Welcome

Welcome to Firmly Grounded, the blog that is designed to tickle your tastebuds and energize your passion for Truth! Join me on a wonderful journey of spiritual growth through devotion, discussion, and personal testimony. Often I will use quotes from something I have read, or I may just share something I receive during my personal quiet time.

Start your morning with the aroma of firmly grounded faith and a latte of heaven!

Now for today's shot of flavor:

For my first post, I would like to quote something I read in the outline for the class which inspired this blog. I love how my professor gives us devotionals for each class.

Today's Scripture: Psalms 78-83

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

One of the greatest hindrances to the people of God is longing for "the good old days." Why? Because in the midst of a faith journey, whenever we look back and long for the comfort and security of things gone by, we limit God. We see this in Psalm 78 where we read that in the desert the children of Israel "turned back and tempted [tested] God, and limited the Holy One of Israel" (78:41, KJV).

How on earth could someone limit an all-powerful God? Could a person stand on a railroad track and limit the progress of an oncoming freight train by holding out his hand to stop it? Yet the psalmist tells us these people whom God was leading through the wilderness were actually able to limit Him. For one thing, they despised the food God gave them and longed for the leeks and garlic of Egypt. By that act,they claimed they knew better than God what was good for them. God was fulfilling His promise to feed them, but they wanted a more interesting menu.

Pride and rebellion became a way of life as they doubted God's power and ridiculed His wisdom. They were constant grumblers because God did not always grant their desires. That was Israel's sin.

One lesson from this passage comes forth loud and clear. We had better stop arguing with God, even if our argument seems more logical than what He has revealed. When God calls us to move ahead in faith, let us not hang back in fear, clinging to a comfortable memory of the past. ( Oliver Dossman, Information Systems in the Workplace Student Guide)

One thing Professor Dossman mentions that really grabs my attention, is the part about our argument seeming more logical than what God has revealed. So often human logic out of balance with faith can stunt a Christian's growth. It can even keep the lost from accepting salvation which can only be received through faith (Romans 3:22, 5:1, Gal. 3:14, Eph. 2:8) ...like a child.

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." He isn't saying we should be immature, but that our faith should be like a child...completely trusting. Faith is believing in what we cannot necessarily see, touch, taste, or feel. So the paradox here is that maturity requires that we trust as if we are children.

There is only one sure way to understand the Truths written in the Holy Scriptures. They are inspired by God (2Tim. 3:16). Therefore, God reveals Himself to us through His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:4-6, John 14:26). Human logic is good and should be used as long as it doesn't prevent Godly wisdom (which more often than not, appears illogical to the human mind) from moving us forward. Does fear of using "uncommon" sense keep you from moving forward in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ?