Blind Trust

I can remember as a child growing up how much I trusted my dad. I trusted him to; hold onto my bike while learning how to ride, to catch me when learning how to swim or jumping into the deep end. There is nothing I would not try as a child, if my dad said that he would be there for me. The best way I can describe this is, “Blind Trust.”

Blind trust is a type of faith that obeys regardless of personal understanding. (Chuck Smith)

The Gospel of Matthew describes the blind faith of the Centurion in Capernaum who asked Jesus, “just speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) Another example can be found in Luke’s Gospel. There Simon Peter, after fishing all night and catching nothing, at the word of Jesus, let down the nets for a catch. (Luke 5:5) Because both of these men believed blindly and did not stumble at the promise of our Lord, they found success.

This is a beautiful blueprint for us to follow. In both cases faith is follow by obedience. The Centurion was told, “go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” He went his way and his servant was healed that very hour.(Matthew 8:13) Simon Peter also obeyed blindly (not because the request was logical but because it came from Jesus) and at His word, pulled up a net so full of fish that it nearly broke. (Luke 5:6)

What is God asking you to blindly trust Him about? Whatever it may be, I strongly suggest that you.....Trust - Believe - Obey!

The Truth
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

It’s Natural To Make Mistakes

Failure is never a pleasant feeling. It isn’t enjoyable to lose a job, see a relationship falter, fail a test or just plain make a mistake. But the disappointment we feel when we face defeat can be turned to joy if we look at it the right way!

Abraham Lincoln had a string of failures in his life before he was elected president in 1860. Thomas Edison failed 2000 times while trying to invent the light bulb. When asked if he was discouraged Edison replied, "No, I have just discovered 2000 ways not to make a light bulb. Now I can start over again.” Edison could have such a confident attitude because he knew that the road to success is often paved with disappointments that serve to extend the road — not to block it. Each failure brought him a little closer to success.

Living a life of victory is not about being perfect — because we are human — and will always make mistakes. The key is learning how to get up after we have fallen. It’s natural to make mistakes — but it’s supernatural to learn from those mistakes and move forward.

The Truth
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Psalms 37:23-24)

Godly Inheritance

Back in my college days I remember my ethics professor asking the question, "Who would you die for?" Most of the class responded with the typical answers; family, loved ones - even a few responded - friends. But know one responded; a righteous man or a good man and certainly not - a evil man.

But God demonstrated His own love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Just think on that for a moment - Christ died for us while we were still in our sin. Why would he do that? Simple, He loves us. (John 3:16) and He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

His sacrifice, if we accept it, justifies us before God, brings us eternal life and a relationship of sonship (Romans 8:15) - or heir.

Our obligation, according to Paul, is to be controlled by the Spirit of God because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14) "The Spirit then testifies with our spirit that we are God's children - if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Romans 8:15-16)

The Truth
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7)

Speak Boldly

In Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus, he describes himself — an ambassador in chains. Locked away in a prison, Paul refuses to allow his circumstances to dictate or alter his identity. He may be in chains, but he remains the Lord’s ambassador.

Can you imagine Paul chained up in that dungeon, throwing up his hand saying, That’s it; it’s over; I’m finished!?

Not on your life! Instead the apostle grows bolder as an ambassador; not intimidated or ashamed, because Paul isn’t chained in his Spirit, he’s only bound in the flesh. Remember how he concluded his letter to the Philippian Church? - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." So can we!

Don’t allow yourself to be defined by your past, or “chained” by your current circumstances. See beyond the physical with the Spirit and be an ambassador for Jesus Christ.

The Truth
Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Be a Good Student

I’m not sure where I learned this, but the idea has been ingrained in my mind for over thirty years in education — if you want to be a good teacher, be a good student. When Jesus lived on the earth, his disciples were called "talmudim". The Hebrew literally means “students”. “Talmudim” comes from the verb, "Lilmod", to
learn. In essence then, talmudim are learners.

Jesus, who was commonly called "Rabbi or teacher" in the biblical times can still be viewed as such by Christians today - which would make us his students. As such, we then go through a learning process with our teacher which may include testing!

Unlike our attempts to cram knowledge into our brains the night before a test in school, in the testing of faith, we cannot cram knowledge or understanding and still hope to pass. If we try this approach to learning we will simply find ourselves retaking the test, over and over again.

If we are truly His talmudim, we will study, pray and delve deeply into the challenging material at hand, to learn and absorb the lesson well, so that we are educated, transformed, and well equipped to move forward in the Lord. Jesus wants us to learn today’s lesson – so He can teach us a new lesson tomorrow!

The Truth
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Hebrews 12 "Run Your Race"

Have you ever felt like you were not making progress in a certain area in your life and considered quiting? I recently came accross this story and thought I would share it with you all.

Hours behind the runner in front of him, the last marathoner finally entered the Olympic stadium. By that time, the drama of the day’s event was almost over and most of the spectators had gone home. This athlete’s story, however, was still being played out. Limping into the arena, the Tanzanian runner grimaced with every step, his knee bleeding and bandaged from an earlier fall. His ragged appearance immediately caught the attention of the remaining crowd, who cheered him on to the finish line. Why did he stay in the race? What made him endure his injuries to the end? When asked these questions later, he replied, My country did not send me 7,000 miles away to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it!

Life can be your own personal marathon wearing you down, making you feel overworked, overstressed, overwhelmed. But be encouraged, God is with you, strengthening your feeble knees and moving you in the right direction to finish your race. Just when you think you can’t run any further He will be there to encourage you, through His Word, every step of the way. You may be wounded right now from an earlier fall and may feel like there’s just no way you can make it to the end, but you can in His strength. Therefore, "run your race" keeping your eyes on Jesus.

The Truth
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Prophecy Conference

Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa is hosting a 2 day prophecy conference Friday, September 17, 2010 from 7-9 PM and again Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 10-12 PM. Guest speakers include; Chuck Smith, Jim Richards, Don Stewart, Doug Hamp with worship by Terry and Nancy Clark. The conference is free and child care will be provided.

Calvary Chapel is located at 3800 S. Fairview Road, Santa Ana, California.

He Hears Our Cry

Have you ever left a phone message for someone close to you and did not get a return call right away? Or sent a text or e-mail message and.....no response. How long before you begin to wonder: did he/she received the message? Is he/she ignoring me? Has something happened, why is there no answer?

I suspect that sometimes when we pray, we think something similar has happened to God—that for some reason He isn’t there. But the Bible offers us comfort and the assurance that God hasn’t mysteriously disappeared. He is always available to us and He hears our cry.

David wrote, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Ps. 55:17). No matter when we call on God, He hears the cries of His children and that should encourage our hearts.

The Truth
"And the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17)