X-Factor Or Faith?

During our Wednesday night prayer services at church, we've been in a series regarding inner peace, walking through the portions of prayer that make up the Lord's Prayer, and how to get there. This past service was on the prayer of protection and how God looks after us and the role we play, particularly as it relates to "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

It was a moving and enlightening devotional, that the end of which, allowed for a time of prayer and reflection to identify what the enemy of our souls uses against us to entice us and distract us, in an effort to thwart and throw off what God would have for our lives.

What really keeps us from stepping out an into all that God as for our lives? Whether it be mine, or yours; the pastors' or one's parents, coworkers or kids, spouse or best friend... what are the elements that conspire together to become the x-factor that stands in our way of being able to trust God that He will watch over us and take care of us in whatever circumstance we find ourselves encountering difficulty and frustration.

Is it time to confess that the x-factor is bigger than our faith?

Yesterday, as I continued to reflect on this, I was reminded of Coach Taylor, from the movie Facing The Giants. The morning of the biggest of game of his life, as he recognizes the miracle that God has worked in his life and in his football team, he essentially confesses to his wife... what if all this that has happened doesn't result in how we think it should or look like we want?

To this, his wife Brooke responds... 

"Sounds like your fear is about to collide with your faith?"

In light of #msisionsFriday, what is the x-factor that keep people from having faith in God; from acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and that His death on the Cross was His love for humanity, that we might have opportunity to be in right relationship with God? What are the obstacles and excuses for why someone wouldn't or doesn't make a decision to place their hope and trust in God regarding His plans and purposes for our lives? When fear collides with faith, should fear happen to win... what a tragedy.

Would you join me, this #missionsFriday? Pray for those whose fear, and other x-factors are standing in the way of them accepting Christ's invitation for eternal life. May faith win out, as God seeks to work His miraculous and sovereign plan in the hearts and lives of those who are His. Pray the barriers and obstacles would fall and fade away; that God's love for us is everlasting and unchanging. Pray, also, for the believer... struggling in their faith, as life overtakes and bombards. May their be a break-through in their lives; that faith would overtake their x-factor, as they too, place their trust in the hands of Almighty God, rather than the unknown that they spend so much time and energy attempting to figure out in hopes of "it all" making sense. Pray our frailty would not stand in the way of God's strength being displayed on this earth, through the lives of those whose hearts are set on Him.

May we focus on the x-factor of God,
Rather than the x-factor of our surroundings.
For with man, it won't happen,
But with God, all things are possible.
For His glory and the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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