FAITH vs. UNBELIEF

Unbelief will leave us lacking.

UNBELIEF...

• Caused Zacharias to be struck dumb
• Caused Israel to miss the Promised Land
• Caused Nazareth to lose out on the miraculous

"...whoever would draw near to God MUST BELIEVE...that he rewards those who seek him." (Heb 11:6 ESV)

"ALL THINGS are possible to one who believes." (Mark 9:23 ESV)

TAKE OWNERSHIP

The "blame game" has been going on for many years! It's almost always easier to blame someone or something else when we fall short. "The devil made me do it!" is not an uncommon phrase. Modern psychology has taught people to place the blame on a parent or the circumstances of their upbringing.
At what point do we accept responsibility for OUR OWN SIN?
When does my mistake really become my mistake?

James appropriately wrote, "Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of HIS OWN LUST..." (James 1:14).
John added a point about Cain when he said "HIS OWN WORKS WERE EVIL..." (1 John 3:12).
Learning to accept responsibility for our own actions is vital to our personal success in life!

This mindset is important not only in relation to our sin, but it is important when speaking of our SALVATION! While it may be others that lead a person to Jesus Christ, each individual must make up their own mind whether or not they will serve God.
Acts 26:28 records these words, "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."
While Paul could testify and share the Gospel with Agrippa, he didn't have ability to make the decision for him. Only Agrippa could make that call.
The same is true today! No person has the authority, obligation, or ability to repent on behalf of another. No person can be baptized in another's place. 
SALVATION IS PERSONAL!
As Peter admonished the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem on Pentecost, "SAVE YOURSELVES..." (Acts 2:40).
The Apostle Paul would later write to the church in Philippi, "WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION..." (Philippians 2:12).

In the words of Elisha A. Hoffman, the songwriter,
It is mine, mine,
blessed be His name!
He has given peace, 
perfect peace to me;
It is mine, mine,
blessed be His name!
Mine for all eternity!

FEET

Feet...

They take us places we need to go. Sometimes they take us places we DON'T need to go.

Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, made note about people who loved to wander and didn't refrain their feet (Jer 14:10).

Taking a walk or a hike through the woods or up a mountain on a path that we've never been on before can be an exciting adventure. Driving an old country road in an unfamiliar area can be refreshing. But, these same things can also get us lost! Many people have become disoriented and lost all sense of direction because they allowed their feet to wander down the wrong path. If a person is going to venture into never explored territories, it is best to have some kind of a guide. A map, a GPS device, or the instructions of a trusted person are helpful.

God has not left us without direction! He never intended for us to wander aimlessly!
The Psalmist declared, "Thy word is a lamp unto my FEET" (Psa 119:105).
Proverbs tells us, "the path of the just is as the shining light" (Pro 4:18).

While God wants to take up places we've never been before, through His Word, there will always be a light that goes before our FEET to illuminate the path before us.

Getting the Word Below the Surface

Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

"sink down" - That's an interesting description used by Jesus, especially since He is referring to spoken words and not something tangible like a submarine submerging beneath the surface of the water.

How many times have we been accused of not listening? Perhaps we heard what was being said, but we didn't really understand what was being communicated. Maybe we were only "half-way" listening. It could have been that we simply forgot what we were told.

Ever heard a parent tell a child, "you need to get it through your thick head..."?

When the Lord speaks to us, somehow, we must be able to get His words beneath the surface of our lives. We have a tendency to retain so little of what we hear through the course of a day. But, if we are privileged to hear from God, we want to be able to keep it.

Paul said, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;" (Colossians 3:16). Said another way, "Let His words go deep and not remain on the surface."

Moses wrote that His words should be laid up in our heart and soul (Deuteronomy 11:18-20).

The Psalmist wrote about the Word being hid in his heart (Psalm 119:11).

The prophet mentions that when he found the Word, he ate it (Jeremiah 15:16).

Jesus said His words should abide in us (John 15:7).

May the Lord help us today to not only HEAR His words, but RETAIN His words.

Numbers 14

Numbers 14:4 (ESV) - "And they said to one another, 'Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.'"

It is notable the things that were being said by those who lacked faith in God and possessed a rebellious spirit toward the man of God.

First, they desired a different leader. God had chosen Moses. He put Moses in their lives to lead them out of their slavery. Yet, consistently, we find a people that lacked a loyalty toward Moses and faith in God.

It is telling of individuals that regularly criticize godly leadership. Many times people begin looking for different leadership when their faith in God is lacking. Often times, they need someone or something to blame. The natural thing to do is condemn the leader instead of looking in the mirror.

Second, they desired to return to Egypt. Of all the places to want to go, they wanted to go back the land of their bondage. Again, when there is a lack of faith in God, people want to go back to their "comfort zone." When there is a fear, people turn back.

When God brings a person out of the world, it is important they maintain their confidence in God to see them through. There is a temptation in most to return to the beggarly elements of the world at the first sign of discomfort.

Have faith in God.

Resist the temptation to question everything about the man of God in your life.

Refuse the pull to return to the pit from which you were delivered.

The Fear of the Lord

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, so writes the wise man of Proverbs. A healthy fear of God is Scriptural. A "fear" of God is best described as a reverence. God is to be revered for who He is. Many times a person's level of understanding of God will determine their level of respect and awe of God.

Notice the word of the Lord as He comments on their fear.

Isaiah 29:13 ESV

And the Lord said:
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

Their fear did not come as a result of a respect for God, rather their "fear of me is a commandment taught by men."

Some have come to the place that their respect, reverence, and awe of God is based on a man-made commandment and not out of humility before Him.

Man may have the ability to persuade others to fear God based on a man-made commandment. This seems to produces hypocrisy and empty Christianity.

But a genuine and true fear of the Lord is born out of revelation of the greatness of God.

David wrote in Psalms 8 - "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth... what is man that thou art mindful of him."

David's fear came not from man's word, but from a healthy reverence for the King of glory.

Fear God for who He is and not based on the commandment of men!

The Enemy is Defeated

Isaiah 14 gives a good summary of the destiny of our enemy.

v. 12 - "you are fallen...you are cut down"

v. 15 "you are brought down"

v. 19 - "you are cast out"

It is encouraging to know that our enemy is defeated.

Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ! - 2 Corinthians 2:14