Stepping into the airplane, I noticed a sign that made me laugh. 

The content wasn’t humorous. It wasn’t the design that cracked me up. There wasn’t really anything funny about the sign itself…

But it was stuck with packaging tape…on to the side of a jet plane.

Jet planes travel around 600-900 miles per hour. They tend to reach a 35,000 foot altitude.

That thin sheet of paper and its plain old packaging tape were in for a ride.

When we hit turbulence, my amusement at the simple adherent peaked. I wondered if, exiting the plane, I’d see tattered remains.

Guess what?

Plane, people, paper, and tape all made it.

I can’t get tape to hold a picture on the wall when it’s humid!

Somehow, that packaging tape had enough stickiness to hang on tight. I want a faith so stuck on Jesus.

Abiding faithfully in Christ is something we ought to long for as believers. @bethanymcilrath
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We’re called to start in the faith:

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” –Romans 5:2

Then continue in the faith:

“The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” –Galatians 2:20

And finally, to finish in the faith:

“Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” –Galatians 3:3

Clinging to Christ is a lifelong, moment-by-moment persistence- and it is by faith (from first to last!)

May we be counted as tenacious as that tape on the side of an airplane.

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” –Romans 1:17

{This post is an updated version of one previously published here}

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Sometimes we lose sight of the basics to our Christian faith. The elements of Christianity setting us apart from the world and other religions.

They are essential to help us grow in relationship with Christ. And they are the spiritual tools we need to live as a believer.

So, here are the ABC’s of a Christian life.

A-F Basics for Our Christian Faith

Abide in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5, ESV.

Believe God. Believe what God says and who He is. Because when the journey turns bumpy, our Christian beliefs carry us over life’s potholes. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” Romans 4:3b, NIV.

Believe what God says and who He is. Because when the journey turns bumpy, our Christian #beliefs carry us over life's potholes. #ChristianLiving @FridayKaren
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Confess. Confess our sin against God, own it, and take responsibility for when we go in the wrong direction. Because sometimes we fall into sin or we fail to walk in the direction God instructed (Proverbs 28:13 and James 4:17).

Declare God’s glory and works. We declare His glory and works to others and ourselves. In other words, preach it. Then preach it to the choir. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3, ESV.

Encourage other believers. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.

Forget what’s behind. Looking back on our life may help us move forward. But Jesus never intended for the past to paralyze us (Philippians 3:13-14).

G-L Truths of Our Christian Faith

Give all. We give our heart to Jesus. Yet, it never ends there. Giving Christ everything: our cares, desires, goals, and relationships (1 Peter 5:7, Romans 12:1).

Hope in the Hope-giver. False and weaker forms of hope exist. Yet, true hope is only found in the Lord. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” Romans 15:13, ESV.

Imitate Jesus. Not just following Jesus as a one time deal. But follow through by imitating His life (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Join the saints. Unite with other believers in the gospel and protect the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-13).

Know Jesus more. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18a, ESV.

Live on purpose. Be intentional about living the Christian life through the power of Christ (Galatians 2:20).

Live on purpose, intentional in living the Christian life through the power of Christ. #ChristianLiving #faith @FridayKaren
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M-S Basics of Our Christian Faith

Make disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19a, ESV.

Never turn back. Only turn back from our old self, never from the cross. “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world…” Galatians 4:9a, ESV.

Obey the Lord. Obeying the Lord and His commands is always for our good and His glory. Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28, NIV.

Pray without ceasing. There is power in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:14-16).

Quiet time with Christ. Spend time alone with Christ to mute the world’s constant noise and hear His voice (Mark 6:30-32).

Renew our mind. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:2, NIV.

Seek righteousness. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33, NIV.

T-Z Truths of Our Christian Faith

Trust in the Lord. God is trustworthy and faithful to His promises. “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:2, NIV.

Uphold the cause. The Lord upholds the cause of the poor, oppressed, needy, and fatherless. We’re called to the same ministry (Matthew 25:31-40, Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 61:1-3).

Value godliness. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” I Timothy 4:8, NLT.

Walk in the Spirit. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” Galatians 5:16, NIV.

X-ray the inner man. X-rays allow us to view the inside for a diagnosis and treatment. The Holy Spirit views our inside to transform us into God’s likeness (Proverbs 20:27, Psalm 139).

Yield to God’s discipline. “…he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” Hebrews 12:10b, ESV.

Zoom in on God’s Word. Zooming gives clarity to an image or content. As we magnify God’s commandments and promises, it gives clarity for Christian living (Psalm 119).

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In most cases, being inflexible, stubborn, or unmoving isn’t favorable.

So often it seems like if we just grip tighter or twist harder, we’ll have the opportunities we long for. We’ll find satisfaction. We’ll gain the missing ingredient and finally put together that idea we think is best for us.

But, if God’s the unmoving lid on a jar we’re fighting to get into, it’s probably not one we want to open.

God doesn’t budge, and that’s great news!

• God will not break his promises
• God’s Word will not pass away
• God’s kingdom is unshakable
• God’s foundation does not fall
• God’s love can’t be lost
• God’s plan is immovable
• God’s judgement is perfect
• God’s mind doesn’t shift
• God cannot be swayed

Instead of being in our way, God’s lack of movement is meant to guide our way.

Sometimes, certainly, what seems “stuck” in our lives is just a matter of God’s timing. Other times, it’s God’s protection or teaching. There are even instances when God doesn’t “fix it” and the impossibility of change becomes apparent- leaving us all the more awed when He makes it possible anyway.

So, if you’re feeling stuck, and it seems like your prayers aren’t moving God, remember:

God’s stubbornness is our stability.

“He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.” –Isaiah 33:6

Our Savior isn’t unmoving in pride, but perfection. He isn’t slow, but sovereign. His unwillingness to depart from the way (though his loved ones tried to sway Him) led to our salvation. His unshakeable quality is the reason that death is defeated.

It is to our benefit that God won’t budge.

God Won’t Budge {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
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I’ve got files and folders physical and digital stretching my future hopes into step-by-step endeavors. If you’ve got a topic to talk about, I’ve got a project you’re contributing to. The most visited destination in my mind is my idea mill. It’s a busy place!

Trouble is, it’s right next door to my idol factory. The one I’ve tried to shut down, condemn, and demolish. Someone keeps sneaking in and borrowing electric from the idea mill anyway.

Pushing Productivity

This became apparent when I recently asked my too-patient husband to spend time studying the Bible about a certain topic with me. He happily agreed. We went out for dates and opened the Word and dug into a topic I’d been wondering about. The man has wisdom and I treasured the time.

That was until the topic reached the end of the line and I had no product to show for it.

When we wrapped up and I had nothing to hold, no shiny piece to present, I didn’t count the time a blessing or the wisdom any gain. The idea of Bible study, pillaged and carried off to the idol factory, had been reshaped. And, as idols do, it demanded more. It failed to satisfy.

When Productivity Pushes Too Far

A few too many conversations later God convicted me in the quiet: let it be as it is.

At the time, I was studying Ezekiel.

In Ezekiel 16, God tells the story of His taking Israel for a bride. He tells of adorning her- how He gave her precious jewels and metals. He invested in her, marked her as His own, and it was all for His (and her!) delight.

But she saw the opulence as opportunity.

She turned in what she had freely received for a profit. What started as a blessing became an idol because she thought it would be better when it became something more.

Ironically, I read the passage twice, put it through processing, and took down notes for something else I’m working to produce.

But God, in His mercy, let it catch up to me again.

Calling It Good: Taking In Without Taking Over

I asked my husband to Bible Study more. With all sincerity and gentleness, he said he didn’t want to frustrate me again. His heart isn’t for generating, but savoring. He’s never been one to have an agenda.

When God gives that man gold, he treasures it.

I tend to look at gold and wonder what I can make if I melt it.

To be fair, there’s a place for both. There was another time in Israel’s history when God blessed people with plenty of gold and also commanded them to melt it and shape it! He makes people producers too.

But there’s only ever one agenda- His glory.

What God wants to build, He will build. When He’s calls it good, it’s good enough already! He doesn’t need my plans to craft more cunningly. He doesn’t need my design to produce more efficiently.

Thank the Lord that no defense arose when my guy explained why he was hesitant to venture into the Word with me. I understood because God- the One reinforcing the eviction notice at the idol factory- had already given me a new idea: taking in without taking over.

For us idea-mills and doers, it’s can be tough not to over-produce.
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Vision can cloud our view of what God has already adorned. What a blessing that there are natural-appreciators to remind us that God is also glorified in receiving well!

Do you try to take over what God gives you simply to take in?

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