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A Tested, Tried, and Proven Firm Foundation

I love science, physics, math and logic — because they are based on physical evidence and verifiable truths that can be proven time and time again. There is “substance” that they are based on.

And I understand how things “unseen” or that “can’t be directly verified by our senses” can very be a challenge to comprehend, much less believe.

But the extremely cool thing about what faith has done for me over time (not like a genius granting wishes immediately), is that by establishing this connection via “faith”, I have seen the physical evidence — in my life experiences, in my thoughts, in my words, in my actions, and in my circumstances — prove time and time again the verifiable truth that my God is good and that my faith has a substantial and positive impact.

Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Love this quote:

“It is easy to mock or dismiss faith, but that’s only for those who have never truly experienced it.  For those who have experienced it, it transcends any earthly experience and makes us so certain of the Lord’s abiding presence, that we could almost reach out and lay our head on His bosom.”

A Tried Stone

https://atriedstone.wordpress.com/2021/07/16/hebrews-111-faith-is-the-subtance/comment-page-1/#comment-4667

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Destroying Obstacles

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT

I remind myself that it doesn’t say “We proudly destroy every obstacle” and it doesn’t say “We destroy every proud person” but it says “We destroy every proud obstacle”.

And just like “fighting fire with fire” without any plan or understanding just creates a great bigger, raging fire — it should be clear that to destroy any “proud obstacles” that our own pride can’t be the weapon or tool used. It must be us humbling ourselves.

It should not be us trying to manipulate a way to humble “them”. It must be us submitting ourselves and humbling “ourselves”.

We must take our eyes off the person, see the actual obstacle between us, and overcome spiritual obstacles with spiritual warfare. Don’t fuel the “proud obstacle with” more of our own pride, but humble ourselves and see mountains laid low and stones rolled away.

We see our example of this in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lord, let our faith please you, and let us receive your Holy Spirit to teach and guide and lead us in The Way, as you have promised when we believe, confess, and repent. In Your Name, Amen.

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Rest

I need rest.
Not just quiet,
Not just sleep,
but rest.

Not just my body,
Not just my mind,
But my heart needs rest.

So many around me hurting,
So much loss,
So much need.

Yet I cling to hope,
Through tearful eyes,
Upon tired knees,
On this solid rock
of promise and faith.

My eyes might not see it yet,
My hands may not have felt it,
My tongue may not yet recognize
the sweet taste of victory.

But I will find rest tonight
not just because the day was hard,
but because tomorrow is a new day,
and I will make it one day at a time.

Goodnight,
And rest well my friends.

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Baptism

Q: Do you have to be baptized to be saved?

A: Look to what Jesus said to the thief on the cross.

But your question may be leading and may not be asking what actually needs to be considered and asked. Words like “have to be” or “should do” create a bias in the question that is legalism instead of using words that talk about the results of a changed heart and the Word of God being written on our hearts to lead us as a new creation in a new direction that isn’t about us “living up to” or “meeting the requirements” — but is about our wanting to “give God all the glory for what He has done for us”.

Those who do not believe that God has done much for them will not love Him, will not truly worship Him, will not be publicly baptized, will not share this Good News as far and wide as they can, will not live a life that brings God glory , will not bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, etc. But those who have been forgiven much love much.

Q: What is the call given to those who have surrendered their lives to The Way and love and seek God with their whole heart?

A: Acts 2:38 says, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

What? Repent AND be baptized

Who? every one of you

How? in the name of Jesus Christ

Why? for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

People can build logical justifications fir their rebellion based on their natural man resisting things they hear with “have to” and “should” type of wording — but understanding and believing that the Why is true — should have us excited about the What, the Who, and the How.

God bless you, friends!