A lively active faith is encouraged by the least of divine favor. The eye of faith sees the one in a million possibility versus the 999,999 probability. Matthew 17:20
Fear cuts truth in halves so that things that may not be true seem true. Or, what seems true becomes a clever intellectual diversion for my refusal to act on conviction. I would not want to build my steps today on broken bricks for fear I might slip. When things are obviously broken, I become far more fearful that I can realize on my own. Isaiah 5:20. Instead of believing what seems to be true, I realize by wisdom that what seems to be true may not be. What is true is that I'm afraid my Father isn't here in this darkness. Psalm 18:28
The same fear I felt alone at night as a child becomes a fear of the light as an adult who by fear feels alone. I want to crawl in a hole because fear enslaves me to self-deceit. Romans 8:15-17 This fear leads to anger that blocks me from doing what I truly want. James 1:19-22
Half truths are craftily decked out in attractive dress in order that they appear more true than truth itself when I'm fearful and/or deceived.
Revelation is motivation, not entertainment. Ezekiel 33:31-32
Response of delight. Exodus 2:6
A leap of love into darkness. Psalm 97:2
Sitting at the feet of Jesus is not pious thinking, but putting on an apron while having your feet washed. Luke 10:38-42
The school of hard knocks that has disembodied our words from matching acts, deeds, or objects leads me to apply for entrance into Jamestown U(the book of James) that restores the heartbeat of dead faith(without works). James 3:17-18 From words of war to a fighting spirit with words of peace. Psalm 120:6-7
"I'm tired." That is a common response to the question "How are you doing?". Sometimes, a more accurate reflection might be, "I'm tried". Though I may be tired from being tried, we can infuse our conversation with deeper meaning by differentiating between the two. Tired, or burned out is a condition resulting from operating by our own strength...usually ego driven or by some form of lust which whispers the lie more=better. When tried, I frequently misjudge the Lord and his dealings. For example, if I lose a friend or friends even if only for a season while tried, I begin to believe the Lord has turned his back or is punishing me because He isn't listening or showing up to intervene. Instead, I should be reminded not only of my mortality, but also in whom I should truly trust as he painfully weans me from close relationships, as well as toward a deeper belief in his Sovereignty. Through this deeper belief in his Sovereignty, joy flows, and the strength of our Lord is made manifest. Nehemiah 8:10
Let our yes be know 2 Corinthians 1:17-21 and may our knows be on the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
Holding your tongue when you don't have to speak your mind. Ephesians 4:29
Irrationality with a vengeance. Luke 12:15-20
Spotting the least of these giving big. Luke 21:1-4
Rejecting not only authority, but affection. Luke 15:28-32
Not paralyzed by my past in my present response. Ephesians 3:12