We live in the information age! People all over the world spend hours each day perusing the Internet, watching television shows, reading books, listening to broadcasts, and hearing messages from people around them!
But beware! There is a lot of junk out there. And if we want only what is true to enter our minds, then it’s critical that we’re are discerning, careful, and wise.
Just today I received a Facebook message where the writer asked, “What is the difference between faith and trust?” Many people answered and all of their answers were different. Why, because they were giving their own opinions!
That happens all the time. We are surrounded by other people’s opinions and ideas flying through the airwaves and the atmosphere.
Those opinions can serve as seeds planted into our minds. If they are allowed to stay there, unchallenged, they can begin to grow. Soon, and especially if nurtured, they will take root and become part of our “belief system.”
What then?
Our beliefs inform our choices. And our choices turn into actions. And those actions affect our lives, our circumstances, and our future!
I realize that people’s opinions about the difference between faith and trust isn’t a huge deal as far as our everyday life goes. But other opinions and beliefs can make a big impact in how we live. For example, what do you expect from a marriage? Or a job? Or a church?
Or, what do you believe about judging others? Or donating money? Or being overweight?
What about shaming children into compliance? Or holding a grudge against a friend? Or gossiping? Or telling the truth?
When you have questions in your life, where do you go for the answers? Where do you go for direction so you know how to proceed? Do you listen to the television gurus? Do you ask your friends? Do you Google it for ideas? In other words, do you open yourself up for other people’s opinions? Those ideas that will point you into choices, actions, and your future?
Heads Up!
Again, I say, “Proceed with caution.” Because you could be unknowingly walking on very unstable ground that leads you to where you really don’t want to go.
However, there is a place where you can go for truth. For answers you can count on. For advice that is solid, sure, and always correct! That place is God and His Word. And James 1:5 gives us clear instruction about what we are to do if we need help: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
We can go to God and seek the answers we need and then proceed confidently that we are making the right choices. We can search His Word for instructions, principles, and standards. If we need more help in how to apply God’s ways in our lives, we can seek the help of Christians who have been appointed and anointed to teach God’s people.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12
Now here is where faith and trust come into play: you and I have made a decision to follow Christ. We have submitted ourselves to Him and as we grow and develop in our walk with the Lord, we learn to trust Him more and more. That is part of our renewal experience. We believe He is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He can do. We trust in the Lord. We place our confidence in Him and His ways.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
We have faith that He will fulfill His promises, even when we can’t yet see the results, yet. We have faith that when we leave this world, we will enter into everlasting life. We have faith that He has provided for our needs. We have faith that He blesses the works of our hands.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
You and I have a choice about where we are going to go for the answers we need. We have a choice where we will go for information. We have a choice who we will rely upon for advice.
Here is what I have decided for my life: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
How about you?
I love hearing from you! Please share your thoughts below with me and with others.
Amen. God is amazing. Thank you for the encouraging words. God has truely blessed my family and I this year and I can not find the words to express my gratitude.
wow thanks Susan, this is amazing. we indeed need to rely on God for decisions that we make. and also His word is powerful and has answers to our daily living. Thanks again. God bless
Thanks for your message, Sheryl. God is so good and worthy of all our praises!
Blessings to you!
I just got done with Daniel’s Fast what a great experience, putting my self in God’s hands was something i did a while back . To truly know God I needed to fast , Daniel’s Fast was the best way for me to have God feed my Spirit , Soul and Heart. What I found myself is wanting to go deeper into God’s word wanting to keep learning and wanting him to teach me more, but with him teaching me to be able to teach others . THank you for this awesome website,
Praise God! He is so good and longs for us to draw nearer to Him.
I am so glad your experience was so helpful for you!
Be blessed!
I thank God for His Word! When I have questions or needs He is the one who has all the answers. Thank you for sharing this with all who are willing to listen and take heed. What an awesome God we serve, and oh how wonderful that we have His unconditional love!
Dear Sue,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I also believe that the best source is the Bible. The Bible gives us instructions for our daily life and the pure truth. Woman like you help us to go back to the source of our daily strength -The Holy Spirit- who made us know what the Father and our Lord Jesus want us to know.
Nedhy
It’s amazing how close to home this hits. We as a nation have a tendency to place importance on what’s trending or whatever the current public opinion is and we are easily swayed, sometimes ignoring what we know to be right in God’s eyes so as not to rock the boat. That’s why it is important to surround yourself with strong Christians and prayer warriors that can and will pull you back from the brink. Something as simple as your choice in television viewing or the type of books you like to read can open the wrong door in your spiritual walk.
Morning All, Susan this message has really touched my soul. I have been grieving for a month and couldn’t beileve God could have taken my sister (43) leaving such a void after all our prayers. I have not been able to pray or go to church and I have been so angry and turned to alcohol to kill the pain. Am slowly trying to pick up the pieces and need your help and prayers to get back on the right path. Am questioning everything from my beliefs to my church to my Pastor!!! help.
Hi Susan !! Thanks for your encouraging words of faith the lord always shine brightly in my corner and I have to give him all the glory and the praises. What a glory he sheds on our way! while we do his good will,he abides with us still and all who will trust and obey. We all have sin and come short of the glory of god who never forsake us. We should put our heart and soul into his words. But sometimes we intend to step out alone and we fail we look back on his words> I will not leave you or forsake you these are his words to me and I hold them close to my heart and keep on trusting in his love ,mercy and his grace. My god brought me through many things in my life and I know without a shadow of doubt the we walks with me always. Faith is a beautiful thing to have and I belived on his goodness and his love . May god richly bless you ministry. Love Marg
Love the response, ladies! Life gets hard some times and I often find myself not depending on him like should. I know he’s God all mighty and he can do more than any man. We must all have patience, trust and believe that he will answer our prayers if it’s in his will for our lives.
Thank you for this encouraging word! The joy of the Lord is my strength. I have been meditating on the following scripture and it really does guard my heart and mind? all praise and glory to God!
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God is on the move on the move hallelujah??????
How blessed I am….first to have the solid word from Susan Gregory and then the input from all of you. Your words/thoughts coupled with Susan’s is food for my spirit and soul. Thank all of you and God’s blessings to all.
Thank you for your encouraging words Susan. Very timely indeed!
I have been viewing some ‘End time’ videos & such & know that I should “test all things”. But sometimes we can get lost in the moment. Thankfully, I do not believe these videos and do my own research with my bible as the main source. God is awesome and does not want any of us to perish for lack of or too much information.
Peace & blessings!
All the glory to our God, he always keep his promises and through him we have wisdom and comfort. Thanks for so beautiful words.
I am forever grateful that I am a child of God whose love is unchanging and He is a covenant keeping God. My confidence comes from my Heavenly Father whose promise is unfailing. He is my shield my strength and my shelter who promise me never to forsake me nor turn away from me. Thank you thank you amen.
This was an amazingly and timely teaching!! I know how much God has done for me and how much faith I have in His Word, but sometimes it’s a little difficult based on the circumstances. You are so correct that we NEED to turn to that Word! We have not because we have not!!! Thank you so much for your faithfulness and amazing teaching. Thank you God for the confirmation! !#
It is in the stillness of quiet times, in my secret place with God that he answers my questions and guides me with his Word. He also uses people to pass on messages, he uses all sorts of different ways to pass his message along and guide us onto the right path..discernment is a blessed gift that enables us to identify what is God given and separate the Word of God from the other noise and distractions.
Discernment comes when we have Absolute surrender to the Lord, living in The Spirit and seeking his face, listening for his voice with eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to receive..Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
wow, thanks so much for the wonderful deliberation about trust and faith. At the end of the day, the Lord remains the principle factor because He is what He says He is according to His word and the testimonies of our lives. Like in my life, there is nothing that I have done that I could have done had it not been for the Lord.
Good Morning Children of the Almighty. I am a living testimony of what God can do in ones life. I lost my dad, mom and brother. At that time one thing came to my mind “I am the chosen one”. God chose me to spread the word, instead of me whining about being an orphan I say to people i have the best parent in the world and that is my God, He is forever faithful and fulfills his promises. when I feel sad, lost or confused I have a daughter-father conversation and afterwards I AM OK. Be blessed!!!
Amen, this is such a powerful message I have seen Him walking with me, answering my prayers and directing my path. Faith and trusting in the Lord has moved me to another level. Thank you Susan!
Without faith it is impossible to please God. I am going through a storm I tried telling my friends and family about it and none of thier advises are working. I then decided to fast and pray and ask the Holyspirit to intervene that’s when I saw changes. We have to learn to rely upon God and be patient all things work out – He fulfills our heart desires. Jeremiah 17:5-9 – “Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” I love hearing from you Susan – God bless
Awesome response !
He has given us everything we need for life and godliness.What can you add to everything?
The rest is just information overload
God if faithful, he is the same yesterday, today and forever and his word is true. for me, I lose faith out of fear, I only get fearful and confused when I don’t go to the word for answer.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
When we are in a close relationship with Him, His Way, His Truth, and His Life all “rub off” or become part of us.
I’ve had my ups and downs; God Himself has always been with me. He is my rock, my fortress, and my strong deliverer.
Thanks so much for sharing. We serve an Awesome loving God ❤️❤️
I believe and I trust in God for he is faithful he’s not a men that should lie and he change not. I’m greatfull to become one of his daughter
Thank you for the insight to share this message, God bless you! We must always “Trust and Obey,” the Word of God! Be blessed!
Amen and Amen
Faith is what God gives us and trust is what we give him.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPARD,I SHALL NOT WANT.
Amen and Amen!
Thank you for sharing such an encouraging word!
wow, thank you so very much. I’m just starting my Daniel Fast and is so refreshing to read this message. May the our Lord continue to fill you will all of his knowledge and love, so that you can continue blessing out lives
Hi for me faith is knowledge. If you don’t have knowledge you can’t believe. The bible is knowledge and the knowledge is confirmed by several writers over different eras. This makes it trustworthy and that is the truth. We have faith / knowledge about our Heavenly Father who is the Alfa and Omega. Throughout the bible God keeps His promises, His kindness, His righteousness, We believe because our God is alive and never breaks a promise. The confirmation of this knowledge is the truth. All the above comments declare the confirmation of the knowledge is the truth. PRAISE THE LORD!
I’m forever graceful to a loving and kind Father. He has been nothing but good to me. I trust Him and have nothing, but Faith in His Word.
My hope and trust is in the Lord. I too meditate on God’s word for answers to my prayers. Good counsel comes from the Lord. Thank you for the reminder.
I trust in the Lord with all my heart.I don’t lean on my own understanding for I believe that He will give me direction which will lead me towards the right path.Thank you Susan for your encouragement.
Wow…this is amazing! I am glad I choosse the way of God, because everytime I ask him to reveal something in my life he does and I become amazed everyday and rejoice, even when times are tough he still makes me smile
Worship is a ministry that cultivates into a lifestyle. By faith we are made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God” (Romans 5:1 CEV). We face many problems that seem too much to handle. God becomes the “foothold” (secure) in your life the moment you surrender and allow God to come into your heart and/or cast all your problems to Him. Christ will move on your behalf in victory despite the struggles. Philippians 1:6 illustrates how God’s promise to do a good works in us.
Amen I so love the Lord with all my heart . He guides me and he truly directs my path. There’s nothing I can do without him.. All my faith and power comes from him. Just believe and trust in him he’ll do what he says he’ll do.
Yes very true! In Christian walk we should proceed with caution.
With faith and trust in the Lord, I have practiced Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Now I am who I am because of faith I have in the Lord. He has taken me from zero to victory.
What if its a long time that I haven’t got answers to my prayers
Make sure what you are praying for has been gain in the atonement of Jesus (that it’s within God’s blessing). See if you need to make any adjustments. And then continue to stand on God and His Word. Declare the promises of God over your life. Have faith that it’s already yours.
I hope this helps.
Keep the faith it will come to you if you believe and asking him. He knows the desires of our heart . Again we ‘re not on our time but mainly on his.
I agree with this. Such a right now word.Thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful, inspiring message. It is so true that you only have to trust God and his word. I have been through many storms in my life, sickness, depression, family troubles, finances, etc. In fact, I am still in the middle or should I say “eye of the storm.” My daughter told me once that Faith makes things possible, not easy. I keeping the faith and trusting God, but it is not easy. I know I will come out of that storm one day. Thank you for your much needed inspiration. I enjoy hearing from you also.
Can any man please God without faith No.
For the word of God says seek ye first my kingdom then all these other things will be added unto you. These things are materials etc. God is seeking for true worshipers in spirit and in truth. Worship is a lifestyle not music if we will learn to love what God loves and hate what He hates then we will silence every negative voices in our minds and thoughts the battle is in the mind. Romans 12:1-2 for God has given all spiritual blessings Ephesians 1:1-3 so what do we want these are the last days wake up Jesus is coming back.
Thank you
Wow. This just touched my spirit. It came right in the midst of a situation. I went asking everyone about a situation to find no help. Then ……in the wrong order..I tried God. And sure enough he supplied my answer. So simple.
Yes I agree with this. We go to the Lord for answers – he heard our prayers and when we stand on the word off God in faith we can be sure to prosper. He has helped me over the past year with periods of temptation, despair and difficulties. Nevertheless life is not always easy. But Jesus says he has overcome the world.