Hidden Valley Community Church

  

"Moving Forward by Faith"

 The theme of our annual stewardship emphasis this year sounds good, doesn't it? "Moving Forward by Faith" has a nice "ring" to it. But what does it mean to move forward by faith? And what does that have to do with an annual stewardship emphasis?

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith, it is not possible to please God. It stands to reason, then, if we are to please God, we need to have faith. Faith is simply taking God at His Word. It is believing that God actually exists and that God will keep His promises. It is realizing that God will do what He has committed to do.

 That kind of confidence is only available to us through Jesus Christ. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and ending of everything, including our faith. Christ is both the source of our faith and the one in whom we place our faith.

How does that relate, though, to giving and to our annual stewardship emphasis? If faith is simply "taking God at His Word" and if God owns everything, then as God's managers and stewards, we are to trust God to provide what we need and to give direction concerning our giving. Let's face it — the old spiritual is very accurate scripturally: "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through." But to fully realize that takes faith. It requires us to accept God's claim that we own nothing, that we are only here temporarily on our way to our eternal home.

The Scriptures are filled with examples of people like that, people like Abraham who looked for a city whose builder and maker was God. People like Noah, who trusted God in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. People like Daniel who placed his full confidence in God even when he was to be the main course for the lions' dinner.

These and many others obeyed God, even when from a human perspective, it did not make sense to do so. They were aware of a principle that has endured for the ages: When God gives us direction, and we confirm that direction according to the Scriptures, we can obey, even when circumstances appear contrary. And we can be confident that God will provide a blessing because of our obedience.

 One author put it this way:

 The great battle of our spiritual lives is, "Will you believe?" It is not, "Will you try harder?" or, "Can you make yourself worthy?" It is squarely a matter of believing that God will do what only He can do. This is what God honors.

That kind of faith involves every area of our lives, including our giving. As you think about your giving and as you consider what commitment God would have you to make as part of this year's stewardship emphasis here at Hidden Valley Community Church, will you do so by faith? Will you ask God to give you the ability to believe His promises and, as He provides, to give by faith?

Many years ago, the "Christian Herald" magazine provided this illustration:

A lady who was showing a large piece of family silver apologized as she took it from the cupboard, "Dreadfully tarnished," she said. "I can't keep it bright unless I use it." That is just as true of faith as it is of silver. Tucked away in the Weekend closet of the soul, and only brought out for show on special occasions, it needs an apology. You can't keep faith bright unless you use it.

As you think about using your faith, especially in terms of the commitment God would lead you to make concerning your giving next year, please think about what Chuck Swindoll wrote:

 God honors faith and obedience. He will honor your faith if you will trust Him in a walk of obedience.

Prayer is our link with God, an awesome avenue through which we can express praise and adoration to Him for His goodness, love, and mercy; and an avenue through which we can voice our petitions and concerns. God's Word assures us that we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

Prayer also moves the hand of God on behalf of needs and circumstances in our church, our families, our community, nation, and world. Take time to pray and intercede for these areas as God leads you. Become part of a prayer group and intercede with others in times of corporate prayer. As you seek God's help, expect reports of great victory to follow as God answers prayer.

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