Have you ever asked yourself if you are missing the point?  Have you ever said: “What if I’m not doing what I should be doing in life?  Or maybe something like: “Am I living for myself – or for the Lord?”  If you’re like most of us, we probably don’t ask these question often enough.

I have been reflecting on this recently regarding my own life and also regarding my task of leading Westside Church.  I have been asking myself if I am settling and getting too comfortable.  I have a wonderful wife and family who love and serve the Lord.  I am part of a terrific community of believers who love God and love others and are trying to impact their sphere’s of influence.  So, what’s the problem?  Here it is . . .

It should.  The Bible says this in Hebrews 11:6:
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

And this in Colossians 2:6:
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.”

So you see, we were accepted by God because of our faith in Him.  Now, we are to continue “walking” in that same faith.  We are to live a life of faith.  Always trusting, always relying, constantly believing for Him to do the impossible.  What is the impossible?

Doing what He’s called you to do in your own strength for one . . . because if we can do the will of God in our own strength then it is sin.  You heard me . . . sin.  If what we do for the King and the Kingdom can be done by our own strength, our own will, our own determination, forcefulness, grit, or maybe, with our own finances or with our own stuff – then the Bible calls that sin.  We must live a life that relies on God.  Period.

Romans 14:23
“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

What Does This Mean?
Ask yourself:
•    Is anything you’re doing right now requiring faith in God or . . . are you already in total control of everything?
•    Am I believing for a miracle right now for myself or, just for someone else?
•    Have I stepped out in faith where there is no way to succeed without God coming through on my behalf?
•    Am I too scheduled, too financially secure, too organized and too planned to need anything from God?
•    Has my walk with God become a stale routine instead of an intimate, close, alive, relationship?

During an especially difficult time in the work of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor wrote to his wife: “We have twenty-five cents – and all the promises of God!” 

My prayer is that we will be a people of faith, that we will be ordinary folks trusting for impossible things from an extraordinary God!  Keep believing for the impossible and “dream big dreams”!

Love you Guys,
Steve 🙂

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
Matthew 17:20

P.S. Congrats to Yvonne Olson for winning last month’s contest!