Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

What does it take to walk by faith? This is a question I have been pondering for a couple of months now and with the New Year here I feel God strongly impressing on my heart that the word FAITH is my word for this year.

Last year my word was healing, and 2011 definitely brought healing in every area of my life. It seems a bit strange to go from healing to faith because in my mind it takes faith to bring healing. However seeing God’s faithfulness in bringing healing to my life will definitely be fresh in my mind as I learn to walk in faith this year.

Part of me is afraid. The fear that comes with walking in faith is there because of the unknown. Faith means I won’t have all the answers, and right now I would LOVE some answers. Or maybe I will think I have the answers only to have everything fall out of place again only to leave me with more questions than answers.

Faith means trusting God when you can’t see past two feet in front of you. It means walking down a winding road in the fog with confidence and boldness only because you KNOW that you’re here because that’s where God has brought you.

Walking in faith is not easy for me, especially since I am pretty comfortable worrying and being afraid of everything. I like to have control and I like to plan and set goals. But lately my plans and goals seem to be falling through the cracks and all I’m left with is my faith in God and His promises – which really seems to be enough.

So in 2012 I plan to walk by faith so I can also walk in His grace.

Faith brings us grace because when we walk by faith we find our self in a vulnerable place where we let go of control and surrender to Him. We can’t walk by faith if we have a heart of pride. Faith brings us to a place of humility because we finally find our strength in Him instead of what we can accomplish on our own.

Faith is enough. God is enough. His promises are enough, and He always keeps His promises.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for another hour, day, week, year. It is a wonderful blessing to be alive and well. Thank you for your provision and healing. So much has happened last year, and I look back on it with gratitude in my heart. Right now it’s difficult to find that gratitude, joy, and confidence simply because things aren’t going the way I had planned, and I have no clue where things are going really. I am grateful for the rainbows You send me, they remind me that You always keep Your promises. I think I can walk down the path You lead me with confidence and boldness this year if I can get a little glimpse of Your promises and a rainbow every once in awhile. Lord, even though it’s not easy to walk by faith, I also know it is a blessing because it keeps me focused on YOU and YOUR strength and provision in my life. And for that I am grateful. I pray this in your might son Jesus’ name. – AMEN!

Copyright © 2012 Heather Bixler, All Rights Reserved

Today I am linking up with “What is Your Word for 2012?“

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“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Vain: Producing no result; useless

When I first started online with the desire to make a difference and serve the Lord through my writing, I often held onto the scripture above.

Often I ask myself “Why am I doing this?” Sometimes this is in reference to homeschooling my three kiddos, being a stay at home mom, or even my writing. Recently I spoke out loud about my frustrations to my family and my youngest wisely spoke up and said: “Mommy, DON’T give up!” and my husband followed with: “Wait on God’s timing.” These words are truly encouraging words, and in this scripture God is encouraging you to do the same thing with whatever it is you are doing for HIM!

SO many times in our life we can often wonder if what we do is really making a difference. Especially if we have yet to see any fruit from our labor. But this scripture is so encouraging, it’s one of God’s many beautiful promises that EVERYTHING we do for Him will never be in vain. Whether it be holding our tongue out of respect of the other person, or even the mundane tasks associated with being a mom, like dishes and yes even LAUNRDY, everything we do for the Lord has meaning. Everything we do for Him, and because of Him, will one day produce fruit. This is God’s promise to you.

So when you begin to wonder if what you are doing to serve Him really matters, just remember His promise to you in this scripture, and know that God is telling you to NOT give up, and wait on HIS perfect timing.

Prayer:

Dear God, Oh how impatient I am. Oh how restless I get. You know this, and yet you never get restless or impatient with me. Lord I am hanging onto your promise that everything I do for You and because of You will never be done in vain. As I work through my desire to give up and pursue something easier, more profitable, more about me, I pray for Your loving guidance and direction. Lord show me the way. Let me know in my heart what You know. Lord I ask for you to once again line my heart up with Yours. I pray this in Jesus’ name. – Amen!

Copyright © 2011 Heather Bixler, All Rights Reserved

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“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Romans 9:15-16 (NAS)

God’s glory is shown through our trials by simply reminding us that we are at His mercy. Sometimes we need to be broken in order to be fixed again.

A lot of times we simply do not understand “why” something is happening. However we must understand that God is the one in control, in the end it is all about HIM!

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” Job 38:4-5 (NKJV)

To often we forget how powerful God is. We end up taking for granted the vast UNIVERSE He created! We forget that the air we breath and the life we live have all been ordained by Him. He gave us life, an earth to live on, and food to eat. He can certainly take it all away if He so pleased.

When will we stop and realize that God is GOD, and we are NOT? Trials are great reminders that we cannot do this on our own. We have what we have because God said have it. We lose what we lose because God said lose it.

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, “Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, “I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6 (NKJV)

How many times do we judge God simply because we do not understand Him? How many people do we know that do not believe in God because they do not understand His ways? Is it really fair to judge God? Why do we feel righteous enough to question God?

God has a purpose and a plan for everyone in this world and He will do whatever it takes to fulfill that purpose. God knows pain, and He certainly knows trials. He is God, but He also loved us so much that He chose to sacrifice His only Son for our sins. His sacrifice is greater than any sacrifice we could ever make simply because God is in control of everything.

He is the creator of this world. It all belongs to Him. Everything will be used for the glory of God. In the end it’s all about God and HIS purpose for this life and for this world!

Prayer:

Father God forgive me for questioning your sovereignty. Forgive me for judging you simply because I did not understand. I pray for the ability to accept Your will in all circumstances. Lord have mercy on me. Have mercy on my heart and my soul. Sometimes Lord life is just too difficult, too painful. I often just don’t understand. Lord help me to trust You when I don’t understand. I am at the mercy of Your will and purpose for my life. I am here because You allowed me to live. Help me to never forget this. You are the Creator, I am the image. Help me to be Your image, Lord. Forgive me for not respecting Who You Truly are, and the power You have over my life. I pray this all in Your MIGHTY Son Jesus’ name – Amen!

Copyright © Heather Bixler, All Rights Reserved

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