Is It Possible to Keep Faith Active and Alive?

What do you want to do with the remaining time God has given you to live? What often sparks a crisis is feeling life has become so predictable that you’re stuck with monotony. If this attitude persists for an extended timeframe, it can create sadness or even depression, often defined as an emotional crisis.

God intended for most people to reevaluate how they derive meaning and purpose for life. Reevaluation is required when a person reaches the point where life takes a turn toward uncertainty created by loss of a job, an illness, or just getting older.

Our faith is sometimes tested as we search for what would honor and please God. Listen to Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” So what changes need to be made now that would please God? As you reflect, consider what God has called you to be at this time in your life.  

__________

…Keep on building yourself up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and keep yourself in the love of God, as your wait for our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life.

~Jude 20-21 Good News Bible

__________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Fueling the Fire of Conviction

Convictions play a significant role in every aspect of life. Criminals will tell you they have the right to violate the law. On the other hand, people who pursue peace and friendship also are motivated by convictions. Faith and convictions are close allies. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “We are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

The problem may be that it’s difficult to be available or even to imagine God preparing good works for us to do. Faith needs conviction to make us available to God. Conviction is like a fire burning in the heart and mind to produce energy to move us into action. Faith keeps that fire burning. 

Paul was convinced that salvation depends on faith in Christ Jesus,  and that salvation is available to everyone. It was his faith that kept him determined to finish God’s work. Why not, in faith, open your heart and mind completely to Christ you so you can be available to what God has revealed for you to do with your life?

____________ 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

~Hebrews 11:1 English Standard Version

 

Because of this faith, I now remind you to stir up that inner fire which God gave you.

~2 Timothy 1:6 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

_____________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

A Dreamer and His Redeemer

Jacob's father-in-law was determined to keep him dependent. After twenty years Jacob finally obtained enough wealth to follow God’s command to return to his homeland. Jacob's future was in God's hands, but still he managed to create a crisis where only by God's intervention could he be rescued.

          God was at work in Jacob’s life to help him build a bridge to faith in Himself, a God who speaks and does what he says. God spoke to Jacob in dreams and through angels to get his attention. He wanted Jacob to know he was a God who meant business, a God who loved and cared for him and would protect him.

          God told Jacob to "Go back to the land of your father and I will be with you." Still Jacob could not do what God told him without provocation or deception. His wife Rachel followed Jacob’s lead and stole her father's household gods to take on the journey. However, God will never permit deception to go unnoticed because it’s sinful. God’s purpose is to redeem, to set free from bondage all who are willing to be set free.