GREENE STREET LETTERS: FAITH

Thursday, November 17, 2022

FAITH

Luke 8:25 - But He said to them, "Where is your faith?"

Luke 5:20 - When He saw their faith.......

Faith....strange word. A word that seems to be seen differently by people. Oh, I know the book answer about "evidence of things not seen"....."Substance of things hoped for." Still it seems to carry this ethereal, whispy kind of definition to it. Fact of the matter is that Faith is something that has been planted deep in the heart of every person. If you read Romans 12:4 then you'll see this at the very end of the verse. "As God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."

Faith is what is activated by the Holy Spirit when we come under conviction for our sin. Looking everywhere for an answer to our problem, we find that faith leads us to Christ as the only answer for our freedom from the darkness that is consuming us. One translation reads that faith is the handle, the title deed to our salvation. In other words, it is that unseen force within us that draws and binds us to Christ. Maybe that is why II Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we are to "Walk by faith, not by sight." To not focus on what we can see, but allow what we see to turn to Christ for direction and guidance, helping us to navigate life.

Faith in Christ keeps me grounded though the world around me is crumbling. Faith draws me to see beyond my current situation and circumstance, and see the truth of who God is and what He has promised He would do.

Faith doesn't always take me out of dark times. Sometimes faith gives me strength to walk through the painful times. To embrace my situation, not allowing doubt and fear to chisel away my faith.

Oh I'm no expert when it comes to this thing we call faith. I know it is real. I know that my faith in Christ has kept me moving forward all these years in spite of what the world may tell me. Faith is the spiritual glue that connects me to Christ no matter what my day holds. I know that He will be there to show me His way.

Today I am grateful for this thing we call faith... No need to say anything else.

God on you...

michael b

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Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

FAITH

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THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD