Confession of Faith - June 26, 2004

SCRIPTURAL VERIFICATION

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 10:8-10)

CONFESSION

Series 2.6.26 - #178

June 26, 2004

The task before me is likened unto a mountain. Mountain climbing is strenuous, but my weaknesses are consumed in the Lord, for I am yoked to him. That which seems tough shall be made easy because of the yoke that I have taken upon me. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I purpose to follow the spirit at all times and lean not to my own understanding. My footing shall be sure in the high places of the mountain. My hands shall be sure in the cold times of climbing. My vision shall be clear in the cloudy times of the journey. My mind shall be stable when I look down to the rocks of uncertainty. My faith shall not fail when I cannot see around the next ridge. My strength may fail entirely, but I remember that God's strength shall always be enough. My prayers shall be a pick in the side of the mountain. My praises shall be a rope around his faithfulness. My faith shall be vision and spiritual eyesight when I cannot see. My belief in the gospel shall be my power when all hope seems gone. I look to the end of the journey and behold the mission completed. I behold the fulfillment of all my dreams and visions in the end. I behold the fulfillment of his word and the faithfulness of my God through every hard trial. I will become weary simply thinking about the journey. I will be weak in faith if I compare the mountain to my own ability, but I lift my eyes to his faithfulness and remember the many things he conquered for me in the past. He is the same everyday.

I am determined to not be weary in well doing. I will reap. I simply will not faint. I shake myself and rise to the occasion before me. I have the armor of God. Now I walk and climb in faith. I remember at all times that I am not alone. I remember at all times that he is in me. I remember that he is in me, not somewhere watching me attempt the task. Many cannot perceive how they can become conquerors because they view him as an observer rather than a constant participator from within. He is inside of me granting me instructions, encouragement, directions, sufficiency, strength, and everything that I need. I would give up and release my faith, but grace inside of me has gripped my life with a new will to go on to be more than a conqueror. The next point of victory is not out of reach for his arms; therefore, I do not regret when things are out of reach for my humanity. He has lengthened my faith and lengthened my reach in the spirit. What seemed to be out of reach shall now be used as inspiration for growth in grace. Now I continue in faith, knowing that faithfulness on his behalf makes the difference. The height of this impossibility has not caused him to fear. The things that are out of reach cannot ascend out of reach of his arms. The resistance of the wind and the adversity is not too strong for him, so I lean on him in this time of human weakness. The magnitude of the problem is too big for my mind. The goal is out of reach of human planning, but I remember it is by his spirit, not by might, nor power on my part. I sacrificially rejoice, and new strength shall flow from joy within me.

Hebrews 10:22 - 23

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.