A Faith That Works When Life Doesn't

•I Surrender Some

•Oh, How I like Jesus

•I'm pretty sure That My Redeemer Lives

•Take My Life and Let Me Be

A certain pastor thought taking his two visiting nephews to church would be a good experience. Neither of the six and nine-year-old boys had been to church before. The stark reality, though, of kids not ever being in church became clear when the kids came down for the children's sermon. In the middle of the discussion with the kids, the pastor's six-year-old nephew, Eric, raised his hand and blurted out, "How much longer do we have to stay up here?" Little Eric was still not terribly impressed with what he had seen. And when the offering plates were passed, Little Eric watched with keen interest as the plate made its way toward him. When the offering plate reached his hands he asked in a very audible voice, "You mean we gotta pay for this?" [source: Baptist Beacon, 2/20/92, p. 5. Qtd in In other Words, Raymond McHenry]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we need a faith that works when life doesn’t.

or God’s people, this uncertainty forces us to live by faith.

“...when tests and challenges come at you from all sides, know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.”

James 1:2-3 (MSG)

God looks down from heaven on the whole human race to test and see who is acting with understanding and truly seeking Him.” Psalm 53:2

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. TEST yourselves!” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)

We are facing yet another year of uncertainty, but God’s people should embrace the unknown as an opportunity to demonstrate our faith in God.

This coming year may call on us to do some things that are uncomfortable.

There will no doubt be changes in our nation, in our church, and in our lives as individuals.

Yet, we are called to follow Jesus wherever He made lead us.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” ― (attributed to) Maya Angelou

I don’t like it when people go by titles.

Verb form rather than nouns.

I think people should operate by their functions rather than their titles; honoring what they do as opposed to the title.

Pro-FeTaya

I don’t throw people away. I am often criticized for not letting people go, but, God has led me toward a grace and mercy approach

Faith Rooted in the Real World

Conditional warnings rather than immutable futures

Saint Paul emphasizes edification, exhortation and comfort in a definition of prophesying

The New Testament refers to prophecy as one of the spiritual gifts given by the indwelling Holy Spirit[Rom 12:6]. From this, many Christians believe that the gift of prophecy is the supernatural ability to receive and convey a message from God. The purpose of the message may be to "edify, exhort and comfort" the members of the Church. In this context, not all prophecies contain predictions about the future. The Apostle Paul teaches in First Corinthians that prophecy is for the benefit of the whole Church and not just of the individual exercising the gift.[1 Cor. 14:22]

According to Walter Brueggemann, the task of prophetic (Christian) ministry is to nurture, nourish and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture.[14] A recognized form of Christian prophecy is the "prophetic drama" which Frederick Dillistone describes as a "metaphorical conjunction between present situations and future events".[15]

John Wesley, Jerry Falwell and Issac Newton

1 Corinthians 14:29 ESV

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

God gave us a way to judge prophecies because He didn’t expect people to be infallible. God put checks and balances into the body of Christ. 

False prophets are people who lead people astray on purpose. Kris Vallotton

The good news of Hebrews 11 is that those who seek God and follow Him will be rewarded. God always rewards faith.

Surrendered life following Christ our Lord:

Be open to surrender

Deny yourself

Take up his cross

Follow him

May Jesus show us His will, and may we have the faith to do that will, knowing that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.