What is faith?

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29–30)

The gospel declares that God will provide the faith that you need. Indeed, the gift of grace comes wrapped in faith (Romans 10:17). But what is faith?

Faith is a rest: “Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls.”

Faith is allowing yourself to be persuaded that God is good and he longs to be good to you. When you are persuaded, the issue is settled and your mind is at rest.

In a world of heavy burdens, Grace comes offering rest. Unbelief responds, “Leave me alone, I’m busy.” But faith responds, “Rest, you say? I’ll have some of that, thank you very much!”

It’s a totally different way to live and nothing like the DIY religion many of us have been raised on.

“For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:10–11).

The gospel is not an invitation to pick up tools, but to drop them.

The gospel is not a job advertisement, but a holiday.

The gospel is not a day of work; it’s a day of rest.

Grace declares, “It is finished, the work is done,” and faith responds, “Thank you, Jesus!”

Faith is not something you must do or manufacture. Faith is resting in the restful persuasion that God is at rest, and in him so are we.

Why not share this good news with friends today?

- Paul Ellis

Stress

 

Happy New Year

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”   (Phil. 3:13-14 ESV)

Happy New Year!

 Last night, people all over the world held parties to celebrate the passing year and to herald in the new one. Many resolutions were made and hope and optimism was expressed everywhere for the future.

 Today is January 1st. The old year is now history and a brand new one has begun. And yes, it’s a good time to put away some old things and reflect on the new. As followers of Christ we have some wonderful promises to rejoice about. 

New beginnings A new thing

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa. 43:18 ESV) 

A future and a hope

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa. 43:19 ESV)

New every morning 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lam. 3:22-24 ESV)

My Confessions

 MY POSITIVE CONFESSIONS

By faith…

I confess: That the devil has no control over my life, for “Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

I confess: That I have victory, for “God always causeth me to triumph in Christ Jesus.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

I confess: That I am free from bondage, for “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

I confess: That I have wisdom, for “Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

I confess: “I can” for “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

I confess: That I have faith, for “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

I confess: I have no lack, for “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

I confess: That I will not fear, for “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

I confess: That I have strength, for “The Lord is the strength of my life.” (Psalm 27:1). “The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)

I confess: That I am well, for “With His stripes I am healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus, “Himself took my infirmities and bare my sickness.” (Matthew 8:17)

I confess:  That I won't dwell on worries and frustrations, for I am “Casting all my cares upon Him, who careth for me.” (1 Peter 5:7). In Christ I am “care-free.”

I confess:  That I am free from condemnation, for “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). I am in Christ; therefore, I am free from condemnation.

I confess: That I am free from loneliness, for Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20). “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

I confess:  That I am free from curses or bad luck, for “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

I confess: That I am free from discontent because “I have learned, in whatsoever state (circumstances) I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

I confess: That I am now righteous in God’s sight, because “He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)