For a Faith that Doesn't Fail

Have you ever had one of those Sunday sermons that just kinda grabs you by the shoulders, looks you in the eyes, and speaks so directly to you that you think that just maybe you are the only person in the congregation and the Lord is speaking just to you?

That was me today. Can we say conviction?!?

Grant and I have been going to our new church for about a month now. And let me tell you, I could listen to Pastor Gregg for hours. That man has been blessed, that is for sure. And he spoke to my heart this morning. I thought I'd share with you a little bit about what I learned today....

1. God's Will is ALWAYS accompanied by God's Power and God's Provision.

2. Our FAITH is often weak and forgetful. However, in our most disappointed moments, we tend to think that our God is often weak and forgetful. He is not. He is incapable of that. It is our FAITH that fails us at times. Never our God.

Pastor Gregg used the illustration of Exodus 14, as the Israelites were preparing to cross the Red Sea. They had just left Egypt, where the Lord had miraculously delivered them from Pharaoh. He had sent 10 plagues and Pharaoh had released them. However, Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them with his armies. Immediately, the Israelites became terrified, questioned Moses' decisions, and had resolved to the fact that they were going to die. It wasn't God that failed them. He was about to perform one of His most incredible miracles of all time! It was their FAITH that was weak and forgetful.

3. Exodus 14:14 says "The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still". Ladies, (and the few gents out there), how often do we fight our own battles? Why do we do this? We need only to be still, and KNOW that HE is GOD! WE are NOT!!

Pastor Gregg also talked to us about COMPLAINING. Lord knows that I am a bit of a whiner at times. But what he was referring to is people who complain about where they are in life, how much money they have, how much they hate their jobs, why this guy got a promotion before me, etc. But he told us that complaints often have FEAR at a deeper level. If you are complaining, you have to ask yourself what it is you are truly afraid of?

He said that complaining projects power and achieves short-term results.

(Here's the one that really got to me): Complainers focus on the problem, not the provider. A great quote: "The one who says 'It cannot be done' should not interrupt the One who is doing it".
God provides protection. Simply, God provides.

How quickly do we forget all He has done for us? How quickly to do we complain to the Lord?
How often do we forget to praise Him when we come to Him in prayer? We just come to Him, list our requests, and say "Amen".

My friends, praise Him in all circumstances. That is what we have been called to do. He is in charge, and He knows what He is doing. He has never failed you, ever. Praise Him because He is good. He is love. He is comfort. He is peace. He is not weak. He is not forgetful. He is right, not wrong. He is wise. He is perfect. He is God. He IS.

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Blessed be your Glorious Name!
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be Your Name!