Day 62 and 63

The past five days we have talked about being a “believer.”  We saw that Abraham received the promise because he decided to believe.  It was a decision on his part.

1.       Go over the “assignments” for the past five days and write in your journal how they apply to you.

2.      Read Exodus 33:13 again and write a prayer based on this scripture.  If you have already done that, pray it again.  It’s always good to ask God to teach you the things you will need to know in order for your faith to be strengthened.

3.      The world says, “seeing is believing,” but a Christian says, “knowing is believing.”  If you know something to be true, you believe it.  You trust the source and you believe.

4.      Trusting is not always easy because of past experiences when people we’re not trustworthy.  Maybe you became skeptical-- even to the point where you said in your hearts, “I can only trust myself.”

I’m going to ask you a very important question that I want you to think about: 

 “How’s that workin’ for you?”

When God asked me that very question, I had to admit that it wasn’t working at all!!

5.       Have a talk with God about that.  I think you will come to the realization like I did, that nothing without God works for very long!!  You end up back where you started over and over again!!

6.      Spend these two days locating any areas of mistrust and lay them before God in prayer.  I can promise you, that if you are sincere about giving these areas to Him, He will prove Himself trustworthy. 

It’s time to give Him every area of your life!

God bless you,

Karol

Day 61   Courage To Believe

Matthew 9:22  The Message

Then He reassured her, "Courage daughter.  You took a risk of faith and now you are well.'  The woman was well from then on."

It takes courage to believe and it is a "risk."  Believing is something we decide to do.  God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 15:5 and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them."  Then He said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

In verse 6 we see Abraham's immediate response:  "Abram believed the Lord...."

Now go to Romans 4: 18 which says, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became....without wavering in His faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and Sarah's womb was also dead."

I would say that was a pretty hopeless situation!!

Verse 20 says, "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised."

Whew!  How did Abraham get to this place??  Beginning in Genesis 12 we read how God called Abram.  Abram heard God's voice and obeyed it. God's hand was on Abram even though he was not perfect (Genesis 12:10-20)  Abram had a working knowledge of the ways of God.  He believed God enough to even give Him his tithe.  (Genesis 14:20).  A man does not do that unless he trusts!!

We see then that knowing God is the basis for all believing.  That's why I encourage you in your regular meetings with God.  In these meetings, you will get to know Him.  As you read His Word and make it personal, you will learn His ways.  As your relationship deepens, you will learn to believe what He is saying.  Then you will have the courage to believe!

Today's Assignment:

1.  Read the following scriptures and make them your   own. 

    Exodus 33:13-14

    Romans 4: 17-25  The Message

2.  What does verse 18 mean to you? 

"When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do."

Prayer:

Today I encourage you to write your own prayer based on what you have read today.  Write your prayer in your journal--no fancy words necessary!

Day 60   Exercising My Believer

John 17:8-9 (New International Version, ©2010

 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.

We can tell from reading the gospels that many were indifferent to what He was saying, many were very angry and wanted to kill Him, and then there were those who believed.

I want to be listed among those who believed—don’t you??  One of the reasons we may struggle with believing God is that we just haven’t seen the manifested power of God displayed like in Bible times.

Here’s how I feel about that after spending the last two years “meeting with God”—if I haven’t seen miracles, then maybe I am the one who needs to believe God for one……or two…..or more….maybe I should train myself to live in the miraculous provision of God!!

After all the Bible says--

Numbers 23:19 (New International Version, ©2010)

 God is not human, that he should lie,  not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Whew!  If we can’t count on that, what can we count on.  God will always validate His Word.  Maybe we need to stop looking around and just look to Him!!  

Today’s Assignment:

1.      Read the following scriptures and make them your own:

Hebrews 13: 7-8

Malachi 3:6

James 1:17

2.       Read these miracles of increase:

Matthew 14: 13-20

Matthew 15: 29-38

Matthew 16: 8-10

Prayer:

Father, I need Your help.  As I begin to read the accounts of all that You did through Jesus, help me to understand that You are still doing miracles today and help me to expect them in my own life.    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 59  I Can Be Confident

2 Timothy 1:11-12 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Paul was suffering because of the gospel.  Have you ever gotten revelation of a truth from the Word of God that was not so popular with some folks?  Even then, Paul said, “…..I know whom I have believed, and am convinced…..”  I would call Paul a “believer.”  He has heard from God!! 

Once we have heard from God, it doesn’t matter what anyone else says.  I wrote an email to a gal I wanted to encourage this morning and I said, “Not everyone will believe with you but you can always count on God.”

In John 4 starting in verse 46, we find the story of the royal officer who came to Galilee to see Jesus on behalf of his son who was sick in Capernaum.

“ The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

‘Go,’ Jesus replied, ‘your son will live.’  The man took Jesus at his word and departed.”

Wow!  The man just plain believed what Jesus said!!  Why do we read the Word of God and doubt, question or analyze the power right out of the promise??  This man believed and here’s how it played out:

“While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.

When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, ‘Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.’

Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, Your son will live.”

And not only that but here’s what else happened:

“So he and his whole household believed. “

Wow!  Maybe we just need to take God at His Word!!!

Today’s Assignment:

1.       Before you read the Word of God today, pray that God would help you be a believer.

2.      Read the following scriptures and choose to believe them!!

Romans 8: 28

Psalms 112: 1-2

            Psalms 65:11

            Psalms 68:19  KJV

            Hebrews 10:23

Prayer:

Father, I so want to believe every word written in my Bible.  Open my eyes so that I can see and I can know who You are and what You want.  Help me to be a believer.  Thank You for Your patience with me. Amen.

Day 58   I Am Sure Of It

Ephesians 1:17-19 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁷[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,

In order to be a believer, we have to know and understand what God wants in every situation.  We have to know what to believe.

 By this time you are probably serious about your “meetings with God.”  You are meeting with Him on a regular basis and you are developing a pattern of dialogue with Him.  If that is not the case, you might want to go back into the archives and click on Day One. 

My suggestion would be to use your “meeting” time to go back over some of the assignments.  Feel free to ask Him questions and expect that He will show you the answer. 

Remember it’s a journey that you are on.  No one is behind.  I designed the blog in such a way that no one would feel like they are behind. Please do---start at the beginning and take the journey one day at a time.  If you find yourself “staying over” somewhere too long, pack up your things and continue your journey.  And remember—you are not behind.

In John 11 is the story of Lazarus.  This was a sad time—a desperate time—yet Martha knew one thing.  Go to Vs. 22.  It says, “But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask.”

Whatever Jesus said, Martha knew God would do for Him.   You might say, “Yah, but that was Jesus.”   Listen to this In John 15:7.  “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

He’s talking about you (and me) here!!  We know from experience that there are casual relationships and there are closer relationships.  In a close relationship, we share our hearts and what we know to be true.  We ask questions of the other person and we get an understanding of things.

God so wants that close relationship with each of us so that He can give us His wisdom, His understanding and His knowledge. When we know His final word on a subject, we can believe Him.  Thus we become a “believer.”

Today’s assignment:

1.       Go to this song and let it sink into your soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z5cgajl1Kg&feature=related

Note:  At the chorus of the song, you will feel like you are in a car, traveling down the road.  That’s your journey!

2.      Look up these scriptures and write them in your journal.  (Somewhere along the way, I promise you, you will want to refer to them.)

James 2:23

Job 29:4

Romans 12:19

3.       Now think of yourself sitting across from your “Friend” and tell Him about the thing in your life that concerns you the most.  Ask Him for His wisdom.  Ask Him to help you understand it.  Write your questions in your journal.

4.      You may get insight right then and there or you may get it as you are going on about your day.  When you do, write the answer in your journal.

Prayer:

God,  it is so amazing to me that You are my Friend—that You want to talk to me and help me through my concerns and my situations.  Thank You, that every day You pour out your love to me.  You are truly amazing!

Day 57          Am I A Believer??

John 11:40 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁴⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Here is that thing about “believing” again!!

 But Lord, my circumstance has come to eat me alive.  How do I believe in the midst of that??

We have spent the last 56 days having “meetings with God.”  In these meetings God directs us (gives us the plan), instructs us (helps us carry out the plan), and corrects us (keeps us on track when we stray off to the right or left.)

The minute the adverse circumstance comes to you, whether it be by a thought, a phone call, a meeting or however it comes---the first thing we should do is go to the God Who is now orchestrating our lives and say, “What do you want me to do about this?”  Or if it’s turmoil in your mind, say to God, “What is the truth?  Please tell me the truth so I can find peace.”

In our past blogs I have shared with you that God will never leave you alone.  (Hebrews 13:5-6)  He is not trying to hide things from you.  (I Corinthians 2: 9-16)  He always wants to give us His thoughts, His ways, His solution.

Today’s Assignment:

1.       Read the whole story of Lazarus.  It’s found in   John 11: 1-43

2.      Read John 11:15 in The Message

“And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn't there. You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let's go to him."

Write in your journal what you think that means.

3.      Read John 11:22 in The Message

“Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you."

Wow!  That was really a statement of faith on Martha’s part.  Evaluate whether you can say that in your circumstance.

4.       Read John 11:42 and thank God that He is always helping you to believe.

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You daily instruct me through the scriptures—Your words of life to me.  Thank You that You never leave me but You are always helping me to believe. Father, help me to be a “believer,” in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 55 and 56

We’ve spent 54 days laying the foundation for a more intimate relationship with God.  If at this point, you do not feel that your foundation is solid and that you have established your meeting time with God, I encourage you to go back to Day 1 and review the assignments.  Sometimes day-to-day readings can seem “disjointed” and reviewing things in one sitting can bring a pattern of growth.

At one point, I suggested that you pray that God would bring you a prayer partner—someone who is available when you ar-- someone who will challenge you and keep you accountable.  I can attest that when you are on your own, it’s easy to let things go. 

My life has been enriched beyond measure as I began regular “meetings with God.”  I picked a time and a place and although those two things vary from time to time, the meetings do not.  It’s a joy to me to spend time with someone who loves me so much!

How do I know that He loves me?

Read:

                Romans 8:37

                II Corinthians 2:14

                Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible

                Psalms 103: 1-5

And on and on and on………!

In these “meetings” you will find yourself having a deeper understanding of who God really is, what His character is like and what He wants for your life.

Maybe you can even say, “I am trusting Him more because I can see how strong He is and how loving He is and how He always wants the best for me."

EnJOY your time with God.  Remember to take your time in these “meetings” and, like a little child, just ask Him to show Himself to you in a real and practical way.  I promise you, He will—and your life will never be the same!!

God bless you,

Karol

Day 54     The Lord Is There

Ezekiel 48:35 (New International Version, ©2010)

 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits.  “And the name of the city from that time on will be:  THE LORD IS THERE.”

The Hebrew name is Jehovah- Shammah which means, “The Lord who is present.”

Isn’t it wonderful to know that whatever we are going through, God is already “there??”  I don’t know about you but sometimes my circumstances are way too big for me.  I like to think that I can stand next to my Father who will see me through anything and everything.

Get ready for this promise:

Genesis 28:15 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁵ I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Or this one:

Exodus 33:14 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹⁴ The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Wherever you go, He is there!!  Now that is good news!!   You are never alone!!

Today’s Assignment:

1.       Look up these scriptures and make them your own:

Deuteronomy 20:1

Isaiah 43:2

2.       Write a prayer in your journal thanking Him for His faithfulness to you.  Whenever you feel alone, you can get it out and pray it out loud.  It will do you heart good!!

Prayer:

Father, I am so glad to know that you are always “there” for me.   You give me instructions in my times of fear and uncertainty.  You encourage me and remind me of Your promise to me to never leave me our forsake me.  Thank You, most wonderful Father.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 53    God Who Puts Everything Right

Jeremiah 23:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

 In his days Judah will be saved
   and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
   The LORD Our Righteous Savior.

We have been thanking God for who He is and today we learn that He is our “Righteous Savior.”

The Message Bible describes Him this way:  “God- Who-Puts-Everything-Right.”  I like that because I have some things in my life that need to be “put right.” How about you?  We can worship God for His promise.  There is nothing in our lives that is such a mess that He cannot make it right.

Here’s what God’s plan was all along—to send Jesus to the cross for all that is wrong so that we can have an opportunity to have things right.  Does that mean everything is right?  No—but if we understand the covenant promise that deals with what is wrong, those things can get set right.

Example:  If you are diagnosed with a disease, that is a fact.  The doctors say it to you and they write it down on the chart.  The promise God has for that is found in:

            Isaiah 53:4-5

            Matthew 8:17

            I Peter 2:24

The promise is written and it is a truth that overrides the facts.  It’s up to us to embrace the truth and keep it at the forefront of our thinking and speaking.  We do that through praising “The Lord Our Righteous Savior” – the “God-Who-Puts-Things-Right.”

Today’s Assignment:

1.       Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy.  (I John 3:8)  While He walked on the earth, He healed all who were brought to Him.

Look up:

            Psalms 103:3

            Matthew 4:24

            I Peter 2:24

2.      Think about it:  Jesus never turned anyone away.  He healed everyone.

3.      The only reason He could not heal was because of their unbelief.  Matthew 13:58

4.       God’s promised that He would meet all of our needs.

Look up:

            Philippians 4:19 Amplified Bible

            II Corinthians 8:9

            II Corinthians 9:8

5.      Spend some time thanking Him for the promises He made in the above scriptures. 

Prayer:

Father, You are God and You make all things right.  I choose to believe what You have said in Your Word above what I see and hear around me.  Help me in my meetings with you to establish Your Words deep in my heart so that I will always believe You in every situation that arises.  Thank You, Righteous Savior for setting things right in my live.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.