Thursday, June 27, 2013

Leap of Faith



          "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
                                                              Hebrews 11:1


To start off this week's blog post, I'd like to share a story with you. A story that had me both laughing and contemplating on how we sometimes would rather stand back than take the leap of faith.

"A man once went with a friend for a ride out in the country. They drove off the main road and through a grove of orange trees to a mostly uninhabited piece of land. A few horses grazed there amidst a couple of old shacks. Walter stopped the car and began to describe vividly the things he was going to build on the land. He wanted his friend Arthur to buy some of the acreage surrounding his project. Walter explained to his friend, "I can handle the main project myself. It will take all my money, but...I want you to have the first chance at this surrounding acreage, because in the next five years it will increase in value several hundred times." Arthur thought to himself, Who in the world is going to drive twenty-five miles for this crazy project? His dream has taken the best of his common sense. He mumbled something about a tight-money situation and promised to look into the deal later. "Later on will be too late," Walter cautioned. "You'd better move on it right now." Arthur failed, however, to act. And so it was that Art Linkletter turned down the opportunity to buy the land that surrounded what became Disneyland, the land his friend Walt Disney had tried to talk him into. Most opportunities take a step of faith whether for financial or relationship investments."

I laughed as I thought about how Art Linkletter missed out on the opportunity to buy into that "crazy project" that had "taken the best of Walt Disney's common sense". But really, this is a common occurence isn't it? How many times do we have the opportunity to do something worthwhile, but think it's not worth the trouble or that it's a "risky venture"? Experiences may vary from not giving someone advice who really needs it to not witnessing to someone, though God might have opened their hearts on a particular day to hear the gospel. From not lending money to a friend in need to not inviting a poor family over for a meal, because their clothes are dirty. God opens up many different doors of opportunities to us, but we have to be willing to take the leap.

When studying about faith, you're most likely to find it talked about in detail throughout the New Testament. Although, there are numerous stories in the Old Testament that reflect true faith as well. Such an example would the story of Noah. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:7) Noah knew that God would send the flood. Most likely, when he was mocked and ridiculed by his friends and neighbors, doubts crossed his mind. When we stand up for something we believe to be pleasing to God (such as homeschooling or courtship), we may get jeered by people who say we'll never be socially adjusted or that no person wants to go through the "supervised" and "protected" way to finding a partner. It just doesn't happen. Of course, we know better. But it's through firm faith in knowing that God is in control of the outcomes, will we be able to overcome those thoughts of doubt and dismay to "fit in" with the world's way of thinking.

Which brings us to this point. Though we may not know what lies ahead after taking that "leap of faith", it will truly be faith when we can't see the ending to the story as Hebrews 11:1 says, ""Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We can't see germs (with the naked eye), but we know they are there. There are millions and millions of constellations in space, but we will never see them all; however, we know they are out there. Nor can we see the wind, yet we feel it hit our faces. Neither can we see God; but, we can see Him through His marvelous creation. You don't need to see germs or the wind in order to believe they really do exist. It takes faith to believe in things we can't see.

There are many verses that we could cover through studying faith in the Bible, but a few might include:

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." Galatians 5:6

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
Hebrews 11:1-3

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."
Hebrews 11:6-7

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
James 2:26

Considering the last two verses especially, we're told that we are to exemplify faith by what we say and do. Also, that if we have faith, but fail to do Christian acts--planting the seeds of kindness and truly living a life pleasing to Christ--that this faith is worth nothing. We cannot have faith and only do good works. Without faith, good works are worthless.

Just as Art Linkletter missed out on a huge financial deal, what are we missing out on doing today? How can we take the step towards doing a kind deed or saying an encouraging word today? No matter how our responses turn out, how can we use a situation today that requires us to take a leap of faith?

In Christ,
Anna

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Announcement!

Hello Faithful Followers!

We would love to hear your thoughts regarding Facing the Waves blog. We'd like your input on what you'd like to read on the blog, what you might like to see different, a certain topic that you would like us to share our thoughts on, or if you would like to do a guest post. All thoughts are welcomed and will be taken into consideration.

To let us know what you're thinking, you can email us at kaleigh.and.anna@gmail.com or leave a comment below. No pressure if you'd rather not send comments, but we'd love to hear from each of you, as we'd love to keep you as avid readers! ;)

Ideas to cover in the emails may contain, but are not limited to the following examples:

1. What you enjoy seeing in every blog post;
2. Things you'd like to see altered in how we present thoughts;
3. If you would like to see more personal insight;
4. Any Biblical topics that you would like to hear our thoughts on;
5. Things you have seen us do in the past that you would like to see done again;
6. If you would like to do a guest post and when you'd like to do it;
7. Thoughts regarding the design, layout, or format of our blog;
8. Any other thoughts, concerns, or questions that you have.

Again, no pressure; but we would very much love to hear what you guys are thinking. :)

Thanks for your help in advance, and thanks for reading!

Kaleigh and Anna

Friday, June 14, 2013

Trust?


And they that know thy name 
will put their trust in thee: 
for thou, Lord, 
hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 
Psalm 9:10

On my last coaching call Friday, my coach asked me a spontaneous question: "What have you been learning spiritually in the last couple months?" In theory, it wasn't that difficult of a question. However, I had to gather up everything from the past few months into one concise idea, and my answer came out something like this: "This may sound somewhat cliche, but I have been really learning to trust God." My coach reminded me that it was not cliche, because--no matter who we are or what our life is like--we all struggle to trust God at some time in our life. 

I don't think the difficulty lies in actually trusting God to work out our circumstances, but rather, our finite minds cannot comprehend how or why He will do what He says. God is so much bigger than we are, and just placing all we have into the hands of One is daunting. We'd rather control what happens, why it happens, and how it happens, but we can't do that if we leave it all with God. Giving everything to Him means that we stop trying to change and work things out in our own timing, but instead, surrendering it completely to Him. It's putting it down at the foot of the cross...and leaving it there, not picking it up again to ponder over the "why?" of it all. 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defined trust as " assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something". To have confidence in the character, ability, strength, and truth of God. 

God's character...
"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)

"...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jeremiah 31:1)  

"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

God's ability...
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, 
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." (Psalm 48:14)

"And he changeth the times and seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding." (Daniel 2:21

God's strength...
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; ;and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29)

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)

"And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him." (Psalm 37:40)

God's truth...
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:" (John 16:13)

Can we have confidence in the character, ability, strength, and truth of God? Absolutely. He will be glorified in our weakness as we rely on His power. So trust Him. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and learn not unto thine own understanding. It all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) It's easier said than done in most cases, but it's a command. 

...when you have no answers; trust in the Lord. 
...when you're emotionally and mentally worn out; trust in the Lord. 
...when your future is uncertain; trust in the Lord. 
...when you cannot see the beginning or end; trust in the Lord. 
...when He rewards you with unexpected blessings; trust in the Lord. 
...when relationships fail; trust in the Lord. 
...when God answers unspoken requests in unimaginable ways; trust in the Lord. 
...when going through deep valleys; trust in the Lord. 
...when the mountaintop is reached; trust in the Lord. 

And He will direct your paths.  He cannot lie. He is faithful and will do as He has promised. 

"Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." (Isaiah 26:4)

In Him,
Kaleigh