As Christians, we are always being challenged in the area of our faith. We often find ourselves praying for the Lord to increase our faith. We are not alone in this request. Jesus told His disciples the conditions of forgiveness in Luke 17. They felt that their faith was insufficient (ever felt that way?). So they asked Jesus, in Luke 17:5; “Increase our faith.”
The reply which Jesus gave is good for us today when we feel we need our faith increased. He said in v6, even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed (the smallest of all seeds) it is sufficient to do great things. See Matt. 17:20.
2 Cor. 5:7 says; “the just shall walk by faith.” Our Christian life is one of spiritual growth in godliness. Paul tells us in 1 Tim. 4:7-8 that: “…exercise yourself rather to godliness for bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things.” The key word is ‘exercise.’ In order for faith to grow it must be exercised, daily.
Our request for God to increase our faith is met by God’s command to exercise the faith we have and then our faith will grow. Remember to be in God’s word daily for, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Rom. 10:17
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Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
THE LORD'S PRAYER by Ray Eddy
I found this in a church in Thousand Oaks a few years ago. I thought I would share it with you.
I cannot say “our” if I’m living only for myself.
I cannot say “Father” if I don’t act like His child.
I cannot say “Who art in heaven” if I’m laying up treasure here.
I cannot say “hallowed be Thy Name” if I’m not striving for holiness.
I cannot say “Thy Kingdom come” if I’m not doing my part to hasten the day.
I cannot say “Thy will be done” if I am disobedient to His word.
I cannot say “on earth as it is in heaven” if I’m unwilling to serve Him now.
I cannot say “give us our daily bread” if I’m not relying on Him to provide.
I cannot say “forgive us our trespasses” if I harbor a grudge toward any.
I cannot say “lead us not into temptation” if I place myself in its path.
I cannot say “deliver us from evil” if I don’t put on the whole armor of God.
I cannot say “Thine is the Kingdom” if I’m not loyal to the King.
I cannot attribute to Him “the power” if I fear what people may do.
I cannot ascribe to Him “the glory” if I am seeking honor for myself.
I cannot say “forever” if I am bound by the things of time.
“LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY” Luke 11:1
Anon
Looking for churches in Santa Clarita? Check out Heart of the Canyons Church.
I cannot say “our” if I’m living only for myself.
I cannot say “Father” if I don’t act like His child.
I cannot say “Who art in heaven” if I’m laying up treasure here.
I cannot say “hallowed be Thy Name” if I’m not striving for holiness.
I cannot say “Thy Kingdom come” if I’m not doing my part to hasten the day.
I cannot say “Thy will be done” if I am disobedient to His word.
I cannot say “on earth as it is in heaven” if I’m unwilling to serve Him now.
I cannot say “give us our daily bread” if I’m not relying on Him to provide.
I cannot say “forgive us our trespasses” if I harbor a grudge toward any.
I cannot say “lead us not into temptation” if I place myself in its path.
I cannot say “deliver us from evil” if I don’t put on the whole armor of God.
I cannot say “Thine is the Kingdom” if I’m not loyal to the King.
I cannot attribute to Him “the power” if I fear what people may do.
I cannot ascribe to Him “the glory” if I am seeking honor for myself.
I cannot say “forever” if I am bound by the things of time.
“LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY” Luke 11:1
Anon
Looking for churches in Santa Clarita? Check out Heart of the Canyons Church.
Monday, March 22, 2010
HERE I COME, READY OR NOT! by Ray Eddy
Most of you will remember from your childhood playing a game called ‘Hide & Seek.’ It’s still a popular game enjoyed by children today. As I recall the object of the game was to successfully hide so that the ‘seeker’ could not find you. The Seeker would count off some number and then say, ‘Ready, or not, here I come.’
There was always someone who couldn’t find a place to hide, and they would immediately be caught. Others did not choose a good place to hide and would be caught in just a few minutes. Then there were those the Seeker never found and eventually he would have to end the game by yelling, ‘Olly Olly Oxen Free,’ (or at least that’s what I think they said.) Everybody who hadn’t been found would then come out.
I see an analogy in Hide & Seek and in the second coming of Christ. He’s already warned us many times in the Bible that we should be ready for His coming, because ‘Ready or not,’ He’s coming. We must successfully hide in order to be ready at His coming. Some will think they are well hidden in their Christian parents or their works or in some false cult.
Gal. 3:2 tells us that the best place for us to be hiding is “in Christ in God.” “The trumpet of God will sound and the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout.” (I Thess. 4:18) Then the game will be over. Are you ready?
Find out more about this Santa Clarita church at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
There was always someone who couldn’t find a place to hide, and they would immediately be caught. Others did not choose a good place to hide and would be caught in just a few minutes. Then there were those the Seeker never found and eventually he would have to end the game by yelling, ‘Olly Olly Oxen Free,’ (or at least that’s what I think they said.) Everybody who hadn’t been found would then come out.
I see an analogy in Hide & Seek and in the second coming of Christ. He’s already warned us many times in the Bible that we should be ready for His coming, because ‘Ready or not,’ He’s coming. We must successfully hide in order to be ready at His coming. Some will think they are well hidden in their Christian parents or their works or in some false cult.
Gal. 3:2 tells us that the best place for us to be hiding is “in Christ in God.” “The trumpet of God will sound and the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout.” (I Thess. 4:18) Then the game will be over. Are you ready?
Find out more about this Santa Clarita church at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
DEALING WITH TRANSITION! by Ray Eddy
One definition of transition is: ‘A period of time when change is taking place.’ Musicians and singers experience it quite frequently when the music has a key change. It occurs as an almost immeasurable period of time.
Most transitions last longer. The transition from a child to an adult doesn’t seem to happen fast enough for the child. From the adult standpoint it happens much too fast.
Some transitions are happy and some are sad. Moving from one job to another for a pay raise is good. Losing a job and finding one which pays less, is not so good. The loss of a friend or loved one can be a difficult transition period whether they pass away or simply move away. Another trying transition period is moving your family to a new place to live. It often means losing old friends and acquiring new ones.
Whether simple or complex all transitions have to be dealt with. How we deal with them is a real test of our Christian character. Those transitions we view as adverse are the most difficult to cope with. During difficult transitions we need to:
* Seek to understand why the transition has taken place. No transition occurs without purpose. Knowing and accepting the purpose as rational will prevent us from becoming angry or morose.
* Ask God to give you His peace during the transition period. God’s peace will help us to not deal with it in an irrational manner, but as He desires.
* Go to God’s word. Rom. 8:28 is a good place to start.
Checking out Santa Clarita churches? Visit http://HeartoftheCanyons.com
Most transitions last longer. The transition from a child to an adult doesn’t seem to happen fast enough for the child. From the adult standpoint it happens much too fast.
Some transitions are happy and some are sad. Moving from one job to another for a pay raise is good. Losing a job and finding one which pays less, is not so good. The loss of a friend or loved one can be a difficult transition period whether they pass away or simply move away. Another trying transition period is moving your family to a new place to live. It often means losing old friends and acquiring new ones.
Whether simple or complex all transitions have to be dealt with. How we deal with them is a real test of our Christian character. Those transitions we view as adverse are the most difficult to cope with. During difficult transitions we need to:
* Seek to understand why the transition has taken place. No transition occurs without purpose. Knowing and accepting the purpose as rational will prevent us from becoming angry or morose.
* Ask God to give you His peace during the transition period. God’s peace will help us to not deal with it in an irrational manner, but as He desires.
* Go to God’s word. Rom. 8:28 is a good place to start.
Checking out Santa Clarita churches? Visit http://HeartoftheCanyons.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
GO AHEAD AND LAUGH by Ray Eddy
Most people today find very little in life to laugh about. With the economic recession, which has affected us all, life has taken on a more serious note. Guideposts magazine once quoted Zazu Pitts as saying; “Laughter is God’s hand upon a troubled world.” If the saying is true that ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’ then we need to learn to laugh more.
Grenville Kliester wrote in the New York Inquirer; “What this country needs is not a new national anthem, or a Wall Street boom, but the ability to laugh spontaneously.” There was a time when you could go to the movies and expect to leave the theater having laughed ‘till your sides split.’ But not many movies are made like that today. With some movies, you come out more despondent then when you went in.
I don’t claim to have any solutions to our present day circumstances. I’m not sure that anyone can solve the American dilemma which we face today. I’m almost certain that man does not have the moral fortitude to do what needs to be done. Man’s moral character is corrupted by sin. As the Apostle Paul observed in the 7th chapter of Romans. “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (v.20)
Laughter, in and of itself, will not cure the world’s ills. But I believe the ability to laugh comes from a right relationship with God. And with that, we can, GO AHEAD AND LAUGH!
Read more from this Santa Clarita church at http://HeartoftheCanyons.com
Grenville Kliester wrote in the New York Inquirer; “What this country needs is not a new national anthem, or a Wall Street boom, but the ability to laugh spontaneously.” There was a time when you could go to the movies and expect to leave the theater having laughed ‘till your sides split.’ But not many movies are made like that today. With some movies, you come out more despondent then when you went in.
I don’t claim to have any solutions to our present day circumstances. I’m not sure that anyone can solve the American dilemma which we face today. I’m almost certain that man does not have the moral fortitude to do what needs to be done. Man’s moral character is corrupted by sin. As the Apostle Paul observed in the 7th chapter of Romans. “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (v.20)
Laughter, in and of itself, will not cure the world’s ills. But I believe the ability to laugh comes from a right relationship with God. And with that, we can, GO AHEAD AND LAUGH!
Read more from this Santa Clarita church at http://HeartoftheCanyons.com
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