Do you have faith or do you simply believe?

Hey everyone,

Given my track record, I didn't think I would have something to post on here so soon! But here I am writing what God has laid on my heart. It has been challenging for me to think through and it is challenging me daily in what I do believe. I think it will have a similar challenge to you all, so I'm sharing it with you!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend LifeLight festival south of Sioux Falls, SD. This was my sixth time attending the festival, and I always enjoy it. But this year was better than years past. When I've gone in the past, I've never been challenged in my faith - usually, I end up worshiping God but also enjoying music. I thoroughly enjoy music, but I needed something a little more this year. Funny how God will provide what you need when you ask Him!?!

This weekend I had the opportunity, once again, to hear Francis Chan preach to us. I love Francis and his heart for the people of God to truly love God. Along with that, I also had the opportunity to hear one of my favorite pastors in the Sioux Falls area, Pastor Eric Verhulst, who also happens to pastor my aunt & uncle's church, Shalom CRC. It was great to hear these two orators present truths of faith and hand out spiritual meat to chew on. In this post, you will hear some of my chewing and digestion of what they presented.

Both preachers shared about faith. Faith has become an ambiguous word in our society. "Do you have faith or do you simply believe" is the question that resounded through both their presentations.

So, to share more on this, I thought I'd start with the definition of faith. In Hebrews 11:1 is that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (emphasis mine) What we see from this definition is that faith is knowledge. It's not blind and something ethereal. It comes from actually knowing something, and knowledge comes through experience. When we have true faith, we have tasted something utterly divine and are stirred to continue finding satisfaction in that source. Our faith is in God, the one who absolutely and totally fulfills our every longing. That's what faith is.

But too long, we have defined faith as belief. Belief is such a huge word because it can mean firm commitment, or it can mean wishful hoping. More often than not, it's the latter that stands for what we mean when we say it. For instance:

"I believe today will be a good day."
or
"I believe that tacos at (such and such a place) are really good."
or
"I believe that there will be a judgment day."

All these statements are fine, but if they're not backed up by solid experience, they're just words. And words are not something we're to toss around lightly.

Now, in contrast:

"I believe that Jesus has forgiven all my sins."

"I believe, without doubt, that I will go to heaven because I believe in Jesus."

There's a difference between having faith and simply believing. Faith based on knowledge is always more powerful than faith based on airy words. True faith saves us and does not let us turn into cowards and run when we get scared. (See Hebrews 10:39) True faith is powerful and that's what gets us through every situation!

One passage of Scripture that I love that God has given me to (it was a part of the passage God used to call me to ministry) is 2 Corinthians 5:7. This verse is one that I feel too many have abused (in the wishful thinking sense) rather than taken to heart (in the way of knowledge). The verse says this:

"We live by faith, not by sight."

This verse speaks of what we are to live by - faith - and that faith is built on certainty and assurance, not blindness. Now, in regards to this world and the things we see, we're not to live by them. They make sense. They make a lot of sense. But they're not for us.

Now, this also doesn't mean we can always see the path. There are times where we have to take leaps that seem blind. But are they blind if we're resting on the hope and promises that God has laid out before in His word? I don't think so. But often, many do not know or trust the promises God has made in Scripture. We're Bible illiterate and it hurts us so substantially. We lose our power to walk in full assurance that God has our every move a part of His plan.

Why do we do this? Why do we not love His Word as we should? Why do we neglect that certainty we can have for our every path.

When we live this way, I would safely say we're actually living by sight and not in accordance to God's word. True faith lives out what's promised, even if our eyesight is dim.

I know I'm preaching to myself when I write and reread this. Too many times have I relied on my own sight to guide me through affairs rather than trust God. I worked all in my own strength and I don't know my God to the extent that He lovingly wants me to. And I really hate it. I want to love Him so wonderfully and He's provided so many times for me to love Him more.

I want to stop this. I want this true, soul-firm, committed, powerful faith. Lord, will you call me once again to it? Will you put me in situations where I have to trust you more? Lord, I want to love you with everything in me. Lead me to you Lord.

I want to challenge you all to pray that. Seek Him and ask Him for real, genuine faith and not wishful thinking.

Love you all,

Brandon

Oh music!

I love music! There's no doubt about it! One of the best ways I express my joy to God is by singing. I know I'm not the only one who thoroughly enjoys music, but I'm going to share how it moves me anyway! :)

Music has always been a big part of my life. I've been singing since I can remember, and I even remember when I first got hooked. Yup, I was 5 and my sister and I decided (completely with the help of our mom) that we would buy my dad a video cassette of "The Judds Fairwell Concert."

Do you know how amazing the Judds are?!?!?

Let me tell you - they are AMAZING! I'm still in love with their music! I remember when we gave this to our dad, he thought we should watch it together. My sister and I were both captivated. However, for my sister it was enjoyment. For me it was life! Wynonna's voice just changed my mind in such unfathomable way! My memories of music up until that point were of my mom singing us the hymn "We Gather Together" as our lullaby (which is a fantastic hymn - you should definitely check it out! I'll even give you a link to a great rendition - http://youtu.be/Y0JVqR8KnF4).

When I heard Wynonna, my whole world changed and that's when music really made a new impact on my life.

Since then I've been obsessed. :)

Maybe not obsessed, but heavily involved. I sang in high school choir and loved it. I still sing and I still love music.

After I became a Christian in 2004, Christian music became a much bigger part of my life. I actually wanted to learn hymns and praise songs so I could do that - praise the wonderful God who saved me!

But I struggled to understand how I could enjoy other genres of music and still praise God. I like pop music, I like country music, I like rap music! But a lot of music does not honor God. How do I reconcile this?

God spoke to me the other night on this issue. My wife and I went on a double date with some friends to a concert by Gaelic Storm - check them out too! (http://www.gaelicstorm.com/) Gaelic Storm does not record Christian music. They're musicians who play Irish pub music - which is good! Don't y'all knock! And they're fun! I had not seen musicianship like this ever. It was fantastic, beautiful, and so moving!

But their songs did not honor God. At all. (They weren't vulgar - which I immensely appreciated!) And I was stuck in this katzenjammer.

So, what did I do?

I asked God. Specifically, I asked Him to show me how to honor Him while listening to this music. And funny thing, God answered. I love when He answers in simple ways because frankly, I can't always handle the deep about Him.

He told me to enjoy the music and to take joy in what I get to experience as they share their gifts. Wait!?! Just sit back, listen, and watch. Yup.

In that moment, I felt God approached me with an answer based on the state of my heart. I wanted to enjoy this music, but I wanted more to honor God. And in that, He responded because of my desire to honor Him more.

I was reminded by God's Spirit of Colossians 3:17:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

In that moment, I chose to give thanks to God for allowing me to hear this extremely wonderful musicianship and to be able to experience it with such joy. And you know what? My heart was wrapped in worship of God for how richly He blesses us all. Some have musical gifts, some have other gifts. But this was His pouring out on His creation for the enjoyment of His people. And I enjoyed it!

I believe that's what God is calling us all to - we're to worship Him in everything. Whether that's listening to music by relaxing and enjoying the melodies, or eating a huge feast with family and friends and enjoying their company, we can worship God in every moment.

I want to worship God in all moments - and many of those moments will be filled with music! I actually can't wait until we get to heaven to sing His praise for eternity! Oh that will be magnificent!

Think about how you can worship God now in this moment. Turn your heart to Him and let Him work wonderfully in you! He'll turn you to Him because He greatly loves you. Enjoy your settings and what's displayed around you. God longs for you just to see Him and love Him more!

Love you all!

Brandon