Tag Archives: faith

March 30
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“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'” (Luke 1:18, NIV)

“’How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’” (Luke 1:34, NIV)

It is okay for us to wonder how God will deliver us, or how God will provide for us, or how God will work-out an unworkable situation. Such thinking challenges our creativity, and reminds us of God’s greatness. God always arrives; and God is always on time, but He often appears from a direction or in a situation we had not considered.

It is not okay to wonder whether God has the power to deliver us, or the resources to provide for us, or the know-how to ensure success.  This kind of thinking is an insult to our heavenly Father.

Today’s two scriptures are contrasts in these two ways of thinking about apparent impossibilities. In the former, Zechariah (the seasoned religious professional) questioned the promise, and was sidelined by God. In the latter, Mary (the simple, young, religious novice) questioned only the process while affirming her allegiance to the plan and the purposes of God.

To this day, Mary’s faith is heralded, while Zechariah’s insistence on “knowing before going” is a cautionary tale.

The next time God presents you with an opportunity to join Him in a task, will you respond as Mary — or as Zechariah?  – Luther

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February 16
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“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21, NLT)

Do not allow inaction to invalidate your profession of faith.

Jesus says that it is not just by our confession (who we say we are), but also through our obedience (what we do) that we establish our lives as securely as a house that is built on bedrock. (Please see the verses that follow: Verses 23 and 24.)

Clearly, it is not only our creed (from the Latin word credo, meaning “I believe”) that impress our heavenly Father; it is action that is consistent with our creed of divine discipleship that receives our heavenly Father’s approval.

How different is that from what we see today: Professions of belief without action?

Strive to let your good deeds speak more loudly than your good words.  – Luther

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October 30
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“Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.” (Hebrews 11:35, NIV)

Every follower of Jesus should read the entirety of chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews to grasp the fact that current-day faithfulness does not guarantee current-day success.

While it is true that God blesses His faithful ones, we err when we begin to think that these “rewards” all come our current life; or at times when we think we would derive the most benefit from them. Some rewards — like some punishments, for reasons known only to God — are reserved for life after life.

To be a true person of faith requires that we continue to believe (and act in accordance with that belief) although we have yet to receive that for which we hope. It is not always an easy day.

However, as the writer of Hebrews assures us in verse 1: This is what the ancients were commended for by God.  – Luther

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