So far, 2017 has proven itself to be a year like its younger siblings in the years before. Each year we face the 'business' of running God's 'business' and endeavouring to see His will established on earth. Jesus taught us to pray, "Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," and this is sincerely our departure point for any venture. I don't mean to 'cheapen' the will of Almighty God by referring to it as 'business', but for us the command of God stands - multiply, subdue, have dominion, reign, and all to the glory of God.
July saw Faith Broadcasting Network expand into the United States which was a huge step of faith for us. Viewers in the USA can now see and hear the message of hope and faith on the Dish Network, Channel 269. Dish Network has a potential of 14,5 million viewers, so the potential impact of the Gospel is huge! In addition we broadcast into Houston every Sunday, and locally in Palatka (Florida) 24/7. To God be the glory - His goodness prevails.
All of this made me reflect on the "business" of knowing God, and living within the parameters He has set out for us in the Divine design of humans. Often we banter around the word "faith" as if it is some magical wand we can wield to have our wildest dreams come true without any effort. I have come to realize that faith, just like love, is a verb and requires some conscious effort on our part. Solomon reminds us that we have the power to make our own plans since God has given us the gift of choice. However, he also reminds us that our plans can only succeed when God establishes them. "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans (Proverbs 16:3 NIV). The NLT states, "Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed."
Our faith therefore has to operate at two levels; firstly, we need to have faith in our God-given ability to come up with dreams, ideas and plans; and secondly, we need to have faith in the fact that God will establish our plans when submitted to His will. On both fronts, our faith requires conscious and dedicated action, and our faith in God and ourselves needs to persevere until we have the sweet taste of victory and success.
None of this is possible when we don't intimately know God and how He functions. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that faith is a requirement to please God, and that when we believe in Him totally a reward is guaranteed (Hebrews 11:6). Now, a reward from God is not the same as a reward from a fellow human! No, our great reward from God is that He shields, protects, loves and nurtures us (Genesis 15:1).
