“But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’ 31 Then the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’” Numbers 13:30-31 (ESV) Are you facing something beyond your reach? Have you been agonizing over anything lately? Your situation may be relational, familial, financial, or physical. Whatever you view as your greatest obstacle just might be the greatest opportunity for God to reveal His glory. After twelve of the Israelites returned from spying out the land of Canaan, they returned with a mixed report. Ten of the twelve indicated that the land was filled with giants and could not be conquered. Yet, Joshua and Caleb had a much different report. Instead of focusing on the giants, they focused on God and His ability to bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey. Are you listening to the voices of doubt and fear or to the voice of God? God knows where you are and the specifics of what you are facing. Remember, nothing is hidden from God. Nothing catches God by surprise. Our limited perspective does not limit God. God has a plan for you that factors in your circumstances. God will remove the obstacle or He will help you overcome the obstacle. God will eliminate the giant before you or elevate your faith to persevere in light of the giant you face. Take possession of the land God is giving you. Will you focus on the giant or focus on God? Will you view your circumstances from your perspective or from God’s perspective? If God has allowed this situation, He will use it for your good and His glory. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 59: Numbers 11-13) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Category: Faith
Categories
Make the Call
“And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, ‘God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.’ 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.” Genesis 4:25-26 (ESV) God pursued Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and demonstrated His love for them by providing a sacrifice for their sin. God killed an animal in order to provide garments of skins to cloth them. His redeeming love flowed in the garden to rescue Adam and Eve from their sin. A pivotal moment takes place in Scripture during the time of Adam and Eve’s son, Seth, and grandson, Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord. God’s pursuit is reciprocated. People began to call on His Name. The thread of God’s redemptive activity can be traced throughout the Bible. When we move into the New Testament and walk through the Gospels to embrace the obedience of Christ on the cross, we can then rejoice in His bodily resurrection and ascension. God came to our rescue! He has made it possible for us to call on His Name! “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:12-13 (ESV) What are you doing with the precious gift God has given you to call upon His Name? Are you maximizing the gift by pursuing Him daily and by practicing His Presence moment-by-moment? Call upon the Lord. Seek Him diligently and focus your life on His agenda. Remove distractions. Eliminate idols. Run to Jesus. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 2: Genesis 4-7) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’” Luke 5:4 (ESV) Let’s examine the fifth Experiencing God reality: God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. Jesus had been teaching the crowd from Simon’s boat. The water’s surface propelled the teachings of Jesus with clarity to the hearers. Simon was in the boat with Jesus and overheard His teachings. The lesson was going to be directed Simon’s way. Jesus challenged Simon’s faith by asking him to transition the boat to deeper waters. The request escalated as Jesus exhorted Simon to let down the nets for a catch. What is a carpenter doing telling a fisherman how to fish? Fishermen in that region knew that fishing the shallow waters at night was the protocol for success. Yet, Jesus issues a seemingly impractical call to fish the deeper waters during the daylight. Simon experienced a crisis of belief. He had to wrestle the words of this carpenter up against his own personal experience as a commercial fisherman. Simon knew the waters and the industry. Would he consider obeying the words of Jesus? Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. Sometimes the way of Jesus is counter to the way of logic. Jesus invites us to join Him in the journey of faith. Faith is not a blind leap in the dark. Faith is trusting that Jesus knows what is best for us. Navigating the crisis of belief requires faith and action. Simon was willing to take Jesus at His Word and to trust Him with the results. What are you currently wrestling with? Is there anything agonizing your inner being and causing you to question the best next step? Take God at His Word and trust His prompting. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.’” 1 Kings 18:36-37 (NIV) Elijah prayed a bold prayer and experienced the power of God. He had challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah to a showdown on Mount Carmel. The prophets called on the name of Baal from morning till noon and received no response. However, Elijah had the sacrifice drenched in water and then he stepped forward to call on God. The power of God fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and the water in the trench. Elijah prayed to God in faith and experienced a demonstration of God’s power. The people saw this and fell prostrate to the ground and exclaimed, “The Lord—he is God!” This was truly a mountaintop experience that portrayed the effectiveness of praying in faith. God answers prayer! What are you currently combating? What is perplexing you? Have you considered taking that burden to the Lord in prayer? You know that God is able to consume a water-soaked sacrifice. You know that God can cause fire to fall at a moment’s notice. There’s nothing beyond God’s reach. Do you believe that God will do what He says He will do? Do you believe that God is able to deliver you through your circumstances? God is waiting for you to take Him at His Word and to entrust your life to His care. You will never face anything that God cannot handle. God will work everything together for your good and for His glory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
God’s Perspective
“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.’” Num 13:30 (NIV) Are you facing something beyond your reach? Have you been agonizing over anything lately? Your situation may be relational, familial, financial, or physical. Whatever you view as your greatest obstacle just might be the greatest opportunity for God to reveal His glory. After twelve of the Israelites returned from spying out the land of Canaan, they returned with a mixed report. Ten of the twelve indicated that the land was filled with giants and could not be conquered. Yet, Joshua and Caleb had a much different report. Instead of focusing on the giants, they focused on God and His ability to bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey. Caleb boldly proclaimed to the people that possession of the land was attainable. Which voices are you listening to? Are you listening to the voices of doubt and fear or to the voice of God? God knows where you are and the specifics of what you are facing. Remember, nothing is hidden from God. Nothing catches God by surprise. Our limited perspective does not limit God. God has a plan for you that factors in your circumstances. God will remove the obstacle or He will help you overcome the obstacle. God will eliminate the giant before you or elevate your faith to persevere in light of the giant you face. Nothing will thwart God’s will. Take possession of the land God is giving you. Nothing is impossible with God. Will you focus on the giant or focus on God? Will you view your circumstances from your perspective or from God’s perspective? If God has allowed this situation, He will use it for your good and His glory. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Living By Faith
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” Heb 11:13 (NIV) Are you living by faith and longing for heaven? God created you for eternity. Your life on earth is just a short stay in light of eternity. Yet, God has a purpose for your life and a mission for you to fulfill during your earthly existence. Your life is ordained by God and for God. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter eleven captures the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and a host of others. They were still living by faith when they died. They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one (Heb. 11:16). They lived their lives as aliens and strangers on earth. Don’t get too attached to this life on planet earth. You were not designed to live here forever. God created you with eternity in mind. Your eternal destination in heaven is determined by your faith alone in Christ alone by God’s grace alone. Once you turn your life over to Christ, eternal life in heaven becomes your reality. Until you get to heaven, God wants you to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Shine the light of Jesus and share the love of Jesus with others. Bloom where God has planted you and allow Him to use you to bring others into relationship with Jesus. Living by faith involves trusting God to accomplish His plan through your life. Yield to His Lordship and to His leadership and enjoy the journey of being on mission with God. Live by faith and long for heaven. One day you will cross over from this life into the next. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Go Public
“The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia–your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thess 1:8 (NIV) One of the features of a High School football game is the cheer squad. The cheerleaders seek to engage the fans in the stands in order to motivate them to cheer on the team. Regardless of the score, the cheerleaders seek to get the fans involved in the game in a positive manner. Often the cheerleaders utilize a megaphone to project their cheers and to amplify their message. God has transformed your life by His grace so that you can become a megaphone to amplify the Good News of Jesus Christ. That’s right! You are a megaphone for the Master! The message of Christ is to project from your life and from your lips. Are you encouraging people to get into the game? Are you sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in your sphere of influence? The church at Thessalonica became a megaphone for the Master. The Lord’s message sounded forth like a blaring trumpet and like rolling thunder. The church boldly and continually trumpeted the gospel message. Their faith in God was not a secret to be concealed, but a glorious reality to be revealed. God did not transform your life so that you could become a closet Christian. God did not deliver you from the kingdom of darkness and place you in the kingdom of light so that you could become a silent saint. You have been saved by the grace of God to become a megaphone for the Maker of heaven and earth. Your faith in God is to be projected for others to encounter the redeeming love of Christ. Go public with your faith. Let others hear your personal testimony. Share your spiritual story and live out the gospel. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Actively Share Your Faith
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Philem 1:6 (NIV) God uses the person who embodies a deep craving for the lost. It is possible to live your life each day and become so consumed with your own life that you totally bypass the reality of lost people. You can become so fixated on meeting your own needs that you overlook the glaring reality that lost people go to hell. Only those who have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ will go to heaven. Hell is real and the path leading there is broad. Heaven is real and the path that leads there is very narrow. As a child of God, you know the way for a person to get to heaven and have eternal life. You know that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). Now that you know Jesus personally, be active in sharing your faith with others. You may be the only Jesus others see. You may be their only hope. Don’t conceal what God has done for you by providing you with the gift of eternal life by His grace and through faith in Jesus. Reveal the Good News of Jesus to the world beginning with the next person God brings into your path. Be sensitive to opportunities that God presents you with today. Seize the moment to make Jesus known. Actively share your faith so that those who know you, but don’t know Christ, will come to know Christ because they know you! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” James 2:14 (NIV) What does it take for a person to be saved? Is it possible to have saving faith without deeds? Will my faith be demonstrated by my deeds? So many have embraced an “easy believism” theology that can produce a false sense of security. You can spend your entire life on the earth thinking that you are saved and in reality, be lost. You can profess Christ and not possess Christ. “‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’” Matt 7:21 (NIV) “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV) Your eternal destiny is determined by how you respond to God’s offer of salvation found in Christ alone. Knowing about Christ is not sufficient for salvation. You must know Christ personally through faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Take inventory of your spiritual condition. Don’t rely on feelings. Trace your steps and identify the moment you had a life-changing experience. Clarify your conversion experience. When did you come to realize your sin and your need for God’s forgiveness? When you did acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son and the only way to heaven? When did you receive God’s gift of eternal life? Celebrate the gift of eternal life and the saving faith you possess! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Be Still
“‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Knowledge is liberating. We long to know truth and we long to know the reality behind the perplexities of life. Being able to see clearly gives us security. Clarity elevates our peace and enlivens our motivation to continue down the dusty road of life. We like to know where we are going and what it will look like when we get there. The unknown has a tendency to spray confetti onto the canvas of our minds. Our thoughts become cluttered with the darkness that looms in the wake of the unknown. The unknown stunts our progress and stifles our vision. What are we to do in those seasons of uncertainty? What should our response be during those periods of unrest and ambiguity? Be still! Hit the pause button. Stop trying to figure things out. Stop trying to fix everything. Just hit the brakes and embrace the cessation of motion. We feel more productive when we are in motion. We feel more valuable when we are characterized by movement and accomplishment. Yet, God wants us to learn to be still. In order to be still we have to learn to trust. We have to trust that God will speak to us in our stillness. We have to trust that God will reveal Himself to us in our stillness. Know that He is God! We may be unclear about the immediate future, but we can anchor our faith in the reality that God is God and there is no other. God will be exalted among the nations and in the earth. Will we choose to exalt Him in our lives by being still before Him intentionally and by trusting Him completely? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.” 1 Thess 3:2-3 (NIV) Paul had a deep abiding love for the church at Thessalonica. The new believers were developing in their faith and understanding of God’s will. After a season of separation, Paul sent Timothy to reconnect with the congregation in order to strengthen and encourage them in the midst of their trials. Living out the Christian faith in the sin dominating culture of Thessalonica was not easy. The believers were persecuted for their faith in Jesus. The magnetic pull of their former lifestyle continued to pull at them. The believers were unsettled by the persistence of their trials. Timothy invested time and energy in them to strengthen their faith and to encourage their faithfulness. God does not intend for you to live the Christian life without His enablement. God has empowered you by the Person of the Holy Spirit living in you. Stand firm in your faith by surrendering to the control of the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to fuel your faith and to ignite your enthusiasm. You need Christian friends to live the life God has for you in this fallen world. Don’t fly solo! Don’t try to accomplish God’s will without the people God brings into your life to encourage you and to strengthen you. Remember, to have a friend, you need to be a friend. As you serve others, watch how God brings godly friends into your life to encourage you along the way. Take a moment to list and thank God for the Christian friends He has brought into your life. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Accentuating God’s Peace
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV) The Holy Spirit lives in you to accentuate the experience of God’s peace. Happiness is based on happenstance. If the circumstances are just right, then happiness can result. Happiness is conditional and is rooted in the condition of the circumstances surrounding you. Peace is not connected to circumstances. Whether you are on the mountaintop or in the valley, God’s peace can be experienced completely and perpetually by the Holy Spirit living inside of you. When you come to realize that living in a fallen world and occupying a fallen planet generates unfavorable conditions at times, then you are positioned for the experience of God’s peace. The Holy Spirit accentuates the reality of God’s peace in your life regardless of your circumstances. In your darkest moments, you can know the peace of God on an intimate level because the Holy Spirit accentuates the presence of God’s peace in your life. His peace will sustain you when nothing else can. The peace God gives will help you triumph through seasons of tribulation and turbulence. God’s peace will catapult you through the storms of life and advance you through adversity. Trials will become the megaphone of God’s peace in that you will come to know the peace of God in the midst of your desperation. The Holy Spirit living inside of you will enable you to encounter God’s peace personally. Are you in need of the peace God provides? Have you been in a season of uncertainty or riding the wave of anxiety? Rest in the peace God provides through the indwelling Holy Spirit. You are inhabited by the One who accentuates the peace of God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) Life can get so complicated at times. In the midst of a life of complexity, the greatest simplicity is knowing the way to respond to God’s offer of salvation. God has given you His very best, Jesus, to become the Lord and Savior of your life. God gave His Son to be the sacrifice for your sin and to purchase your salvation. He has paved the way for you to come into an abiding relationship with Jesus. “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (NIV) “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13 The gift of eternal life has been made available to you. Now it is time for you to receive what God has provided for you. The greatest simplicity involves the decision to place your faith in Jesus alone for salvation. To believe in Jesus is to place your total confidence in His redemptive work on the cross and to believe that He was raised from the dead. Have you responded to the simplicity of the gospel by turning from your sin and trusting in Jesus alone for salvation? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Greatest Invitation
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 (NIV) Of all the invitations you will receive in a lifetime, there is no invitation that comes close to the significance and magnitude of the greatest invitation extended to you by God. His invitation affects your level of living on earth and your eternal destiny. Your response to the greatest invitation will determine where you spend eternity. “Whoever believes” includes you. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13 (NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) To believe in Jesus is to place your total confidence and trust in His redemptive work. Jesus lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death, experienced a miraculous resurrection, and ascended to heaven. What will you do with what He has done for you? How will you respond to the greatest invitation? Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to this broken planet in order to provide you with the greatest invitation to come into a personal relationship with the Savior of the world. I responded to the greatest invitation on March 28, 1979, by transferring my trust from myself to Jesus alone for salvation. In that moment, I became a child of God, filled with His Spirit, and adopted into His forever family. Have you made peace with God by responding to the greatest invitation? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Encouraged by Faith
“Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” 1 Thess 3:7-8 (NIV) God allows trials to come into your life to reveal your faith. Whatever is on the inside of you will come out during trials. When trials come, your faith is featured in the display window of life. If doubt, bitterness, and resentment are lingering inside of you, they will seep out during the season of trials. God will purge you of anything that does not bring honor to His Name. God also uses trials to develop your faith. As you know, God does not waste the trials He allows into your life. God will develop your faith to match the assignment He has for you. The testing of your faith will develop perseverance (James 1:2-3). Spiritual muscles are built through the resistance trials produce. Without pain, there is no growth. God will convert the pain into something beneficial to accomplish His plan. Paul, Silas, and Timothy were immensely encouraged by the faith of the church of the Thessalonians. Their faith had been revealed through the trials they endured. Living out their Christian faith in a pagan culture was not without resistance. God developed their faith to match the assignment He had for them. Standing firm in the Lord was their faith response to living in an anti-Christian environment. What do the trials you are facing reveal about your faith? Are you standing firm in the Lord? You have the Holy Spirit living in you making intercession on your behalf. Jesus is at the right hand of our Father interceding for you. No need to retreat. Advance through adversity by standing firm in the Lord. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.” Josh 4:18 (NIV) The Christian life is a life of faith. To be a fully devoted follower of Christ, your life with be marked by a journey of faith. Faith is taking God at His Word and entrusting your life to His care. As you walk in daily dependency upon the Lord, you will discover the joy of seeing God at work and seizing opportunities to join God in His activity. Crossing the Jordan River on dry ground was a tremendous experience of faith for the priests carrying the ark. They remained in the middle of the river while the children of Israel passed through on dry ground. Once the priests came up out of the river carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place. God had worked a miracle and involved the people in the process! Continue to walk in faith. Sometimes your journey will be as clear as crystal, but at other times the way may appear foggy. You will experience seasons of high spiritual energy and focus and at other times, you will experience seasons of uncertainty. That’s part of the faith journey! The scenery changes and the pace shifts from time to time. Don’t get so fixated on the destination that you miss the God-moments along the way. Enjoy the process of knowing and obeying God. Enjoy the journey. God has some Jordan’s for you to cross. He will turn your obstacles into opportunities for you to see His glory and for your faith to be exercised. Obey what you know! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Proven Faith
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’” Dan 3:16-18 (NIV) Has your faith ever been tested? Have you ever been in an environment that provided you with an opportunity to make a bold stand for the Lord? Maybe your home is a place where your faith is put to the test. Maybe your work environment has been a difficult place for you to express your faith. Whenever you decide to go in the opposite direction of the cultural current, you will face resistance and opposition. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the midst of impending death if they chose not to abide by the king’s command, where willing to obey God at all costs. Instead of bowing to the golden image erected by king Nebuchadnezzar, they chose to honor God even if it meant death. They demonstrated their belief in God’s ability to save them from the blazing furnace. They went a step further by declaring that even if God did not deliver them that they would not worship the image of gold. Do you have that kind of “but even if God does not” faith? Are you willing to obey God in the face of opposition and in the face of being misunderstood by your family or peers? The good news is that God did deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They did not bow, they did not bend, they did not budge, and they did not burn! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Hall of Faith
“All these people were still living by faith when they died.” Heb 11:13 (NIV) It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. Commit to finish well. When you study the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews chapter eleven, you will discover great men and women who chose to finish well. They were still living by faith when they died. What are you giving your life to? Have you determined the focus of your life? Living by faith involves allowing Christ to live His life through you. Living by faith includes surrendering your life to God’s agenda. Yielding to the Lordship of Christ moment by moment validates the reality of living by faith. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV) Determine to cross the finish line of this life living by faith. Don’t let anything or anyone deter you from living a life pleasing to God. Grow in your love relationship with the Lord so that your daily walk will give evidence to a life of faith. Trusting God with the details of your life requires activating your faith. Will you submit to God’s authority? Will you obey God’s Word and embrace His way? Finish well by demonstrating a life of instant obedience. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Pleasing God
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6 (NIV) Pleasing the Creator of the universe seems impossible. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. God is holy, perfect, immutable, and eternal. God is infinite. How can finite man please God? The vital ingredient to pleasing God is faith. This type of faith is the conviction that God is who He says He is. To live a life pleasing to God, you must operate in faith. The focus of your life becomes God’s agenda. You demonstrate belief in God’s existence by fearing Him and revering Him through a lifestyle of obedience. Choose to come to God knowing that He desires intimacy with you. As a child of God, you have the distinct privilege of knowing that God rewards you as you seek Him earnestly. God rewards you with abiding peace, continual fellowship, and eternal hope. Is your life pleasing to God? Is faith operative in your conversation and your conduct? Portray your conviction about the truth of God’s nature and character. God has pursued you with His love. Respond to God’s pursuit by living a life of faith that brings pleasure to Him. Determine to please God through behavior that is consistent with His Word. Ask God to reveal those areas of your life that are out of alignment with His purpose and plan. As God brings those specific areas to your attention, choose to repent and go in a new direction. Remove those things in your life that rob your love relationship with God. Put your faith in action. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Heb 11:1 (NIV) Are you convinced that you are saved and that you will go to heaven? Are you convinced that God is who He says He is? That’s faith! Being confident of your current reality in Christ is the evidence of faith. If you have placed your faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross, then you are certain of what you do not see. The Christian life often involves seeing the invisible. You are trusting that what Jesus did two thousand years ago on Calvary makes a difference in your life today and for eternity. You hope for eternal life and heaven and you are certain of that reality because of faith being operative in your life. God gives you the ability to see the unseen through the eyes of faith. When you view life through your eyes of flesh you will often miss the activity of God and the reality of His abiding presence. Viewing life through the eyes of faith is to view life from God’s perspective. Through the eyes of faith, you begin to see the unseen and God enables you to discern His activity. Your faith is anchored in God’s Word and your confidence is placed in the character of God. What are you unsure of right now? In what areas has your confidence been wavering? Your faith will be tested and your dependence upon God will not go unchallenged. Draw near to God and trust His heart during times of uncertainty. God is trustworthy. He knows where you are and He knows what is best for you, even in the midst of your immediate concerns. God will see you through. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Live by Faith
“All these people were still living by faith when they died.” Heb 11:13 (NIV) It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. Commit to finish well. When you study the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews chapter eleven, you will discover great men and women who chose to finish well. They were still living by faith when they died. What are you giving your life to? Have you determined the focus of your life? Living by faith involves allowing Christ to live His life through you. Living by faith includes surrendering your life to God’s agenda. Yielding to the Lordship of Christ moment by moment validates the reality of living by faith. Living by faith is not walking in the dark, but walking in the light of God’s will. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV) Determine to cross the finish line of this life living by faith. Don’t let anything or anyone deter you from living a life pleasing to God. Grow in your love relationship with the Lord so that your daily walk will give evidence to a life of faith. Trusting God with the details of your life requires activating your faith. Will you submit to God’s authority? Will you obey God’s Word and embrace His way? Finish well by demonstrating a life of instant obedience. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Seeking Him Earnestly
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6 (NIV) God has doors for you to walk through, bridges for you to cross, and experiences for you to embrace. Faith is the key that unlocks God’s plan for your life. Without faith, you cannot please God. Make His smile your goal as you exhibit Spirit-filled faith. The great adventure of the life God has for you is right in front of you. Do you believe that God exists? Do you have a personal relationship with God through Christ? Then you have the faith that unleashes God’s power and the faith that illuminates the path God has for you. Earnestly seek the Lord. Passionately pursue Him daily through your Spirit-filled faith. You can look in the rear view mirror of life to trace God’s faithfulness in your past. Revisit the spiritual markers that remind you of God’s abundant provision. Recall all that God has done to bring you this far. Celebrate each victory! Now look to the future through the eyes of faith to see where God wants you to join Him in His activity. Leave room for mystery. God wants you to walk with Him daily and to trust Him completely. God may take you places you have never been. Stay close and clean. Keep your love relationship with the Lord your top priority. Enlarge your Spirit-filled faith through daily intimacy with God. Draw near to Him each day and enjoy His abiding Presence. Seize God’s invitation to join Him in His activity. God loves you! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Courageous Faith
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’” Dan 3:16-18 (NIV) Has your faith ever been tested? Have you ever been in an environment that provided you with an opportunity to make a bold stand for the Lord? Maybe your home is a place where your faith is put to the test. Maybe your work environment has been a difficult place for you to express your faith. Swimming upstream is always a challenge. Whenever you decide to go in the opposite direction of the cultural current, you will face resistance and opposition. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the midst of impending death if they chose not to abide by the king’s command, where willing to obey God at all costs. Instead of bowing to the golden image erected by king Nebuchadnezzar, they chose to honor God even if it meant death. They demonstrated their belief in God’s ability to save them from the blazing furnace. They went a step further by declaring that even if God did not deliver them that they would not worship the image of gold. Do you have that kind of “but even if God does not” faith? Even if God does not deliver you from your difficult circumstances, are you willing to obey Him and honor Him? The good news is that God did deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They would not bow, they would not bend, they would not budge, and they would not burn! God rescued them through the blazing furnace. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“By faith Abraham, even though he was past age–and Sarah herself was barren–was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.” Heb 11:11 (NIV) Is the level of your faith determined by the intensity and severity of your circumstances or by the One in whom you are placing your faith? Abraham and Sarah’s situation was desperate and seemingly impossible. Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was ninety years old and barren. Don’t miss the blessing behind “even though.” Even though Abraham was past age and Sarah was barren, God enabled them to become parents because Abraham considered God faithful. God had already made the promise of blessing Abraham with offspring (Gen. 12:2-3). “And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Heb 11:12 (NIV) “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 (NIV) Instead of focusing on your circumstances, focus on the faithfulness of God. You can bring your burdens to the Lord with openness and transparency. You can bear your soul before the Lord as you navigate the terrain of a fallen world. God formed you and fashioned you for His glory. Your circumstances will not derail the purposes of God from being fulfilled in your life. Trust God to demonstrate His faithfulness to you. Be sensitive to God’s activity today in the midst of your circumstances. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Heb 11:7 (NIV) Making decisions about things not seen requires faith. However, faith is not walking in the dark. Faith is taking God at His Word and trusting Him to do what He says He will do. Faith is being confident that God honors obedience. Faith is walking in the light God gives you. Noah was willing to build a boat even though it had never rained. In the natural, constructing an ark made no sense. To his neighbors, the process of building such a massive floatation vessel was foolish. They did not see the need. Yet, Noah was operating in holy fear. Noah revered God and wanted to do whatever was needed to save his family. Noah’s faith in God and his holy fear of God motivated him to embark on a major construction project to demonstrate instant obedience. What decisions are you praying through right now? Have you patiently waited upon the Lord to hear from Him? Has God given you a clear sense of direction? Obey what God has already revealed to you. Trust God to show you the next step. Maybe God is calling you to do something that, in the natural, makes no sense. God will never ask you to do anything that He won’t equip you to do. God’s provision always matches His assignment. Discern what God wants you to do and then activate your faith by obeying what God shows you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Faith that Pleases God
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6 (NIV) Pleasing the Creator of the universe seems impossible. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. God is holy, perfect, immutable, and eternal. God is infinite. How can finite man please God? The vital ingredient to pleasing God is faith. This type of faith is the conviction that God is who He says He is. To live a life pleasing to God, you must operate in faith. The focus of your life becomes God’s agenda. You demonstrate belief in God’s existence by fearing Him and revering Him through a lifestyle of obedience. Choose to come to God knowing that He desires intimacy with you. As a child of God, you have the distinct privilege of knowing that God rewards you as you seek Him earnestly. God rewards you with abiding peace, continual fellowship, and eternal hope. Is your life pleasing to God? Is faith operative in your conversation and your conduct? Portray your conviction about the truth of God’s nature and character. God has pursued you with His love. Respond to God’s pursuit by living a life of faith that brings pleasure to Him. Determine to please God through behavior that is consistent with His Word. Ask God to reveal those areas of your life that are out of alignment with His purpose and plan. As God brings those specific areas to your attention, choose to repent and go in a new direction. Remove those things in your life that rob your love relationship with God. Put your faith in action. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” Heb 11:5 (NIV) Two people in the Bible had the distinct privilege of not experiencing death, namely, Enoch and Elijah. Enoch walked with God and was no more because God took him away (Gen 5:24). Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Can you imagine walking with God and then bypassing death altogether in order to be instantly ushered into the presence of the Lord? What kind of life did Enoch live before he was taken up to heaven? The Bible gives us clarity that Enoch lived by faith. He is honored in the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews chapter eleven. Enoch’s walk with God gave evidence of a lifestyle devoted to pleasing God. Enoch embraced a consistent lifestyle that brought honor to God. He was an avid God pleaser! Do you please God? Are you loving what God loves and hating what God hates? Assess your current reality. Examine the motives behind your lifestyle. Consider the spiritual resume that you are building through your walk with God. Think about how your life influences others. Can you be commended as one who pleases God? If the focus of your life has been pleasing others, repent of that sin. Reorient your life to embrace a lifestyle of pleasing God. Make God’s smile the goal of your life. Remember that you will stand before God one day to give an account of how you lived your life on earth. You will not give an account to any of the people you are currently trying to please. Become a God pleaser! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Heb 11:1 (NIV) Are you convinced that you are saved and that you will go to heaven? Are you convinced that God is who He says He is? That’s faith! Being confident of your current reality in Christ is the evidence of faith. If you have placed your faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross, then you are certain of what you do not see. The Christian life often involves seeing the invisible. You are trusting that what Jesus did two thousand years ago on Calvary makes a difference in your life today and for eternity. You hope for eternal life and heaven and you are certain of that reality because of faith being operative in your life. God gives you the ability to see the unseen through the eyes of faith. When you view life through your eyes of flesh you will often miss the activity of God and the reality of His abiding presence. Viewing life through the eyes of faith is to view life from God’s perspective. Through the eyes of faith, you begin to see the unseen and God enables you to discern His activity. Your faith is anchored in God’s Word and your confidence is placed in the character of God. What are you unsure of right now? In what areas has your confidence been wavering? Your faith will be tested and your dependence upon God will not go unchallenged. Draw near to God and trust His heart during times of uncertainty. God is trustworthy. He knows where you are and He knows what is best for you, even in the midst of your immediate concerns. God will see you through. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Never Been This Way
“After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.’” Joshua 3:2-4 (NIV) Have you ever been where you are going? Life is a journey, not a destination. As a result, the scenery changes and the terrain vacillates. Sometimes the way is crystal clear and the path is marked with confirmation. At other times, fog sets in and skews the view. Joshua was preparing to lead the Israelites to cross the Jordan. He gave the officers clear instructions to communicate to the people. They had never been where they were going. Uncertainty permeated the landscape. Joshua knew that they would need divine intervention in order to remain in the center of God’s will. How would they know which way to go since they had never been this way before? They were instructed to simply move from their positions and to follow the ark of the covenant. Henry Blackaby says, “You cannot stay where you are and go with God.” The Israelites had to leave their comfort zone and move out from that which was familiar in order to go with God. Crossing the Jordan required faith and obedience. They had to place their faith in God’s provision. The ark of the covenant represented the presence of God. Following the ark of the covenant was synonymous with following God. Will you trust God to show you the next step that He wants you to take? Will you obey what God’s reveals to you? Obeying God is always the best way. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matt 6:34 (NIV) Aren’t you thankful that there are 365 days in a year, 24 hours in a day, sixty minutes in an hour, and sixty seconds in each minute? Jesus does not want us to worry about tomorrow. Don’t be anxious about the next installment of 24 hours. That’s why Jesus did not teach us to pray, “Give us this month our monthly bread.” Rather, Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Instead of worrying about tomorrow, focus on today. To worry is to be drawn in multiple directions. Worry causes you to feel fragmented and overwhelmed. Someone has said, “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” Where does worry take you? Worry takes you to an unhealthy place! God gives you the grace you need for today. God gives you the provision you need for today. Focus on today. Release the fear and anxiety related to tomorrow. Jesus made it clear that tomorrow will worry about itself and each day has enough trouble of its own. Instead of worrying about tomorrow, choose to focus on what God wants to do in you and through you today. God is building you and developing you to fulfill His will for today. This is the day God has for you to operate in His strength and to continue to shine His light and to share His love. Don’t waste one moment today. Every moment matters to God so make every moment count for God’s glory. I remember memorizing a poem when I was sixteen that has meant so much to me over the years: “Today whatever may annoy, the word for me is joy, just simply joy. Whatever there be of sorrow, I’ll put off until tomorrow. And when tomorrow comes, it will be today, and joy again.” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell