Don't lose faith

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph. 3:16-17).

The devil is constantly trying to lie to us so we may lose faith in God. Faith is the only thing that God requires for Him to dwell in our hearts. He wants us to believe that through Christ we can do all things for real...Rather than the “fix-its” we mistakenly desire, God’s thought instead is that we would believe Him in regard to who His Son is to be in our lives. And not a “i'm just holding on” kind of faith, but an overcoming, ever-increasing, active faith in Jesus, the One God sent. This is how He dwells and lives in our hearts with power in our inner man—by Faith! Not by “pleasant” circumstances. Not by comfortable relationships. Not by having my peaceful times. No. It is BY FAITH that He can express Himself and live His life out through each of us. Believing that He is who He said He is. Sent from God; Lived in a Holy reverence and responsiveness and Love for His Father; Walked His life here sacrificially, putting others always before His own needs; Stuck by God and with God all the way to the very end without wavering or giving up or being selfish, to the very end when He finally was killed by hateful people. And then God raised Him in His body, flesh, mind, spirit and All, from the dead. He came up out of death, and God gloriously lifted Him to the heights of heaven and all authority, power, love, grace and Lordship were bestowed on Him forevermore. This is the One we believe. This is the One we trust. Let’s not hold back!

I exhort myself and whoever would listen to lift up our heads to our glorious God in heaven who is continually shining His life and love down upon us. Continually giving us opportunity upon opportunity to find Him and know Him in a special way in the “little” things in our lives. A conscious effort to turn away from sexual sin because we trust Him. Appreciating life and the blessings we see and do not see. A crossroads decision to deny myself and love someone who impinged on my so-called “rights.” Those painful moments when you should really just keep your mouth shut and reject selfishness. Lift up my head to see the One who went before us and who has provided every single need that I have. Let us trust Him and trust Him and trust Him that He will take care of us. We must determine diligently to trust in Him and love His ways no matter how much it hurts or how uncertain the future may look.Not back off or zone out or be shallow. Let’s go all the way? What have we got to lose? Nothing! His promise to us is that He would dwell in our hearts THROUGH FAITH!! Please let us not allow the enemy steal this precious gift.