October 22, 2009, "Faith in God"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written by: Teresa Criswell

"So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God...""
~ Mark 11:22 ~

As the rain trickled down the window pane, hearing the pitter patter of the rain applauding the majesty of God, I was enthralled by His great power and glory. Nature proclaiming their knowing of God's great provision over them. It was as though I was sitting in the middle of a beautiful symphony.

Swept away by this intoxicating reminder, I went to the computer as my fingers knowingly knew how to dance upon the keys of the keyboard. As my fingers continued to dance so confidently; I opened my inbox to my emails. As I opened the inbox, I saw that I had received a devotional from 'Girlfriends In God'. As I read the devotional I was reminded of faith. This quote of faith declared from Corrie Ten Boom, a woman who endured life and death obstacles I cannot imagine during the Holocaust of the Jewish people during World War II.

Corrie Ten Boom's faith declaration, "Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible."

As I read the quote, it showed even moreso how our faith cannot be misplaced in things, circumstances changing, or even other people whom we have great confidence in. That faith must always be directed to God. As we have faith in God, we are able to believe the unbelievable and receive the impossible.

Another quote I heard a couple of years ago from my former pastor was the following: "When I put my faith in God away; I put the ability to receive away."

If I put faith away for one moment, then doubt has a place. It's easier said than done, isn't it? The world that reminds us daily of ruin. Yes, even our present circumstances try to tell us how we are doomed with no hope in sight. We have to intentionally, on purpose remind ourselves of the victory in God through Jesus as we are enpowered by the Holy Spirit.

How? Look at all the examples of deliverance. As soon as they lifted up their voices to God, turned to God or declared the awesomeness of God; God came through in ways they could never imagine. Yet at the same time, many martyrs in the 'New Testament' (Agreement) died; yet even in their deaths they passed through the life on this earth into heaven rejoicing of Who God was to them.

The key, I am learning in their death is that they didn't rejoice in what was happening to them, they rejoiced in God through their horrific circumstances. This leads me to great awe. They never gave glory to the way they died; even when tortured beyond our capability to understand; they were praising their God even in their final moments. Wow! It shows how they exercised their faith in ways we may never have to.

I pray I am reminded throughout today, that I cannot be moved by the great or small things that take place in my life; however, I can remain immovable by the Word of God, rejoicing in Who He is!