GraceCreates

by Jon Walker

What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God . . . .” Romans 4:3 (NIV)

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We’re constantly in complex negotiations with God:

“God, what if you’re not on the other side of this leap?”
“Are you sure you’re strong enough to catch me?”
“I think I can handle this one a little better than you, God.”
“If you show me what, I’ll decide if . . .”

The apostle Paul, who received his sight when he became blind, suggests this negotiation disorder is common among Jesus-ones. But he also says the cure for our unbelief is to believe God, summing it up with one simple phrase: “Abraham believed God . . .” (Romans 4:3 NIV).

•    Abraham believed God to be a loving Father.
•    Abraham believed God wanted fellowship with him.
•    Abraham believed God would speak with him.
•    Abraham believed God would listen to him.
•    Abraham believed God wanted to use him in a great mission.
•    Abraham believed God knew more than he did when the childless patriarch was called to birth a great nation.
•    Abraham believed God was telling him to go, even if it was to a land he did not know.
•    Abraham believed God would guide and provide step-by-step.
•    Abraham “obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV).

Abraham leaned hard into his belief because he maintained an intimate friendship with the Father above. By staying close to God, Abraham could see the Almighty could be trusted to do the things he said he would do and to fulfill the commitments he promised to complete.

Abraham believed God. Paul believed God.

Tell God, “I believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

by Jon Walker

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:1–2 (NIV)

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Encouragement is part of God’s nature; it’s worth noting that the New Testament word most commonly used for encouragement is the same word Jesus used for the Holy Spirit, who comes alongside us, acting as an advocate within us for God’s interests.

My Jesus-mentor, Steve Pettit, describes the Holy Spirit as our constant Comforter, our resident Reminder, our holy Helper, our indwelling Guide, our supply of courage adequate for any crisis.

Another way God encourages us is when other believers come alongside of us; they are God’s agents of encouragement.

We become encouragers when we offer affirmation and confirmation to those who joyfully see the hand of God working in their lives (1 Thessalonians 2:1). We become encouragers when we offer exhortation and reassurance to those experiencing trials and tribulations (1 Thessalonians 5:14). We become encouragers when we offer reconciliation and restoration to those who are straying from their faith (Galatians 6:1; John 5:19–20).

There are many ways to be an encourager, bringing out the best in others. But it only takes one thing to be an encourager: be prepared to “bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves” (Romans 15:1 NASB). By doing this, we help them become stronger in faith.

Our objective, then, is to grow in Christ until we’re always on the lookout for those who need God’s encouragement and always ready to receive God’s encouragement from others.

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

by Jon Walker

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:30 (NIV)

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God wants you confident in the truth that, through him, all things are possible.

Every day of your life, you have a choice:

•    You can focus on the bigness of the giants that stand before you, or . . .
•    You can focus on the bigness of the one, true God who is pouring his strength into you.

Your focus will determine your behavior and it will influence your faith.

When the Israelites first approached the borders of Canaan, Moses sent scouts into the Promised Land to assess the situation. Ten of the scouts came back with reports that focused on the giants in the land, men so big and powerful the scouts feared they could not be defeated.

However, two of the scouts remained focused on the promise from God that he would hand the land over to the Israelites. One of those scouts, Caleb, silenced the others when he said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30 NIV).

He was focused on the magnitude of God, not the magnitude of any giant challenges ahead. Today you may see many giants that challenge your faith—giants of time and energy, of finances and resources, of fear and faithlessness.

God wants you to be confident that he’s pouring his strength into you so you can do whatever it takes to defeat these giants. God says you can take possession of an abundant life because he is with you.

By seeing his hand sweep away the personal giants in your life, you’ll be even more confident that you can do all things through him who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

by Jon Walker

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

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The secret to living with confidence is to be confident in God’s unlimited compassion and power and let go of confidence in ourselves.

When we think we have to do it on our own, or when we think we are doing it on our own, we stand on an uncertain foundation like the man who built his house upon the sand. No matter how confident we are in ourselves, eventually the rains will come, washing away our self-confidence.

But when we have God-confidence, we know deep down that we will always be able to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

With God-confidence, we know we are loved and accepted by God; we know we are created and shaped by God; we know we have talents and skills given to us by God. By understanding our true position in Christ, we can be confident that God is with us always, even unto the ends of the earth, even when we open our mouths to speak, even in everything (Philippians 4:13).

Transfer your confidence to God. Believe he is “working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

You may be thinking, “There’s something I’d really like to do, but I don’t think that I can do it.” This kind of thinking may keep you from even trying, but if you’re confident in God and what he can do through your life, then there’s every reason to move forward and no good reason to stand still.

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.