A Leap of Faith

(NOTE: This is a reprint from a post I wrote on 1/13/16 that was accidentally deleted)

"Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith", author Margaret Shepard.

The above quote brings so many thoughts to my mind. As I look back over the years, what a life I have led! I've had more ups and downs than a yo-yo, that's for sure. One thing I've had to face about myself is that I've always been a big dreamer. I'm the queen of dreams, hopes, wishes, and prayers. Until I learned, though, to add real action-packed faith to those desires, I was destined to spend the rest of my life just dreaming, hoping, wishing and praying.

As I think back, I can't remember one time that a realized dream was not preceded by an act of faith on my part, I mean a “leaping into thin air” action. Until I was able to move, jump, walk, run or leap toward my desire, it lay as lifeless as a seed on the ground. We all know that a seed cannot become it's built-in intended purpose unless it is planted. Well, that works for people too. We each have a purpose to fulfill, but like that seed, we will never see our true worth or potential by just laying there wishing. God is the creator of all things and He is the one who has designed a purpose for each of His creations. However, everything comes into existence through struggle. That seed must struggle to exit the earth, birds must break out of their shell, the caterpillar out of his cocoon, and a baby out of its mother's womb. Every hope or dream we have lies as dormant as that seemingly lifeless seed until it is planted in faith and nurtured by action of some kind. Only then can it produce the desired result. Intention must be born of action.

It’s up to each of us to use our opportunities and nurture our talents to realize our potential, giving birth to those hopes and dreams that otherwise would lay dormant in our hearts. Then we need to encourage others and help them fulfill their own potential as well. Many of the people we rub shoulders with each and every day are dealing with enormous pressures. They have unrealized hopes and dreams and they pray for a way out. They look for that light at the end of the tunnel but wake up every day to the same darkness they lay down with the night before. We are our brother's keeper and we all have a responsibility to share our light with them. If you have been blessed, if you have experienced the answer to prayer, if you have leaped into thin air and found waiting arms that caught you and lifted you up, please share with others. Give someone else the faith that they too can move the mountains in their life, that they can plant that faith and experience the joy and beauty of becoming the unique and awesome person they were always meant to be.

Never Give Up

Yeshua tells us that all things are possible with God. Sometimes we humans have a hard time believing that. We live in a world of limits, or so we think. The ones who truly excel are those who conceive a thought or an idea and bring it to full fruition with a never give up attitude and a boundless faith in their ability to achieve it.

Take every invention that we are the recipients of today. Each one began as a seed in the inventor's mind. They saw it clearly in their mind's eye first before they were able to manifest it in the physical world.

Every musician hears the music before he/she creates the notes. A writer sees their characters and story line before they appear on paper. An artist imagines the strokes of a painting before the picture is put to canvas.

What is man really capable of? What are each of us capable of? More than we can ever imagine! That's why I know, at the deepest level of my being, that we can eradicate negativity in our lives and we can rise above any obstacles that loom large in front of us and conquer them with an unwavering faith that all things are possible. Good things don't just happen to the "lucky" few, the rich and powerful, the educated or the famous. We are all on equal footing when it comes to faith. We hear all the time of people who have risen above their circumstances; humble beginnings, poverty, disabilities, abuse, whatever.

What did they all have in common? They were tired of the status quo. They assessed the situation and dared to believe. They put one foot in front of the other with determination and a will to fight for what they wanted, and they rose above every barrier, every naysayer, every mountain, fought every giant and their own doubts and fears until they achieved their dream. That's what each of us needs to do. We need to know that nothing can tear us down if we don't let it. It's up to us. How bad do we want it? That's the only question.

Faith in Action

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith (persuasion, moral conviction) is the substance (support) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.

Our English language is made up of numerous abstract terms, i.e. love, hope, faith, trust, grace, that have no concrete meaning other than how we as individuals define them. Their meanings vary depending on each person’s experiences.

The Hebrew language, on the other hand, is made up of concrete terminology and it’s definitions are well-defined and built on a solid foundation. For instance, let’s take the word “faith”. We tend to think of faith only in terms of belief. When we read in a modern English bible that we are saved by grace through faith, we think strictly in terms of the mind. We tend to think that our salvation is secured by a belief system, an acceptance of Christ as our savior.

For the patriarchs of old, faith was far more than that. In their language, faith was something tangible, evidenced by action. Faith was proved by how they lived their lives. Remember James’ words in James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “faith” chapter. It catalogs a list of some of the greatest believers of all time. They all have one thing in common. Their faith was witnessed by their actions.

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel OFFERED unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, MOVED with fear, PREPARED an ark to the saving of his house.

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED.

Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, OFFERED up Isaac.

We learn of Moses, Joseph, Sarah, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, Rahab, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Hebrews 11:33-34 tells us these are those who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Others were tortured for their faith and some gave up their very lives. Their assurance of the future resurrection and the world to come, resulted in lives lived in anticipation of the glory that awaited them.

Heb 11:35-40 “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

These all died and are at rest until the day of the Lord, the day in which our savior will return for his saints, both living and dead. Perfection is the reward of those from all ages who have put their faith in the Lord and have obtained a “good report” through faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”.

We each have our own race to run, even as these had theirs. Their example lives today for us, that we might follow in their footsteps. We also have the example of our savior who gave himself for us. He certainly exemplified faith in that he put his eternal life on the line for our salvation. From the very foundation of the world, he looked far into the future and determined that, through mankind, he would bring forth children for the kingdom, that he would share his glory with us on into eternity. We can certainly see that his faith (persuasion, moral conviction) was the substance (support) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.

Fear Not

Our world is spinning out of control under the weightiest issues we have ever had to face in all of history. With increased wars and terrorism, disease epidemics, failing financial markets, rising unemployment, homelessness, natural disasters and climate changes, we are on the brink of a global meltdown. Truly we are entering the time of trouble that Jesus Christ warned of in Matt 24:21, "For then (the end time) shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Amidst this backdrop, more and more people are losing hope and sinking into the depths of despair. Hate crimes are on the rise and many have abandoned even the most fundamental principles of humanity. The Apostle Paul wrote of these times in II Tim 3:1-4, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away".

There are multiple reasons to live in fear today and we witness the toll that fear has had on the human family. Millions of people suffer with major mental and emotional issues, resulting in an enormous rise in the use of drugs and alcohol. Many attempt to drown out their problems and fears through substance abuse, both legal and illegal. Sadly, all too many find suicide the only alternative.

The bible reveals the only way to overcome fear and every other negative emotion. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths", Proverbs 3:5-6. He is your creator and your heavenly Father. Surely you can trust him to take care of you. Think about it! Can you really put your trust in any other source? People die, stock markets crash, relationships fail, you can lose your job, illness can strike, a natural disaster can destroy your possessions. There is nothing and no one upon this earth that you can absolutely, one hundred percent put your trust in. II Cor 1:9 says we cannot trust in ourselves. I Tim 6:17 tells us we cannot trust in uncertain riches.

Why not try the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8), the one who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10)? What have you got to lose? He can drive away our fears with his comforting words. He tells us there is no reason to worry about anything for he will always take care of us if we trust in him. Jesus tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these "things" (meaning the necessities of life), shall be added unto us, Matt 6:33. Read verses 25-34 where Jesus instructs us not to entertain any anxious thought about our needs, such as food or clothing. There is nothing to be gained by worry and stress. He knows we need those things and we can be assured that he will provide for those who put their faith and trust in him. He will take care of our today and our tomorrow as well. We are told in Heb 13:5 to be content with what we have, for he will never leave or forsake us. Paul tells us in I Tim 6:6-8, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content". Matt 7:7 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you". The passage goes on to say that, if earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more so our heavenly Father? Heb 10:38 tells us, "Now the just shall live by faith...".

What is faith? Heb 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Sometimes it may seem difficult to live by faith in God. We can't see him. We wonder if he sees our trials, if he hears us when we call out to him in the darkness of our lives. I can assure you that he does see and hear, but we must put our full trust in him. Oftentimes, the distractions of this world keep us so preoccupied that we have no time for him until we need him. We rather trust in the tangibles in our lives. You know what I mean......job, home, family, 401(k), education, the government (Lord help us!). Trusting in these only contributes to fear; the fear of losing them.

Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe". Proverbs 28:26 adds, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered". Jeremiah 17:5 gives us a sober warning, "Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord". Verse 7 counters with, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is".

I would be remiss though if I didn't tell you that trust must accompany obedience. Isa 59:1-2 warns, "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear". In order for God to hear our prayers, we must first humble ourselves before him and ask his forgiveness for our sins. II Chron 7:14 quotes our Lord, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land". Isa 1:18 encourages us with God's call, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool". James 4:10 says, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up". I Pet 5:6-7 also says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you".

Mark 12:29-30 quotes Jesus as saying, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment".

If we will submit ourselves fully to God, we have absolutely nothing to fear. He gives grace to the humble. He will help all who put their trust in him. Don't fret or lose hope if he doesn't answer immediately, though, because he always knows what is best. We must always trust in his timing and his wisdom. Read my article "Times & Seasons" for more insight into the subject of patience.

If you are truly placing all your hope and trust in God, and striving to live in obedience to his word, then "Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus", Phil 4:6-7.

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