One of my old-time favorite shows was called “Guns of Paradise.” Ethan was the hero. There was no winning against him.
Ethan had been left with three nephews to raise, two boys and a girl. In one episode Ethan had been falsely accused and stowed away in a Mexican prison. The children accompanied by a pretty school teacher friend visited the prison seeking to visit him, but they were told by prison authorities that Ethan had died and been buried. They were brought to his burial site. But the smallest child refused to believe: not Ethan, nobody could kill Ethan.
The little boy grabbed a shovel. Finally the grave was opened. He was right. Ethan could not have been beaten; not Ethan. I was moved by the little boy’s bravery, his devotion to Ethan, his courage that he must be shown that Ethan was dead.
Child-like faith is to me storybook at its best. I am a romantic, and I prefer happy endings. I am headed for one myself. Are you, reader? Then live it out.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
Live the happy ending every day – and bear fruit; because real faith is magnetic. It is God’s purpose for leaving us in the world, while keeping us from its pollution; that we be a city on a hill, a light on a hill, salt in the earth. (Matthew 5:13-16)
The life of faith is much easier than a life filled with sin. We escape much more than we, because of sin, would otherwise experience.
Believers will ultimately never be disappointed if our expectation is fixed on the Lord.
We will overcome the feelings of disappointment, and we will see in our lives the hand of God over and over again.
These things – “I killed the lion, I killed the bear” (through God and faith in Him), young David says in our Bible. “And this (giant) shall be as they.”
In our Bible in chapter 11 is a record of our examples for faith.
Being a Christian is a “way;” faith as trust, believing and hoping; but also having the “inner witness” which the world cannot feel, sense, or know.
Our faith is built upon a strong Rock that is “Higher than I (alone).”
“I shall not be moved,” says the man of faith.
“What shall separate me from the love of God,” says the man founded and grounded in God
“Nothing shall separate me from the love of God.” Shall sin? No, I will run into the consuming fire of my Savior God and He will wash me white as snow. Will evil bodings? No! I will overcome by the blood of the Lamb – and the word of my testimony.” (Revelations 10:11) (Romans 8:38-39)
He is not dead. He is not in the grave nor will I remain there. He is Risen! He sent to me His Holy Spirit. “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me. He has anointed me.” “As He is, so am I in the world.” (1 John 4:17)
Sometimes: “Out of the same mouth proceeds both a blessing and a curse: my brethren, that ought not so to be.” (James 3:10)
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in heart, speech, and action.
Buddy