Oh You Of Lasting Faith {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}

Bethany McIlrath — Wed, 11 May 2022 08:33:00 +0000

Oh you of little faith,” Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 14:31.

I get it. The guy was sinking. His succumbing to the waves, we’re explicitly told, is because he doubted. So yes, his failing faith left him flailing in the moment.

But before that?

Peter got out of the boat.

“Jesus,” I want to challenge, “doesn’t that count for something?”

It would make sense in my mind if Jesus called Peter’s faith “promising.” I’d like for Peter to have gotten some credit, a pat on the back, and another shot. Or at least the encouragement, “solid starter.”

But this isn’t the only time in Scripture God highlights the importance of finishing in the faith.

Thankfully, His Word offers all we need for godly living. With this sort of (sometimes frustrating) correction, He also offers helpful instruction on how to have lasting faith.

Don’t finish in the flesh- stick with the Spirit

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

After posing this question, Paul goes on to talk about the means of the Spirit. He highlights that through the Spirit:

We are freed from trying to keep the law to please God so we can please Him by believing Him
We trust God and act according to His promises
We live as children of God, clothed in Christ
We don’t have to justify ourselves, Christ is our righteousness

Ask God for help in unbelief

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” –Mark 9:24

Instead of crying out that he was drowning and needed saving, Peter could have said “help me overcome my unbelief!” We have that option, too.

Like the honest Dad trying to do right by his suffering son, sometimes persevering in faith means admitting our lack thereof. God is faithful to help!

Keep your eyes on the real prize- Jesus

“Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ.” –Ph 3:14

Why do we have faith? Jesus. Who do we have faith in? Jesus. What does our faith believe? Jesus- crucified, risen, and eagerly awaiting us in eternity. He is our portion and our prize- plus our strength for persevering in the faith.

Faith lasts when we know that it is finished, and rely on Christ to help us persevere!

(A version of this post was previously published here)

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3 Ways to Get Truth from Your Head to Your Heart {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}

Bethany McIlrath — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 08:30:20 +0000

You might have heard the famous quote: “The longest journey you will ever take is the 18 inches from your head to your heart.” 18 inches doesn’t seem that far. We can cover that distance in one swift step with our feet. Many of our pets are about that length, and we can run our hands over their soft backs in a matter of seconds.

Somehow, though, letting what we know to be true in our minds settle into our hearts tends to be more complicated.

God’s Word is for the head and the heart. We’re called to “love the Lord with all our heart and all our mind” (Matt 22:37.) God’s Word is supposed to be “kept in our hearts” and “bound to our minds” (Deut 11:18.)

A mixture of both head knowledge and heart reception, faith forges a bond over that 18-inch gap. Faith uses what we believe in our minds to move our hearts. Set to the rhythms of the heart, our thoughts grow steady and purposeful. The connection faith makes between the head and the heart is part of the fullness we find when we place our faith in Christ alone.

Essentials Keys for Moving Truth from Head to Heart

Here are 3 methods for helping God’s Word connect from your head to your heart:

1. Move From “If” to “Then”

Actionable truth does something. Think of something you know in your brain but wish you felt, like that God always provides. Move that truth from if “God always provides” to then “I don’t need to worry. I can stop replaying this in my mind.”

Proverbs is full of examples of this. In Proverbs 3, for instance, we find that those who keep wisdom and understanding in their sight will be able to lie down and sleep safely and sweetly. As your head recites “God always provides,” tell your heart it can rest because you are safe: the God of wisdom is in sight.

2. Test and Try The Truth

Being a hearer of the Word and not a doer of it contributes to the gap between the head and the heart. If you find yourself believing God’s Word that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but you’re full of anger, test and try that word. Test and try giving a soft answer. Ask the Lord to show you how His Word does not return void.

Even though the responses we receive when we obey aren’t always what we want or expect, we can be sure God always aligns with His Word. He is always faithful. When we live according to the Word we know to be true, our hearts end up stockpiled and reinforced with evidence that God is who He says He is.

3. Recollect Past Faith Connections

Sometimes the reason our heads can’t reconcile with our hearts is because faith doesn’t see what it believes- and sometimes that’s terrifying. Sometimes we don’t see what God is doing and don’t understand His reasoning. This is where we can connect our heads and hearts spiritually using our memories.

If you’ve had a relationship with the Lord for very long, you have memories that prove Him true. You’ve had experiences with the Lord you can’t deny. Those experiences are faith-builders and gap connectors. Draw on them when your faith is failing, and you can’t feel in your heart what you know is true. The lingering peace, joy, hope, and comfort of God’s presence in the past can settle your heart in the midst of the present mess.

What have you found helpful for moving truth from your head to heart?

{A version of this post was originally published here}

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