Faith, Revisited

Recently, I was asked how it is that I can maintain my Christian Faith. Correctly, I believe, I assumed that the question was asked in light of the prevailing circumstances. And, in reflection, this seems to be a very important topic today. P eople walk into the Church today, looking for answers and it is my opinion that some of them hit upon what they are looking for but are unable to remain focused.

When I was a seventeen year old soldier, I, literally, soaked the Army into my very being. i.e. When we were learning to Field Strip our Rifles I came in from supper that night, blind folded myself, sat on the floor and became intimate with my M-1 Gerand to the point that I could, blind folded, strip and reassemble my weapon before an enemy could cross a field between us. At twenty-one I routinely, pulled my UH-1H helicopter apart in the jungles of South Vietnam and pulled all my Quarterly and some of my One Hundred Hour Inspections without even a book to help.

When we look at the Exodus there is a facet to the story that is much debated and totally ignored by the modern day New Testament and New Covenant brands of Christian, God was commanding an army! When all was said and done, that is just how the Israeli Nation entered the land, they were the concurring army. And when we look at John 14:15 we find something interesting, Jesus says that if we love Him we will obey His commands.

From John 1 we know that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament, the Creator. In the last chapter of Matthew we learn that Jesus has all, not part and not some, but all authority here on the Earth. So Jesus is our Creator/Commander that we are to obey and I contend that it is wise for me, for you and for everyone to study to show themselves approved and this we do with prayerful study of the Word of God and prayerful, thoughtful meditation on what God teaches us as we study.

The Bible is not a book to show us how it “was” done, it is the guide for living the successful life.
 
I think for the 'true' believers-the Bible becomes a must have in their life. The more I 'hear' and read the Word, the more I want it in my life and NEED it. 'Faith comes by hearing...'

However; it also takes discipline. I have gotten into the habit of reading my Bible almost every night & listening to my audio Bible in my work truck ( I drive a lot). When I don't have it in the daily routine-their is a significant difference in my daily walk. I started this last week putting a verse on a dry erase board so it is the first thing I see in the morning. Also-this is going Old Testament- I started writing the Name of our Lord and some of His commandments on my door posts. Might be kooky-but when you see "...love on another..." on your way out of the house, it makes you stop and think for a minute.

We HAVE to have the Word in our lives & fellowship (with God and other Christians) to grow our faith.
 
Hey the one (and only) Bill. Moseying over to sit with Bill. Silk <------- Big, God's will be done, fan.
 
Hey the one (and only) Bill. Moseying over to sit with Bill. Silk <------- Big, God's will be done, fan.
Hi Silk, there is a history for the th1bill moniker. I spent the better part of 25 years in the Juke Joints and Blues Clubs in the Houston and SE Texas area, on and off the stage. Towards the end of my Sin Life I would be introduced as Cowboy Bill and a couple of the ladies swapped it over to The One Bill and I took it for my screen name and have never bothered to change it. I was cool being called that way singing both C&W until 2am and then running over to a Blues Joint until 6 or 7... the only Honkey in the joint and then dressed in my Bling Cowboy Shirt, Boots, big buckle and Silver Belly Stetson. I also rode a Hog much of the time... I was a mess until my Deeter married me.
 
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