Sunday, February 8, 2009

Faith Assignment

(This is being handed out to my congregation this morning)
From: Pastor Joel
To: My Southwood Family
February 8, 2009

I have a faith assignment for you. It is a step that will help you shape your heart in harmony with the heart of God. The first step is to memorize (or write on a 3 x 5 card), the following definition of faith.
Faith is believing God and His Word regardless of my feelings or circumstances.

This definition will help you exercise your mind and heart to see how close you are to operating in harmony with how God has shaped your life. It is His Word that defines the true reality of the way life is to be lived, not my feelings or circumstances. See if you can’t proceed throughout your day by allowing God’s definition of real life to have the upper hand.

We have already encountered some aspects of this in Philippians.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)


If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, (Philippians 2:1)


In Philippians 1:6 and 2:1 you have God’s sovereign and gracious shaping of your life as a believer. You don’t have to feel these realities for them to be true. They are true because God says they are true. He is at work in you. You are united with Christ. He does provide comfort from His love. And, you have fellowship with the Spirit of God. Take the definition of faith, and remind yourself throughout the day of these realities. You are not alone. Check out my blog article, “A Dark Night in Recovery,” to see my own experience on this.

No comments: