Barbie is away from the blog and will return on Friday, October 1.

Are You Willing To Walk Away?

If you're like me, sometimes you find yourself at war with what makes logical sense and stepping out on faith. The two are totally different because having faith often doesn't make logical sense!

What you're willing to walk away from will determine what God is going to bring to you. There are several examples in the Bible of people who refused to walk away. Samson refused to walk away from Delilah. Judas couldn't walk away from 30 pieces of silver. Because these men refused to walk away, it cost them dearly.

Hebrews 11 is what I like to call the "Hall of Faith" chapter. It lists people in the Bible who had great faith in what God had called them to do. In many cases, they had to walk away from what seemed reasonable and secure and obey God's calling. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." You can't be rewarded if you're not willing to walk away and "earnestly seek him". Moses walked away from Pharaoh. Joseph turned his back on his master's wife and ran.

Having faith in God means abandoning all trust in our own resources, abilities and reasoning--all of the things we see. For faith to be present, action is required.

If you can't turn your back on the world, you'll never be successful when it comes to a move of God and the work of God in your life. So how do you know when you're qualified to do what God has called you to do? When you can walk away!

Cracked Up

I pulled into the inspection station and handed the attendant my license to get my inspection sticker. The attendant gave me the news I didn't want to hear. "Ms. Barbie, that crack all along your windshield prevents me from giving you a new sticker," he said. "You're going to have to get your windshield replaced before I can pass you."

I've been driving around with a crack that goes from the passenger side to the driver side for a whole year and it hasn't bothered me in the least! I've learned how to look above or below the crack to see properly out the windshield. I've grown so accustomed to the crack, I just don't see it like other people do.

There are Christians who tolerate cracks in their spiritual life. They're so familiar with living a 'barely there' relationship with Christ, they don't know any different. A person who walks in the flesh tolerates sin, excuses, rationalizes their decisions and justifies sin. They may be saved, but they aren't walking in obedience to Christ. Therefore, they are not living a Christian life.

We must intentionally live a life that represents Christ and that's not always easy to do. To live as a genuine Christian, however, is a choice.

Don't let the cracks in your spiritual walk become so comfortable that you don't notice them anymore. Because chances are, others around you see them and they are being distracted by them.

Barbie is away on this Labor Day. Enjoy the day with your family!

Movement Is Everything

In trying to keep my focus on what God is calling me to do, I'm learning what I do first determines what God does second. That's the meaning of faith and it is shown all through scripture.

When 5,000 people needed food (Matthew 14), a young boy stepped forward with five loaves and two fish. What he did first determined what God did second. When the bleeding woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment, she was healed (Luke 8). The first step she took determined what God would do. When Hezekiah was King of Judah, he was told he would die early if he didn't repent. What Hezekiah did first determined what God would do next (Isaiah 28) and God spared his life.

Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Just as in a good game of chess, movement is everything. What you do first will determine what God does second.