September 23, 2013
Faith is the true coinage of heaven. Faith is the key that unlocks the treasure house of My blessings—My spiritual blessings, My material blessings, all of My blessings. For without faith, it is impossible to please Me. For he that comes to Me must believe that I am the rewarder of those that diligently seek Me.1 When you seek Me, you do so because of your faith, knowing that I do hear and I answer. I honor your faith and honor My Word—My promises to you.
I am not a man that I should lie, nor the son of man that I should repent.2 Have I said and shall I not do it? Have I not promised that I will supply your every need,3 and that I would open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing you could not contain, if you believe My words and obey them?4
But there are times when you have not because you ask not.5 I know your situation. I know your every problem. I know every tiny detail, and I have a great plan that will unfold at the touch of your faith. Your faith can move mighty mountains of obstacles and difficulties. Because if you put your faith in Me and My Word, I will move the mountains, I will overcome the obstacles, and I will provide the solutions.
My house is a living house, and My temple is a living temple. I make you living stones and living beings in the house of God.6 Your roots shall grow and bind together the soil, so that the wind will not blow it away. Your trunk shall provide strength and support for the house of God. Your limbs shall provide shade and shelter and fruit for the people of God—a living tree in a living house.
Be strong in the Lord. Be strong in the promises of God. Stand firm. Be not easily shaken or soon disturbed. Dig deep; drink deeply from the Word of God. Hold fast that which you have, and I will give you a crown of life at My appearing. I will strengthen you, My faithful one, in the house of God as you shelter others. Strengthen those beside you and lift up your arms to God in praise with your heart and lips. Pour forth the praises of your lips, the sweet perfume of your praises.
Praise God, ye saints, with all of your heart, and you shall not lack in the land. You shall not be forsaken, for I shall gently watch over you and keep you and those you care for. Lift up your hands, O ye saints. Praise Me in the sanctuary.
Strengthen the hands of the weak, for I have given you strength to strengthen others. I have given you strength that you know not of. I have made you a well of cool water in a dry and thirsty land. I have made you as a rock in the desert, a shade to many. Stay close to Me. Be a firm foundation to anchor others in My living temple.
My love for you knows no boundaries. I have chosen you and you have chosen Me. Continue in My love. I am always with you, to whisper in your ear and to hear your prayers and your words of love and praise.
You shine with such beauty—the beauty of My salvation, the beauty of knowing Me. Continue to shine. I have begun a good work in you, and I will perform it until the end.
Do not fear the tests that come your way, for they only serve to shine and to polish you and to make you glow and to make your light more brilliant. So many see trials and tests as punishments, but they are My touches of love, which bring forth the shining light of My love, My compassion, and My understanding.
So do not fear the tests, for they only tend to bring forth more love in your life, and more light, more strength, and an even deeper closeness with Me.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.—1 Peter 1:77
In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.—Colossians 2:38
Approach each new day with desire to find Me. Before you get out of bed, I have already been working to prepare the path that will get you through this day. There are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way. Some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles. Others are blessings that reveal My presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayers. I have not abandoned this sin-racked world; I am still richly present in it.
Search for deep treasure as you go through the day. You will find Me all along the way.9
In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.—Isaiah 33:610
Remember that the single set of footprints that you see in the sand are not yours, but Mine. At times in the earth life you can feel alone and forsaken. I was touched with the feeling of that same infirmity on the cross, when it seemed that the Father had forsaken Me. But I encourage you to press on, continue on no matter what you feel, and it won't be long before you will know that you have made the right decision.
When the gardener prunes his bushes, they may look a little naked and destitute for a while, but he does it out of love in order to bring forth more fruit. When the air warms and the sun shines after the winter, and the leaves come out and the blossoms grow, the plants are more radiant and beautiful than ever before.
Likewise, the master gardener does not wield the cutters endlessly, without reprieve. After the time of pruning and purging, He waits patiently to see the fruit thereof. Therefore rest assured that the time of blossoming and bearing fruit will come, and you will radiate, sparkle, and shine, and find fulfillment in doing My will.
Originally published 1997, unless otherwise indicated. Adapted and republished September 2013. Read by Simon Peterson. Music by Daniel Sozzi.
1 Hebrews 11:6.
2 Numbers 23:19.
3 Philippians 4:19.
4 Malachi 3:10.
5 James 4:2.
6 1 Peter 2:5.
7 NLT.
8 NLT.
9 From Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson, 2004).
10 NLT.
Copyright © 2024 The Family International