Where do we put our trust?

Christians say they trust in God, but I'm increasingly convinced that for many this is just a theory.

I was at a meeting where we were discussing a particular project that is taking some time to realise because it is quite a huge project. One of the people attending the meeting, a pastor, was pressing for a time scale for the project and made the memorable comment "Leave God out of it, just give me a time scale."

How can we do this when it is God who is directing the project?

Many pastors do not trust God to run their church, or even their lives. This is not intended as a criticism but as a statement of fact.

We trust so many other things- the denomination backing us, our gifts and abilities, manipulation techniques, almost anything other than God.

The growth of the church has become a matter of technology not relationship- just follow plan A and method Z and you will get the result.

But Jesus said very definitively, "I will build my church."

That means that we follow His directions and leave the results to Him.

If He wants this congregation to grow then He will grow it. If He wants this one to look like Hillsong church, then He will do it. If He wants that congregation to remain small, He will do that also.

All He requires of us is that we be faithful to the callings He places on us.

To human eyes the apostle Paul was a failure as was Jesus Himself.

God's eyes are somewhat different to human eyes! :eyes:

Sometimes we might be pressured to "believe for" more than God has given us to believe for. It is a great person who will stand firm and say "No this is what God has shown me- no more."

Walking with Jesus has to be about letting Him be the boss. If He has told you to do something- whether it is building a great cathedral or merely giving a stranger a glass of water- be assured that He will give you all that you need to accomplish the task at the right time. No amount of "vision casting" or "date setting" will hurry up or hinder God's timescale. But it will weary you, frustrate you and deplete your faith.

Trust in Him, little ones and let Him be your strength, your provision, your leader.

Listen, the Lord has put on me a conviction that I will visit India soon on a ministry trip. I have no desire to go there as a tourist... I would rather stay at home to be honest. But there is this pull in my heart that says I will go. I don't have the money to make that trip, but I know that God will provide what is needed when it is time to go.

In the meantime I do the things He shows me- i have my passport application filled out and will take it to the Post Office soon. That is my step of faith. When the call of God comes to make that trip, i will be ready, and all the details will fall into place.

Friends, walking with God is an adventure. The more we trust in Him the further He will take us.

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 31:14
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Be blessed

Keith

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