Right Relationship With God

According to Your Faith

Ken

“Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29 KJV). Why did Jesus have to say anything? Because His purpose is to encourage our faith, since our relationship is based on trusting Him. It is not ours to object why we are so limited, but to believe He is not. Jesus does not mind our questions, so long as we ask them in faith. Willingness to obey Christ is to be a Christian, so obedience comes from a willing heart, doing what we know to do, until He shows us differently. Faith is trusting in the Living God to do as He said. OT Jōb was reduced to the barest, meanest circumstances, so low, even his friends had to conclude, Jōb had to have done something wrong to be treated so badly. Even Jōb finally broke under the strain, but God knew He was not putting Jōb under more stress than he could handle. Proof? “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13). That was true when Paul penned it, and it was true earlier with Jōb. Why’d God treat Jōb so? Because God is sovereign and can do as He knows is best for Himself and His Kingdom. Job actually had it right, when he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15); but, then he broke, when he thought he was pushed too far. Of course, he finally repented.

We see ourselves and all around us examples of people everywhere objecting to what God has dealt to them. We know we should trust God, but for any number of reasons, we can’t see how we can possibly do or be what God is requiring of us. What to do? Trust God and see where that takes us. Trust Him, even if it looks difficult or grim. Ask Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, if the Burning Fiery Furnace was fair of God to expect them to endure. Ask Daniel, if the Lion’s Den was fair of God to expect him to endure. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9). God will give us the grace according to our faith for whatever circumstance we face. If we believe there is no such thing as a situation in which God places us that we cannot endure, then our faith would do well in Jōb’s situation. Father, grant to us the grace to accompany our trust in You. It is not our place to tell You what is best for You or Your Kingdom. Only help us to be faithful. Magnify Yourself by what You accomplish through us. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.

It’s All About Relationship

Ken

Who He is to us, and who we are to Him. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2Peter 3:18 KJV). Many years ago, I would have  agreed with the word Relationship, but only superficially. I would have actually meant, “Get them saved, ” then repeat the process with the next one. But, they come in through the front door and leave through the back door. We try to solve the problem by social engagement, church member interacting with church member, with the understanding, “They won’t leave, if they have friends.” But, then they leave with their friends. Perhaps we need to be asking one another, “What is the LORD trying to teach us about Himself?” How has our understanding of His Word’s application to ourselves changed our understanding of Him? Paul seems to have captured that understanding. “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10). Father, stir us out of our lethargy. Cause us not to be satisfied with the way things are. Enable us to see You as our all in all to meet all the difficulties of life that You use to motivate us. May our cries for help fall upon Your hearing ears. May our hearts not be satisfied with mere answers for our deliverance, but may we see Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

How to Solve the World’s Problems

Ken

If everyone first addressed their own relationship with God, then the solution to the world’s problems has already begun. “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 22:29 KJV). Teaching the world to sing in perfect harmony is the realm of the Spirit of God. Petty and tribal warfare can only be expected, if each of us attempts to fashion the world after our own image. You must “first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Once we allow God’s Spirit to first deal with ourselves, then we will become useful to help others. This job is impossible unless the Holy Spirit is the one we are trusting to solve the world’s problems. LORD, You alone are capable of solving all of our problems, or You would not have created us, sent Your Son to save us, and given us Your Spirit to bring us back and keep us in right relationship with Yourself. Come quickly, and deliver us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.