October 29, 2010
A Fresh Brewed Faith
Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:29-31, NIV).
Friend To Friend
Every morning I walk straight to the coffee pot and push the ON button. I'm a total coffee girl. I like a piping-hot, extra dark roast with half and half, and I struggle to function without my first cup of coffee. I crave that first sip and relish the warmth of the mug in my hands. I jokingly call it my "warm, happy friend." My mornings just wouldn't be the same without coffee! J
We should have the same attitude about our faith. We should wake up each morning bursting at the seams to be with God. To be in His presence. To listen for His still small voice. To savor Him. A faith that is brewed fresh daily strengthens us, renews us, and enables us to mount up with wings like eagles. To experience the power of God in our lives. To run and not grow weary. To walk and not faint.
This energizing, percolated faith is readily available to all who ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8). How can you experience this power in your life? By getting alone with God, reading the Bible, and listening for His voice each day. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17, ESV).
Like a morning with no coffee, there are times when we are sluggish in our faith. There are times we need a shot of God-caffeine in our day. A spiritual espresso. What can we do at these times? Are there things in the Scriptures that tell us how can we strengthen and jump-start our faith? Absolutely!
One practical way to build your faith is by remembrance. When David was just a shepherd boy, he had courage to face a giant partly because he remembered the previous victories the Lord allowed him to experience. He approached King Saul with great confidence, saying: "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1Sam 17:36, NIV). His past victories fueled his faith. Ours do the same. We can face our giants with equal confidence when we pause to remember how God has worked in our past.
Corrie Ten Boom said, "Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible."
What has God brought you through in the past? Think on these things, and choose to trust Him to bring you through all you will face today and tomorrow. When you trust God with a fresh brewed faith, He will be your Strength, your Sustainer, and your Hiding Place so you can run and not grow weary - walk and not be faint. Fill up your faith cup right now.
Let's Pray
Dear God, You have brought me through so many challenging times. Please give me a fresh shot of faith that equips me to live today in Your strength. Help me to trust you, and keep me from leaning on my own understanding.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
Read 1 Samuel 17.
Consider specific times that God has moved in your life. Grab a journal and list them out.
Pray for God to increase your faith and give you the strength you need for today.
More From The Girlfriends
Facing any giants? God will strengthen you for the battle. Arm yourself in the power of the Spirit of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-18). When you do, no weapon formed against you can prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Go, fight, win, girlfriend!
GOT BEAUTY? God delights to transform lives…including your own. In her book, Broken Into Beautiful, Gwen Smith invites you to experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life and then stand back and watch the wonder of grace at work. He is willing to eternally forgive and forget and to transform your life into something beautiful.
GOT A HEART FOR WORSHIP? Download Gwen's live worship CD, Unsearchable, from iTunes, or order the CD from the store on her website.
GOT FACEBOOK? Visit Gwen's page at www.Facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic. While you're there, be sure to listen to a few songs, leave a message on her wall, and add her as a friend!
Seeking God?
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Girlfriends in God
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Originally published Friday, 29 October 2010.
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