The Author and Perfecter of Faith

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The Author  and Perfecter  of Faith

In this dog-eat-dog world,  we all have a tendency  to want,  and to try,  to protect ourselves  by being  totally self-sufficient.     People will quote some saying  like,  “If you don’t take care  of yourself,  nobody else will.”

That sounds pretty intimidating,  so we become even more determined  to protect ourselves  all by ourselves — both physically  and spiritually.     But,  there is a limit  to what we can do  for ourselves — and we know it.     We cannot always prevent  bad things  from happening  to us.     We have deep seated fears  that have probably haunted us  for years — we certainly have weaknesses  that we don’t want  to admit to — we know we’re not  as smart  as we claim  to be…….

But,  there is nobody  we can really depend on.     Others  simply cannot  be expected  to care  for us  all the time,  like a baby.     Everybody is weak  and fearful  in various ways.     Nobody really knows  what tomorrow holds.     And,  when there are persecutions  and intimidations  against Christians,  we don’t want  to be put down  for our beliefs.     So, we can feel confused  as to how we should be.

Our problem really is  that we are centering  on ourselves.     We think  of things like:   what if I have no friends — what if I lose my job — what about all my sins piling up — my faith is so weak — I don’t think I’ve repented enough  or am even able  to repent more — I don’t have that Christian joy  they talk about — my faith isn’t strong enough  to make it  to the end,  etc.

We will never  have rest  or peace  as we center  on ourselves.     Looking within,  all we can see  are our weaknesses.     That is why  Hebrews 12:2  tells us  to be,

… fixing our eyes  on Jesus,  the author  and perfecter  of faith…

Jesus is the one  who first created faith  in our hearts.     And,  Jesus is the one  who allows us  to go through various trials  and temptations  to strengthen  and perfect  our faith.     He is the one who refines us  as pure gold.     That is why  we are never  to look  to ourselves  for strength,  faith,  endurance,  or righteousness.     We must always look  to Jesus.

He started  this faith  in us  and we can depend  on Him  to faithfully remain  with us  through thick and thin.     Whatever sort  of hardship  we are facing  1 Corinthians 10:13  solemnly reminds us,

No temptation  has overtaken you  but such  as is common  to man;  and God is faithful,  who will not allow you  to be tempted  beyond what you are able,  but with the temptation  will provide  the way  of escape also,  that you may  be able  to endure it.

We can overcome self-centering,  temptations,  and faith challenges  as we keep  our eyes on  “the author and perfecter  of faith”,  our Lord Jesus Christ,  who has done  all things  for us.     We depend  on Him  to keep  His promises  to us.     We learn  to stop looking  to ourselves  for strength  in  faith,  hope,  and love.     They are gifts  from God.

Resting  in God’s almighty power  to save us,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord Jesus,  thank You for faithfully staying  by our side.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

A 2.67 year old says  I Pledge Allegiance

Pray for our country.

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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

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Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus by the Yupiq Eskimo village of Quinhagak, Alaska

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect, but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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