July 18- Faith is Key!

July 18, 2011

Scripture Readings:
1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34; Romans 4:13-5:5;
Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 19:17

Faith makes all things possible...love makes all things easy. 
 ~Anonymous

1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34

David had a tremendous love for God.  This love made his tremendous task of supplying the materials for the Temple, planning the construction, appointing the priests, composing the music, making the musical instruments, and then organizing the Levites service an easy task for David.  It was his passion and his pleasure to serve God in this way.

Today, David finishes laying out the division of the gatekeepers. Next, he lists the officers and generals in his army. The fact that David did a census of the fighting men against God's will is mentioned, again.  You can be sure that your sins will find you out!  David's top advisers are listed.

God is intimately involved in David's kingdom.  It is through this man with a heart for God that God will bring the world His Son, who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  God is involved with David because God is relational.  He desires a relationship with David, and He desires to have a relationship with you and me.

Do you see God's personality and interests as you read His involvement with David and the nation of Israel?  Are you surprised at how into the little details God is?  Do you recognize that God is into the little details of your life, too?

Romans 4:13-5:5

Paul is teaching a profound concept today.  God is relational.  Our new relationship with God comes by faith in God.  It does not come from being obedient to the Law or through good works. The Law can only bring punishment for those who break it, and we all break it, at some point.

That is why faith is key!  This key is a free gift designed to unlock the door to access to the Creator of the Universe.

Paul explains that when God told Abraham he would bless the nations through him and make his children more numerous than the stars in the sky or the sands on the seashore, God was talking about spiritual children.  Abraham is the father of all people who come to God based on faith.  Father Abraham is the father of faith.  That is why God recorded his exchange with Abraham for all people on earth to see.  Abraham is our example.

Abraham can teach us by his example.  We learn that as he got older, his faith grew stronger (Vs. 21-22).  He is described as being absolutely convinced that God could do whatever He promised.  Do you believe this?

Paul explains that this promise is available to us, if we believe that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead to make us right with God.  Jesus' sacrificial acts made the way for our relational God to have a relationship with us!

Here is what Abraham's faith teaches us:

• With faith, we have a new relationship with God. Vs. 13
• With faith, we will believe God's promises. Vs. 14
• With faith, our faith will grow stronger and not waver. Vs. 20
• With faith, we will experience peace. 5:1
• With faith, we have confidence and joy as we contemplate sharing in God's glory. Vs. 2
• With faith, we can rejoice when we face trials. Vs. 3
• With faith, we will not be disappointed, but will receive our expected salvation. Vs. 5
• With faith, we embrace the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives, which shows us how much God loves us. Vs. 5

Have you got faith?  Faith is key! It is easy to lose keys, but this is a key that you should never lose.

Psalm 14:1-7

Only a fool says in their heart that there is no God.  Yes.  This person would not have the key!

Proverbs 19:17

If you help the poor, you are actually lending to the Lord.  This is an important concept that Jesus expands upon.

What did you see today as you read?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton