Tag Archives: Promises

Only By Faith

24 Nov

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:50

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By faith stood Abraham,

in the promise of Isaac.

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By grace it came to pass.

overcoming natural life,

birthing a child,

in a lonely golden year.

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Faith took the promise,

and blew life into lifelessness.

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Faith saw Isaac as the sown seed,

laughter come at last,

then grace matured it,

multiplying it.

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Fourteen generations flowed,

from Abraham to David,

through Jacob and Obed,

and Jesse.

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Fourteen generations flowed from David,

until the carrying away into Babylon,

through Solomon,

through Manasses,

through Josias.

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Then fourteen more flowed,

from Babylon to Christ,

the Word manifest in flesh,

the Keeper of eternity.

Through Achim,

Eleazar to Jacob,

the father of Joseph,

the husband of Mary,

the mother of Christ.

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By faith did Mary accept the promise,

that grew within her womb.

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By faith did Joseph accept Mary,

heavy with child,

not of his loins,

not of his love.

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By grace they stood as one,

on a destined night,

the sky brightened,

by the Glory of God,

in the shape of a star,

pointing down to the Son.

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By faith Joseph took Jesus,

adopted now,

into the lineage of Abraham,

adopted now,

as a child of promise.

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By grace Joseph watched,

as He grew to a man,

well before His years.

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Our perfect pattern,

our Shepherd and King.

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Now, by faith, we trust in His Word,

our heritage blessed by driven saints,

and tarnished by those who did evil,

in the sight of the Lord.

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By faith are we accepted,

are we adopted,

into His kingdom,

joint-heirs with Christ,

children of promise,

just as He did,

so long ago.

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By grace will we walk,

in His footsteps,

as best as we are able,

crying out for strength,

for peace, for love.

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By faith we receive all,

grace has promised,

and more,

for only by our limited faith,

can we see into,

God’s limitless plan.

 

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Written 11/8/98

 

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DETERMINATION

22 Nov

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.    Ephesians 6:13

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In the area where I live we have huge black ravens, much larger than the hens in my chicken coop. When we first moved here we were in awe of them as several would group by the side of the road taking care of an unfortunate rodent left lifeless by the wheels of a car.

Having one quite small child, the older boys decided they would make it a point to keep a close eye on him at all times, lest 2 or 3 of those ravens took a notion to carry him away. Jon is now big enough to fend for himself – but over the years we’ve heard many stories of missing kittens, chicks and puppies at the strong and powerful claws and wings of the ravens. Many wish they could banish the threats to the mini-farms in the area, but the ravens are protected birds because of their scavenger lifestyles and the service they do to the community by cleaning up the roadways and fields of carrion.

This time of the year, a little past spring but not into the hottest of summer, the birds are making their nests, laying eggs and tending to hatchlings. Crisp morning songs fill the air and faint shrill chirps announce new life. I sat on my porch with a steamy cup of tea, enjoying my time with Jesus, when I heard the loud deep “Caw” of the raven and sharp screeching of a smaller bird. There in front of me flew the duo – big black bird in the lead and the smaller bird behind – diving at the raven and pecking him hard on the back. Across, as far as I could see, this continued – “Caw” – shriek – attack– “Caw” – shriek – attack.

That momma bird was not going to allow that predator to take the treasures of her nest – even though she was less than 1/10th the size. Nothing could stop the instinctive determination of that momma bird – even though the raven was easily strong enough to turn around and destroy the threat that pursued it.

My, my, my – would I have done the same? When an overwhelming spirit of evil shadows my life, do I look at the size and the “apparent” hopelessness of the situation and give up my chance to stand? Do I remember the words of God that tells me “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” (PS 91:4-6) and that “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD . . .“ (IS 54:17). That “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Mt 17:20). That if I had the determination of a small momma bird – no predator could displace the tiniest twig of my nest.

Jesus, help me to meditate night and day on Your promises, knowing that they are not only for others, but also for me. Keep my feet strong in adversity and when I have all that I know to do to stand, that yet still I WILL stand.

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Written 6-14-07

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TENDER BUDS

22 Oct

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:1-2

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How splendid, Lord, the flow of Your words,

Delightful, they float through my days.

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How precious the promise I carry within,

As I walk and I live in Your ways.

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How tender the souls that search for the joy,

That only Your children can know.

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How blessed the moments of sharing God’s love,

And watching those tender buds grow.

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Written 5/24/92

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VISION

6 Oct

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

Studying the old and new testaments makes it clear that not everyone wants or seeks a vision, but many choose to live a day-by-day mundane life. It seems that only those who became leaders had any desire to look past the next crop cycle or traditional holiday.

The half million that followed Moses around and around the wilderness lost their vision of leaving Egypt for their homeland the moments the cucumbers, melons, leeks and onions ran out. Vision Change – let’s go back to slavery and familiar hardships because we understood them AND the food was better. Gracious!

David’s army’s vision was to do whatever David told them to do; try to stay alive, and maybe, someday, see David as King. Most men in the Bible tended crops or flocks. Most women prepared meals, made clothing and raised children; day-by-day-by-day. The Pharisees and Sadducees were content to sit at the temple all day, every day, discussing their beliefs with each other.

Clearly scripture indicates that God gives us ALL dreams and visions. By putting our faith in action we can make those dreams and visions a reality. Why do so many choose the “ordinary life”? There is story after story in the Bible of ordinary people doing exceptional things. Many of those stories speak of visitations by an angel, or a prophet; some even heard the voice of God. Does it take a supernatural experience for an ordinary person to step-up to the skills God placed in them at birth?

Joseph began having dreams as a boy; he was born to a life as a shepherd. When Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers, even though he didn’t understand what they meant, his brothers began to hate him; even his father scolded him. Did Moses dream of his future when he was a boy? Did King David??

What happens to people that keeps them from following the dreams and visions that God places deep inside of them as children? Why do we choose to be content with the ordinary when we have been called to be extraordinary? Are we so afraid of failure before people that we won’t take a chance at success before God?

God took Esther and saved a nation through fasting and prayer. God took Rahab and saved the spies sent by Joshua; against the direct order of the King of Jericho, also saving Rahab’s family, by clever maneuvers. God took Noah and built an ark with carpentry skills God spoke to him; skills never used before, to build something called a boat in a time when it never rained. God took Peter, an impulsive and ambitious fisherman, and built a church. Ordinary people – given a great vision.

Just imagine what would happen if we all responded to God’s dreams and visions as the boy Samuel responded to the voice of God, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” How long did Samuel have to wait for the vision God called him to? How many years did Joseph wait for his vision and promise to come to pass? How many years did Moses wait before he was called to his position, and then again how much longer before God allowed him to find the Promised Land? How many years from the day that David was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel before he was anointed King of Israel in Hebron? How many years have you waited?

In 1998, 12 years ago, God gave me a vision; we call it Shiloh Spiritual Growth Ministries. A year ago God gave us more of the pieces of the vision. We work daily with the portion of the vision God has allowed us to begin; we wait. We know one day God will say, “It’s time,” and our full vision will begin to unfold. What has God placed in your heart that you have been pushing aside, feeling that it is only a silly dream?

Father, help us to always hear Your voice, see Your visions and dream Your dreams. Speak, for thy servants listen.

By Linda J Humes

Written 4-25-2010

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