Stepping out in Faith

(written by Jennifir)

James 2:21-24: Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham

was shown to be right with God by his actions

when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

You see, his faith and his actions worked together.

His actions made his faith complete.

And so it happened just as the Scriptures say:

"Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because

of his faith." He was even called the friend of God.

So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do,

not by faith alone. (NLT)

As I read this scripture today I contemplated. We are saved by grace which is amazing in itself and through the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross we are made right with God. What I thought of as I read these verses though was that God does not want me to sit around and just have faith, but SHOW my faith through good deeds. All we do to glorify God is worship. Whether it is a smile and we allow Christ within us to shine or we actually go to another country to minister. God has called me to show my faith even when it is weak. It actually allows Jesus to shine all that much more because I am weak and I step back and drop the reins. I give them over to Him. I allow Him to shine through me. All that I do in His name is to glorify Him. My heart aches for Jesus! I love Him so much. As I grow closer to Him, I learn to hear what it is, little by little, what it is He wants me to do. And it's not just with ministry. It's with my life. Things that are scary. Things in my life that if I listened to myself, I would never do. He has asked me to trust Him. To show my faith and trust Him.

My first example is tithing. I have been tithing most of the year. Since I was convicted to tithe. I realized a few weeks ago that I am supposed to tithe on my gross income not my net. No wonder I haven't seen much improvement. I had been shortchanging God. I went a few days struggling over this concept. Wondering if I should tithe my income tax refund. Doing so would be a huge step out in faith. A huge step out of my comfort zone. I can't help but think of the song Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns. The Holy Spirit kept nudging me on it. Convicting me. I kept thinking. That's a rent payment, deposit for Honduras, a new camera. I was torn. As I think on it I cannot help but think of Galatians 5:16 where Paul tells us to allow the Spirit to lead us. If you read further down he talks of the struggle between the sinful nature and the Holy Spirit. I had to step out in faith. Allow myself to be led by the Holy Spirit, not by my mind which sees things totally different. I obeyed. I payed my back tithe with a joyous heart. I know the Lord will reward me. He has in so many ways, but especially by filling me so full of Him. By really beginning to grow FFJ! By revealing others who are supposed to be involved! It is so exciting.

It was scary to give that much money away when I need it so much, but the Lord promises that He will take care of our needs Matthew 6:25. So, why should I be so afraid to obey and put my share into God's storehouse as He instructs in Malachi 3:10. I know He will provide. He has placed a desire in my heart for a ministry. And at first I had no idea which direction or how it would go. He began it here with a blog. He is slowly teaching me, slowly moving us forward. He reveals only as much as I need to know at the moment. He is giving me the desires of my heart and I rejoice. I realize that my desires are not what they were a year ago, a few months ago, even a couple of weeks ago. My desires are being transformed into His desires. I praise God for working on me. For molding me! I love it! It keeps me close to Him.

I go to Him now and ask Him to continue to ask me to step out in faith. To SHOW that I have faith in Him not just say I do by doing things I know I myself cannot do but can do because Christ is in me. Philippians 4:13. I know this seems like such a muddled blog, but it is what is on my heart. I am excited to follow Jesus! To glorify Him. To obey no matter how ludicrous it seems to me or those around me. My heart belongs to Jesus! I am His to use. I pray and ask him to use me. I am a living sacrifice. I thank Him for all the blessings. I rejoice in all the trials! I will continue to do the best I can to step out in faith. To trust Him when He tells me He will provide. When He places a peace so strong in my heart when He puts people into my life. He has blessed me abundantly and He doesn't have to! How can I wrap my puny, sinful, tiny mind around that?? I can't. No matter how hard I try. I trust you , Father! That is all I can do! I hide underneath your wings Father! You will take care of me and guide me and you will provide the means for anything you ask me to do! Thank you!!!

Psalm 91:2-4 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (NLT)

Oh Father, Daddy, protect me. Guard my heart. Guide me! Fill me with your Spirit! I love you more than I could ever express! Thank you for setting me free!! Thank you! I am no longer a captive because of your amazing son, Jesus Christ my Lord!

Isaiah 61:1