God is so good! Thank You, Jesus, for Your faithfulness—even when we are weak and faltering.
Last night, we had a dinner scheduled, and it was exactly what we needed. If we had spent the evening alone, we could have gone down a dark emotional and mental road. But God, in His perfect timing, made sure we had this dinner pre-arranged, knowing ahead of time what we would need.
I have to admit, I was struggling more than I would like to. So, we’ve decided to fast and pray this weekend—asking God for direction. Should we start packing? Or should we stand firm and believe that God will still provide?
CB mentioned a family that runs With Love from Jesus—a ministry that relies completely on the Lord for their daily needs. They don’t receive salaries or have any other income, yet God provides for them every single day. That resonated deeply with me. So, I reached out, and we’re trying to set up a time to meet for coffee.
Lately, a scripture has been rolling around in my heart—one of our favorites from James 1:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..."
And then this part in James 1:6-7:
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
That hit me hard.
I have been that wave. Blown and tossed by the wind. Lord, forgive me for my doubt and fear. Help me to stand firm and set my face like flint as I lean into the storm.
A friend sent us this encouraging word:
Small Straws In A Soft Wind – Marsha Burns (Jan 25, 2008)
Even though it seems like you've been swimming upstream or perhaps walking through Jell-O, keep pushing. Your extreme efforts to break through will pay off. The test is whether or not you will give up in the face of adversity.
You may not feel tough, but My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Let Me come alongside you to carry the burden, says the Lord.
Then, she forwarded a note from her husband:
I feel a couple of things: That Tom and Linda will be living a nomadic existence for a while, going from home to home—planting seeds for organic churches. That their possessions will mostly be sold or given away. That they will have many options, and whatever they choose, the Lord will bless.
It’s funny because Tom and I had joked about this idea early on—putting a whole new spin on house church by staying with people, working with them in their marriages and walks with the Lord. We weren’t sure if that was God’s plan, but now… maybe?
Faith Confirmed Again
Tom came home from lunch today and told me about an amazing experience.
On his way back, he listened to a program called “Living on the Edge”, and the speaker was saying exactly what we’ve been hearing from God! He found the recording online and played it for me.
The message? "It is impossible to please God without FAITH."
The speaker walked through Hebrews—including the very passage God gave us weeks ago:
Hebrews 10:35 – 11:1
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for…”
It was so cool to hear this confirmation—to hear God reminding us once again:
"Do not be afraid—just believe."
"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
"Do what I called you to do, and I will take care of the rest."
"Be still and see the deliverance I will bring you today."
God requires just one thing from us: FAITH.
And He rewards it. There are 422 references to the faithfulness of God and His people. Clearly, faith matters to God.
And so, I choose to stand firm.
I choose to trust.
I choose faith.
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