Today is Faith Filled Fantastically Full of Fun Fabulous Family Friday! Woo Hoo!!!!
Today on my way to work I was chatting it up with God as I do everyday and as sometimes happens subjects which I classify as titles began flashing across my mind. Today's title is the one that stuck the hardest and I was able to jot it down when I came to a stop light. Right after that, I noticed the song on the radio was saying "Thank you" I cracked a grin.
I was on a track of trying to blog on this alphabet picture of mine that sits above my desk at work this winter. I have not blogged on it forever and just yesterday I looked up to see that letter F was on John 3:16. If you don't know what John 3:16 says, you must not be a football fan of Tim Tebow. It was due to him having this written under his eyes that John 3:16 was the number one thing googled last year. I find that ironic because after the song ended it was announced that Tim Tebow was drafted by the Patriots and the coach made a comment regarding Tim Tebow's faith and how important it was to Tim and how that steadfastness was impressive to the coach. I smiled even bigger.
I put out a challenge to Renew your mind in a couple of previous blog posts and one of the items to help with this is to pick a devotional to read each day. Today my devotional was about God-Pleasing Faith. It references the book of Hebrews, Chapter 11:6 which taken from my MacAuthor Study bible states:
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
I know many struggle with Faith. They feel God has let them down somehow. If you are someone who struggles, you should know, I struggled with Faith myself. If you have been following my own personal story you already know that. If this is the first blog of mine you have ever read, I'd encourage you to slide back to December and January and read a post or two. Many of them are about my own personal journey through this thing we call life. I'm sure I've worn a pair of shoes you yourself have traveled in. Nothing would please me more than to help you find your Belief and Faith in Our Heavenly Father. With that being said, Let's get to the heart of John 3:16. This too is taken word for word out of My MacArthur Study Bible:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
As I often do, I am going to add verses 17-21 as well:
Verse 17: For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Verse 18: He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Verse 19: This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
Verse 20: For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Verse 21: But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
In other words, the Truth will set you free! Seeking God with all your heart will cause you to step into the Light. The more you bask in the Light, the more you long for it. Before you know it you will wake up with Joy in your heart. It is a fruit of the spirit after all!
I have no idea where you are in your walk with God. I don't know if you currently turn to Him in times of trouble or moments of elation. I only know we all share the same Heavenly Father. He loves us all. So much so that He sent His one and only son to save us AND on top of that, He still allowed us Free Will. That means we get to decide whether we turn to Him or not. How much more gracious can a Father be?
Today I pray the lost are led out of darkness and into the light. I come before you today Father and say Thank you for sending your Son to save us. Thank you for your Grace that we don't have to earn. Thank you for walking with us even when we deny you are the source of our strength. You are so loving it boggles my mind but I am grateful you are. I know how long I sat in the dark Father. It was out of sheer desperation I called out to you. As you are Faithful, you answered me. I ask that you shine the light into the dark places of this world, into the hardened unknowing hearts of my fellow brothers and sisters. I sought you as a child and you spoke to me. I pray others will seek you daily. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
In closing, I leave you with the song I heard on the radio. Please pay attention to the words. Have a blessed day my friends!
Wendy,
Mom of Many
© Wendy Glidden 2013