THE MEANING OF “TRUST”

 Definition of trust:   

1) Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of    a person or thing;                

2) Confidence; confident expectation of something; hope.

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” 

Psalms 118:8: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” 

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As Christians we often use the word “trust” (“Trust and Obey”, “put your trust in Him”, etc.); but, what does it really mean to “trust”?  Who do you really trust?  Do you trust your parents and members of your family?  Sometimes yes – and sometimes “not so much”!!  Do you trust all your friends?  Probably not!  Why is it that we lose trust in people?  Primarily, because we have been “let down” or “betrayed” by those we “trusted.”  I remember as a child, holding on to promises that were never kept.  The point is, human beings are fallible; they forget, lie, exaggerate, or are insincere.  Once in a while, you and I may even be guilty.

 “Trusting in the Lord” however, is a whole different matter IF you’re a “believer!”  Do you believe:

He is “Sovereign” – Omnipotent: having “supreme power and authority?”

• He is “Omniscient” – All Knowing?
• He is “Omnipresent” – Present everywhere at the same time?
• He is “eternal and infinite” – He has always been and will always be?
• He is the Creator of everything and controls the universe?
• He is “Holy” – Pure, sinless, cannot lie, does not tolerate sin?

Now we’re talking about someone who deserves our “trust”!  Someone who will never “Let us down” or “betray” us!  You may be thinking, “Why would a God, who is all these things, even care about me – who is less than a speck in the universe?  That is a very good question, but we have His Word on it:

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. 

I don’t believe any of us would be willing to give our only child for someone we didn’t care about!

Jeremiah 29:11:  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”. 

Romans 8:28:  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. 

Psalms 91:1-2: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust”. 

I am not saying that if we believe all these truths we’ll never have any problems in this life.  Jesus said in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

God has promised us “eternal life” (immortality) in heaven in His Presence!  Did you know there are 3,573 promises in the Bible?  Up to the present time, they have ALL been kept.  There are still promises to be fulfilled in the future (i.e., He will return to take us to the place He has prepared for us, promises to create a “New Heaven and a New Earth”)!  As believers, we have a “confident hope” and “trust” in the One who loves us and gave everything for our salvation!

We are living in very “perilous times” (mass shootings, rampant crime and violence, threats of war, uncertainty, division, hatred, rampant immorality, apostacy, etc.).  It is very easy to give in to worry, fear, doubt, despair).  Remember, everything around us is “temporary!”  It will all “pass away,” but God’s Word and promises will NEVER pass away!  Jesus told us:

John 14:1-3: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”. 

We also have the following promise:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18:  “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words”. 

If you haven’t put your complete trust in Jesus Christ ~ NOW is the time to do so!  He will keep ALL His promises!!

I don’t know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day.

I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said;

And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.

Every step is getting brighter, as the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden’s getting lighter, every cloud is silver lined.

There the sun is always shining, there no tear will dim the eye,

At the ending of the rainbow, where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.

God Bless,

Dan

We Are Under Attack by Satan

If you haven’t noticed, in the last several months and years, the family of God has been progressively attacked in every way.  Recall how Job was attacked by Satan as a test of his faith?  We must realize we are not immune from his attacks.  He was given dominion over this wicked world until our Savior returns.

Ephesians 2:2:  “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”. [KJV]

Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” and he has no love or compassion for those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior!  He uses every tool in his toolbox against us (temptation, doubt, fear, jealousy, resentment, depression, affliction, persecution, weakness, etc.).  As it says in:

 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  [KJV]

 I have noticed lately how so many members of our own church body are being hit with serious health problems, family problems, financial problems, and emotional problems. It seems like these problems have increased in frequency and intensity, and I believe there is a reason for that as described in:

Revelation 12:12:  “For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he hath but a short time.” [KJV]

 Satan knows he was defeated at Calvary, and he knows his time is limited!  It makes him very angry and he revels in taking it out on us. We must be prepared for his attacks, and Paul tells us how to do that.

 Ephesians 6:11-12: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [KJV]

 After all, we were never promised a “rose garden” here on earth.  Jesus said in John 16:33: 

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [KJV]

 We should be encouraged by what James has to say in

 James 1:2: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind”. [NLT]

 I know when you are going through tough times it is hard to think of it with “great joy,” but as I’ve said in the past:  “Focus on the “heavenly view, not the worldly view.”  Everything that exists now is temporary—including our problems.  When I was a kid, I hated going to the dentist. I remember my Dad would tell me: “When you’re sitting in that chair and feeling pain, think of the ice cream cone I’ll get you on the way home!”  In other words, focus on a bright future, not the dark present.  Here are a couple scriptures that tell us what that “bright future” holds.

Romans 8:18:  “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (KJV) 

 2 Corinthians 4:17:  “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (KJV) 

 2 Corinthians 12:9:  “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (KJV) 

 One thing I really love about our church is that we pray for each other, we help each other, and we care about each other.  When you are having “tough times,” it’s so important to know that people are praying for you and care about you.  That’s the joy of being in the “Family of God!”

 When I think about Paul and all the very bad times he experienced (stoned, beaten, jailed, shipwrecked, snake-bitten), yet he used it all to “glorify God.”  He told us in one of his letters to “imitate him.”  This is something I don’t believe you can do through your own power but only through the strength, power, and grace of the Holy Spirit!

 I am writing this article as much for myself as for anyone who may read it.  There are many times I need encouragement.  Then I go to God’s Word, and I find it there!  If you are going through tough times, let God’s Word encourage you as well.  Whatever your problem is, don’t hesitate to share with Christian friends and ask for prayer.  We are a body and when one part of the body is hurting, we all hurt.  Stay in the Word, and trust the Lord.  He is in control, and He loves you and me.  “To God be the Glory!!”

 “Sometimes when misgivings darken the day, and faith’s light I cannot see;

I ask my dear Lord to brighten the way, He whispers sweet peace to me.

 I trust Him thru faith, by faith hold His hand, And sometimes my faith is weak;

And then when I ask Him to take command, it seems that I hear Him speak.

 The trumpet will sound for our Lord’s return, He’s coming for you and me;

I praise His dear name for this I now yearn, with Jesus to ever be.”

 (He Whispers Sweet Peace to me)

*CCLI#36059 By Will M. Ramsey 1932 Morris & Henson

God Bless,

Dan