Incomplete
READ: Philippians 1:3-11
He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. —Philippians 1:6
When I was a little girl, my parents bought their first house. One afternoon, the family hopped into the car and drove to see where we soon would be living.
I couldn’t believe it. The house had no windows or doors, and there was a strange odor. The basement was clearly visible through big gaps in the floor and we had to climb a ladder to get down there.
That night when I asked my mother why they wanted to live in a house like that, she explained that the builder wasn’t finished with it yet. “Just wait and see,” she said. “I think you’ll like it when it’s done.”
Soon we began to see changes. The house got windows, then doors. The “funny smell” of new lumber faded. The holes in the floor were covered and a staircase was added. Walls were painted. Mom put up curtains at the windows and pictures on the walls. The incomplete house had been transformed. It had taken some time but finally it was finished.
As Christians, we need “finishing” too. Although the groundwork is laid at our conversion, the growing process continues throughout our life. As we obediently follow Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2), one day we too will be complete. — Cindy Hess Kasper
God sees in us a masterpieceThat one day will be done;His Spirit works throughout our livesTo make us like His Son. —Sper
~x~o~x~o~x~o~
Whether we're new believers or matured Christians, we sometimes let our eyes focus at the problem rather than God. People are influenced by their negative feelings, past guilt, and lack of understanding about the Lord. Having the motto of, "I know God can, but I'm not sure He will." I know it to be true that when we let this motto rest in our hearts, it leaves us with no peace.
Don't get me wrong, all God's children begin at the "somewhat still in doubt faith" stage or "restless faith" for short. We all struggle with trusting God and that's not a sin in His eyes. Just like the disciples, they experienced periods of doubt, but Jesus did not condemned them, rather He helped them mature as they experienced different trials... so what are we to do? I think we should also embrace the idea of gaining experience, spend more time getting to know God by studying His Word, and fellowship with other believers instead of exposing ourselves to more temptations that will help us fall out of faith rather than gain.
Friends, if you allow yourselves to be stuck in this restless faith stage, you will not experience spiritual growth. Remember that the blessings we receive from God will always be in proportion to our faith. That's why our greatest desire should be to increase our faith so that we can live successfully in this world.
Remember that we are not in a position to see the whole picture of our own lives nor others. We only see a small portion. However, if we rely only on our limited perspective, thinking ours is the best way, then we're just setting ourselves for failure. Instead, choose to trust God... the ONE who sees the whole picture, to direct our efforts. If we do, God can work through us to create something beautiful.
You know, through my own experience, I witnessed that faith can take us to heights we've never dreamed of. But we also must admit that life isn't always easy... gosh! some of it can be quite scary. However, I find it to be real in my life that when I remind myself of God's goodness... I know He can lift us over the hard places in life. So take heart my friends, God isn't finished with you yet... just be patient!
Have a JOYFUL day!
God Speed!
READ: Philippians 1:3-11
He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. —Philippians 1:6
When I was a little girl, my parents bought their first house. One afternoon, the family hopped into the car and drove to see where we soon would be living.
I couldn’t believe it. The house had no windows or doors, and there was a strange odor. The basement was clearly visible through big gaps in the floor and we had to climb a ladder to get down there.
That night when I asked my mother why they wanted to live in a house like that, she explained that the builder wasn’t finished with it yet. “Just wait and see,” she said. “I think you’ll like it when it’s done.”
Soon we began to see changes. The house got windows, then doors. The “funny smell” of new lumber faded. The holes in the floor were covered and a staircase was added. Walls were painted. Mom put up curtains at the windows and pictures on the walls. The incomplete house had been transformed. It had taken some time but finally it was finished.
As Christians, we need “finishing” too. Although the groundwork is laid at our conversion, the growing process continues throughout our life. As we obediently follow Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2), one day we too will be complete. — Cindy Hess Kasper
God sees in us a masterpieceThat one day will be done;His Spirit works throughout our livesTo make us like His Son. —Sper
~x~o~x~o~x~o~
Whether we're new believers or matured Christians, we sometimes let our eyes focus at the problem rather than God. People are influenced by their negative feelings, past guilt, and lack of understanding about the Lord. Having the motto of, "I know God can, but I'm not sure He will." I know it to be true that when we let this motto rest in our hearts, it leaves us with no peace.
Don't get me wrong, all God's children begin at the "somewhat still in doubt faith" stage or "restless faith" for short. We all struggle with trusting God and that's not a sin in His eyes. Just like the disciples, they experienced periods of doubt, but Jesus did not condemned them, rather He helped them mature as they experienced different trials... so what are we to do? I think we should also embrace the idea of gaining experience, spend more time getting to know God by studying His Word, and fellowship with other believers instead of exposing ourselves to more temptations that will help us fall out of faith rather than gain.
Friends, if you allow yourselves to be stuck in this restless faith stage, you will not experience spiritual growth. Remember that the blessings we receive from God will always be in proportion to our faith. That's why our greatest desire should be to increase our faith so that we can live successfully in this world.
Remember that we are not in a position to see the whole picture of our own lives nor others. We only see a small portion. However, if we rely only on our limited perspective, thinking ours is the best way, then we're just setting ourselves for failure. Instead, choose to trust God... the ONE who sees the whole picture, to direct our efforts. If we do, God can work through us to create something beautiful.
You know, through my own experience, I witnessed that faith can take us to heights we've never dreamed of. But we also must admit that life isn't always easy... gosh! some of it can be quite scary. However, I find it to be real in my life that when I remind myself of God's goodness... I know He can lift us over the hard places in life. So take heart my friends, God isn't finished with you yet... just be patient!
Have a JOYFUL day!
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