Are you fully convinced that Christ is risen and lives and cares for you? Do you trust God will do what he has promised? Or are you tired of waiting for God to answer your prayers? This is why I am utterly thankful for the Bible stories, heroes of faith that leads the way for us.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. ²¹ He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. ²² And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. ²³ And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded ²⁴ for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. (Romans 4:20-25, NLT,*)

The conditions around us might be hopeless. But God is much more than any obstacle can ever be. The trick here is not to focus on the hardships but on God; not on the waves around us but on Jesus.

How to do it in the real life, you ask. By giving all your thoughts to God. By telling God what you feel, dumping your doubts at the foot of the cross. By lifting up your gaze to Jesus. By starting to praise God in the darkness. By giving glory to God no matter what.

You see, we can’t be fully convinced on our own. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. But when we invite the Holy Spirit in us, we are filled with trust. We are empowered as we give praise and glory to God.

If we wait to be fully convinced on our own, we will wait forever. We need God’s grace to be fully convinced that Christ is not only risen but he works for us. God wants us to embrace and believe God, then he pours out grace upon grace according to our needs. But ever that trust in him is evoked by the Holy Spirit. Hence don’t hesitate, just turn to God and ask for help. And there will be more grace for you than you ever need. 

Let’s focus on God, not on our difficulties.
Let’s focus on Jesus, not on our challenges.
Let’s focus on the Holy Spirit, not on our own incompetency.

Because God is able to do whatever he promises to us. And so much more. I am fully convinced. Hope you are too.

 

Gracious God,
We come to you and ask you to fill us with your presence.
Convince us with your loving-kindness.
Give us patience to wait for you timing.
Thank you for being more than able to do what is best for us.
We lift our gaze to you and praise you forever more.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Is it hard for you to wait on God? What makes you fully convinced that God is alive and on your side?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you let the Holy Spirit fully convince you!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]

Image courtesy of Nick Newman. This post is refurbished from 2010. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Hear it on Sunday, use it on Monday, Playdates with God, and counting blessings with Ann Voskamp: #1106 Christ is alive and all is well. #1107 The Holy Spirit convinces us if we let it happen.

I always appreciate if you help sharing the blog posts with your friends & followers. So that everyone might know the love of God, receive the grace of Christ, and live in the presence of the Holy Spirit! Thank you! Be blessed now and forever!