How can we help each other have Xtreme Faith?

So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. The prayer of a good man is full of power in its working. Jam 5:16 (BBE)

Sunday I talked about hanging out with and talking to other believers. One of the ways we can do what James talks about is by going to a small group. One of the guidelines of small groups is that 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.' Well, I mean, what happens in small group, stays in small group! The same should apply to our relationships with each other. If someone tells you something personal and confidential, if they bare their heart and soul and tell you their deep and dark secrets, put it in the vault! Then be sure to pray- together and individually! Disclaimer: you don't have to go around telling everyone EVERY sin you've commited. But if it's something you struggle with and need help with, or if it's something you think you need to share (not to brag about the sin) to encourage someone else (I got thru it, you can too!), do so with grace and the right heart attitude. God can work thru you and bless you greatly and help strengthen your faith as well as someone elses!

Why should I trust God when things look bad?

Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all mankind: is there any thing too hard for Me?

Imagine if you will, if God had a 'to-do' list:
 Create the universe
 The man is whining, make him a woman and shut him up (my own paraphrase)
 Make sure all the birds are clothed and fed.
 Make sure all the flowers look pretty
 Listen to all those prayers
 Keep Mike Shaffer out of trouble
 Give Linda Shaffer patience to deal with Mike Shaffer

Okay, I made those last two up. But check out what the Bible says God does for the birds:

Matt. 6:26 Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them....

in verse 28- Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing

Something as simple as a bird, God takes care of their needs. He made trees for their home, feathers for their clothes and makes sure they have something to eat. He makes sure the flowers are looking good. And these are things with relatively short life spans. The end of verse 26 says, "...And you are far more valuable to him than they are."

Why should I trust Him when things look bad? I'm sure when the seed is covered with soil and fertilizer, things might not look too good. But the beauty that springs forth makes us realize that winter was temporary. There is more to life than cold, snow, rain, short daylight hours! Spring is a reminder that God makes things new! And He cares for us more than anything else in the world! And there is nothing too hard for HIM!

Having Xtreme Faith When Things Look Bad

As for me, I look to the Lord for His help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord Himself will be my light. Micah 7:7-8 NLT

Since God does promise to lead us, why is there so much confusion and lack of clarity when it comes to discerning His will? If we don't have the assurance that God is for us, in us, and leading us, we will constantly be bombarded by the enemy and rendered ineffective. How can we avoid this hindrance and be assured? By looking to God's Word and understanding some of the ways He leads us, and by yielding ourselves fully to the Lord and abiding in Him! In John, Jesus assures us, "I will not leave you as orphans..." (John 14) and tells us that He is giving us a Helper, the Holy Spirit Who will guide us into all truth and show us things to come. (John 16) He also promises to bring God's Word to our remembrance. Often the Lord will bring just the right verse to encourage us or give us wisdom about a particular situation --this should motivate us all to spend more time meditating on God's Word and getting it into our hearts. How DOES God lead us? Misconceptions abound --everything from the idea that His leading has to be a huge supernatural and mystical occurrence to the practice of setting out fleeces and tests (and if "A" is the result, then God must be saying no, and if "B" occurs, it must be a yes). Judges 6 does give the example of setting a fleece but that would be the rare exception rather than the rule, and God wants us to exercise faith in Him to lead us without leaning on signs and circumstances (which can also be manipulated by the enemy).

We need to make sure we're in a right relationship with Him so we can clearly receive His direction! We need to be humble and teachable and open to His direction!

Why do we love God?

Psalm 116:1-2 CEV "I love You, Lord! You answered my prayers. You paid attention to me, and so I will pray to You as long as I live."

Why do we love God? There are a phone books worth of answers. The Psalmist here describes a little bit of the relationship he had with God. He answers his prayers. He always does. Sometimes we may not like or agree with the answer, but after all, he's God isn't He? If He is the Creator, Almighty, Omniscient God- shouldn't and wouldn't He know what is best for us? ABSOLUTELY! A second reason states that He (God) pays attention to me?!?!? What??? God, the Creator and One who Lives and Reigns as King of Kings "pays attention to me"? WOW! Why? Why would God want to have anything to do with me? Because He loves me! He created me to have a relationship with me! He wants to hear from me. He wants me to communicate with Him. He wants me to listen to Him. He wants me to know and believe and trust that ALL things are Possible. Have faith. He knows you and loves you and wants you to know Him.