A Leap of FAITH!

Once upon a time, two acorns were born in a big Oak Tree in a forest. Their names were Albert and Amanda Acorn.

Picture taken by Benjamin Bruce

Albert and Amanda lived in their shells side by side. It was springtime and they enjoyed the bright green foliage around them. They liked to gaze at the wide blue sky. Albert especially liked this.
They were intrigued as they watched the forest floor far below. Little green plants poked their shoots out of the soil. Tiny flowers poked their purple and red petals out of the leaves, Amanda especially liked this. Albert and Amanda became friends. They were happy in their big Oak Tree in the vast forest.
 

**** Spring turned into summer ****
Albert and Amanda planned for the future every day. They talked about important things.
Amanda: Ask “Albert? Where do Oak Trees come from?”
Albert: said “Well…..The other day I overheard wise old owl talking about acorns becoming Oak Trees!”
“You mean acorns like us?”
“Well yeah, acorns like us.”
“You mean we might become oak trees?” Albert: replied “Wow! I sure hope so!”
Albert and Amanda both decided they would be oak trees. Day after day Amanda thought about oak trees. One day she blurted out, quite unexpectedly…..
“Albert! How do trees grow? What keeps them from falling over?!”
Albert: said “They have roots, silly!”
“Roots?” Albert said “Yeah, roots. You know, down in the ground.”
Hmmm.. Amanda said. I wonder what it’s like down there.”
Albert said ” “Well, I don’t know.” “I’m just glad we’re up here where it’s nice and snug.” and warm.”

Amanda said “The tree does give us all our food.” Albert: “And we’re getting fat!” Albert and Amanda smile at each other.
**** Summer turned into Fall ****
One day, Albert knew that something was bothering Amanda. <>
“What’s bugging you Amanda?” She said “Remember when we talked about roots?

 
Yeah.
Do all trees have roots?” “Well…. I think so. Why?” Amanda “And trees grow from the ground up?”
“Yeah. So?”
Amanda was thinking: “And we’re wanting to be Oak Trees.” “Yes Amanda! So what’s your point?” “Albert, maybe we have to start on the ground!” So you think we should jump?”
“Well…..I don’t know…I…”
Amanda “You’re actually thinking about it?” “Sort of… I don’t know…It’s a long way down…But it’s the only way…” “That’s foolishness. You’re nuts! Don’t do it Amanda! Please…” Albert pled with Amanda not to do it.

But one day in late Autumn they said their goodbyes and…Amanda Jumped.

**** Autumn turned into winter ****

Albert spent a lonely winter. And he didn’t feel very well. But he was safe and secure in his shell in the big Oak Tree in the forest. He thought of poor Amanda. She was dead by now. But he, Albert, would still be a mighty oak! And so he dreamed…..

But each day Albert felt worse and worse and he shriveled up more and more. It was too late when he discovered…..He had rotted from the inside out!

 
**** Winter turned into spring ****

And in the very spot where Amanda had fallen into the ground, a little green sprout poked up out of the soil. The acorn shell was now empty and Amanda grew, and grew, and grew until she became a towering Oak Tree. She provided branches for many bird nests and shade for many weary travelers. Many small acorns began to form on her branches.

She was so happy that she had learned a simple rule:
******A fruitful life comes only through death to self. ******

Our life is all about choices that we make everyday, it is only when we put Jesus first and self last and believe in what he done for us that helps us to make the right choice in life.

Let us Pray!
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There was once a tightrope walker who was crossing Niagara Falls. After he had held the crowds spellbound with his daring act, he asked, How many of you believe I could cross the tightrope again, this time Blindfolded and pushing a wheelbarrow with someone riding in it.
The crowds applauded.
They were sure he could do it. But then he said, Who will volunteer to ride the wheelbarrow?
There was a vast silence.
The audience had just been reminded of the vital difference between belief and trust! It’s one thing to believe that the wheelbarrow would make it safety across the Falls. It’s quite another thing to put your own life on the line.

James 2:19 draws the same distinction: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
In order to have saving Faith, you need more than simple mental assent. The devils have that much and they tremble as a result. The devils believe – but they don’t trust.
And that my friend is the crucial difference.

There are three words that best describes the dependent relationship of the Christian to God:
Faith, Belief, and Trust.
In modern usage, belief often carries with it the idea of only a mental assent.
Faith is sometimes confused with positive thinking.
But the word TRUST probably comes the closest to describing the biblical dependence upon God.
Wherever you find the word belief or faith in Scripture, you can substitute it for the word Trust, and perhaps understand a new dimension to a familiar word.
For instance Act 16: 31
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Would read
Trust the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved

Faith includes not only belief but trust, “ Faith is Trusting God “.
Faith is dependence upon another, It is probably the closest word to surrender found in the Bible, for it carries with it the idea of giving up your life into God’s control.

Hebrew: 11:1:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

So we see that faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things we have not yet seen. But we believe and Truth that we will receive them.

So how do we get Faith, just where does it come from

• Remember the story of Noah:

God told Noah to build a Boat and really big Boat. Why because It would need to hold two of every type of creature on the earth, soon a Flood was coming to destroy all things

Now understand something about the time Noah lived in

It had never rained,
It had never flooded,
And there were no large rivers where Noah lived

So perhaps Noah made a mistake in what he heard God telling him to do.

It happen everyday people making mistake in what they hear, in what they do, in what they feel, and in what they say.

If Noah lived in our days he would surely have had to go back and ask God to explain exactly what he means by Rain or Flood. Because scientist can prove today that it is impossible for the world to be completely flooded

They said the same thing to Noah but it did not faze him one bit.

Noah knew what God said, he did not understand how God was going to do it and he did not question how God was going to do it. He just believed what God said.

And every time Noah drove a Nail into the side of the Ark he believed, every time he install a plank he believed, His faith grew each day because the Trusted in what God had said.

Faith is Believing! “If God said it, believe it”

• In another story we find Jesus and his Disciples taking a little trip on a Boat.

Matthew 8

The Jesus Film

23: And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24: And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. Who was asleep “Jesus”
25: And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
How is that possible How is that possible to perish when the giver of life is with you.
26: And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27: But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Here we find the disciples just like how we are at time, believing but not Fully Trusting.

Faith is Trusting !

A little more then a 100 years ago there was a Sea Captain who heard the call to be a Missionary his Name was Mc Cleane

• Story: Capt Mc Cleane     Island of Cannibals

Faith & Trust is going beyond understanding to do what you know is right!

• Story Joshua 3: Story about the Priest going over Jordan

13: And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

Faith & Trust is putting one foot forward and walking with both eyes closed

The Bible said if you have Faith so much as a grain of Mustard seed “you could do what”

Faith is like thread

One peace all by its self can not do much, but each time Faith is used it becomes stronger Until that thread becomes a rope, a life line to Jesus

Whatever happens in your life never get positive thinking confused with Faith!

Positive thinking does not produce genuine faith, but faith will produce positive thinking.

John Huss and Jerome were heroes of the Reformation years.
They worked in Bohemia, and their witness preceded that of Martin Luther in Germany.

The writing of Wycliffe influenced both men. Not long after John Huss began to preach the gospel with great power, he was joined by Jerome, who had been in England.

As the preaching of John Huss became more widely known, he was summoned to Rome to give an account of his teachings.

Huss was given a safe-conduct, but after his hearing he was thrown into prison anyway. He was offered the opportunity to recant, but he refused, and before many weeks had passed, he was burned at the stake.

His persecutors scattered his ashes in the Rhine Rive and hoped in vain that they had silenced his Voice.

When Jerome heard that his friend was in peril, he hurried to Rome, not waiting even for the safe-conduct that had proved so ineffective for Huss.

Upon his arrival, he too was thrown into prison and kept there for many months. His courage failed, and he accepted the opportunity to recant.

Then he discovered an amazing thing. There is something worse than being burned at the stake! And that is not to be burned at the stake and to live with the remorse of having denied the Lord.

Jerome recanted his recantation and went singing to his death.

When the executioner stepped behind him to kindle the flames, he cried, Come forward boldly, apply the fire before my face.

Had I been afraid, I should not be here.

The Bible position is that not every promise is for you at this time and under these circumstances.

There may be a times when God will call you to give a testimony of your life before Men, how will you fair.

“When thou walkest through the fire, Thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Huss and Jerome went to the stake not because they lacked faith, but because of their faith.

Faith still Trust God even when things don’t work out the way we want them to.

It’s easy to trust God when life is going smoothly. The real test of faith comes when our prayers seem unanswered.

The Lord would have you trust in his love and mercy amid clouds and darkness as well as in the sunshine.

To Know Him is to Trust Him

Today we have a choice; remember the Story of “Albert and Amanda Acorn”

You can take a leap of faith in Jesus and live forever, Or you can stay in your nice warm spot thinking you are alright.

But when the time comes and you are not feeling too good it might be too late to find out you have rotted from the inside.

**** Remember this. ****

KNOWING GOD RESULTS IN TRUSTING GOD.
IF YOU DON’T KNOW HIM, YOU WON’T TRUST HIM.
IF YOU DON’T TRUST HIM, IT IS BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW HIM.

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