Evidence Of Our Faith

        

                                                Evidence of our Faith 

“We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3

I love Paul and I love that even during this time of persecution their faith was flourishing. That word flourish brings so many word pictures to my mind. It is a special word that I would keep hearing and even as God had me start writing devotionals that became my title. “Flourish In the Journey.” Even as the writing started what seems so long ago the message remains the same even though the circumstances continue to change. Because that is the reality living within these bodies and minds that will always try to make sense of everything we experience here on earth. And as this verse reminds my heart our faith flourishes when we understand none of that matters only that God never changes. Age to age He still stands the same.

We tend to throw that word “faith” around like all the other words that have taken on taking a new meaning. What does that mean to have faith? When do we get to that point of believing no matter what everything will be ok?

My faith is a ongoing thing that continues to flourish in spite of the enemy. Not faith in myself but faith in God who never fails. Not faith in MS. Not faith in everything around me that doesn’t make sense. Not faith is understanding why God does the things He does or why He doesn’t answer our prayers in ways that we think we should. But faith that is IN a unshakable God. 

“They will fight against you but will not overcome you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 1:19

Once again these were words that comforted me this morning. As we read our bible together as a community we keep going from the Old Testament and the New Testament. This back and forth is this reminder that the God of the Old Testament is still the same God and the enemies that they fought are still the ones that we fight against today. But the words will not overcome and I am with you is a reminder of the Great I AM. 

Someone commented on this chapter as we read it together. “I have appointed you not just to survive- but to build and to plant.  Don’t fear the resistance. I have made you resilient. My Word is in your mouth. Keep walking in My truth, and you will see fruit.” 

That is what faith is. That is what flourishing in our faith looks like. Remembering that we were called to walk with Jesus. My flesh will always be in this constant battle with my Spirit. Everyday is another opportunity to praise Him anyway.

Father,

Your heart is always for us it was back in Jeremiah and it is still holds true today. We were made to flourish in you Jesus and that means that no matter what we can hold steady to you. You are the Rock we are not. Help us to remember the heart posture when it gets really hard. You are taking our faith and building us to become more like you Jesus. Thank you for always being right beside us and allowing your Holy Spirit to give us the ability to stand firm. Help others around us see evidence of that kind of faith that can only be found in you King Jesus.

Amen