Simple Faith Brings Strength and Success and a Song

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[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith Brings Strength and Success
and a Song

'Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated'

2 Chronicles 20:20

I was so encouraged this morning when I read especially the words in bold above.  The only requirement was to presently actively believe. In the original Hebrew that word "believe" here seemed to indicate getting support from, nourish off of.  Wow!  Today, as I leaned on him he would victoriously uphold me and I felt establish his purposes for me.  He would do wonderful things as I had faith in him.  Something wonderful did happen as I focused on this truth.  A long awaited door was opened.

As I thought about the simplicity of trusting Jesus to support me in everything, glimpses of my early pure faith in my Lord flashed through me.  That simple place of eyes on my loving, favoring, very patient and merciful Savior working all kinds of good for me.  Noticing the fulfillment I received in simply looking toward Him, instead of how I needed to have everything go according to schedule, I was so thankful.

I also wonder if the resulting singing that the leader and people lifted up was more out of trust than duty. Resting their faith in God supporting them to win the battle.  Is that where hymns and music got their start in battles?  Seems like a strange strategy, but it boosted the moral and strength of the people.  Praising by faith, not duty or works (to manipulate God), does the very same for us today.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith Brings A Truly Heartfelt Life

The video says it all.  Click to be truly moved by Learning to Walk By Faith from godtube.com

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YLW77LNX

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith Brings GRACE

If you haven't had an accurate picture of Jesus illuminated for you, here's one:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=19utCxGDUdk&autoplay=1

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith Brings A Song and A Dance

JUST SAYIN'

Now if the Musicians, Singers and Dancers of God's People really understood their marvelous freedom in Jesus Christ, they to might react like this (with a bit of - training).  Just SAYIN'.


Click here to see:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dUTK-cE_hgk

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith Brings Much Hope

Too often we try so hard to improve ourselves and our relationships with very little reliance on God.  Though temporary changes my take place, lasting transformations seem to be short lived.  In general, it seems we make very little sustained progress striving in and of ourselves.  Frustration rises, anxiety increases, and discouragement sets in.  Sometimes we even blame God when we haven't really given it to him in the first place.  

The truth is God wants to be our deliverer.  But, we won't realize that if we falsely believe he's mad at us.  This can be our mindset if we've been taught God has a performance-based relationship with us.  The Truth of His Word tells us He actually has a grace-based relationship with us.  

Rather than being frustrated by our weaknesses and failures, He wants us to rejoice in the opportunity they give to see the supernatural performed in us.  All we have to do is REST IN SIMPLE FAITH in any of His Promises.  As a result, our eyes are off ourselves and set on Him instead, which brings much HOPE.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith Brings Spirit-led Words

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love..."

Ephesians 3:16-17

 

Too often when I used to proclaim Jesus to others, especially to those of different persuasions, I would self-righteously preach my canned response at them.  Kind of bashing their wrong beliefs and opinions.  I don't recall too many conversions as a result.  Actually, not any.  (It seems the only people Jesus "bashed" or criticized severely were those who arrogantly boasted of the same persuasion yet stubbornly rebelled in practicing it's Real Faith.)

But, what a difference The Spirit Makes!  The other day I was intentionally thinking about and putting faith in God's grace and love while walking briskly through a shopping center (to return some items).  I noticed a couple with a baby in a stroller.  As I passed them I thought I heard the woman try to ask me something but wasn't sure. Now, a number of feet behind them I turned back around and walked back a few steps asking her if she needed to ask me something, thinking perhaps they needed directions.  She said, "Yes, I felt a strong pulling to approach you" and she proceeded to pull out a business card which read Palm Reading. I felt The Spirit settle me to listen to her and love her with a smile instead of turning away.  She claimed how her activity and "religion" 'really helped guide people'.  I responded with a smile thanking her, but told her how incredibly and personally The Holy Spirit guided me.  Those words poured out with real enthusiasm because the day before He had done just exactly that for me in a situation where I was quite needy.  As we parted I was amazed at how God translated his LOVE for that woman; showing Himself through His gentle and reverent Spirit in me.  Perhaps the "strong pull" she spoke of was a soliciting line, but God's pulling her toward himself was real.

I love this instruction and promise for these times:

"Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."

Mark 13:11

[Janet Easson Martin]

SIMPLE FAITH BRINGS HAPPINESS and PEACE

Today God showed me once again what the key is to happiness and peace, but in it's simplest form.  I'm sure glad he never gets tired of telling me.  

"I will praise the Lord who counsels me...

I have set the Lord always before me.
BECAUSE he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

THEREFORE my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body will also rest secure..."

Psalm 16:7,8,9

He is so mindful that WE need reminding.  He knows we ourselves grow weary and our hearts grow faint. One look to him with trusting eyes and we are strengthened.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Singing In The Rain

Today as I was driving around trying to collect items for some projects I was trying to do, not only was it taking much more time than I had expected, but I also could not find the pieces I had planned on.  As I focused on the disappointing circumstances I started feeling a little down.  I happened to have this praise CD randomly selected in my car's player and it was bopping out an upbeat praise song.  I started singing with it and even raising my hands in the car.  I felt lifted up as I praised my God who rules over everything, from the smallest to the greatest.  Our disappointing circumstances need not ruin our day.  We really can sing in the midst of the rain.

[Janet Easson Martin]

What are You Feeding On?

"Trust in the LORD and do good.
Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness."

Psalm 37:3

As I was asking God today to fill my mind with His Word, His Blood, and His Person instead of my mistakes, neglects, and regrets, the phrase 'feed on His faithfulness' came to my mind.  Instead of feeding my mind with my unfaithfulness (so to speak) all day and becoming rather depressed, I am to nourish my mind and soul with His faithfulness.  All that he does right, well, unselfishly, sacrificially, unconditionally, freely, and eternally for me.  Since he went to so much trouble to give it, he certainly wants me to receive it.

When I looked up the Hebrew through the interlinear text, I saw that the second part of this scripture means abide or rest in the land and graze on faithfulness.  The shepherd pastures the sheep in land to graze from and rest in. It's likely since he starts out by instructing us to trust in Him, he doesn't mean for us to rely on our own performance or "faithfulness" to feed our souls, but HIS performance.  Hallelujah!

[Janet Easson Martin]

Watching God WORK

Praise our Masterful & Highly Compassionate Father.  He is soooo loving when we give our trust completely to Him.  

The last thing I want to do after leaving the GCx church organization is pressure and manipulate people to visit my church or get involved in it's ministries.  Instead I want to observe God doing His masterful planning and beautiful orchestrating.  His Spirit's leading of those He loves in my church's or ministries' direction is all part of His Body building to make us healthy and strong.

I never want to hound people like we did in GCx.  By the grace of God, I usually tell them I will PRAY for their search for a home church.  I pray they will find one that God wants them to fit into.  For their good, they must listen to the Holy Spirit and not selfishly ambitious church salesmen.  

Recently I got to observe one such drawing of the Holy Spirit.  After praying for someone's best welfare to attend the ministry of God's choosing they did visit ours and there were uncanny similarities to someone in the same group.  It was so satisfying to see God at work.  I trust that personal needs were met and they went away encouraged.  

Any work that is pretty much ours without God's involvement may add to our outward impression, but not our inward soul.  It stresses us out as it is a burdensome work we were never meant to carry.  But we can relax and rest joyfully when we watch God work.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Even Small Faith Matters to God

Just in case you missed this short breathtaking illustration of what Jesus taught in 'Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed' I wanted to share it here on the Healing Forum.  It changes the way you view prayer.  It's one video I watch every now and then to INSPIRE my prayer with God.


Click here to watch:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DSB_At4H8kA&autoplay=1

[Janet Easson Martin]

God Responds to Faith, Not Works

God always responds to faith no matter what our works are.  However, he doesn't respond to any works without faith.  He has made it really simple to please Him.  Don't let others or Satan complicate the simplicity that is (in your faith) in Christ.  In Him, all the guilt, punishment and righteous works to please Him have been forever satisfied.  

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Sweet Refrain

When I was reading in the Psalms today, something made me sing that encouraging refrain from the old hymn, The Love of God.  Having not sung that song for years, it seemed even more endearing.  As I sang, the words and melody soothed my soul.  I sang that refrain again and again.  I let my mind absorb it's message. No matter what our circumstances may look like to us, it is still the anchoring truth.  It guided my focus and made me quietly secure.  Below are those words from that simple sweet refrain.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Here is a link to this entire song.  The comments below it from all over the world will lift your spirit and may even bring tears to your eyes.

https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/28

[Janet Easson Martin]

Sweet Surrender

We wish we could say we surrender daily to what God's plans are for us.  Too often we do not.  But when we do, it is so sweet.  We often think immediately after, "Now why can't I do that all the time?!", "That was so much less stressful and more rewarding".

It seems many of us in our past were taught in GCx that God was disappointed with us and wanted little to do with us until we got our act together (on our own efforts).  It seemed our responsibility to prove we were worthy of His time.  That God was far more interested in "legends" (people espoused in GCx).  He would be conditionally demanding and distant until we performed "spiritual sacrifices" taught by the leaders to get back into his approval.  But many of us never knew how many were enough!  

So, lots of us found it difficult to surrender to a disappointed, demanding and distant "God".  But that is not how God actually treats us.  He takes all his delight in us, his is patient and forgiving toward us; he is closer than our shadow and will never leave us.  The verse in Song of Solomon describes his thoughts toward us: "You are all together beautiful, my darling, and there is NO blemish in you."

"As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight."

Psalm 16:3

Surrending to a patient, caring and forgiving Father is much more inviting than a demanding task master.  It's also true that he can't wait to reward us more than we can imagine for our trust.  Giving us way more than what we release to him. Enjoying much more of his peace and joy.  Nudging us to come one step closer to becoming more like His Son.  Surrendering to a Gracious Savior does make life abundantly Sweeter.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Take the Tiniest Steps of Faith

There are no words that can well describe Max Lucado’s short but very personal message to you. He invites you to take the tiniest steps of faith to begin healing through his very private story of personal pain. Through tears you may praise God.


Link to his brief but personal story:

https://youtu.be/pS5A3jD3nsE

[Janet Easson Martin]

Bring It To Daddy

There has been an regular task that I have committed to for the next while. Though it’s an honorable one, I find myself very frustrated with the amount of preparation it requires of me. This is partly because I seem to have ADD which makes it challenging to organize and simplify such a task. It also seems to cut into my normal routine pretty significantly, so I have been pushing aside other things I would rather do.  I didn’t want to become resentful, but found myself heading that direction.

For my yoke is easy to bear,
and the burden I give you is light.

Matthew 11:30

I decided to go to my Heavenly Father like a child overwhelmed with a task and told him how frustrated I was and that I didn’t want to become angry and bitter over it. With simple or childlike faith I asked him to please take this responsibility away. But, if he couldn’t, then to really help me feel not so burdened by it. To not dread it. I really felt like a beloved child who could go to her daddy with her problem and he WOULD do something.

casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all]
on Him,
for He cares about you [with deepest affection,
and watches over you very carefully].

1 Peter 5:7

Immediately, I thought of at least one thing to do differently. And I did it. That part of my preparation ended up being surprisingly very encouraging because I had new eyes.  I also looked at some of the other parts in a more simplified fashion. Finally, I didn’t feel the compulsion to be perfect in performing it which took more weight off. It was just like a child bringing her frustration to a deeply caring daddy. He lovingly, happily and sweetly lifted the heavy weight I tried to carry.  

Oh, how he longs to lift the weight off his children.  If we would only ask.


 

[Janet Easson Martin]

Thank Him - no matter what

because he loves you.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Please Don’t Fight These Hands
That Are Holding You

I heard those words coming home tonight from a long trip involving a week of arduous work. Some of the tasks may not have bothered some, but they grated against me continually. I found myself responding to the stress and unreasonable fears by trying to control everything and everyone around me. Listening to myself over-talking things and being too perfectionist was discouraging. I didn’t want to be that way. I was getting even on my own nerves. I was getting impatient and mentally exhausted. It was not my best week.

I sensed my Heavenly Father trying to draw me to His embrace - to get me to relax. I started to lean on Him, then would get overwhelmed by fear and try to take control once again. I found myself looking too much at the negative, losing my joy. It was a challenge to keep my eyes on God. I did stop myself from spiraling downward into a pit by thanking Him, but didn’t get to the level of trust I needed. I began to feel myself fighting God. Then, things seemed to get even more taxing. I knew deep in my heart he was re-directing me to turn from fleshly measures out of much fatherly love; back to a place of contented peace, but I seemed to keep resisting. When I was nearly home I heard part of a familiar song, “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North, playing over the radio. The words perfectly addressed my struggle. They are so biblically true and deeply loving, and gently break our resisting.

'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Link to full official music video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iFvQQt6Nbh8&feature=youtu.be

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith Brings Surprise and Awe

“Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed”

Romans 10:11

Most often when we try to control circumstances because we think God isn’t on the ball, that we can do a more reliable job and we must intervene; things usually work out worse than before. We say too much, push too hard, loose patience, act too soon, unnecessarily offend others, and care more for our way than everyone’s best interest. It creates a mess all the way around.

But, if we put the brakes on ourselves and let God do his thing because he cares more about those involved then we ever could, the absolute best results happen. It’s never something we could have humanly created. And we get to be surprised and awed by what God is creating. Giving the circumstances over to Him is NEVER disappointing as you wait patiently for Him.

 "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Isaiah 30:18

[Janet Easson Martin]

Simple Faith
Greatly Increases Life’s Satisfaction

This morning I asked God again to help me not be a control freak, which I can be left to my own devices. Others are too often annoyed or hurt by my insistent perfectionism. I’m not really enjoying life too much then either. A tug of war was happening in my soul as I would give over and take back total control of a task I’m currently completing. Others have come along to help and need to bring something to the table so they feel a valuable part. Only, a control freak can barely handle any offering outside his narrow vision. This was not the first day I asked for God to help me let go of doing it all “my way” on this two week task.

After I prayed, I listened to a new message by someone I like and respect instead of my regular Bible reading. One of the verses he shared stood out to me as God’s message to me: “Stand still (firm) and see the salvation of God.” I believe He wanted me to receive it and really believe it. By his grace I did.

On the way to gather some more things for this job I was responsible for I saw a father & son enjoying each other while carrying their supplies.  Somehow I thought to myself, “I too can enjoy this day with My Heavenly Father by trusting and listening to him about this project, or I can try to do it on my own my way all day and likely be irritable as a result. I immediately thought of that sign language Tom Cruise had with Cameron Diaz in “Knight and Day” - hand up high, “With Me”, hand down low, “Without Me”. I chuckled - how true - a day ‘With Him’ (depending on God) is SO SATISFYING, and a day ‘Without Him’ (depending on myself) can easily be disappointing. That little hand gesture kept me remembering how good life is when I’m in his presence and how empty it becomes outside of it (when I’m not trusting hm).

So I trusted and then experienced all kinds of good things and ideas to include others I wouldn’t have thought of. By the grace of God, I gladly respected their imperfections as they did toward so many of mine. I thoroughly enjoyed the people just as much as the project. PRAISE HIM! I saw the salvation of God because my own “solutions” would not have been pretty (if ya know what I mean).