faith and the darkness :: Friday E-Devotion

What do we miss when we choose comfort over a challenge? What happens when we would rather rest than rescue someone?

Fact is most Christian are looking for the 'easy way out' rather than seeking to live by faith, living for God. We would rather know what the next step is and not face uncertainties. What do you think?

Hebrews 11:1 (nlt) --- Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Yep, faith pushes us to our limits. It takes us to places where we do not know the future. Faith expects us to follow God even when we have no clue what God is doing. By the way, that is scary. We loose control. Maybe that is what faith is...loosing control so God can take control.

Case in point is the disciples. Jesus called them (our series Chase the Lion will take a hard look at these principles this weekend) to leave what was comfortable. That was their homes, their business and their comfort. What did Jesus call them to? He called them to sacrifice which is often painful and uncertain. Would you have gone if Jesus called you?

Matthew 4:19 (nlt) --- Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!"

Jesus called them to a new way to live.

Matthew 16:24 (nlt) --- Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.

Jesus called them to a new focus.

John 10:27 (nlt) --- My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Jesus called them (and us) to follow no matter what.

I am uncertain of things at night. That is why we have these cute little blue night light things in our house. It helps you see when it is dark. Faith is not darkness. Faith helps you see in the darkness. Faith takes you places you would not go on your own, gives you success you would not have apart from it and faith plants purpose in your life that cannot come from anywhere else but God.

We have to choose: faith or complacency. We have to choose: adventure or monotony. We have to choose: self or Savior. By the way, faith will crush the darkest things around you...of you let it.

John 8:12 (nlt) --- Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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