UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE: Trusting God

Showing posts with label Trusting God. Show all posts

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Faith is the Two A's

Faith is The Two A's

The following devotional "Faith is The Two A's" was written by Reverend Donald Peters, the Pastor of our church.
He'd preached a wonderful sermon on Faith and then included this excellent devotional from it in our bulletin last Sunday. He graciously gave me permission to share it on my blog.

Faith is the two A's:
Accepting what God says and Acting upon it.
His Word is the Fact, and on that we Act.

Four Ways to grow our FAITH:

1. FOCUS primarily on God, rather than circumstances.
When Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water.

"You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.

Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth."~Colossians 3:1-2 (ERV)

"We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne."
Hebrews 12:2 (ERV)

2. Read the Bible thoughtfully and unhurriedly, allowing it to sink into your soul.
Romans 10: 17 reminds us, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (KJV)

Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV) "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 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."

3. Pray to the Lord from the heart, because the Christian has a personal relationship with Him.

Psalm 62:8 (KJV) "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us."

Romans 8:26 (KJV) "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

4. Act on what the Lord reveals to you through the Word and prayer, for faith is incomplete until we do.

James 1:22 (ERV)^"Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves."

James 1:25 (NASB) "But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does."

“But My righteous one will live by faith." ~ Hebrews 10:38 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, Thy Son Jesus Christ said that if we had faith even as small as a mustard seed we could move a mountain. We ask You to give us more faith. Fill our hearts with faith, hope and rivers of peace; may we always remember that You are in control and have engraved each one of us on the palms of Your almighty hands. May You meet the needs of everyone praying this prayer, In Jesus' name we ask, we love You, Lord, amen.

"Faith is the Two A's" © 2015 Rev. Donald Peters All Rights Reserved. Photo Credits via Pinterest Scripture Quotations: Easy To Read Version Bible (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by World Bible Translation Center,
New American Standard Version Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960,
New International Version, NIV® Copyright ©1973,
King James Version (KJV) (Public Domain)
Prayer: S.D. Harden Unto The Least Of These © 2015 All Rights Reserved.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Lord, Help Me Walk

John 15:4-5

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Lord Help Me Walk

"Lord Jesus, help me walk with You

Day by day, in every way,

In my heart, in all I say,

In all I do, oh Lord I pray.

To know you Lord, within my heart

Let Thy Light drive out the dark

Within my soul and mind and heart

And never from You let me part.

Help me know Thy will, oh Lord,

To listen to Thy every word,

To listen, Lord, and to obey,

To walk with You, Lord, every day."

In Jesus' name, Amen

-------------------------------------------

Heavenly Father, thank You for Thy measureless love for us and for the priceless privilege we have of knowing You through Thy Son Jesus Christ.

Help us to never take this precious gift of our relationship with You for granted.

Help us to abide in You every day; draw us closer to Thy heart, and help us to know and discern Thy voice within our hearts more and more, that we might see clearly each day what Your will is for us. Thank You, Lord. We love You, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Scripture Quote: King James Version Bible

Scripture Picture: via Pinterest

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Lord, Give Me Faith

LORD, GIVE ME FAITH

Lord, give me the faith of Abel

Whose sacrifice to You

Was born out of obedience

To Thy word of truth.

Lord, give me the faith of Enoch

Who walked with You each day

Ever drawing closer

Till Thy Love swept Him away

Into Thy heart of Truth~

He never died, You took Him home

To always be with You.

Lord give me the faith of Sarah

Who trusted and believed

The promise that you gave to her;

Thy promise she received.

Lord give me the faith of Abraham

Who waited many years

For the promise that You gave,

By faith he persevered.

He waited and he trusted

Though he saw no sign

That what You said would be fulfilled

In Your own way and time.

Lord give me the faith of Noah,

Who trusted and obeyed

Thy word to him to build an ark

Though he saw no sign of rain.

"Build Me an ark, “ said God,

~Noah saw no reason why~

Yet He patiently worked and built God’s boat

While hundreds of years went by.

"This world will end, dear Noah,

This ark you build will save

You and all I give to you,

Just do all that I say."

Lord give me the faith of Moses

Who faithful to You stayed;

Through every trial and temptation

He willingly obeyed.

You sent him to the Pharaoh

"Let my people go!"

And every time you sent him there,

The Pharaoh shouted, "No!"

He asked and sought and knocked,

Yet every door was closed,

But Thy will prevailed for him~

One day the king said, "Go!"

Lord give me the faith that lasts

To all eternity

That never doubts Thy promises

Will always come to be.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

“But joyful are those...whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.” ~Psalm 146:5-6 (NLT)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us with such immeasurable love and for believing in us so much that You entrust us with beautiful dreams that we could never hope or imagine could ever be fulfilled except by faith in Your strength and power and ability to help us accomplish them.

For You are to be honored and glorified in each of us

by our lives on this earth in all that we do,

and when we accomplish what would

seem impossible in our own strength,

all glory and honor goes to You, our awesome Creator.

We love You, Lord and thank You

for keeping every promise forever.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

"Lord, Give Me Faith," Prayer Poem © 2014 by Suzanne Davis Harden, All Rights Reserved. Bible Quote: New Living Translation: 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved. Photo Illustration/ S.D. Harden/ Unto The Least Of These © 2014 All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Lord, Teach Me

"Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;

I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit,

which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go."

~Isaiah 48:17 (KJV)

Lord, Teach Me
(A Prayer Poem~Inspired by Isaiah 48:17-21)
© 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden

Oh Lord, you are my God
Teach me, Lord, I pray,
Teach me what is best for me,
Lord, teach me every day.

Oh Lord, you are my God,
Please lead me where to go,
Guide me down Thy holy paths,
Thy will I want to know.

Oh Lord you are my God,
Lord, help me to obey,
To hear Thy voice, Lord, in my heart
And do all that You say.

Thy word says if I listen
And walk within Your Light
My peace will be a river
That never will run dry.

My righteousness will be like waves
That role upon the sea,
Ever rolling on and on
If I follow Thee.

My children will be like grains...
Of sand upon the shore
Measureless as the grains of sand
And live forever more
If I will obey Thy voice
And follow Thee, oh Lord.

Oh Lord, You are my God
And to Thy path of faith,
Is where You call my heart to go
And follow You each day.

You call me to the sea,
And there You make a path
Upon the rolling waves You say,
"Trust Me and hold My hand.

You will not let me fall
Beneath the rolling tide
I am always safe with You,
For Lord, You are my Guide.

You carry me to Your shelter,
Despite the wind and waves
We'll walk upon the water
Till on Thy Shores we're safe.

Oh Lord, You are my God,
Please teach me, Lord, I pray,
Please teach me what is best for me
Lord, teach me every day.
~In Jesus' name, Amen.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Trust in God With All Your Heart

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."~ Proverbs 3:5-6

In this detail from my painting based on Proverbs 3:5-6, Jesus, the Good Shepherd is leading one of His little lambs along a path He has chosen for her.

He lovingly looks down at His child and gently holds her hand as He leads her. He does not force her to follow Him.

He seems to be asking her to make the choice, "Will you follow Me down this path I have chosen for you?"

However, the child does not seem eager to follow her Shepherd, but reluctantly holds one hand behind her back while her feet stay planted on the shores of indecision.

Her head hangs down unwilling to meet the eyes of her Lord.

Something is preventing her from wanting to pursue the path He's chosen for her. Is it fear, doubt, worry, insecurity?

She cannot really see a path before her at all---only the ever relentlessly shifting waves of the endless sea before them.

Perhaps she wonders how she can walk upon such an unstable foundation?

If only she could see an end to the murky path before her! But she sees only an endless horizon of water whose depths she can't even fathom.

Her faithful Good Shepherd whom she has always trusted now seems to be asking her to plunge with Him into a depthless pool where there is no footing.

He seems to be asking her to leave behind everything she's always been able to depend on, and embark upon a path where she will have only Him to rely on for all her needs.

He seems be asking her to simply trust Him; to trust His word no matter what her eyes and ears may tell her to the contrary, because He is faithful to all His promises and He cannot lie.

He asks her to just believe that He will take care of her no matter what challenges come up. If only she will keep her hand in His and trust Him, nothing shall be able to overtake her.

Trust Me

"Will you trust in Me, My child?

I'll not lead you astray.

Will You trust in Me, My Child,

Though all the earth gives way,

I'll shield you from all harm, My child,

Your heart I'll not betray;

Although My path for you seems dark

An endless, depthless sea,

Strewn with wind & stormy waves,

Your safe always with Me.

And though you cannot see the end

I see it and I know,

That you will be all right, My child,

So never give up hope.

Never lose your faith in Me,

But Trust, oh trust always,

Know I love you, little one,

And in your heart remain.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Thank You that You love us and will never lead us down a path where You won't also be with us, guiding us by Your indwelling Holy Spirit. You are our Good Shepherd who leads us in paths of righteousness for Thy name's sake. You are working all things out in our life for our good. May You reassure us of these truths when we are challenged by the storms of life. For Thy word promises that You, Oh Lord, are FOR us, and if God be For us, who can be against us?!

You are our Hope and our Victory no matter what the world throws at us. For in the end, as You triumphed over the world, we too shall triumph as long as we abide in You. For You have promised us, "Greater is He that is in us, than he who is in the world."

We love You, Lord! In Thy great name dear Jesus, we give thanks and pray, amen.

Notes

A Small 5" x 7" inch double-matted print is available of the Painting "Trust God" by Suzanne Davis Harden.

*Visit Suzanne's Etsy Shop Wings Publications to see more information about this product: Trust God

Use this code GD1S8WS0M3 at checkout throughout the month of July to get this Beautiful Print at Half Price with your purchase of $25.00 or more.

Message Originally Published in Peaceful Prayer Songs, Messages of Hope: Peaceful Prayer Songs

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Letters From God

LETTERS FROM GOD
Has God given you a dream? Maybe it's an idea that seems too impossible to ever come true. Don't throw it away! Have faith in the dreams that God sows inside your heart. Here are some scriptures to encourage you to keep believing and working toward making those dreams God gives you come true. God Bless you. I am praying for you.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal…"~(Psalm 138:8 NLT)

"God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns." ~Philippians 1:6 (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

“This is the word of The Lord…‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” ~ (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…" ~(Zechariah 4:10 NLT)

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."~(Ephesians 3:20 NLT)

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” ~(Matthew 19:26 NLT)

"For nothing is impossible with God.” ~(Luke 1:37 NLT)

"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God…” ~Ephesians 3:20 (The Message Bible)

Heavenly Father, may You bless each person reading these words. May they not give up on the dreams You have created them to fulfill. Thank You, Lord. I love You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Letters From God" © S.D.Harden Illustration © S.D. Harden Scripture Quotations © New Living Translation; The Message Bible © Eugene Peterson; © New International Version Bible; Unto The Least of These © Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Through The Storm

FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS

Fix your eyes on Jesus~

No matter what the storm,

Jesus knows the way you take,

He's been that way before.

Fix your eyes on Jesus~

He's praying now for you,

And all His prayers are answered~

The Lord will see you through.

Fix your eyes on Jesus,

Lover of your soul,

He will hold you day and night.

And never let you go.

Lord, help us to keep our eyes on You no matter what challenges we are facing today.

Help us to cling to You in faith, trusting that You are our Good Shepherd who knows exactly the right path we should take and are leading us on that route no matter how chaotic things might seem. May You send peace & hope from the rivers of Heaven to every soul reading this message. Thank You. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Trusting Trees

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed.

They know that the Lord will do what he says.

They will be strong like trees planted near a stream

that send out roots to the water.

They have nothing to fear when the days get hot.

Their leaves are always green.

They never worry, even in a year that has no rain.

They always produce fruit.

Trusting Trees

© S.D. Harden

(Inspired by Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Lord, make me like the tree that grows

By the streams that ever flow

That are ever bearing fruit

In their season as they should,

Who never drop a single leaf

All because they trust in Thee.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

God's Strength

God's Strength

(Inspired by Isaiah 40:28-31

God strengthens the weak and weary,

Gives hope to those with faith,

And those who trust in Him will run,

They'll walk and will not faint.

Those who trust in God will soar

On wings as eagles fly;

Jesus will renew their strength

And lift their spirits high.

Even youths get tired

And those who seem so strong

Will one day stumble in their strength,

They'll stumble, slip, and fall.

Yet those who trust in Jesus

Will regain their strength;

Though they may slip and stumble

They'll walk again by faith.

Jesus will renew their souls;

He'll wash away their sins.

He'll never disappoint the ones

Who put their hope in Him.

His mercy reaches higher

Than a universe of stars,

Those who wait upon the Lord

Will meet Him in their hearts.

Oh have you never known?

Oh have you never heard?

The Everlasting God, The Lord,

The Creator of all the earth

Never faints or stumbles,

He's ever strong and wise;

His understanding infinite,

And He never, ever lies.

Our God is ever faithful,

To every promise true,

To all who trust in Jesus

Their souls He will renew.

God strengthens the weak and weary,

Gives hope to those with faith,

He'll never disappoint the soul

Who trusts in Him and waits.

Dear Heavenly Father, may You help us to humbly trust in Your unlimited strength and not in our own limited resources to meet every challenge we face. Your word says, "It's not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says The Lord of Hosts..." Thank You for Thy grace to patiently wait on You in faith. We love You, Lord.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Bridge of Safety

"Little Emily" Oil Painting Study by S.D. Harden

(after an original illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith)

"Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see.

Faith helps us understand that God created the whole world by his command.

This means that the things we see were made by something that cannot be seen.

Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him." Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6

"Little Emily" is an oil painting study I did in college when I was 20 years old. It's a copy of an illustration by my favorite illustrator Jessie Willcox Smith. (1865-1934)

(The original by JW Smith is far nicer in every way if you want to compare them.)

But as a young art student I loved copying all of my favorite artists in the hopes that I could someday attain to their level of excellence.

Little Emily seems to me an illustration of someone who is walking by faith.

Balanced on a narrow beam over a deep body of water into which she could fall at any moment, she nervously walks toward her goal.

In my heart, I imagine that the narrow beam she is walking on is God's trusted word. It will not fail her. But she must stay upon it. The way of life is narrow. And one must not walk to the right or to the left.

And if one turns back~look at the painting~she goes off the deep end!

The past exists no more.

One just has to keep going forward, walking on the path of God's proven word.

Jesus said, "The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever." (Matthew 24:35)

God never lies. We can trust His word.

"God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change His mind. When (God) says something, He does it. When He makes a promise, He keeps it." ~ (Numbers 23:19)

That painting reminds me of how so often our lives are a balancing act of faith over deep waters upon the bridge of God's trusted word.

God is in His word. God is in our hearts. He will not fail us. As we keep our eyes focused on Christ, and do not become distracted, we will not lose our balance and fall into the sea of worry, doubt, fear, depression, anxiety and everything else that robs us of our joy.

But if we do somehow fall, we have a Good Shepherd, a Savior with a powerful hand who will reach down into those murky depths and pull us out.

His word promises:

"God reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters." (Psalm 18:16)

"The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall, it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand." (Psalm 37:23-24)

We serve a mighty God. He says, "I am the Lord. I am the God of every person on the earth. You know that nothing is impossible for me.” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, that nothing is impossible for You! You can keep us on the path of life, restore us if we somehow fall, and that Your word is our bridge of safety that will never fail us. We love You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Unto The Least of These "Bridge of Safety" © 2014 S.D. Harden All Rights Reserved. Illustration: "Little Emily" Oil Painting copy by © S.D.Harden (after an original illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith)

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Persevering Faith

In (Christ) there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not defeated it.

~John 1:4-5 (ERV)

Never Give Up ( A Prayer Song of Perseverance)

No matter how dark the night,

No matter how fierce the storm,

Jesus help us trust in You,

And not give up, oh Lord.

No matter how high the waves

Come rising around our soul,

Jesus help us cling to You,

Your promise help us hold.

No matter how strong the winds

No matter how hot the flames,

Jesus help us trust in You,

And cling to You in faith.

No matter how strong the night,

It cannot overcome,

The light of Christ within us,

So may we not give up.

The darkness cannot overtake

The light of Jesus Christ,

Greater is He who is within us

Than our enemies of the night.

Lord Jesus, may we never give up,

Lord, never give up on You;

Lord, help us cling to You in faith

And hold on to Your truth.

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your Holy Spirit lives inside each one of Your children and that You are always with us every moment, every day of our lives. We may not be able to see You any more than we can see the air, but Your presence abides with us no matter what we are facing. You are with us in all our joys as well as all of our sorrows. Thy word says that You are very close to those whose hearts are breaking.

In art the brightest light is revealed by placing it next to something very dark. Perhaps that is also true spiritually. When we go through trials we are able to draw closer to You unless we allow the sorrows to make us bitter and angry.

Lord, I pray for every person reading this message and prayer; may You draw them closer to Thy heart through whatever path they are traveling in their life at this time.

May they not give up on any dream You have given them: ministry, work, whatever You whispered in their deepest hearts. Help them hold on and remember that "no word from God shall ever fail." Thank You Lord. I love You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"Persevering Faith," © 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden Unto The Least Of These, "Never Give Up" (A Prayer Song of Perseverance" © 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Photo Illustration Source/Pinterest

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Nothing is Impossible For God

WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

With God, all things are possible,

Though hope for now seems dim,

Oh never stop believing,

Trust everything to Him.

With God all things are possible,

He will not let you down,

If you've stepped out of the boat,

He'll never let you drown.

If you're walking on the sea

By faith in Jesus' hands,

He'll make the water hold you up,

As if it were dry land.

With God all things are possible,

By faith He'll see you through,

Every work, yes every task,

He's calling you to do.

And if it seems too hard for you,

The Lord will be your strength,

He'll guard you and protect you,

He'll empower you with faith.

With God, all things are possible

Your mountains fall by prayer,

"Ask of Me," your God has said,

"I hear you and I care."

"Oh come before My Throne of Grace

With every care and need,

And all your mountains they will fall,

Yes, fall into the sea.

I hear you're every prayer, says God,

I've bottled every tear,

Oh nothing is too hard for Me

Have faith and do not fear!"

"With God all things are possible,

Yes, trust in Me, believe!

I will not let you down, My child,

Nor your heart deceive.

Walk with Me on the water,

Walk with Me through the sea,

I'll see you through, My little one,

Just keep your faith in Me."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word assures us that NOTHING is too hard for You. You are the God who moves mountains for us when we pray in faith. And Jesus said we must always pray and never give up. The Angel Gabriel told Mary, "For with God, all things are possible."

Help us trust and believe in Your mighty power to meet our needs no matter what our circumstances are, because Your word says, You are the God of all flesh and that NOTHING is too hard for You. May we never underestimate Your power to rescue us, to meet our need, however great, or to heal us, however sick we may be. You are the God of the Impossible! Thank You, Lord! We love You! In Jesus name, Amen.

Unto The Least of These Encouraging Inspirational Messages of Hope