."  While in the middle of difficult experiences, our emotional radar is going haywire and sometimes all we can focus on is our pain.  But this passage clearly encourages us to hold onto our faith so: Lesson #3: We can be changed and Lesson #4: We can provide strength and encouragement to others. Through our own experience and transformation we can provide firsthand knowledge and assurance that the sun will shine again, the pain will subside, your laughter will be heard again, there is a full (joyful) life after tragedy...  Without hope in Christ and faith in His promises, we are men and women most miserable.

Life's experiences can make you bitter or better.  The three (3) Hebrew teens in Daniel 3, endured a fiery furnace...a furnace that was so hot that it killed the men that threw them in it.  But the young boys came out of their time of testing with not one strand of hair singed, their clothes untouched and not even the smell of smoke.  Let's commit to keep our faith intact and strong in God so we can be witnesses of His ever-abiding love and devotion.

Be Blessed,
Pastor San
Christian Harvesters Fellowship
Follow me on twitter: @cfulwood

Hakuna Matata

LOL!!!!  How many of you remember this original 1994 Disney movie, The Lion King?  I absolutely loved it!  There were many scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat, but this scene was my favorite.  Listening to it today, I found myself smiling and grooving to its melody and lyrics.

The phase, "Hakuna Matata" means "no worries." Simple, yet profound. It reminds me of the passage of scripture in Philippians 4:6-7: "Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (The Message)

You have a Heavenly Father who understands where you are...your situations and circumstances.  He desires that you know Him intimately and through this intimacy you become trusting children.  Children who are loved and provided for are happy and content with life.  Similar to Timon and Pumbaa--the characters above--footloose and fancy free.  You, too, can sing praises and dance before Jehovah Jireh, knowing He's going to meet every need--spiritual, emotional and financial--in your life.

As a final thought, I just cannot pass up verses 8 & 9 of Philippians chapter 4:

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the-best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies." (The Message)

Look at your neighbor and say, "Hakuna Matata!"  Amen...it is so!

Be Blessed,
Pastor San
Christian Harvesters Fellowship
Follow me on Twitter: @cfulwood

Peace Is Your Inherited Right

Many words and experiences come to mind when I hear the word "peace."  I reminisce about a warm summer day in Florida at Grandma Delilah's house, drinking a cold glass of her fresh squeezed lemonade or sitting on the front porch of Grandma Corrine's on a cool winter afternoon in Georgia with the smell of burning oak.  When I think of "peace," words like tranquility, quietness and solitude all come to mind.

But can you attest that there are many times in this life's journey that your tranquility manages to disappear and you can't buy a cup of quietness for free?  Yet, you go about playing the part of being cool, calm and collected, but internally, you're a tornado--a time bomb about to explode.  You're anxious and stressed. You don't know what to do about your circumstances. The thief has stolen your peace.

God's Word is full of promises (Isaiah 53:5; John 4:27; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7) that "peace" is part of our here and now inheritance--not some by and by...pie in the sky...some-glad-morning-type of promise.  We settle and live beneath our privileges when we don't know our citizen rights...our sonship rights.  Let's consider the promise of Matthew 6:25-36, where our Heavenly Father encourages us to seek His kingdom and His righteousenss rather than worry.  In a nutshell, in this passage of scripture, God is saying, "I've got you covered and everything that concerns you. I'm your Source."  There's no lack in God.  For by Him and for Him was all things created (Colossians 1:16).  All things are possible to those who believe.  Maybe therein lies the problem--our lack of belief.  Who's report are you believing?  We are to live according to what God says rather than what our five senses dictate. We are children of fatih (Hebrews 11:6).

I'm reminded of the time when there was a storm and Jesus began walking on the water toward His disciples.  As He approached the boat on which His disciples were, they became afraid.  Long story short, Peter challenged Jesus and asked if he could come to Him.  Jesus agreed and Peter walks on water as long as his eyes are focused on Jesus.  Peter gets distracted--as so many of us--by the wind and waves and begins to sink--as so many of us. But all is not lost!  Peter cries out to the Lord to save him and immediately Jesus saves him.  Your takeaway:  Keep your eyes locked on Jesus and live in expectation of His salvation in every area of your life!

I encourage you to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and agree with God in order that you may experience the peace He has promised.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25

Until next week, walk in peace and be blessed!

Pastor San
Christian Harvesters Fellowship
Follow me on Twitter: @cfulwood

Impact of God's Word

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  Psalms 1:3

 

While living amidst a time of volatility and uncertainty in our world, our God remains faithful to us.  You will begin to lose your footing when you lose your focus.  Your perspective is important.  I don't recommend or support pretending what you're experiencing is not reality.  It is.  I'm encouraging you to know that the truth of God's Word prevails over your reality. God's Word makes all the difference.  Obedience to His Word empowers you to flourish and produce.

If God speaks a thing, you can take it to the bank.  For He watches over His Word to perform it.  God's Word is quick and powerful.  It's sharper than any two-edged sword. The promises of God are Yes and Amen!  God esteems His Word above His Name.  Wow!  Now, wouldn't you agree that it's critically important to know God's Word?  In times like these, you need to know truths like:

• God will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
• God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
• God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind stays on Him (Isaiah 26:3)

Let's pray:

Father God, in Jesus' Name, we thank You for the Truth of Your Word.  We esteem Your Word higher than all else.  We place all our eggs in the "basket of Your Word," knowing You've got the whole world in Your hands.  We confess and believe that You're well able to take care of all that concerns us.  So, we cast all our cares upon You in Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Be Blessed,
Pastor San
Christian Harvesters Fellowship
Follow me on Twitter: @cfulwood