After yesterday’s post and after this post, I have another post of questions. But first a quote:
The faith to move mountains is the reward of those who have moved little hills.
I have had the magnet on my file cabinet for years. I can’t even remember where I picked it up, but I liked it then and still do. But my questions go beyond the quote.
WHEN DOES FAITH BECOME PRESUMPTION?
WHEN DOES DREAMING TAKE ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN AND THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND?
WHEN IS A STEP OF FAITH TOO BIG AND IT IS ACTUALLY LIKE STEPPING OFF INTO A CREVASSE WITHOUT A PATH (unlike Indiana Jones) OR A PARACHUTE?
WHEN IS NOT STEPPING OUT ACTUALLY DOUBT IN GOD’S ABILITY TO SUPPLY?
AFTER SEEING GOD DO AMAZING THINGS IS IT AN ACT OF DOUBT TO NOT TAKE A GIANT STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN (i.e. a step backwards)?
I ask…again…
WHEN DOES FAITH BECOME PRESUMPTION?
I am not talking about the whole health/wealth un-gospel (heresy). I am not talking about the “name-it-claim-it” garbage (I could use other words but don’t use those kinds).
I am talking about a legitimate situation that requires a step of faith.
HOW DOES A CHURCH AND/OR ITS LEADERSHIP KNOW WHEN TO STEP AND WHEN TO WAIT?
WHEN DOES LEADERSHIP JUST “SIDESTEP” THE RATIONAL TO DO THAT WHICH IS AUDACIOUS?
WHEN DOES SENSIBILITY OVERRULE STUPIDITY AND CAUTION OVERRULE WILDNESS?
I’m asking the questions which means what? If you guessed “Cuz you don’t have the answers,” yep… guilty as charged. When a person has the magnet quote on his file cabinet, is it a lack of faith on his part to say, “I will wait and not push the issue”?
What do you say? Like me, you may not have an any answer. That’s okay because I believe God will eventually show His plan and timing. But I would like to know your thoughts to my questions. Meanwhile…Enjoy:
I wish I had the answer to this. I don’t know. I’m guilty of presumption and not stepping out in faith.
Given my personality I am more prone to presumption than some I reckon but have been guilty of both also.
I think that you have spoken words that many of us struggle with every darn freakin’ day.
What? No answers? Bummer! 😛
I believe the only way to be completely in His will and act in His wisdom is when we are drawing nigh unto Him in study and prayer.
I’ve done it both ways… The prayers sent up as wishes don’t go far… When Jesus said, “Whatever ye ask in my name they will be given unto you.” Was referring to His name. Asking for things in His name means our will and intent is perfect… If it’s not, how can God answer the prayer?
You’re rolling this week!
In the drawing near is the time warp. And I am rolling: down the hill very fast. 🙂
Good questions…I wish I had a good answer. I guess that’s why it’s called faith.
The situation that brought these questions to a head is one that requires exactly that.
That’s exactly what has been on my mind for the last… half a year? I keep wondering what to do next – to move or to wait. Next thought that comes is “Perhaps I am doubting that God can help me adjust at a new place so I am not willing to get out of my comfort zone”… and then, another thought “Perhaps I shouldn’t move at the moment because my task here isn’t finished.” ARGH. It’s extremely frustrating.
Yes it is frustrating sis. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have been there. Prefer to never go back there. Keep waiting and praying. The answer will come. Our you could come to America. 😉
You know, lately I’ve been thinking a lot about that – coming over to the US of A – especially with so many of my friends being on that side of the pond anyway (and my baby “brother” is going to study in the US for a year… Stinks to think that he will be so far away…)
Come on over!! 🙂
Difficult questions, that’s for sure.
We do have to walk by faith, and not by sight. And I do believe that sometimes we just step out in faith and act.
If we have made the wrong decision(s), we are forgiven. (although we may have to pay a price in the here and now.
I do take comfort in His forgiveness and the knowledge that He is more than capable of using my bonehead moves for His purposes.
Thanks, Bill.
I told someone almost the exact words just last night Steve. We can move out, it may not be God’s best for us, but He won’t leave us to our own devices. We may have to go through some stuff but He will be there and we will learn.
There aren’t any easy answers or “hard and fast” rules because this is a relationship we’re talking about. Relationships (even with God) are sometimes messy and confusing and uncomfortable. God doesn’t have any trouble speaking. It’s our ears that have the trouble (I guess my wife knows a little of what God feels like on that one). I believe there are many times He’s making things clear to us, but we are either too stubborn or full of doubt to consider the impossible things He’s leading us into. I guess my heart is to hear Him, face the lack/limitation/inability, and consider the cost fully (don’t sugarcoat it) and then trust Him. I know I’d rather err on the side of faith than to bury my talent, so to speak, and invite His displeasure. Tough questions, Bill! Thought-provoking stuff. Thanks.
Great way to put it Jason: it is a relationship. Hard and fast very seldom works in that. Your post about foster parenting is a great testimony to listening and stubbornness. http://www.endlessimpact.com/stupid-excuse-hall-of-fame/ for those who are interested.
Hi Bill,
If we look at the OT and the NT we see examples of faith. We see Peter delivered from prison by an angel. Peter didn’t arrange to put himself in prison so that God could get him out of prison.
We see Paul surviving the snake bite on the island after their ship was destroyed in a storm. Paul did not put the snake in the sticks and fire so that God could heal him of snakebite.
We see Daniel in the lions’ den. Daniel did not arrange this or plan this, he enemies did. And God shut up the mouths of the lions. In fact, the Bible says that Daniel’s faith was what shut the lion’s mouths and he escaped unharmed.
We have the 3 Hebrew children, and many other examples. None of these people made the decision to take a leap of faith and do something that was not necessary in their lives. None of these people orchestrated their circumstances so that God could (or had to) deliver them and perform a miracle.
When should church leadership step out in faith? When they have to.
I think that teaching has been skewed in this area in the church. Leadership should let God determine the situations and the events that require a step of faith and God’s provision and not set these up themselves.
In my mind if an additional 200 people start attending a church and there is no accommodations then it’s time to exercise faith and trust God to provide what is needed.
What happens today is church leadership builds the building with room for 200 more people and then tries to exercise faith for God to bring people in. This is all for you God… no…it isn’t.
Faith was so essential in the Bible…without a doubt. I have so-so feelings about your idea of 200. I think you are right in that if a church reaches that number and needs to make room then by all means. But I also think with proper prayer and vision that preparing for 200 ahead of time is not wrong either. it can be done for God’s glory. But I also see what you are saying because we tend to trust too much on our own abilities.
Haha, man if I had the answers to these questions, I’d be one popular guy.
I think a lot of it has to do with our motives. When our motive is purely his glory, I believe that frees up God to work.
Bummer! I thought you would have those answers. 🙂 You are right about motives. Good point.
God created man with the ability to reason. Not the ability to wait on some sign from God to tell you what to do. If you are waiting on a sign you are waiting too long. Figure it out and get it done. I personally have never gotten a sign. And I have gotten a few things done.
I agree on the ability to reason. But there are also times that a Christ-follower wants God’s involvement in his/her life and decisions. I do try to pray about things and if I sense the time is not right to do something I will hold off. There have been times I have moved too quickly and paid the price for messing up. As for a “sign” I don’t look for them. But sometimes there is a need to move slower.
I can only attest to the fact that I have stepped out in faith & God has made me stronger for it. Currently, I know that God is nudging my Zachary in the right direction, even though it will take him 31 hours away from me, I believe with all of my heart that this is a God thing…..faith. I have faith that God will be with him & protect him on this new journey as well as bring Zach to Him through this move. Sorry, I know that’s not really the answer to the question, if I don’t have faith, I’ve got nothin. Good post.
The answer is fine Jan. You are allowing Zach to step out into a new adventure. You could put up a big stink and go all religious on him, but he is an adult and in God’s hands. 🙂 But you are right…without faith we have nothing.
Love this clip. I used in in a blog post of mine several months ago about taking a leap of faith.
I know it is a popular one and there is probably no one on the planet who hasn’t seen it. 🙂