Category Archives: Faith

Posted on

Defeating Fear and Worry

by

We all face challenges from the difficult situations that confront us.  How do we respond to scary news like losing a job, a family member being in a major accident, a loved one being diagnosed with a serious medical condition, an unexpected financial problem, or anything facing us that is out of our control?  How we respond in the midst of crisis is crucial to being an overcomer.

I remember the day my doctor told me I had multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer.  Knowing someone who had recently died from myeloma made this news even more of a shock and a definite spiritual battle for me.  How was I supposed to respond?  My first response was to get anxious and to worry – not a very overcoming attitude! However, I knew that this was not the response that God desired from me.  As I walked with Jesus through my disease and ultimate healing, the Lord taught me about the uselessness of worrying.  Some of the wisdom the Lord shared with me is given below.

Posted on

Trusting in Tough Times

Personal Communion Produces Intimate Trust

by

I believe, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).  Ever been there?  This is just what we so often feel when life throws trials our way.

My wife and I faced a long series of major health and family challenges starting in 2011. There were times when trusting the Lord was not easy, but  I found that having regular times of personal communion helped me a lot.  During those intimate times I wrote out what the Lord said to me.  (His words are in blue).

Posted on

Why are Answers to My Prayers Sometimes Delayed?

Persevering Through Challenges and Trials Increases our Faith

by

We all face challenges in our lives.  Right now I know a number of people who are going through very serious health concerns, major family issues, or significant financial problems.  In many cases these situations are long-term and prayer can seem unproductive and even futile.  The weight of their problems is often overwhelming and discouraging.

I too have faced similar challenges where my prayers seem to be ineffective.  When they are not answered quickly or the way I desire, I begin to question.  Why is it so hard and taking so long?  Where are you, Lord?  In these times my faith in God’s truths becomes challenged.  Promises like: “He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) seem to be just words.  Sometimes, I get discouraged and even angry.  Here is what the Lord said to encourage me when I talked to him about this (His words are in blue).

Posted on

Do You Want to Minister Like Jesus?

The key is having faith like His disciples

by

Recently, I was ministering to a person who was struggling with depression and loneliness.  My prayers and the scriptures I shared seemed to fall short of the need.  I felt poorly prepared, weak in my response, and lacking anointing.  Perhaps you’ve been in a similar situation?  I know that Jesus would have ministered much more life and hope in this situation, and I want my ministry to be like His.  When I questioned Him, here is what Jesus told me about it:

Posted on

Keys to More Effective Prayer

What are "effective fervent" prayers?

by

Hearing the doctor’s words,“Your wife has ovarian cancer,” really increased my commitment to prayer!  My prayers for Norma became more frequent and more intense each day. I am believing the truth found in James 5:16 “…pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Since I have seen God miraculously heal many people when I prayed, I expected the same healing results for Norma.  Over the past few months He has answered many prayers for her well-being. However, miraculous, direct, supernatural healing has not yet occurred.   Not surprisingly, this causes me to ask many questions. Why are the answers to my prayers so varied?  Why isn’t she healed? How can my prayers be more effective?

Here is some of what the Lord said to me about effective prayer (His words are in blue).

Posted on

Ways to Sense That Jesus is Always With You

Seeing with the eyes of your heart

by

I have found that everything goes best when I consciously include the Lord in every area of my life.  However, during those seasons when I am very busy or distracted, it is often too easy to forget His presence, and to not interact regularly with Him.

Seeing the Lord working really helps me to include Him in my life.  While I know some people who are true seers who commonly see very clear visions with their natural eyes, this is not my usual way of seeing.  I tend to see with the eyes of my heart.  When the Lord spoke to me in my journaling about this difference, it helped me to have confidence that I can see Him. (His words are in blue).

Posted on

What to do in times of hardship and stress

The Power of choosing to trust God

by

What do you do when life gets tough, when the daily challenges seem overwhelming, and when you feel things are out of your control?

I know the feelings that rise up in such circumstances, I’ve been there!  I’ve had to face major challenges in my own life, where the outcomes looked horrible. In these times, when my thoughts and the lies began to become overwhelming, I was forced to make important choices.  How should I respond? Where can I turn? Will I become fearful, have a “pity party,” or will I choose to trust the Lord?

Posted on

Learning how to trust God in the school of life

How you know your trust is increasing

by

My wife’s unexpected diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer several months ago has challenged my faith like never before.  Over a three week period we went from normal life to hospital tests and diagnosis, major surgery, and chemotherapy.  What an opportunity for the devil to attack our trust in God! It has been a difficult trial, a huge test, and an incredible time for learning to trust God in new and deeper ways.

Posted on

Faith for the “Long Haul”

How you can grow faith that lasts

by

I have found that being a serious follower of Jesus is sometimes far from easy.  It is a continual challenge to trust God and live according to His ways every day, in every situation, and in every relationship.  This requires faith!  Honestly, my mustard seed of faith often needs watering!  My desire is to live as if He is with me at all times, that all His works are good, and I am able to do everything He thinks I can do.  This challenge to believe and act like I believe is one of my major life goals.