Standing

Recent events in my family has made me stop to think about how strong my faith is. Although I am saddened by decisions made, I am thankful that God - day by day - has given me strength and courage to do what is necessary for that particular day. It is only with His help I am able to find comfort and peace within my own personal circumstances. I am learning to lean on Him more and more while watching Him work in my life. Therefore, as someone else once said, "I am resolved to follow the Savior" and find perfect rest and peace in His presence. I am also learning that the more I lean on Him and trust in his Word and promices, the more I know He is with me. And, in that I can find exceeding joy.

Circumstances

Feelings are temporary. They change as circumstances change. We have little power over circumstances yet we give circumstances great power over our feelings. What we fail to realize is, though we have little to no power over circumstances, we do have power over our feelings.

If we look toward the truth, God's Word, it is never changing. If we focus on this alone regardless of the circumstances we can find peace no matter the circumstances.

Resolved to Stand Firm

It is no secret to those who know our family, that we have had our share of difficult circumstances to overcome in recent months. God has been faithful to see us through all of them. Now, we are facing another circumstance with an unknown outcome.

We are resolved to stand firm and place our trust and faith in God with whom all things are possible. Though we may face sorrow in the days to come, we are confident He will be there to carry us through. We are peaceful and at rest knowing that "this too shall pass".

He is faithful and He is truth. We shall praise, worship and serve Him in the midst of the storm.

Comfort Is In What You Know

Sometimes it is difficult for us to go through certain situations that arise during our lives. We want assurance of what is going to happen and how it's going to happen. We want to know that our children will be safe when they're away from home. We want to know whether or not things we attempt to do will turn out great before we will commit to doing them. We find assurance in knowing. We seek assurance from family and friends who will lift us up and give support to encourage us, to let us know they feel we are able to achieve whatever we try to do.

We should come to realize that even with all the encouragement we receive from family and friends, no matter how much encouragement they give us, it still isn't knowing whether or not we will be able to accomplish what we are called to do or how any particular situation will turn out - whatever it may be.

There is no real way for us to know what the outcome of any undertaking will be or the outcome of any situation. But, after saying that. there is assurance in knowing. Assurance in knowing that God knows all things. If we trust in God and believe His Word, that is really all the knowing we need no matter what situations come along.

Revival Services

I encourage you, if you are reading my blogs, to click on one of my favorite web sites listed on the left of the screen - Cornerstone Independent Baptist Church. Choose the live web cast option. They have been having revival this week and the messages are wonderful. Dr. Ron Comfort is the guest speaker. The broadcast for tonight will be live at 7:00 pm. If you can't watch it live, click the On Demand button and choose the date for the service you want to hear.

I have had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Comfort on several occasions at CIBC. His messages and his testimony is incredible and as always straight from the KJV.

2010 Happy New Year

I have added a new link in my favorites, Golo. This is a social network for the Raleigh, NC and surrounding areas. There are many post which inform of local activities, concerts, support groups, etc. These posts are very informative. However, I have found some of the posts listed on the right side of the page interesting and yet somewhat concerning. I have made many good Christians friends through these blogs. I have also been made aware through these blogs and postings of my own blogs the many of which do not hold the same beliefs in God and salvation as I do. There is a great need for those who are solid in their belief and knowledge to be aware of the many different beliefs which surround us locally. Actually, it has led me to study deeper and to strengthen my beliefs as to what I already know to be true. I pray that sharing my beliefs to others, even in this area, will further their understanding of the Gospel.

Faith vs. Fear Revisited

I have been studying faith vs. fear for awhile now. Yesterday, my pastor made a statement that really hit home for me. I don't know if it was his own quote or if he got it somewhere else. But, none the less, it was to me profound - especially when all are fearful of what is going on in the world economically, financially, and spiritually. With struggling harder everyday to make ends meet and fighting the good fight of faith, for me, the following statement put prospective as what I should be doing. He said:

'You should not have doubts about your faith and have faith in your doubts. That leads to fear. We are told as Christians not to be fearful. Instead, we should have faith in our faith and doubt our doubts."

Doubts are the battlefield in which we fight against what is trying to tear our faith down. We must fight against the doubts to keep our faith alive and strong. Our faith is the very thing that keeps us strong and enables us to discern correctly what we should do in every situation. Our faith is the very thing that God uses to give us strength to fight the battles that beseige us. When we put faith in our doubts, we are giving power to the doubts to ultimately destroy ourselves - to destroy the one thing we have that enables God's power to overcome and have victory in battles we face.

Fight the good fight of faith. Don't let your doubts become what you have faith in. Do not give power to the one who destroys. But, have faith in what you know to be true - the love of the one who died and shed His blood by which you were saved.