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By Faith

Hebrews 11:23-31
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 

This morning as I took my daughter to school I started to think about finances and expenses and started thinking in my mind what was going to need to be done.  But I knew I needed to slow down and pray and not act right away on anything.  I can be very excitable which is good and bad.  When I'm excited I can sometimes starting loading down my to-do list with all the things I want to get done.  I haven't even stopped and prayed.  I think it's great to be excited about the day but you have to stop and pray.  I think of another scripture below as I type this:


1 Kings 19:9-13
9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Some Commentary for the above scriptures is below, it's from Matthew Henry

The question God put, What doest thou here, Elijah? is a reproof. It concerns us often to ask whether we are in our place, and in the way of our duty. Am I where I should be? whither God calls me, where my business lies, and where I may be useful? He complained of the people, and their obstinacy in sin; I only am left. Despair of success hinders many a good enterprise. Did Elijah come hither to meet with God? he shall find that God will meet him. The wind, and earthquake, and fire, did not make him cover his face, but the still voice did. Gracious souls are more affected by the tender mercies of the Lord, than by his terrors. The mild voice of Him who speaks from the cross, or the mercy-seat, is accompanied with peculiar power in taking possession of the heart.




God really helps me keep things in perspective.  I don't feel God wants me going through life like a whirlwind.  For me he has chosen a simple, quiet, slow life.  One that goes against the very fabric of our culture.  Anytime my thought life begins to conflict with the simplicity the God has given our family I have to stop and pray.  The scriptures above talk about faith which I needed to be reminded of and they talk about how God was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire.  He chose a "still small voice".  Your mind has to be quieted before you can hear that "still small voice".  Based on a recommendation from our pastor, if I'm having problems quieting my mind then I look up some Christian hymms and just recite the words.  I let the words quiet my soul.  Now my mind has slowed down and I can be led by God through my day.   

 

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