Step of Faith

Stepping into the New Year

/ pastorpete51 / 10 Comments 
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Today is the first day of another year and I am weaker than I was when I was younger, but my hope is stronger because weakness is teaching me to rely more on Jesus and less on me. Being crucified with Christ used to be a mysterious and frightening idea. But in today’s verse, Paul was teaching the Galatians that nothing on earth could make him afraid anymore, because his real life was now in the Christ, who had loved and given His life for him.

But trusting is a choice, and it our choice. Just as the trapeze artist must let go of the bar and fly across space, trusting in her partner to catch her, so we must let go of our own strength and ability in order to take hold of the hands of God. He is reaching out and calling us forward into 2024. Why not surrender your life to Him, and step into the year ahead, with confidence in His love? That same Jesus who gave Himself for us, will certainly watch over us and care for us, no matter what lies on the road ahead.

Singing is a Step of Faith

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!                      Psalm 149:1-2 ESV

Singing is more than music it is a step of faith. When we open our mouth to sing we both connect back to our first childlike step of faith and strain forward towards our heavenly goal.

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We cannot see what heaven will be like, but the accompaniment of heaven’s songs can draw us towards home. I am reminded of one dear elderly saint who was found passed out on the floor by her sister. The ambulance was called and Florence was taken to the hospital where after several days she regained her strength and returned home. Florence told us that while she was unconscious she began to hear the angels singing and felt them coming closer. She said that the song grew louder and louder but then suddenly it faded and then she opened her eyes and woke up. Since she had grown up in the Polish church I was interested to know if God would have His angels singing in her childhood language or in English. But Florence said it was in neither language rather in some heavenly tongue which was completely different from anything she knew! I have never forgotten Florence’s angels and their heavenly song. God has given us songs as wings to our faith. Just as faith without works is dead, faith without words is unborn. What mightier wings of faith can there be than the words of our worship in song?

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