Romans « Journeyman Journal

Thoughts on Faith

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

We all know what faith is right? Most of us can quote the proper Scripture…

Now faith is being sure of we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1, NIV

I must admit, however, that I still struggle with the practical concept of faith (and maybe I always will). This morning God put the word “faith” in front of me too many times to ignore…and all within on passage of Scripture…

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ
…
People are made right with God when they believe that
Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood.
…
It is based on faith. So we are made right God through faith and not by obeying the law.
…
There is only one God, and He makes people right with himself only by faith…
Romans 3:22, 25, 27, 30; NLT

God is at work within me to clarify what I truly and practically believe about this word and concept: FAITH. He is at work and I’m trying to listen and learn. The process won’t be over today. And don’t get me wrong…I know what faith is. I’ve studied the word and I am a believer and follower…I have faith in God. God is working at a more practical level. How am I living this concept of faith? What does it mean for my everyday?

As I said, the process will take some time. God wants me to wrestle with this and come to terms with it. But I think I know where it’s heading. Practically, the question is if I am truly trusting God with everything. Is He who and what I turn to always? Do I only need Him or do I think I need other things? It’s hard to explain…and I feel like I’m missing it completely (maybe that’s because it’s still churning within me?). Eldridge hit on it a little bit in my reading from Walking with God this morning (and I’m sure he says it much better…he does have an editor after all)…

There is no greater disaster for the human heart than this—to believe we have found life apart from God. And this shift I’ve been describing—this coming to believe that what I don’t have but long for I actually need—is the opening stages of the disaster. For whatever reason, we have come to believe that God is not enough. (Page 183, emphasis mine).

My faith…lived in practice…has something to do with believing (deep down) that I can only find true life in God and that He is more than enough…I don’t need anything else. More to come on this topic as God continues to reveal His truths to me on this topic.

What are your thoughts about this FAITH word? What insights do you have that you can share? We’re all part of this journey and I really do want to hear what God is speaking into your heart and life…it helps me along the journey too…

29.06.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings 2 Comments

Transformed

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

I have been captured by this word and concept this week: Transformed. God has been replaying the idea, the word over and over again in my mind and spirit for the past week. This morning he led me to do a little research on the word itself from Scripture (thanks to my Libronix program this wasn’t hard to do!).

Two passages seem to cover the topic best:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Romans 12:2, NLT

What counts is whether you have been transformed into a new creation.
Galatians 6:15, NLT

Two things strike me as I meditate and consider these passages. First, it is God doing the transformation…I am obviously involved in the process, but it’s God doing the real work—He is the only one with power to affect this kind of change in my life. Frankly, I have demonstrated time and again that I am am powerless within my own strength alone to change pretty much anything (certainly anything that really matters).

Second, is that both passages talk about this transformation as wholesale change…not incremental change: “into a new person” and “into a new creation”. These are not small, piece meal changes. We are talking “Big Bang” versus “Evolution” (pardon the pun). I must confess that I am still wrestling with this even as I type. Is this transformation then only done when we are saved and become Christ followers? Don’t we continue to be shaped and molded into His image as we walk with Him? I believe that’s the case, but that doesn’t seem to be what these two passages are referring to.

What are your thoughts on this topic? I am certainly thankful for this type of transformation in my life! I couldn’t have done it without Him…wouldn’t be who I am today without Him changing me from the inside out. I’ve never been the same…

25.06.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Last Week of School

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

This has been a hectic week (hence the lack of postings the last few days). I am in my last week of school for this class (and this school year), which is always busy as I finish up big papers and all the lose ends of a class. On top of my schooling, it’s the last week of school for the kids…always hectic as well as they wind down the year and get jazzed up for the summer.

We are also preparing and planning for our annual Memorial Weekend Camping Trip to Como, CO. The trip is a blast (assuming the weather holds out), but it’s one more thing on top of an already busy week. Frankly, I can’t wait for it to get here so we can all relax a little and spend time with family and friends in God’s country (just wish Bill and Cindy could make it this year, won’t quite be the same without them)!

In the midst of all this busyness and craziness, God gave me these words of encouragement this morning. I hope they encourage you as much as they do me:

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?
If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:31, NLT

21.05.2008 Family, Friends, Misc Ramblings, Recreation, School No Comments