The Substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

On Saturday, the prayer in my heart was that God would show me what he wanted me to post here. So when I opened up my bible for devotions I read Hebrews chapter 11 (The Faith Chapter). As I meditated on the verses I thought, maybe this is what I am supposed to share.” But I dismissed the thought because I thought it would be to hard to write about faith. Then I prayed again for a message and went about my daily work. That evening I went to a bible study and guess what the topic was? Faith! And the passage was Hebrews 11! So then I thought “ok, maybe I am I supposed to write about faith.” All doubts were removed when I got home and my family was watching the movie “Faith like Potatoes.” God surrounded me with the topic of faith till I eventually got the picture. So I decided I had better see what God wants me to say about faith and not fight it any longer.
So what it faith? Hebrews 11:1 says that, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Noah Webster further defines faith as, “the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority, without other evidence.” So faith is simply taking what God has said in His word (and through His spirit) and believing it without material proof. As someone once said, “He is as real to me as that car sitting out there.” Hebrews 11 gives us many examples of such faith. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph are just a few. Faith is important. So important that the author of Hebrews (probably Paul) said that, “without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh before God must believe that He is…” (11:6). If we can’t believe that God is real, that His word is true, and that He loves us, we can’t please God. Pleasing Him should be our goal in life. With out faith, not only is it impossible to please Him, but we can’t be saved (John 3:16). A life lived fully for God will show evidence by faith (Galatians 5:22). Faith is key, it is necessary for salvation, without it we are lost. If your faith feels weak read Hebrews 11. I guarantee that reading those great stories of faith will encourage you. All of those people faced great trials and tribulations, but “by faith” conquered them. In the sight of impossibility they chose to believe in God’s faithfulness.
I Just felt led to say that. I pray that God will bless some soul with this feeble attempt to define faith. As always comments welcome, and wanted. In Christ, Benjamin

God's Chisel

This is a video I found the other day. I thought it was really good. So I decided to share it with y'all.

Matters of the Heart

A person I know made a comment one day that really stood out to me. He said, “The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.” Not only was that comment true for the topic that we were discussing, but for so many other things as well (maybe even all things). So many “good” things we can do can really be “bad” things because of our hearts position in doing it. Like the people Jesus described as white washed tombs (The Pharisees). They looked great, but on the inside they were filthy. So how do you know your own heart? Well, what we are really made of tends to come out on way or another. There are two ways that come to mind, the first is what we do in private. I heard it said this way. “You are only as good of a person as what you do when nobody is looking” (or what is in your mind but not said). The second way the “real you” comes out under pressure. The “real you” comes out when your back is against the wall. When every thing is going wrong and the heat is up. How would you respond. That is you. It is very important to “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). God promises blessing on a person with a well kept heart (and cursing on an evil one). “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways” (Jeremiah 17:10). So lets keep out hearts! (Comments/corrections welcome).


"I will praise thee, Oh Lord,
With my whole heart!”
(Psalms 9:1)


An interesting fact: God must really regard the matter of the heart highly. The word heart is mentioned 83 times in the book of Proverbs. 83 times in just one book!

Addicted to the Ministy!

The other night my sister and I went with some friends to hear a family sing at a church a little ways from our house. When the singing was done the father stood up to tell us a little story. There was a preacher who lived near Canada that met a Canadian family who invited him over for breakfast some time. One Saturday he decided to take them up on the offer and went driving for the border. When he was in Canada he realized something, he had forgotten their names, and where they lived. He stopped at a gas station and explained what the people looked like. The attendant got a little smile on his face and said, “Oh, I know were you are going”. And gave him directions. Two other times he got lost and explained to someone what the people looked like, every time they got a little smile and said, “Oh, I know where you are going”. When he arrived they sat down at the table and had breakfast. The father handed him the Bible and asked him to lead in devotions. Being a minister he decided he had better be ready “in season and out,” so he opened the bible and began to read. Half way through the chapter he looked up and saw the whole family was sitting there with there eyes closed, drinking in every work he was saying. After dinner the father and boys showed him several tracts they had, and asked him what he thought of them. They showed him around the dairy. While they were touring it a milk truck pulled up. As soon as the driver came to a stop the boys went right up to him and began sharing the gospel with him. After the tour the wife gave him a loaf of bread and a dozen of eggs and sent him on his way. When he reached the boarder the guard asked him if he had anything, and he replied, “Yes I have a loaf of bread and a dozen of eggs”. The guard smiled and said, “I know where you have been, have a good day”, and let him pass. The preacher went home so encouraged by this family that was on fire for Jesus.
The father of the singing family then shared a verse in I Corinthians 16. The verse (15) was about the house of Stephanas. It said that they were addicted to the ministry. They loved God’s work so much, that they were addicted to it. I just had to think, that is how it really should be for all of us. What a challenge. Do I enjoy doing the Lord’s work so much that I am addicted to it, that I just couldn’t do without it. What a challenge. If you have anything to add feel free to leave a comment!

Potatoes, Faith, and Boats

I always find it so encouraging to read Ephesians 1:3&4. It always blows me away to think that “before the foundations of the world” our loving God had a plan picked out for us,… Before He even made the world! If nothing else says your special and God loves you, then that should. So what do we do? Ask God what His plan is, “what do You want me to do”? And then expend all of our energy to do it. It may seem impossible but, as a friend from church once said, “you will never hear God say, “whoa, I didn’t see that coming”. In other words, no matter what, God knows what He is doing and is in control. I was really challenged by the movie “Faith like Potatoes”. Especially when Angus was willing to put everything on the line by planting potatoes in a drought. What a great testimony to faith! But how do you know what His plan is? A man that has really helped me in my walk with God told me an analogy one time that I think really explains it. Your life is like a great ship, and once you give your life to God you have given Him the rudder. God can then turn that rudder as hard as he wants, but unless the boat is moving it won’t turn. It other words don’t just sit and wait for direction, it is a lot easier for God to turn you were he wants if you are actively serving Him in some way. Only then will He be able to have you were He wants. As always feel free to add to this and leave a comment.

Afraid? Of That?

In Sunday school yesterday our teacher left us with quite the challenge. He challenged us to search our lives to see if we are really leaving a witness to every one we meet. When we go in and pay for our gas, or buy groceries can the person behind the register tell we are different? Or when we get the opportunity to “give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:15) do we “tuck tail and run”? I find myself so many times afraid of rejection. I wish I could say with the Apostle Pail that “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). He read a poem written for the persecuted Christians in China that really challenged me. Some people face beating, death, and torture all for the sake of Christ. What do I face? Maybe scoffing, rejection, possible slander?
“Dear Lord, please forgive me for being ashamed of you. I want to ask that you would help me, your weak servant, to overcome my fear of man and give me the courage to boldly proclaim your name. Amen”

Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Savior’s face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash - a crash - a pierced heart;
Brief darkness - Light - O Heaven's art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that?

The Wonder of Wonders

This Sunday in Sunday school, our teacher has us a sing a song about Jesus. I had never heard it before and it was really good. It really hit me how Unconceivable it was that God came to earth as a man. Amazing love. I think I will just post the lyrics for you to read. Hopefully it will reach you too.

THE WONDER OF WONDERS AS SHE LOOKED ON HIS FACE,
THAT THIS LITTLE BOY SPOKE THE WORLDS INTO PLACE.
THE STARS AND THE MOON SHINING BRIGHTLY ON THEM,
THE EARTH AND THE SUN WERE CREATED BY HIM.

THE WONDER OF WONDERS AS SHE LOOKED DOWN AND SMILED,
THAT HE WAS HER MAKER AS WELL AS HER CHILD.
HE CREATED THE WOMB THAT HAD GIVIN HIM BIRTH.
HE WAS GOD INCARNATE CAME DOWN TO EARTH.

THE WONDER OF WONDERS AS SHE HEARD HIS SMALL CRY,
THAT THIS VOICE HAD THUNDERED ON MT. SINAI.
THE SMALL HAND SHE HELD SO TENDERLY HAD
MADE A DRY PATH THROUGH THE MIGHTY RED SEA.

CHORUS: THE WONDER OF WONDERS ,OH HOW COULD IT BE,
THAT GOD BECAME FLESH AND WAS GIVIN FOR ME.
THE ALMIGHTY CAME DOWN AND WALKED AMOUNG MEN,
THE WONDER OF WONDERS, HE DIED FOR MY SINS.

You can hear it here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eY22ZTJOCs

As always, comments welcome. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.