Faith Is More Than an Accessory

"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:8 ESV)

True. Faith is something to put on or, as also stated in Ephesians 6, to take up. But certainly God never intended for us to wear faith like an accessory. Faith is not a cross around the neck, a bumper sticker, or a status label.  Faith is something to intentionaly put on as a piece of armor, which is an essential protective garment.  Faith is something we need to wrap ourselves up in the moment our feet leave the warmth of our bed sheets and hit the cold floor.  Faith is something we would want to wear when difficulties destroy the peacefulness of our lives, when tragedies paralyze us, when confusion conquers contentment, and when joy turns to mourning.  Faith ought to be the uniform we wear on the battlegrounds of spiritual warfare, which is happening daily both in and around us.  Faith is not an accessory of being a Christian.  Faith is the necessary act of being a Christian.

"Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG)

Restoring Joy

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:12     

Joy can fade like a sweet dream.  Alive and vibrant, joy is exciting, invigorating, and powerful.  But then, something happens to disturb your sleep, to wake you from your sweet dream.  Once awaken, it's as if the dream never happened.  Joy dissipates in the reality of life. 

Sin, hurt, tragedy, physical pain, busyness, heartache, exhaustion, worry, negativity, jealously, ungratefulness, bitterness, resentment are all causes of a joyless life.  Joy comes only from the Lord, and it is something we must choose to live.  To live a joy-filled life, honor God with your life and serve others.  Worship and selfless acts are catalysts for joy. 

Choosing joy should be as intentional and integral part of faith as praying.  Even King David needed to pray for the restoration of joy.  Choose joy today and live in such a way that gives joy to others and to God.

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Hope

A soul determined
presses on
even in a silent changing world.
"Hope deferred makes a heart sick"
I will always hope in the Lord;
therefore, I will never have an ailing heart.
My God is faithful
He fulfills every promise
because His promises are truth.
Like springtime after a long bleak winter
life rejoices in the regeneration
of Light and Love and Freedom.
On eagle's wings I soar
strengthened forever
because my hope is in You, Lord.

Let There Be Light

My hallway had a drab ceiling light.  I don't know if it once had a globe around it to make it something special, but when I moved in, it was anything but spectacular.  I had tried to ignore it because it did, afterall, provide light, which was all I needed.  However, my attentiveness to decorative detail could no longer ignore the all-exposed, plain lightbulb. 

When I removed the old light, it left a rather large ring on the old popcorn ceiling.  Instead of just putting up the new fixture, which was actually an old fixture a friend had given me, I wanted to cover the ring.  Finding paint to match would have been possible; however, I also wanted to add a decorative touch to the hallway.  I had thought a medallion would do the job nicely as well as fit in with the nostalgic feeling of the house.  Ceiling medallions are fairly inexpensive, but I just didn't want something I'd have to paint.  Also, I didn't feel the size of the medallion would be right for the space.  As a result, I went in search of another idea.

I found this decoupage tray at a local antique mall.  It is made of some kind of resin or cardboard-like material--material, anway, I knew I could drill through.  When I held it up to the ceiling, it reminded me of the painted ceilings in Rome.  It was perfect for the decorative-detailed look I wanted!

 I drilled through the tray, and with some longer screws and help from a friend, my new light was hung to the tray on the ceiling.  Now my hallway has gone from drab to fab! 

I love my new light fixture and the little touch of color the tray gives the ceiling.  Most of all, I love the way light can make a space.  How true is this in our spiritual lives?  Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, can make all the difference in the spaces of our hearts.  He illuminates all the dark places, and he brightens our dull lives.  His light of love always shines spectacularly.  He is the decorative detail of our lives.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"  --John 8:12

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:2, 3 NKJV)

Joy in the midst of a trial?  That's a bit of an oxymoron, don't you think?  Yet, we are told again in 1 Peter chapter 1 to rejoice in our sufferings (verse 6) and again in Romans 5:3.  We all know that anytime God repeats Himself, He is making a point. 

Because rejoicing in suffering is such a contrast of an emotion to have, it is not easy to do whatsoever.  It is a strength builder like lifting weights.  The more I lift weights, the more strength I build in my muscles, and eventually I can lift heavier weights.  Likewise, the more I rejoice when suffering, the more strength I build in my faith, and eventually it's not so hard to rejoice. 

So how do I rejoice when feeling such pain?  Start by giving thanks.  Think about all the ways in which God is blessing you and focus on those things.  Next, start each day new.  Leave the weight of yesterday behind.  Praise God for a new day and pray for Him to give you a bright outlook on the day as well as to be equipped for whatever the day shall bring.  Finally, rejoice by being still.  Yep, there it is again.  Being still allows God to be at work, and not us.  God's power is more present and more perfect in our weakness; therefore, be still and let God work.

"But let patience have  its  perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:4 NKJV)

"But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:13 ESV)

Be Still

I'm learning.  I'm not just learning to be still; rather, I'm learning that by being still, I am more able to learn.  "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" and "Be still and know that I am God" are two phrases in the psalms (37 and 46 respectively) that command us to be prepared to learn.  I know that when I am teaching, I feel I have my students utmost attention when they are still.  I feel they are more willing and apt to hear what I'm going to teach them when they aren't fidgety and talkative.

Being still isn't just about being quiet, being immobile, or being at peace.  It is about being a willing student ready to learn from the Master Teacher.  It's putting aside all distractions, emotions, stresses, and control.  It's about listening to the Shepherd's voice and letting Him lead.  It's about trust.  It's about hope.  It's about faith.

Be still and wait patiently.  Know God.  Trust Him.  He's got you, and He wants to teach you something.  His power is made perfect in our weakness. Be still.

Live Contentedly

"I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG)

I'm inspired to aspire a life of contentment.  When I'm discontented, I complain.  When I recognize all the ways of which I am blessed, I give praise.  Therefore, to live a contented life, I must live a life of thanksgiving.  God in His mercy and grace has given me (and you) a promise of eternal life.  What more shall I (we) be in need of?  Yet, in my sinfulness, I want more--more attention, more affection, more acceptance.  I have been promised all of those; and yet, I want more.  I have been discontented because I haven't been thankful.  I've been focusing on what I don't have, instead of what I do.  I want to be like Paul, who says in Philippians 4 that he has learned to be quite content whatever the circumstances because he has learned to be who is in God.

The way I see it, to live a life of contentment no matter the circumstance, I must immerse and keep myself immersed in Christ.  It's like I've been dipping my toes in the pool, but I haven't plunged in.  I've been shivering in the cold because I haven't been under the waters of God's warmth.  I lose my sense of self when I'm not swimming in God's Word. 

I went to a Hillsong concert last weekend, and for two-and-a-half hours I was totally saturated in worship and praise.  I couldn't imagine being anywhere else or doing anything else.  I would've stayed in that place forever.  Indeed, it gave me a glimpse of heaven, but it also showed me that when I'm in complete worship, I am in complete content.  I need nothing.  I am full.

My recipe, then, for happiness and contentment is to live a life of gratitude that gives glory to God no matter the circumstance.  How great is our God and most worthy of praise!  Immerse yourself today in His word.  Give Him thanks for He is good and His love endures forever.