Standing On Faith

What does it mean to wait on God?

There’s a verse in Isaiah that people like to quote.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”—Isa. 40:31

Tough times come into our lives.

It doesn’t matter what kind of tough times, because it all does the same thing to us. It brings us to a place where we are faced with trusting God or not.

When you look at the temptations of Christ, you will find that they all end in the same basic question.

Do you trust God?

Do you trust God to provide?

Do you trust God to protect?

Do you trust God to answer?

Do you trust God to guide?

I am in the same boat. Destroyed and abandoned by people I called friends. People who claimed to be friends. People who call themselves believers in Christ, but do not love the brethren, like He commands.

I’m waiting upon the Lord.

What does that mean?

Well, it means to continue doing the things you know for a fact He called you to do. It means doing what is right and abiding in Him; keeping the relationship with Him.

He called Abram to follow Him out into the wilderness and Abram went. “Come unto a land that I will show you.”

And Abram followed as God led. It was a daily walk. But, God led him to a place where Abram was fulfilling his purpose.

Abram listen to God’s leading, as frustrating as it is to not know the whole plan. But, the following and the waiting and the learning the voice of the Lord was the real plan. That was the relationship.

And Abram, became Abraham, the father of nations. A powerful prophet in the land where God led him.

As sheep we follow the shepherd. We know his voice because God teaches it to us. We see Him moving and we remember what He tells us. We trust in the things He has shown us and confirmed in His Word.

He leads us by the still waters. His rod and staff comfort us. Not because of where we are, but because of Who is with us. Nothing can harm us for real. He is there.

Our faith grows in the relationship. It grows when we hear God’s Word and we put our faith in it and stand on it despite all odds. His promises are true and no matter what happens He is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We can stand on the Rock of Christ, the Rock of His Word.

Turn to Him and He comes running. Seek and you shall find. Ask and it shall be given to you. Knock and it will be opened. We have not, because we ask not. We are his children, we can come boldly to the throne and seek Him in our despair.

While we wait on the Lord to show us the next step, we stand on faith. We stand on His Word, and the things He has shown us in our lives, which is our testimony. The testimony of the great things He has done for us.

We can trust Him. He is coming fast.

Like the Israelite’s in the desert waiting on the pillar of smoke and fire to move. He will move.

Faith comes by hearing the Word. Speak it to yourself.

“Whatsoever I ask in His name He will do.”

Believe it.

Trust it.

Drive the doubt out of your mind with it.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

Say it.

Believe it.

Stand on it.

Let the promises fill you with faith and drive the demons of doubt and fear and infirmity away.

“By His stripes I am healed”

Believe it.

“Take up your mat and walk”

Believe it.

Get up and get busy.

Do what you can do.

Grab that promise and run with it.

Dance before the Lord and trust that He has your back.

He is coming. He promises.

You will run and not be weary.

Believe it.

Our relationship with Him forever is being built.

We know Him, through the relationship He is building. We know Him as we walk with Him through the desert. We know Him as we wait upon Him and continue in well doing till he comes.

And He is coming.

You will hear His voice and see Him move to help you.

Trust Him.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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More from Chris.

Trusting God

He is faithful God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.—1 Cor. 1:9 How is trust built? With anyone, whether it’s parents or friends or enemies or government or neighbors, trust is built or destroyed by relationship, and experience. It is the same with God.…

The Great Falling Away

It will happen in these last days “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (The Day of The Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”— 2 Thess. 2:3   (2 Thess 2:1-15) It seems that this event…

Give And It Shall Be Given Unto You

Have You Tested God? “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”—Luke 6: 38 First, I wanna say that this verse and all…

Summer In A Vase

Kimo Ode to Van Gogh’s Sunflowers

Summer in a vase, the sunflowers stand.
Golden petals bring a smile.
A reflection of life.

Warm sunny days captured in memory;
held aloft by towers green.
Blazing heads bowed in prayer.

Creating its own light, of youthful joy.
Subtle burning energy
of our eternal soul.

Long lost memory of a home to dwell.
A place to dance in the sun.
Where shadows never fall.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Read more from Chris

He Is Real

He rewards those who seek him. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall…

Why Do We Study Prophecy?

So, we know the seasons. The Bible is 30% prophecy, as some have stated. But, when you consider that the whole thing is about Jesus Christ, and that all the stories and pictures speak of Him, His First Coming and Second Coming, I think its more like 100%. God has called all believers to be…

Faith And Works

God works to build the Kingdom through us. James 2:14-26 In this passage. The apostle James, speaks of works being an aspect of our faith. It ends with the famous phrase “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” In the verses James shows that God commanded…





The Problem With Alternative Energy

It’s not what you think.

Currently our world is in a struggle between the past and the future.

We see that there are problems with what we have been doing, and that it is destroying the planet.

So, inventors, scientists and major corporations are working around the clock to develop alternative energy sources in order to keep up with our current lifestyles, and economic needs.

This causes much debate about whether alternative energy is better or not.

And both sides have talking points that back up their argument and help support the industry that helps them make or save money.

And money is what seems to matter.

The debate has been carefully framed. We are allowed to debate whether alternative energy is good, bad or needed.

But, if we care about our planet, we need to get out of the framed debate and ask some other questions.

Such as, “Is the problem with alternative energy? Or is the problem with the method of delivery?”

What do I mean?

We know that solar and wind power works.

But, most of the debate lies in how solar fields and wind farms are just as destructive to the planet, and take up just as much resources as anything else. That it is not really a violable alternative. That’s most of the argument.

But, the real problem lies in the method of delivery.

Mega corporations want to create giant wind turbines and use thousands of acres of land, not because it’s needed to generate power. But, because it’s needed to generate money.

We have the solution to the energy problem. But, we gotta wait till the companies create ways to charge us for it.

It’s not about having an alternative, it’s about making people rich off it.

There’s a story, and I can’t really prove if it’s true, but it explains what I’m saying.

Nikolai Tesla allegedly created a means to generate free power and transmit it through the air, for all people to use freely. But, he needed an investor. He could not build it without money.

So he went to J.P. Morgan, who is alleged to have denied the request stating. “How can I charge people for it?”

And that’s the problem we face.

We could put solar and wind on the roofs of every house and business. We could design wind and solar generators that could be hidden in plain sight or made beautiful.

This would cut our energy problem way down.

But, how can they charge us for it? Not once, but keep us on the hook for life?

Like drug dealers.

They don’t want to just sell a drug, they want to keep you for life.

Would the powers that be, even seek alternative energy if they couldn’t charge us for it?

Would our world even be devastated if it wasn’t for them making money?

Honestly, I think the energy problem will not be solved until they create fusion power or some of form of power we never imagined.

Course, we will never get it till they figure out a way to charge us for it.

And that’s why the love of money is the real problem.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

photo from pexels and pixabay

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The Beasts Of The Field

Why does God let us struggle? When we get saved, we might notice that there are things that change in us immediately. But, there are other things that do not. It’s like God saves us and removes some things but leaves other things in our lives for us to struggle with. I mean if God…

What Is Wrong With Us?

We are corrupt at the very core. What I am going to present to you today is something different. A different way to look at the world, and humanity. Something different than the legalism around us. As Christians we are taught and have come to understand a view of God, Scripture and the World based…

Our Suffering In Christ

We are tempted to reject Him. When we get saved, we confess Jesus as our Lord, and believe in Him alone for salvation. We are called to Walk in the Spirit, and to abide in Him. We get great joy in the Lord. Prayers answered. Life changing experiences, and we see Him working to protect…

Disaster At The Doggy Race

Drabble Prompt #168

Word: Exact

Genre: Sport

***

The crowd cheered as Romeo raced around the track. 

His master encouraged him, as he ran in the Mini Doggy Obstacle Course.

“I’m gonna finally beat, Sardines. He wins every year. But not this year.” Romeo thought.

“Sardines ain’t gonna win. I can’t stand to see him win again”

“All I gotta do is hit that last hoop at the exact moment.”

“One second ahead of that stinky Sardines.”

“Finally, I’m gonna win.”

“But wait…is that a Chicken McNugget on the ground over there smelling all fine and yummy?”

“I’m gonna go eat this nugget. Ill beat Sardines next year.”

(A Drabble is a 100 word story.)


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“  a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo Pexels/Julius Weidenauer. Edited by Author

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The Darkest Time Of Year

It’s hard sometimes This time of year, around Christmas is a very hard time of year for many people. It is not a joyful festive time, no matter how much we try to dress it up with religious zeal, and bright lights. This is the time of year we often miss those who have gone…

The Coming Persecution

A Look at Matthew 24 “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive…

How Are We Tempted?

It’s important to understand. In order to resist temptation, we must understand what is going on. If we miss an aspect of it, we cannot really resist it. We just shift it around or suffer through. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with…

Free Speech

Are you free?

You have freedom of speech.
If you’re educated enough;
If you’re in the right job;
If you’re rich enough;
If you parrot the masters.

I love free speech;
it allows you to see your enemies.
It shows me who is brainwashed.
It shows everyone who should
just shut up.

Free Speech is scary.
It lets hate spread.
It lets fear reign;
and lies to flow;
until it reaches the Truth, the Love, and the Faith.

The Truth will defend itself;
if allowed to go
Love will overcome anything; eventually.
Faith will always seek a better day.

Silence against evil, is evil.
Silence is fear of failure.
Silence is fear of exposure.
Silence is fear of the unknowable.
Silence is fear.

Pick a side, or be a slave.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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How Do I Turn To God?

What does that look like? It’s so simple anyone can do it. That is how God designed it. I’m going to avoid magical theological words and just give it straight. As we go through life things happen to us. Good things and bad. We have excitement over good things. We celebrate victories and enjoy time…

The Root Of All Evil

A Deeper Meaning “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”—1 Tim. 6:10 People often misquote it as “money” is the root of all evil. But it’s not. Money is a tool. Like a…

The Gathering

What is it? Let us rightly divide 2 Thessalonians 2, and come to some conclusions about the near future. This book was written by the Apostle Paul. He is speaking of the last days, which we are in. I’m using the KJV. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,…

God Is Not A Slave Driver

He is our Father and Friend

We often have a wrong view of who God is.

We are raised to have certain views. We are taught in church to have a certain view. We can listen to demons and thoughts that blame God for what we are dealing with in life. Those thoughts that beat us down.

I worked as a custodian for a church who used to tell me that I don’t work for them. I really work for God.

Then, they would use this truth to beat me down and shame me.

If I made a mistake or failed in a task it was always that I failed God.

I wasn’t praying enough. I wasn’t giving enough of myself.

I wasn’t obeying the authority enough.

I was accused of being unmanageable If I questioned the spiritual abuse, and workplace harassment.

If I wanted to take a day off or go on a vacation and use my vacation days or sick days, I was guilted and shamed that I didn’t love Jesus enough.

It’s one thing to have a bad boss, who worships money or work for people who worship money more than caring about others. But, it’s a whole different level when the boss, also seems to be a narcissist who uses God as a hammer to beat you with. When you are involved in church work with leaders who practice spiritual abuse, it hits at a different level. You expect these people to love you and treat you like a brother, not a slave or second class citizen.

But…

Sometimes when we go through trials and tribulations, if we turn to God we can learn great spiritual truth in the midst of torment.

One day it was revealed to me that God is not a slave driver.

Oppressors like to twist a few verses to their use and then drive them into your skull.

But, when you look at the entire scripture you see that God Himself came to Earth to set the slaves free from Sin and Satan.

He brought the people out of bondage in Egypt to a place of freedom in Him.

He walks with us and leads us into green pastures.

He hides us in the cleft of the Rock.

He gathers us under His wings.

He gives us days of rest and feasts of celebration.

He gives us the same promise no matter how many hours we work.

He cares for those who go forth and those who stay behind.

He is our friend, he knows our frame. He knows our weakness and our needs before we even ask.

He gives without asking return.

He is not a slave driver to help earn profit for oppressors.

He has no fellowship with the demons who push this world system of money loving slavery.

He says ” Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” —James 5:1-6

God is not a slave driver. He is your friend. Turn to Him and let Him guide you in your life. Let Him show you the truth of who He really is.

Why do I write this?

Because I’m sure I’m not the only Christian who has been betrayed by a church? I’m not the only one who thought the pastor and leaders were friends.

I want you to know that there is a temptation in these betrayals to get us to reject God. It’s the same trials Job faced.

I want the reader to know, that the behaviors of a church or church people are not a real reflection of God.

The scriptures are clear that there will be false brethren in the church. People who have never known God.

Do not let them drive you away from God. Use it to spur you into a deeper relationship with Him.

Don’t fall into the trap.

Use it for your growth in Him.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“  a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by pexels.

Show Me The Rules

Not your opinion or interpretation

Too many times I encounter little Adolph Hitler’s who wanna make their own rules and then try to enforce it.

They get put into positions of power and want to create their own little prison where they are the warden and control everything.

I have encountered these people in life.

I have encountered them at work.

I have encountered them in society

And I have encountered them in my writing life.

Gatekeepers who keep the riff raff out but cannot really prove where the rules they enforce come from.

These are Karen’s who just can’t stand to let anyone get away with anything. Even when there’s no real rule to enforce.

Just rules they made up to make life harder on others.

While they sit at the gate, keeping people out.

I wanna see the real rules.

I wanna see the real laws.

Every time you encounter one of these little Adolph Eichmanns’ demand to see the actual rule or law.

Stop obeying fake rulers.

Stop giving money or time to people who make life hard.

If their rules, do not match the real rules or laws. Then stop using them. Stop submitting to them. Stop frequenting them. Let them go under.

Let me give you a simple example, that we all have seen.

COVID.

During Covid, the government gave certain directions for people to do to keep themselves, their family and others safe. Whether we agree or not.

But, when you go to a store, or a business, the business has chosen to create 10 extra rules.

In order to keep you super safe.

But then, you come back a few days later and there’s a different employee enforcing the rules. And now there’s 15 rules.

Then, you come back a different day and there’s a different employee and we are back to 10 rules, or we might even go down to 8 rules.

The actual rules are what the governing authority said, no one else.

I realize that business has the power to dictate certain things within the realm of their own influence. But, I also have the freedom to watch them go bankrupt.

But, what about the little Hitler at the door. The one who says “I’m just doing my job”

This Karen chose to add rules that did not exist, or interpret rules in a ridiculous way. Then use the little power they had to make life harder for people.

My Covid example, is a simple one to explain my point.

If people want to follow rules, then they need to follow the real rules, not create more.

Life is hard enough, we don’t need to make it harder.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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The God Who Answers

He is there and will answer. We live our lives in this world, where we seem to have no control. Where we look every where for answers. Everything seems hard and we have sorrow, working our selves to death. We seek answers from gods, idols and wisemen. We seek answers from deep within ourselves. We…

The Princes Of This World

Who really rules? Let’s talk about some conspiracy and spiritual truth for a moment. Because you must understand that there is only ONE conspiracy. And that’s the spiritual battle behind the scenes, that we all can see parts of, and have a feeling about, but cannot completely prove. The people who rule this world are…

Overcoming Anxiety And Fear

It is a demon. Cast it out. Jesus said, “Fear Not” (Matt. 10:31) He said it many times.  Actually, it’s a theme throughout scripture. Fear at its most basic level, is a lack of trust in God and His promises. That is a harsh saying, especially when we are dealing with anxiety. Because, often times…

A Day In Recovery

What’s a day look like?

I’ve been free of drugs and alcohol for over 20 years. God saved me and healed me. He set me on the right path.

I want to show what I do everyday and why.

I wake up and pray. I do my hygiene stuff and speak God’s promises into my life.

I eat a small healthy breakfast.

I then do my work. Whether it’s a job, ministry, purpose or fulfilling goals. I get to work on it. I fill my time with good useful activities so that I’m not filling my time with drugs and alcohol. 

I addict myself to God, service and good things.

I then eat a small healthy lunch.

I then go back to work or study. Again I am filling my time with goodness. Not drugs, alcohol, parties and people who drag me down.

I cook or eat a nice filling healthy dinner. I’m not saying I don’t eat junk. Because I do. But I try to make it less. If you eat healthy small breakfasts and lunches it gives more leeway for dinner.

Why do I focus on food? Because what you consume plays a big part in your health and recovery. If you are careful with eating healthy things it will give you pause when it comes to consuming drugs and alcohol. If you care about your health, it will help you overcome addiction.

It’s the same for working out. Why try to be fit and healthy. When you’re destroying your body, mind and spirit with drugs and booze?

After dinner spend time with good family and friends or doing clean things you enjoy. I’m watching shows with my wife and dog in the evening. Things I never did as a drunk. When I drank I would have started slamming beers the minute I got home from work, then be at the bars causing trouble by seven PM. I’m thankful I no longer care about such things. I spend time building a good life.

Stay away from people who bring you down. Just don’t go there. Don’t go to places that tempt you. Do meetings or church or work.

Spend time praying. When I say praying I mean telling God about your struggles and seeking His help.

Prayer is not always a one and done thing. I’ve been praying and confessing my struggles for years. What I have found is that over time, those struggles go away. 

Talking to God about it brings it up between you and Him. Then, He moves to help you and gives you ideas and more desire to overcome.

As you get stronger, you see that prayer and your recovery is working. This helps build more faith in you. This helps grow more of a desire to overcome. You see God moving, and you learn to trust Him more.

Does all of this help you overcome addiction?

It does help. But ultimately it’s you going day by day refusing to drink or use. Every day.

But, it gets better.

And what this routine does is help build the life you need after addiction. It prepares good things to keep you straight for the long haul.

If you just magically quit using today, and was free. What would you do with your time and life?

See?

Even if you are struggling and barely making it, or even failing. You are preparing for the day you succeed. The fact that you can see a future day of freedom is building faith to finally get there. And that helps give you strength to overcome.

You are filling your time and life with good things as you work on recovery. Then, as you build everyday you will discover that you and God built a life you can be proud of.

And you’ll be free. 

Free with a good life to match.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

photo by pexels

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A picture of us all    The thief on the cross, spoken of in the Gospels of our Lord Jesus, stands as an extreme view of salvation in the eyes of some.  The man who did what appears to be absolutely nothing, yet Jesus himself saved him declaring, “Today you shall be with me in…

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I Am Legion

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By Faith…

Faith matters

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”—Heb. 11:1

Translation: Faith is made up of hope for things we do not see and have never seen, but have evidence for.

If we rightly divide this verse we first need to understand what “Hope” is.

Hope is not a “Gee I sure hope so.”

No, it’s “more like “My only hope”. It’s like a life preserver or like a harness that a steel worker wears when he is on a high rise and needs a safety line to prevent falling.

We hope for things we have never seen, but have been given evidence of.

We have never seen God. We have never seen heaven or hell.

But, things have happened in our lives that have given us evidence of the reality of these things.

We have seen God move in our lives and answer prayer. We have seen people get healed of disease. We have seen blessings come to us and to others. We have seen the beauty of nature and the signs it holds. We have felt God in our spirit, comforting us.

This evidence is our lifeline to God. God provides this evidence so that our lifeline will be stronger and cause us to reach out to Him more and trust Him more. God Himself is our lifeline and He provides faith for it.

He gives us faith at birth, and He builds our faith to believe in Jesus Christ and put our faith and trust in Him. Then, He continues throughout our life to build our faith. If we know Him.

Hebrews chapter 11 is called the faith chapter of the Bible. This is where we can get a definition of what faith is.

The very first thing it mentions is having faith in God’s creation. Belief that God created all things out of nothing, simply by speaking it into existence.

We believe in creation because God told us in His Word that this is what happened. So, by faith we believe His Word. Our belief in His Word makes us righteous. Abraham believed God and it was counted to Him for righteousness. When we are told of Jesus Christ, we have the chance to believe or not. If we believe, then we are believing the Word of God, and we put our faith in Jesus Christ and we are declared righteous. Jesus is the living Word of God. (Romans 4:3 Rom. 3:22)

God washes us and places us in Christ. This is what happened to all the Old Testament saints. They believed God and God declared them righteous and placed them in Christ. Just like us.

Remember God is not bound by time or place. God is not filled with doubt. He knows for a fact that His plans will succeed. So, when an Old Testament saint died, having never known Jesus, God places them in Christ because they believed God’s Word.

So, if that saint was alive to today, and heard a sermon on Jesus. This saint would have accepted Him. I know this might not be liked by some believers, but every person who has ever been saved has been saved by grace, through faith. Not by works. They did the works because they believed the Word God gave them.

Grace comes from God and we see evidence, then choose to put our faith in Him at His Word.

Obedience or works are nothing without faith.

They are just rule keeping or going through the motions.

There are some things we cannot do without faith first. Like Confessing Jesus is the Lord, or believing He came in the flesh. (1 Cor. 12:3, 1 John 4:1-3 )

Like Abel sacrificing the first of his flock, as a picture of the future sacrifice of Christ. That’s what ALL sacrifices are. (Heb 11)

He did this because He received a Word from God, or believed the Word of God given to Him from Adam.

He then became a picture of Jesus, when he was killed by His brother because of envy. Like Christ was killed by His brethren for envy. (Gen. chapter 4, Matt. 27:18)

And they were sent to wander the earth.

We see that Enoch walked with God. He had a relationship with him, just like we are called to have a relationship. But, it started by first seeing evidence of God from God, or it came from a Word given from God by someone else. Perhaps from Seth, or from Adam himself. (Gen. 5:22-24)

Remember Adam often walked with God in the cool of the day.

Do you see that our faith leads us to know God and walk with Him. it leads us to seek Him and turn to Him and let Him direct our paths.

It’s a relationship not rule keeping. No one is saved by keeping the law. We are saved by knowing Him. By confessing Jesus is the Lord and having a relationship with Him by faith. (Rom. 3:20-31)

Noah built an Ark. Because He believed the Word given to Him and he acted upon it. Who in their right mind would build an ark in the front yard?

Our faith might lead us to do crazy things. It might lead us to look strange or be persecuted. But, it might also lead to the saving of our family, friends and world.

We see that Abraham believed the Word God gave Him, and he was made righteous. He went unto a land that was not his own and trusted God. He trusted God even though Abraham never saw the promise fulfilled.

There are things we are trusting God for. And we might never see it fulfilled, until we stand with him on that day in glory. When we cross into Paradise to be with Him, and we see the new heaven and new Earth to come.

We seek a city, a country, a future place with God called Home. For this place is not our home.

Sara believed that God would give her a child in her old age. Even through her doubt, God provided. Despite her laughter the promise came and she was written in this book. Because God’s promises are not based upon our faith, and obedience. But, on His might, grace, and goodness. He does it. Not us. (Gen. 18)

Our faith often leads us to reject things in this life, knowing God has a better plan.

Like Moses who chose to reject the high living of Pharaoh and suffer with His own people. Because He knew that he would be the Deliverer and knew that Christ would deliver us all. (the book of Exodus, Acts Chapter 7, Hebrews 11:26)

All of the Old Testament saints teach us that God gives us a Word, and by faith we believe that Word and follow Him.

Jesus is that Word. And when we turn to Him by Faith, He saves us and directs our paths through His Holy Spirit and the relationship we have with Him.

Even through persecutions and a tough life we keep turning to Him and calling out to Him in faith trusting His Word.

And even if we do not see the promises fulfilled in this life, we know that there is a better day.

So, since we are surrounded by the great saints of old and the lives they lived we can turn to Jesus and trust Him through faith like they did. Setting down our burdens and letting Him wash away our sin. So, we can be free to live the life with him that he called us to live. (Heb. 12:1)

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He wrote it, and will bring it to pass in our lives. Not by our works but His.

And it was a joy to Him to endure the suffering and shame of the cross for us. Then sit down at the right hand of God in power. (Heb. 12:2)

Through faith we are saved and our faith grows as God builds it through our relationship. And every bad thing we face, and every good thing we receive, all works together to build our faith as we turn to Him and trust Him.

And His promises will come.

They come today. They come in the future. And they come forever.

Trust Him.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“  a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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It’s about love.

Pets can help us to heal from past traumas, and become a better person if we are open to it.

Like children, who cause many parents to change their lifestyles and mindsets. Pets can do the same.

We can learn spiritual things and grow in life from interacting with our pets. Such as, unconditional love, loyalty and innocence.

Your pet loves you no matter what your past is. No matter what failures you have or heartaches you bear. Even if all of society hates you. Your pet is still there to meet you when you come home.

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Now of course running up to people and licking them is a no go. (Sometimes).

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Our love for our pets can grow into love for nature and the animals in it. When we realize how smart and caring our pets are. It should lead us to realize the same about nature.

Why do we think we are superior?

We were created to take care of and protect nature. Our love of our pets can remind us of that. If we let it.

Our pets can teach us of love, joy, duty and loyalty, that we never get from humans.

When we realize that pets, and animals in nature are often better than us. It helps to remind us that we are fallen. That we can turn to God, for healing in our lives.

The natural world screams spiritual truth, if we listen.


Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“  a collection of dystopian short stories.“The Future is Coming” and his latest book “The Latter Days‘ is a book on Bible Prophecy and avoiding the deceptions to come.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton

Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Support the work for the cost of a Coffee

Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

More from Chris

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