Faith Moves Mountains

“Once you have found your promise in God's Word, pray and ask God for success...” 

This one line written by Rick Warren really pinched my heart. Yes, most of us do pray everyday, but are we praying for the goals and plans, from biggest to smallest, that we set for ourselves? 

It is very easy for us to pray if we’re having a problem or we need something, but a more important question is, are we letting God be the reason of our success, or we’re just keeping it to ourselves? And if we didn’t do well, we’ll blame it all to God for not giving us our desires. Yes, most of us do this, intentional or unintentional.

I admit, most of the times I am like that. I plan before I seek for God’s promises that are aligned with what I want. This shouldn’t be the case. We should always put God’s Words on our top priority before making plans for ourselves. Our plans should be the one to adjust or align with God’s Words, not vice versa. 

I also learned in this devotion that prayer reveals couples of things. (1) the more we pray about it, the more serious we are on reaching our dreams; and (2) the more we depend on God, the more we pray. 

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Being imitators of God means that we are to walk according to where He walks. It is the act of following Him. Obeying what He is saying, and doing things that will reflect Him. While being beloved children just shows that He loves us and see us dearly. We are important to Him, so whatever we do, He will be affected. So as much as possible, let us direct our steps toward Him, and do things that will bring glory to His name and not shame.

God is a limitless God. He is a God of impossible. He is a God who can do anything. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is all-powerful. He is everything that we can ask for. He is our God, our Father, our friend, our healer, our provider. There are lots of names that we can call Him. That shows how great He is. How immeasurable His power is. 

I, myself, know that somehow, I’ve limited His power over my life. Sometimes I think that He is only my God for some parts of my life. If it is about the Church, of course He can do that. But if it is about some petty things, I’m afraid that it is too small for Him, that He won’t even care.

I sometimes think that He is only the God for big breakthroughs and not for small things, such as my grades, or my love life. But a big NO. He is a God of small and big things. He always cares. He doesn’t neglect us if we think that our problems are too small. He is always there for us. More than we ask or imagine. 

Sometimes, we do think that things happened because of our own might, but no. God’s blessing and favor is always flowing, and apart from Him, we can do nothing. Every talent that we have, every passion, desire, traits, that we have comes from Him. Even the very air we breathe and the system inside our body. 

Imagine if He doesn’t care about little things, how come he made everything perfect in our system. The very order of our cells or veins. If He didn’t care enough, will everything be alright and work well? Nope. 

Everyone is committing sin, and those who still doesn’t know God are living according to the ways of the world. Without Christ, we will all be dead in our transgressions and sins (v1). For we all know that “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) Without Him, we will be still sacrificing the consequences of our wrongdoings, and we are all not worthy to stand before Him. We deserve wrath, but because of His great and amazing love for us, He gave His only begotten Son to save us all (John 3:16). He gave Jesus as His Holy Sacrifice to cleanse us all from our sins. Even though we’re not worth it because we are all sinners, God still gave the greatest sacrifice for us. And this became a gift to everyone who accepts Him as God and Savior. This doesn’t require us to do good things or exert effort, but this is by His grace. Everything happened because of His love for us. Without His love, we will all perish and not enjoy this freedom and the gift that He is giving us.

Salvation was freely given to us. It is a gift that anyone can claim, but we couldn’t get that gift if we do not accept it. Same applies to a present given to us during occasions. We wouldn’t know what it is and enjoy its benefit if we wouldn’t accept it. That is the only requirement for salvation, to accept it wholeheartedly. It is by grace. It is not because we do good, or we do bad. Because if it is based on our actions, no one will be worthy to claim that gift since we all commit sin. And if it is because of our works, that invalidates the sacrifice given by God. But this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do good works. As stated, we were designed to do good. We are His resemblance here on earth. So, after receiving the gift, it is natural for a person to thank the giver and give importance to what is given.

Ephesians 1:11

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

 John 14:26

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

 Luke 10:19

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

 These verses go beyond my head and pierced my heart, to the point that I cried my heart out. This is too personal to me because most of the time, when things get out of my hand, I tend to cry and let doubts rob me of the promises that I’m holding on to. But as what the devotional plan stated, “…he (devil) has no power to break my insides unless I let his power in.” But it also reminded me to not live in fear for “our Lord is the greatest defender and protector who ever lived, and Satan has no chance of winning when we allow Jesus to work for us”.

Yes, it is inevitable to avoid being bothered, but we should always be reminded that we have a God, a Father and friend, who is always there for us and who holds His promises true forever. That is why the Holy Spirit was given to us to protect and guide us with our actions and decisions we make when the devil is meddling in our lives.

We have a God who understands us, and who will never leave us. He also didn’t give us the Spirit of fear, so we don’t have to worry about anything, but just give and lift up to Him everything that we’re thinking of. He is also a victorious and an overcomer, and so are we.

Negating

Every

Worthless

Thing

Hindering the

I AM’s

Next

Great Act

 Psalm 5:11

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

 It is really refreshing and great to know that our God is a big God who can give and show us different things and acts for His glory. Nothing can separate us from His love, so any worthless things and doubts in our heads won’t be enough to counterfeit His greatness. So, as we go on with this new year, it is important to have our own priorities. Let us all remove negative thoughts in our heads and continue believing in Him, the one who give us the very air we breathe.

Walking with God doesn’t assure us that everything will be easy, but it only assures us that God is with us in every step that we’re making. We are so blessed to have a Father who owns the victor’s crown, which makes us victorious as well. As what Psalm 5:11 states, God gives joy, not only happiness, to everyone who take refuge in Him. It is joy, which means that in anything that we’re doing, regardless of our situation, we can have joy and peace inside us. Let us always ask Him to guide and protect us in any ways and acts we do.

Exodus 9:22

Then the Lord said to Moses, “stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall over Egypt- on people and animals and on everything growing in the fields of Egypt”.

 1 John 2:15

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love the for the Father is not in them.

 Our God is a God of impossible. He is a limitless God who can do anything if we ask in His Name, and if it is His will. Our God is a loving Father that will give us the desires of our hearts in His right and perfect timing. So, we should learn to understand if His answer to our prayer is yes, no, or wait. He has in stored lots of things for us. He wants us to succeed in life, through walking with Him.

God, being limitless was proven in the life of Moses. Even the weather could be commanded in His name if He wants to. Commanding the weather is an impossible thing for us, mortal people. But it is possible for God, in just a snap of His fingers, anything can happen. Just like when Moses obeyed what God has commanded Him. True enough, the Lord sent thunder and hail (v 23). If only we can trust, believe, and obey God, He would be willing and able to give us the desires of our hearts. This will happen all for His glory. He can use any circumstance in our lives to show, not only us, but also the people around us, how awesome and great He is.

On the second verse, God is reminding us not to love the world, or the things that ignite the desires of our flesh. I know this is hard to do since we are living in this world and we are always tempted to do things that will give us earthly happiness. I, until now, is still in the process of removing the things that are unessential to my life. It is hard to accept, but if we just hold on to God’s words and promises, surely everything will be worth it. This verse also reminds us to put God on our top priority. When we do that, everything will fall into their rightful places.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you,

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God

I will strengthen you and help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord

And he will sustain you;

He will never let

The righteous be shaken.

 “Do not fear” is my main goal for the year. New things will happen to me; I’ll do things independently, and I need courage to do these things. I will live and stand alone physically, but not spiritually. I have a God who will be with me, to strengthen and help me. I will cling on to these verses. I know I can’t do and survive it alone, but with the help of my Father, I will be assured that He will sustain me.

He never said that it will be easy, but it will be worth it. It is also assuring to know and understand that Jesus, the Son of God, endured all the hardships in this world too. So, He can really identify with us. He got through harder situations, but God still reigned and showed His glory in every circumstance. It is hard to not fear because of the uncertainties around us, but God has His promise.

Just like the Word yesterday, it takes faith to hold on to Him to enable us not to fear. Our God is a big God, He holds everything in His hands, so why do we need to fear if we have Him. Once again, this is not our battle; this is His battle and we are already victorious. Just take that one courageous step which will lead to more steps taken with our God. In no time, we will see ourselves conquering our fears, because of Him.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

 Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

 Not just a wonderful day is given to me, but a wonderful and victorious year ahead. I cannot thank God enough of this blessing. Most of the time, I neglect the fact that waking up every morning is already a blessing. But now, God is making it clear to me that little things matter; ie. if God didn’t wake me up this morning, I won’t see the beauty of the new year, 2018.

I want to start the year right, which means drawing myself closer to God and not going far. And these verses are good reminders on how I should be, and who my God is. As Hebrews 11:1 states, I am reminded that my faith is not for the things that I am certain with, but with the things that I hope and not see. As one author said, faith goes beyond positive thinking.  It is trusting God even though we cannot see Him working. It is believing in His promises and knowing by heart that the God of Moses, Abraham, and Jacob, is still our God today and forever. I know, it is really hard to hold on to Him, especially during difficulties or times when we can’t understand the reasons behind the situation we are in. But it is the time where our faith should be used and be stronger. We don’t need to know the reasons behind everything, because our thoughts are nothing compared to the thoughts and plans of God.

The same goes with Isaiah 43:19. For the love of God for us, He is willing and able to do and give things to us, whether we asked Him or not. He is a faithful God who holds His promises true, not just to a particular person, but to all of us. If we think that God is not doing anything, heads up, God knows what He’s doing and everything works together for our good. Just like what I felt last 2016. Yes, I admit, I doubted God because I can’t understand why He let my dreams “shatter”. That’s what I thought so. But here I am, seeing how He can change things. How he can give and take things in our lives at His right and perfect timing. It is hard to understand why and how, but we shouldn’t worry. Our God is in control, and what the evil meant for bad, God will turn it to good and will surely show how powerful, faithful, and loving He is.

We loved you very much, so we were happy to share God’s Good News with you. But not only that—we were also happy to share even our own lives with you. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

As a youth, love is an interesting topic to discuss- anytime and anywhere. The good thing is that we have a great teacher and inspiration when it comes to that topic. Because of God's overflowing love for us, we learned to love other people regardless of any qualifications we might have. It is also the reason why we can't contain our excitement and joy of sharing God's Word and love to anyone we know. If we are bounded by His love, it would be easier for us to be compassionate and merciful towards others and be confident enough to encourage and tell them about God's greatness.

Therefore, let us learn to ask God to help us love the unlovable and reach the unreachable (lines from the song "Forgiveness"). Let the love of God be spread all throughout the world through our actions and the words that come out from our mouth!