You cannot please God without faith; and real faith, absolute confidence that God will do what He says, comes at a price; the greater the faith the heavier the price.
Here’s another way to look at it…
The parachute doesn’t open until you jump. Pull the cord if you like or unpack it and fiddle with it, but it will not fully deploy until you’re outside the airplane, in the air. It requires the force generated by actually falling to push open the canopy. It takes a literal fall (the death plunge) to transform the chute into a life-saving plane of resistance.
Through faith that death plunge becomes a controlled fall, slow and easy, to be enjoyed (if you like that kind of thing). Bottom line, you have to believe before you jump, but you have to jump to get the result of what you believed.
Okay I get it, I have to jump first, but how do I get the BELIEF so that I CAN jump? Exactly! Trusting your life to a piece of nylon two thousand feet up requires some front end work. Gaining enough confidence that your chute will open and prevent you from dying begins with a commitment of your time. The time spent with an instructor learning the truth about what works, how it works, and for whom it works. Without experience you’d never go to the airport, hop a twin engine, throw on a random chute and just see what happens.
Likewise spiritual faith requires spending time with the instructor learning the truth about what works, how it works, and for whom it works. God is our instructor and His word is the testimony of truth. In order to believe it you must first hear it, choose to believe it, step an inch, hear it again, believe, then step a foot, and so on. The ability to Jump is just a matter of time. Believing builds on upon itself but it begins by hearing the truth. The front end work is your commitment to spending time hearing the truth.
This could be the part where you’re thinking “I already know this, it’s just too hard to understand” or “I know, but I just don’t have the time” or even this one “I know, but it’s just so boring”. If your faith is at this level then you are certainly not ready to jump, but you are ready to begin. I’m not going to try and convince you, if you are His you already know where the truth resides. If you are only capable of stepping an inch, then step that inch toward the place that will eventually teach you how to jump. Begin today by meditating on Matthew 6:33 for ten minutes. Be encouraged that God will finish what he started in you. Please alert me if I can be of some encouragement to you.
Kevin Adams contact: wakeupmyfaith@att.net
As a student of God’s word, photographer and writer, my chief aim is to help followers of Christ apprehend a real and passionate faith through the study of His word, by simple illustration, and regular encouragement. And by this faith they might catch a vision of who God shaped them to become. This blog is an account of my own journey toward that real and passionate faith, starting at ground zero. I hope it will offer some encouragement to any who’ve set their mind on seeking God’s face, whatever the cost.
Kevin, your faith is a testimony and inspiration. It seems, at times like these, when our faith is strong and deepened, boomerangs start hitting out of nowhere. I know that I know, without any doubt, God reigns over evil and when we have the most faith is when we’re attacked. Satan hates it when we’re marching along loving God and being blessed. So the boomerangs start flying around us. Your example of faith to stand up with your shield, your feet planted in readiness, equipped with the sword of the spirit, the belt of truth and the helmut of salvation will carry you through all these trials. Stay strong. God doesn’t abandon us. I look forward to reading your future blogs as I, too, trudge through the mayhem of daily challenges. May God bless and keep you. May the Holy Spirit fill and guide you. May Jesus carry you when the road is too difficult.
Diane, thank you so much for taking time to visit and share your wisdom and encouragement! Seems like the weight His presence is defined by the trial – something i’m learning to rejoice in. The passage regarding the full armor that you refer to is one of my favorite! Just hearing from you means the world, but thank you even more for sharing God’s word – it’s clear that He speaks through you and confirms His good works – a thousand thank you’s my friend. I look forward to more or your good thoughts – Blessings!!!
Hi Kevin. Thanks for recommending your blog to me.
I’m enjoying your posts, I know that following God is like allowing the all consuming fire consume everything that is wrong in your life but it’s what keeps us all alive.
I always wondered how Jesus was able to live a life without sin, but as we follow His way in this world, Jesus is showing that it is possible –even in us but it really requires a lot of cooperation and obedience to His Word!
So when we jump, just holding on to that parachute to save us from a deadly fall –Jesus makes us realize that He is holding us by the hand and that He will not let us die, but will help us land safely. He is amazing!
Continue praising and serving Him!
Meg thanks so much for your insight and taking time to comment. I appeciate exactly what your saying and your willing heart to share – He is holding us – Amen! Please come back as you have time – i look forward to hearing more from you! Blessings!
Kevin, A lady in a Bible study that I teach sent me your blog. You have some very good insights and illustrations. I would like to borrow some with your permission.
You have a gift and I know God will bless your ministry.
In Christ, Bill Brown
Bill, thanks again for your kind thoughts. My prayer is that God will use this blog to help many who would never even look at a computer. I believe you are evidence that God is answering my prayer. Thank you and by all means use whatever thoughts or ideas from the blog you can to help build the Kingdom.
Blessings!
I like the way this is worded! I love the simplicity of your heart’s desire… I think too often we try to make following Christ too complicated. You wrote: “my chief aim is to help followers of Christ apprehend a real and passionate faith through the study of His word, by simple illustration, and regular encouragement. And by this faith they might catch a vision of who God shaped them to become”. Amen and Amen!!!
Thanks brother! It really takes time to stop and read someone else’s words – someone who is unfamilar. I’m very thankful that you came with a willing heart and found something worthwhile. I’m encouraged by it very much – bless you Scotty! Please come back soon.
Thank you for recommending your site. We have similarities in that 2008 brought with it something quite profound, albeit painful. God does great work through our brokenness and ultimately a recovery.
Thanks Kevin, I think only a prunned tree can walk in the discipline of Hebrews 12 while looking in the mirror of Romans 12. God is at work in us both – thanks brother for your visit and comment. Bless you!
Fear and faith operate the very same law. The Law of Believing. Whether positive or negative you still have to believe it. Doubts build to worries, then boom we have fear operated in our life. Then God comes along and earns our trust, then you gain a little confidence in him, and boom you believe and have faith. It’s a three step process either way. Both it build over time. Fear is sneaky and sly about it, Faith is bold, loving and real.
Don’t you love this walk we get to have? I do! Thanks for being a light in a dark world! God bless you!
Amen – Our joy is totally dehydrated when we are wrapped in that stealthy fear, yet looking back on it after the breakthrough is unmatched! But it does requires taking those fearful thoughts captive! I’ve even heard it said that what we fear is what we worship. Of course God tell us to fear only Him …so it really makes sense – same tracks but train going in opposite dirction. Thanks so much for your thoughts – most sincerely! I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on some of my other posts as your time permits. Thanks so much!
Sometimes you jump and other times you get pushed. lol
Or rather you JUMP into the Fathers arms and just roll with the punches that come. In January of 2004 I remember praying “I trust you Lord in the shower.” My life has barely recovered all these many years later.
I do trust Him and I did mean what I was saying but I had no idea what I would go through. I am loving your blog so far it sounds like you are on the same type of exciting journey.
Hey Tosca! your comment was much appreciated my friend. For some reason it was trapped in moderation status -unnoticed these last few months(which i don’t have set “on”) I guess God wanted me to hear them now. That was a powerful shower – lol. God is amazing to love us enough to allow our growth by whatever means. Well, better late than never I very much appreciate your comments – thank you for taking time! Bless you
Your story encourages me to press on. We may have different struggles but I know how it is to feel like there is no hope. But, when I found what it is like to be in God’s love, I had the courage to jump.
And now, I am living by faith, the same faith you had for the same God we praise. I know it is going to be a hard journey but I know, God will always be there to back us up. 
You have been quiet my friend…I hope you are well.
God bless and prayers,
Michael
Hey Michael – i am well brother! Thanks for checking in – hope to be writing much more in the near future! Blessings to you!
I’m not the one to lead in spiritual things. God has blessed me beyond belief in the good times and the bad. He has encouraged my heart when I did not think possible. I have been there for many family members and friends but when I had needs they were busy or unreachable or worse yet tried to either steal or simply ask for things that belong to me. When they had much more than I did. I’m not one to directly say I have a need but it was obvious to those paying attention. I’m more one to help others understand how to live on less. I’ve been doing this for many years and still almost daily I find a new way to conserve and feel happy about it. To live on less gives me the power to change my life. I just retired at 60 and although I’ll probably pick up jobs here and there I won’t have to go back to the rigorous work I have been doing just to make ends meet. I will pray that all works out for you each day. That you find small things will really make you smile and feel satisfied. Best to you and may many blessings come your way.
Rita i have been meaning to say thank you for taking the time not only to visit but to share the things on your heart. It makes the blog much more of a two way conversation and a blessing to me. Thank you sister!
I just found your blog. I’ve wanted to share my faith journey, and have tried in my own way to write things down in my own blog as a means of encouraging others. I envy and appreciate those who can simply chronicle their journey like this.
Keep it up. I’ll be reading…