The Just Shall Live by Faith

We Have No Choice

“Signals of Heaven” by Myra Alibrando (one-hour painting just for this devotional)

Many Journals

A year and a half after becoming a widower, I decided to throw away more than 30 handwritten journals in those old-style Composition books we used in school. I thought to myself "If I have nothing better to do than read what I was thinking in my twenties, thirties, and forties, that would be too sad. 

Live Streaming Ahead

It is a good thing to stop being a museum curator of your old experiences. Look up and forward to new experiences that are positive, wise, and provides a genuine sense of growth. 

Not According to Plans

When I was considering writing a Substack weekly devotional series, a year ago, I motivated myself with the light under a bushel parable (Matthew 5:14-16). "Why not share my journaling?" I thought.

It turns out I can't do it. While my journaling is spontaneous and random with some real inspiration occasionally, it’s different having readers. Knowing I am sharing ... I have to edit. I have to see me sticking to the subject. I have to see some kind of take-away for readers. I must provide scripture references so readers know I'm not sharing thoughts contrary to scripture. 

I have read articles and devotionals from others that have inspired me to NOT be so willing to share uninspiring words. Last week I rewrote a basic devotional 4 times. This was not just edited, but major edits and deletions and new thoughts inserted. 

This week I temporarily lost my original ideas and then started writing this one.

Life is for Amateurs Like Us

We may be unsure if we should change direction or be more determined. Which is the best quality choice: flexibility or determination? Courage to leave or courage to stay?

My whole life I have planned on success but my whole life has usually taken different directions than planned. Sometimes I fought for what I wanted, and sometimes I fought for a better attitude. 

No Downside to a Good Attitude

A great attitude goes much farther and is so much more consistent. Honestly, a good attitude does not make you accept failure. Anger and pride may motivate some real progress but only God can resurrect us to receive all of His great promises. He is the One we listen to if eternity is important. 

Leaving the Movie Before the Ending

So many in life, and also in the Bible, accuse God of allowing injusitce, of not protecting the weak and innocent, of not providing, of not healing and such things. This is like walking out of a movie before the ending. God promises to end everything with justice for the wicked and mercy for the humbly repentant that believe on Christ. You think you are super patient waiting for God's promises in your lifetime? Witness how long God has been betrayed, abandoned, and mocked by His own creation and His own people. Thousands of years, God continues to patiently win more of us to a redemption future.

“. . . Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

At age 71, for the first time, the verse "The just shall live by faith" has become so wonderfully plain to me.

“. . . a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17

The Poorest Salesman

I explained to my wife today how when I was a young salesman I refused to lie to people to make sales. My fellow salesmen and my manager presented their income evidence of why I was wrong. They were right about me not having any tangible proof of why telling the truth was more profitable than their lying. 

This would be true for anyone who subscribes to telling the truth even when it hurts or keeps a promise even though the other person is dishonorable.

Psalm 15 has only 5 verses and it describes a righteous man.

The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; Psalm 15:2-3

The fact is "I had been believing" what was the right thing to do. I could not show you, but I still believed it.

I believe God will reward me and I don't want God against me.

I believe somehow, doing the right thing is the best thing.

See? It is all air and faith and now I get it: The just shall live by faith"

But Now, Tangible Blessings 

I have clients who have been with me for decades and referred others to me because they rightfully trusted me, and still do. 

Those dishonest sales people made their money with lies and in a few weeks that money was gone. Those people they cheated sure didn’t come back for more. Faithfulness grows deep roots. 

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.  Proverbs 22:1

We see corruption in the world and lying industries deceive millions while earning billions. 

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.

The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. Psalm 37:10-13

If you believe this, you will keep doing right, but you will have to live by faith.

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