Roller Coasters and Faith

“For we live by faith, not by sight.” -2 Corinthians 5:7

“Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation.” –Andrew Murray

There’s a great parallel between riding a roller coaster and faith. To get on a roller coaster, you have to have faith that the engineer, builders, and operator are skilled and able to get you safely through the ride. A certain level of trust can be developed by watching others have fun and safely ride it but until you actually get on the roller coaster, you haven’t demonstrated that you trust the architect.

Faith is like that too. You can read about it, listen to others’ experience with it, and sit through sermons about it but until you put it into practice, it’s just secondhand knowledge. Like a roller coaster, situations in life have unexpected drops, turns, and loops. When you place faith in the One who designed the world and is the ultimate architect, it doesn’t mean there won’t be surprises but He's in control and you can rest in that.

Don’t be afraid of asking God for things in faith. Just like the excitement of a roller coaster, excitement is waiting for those who live by faith. Be bold and courageous. If you’ve been clinging to safe harbors, test the waters and see what great adventures God has in store for those who live by faith.

What’s a step of faith that you can take this week?

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Mama

I think mamas are pretty great and wrote a song about it. Feel free to share with your mama or anyone else for that matter.

Mama
Mama ain't no one you've probably ever heard of
but she's world class when it comes to love
and she don't do big deals but she can fix a meal
so good you'll thank the Lord above

Mama celebrates every time I win
and when my heart gets broke she helps it mend
like a bear with her cubs, she gives out lots of love
and Mama talks to God every day

chorus

Well Mama ain't a lawyer or a college PhD
but you know you better listen when she speaks
cause Mama usually knows the way things seem to go
and that's about all that you could need

She can talk you through a rough patch
or just give you a hug
No that ain't much that you can't face
with the strength of Mama's love

chorus

If you’re not already a fan of Andrew Robert Allen music on Facebook, head on over and Like the page. www.facebook.com/andrewrobertallen

Righteousness is a Direction Not a Line

-->

 “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.” –Psalm11:7

Is righteousness something you ever think about? It can be a bit of a nebulous concept where we think “Yeah, that’s something good. People should be righteous.” But what does it actually mean on a daily basis?

Sometimes right and wrong is cut and dried and the way of righteousness is abundantly clear. Other times, difficult decisions arise and the waters are murky.

It can be easy to slide towards a line of right and wrong and justify whether you’re on the right side of the line. This misses the point though. Righteousness is a direction and not a line. When we’re moving in the direction of righteousness, there’s less question about what we can and can’t justify, what we should or shouldn’t do.

It’s good to think through complex moral questions ahead of time but a guiding principle should be, “does it move me closer to God or further away?” The answer to that question will point you in the direction of righteousness.

The Bible talks about righteousness over and over and how God loves it. Righteousness is just a part of close communion with God. It means we’re in lock step with Him and seeking after His ways and goodness.

The more frequently we move in the direction of righteousness in the little things, the easier it is to discern right and wrong in the big stuff. Similar to how you might become skilled through practicing a golf swing, free throw shot, or dance move, practice will exercise the muscles of righteousness. Jesus is a great workout buddy for this type of thing and will pump you up!

Don’t let what others are doing, convenience, or what’s easiest drive your decision making. Even if it means taking a harder road, the path of righteousness leads to the riches of intimacy with God.

What are some steps you can take to move in the direction of righteousness?

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

Path

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6

Leaning on our own understanding tends to be the default option for most people. It doesn’t come natural to trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Sure, there might be certain areas that we trust Him with but with all areas, at all times? That’s a much different standard.

Using experience, logic, training, and the advice of other people are all well and good but it’s vital that we are keyed in with God. He will reveal things to us that are unknowable outside of His guidance. I’ve seen this time after time in my own life. He’ll prompt me about something that may not make sense in the moment but later becomes abundantly clear.

When I rely on my own understanding I tend to get off the path, experience rough sailing, and take detours in life. When I fully trust in Him, He guides me and even though the journey can seem confusing and/or circuitous, He inevitably takes me to places and through experiences that would otherwise be impossible.

Acknowledging Him doesn’t mean making plans and then saying, “Hey God, how ‘bout a little blessing on this here plan that I’ve made.” It means, at the outset, placing your life before Him and saying, “All I am is Yours. Guide me in the path that You would have me follow.” Only then can you be certain that you’ll end up in the place, with the people, and in the manner He would have you go.

Is there an area of your life that you’ve been leaning on your own understanding?

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew