When the disciples asked Jesus why they were incapable of healing the little boy who had been tormented by demons, Jesus told them of their unbelief. When we doubt what the Word of God says about our situation, we lose ground.
In order to gain ground, we must be like Abraham. We must believe God at His Word. In this modern age, if we think we are lost, we immediately search for a map or ask for directions.
Try setting out to go somewhere and not knowing where you are going. This is what Abraham did. He set out in obedience to God with no idea where he was headed. To a majority of you, he would be considered crazy and one who lost ground. Abraham not only gained ground through obeying God, he gained the title “father of many nations.” People, belief in God has rewards and its effects are rippling. Not only was Abraham prosperous, every generation that succeeded him was and is blessed also. We are the seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise. Talk about gaining ground; you and I are blessed because of what this man did long, long ago.
As believers, we must be willing and obedient. In doing so, we will eat the good of the land. In other words, we will be gaining ground.
Have you ever stopped and looked at a race? Many times, one person starts out way ahead of the others, but toward the end you see the rest gaining ground and catching up. Some are even fortunate enough to not only gain ground, but also to pass by the one who started in front of everyone. The victory does not come to the one who starts out in the lead; it is given to those who endure (gain ground). The scripture declares that the race is not given to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but he that endures to the end the same shall be saved. The phrase “shall be saved,” is God’s way of telling us that if we hold out and endure our test and trials, with faith in God we will be saved.
One other person who gained some tremendous ground when he appeared to have lost it all is Job. He was the richest man in the land of Uz. Yet, all his possessions and entire family (excluding his wife) were destroyed. To make matters worst, he was afflicted in his physical body and his friends turned on him. Talk about losing ground, Job sure did appear to.
The Bible declares that in all his distress, Job sinned not, nor did he charge God foolishly. If that had been some of us, we would have been swearing, cursing, and trying to kill someone, but Job held on to his integrity. Even after his wife, like some of us, gave up and told him to curse God and die, he never gave up. In the end, God gave this beacon of hope, “double for his troubles.” People, that’s gaining ground.
I encourage you today to hold on to what our Lord says in His Word. Let’s hold fast the confessions of our faith without wavering (doubting) because He (God) is faithful that promised.
Many times people may promise and not deliver, but God is a keeper of His promises. If the Lord says it, it is settled. He will make right on it. We are living examples, proof positive of His love and mercy. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Can you imagine living forever, not having to be concerned about death, sickness, troubles, or disease? Now ask yourself the question: Isn’t living forever in peace and harmony with God gaining ground? You better believe it is.
Sapp is a member of Community Missionary Baptist Church, Midway. The Rev. James G. Frasier is pastor.
In order to gain ground, we must be like Abraham. We must believe God at His Word. In this modern age, if we think we are lost, we immediately search for a map or ask for directions.
Try setting out to go somewhere and not knowing where you are going. This is what Abraham did. He set out in obedience to God with no idea where he was headed. To a majority of you, he would be considered crazy and one who lost ground. Abraham not only gained ground through obeying God, he gained the title “father of many nations.” People, belief in God has rewards and its effects are rippling. Not only was Abraham prosperous, every generation that succeeded him was and is blessed also. We are the seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise. Talk about gaining ground; you and I are blessed because of what this man did long, long ago.
As believers, we must be willing and obedient. In doing so, we will eat the good of the land. In other words, we will be gaining ground.
Have you ever stopped and looked at a race? Many times, one person starts out way ahead of the others, but toward the end you see the rest gaining ground and catching up. Some are even fortunate enough to not only gain ground, but also to pass by the one who started in front of everyone. The victory does not come to the one who starts out in the lead; it is given to those who endure (gain ground). The scripture declares that the race is not given to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but he that endures to the end the same shall be saved. The phrase “shall be saved,” is God’s way of telling us that if we hold out and endure our test and trials, with faith in God we will be saved.
One other person who gained some tremendous ground when he appeared to have lost it all is Job. He was the richest man in the land of Uz. Yet, all his possessions and entire family (excluding his wife) were destroyed. To make matters worst, he was afflicted in his physical body and his friends turned on him. Talk about losing ground, Job sure did appear to.
The Bible declares that in all his distress, Job sinned not, nor did he charge God foolishly. If that had been some of us, we would have been swearing, cursing, and trying to kill someone, but Job held on to his integrity. Even after his wife, like some of us, gave up and told him to curse God and die, he never gave up. In the end, God gave this beacon of hope, “double for his troubles.” People, that’s gaining ground.
I encourage you today to hold on to what our Lord says in His Word. Let’s hold fast the confessions of our faith without wavering (doubting) because He (God) is faithful that promised.
Many times people may promise and not deliver, but God is a keeper of His promises. If the Lord says it, it is settled. He will make right on it. We are living examples, proof positive of His love and mercy. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Can you imagine living forever, not having to be concerned about death, sickness, troubles, or disease? Now ask yourself the question: Isn’t living forever in peace and harmony with God gaining ground? You better believe it is.
Sapp is a member of Community Missionary Baptist Church, Midway. The Rev. James G. Frasier is pastor.