2011 November | Sitting At His Feet

Faith :: {session 4} Increasing Faith

November 30, 2011 By Shannon Leave a Comment

When I went on a hunt for faith in the Bible and discovered it 250 times over, I was really seeking an answer to this question:

How can I increase my faith?

Surely the Word of God contained a simple 3-stop process to greater faith or a guarantee for fool-proof faith of some sort.

I must tell you – I found neither. There is no 3-step process. There is no magic formula. There is no guarantee.

But the Bible does have a lot to say about faith.

In Session 1 we learned that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 NASB). And this to motivate us to greater faith: Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NASB).

In Session 2 we talked about instances in the gospels when Jesus rebuked people for their lack of faith. We learned that fear, worry, and doubt are all indications of small faith.

In Session 3 we discussed those times in which Jesus commended individuals for their great faith. We looked at what these people did to receive such high praise from the Son of God.

Today, I want to encourage you in your faith. Because really, faith is increased moment by moment and day by day as we follow Jesus through this life. When we see God at work, watch Him prove Himself faithful, our faith increases. When we go through difficult times and come through the other side still one one piece, our faith grows.

Grab a Bible and let’s look at some passages about faith!

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)

Who gives us faith and who matures it?

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ~ James 1:2-4 (NASB)

Why should we rejoice when our faith is being tested?

How has your faith been tested recently? Have you seen fruit as a result?

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4 (NASB)

What does our faith enable us to do?

… and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NASB)

What is the outcome of our faith?

How does that give us inexpressible joy?

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ~ 1 Timothy 6:1-121 (NASB)

What are some ways we can pursue faith?

What does it mean to ‘fight the good fight of faith’?

… He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach – if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. ~ Colossians 1:22-23 (NASB)

How can you continue in the faith? How can you be steadfast in your faith as you walk through this life?

Is the secret of great faith in Christ having no faith in ourselves? Contrarily is the trap of having small faith great self-reliance?

Where have you put your faith?

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. ~ Romans 10:17 NASB)

If faith comes by hearing the Word, we must walk through this life deeply immersed in its life-giving power. Then our faith with increase. Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). I pray He’ll find much faith in you and I.

Filed Under: Faith

Help Us to Love You

November 29, 2011 By Shannon Leave a Comment

She prays this when I tuck her in:

“Dear God, help us to love You. You know that we do, but help us to love You all the times to come. Amen.”

The simplicity and wisdom of a child.

Help us to love You when the grass seems to be greener on every other side of the fence.

Help us to love You when it doesn’t turn out the way we hoped it would.

Help us to love You when life is limited by a pay cheque.

Help us to love You when the bottom falls out of our world with a 3 a.m. phone call.

Help us to love You when we feel lonely and ostracized and people are unlovely.

Help us to love You when the road ahead is dark and uncertain.

Help us to love You through the tears and in the celebrations.

Help us to love You when you say no as well as when You say yes.

Help us to love You in the valley as much as we do on the mountaintop.

Help us to love You all the times to come.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Gift-a-Verse and Multitude Monday

November 28, 2011 By Shannon 2 Comments

I knew God wanted me there for a reason, but the conference was almost over and I still had no idea why.

A week prior to Relevant – a Christian woman’s blogging conference – I was notified about an available ticket. In a whirlwind of rescheduling and packing, God continually confirmed His desire for me to attend.

It was now the final dinner at Relevant and I sat down at a table of ladies I didn’t know. We made polite conversation as we ate. To my right a mother balanced her 7-month old daughter on her knee and tried to cut her roast beef with her one free hand (I’ve been there!). The seat to my left was vacant.

Lord, why did You want me to come? The question rolled over and over in my mind. Yes, I had been inspired and yes it had been a wonderful time away with my family, but I sensed there was more as to why God had me there.

Halfway through the meal a lady sat down in the vacant seat and we began to chat. And in God’s impeccable timing He revealed the reason I was at Relevant.

Her name was Johanna Fenton and she is involved with the social media for OneVerse. She tells me of her heart for the Word and her work with OneVerse and The Seed Company to translate the Bible into minority languages around the world.

What is OneVerse? Today, nearly one-third of the world’s language groups representing 340 million people are still waiting for God’s Word in a language that they can understand clearly.

OneVerse is a program of The Seed Company that enables you to support local Bible translators as they make God’s message available in the language of their people.Your sponsorship gift of $26 provides the resources required for national translators to translate one verse of Scripture into their own language. Through OneVerse, you join a team of prayer and financial partners to make this possible.

OneVerse Bible translation projects are managed exclusively by The Seed Company as we work in partnership with various organizations and local leadership. Sponsorship support for a language project is combined and managed to ensure that all project goals are met. If a translation project is interrupted due to circumstances beyond our control, any remaining funds will be allocated towards other similar translation projects. The Seed Company is working directly with over 400 translation projects in countries around the world.

Because the Word transforms, she says.

I know this to be true.

Her purpose at the conference was to look for bloggers who would be willing to write about this ministry.

Now this – this I could get excited about.

I came away from that conversation knowing this was something God was calling me to do.

And so now, several months, emails, and conference calls later, I’m inviting you to be involved as well.

The OneVerse Bloggers, including myself, have many exciting ways for you to participate, but for now, as we approach Christmas, would you consider giving the Word as a gift?

In partnership with the Duggars, through Gift-a-Verse, with a donation of $26, you can support the work of OneVerse by translating one verse of Scripture into a minority language. And for your donation, you will receive a Christmas card to send to a friend during the holidays.

What better gift could we give than the transforming power of the Word?

Simply click here to donate.

Check back in January for more exciting ways to become involved!

1926. A Nanny and Papa who come to watch him play.

1927. The opportunity to partner with them.

1928. When he parks the van in the garage for me.

1929. Studying with the youth – love it!

1930. Ice-coated trees and the steady drip-drip-drip in the morning sun.

1931. A Great-Grandma who spends the day with her great-granddaughter.

1932. Tea biscuits fresh from the oven thoughtfully delivered to my office.

1933. His thoughtfulness.

1934. When he calls me in the morning while on his business trip to pray with me.

1935. Unseasonably warm at the end of November.

1936. The endless soccer game in the basement.

1937. Dinner at a country club and feeling very ‘cultured’ for one night.

1938. Candles flickering and music playing and decking these halls.

1939. Celebrating 2 baby boys being dedicated.

1940. Clementines … a sign of the holidays.

Filed Under: Gratitude, OneVerse

When You are Tempted to Use the Dreaded ‘H’ Word (Hurry!)

November 25, 2011 By Shannon 1 Comment

When the clock’s ticking and there are lunches to pack and library books to find and breakfast to gobble down, I feel the waves of panic rising close to the surface, threatening to spill over in impatient words.

Frantic, I double my speed and urge the children to hurry.

Buses won’t wait and the school bell rings at the same time every day, without a moment’s consideration as to how our morning is going.

But this I know all to well from repeated experience: Children can’t be hurried.

The one I told to race up the stairs to brush her teeth has been distracted by the toy lying haphazardly in the hall. The one I instructed to find his library books has found his cars instead.

Lord, help me…

This morning I choose the way of love instead of giving in to the frustration pulsing through my veins. I lean down and look her straight in the eyes and ask her to repeat what Mama told her to do. She answers easily, and then I ask her if she is planning to obey. She nods and skips happily up the stairs. I don’t have to bend down quite as far to my son stretching high like his father. I ask him the same and he shrugs. This man-child, focused on only one thing at a time, has forgotten – or perhaps he never even heard my initial instructions. I repeat them and off he goes to find the missing books.

Threats and angry words and hurry! hurry! hurry! never yield the desired result. I know this all too well. Only patience, soft words down at their leve, and joy infused in the daily routines of life result in happy, compliant children.

And really, what would happen if we arrived after the bell just one time? Would the world stop spinning? The sun cease to shine? My own perfectionism tries to convince me they might, but it’s a grandiose lie to make me miss the messy beauty of here and now.

Living life in a constant state of hurry is no way to live. And what is this constant rush doing to the hearts of my children?

“Are we late, Mom?” He asks me this for the third time this morning. My boy – always concerned we might not be following the rules. He takes after his Mama.

I glance at the clock and although we are indeed late, I shake my head. “No, we still have time.”

We have time to treat each other well, to enjoy this moment, and to pray before we leave the safety and security of this home.

We have time.

In all my efforts to teach them responsibility and accountability, might they be teaching me something far greater? Something of much more infinite value? Yes – they are teaching me to slow and savour the moment. They are growing me up in patience and showing me the way of joy.

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” ~ Matthew 18:3-4 (NLT)

What are your children teaching you?

Filed Under: Kids

So Grateful for This Group of Teens

November 24, 2011 By Shannon Leave a Comment

They were half my age and twice my energy.

We sat around steaming cups of hot chocolate and poured over Scripture. – these gals and a few guys who came to create community and walk through the ups and downs of the teen years together.

I was scared I couldn’t relate – their stories of high school and homework and hanging out with friends might be too far gone to recall.

I was scared they wouldn’t relate – my stories of kids and keeping house and caring for a family might seem much too old for them.

Looking around the circle, listening to their young wisdom, my mind wandered back to sixteen. I certainly wasn’t where they were. Following the crowd and chasing a boy, even after Daddy’s stern warnings, lead me to many places I wish now I’d never known.

How to warn teens of the dangers of rebellious living and the heartache any path other than God’s can cause? How to pour into young lives and continually point them to Christ?

Only by the power of the Spirit in me.

So grateful for this opportunity.

Filed Under: Gratitude

Faith :: {session 3} Great Faith

November 23, 2011 By Shannon Leave a Comment

We are in the midst of a 4-part Bible study series on faith. If you are just joining us now, you may want to go back and take a look at session 1 and 2. ~ Faith :: {session 1} What is it? ~ Faith :: {session 2} Little Faith

When Jesus walked the earth and interacted with people, there were times He commended individuals for their great faith. What did they do that prompted such high praise from the Son of God? Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God, so we can assume God was indeed pleased with their actions. Let’s find out what these actions were as we seek to be people of great faith.

Click to view a free printable of this Bible study: Faith {session 3} Great Faith

Meet the Centurion

The fact that an officer in the Roman army – a centurion – came to Jesus, a Jewish leader, was odd enough. But then for him to plead with Jesus to heal his servant was overwhelming evidence that there was something different about this man. You see, when a servant became ill and unproductive, it was completely acceptable for a master to have the slave put to death. But instead, this man came to Jesus and begged Him to restore his servant’s health.

And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment. ~ Matthew 8:5-13 (NASB)

What did the centurion believe about Jesus’ spiritual authority?

What did the centurion do that revealed his great faith?

The centurion understood that Jesus could heal as easily with a word as He could with a touch. He believed in the power of Jesus’ words. Do you have the same faith in Christ’s words? Do you believe God will do what He says He will do? This is great faith.

Meet Bartimaeus

Even though the crowds hushed him, Bartimaeus didn’t stop calling for Jesus of Nazareth. There was something about this Man. Bartimaeus had heard of how He healed the lame and the sick and even those like him – those who were blind. If He could open the eyes of others, surely He could for him.

This was his one and only chance. Jesus was passing by, so he kept calling out despite the stern looks and harsh words from Jesus’ companions.

As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God. ~ Luke 18:35-45 (NASB)

What question did Jesus ask Bartimaeus?

Why did Jesus say, “Your faith has made you well?”

How did Bartimaeus’ response reveal his level of faith?

Bartimaeus knew what he wanted and he knew Who to ask. And Jesus said it was his faith that made him well. His great faith caused him to see.

Does your faith cause you to see … really see? Does your faith enable you to see God in the midst of your mundane? And when you see – when you catch glimpses of His glory – do you respond in praise like Bartimaeus?

Meet A Suffering Woman

A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” ~ Mark 5:25-34 (NASB)

How did the woman’s actions prove her great faith?

It always makes my heart skip a beat or two when I get to the part in the story where Jesus looks around to see who had touched Him. Certainly the woman’s poor heart must have been pounding. She was hoping to receive healing in secrecy. And surely the Son of God knew full well who had touched Him, despite the crowds pressing in on Him. Why then did He ask? I wonder if it was to force the woman to give voice to the truth of what had just happened. You see, when we speak truth and testify to the work of God in our lives, our faith increases.

What did all three people have in common?

What was their approach to healing?

What did they believe about Jesus?

What do your actions, reactions, and words reveal about your level of faith?

These people of great faith believed that Jesus was who He says He is. They believed He could do what He said He could do. And they believed He would do it for them.

What are you believing God for today?

Filed Under: Faith

She’s Just Like Me

November 22, 2011 By Shannon Leave a Comment

She follows him around the muddy farmyard – that bright spot of pink interrupting the endless grey of November. Her hands are stuffed deep in her pockets and her rubber boots try to keep in step with his big strides.

She chatters on and on and he nods occasionally, and I wonder if he’s really listening. It doesn’t matter – she’s happy just to be with her Papa. She asks him what he is doing and why … always why.

He’s got things to do – farming on his mind … always farming on his mind. When this land is all you know, it becomes the very fibre of your being, the essence of your life. He has seen many turns of the seasons, planting followed by harvest and one blends into the next.

I wonder if he remembers. Does it seems like only yesterday to him when another shadow ran to keep up with him as he worked?

He tells her he’s putting the equipment away for the winter and she asks for a ride. They climb up into the tractor and she waves to me through the window.

I remember well the view from that perch right at his side.

Me - oldest of three daughters – was very much the son he never had. I followed him around the farm, riding tractors, keeping him company in the combine, and tagging along to the barn each night. While my sisters prefered to stay indoors with our Mom, together Dad and I fed cows, bunnies, horses, cats and dogs. Cleaning stalls was much less repulsive to me than sticking hands into dirty dish water. Watching kittens tumble and play was much more entertaining than watching cartoons.

I was a farm girl – through and through.

She follows him to the combine now, but they get sidetracked when they discover a family of mice nesting in the corn. She squeals and tries to catch them. Her brother tries to stomp on them.

I remember the field mouse I caught years ago while walking through the field of straw after harvest and how I insisted we bring it home. Daddy had a hard time saying no to these big brown eyes. (Don’t tell my mom that it escaped my make-shift cage through the night and I assume it made it’s home in a dark corner of my room!)

She’s still chatting away. I’m sure I talked his ear off too and bombarded him with endless questions. We are the same – her and I – merely separated by 29 years.

When she was a baby she prefered to be held by men. Papa over Nanny. Uncle Mike over Auntie Shanna. Daddy over Mommy. Now she plays cars with her big brother and removes all the pink and purple crayons from the box. Some days I long for a little girl in pink frills and bows, but then I remember …

I was just like her when I was her age.

Daddy’s little shadow.

Lovin’ the dirt, the adventure, and the feeling of his big hand around mine.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Multitude Monday

November 21, 2011 By Shannon 2 Comments

Some weeks this list flows easily. Other weeks I have to look harder to see the blessings. Not because they are not there, but because I’m not in the frame of mind to notice them. This week was the latter. But when we strain to see – looking intentionally for His gifts – we find they were there all along.

Counting the endless blessings…

1907. A (good) note from the principal.

1908. A little friend over and watching them play all day.

1909. So thankful it was only a baby tooth.

1910. For a brave boy during his unexpected tooth extraction.

1911. A Daddy who comes home to be with his son.

1912. An opportunity to speak truth into the lives of teens.

1913. That nothing takes Him by surprise.

1914. The boy and his dad who bring home pink flowers.

1915. Long talks.

1916. Movie night.

1917. Eighty-two delightful children (most of the time!).

1918. A good book at the end of a long day.

1919. A mother who understands well and encourages me to just sit.

1920. Two good reports from two good teachers.

1921. The way they played so well together all day.

1922. Warm cookies, fresh from the oven and the two children who enjoyed every last crumb.

1923. Fingers wrapped around a mug of apple cider with a dear friend.

1924. An afternoon at the farm – rubber boots and all!

1925. Praying for another.

Filed Under: Gratitude

Nothing Surprises Him

November 17, 2011 By Shannon 4 Comments

When life’s unexpected twists and turns, throw us head-first into unplanned situations, its so comforting to know God is not at all surprised.

He saw it coming.

In fact, He saw it coming since the beginning of time.

So when my morning was turned upside down the moment my son collide head-on with another boy on the playground, God knew. God knew his tooth would be dislocated, and we would spend the morning at the dentist resulting in a painful tooth extraction.

God knew when I eventually got to work three hours later that my desk would be buried and the phone would ring continually.

God knew the emails that would come my way that afternoon of friends going through difficult situations.

God knew I would be the only one available to teach that night and He knew I would have very little time to prepare.

He knows the end from the beginning.

Nothing takes Him by surprise.

When we are tempted to panic as we lose control we must remember, He has not. He is still in control and the seemingly random events of our lives are in fact well-planned, well-documented, and orchestrated by a loving God.

This day – the one that threw you into a state of frenzy, fear, worry, or despair - He had written in His book before the foundation of the world. Nothing catches Him off guard.

And your tomorrows – the ones you can’t possibly see standing in the here and now of today – he knows each one in great detail.

And He is preparing you. And He will walk with you. And He will guide you each step of the way.

When life takes us by surprise, the good news is, He is not.

Filed Under: Life

Faith :: {session 2} Little Faith

November 16, 2011 By Shannon Leave a Comment

We are in the midst of a Bible Study series on faith. If you missed the first session last week, click here: Faith :: {session 1} What is it? We looked in scripture to find the essence of faith and studied people who are commended for their acts of faith. My fascination with this little five-letter word began a number of months ago while reading through the gospels. I was struck at the times Jesus either commended people for their great faith or rebuked others for their lack of faith. Determined to discover what they had done to prompt each response from Jesus, I studied their stories.Today we are going to look at the instances in which Christ reprimanded people for their lack of faith. Next week we’ll look at the opposite – those times He praised people for their great faith.

Let’s dig in! Grab your Bible…

Click to download the free printable for this Bible Study: Faith {session 2} Little Faith

Fear

Weary from another long day of ministry, they were relieved when Jesus suggested they join Him in the boat to cross over to the other side of the lake. From sun-up until sun-down, the crowds had pressed in on them. People desperately wanting to be touched for healing, others anxious to hear the way He masterfully told stories that seemed somewhat upside-down, and still others simply curious to get a glimpse of this Teacher everyone was talking about.

It was hot. They were tired and hungry. A peaceful boat ride across five miles of open water sounded refreshing indeed.

But this trip turned out to be far from peaceful…

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” ~ Mark 4:35-41 (NASB)

What emotion were the disciples experiencing that prompted Jesus to ask, “Do you still have no faith?”

How is fear evidence of little faith?

How does fear keep you from walking in the fullness of faith?

Doubt

We admire this man for getting out of the boat, yet Jesus accused him of little faith.

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” ~ Matthew 14:28-33 (NASB)

What question did Jesus ask Peter?

How is doubt evidence of little faith?

What doubts keep you from walking in the fullness of faith?

Worry

Life is filled with many occasions to worry. But Jesus accused ‘worriers’ of having little faith.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)

What kinds of worries characterize someone who has little faith?

What are we to seek above ’everyday worries’?

What are you tempted to worry about? How do your worries keep you from walking in the fullness of faith?

Fear, doubt, and worry. Jesus pointed to these three as evidence of little faith. Where do these three lurk in your life? Do they keep you from living in faith?

Next Wednesday look for session 3 in the series on faith. We will look in the gospels again, but this time for those Jesus praised for having great faith.