Tag: faith

Can You Impress God?

This morning at the church service here in Sosua, the visiting pastor asked this question: How can you impress God? I thought it was a very interesting question, not only by the direction he took the answer but to really think about it, can you impress God?

Sure God, look what I am doing. Look at who I am. Did you see what I did?

Somehow God would be impressed?

The question almost instantly brought to mind – there is no way to impress God, but there is a way to please God.

Being the dad of 6 great kids I think I can understand some of what it is to be a father. I also know what “pleases” me as a father. When my kids trust me, when they listen and when they obey. But to please God, there is one thing that leads to those and more: faith. In the bible it says in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

When we have faith, we respond to Him. When we have faith, we obey Him. When we have faith, we can do what everyone says not to, but God said to do. It is only by faith that we can know God.

Faith is also action, if you have faith you will act. When someone says they have faith, but never act on it, do they really have faith? If you say you can run, but never move faster than a walk, how does one know what you say is true? You must run, move, act out – your faith. If you feel your faith is lacking, ask God for more. Ask Him knowing He desires you to have faith and as a loving Father he wants you to have abundance of faith.

I believe so many of us a missing out on what God really has for us and it all starts with faith.

Do you believe God says who He says He is? Is He the Great I Am, the Alpha and the Omega, the King of kings and Lord of lords? Do you believe that Jesus really did live a perfect life on this earth, died for our sins, paid the price of that sin, rose again to glory and is coming back again?

So can we impress God or should we just think about how we can please Him?

I love my God and hope that my faith (with actions to back it up) pleases Him and someday I will here Him say “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Where is my faith

I was doing a little pondering today while driving back from Puerto Plata to Sosua. It was about 3 years ago that Jessica and I first met up with Jim and Debra here in the Dominican Republic and they took us to a few places to show us around the area, not knowing then some of the things God had planned for us. It was during that visit that God was putting in me the vision of working with Jim and Debra in the Sosua area, yet before that trip we did not know anyone in this part of the country, however, we did know a few in Jarabacoa and in Santo Domingo.

What struck me today was my lack of faith. I keep finding myself questioning what I am doing here. We are spending time looking for the house to live in as we try to get started working in Villa Paraiso (Paradise Village.)  God was showing me and reminding me of all the things He has done already – from putting it on my heart to move here in 2003, meeting the Tunnicliffes, seeing God take us across the country and to fly here with a number of things timed that we could never have seen beforehand. God was reminding me that trusting in Him has always come to the result of what only faith could see. The visions He gives to us sometimes seem impossible and that is why I believe He does just that. How does our faith grow without the impossibilities to get beyond? If we could see how it would work out it would not take faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  God puts in us the vision and the faith of that vision. I know that over the last few years it has been challenging to even explain to other believers what God has called us to. And it took even more faith when it did not happen in our timing to continue to tell people what we were going to do. I can’t imagine what Abraham went through when he kept on getting older and not yet seeing the fulfillment of the promise of a son.  To believe and hope for something he knew was improbable and was only becoming impossible.  God uses the impossible to show us who He is. Thank goodness we have no say in who God is!

Be encouraged my brothers and sisters, God is not finished with us. He will continue to work out miracles as we look to Him. His ways are not our ways (thank goodness) and He has a plan with all the details already perfectly worked out. I challenge you to be stretched and that thing He has been prompting you with, trust Him. Accept that it is impossible for you and not for God. Let God grow your faith and take the first step in what He is asking you to do. Be blessed by allowing Him to take reign in your life and know that a perfect Father in heaven loves you and wants you as His devoted child.

We bought the plane tickets

We have finally purchased the plane tickets to the Dominican Republic, however, we did not get them to leave anywhere near home, but actually all the way on the other side of the USA.

Why in the world would we do this? We believe the Lord is directing our path across the U.S. with Jeremy and Sam to raise support. Jeremy will play shows at churches or wherever the Lord opens a door and we will present the ministry. We are having to do so much of this by faith, which I will tell you is like a roller coaster for me. I look to my self and see how I can’t make anything work, but when I look up to heaven and realize God has all things in His hands my worries fade. Oh how I need more faith!

God has already opened up some avenues without me even doing anything. I have yet to meet a man who set up Bethel Church in Medford for a benefit concert on the 12th of August. We have also been asked to present the ministry to the Neighborhood church in Medford this coming Sunday, again without my doing. Why do I fret? Why do I doubt? How gracious is my Lord and Savior for allowing me to serve Him or even call Him Lord. What a great God we serve!

I hope that over the next few weeks that I will continue to pass on and encourage others in the faith with many more examples of God’s loving care. Let us not be shaken. May the God of peace bless your home Today.