A Thought on Faith

"A faith that has not been tested is a faith that cannot be trusted." - Bishop Neil C. Ellis

10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. (Psalms 66:10-12 KJV)

Excerpt from Post "How I Rebounded From a Major...Setback" by Crystal Paine

I read the following in a guest blog post on Michael Hyatt's website. The guest poster's name is Crystal Paine, and she is the blogger for Money Saving Mom. The topic of the post is rebounding from a business setback, but some of our statements also apply to rebounding from setbacks in life. I'm only posting those excerpts, so to read the post in its entirety click here.

I had to go back to the why behind what I’m doing. If I don’t know why I’m doing something, if there isn’t heart and purpose behind it, when things get tough, it will be hard to stick with it.

The past few weeks, I’ve spent time mulling over all the reasons I started MoneySavingMom.com in the first place. It wasn’t so I could build a large platform or have a thriving Facebook Page (Facebook Pages didn’t even exist when I started!).

No, it was so I could help people find practical ways to save money and ultimately, experience the freedom and blessing that comes from living with intention.

Reminding myself of the why behind the what has really changed my perspective, renewed my enthusiasm, given me a burning drive to continue on—and maybe to resurrect some of the types of posts/series that I used to write when the blog was still in its early stages.

28 For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculate the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it?
29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to complete [the building], all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him,
30 Saying, This man began to build and was not able (worth enough) to finish. (Luke 14:28-30 Amplified Bible)

It Happens a Step At a Time

I read this in a devotional on Joyce Meyer's website. It's a part of her 3030 Challenge. The challenge is to spend 30 minutes a day praying and reading God's Word for the next 30 days. To read the entire devotional click here.

Excerpt from Discipline Is Not a Dirty Word

You see, although today we can microwave a meal, there’s no such thing as “microwave Christianity.” Actually, I like to call God’s process “The Law of Gradual Growth.” Why? Because little by little, as we make right choices, He delivers us from our enemies and takes us where we need to be.

Yes, in the beginning, disciplining yourself will be difficult. It won’t feel good and you won’t like it. But every time you make a choice to do the right thing, the next time it gets a little easier. And you get one step closer to your goal.