Mountain Movers

Back in December of last year(2011), I posted a photo and verse post(HERE) about faith. For some reason, I have felt compelled the past couple of weeks to share that verse again. Maybe because I am feeling like my faith is being challenged in many ways, lately. I'm not sure I can say my faith has been strengthened, yet. I guess I have some more learning and growing to do.  God stretches us as Christians in may ways throughout our lives. I know my prayer life has changed and I am working harder at giving more time to reading the Word. Here's the Bible verse:

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ~Matt. 17:20

Do you ever feel at times like saying, "If I only had a stronger faith, I would be able to move mountains!" I do! But when I read this verse, it's not how much faith we have, but that we are consistent and persistent in our faith that will move the mountains. I was reminded that mountains can be any kind of hardships in life - from illnesses to loss of a job to loss of one's home or anything that just seems impossible to ever get through. And our willingness to believe God truly can do anything in any situation, if it is His will is having faith in Him.

But the answer to our moving mountains problem is found in Matthew 17.17, where Jesus tells us “O faithless and perverse generation”. We have a sin nature that holds us back. If only we could have the faith of a mustard seed, desire the Will of God, and keep our wants and desire out of it, we could move mountains. That doesn't mean things will be easy...on the contrary. God allows us to go thru stuff to grow closer to Him and in the process, gain more faith!

I'm reminded of one writer's definition of faith:

"Faith is continuing to put one foot in front of the other moving in a forward direction, no matter what reality is telling you."

Source

And Hebrews 11:1 give an astounding definition:

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

This verse also reminds me of a Christy Nockels song:

Waiting Here for You (lyrics)

If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for You, waiting here for You

You're the Lord of all creation
And still You know my heart
The Author of salvation
You've loved us from the start

Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing: alleluia

You are everything You've promised
Your faithfulness is true
We're desperate for Your presence
All we need is You

We will wait for You, Lord
In step with You, Lord
We will sing alleluia

Singing: alleluia; alleluia
Singing: alleluia; alleluia

Continuing in listing my gifts with the Joy Dare:

A gift of rhythm, rhyme,  and reason 
863. rhythm - God bestows on us our talents and abilities for His glory! Go HERE to see an example.
864. rhyme - In music (Most Church hymns are rhyming) One of the all-time favorites....Amazing Grace
865. reason - "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool." Isaiah 1:8

3 gifts in weakness
866. Because I am weak and powerless in this evil world, every day I turn to God for my strength and pursue Him alone!
867. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
868. "for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:10

3 gifts in jars
869. Peanut-butter and Strawberry jam (my favorite sandwich!)

870. Change, for a rainy day...

871. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Cor. 4:7

A gift of life, growth, decline
872. Life - Every day I am alive(and my family is alive) is a gift...sometimes I forget how precious it is!!
873. Growth - Spiritual growth isn't easy(often is painful), but it is a gift from God, to grow closer to my Lord and Savior!!
874. Decline - Our economical decline may not seem like a gift, but I truly believe it is God's way of getting everyone's attention so we will turn to Him for all things.

gifts curled
875. My Balloon flowers trying to open up....

876. My Tiger Lily, curled open.

3 gifts yellow
877. Yellow finches feeding out on my back deck.

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Ann on Pinterest

878. Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

Source: whatscookingamerica.net via Ann on Pinterest

879. My Black-eyed Susans

3 gifts of stone
880. "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood." 1 Peter 2:5
881. "He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6
882. My Rock garden, where I go to rest.

 

Linking over at these blog parties:

 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)  - Which will be shared on Walk With Him Wed. this week, due to Ann V.'s mission trip. Blessings, friend!
Heart Reflected(State of the Heart)
Hear It on Sunday/Use it on Monday(Graceful)
Soli Deo Gloria(Finding Heaven)
 On Your Heart Tuesdays(A Pause in the Path)
Word Filled Wednesday(Internet Cafe')
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace) 
Gathering at the Grace Cafe'(Reflections of His Grace) 

God's Ways are Mysterious - Prayer is the Answer

I've been hearing on the news how in some parts of the United States there are torrential rains and flooding. While here in the Midwest we continue to grow weary with the drought. Farmers are losing their crops, grass is almost all turned brown, and the local lake levels are shrinking drastically. This is one of many of the mysteries of God's ways. In the Old Testament, there were many times God allowed drought to occur, often lasting years. On the other hand, we all have heard of the greatest rain and flood of all times, with the story of Noah and the Ark. Why does God allow this?
There are many reasons He allows such opposite things to happen...Read this article to learn how God explained the use of natural disasters to discipline His people:

Why Does God Allow Us To Suffer In Natural Disasters?

Below are some great picture verses describing what we need to be doing and Who we should be seeking help from.....

Source: wallpaper4god.com via Ann on Pinterest

I know many people and areas in our country are suffering loss. We thirst for something, but we don't think it's God, when in reality it is He who saves us!!

Source: wonders.wallpaperdave.com via Ann on Pinterest

Do we earnestly seek Him, thirst and long for HIM?

Source: wallpaper4god.com via Ann on Pinterest

If we seek Him the Bible says God opens the springs, the rivers, and the fountains in the midst of the valleys! Only God can quench our thirst spiritually and physically!

Source: wallpaper4god.com via Ann on Pinterest

As Followers of Christ, we need to be on our knees every day and asking God to deliver us from our hardships and difficulties. Read this great story from the Bible!

Never Give Up - Elijah Prays for Rain

What is desperately needed in our society today are more men and women who, like Elijah, can have an Elijah-like impact on this society. The thing that made him effective in his day of spiritual and moral decadence was his prayer life. We (including myself) totally underestimate the power of prayer!

Whether you are in an area where there has been NO rain for weeks/months or you have been in the midst of flooding from too much rain - PRAY! LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER PRAYED BEFORE!! GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS!!

But God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.

Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!

(Psalm 66:19-20)

 

Linking over at these blog parties: