Tag Archives: Overcome

Beliefs~Day 6~Write 28 Day Challenge

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Day 6: Beliefs
Singing My Way Through Write 28 Days
http://www.anitaojeda.com

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NLT)

I Believe, But…

“Thou has said to walk on water
But I stumble in the sand
Oh, to run and not grow weary
Jesus come and hold my hand

For I believe, yes I believe
Please help my unbelief
For I believe, yes I believe
Oh, Lord
Please help my unbelief”
~Jeff Berry Band~

There are situations in the Bible that I can’t or don’t want to picture myself in. Ones like offering my long awaited, only child as a sacrifice to God or stepping unwavering into a fiery furnace. However, some moments captured by the writers of the Word seem to be stories taken from my own life. 

This is a familiar encounter in which Peter and I have much in common:

“Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me:’”
Matthew 14:28-31 (NLT)

And then, there’s the concerned father:

“‘How long has this been happening?’ Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, ‘Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.’ ‘What do you mean, If I can?’ Jesus asked. ‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’ The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’”
Mark 9:21-24 (NLT)

Peter and the boy’s father knew just what to do in their situations. They went to Jesus. I do the same but unfortunately, I also share their belief problem. Way too often I, like Peter, take my eyes off of Jesus and focus instead on my circumstances and feelings, losing my footing as my faith takes a plunge. Or, when life throws me here and there I ask Jesus for help knowing He’s the only One who can, and yet find myself wondering if there really is anything He can do. 

“You have so little faith. Why do you doubt me? What do you mean, if I can?”

And I cry out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

I wish those words didn’t live in me anymore and I’m not sure how long it will take until they don’t. But this I do know, we have to keep “climbing over the side of the boat” to get to Jesus. Look, He doesn’t leave Peter drowning in his doubt, rather, He reaches out for him. And He doesn’t quit on the questioning father, but heals his son instead. The same is true for you and me. When we “stumble in the sand” rather than walk on water, we can take all our doubts, questions, and yes even our unbeliefs to Jesus. He didn’t give up on them, the other disciples, “Doubting” Thomas, or any of those He encountered that needed help overcoming their unbelief. And the Good News is, He won’t give up on us, either. 

“Promise me Thou won’t forsake me
For my life depends on Thee
Engrave it on my heart reminding
That Your truth has set me free

Thou art great and full of light
That no eye can yet unreel
Please give to me only through your might
A heart that longs to kneel

For I believe, yes I believe
Please help my unbelief
For I believe, yes I believe
Oh, Lord
Please help my unbelief
~Jeff Berry Band~ 

Think ~ Day 25 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)

Think

Just when you think things are settling down and beginning to get back to normal, you blink. Suddenly you find yourself feeling as if you’re teetering on the edge of a cliff, afraid of falling and being swallowed up by the valley below. I blinked.

My wise husband shared that maybe a life of trouble IS normal. Not what we like to hear, but 60+ years tell me that it’s true. Maybe you’re standing beside me staring into the abyss too. If you are, let’s join hearts and cling (literally) to these words, the Word:

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NIV)

And just when you think there’s no hope:

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)

And in a blink of an eye…Jesus.  

 

Overcome ~ 27/31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes

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It’s the final countdown of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes challenge. I have enjoyed seeing where the Lord’s lead me with each prompt and it’s been fun to write everyday! If you’d like to read what others have written click on over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

Time Starts Now!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) / Pixabay

I have to have an MRI tomorrow. Gallstones have reared their ugly little heads.  As if the discomfort and apprehension of an attack aren’t enough, I now have to enter a small tube and stay there!

“People have MRI’s everyday,” I hear you say. And I know that’s true, however for me to slide into a small, confined space, I must first overcome my fear of being there. Elevators, caves, little rooms…you name it, if it’s small I. Don’t. Like. It. My breathing quickens, I begin to sweat, and my frantic search for an escape begins.

What’s a panicked gal to do? The only thing I know to do…….PRAY!  And so, I’m praying for peace, for calm, for logic, and for success in completing the test (without making a fool of myself). I’ve also asked family and friends to pray for me and it’s working!  Today, my fears have lessened and my confidence has grown.   I believe that I’ll be able to do what’s needed to get these crazy gallstones taken care of.

Tomorrow when the test is complete and I emerge from the place I once dreaded, I will remind myself that I did not overcome my fear; prayer did! 

Time’s up.

What are you facing today that you need to overcome? May I pray for you?

 

 

 

 

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