Faith brings results....

Romans 9:30-32 "....the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law...."

When we receive Jesus as our Lord, He makes us righteous. It is not by works, what we do or don't do, but rather by faith that we attain righteousness.  The same is true for Grace and Mercy. The only requirement for us to receive these gifts is faith. Actually, it is impossible to be saved and have a relationship with God without faith. Faith is essentially, belief and trust. So when we are growing in our relationship with God, what is really happening is we are learning more and more to trust Him and believe in the love he has for us.

It is by this faith that all of God's gifts and promises are manifest in our lives. So i know if there is an area in my life that isn't in line with the best that God has for me, I got to check my faith. If there is any part of my life that isn't covered by faith that God loves me and He is in control, then I block the blessings that God desires for me to have.

We must make faith a daily priority. The bible tells us "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." We have to feed on His word daily in order to build our faith.  When we stand firm in our faith, God will do the rest...

Keep your foot out of your mouth...

"In quietness and comfort shall be your strength..." Isaiah 30:15

This scripture applies more to my life than any other. When the bills are more than the cash inflow, or when someone is attacking my character, or the doctors report isn't what i wanted to hear, or most of all, when my children are making wrong choices I have a choice to make - i can either complain and make things worse or i can be quiet and confident knowing that God already knew what was going to happen in my life and He has a plan to deliver me.

God has always got my back, if i let Him. When i don't choose to be quiet and trust Him, but instead let fear and anger rule my thoughts that's what is going to come out of my mouth. "...I believe, therefore I speak.." When I react to discouraging situations with a negative attitude, the situation is only going to get worse and there is nothing God can do to help me.  We take the control away from God and put it in our own hands and then wonder why things aren't getting better.

So if you find yourself in circumstances that produce anger and fear, and you don't know something positive to say - Be Quiet and trust in God! He will in fact deliver you, bring you through with more than you had before.....if you keep your foot out of your mouth!