Still exercising my faith from "His Kindness Year Round"

It's been two years since the Holy Spirit shared with me the phrase, "exercise your faith". Exercising my faith has not been a one time event, but an ongoing process. As time passes, I learn more and more the importance of faith and belief in the Word and the key role exercising faith plays in our lives.

To help enforce the value of our genuine faith, I want to share an analogy from a pastor and a reminder of a dear sister in Christ.  

When you go to the faucet and turn on the hot water, you do not immediately receive or feel hot water.  Do you worry about it, fret whether you will soon feel the hot water?  Or before you even turn the water on, do you have anxiety about whether the water will become hot?  Or before getting out of bed in the morning, do you question if there will even be any hot water in the house at all? The answer to these questions are all 'probably not'.  We turn on the hot water, understanding we may not immediately feel the heat, but knowing soon the warm water will be felt on our hands.  We don't worry about whether the cold water will become hot.   

That's how faith works.  When we believe a promise of the Lord in faith, we may not immediately feel or see the outcome, or manifestation, but we believe. We first have faith that the true promise of our Heavenly Father will manifest. We don't fret if our request in His plan will become reality in the natural, because we truly know it is occurring, often before we see or feel the results. 

As a sister reminded me, we have to believe and trust by faith first to ensure our souls (mind, will and emotions) and our bodies experience the seeing, the feeling, and the realization of God's promises fulfilled.  It has to start with our faith in what the Word says. Believe in the promises our Father has already made to us.  

 

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise."

 

Expect.  Believe.  Receive.  

 

1 John 5:14-15 "And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.  And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for."

 

Prayerfully, exercising my faith, your sister in Him,

 

Robin 

People Watching from "His Kindness Year Round"

I don’t usually frequent the mall, but recently my father and I had a Saturday lunch in the food court.  That can be quite an interesting experience on an early Saturday afternoon.  

Do ya ever people watch?  Ever sit back and view the habits, body language, mannerisms and appearance of others?   

The great chances are someone has, is, or will watch you at some point in time.  Wonder what type of behavior others would see if you didn’t know you may be watched?  Or what sort of language would be heard if you didn’t think you were being listened to?  Or what facial expressions would be seen?  Or what would you be wearing?

Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account."

When in the presence of others, we know our actions and words can be seen or heard. We may put forth extra effort to exhibit the behavior we want others to see.  

2 Corinthians 8:21 "For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man."

However, what about when we are in the solitude of our own homes . . . . do we show the same actions or words we display in public?  And what about the reaction of the Father, Who knows our thoughts and sees our hearts?  How pleased would we be at ourselves if others could see or hear the way we act or speak in private?  

1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin  

Are you an Honest Abe? from "His Kindness Year Round"

Honesty is an extremely important basis of a successful relationship.  It doesn't matter who the relationship is with, we need connections with people we can trust and with people we believe.

Philippians 4:8 "Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of.  If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things." 

We each are blessed with at least a chosen few to whom we can tell our thoughts, emotions and feelings. These are probably people we know we can trust and who will be honest with us.

1 Corinthians 8:21 "We want to do the right thing.  We want God and men to know we are honest."

We each are fortunate to have those who love us unconditionally, perhaps as the agape love Paul expresses in 1 Corinthians 13.  It's hopeful these are people we can trust.

We have a network of people we relate with for a wide variety of reasons.  Some of these we can trust, and with some, we need to be cautious.

Colossians 3:9-10 "Do not lie to each other.  You have put out of your life your old ways. You have now become a new person and are always learning more about Christ. You are being made more like Christ.  He is the One Who made you."

Followers of Jesus have a spiritual community in which we have fellowship.  It is very important these people are honest in speaking and living the Word -- the truth, and not false teachings as the New Testament repeatedly refers, especially as end times draw near. 

1 Timothy 4:1-2 "Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.  These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead."

There is one who will never be honest with you.

Ephesians 6:11 "Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil."

More importantly, there is One Who will always be honest with you. 

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!"

The Father knows our thoughts, our heart, and certainly hears our words.  We aim to please Him in being honest with ourselves and with others.  We may need to stop and do a reality check on occasion to ensure we're on track.

Acts 24:16 "I always try to live so my own heart tells me I am not guilty before God or man."

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

One scoop or two? from "His Kindness Year Round"

Rules.  Laws.  Regulations.  We all have them.  We all need them.  But, some people have two different ‘scoops’ and yet only offer you one scoop while they take the other.

Hmmm . . . . let me further explain.  We have a variety of relationships:  familial, professional, personal, social, spiritual, etc.  I’ve discovered there are many people who have two sets of rule books.  One rule book, or standard, is for themselves – what they are suppose to do and how they are suppose to act and react and how they are suppose to treat others.  And then, they have another rule book, or standard, for everyone else.  This second rule book is very different from the one they have for themselves; oftentimes, it’s the complete opposite of the standard they have for themselves. If perhaps, they decide to participate in a certain activity, it’s acceptable. Then again, if you choose to do the same thing, it’s a no-no.  Ah, ha, two “scoops” or double standards – one scoop for me and a separate one for you. 

Be cautious with someone who operates with double standards.  Some times more is not better.

One thing you can always be sure of:  God has one set of standards for His followers.  That will not change.  One set of standards is compiled into His Word, the Bible.  He gives us all the same guidebook from which to study.  We don’t have to wonder what the Heavenly Father expects from us.  We don’t have to be in question of the consequences of our actions.  We don’t have to explore where we shall spend eternity or Who we will spend it with.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

The answers are provided in His Word, with help from the Holy Spirit.  I'm very grateful we serve a living God who remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! 

2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are unfaithful, He is faithful, for He cannot deny Who He is.”

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Sing! with "His Kindness Year Round"

I love music!  In the natural on earth, I'm not a musician or singer or performer, but I enjoy music.   

My dad and I were relaxing in his den and listening to a CD of old hymns. The stirring the Holy Spirit has through music is thrilling!  I predominantly listen to contemporary Christian music these days, but sometimes, I need to be saturated with the old hymns. 

“The Solid Rock” reminds me of hope, because of the blood of Jesus, when all other ways are sinking sand.

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” provides the knowledge of safety, security and peace in the arms that will always be there for us.

“Count Your Blessings” awards me a bit of bounce in my step with much thanks to the Lord for His mercy and grace and all the blessings He provides!  His blessings help me to focus on Him rather than possible current circumstances.

Psalm 30:11-12 "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.  You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever!"

“The Old Rugged Cross” proclaims the sacrifices Jesus made for us, because of His great love, a love we can’t comprehend.

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus tells of our precious friend, our best friend, Who is always with us, waiting to hear from us, and asking for our burdens and cares.

“Amazing Grace”, a favorite hymn of many, speaks of that sweet grace God imparts to us, the honor of His favor, as we don’t deserve or earn grace.

“Nothing but the Blood” emphasizes the divine blood of the sacrificial lamb, Who washed away all our sins and healed our spirits and bodies!

Psalm 150:5-6 "Praise Him with a clash of cymbals; praise Him with loud clanging cymbals.  Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!  Praise the Lord!"

“Softly and Tenderly” asks us, “Is Jesus pleading for you today?”  As the song states, moments are passing and time is fleeting.  Jesus is calling.  He is waiting.   And, oh, for the wonderful love He has promised -- for you and me!  He has mercy and pardons our sins. If you are not yet there, please join the fold.  Come home. 

Singing today in Him, 

Robin