Wednesday, October 8, 2008

We Live By Faith Not By Sight


WE LIVE BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT
What is the difference between living by faith and living by sight (senses)? Let us illustrate the examples of each one to see their differences. To live by sight (or senses) is to live in this physical world with all its physical realities. We use our five senses, our own strength, our own resources, our connections, our human intelligence and our inter social activities with other people. We live by the standards set forth by man. When we get sick we see our doctor and take the prescribed medicines. We breathe, we live and die by the standards of men.

Not so with those who live by faith. They live by the standards of God. They cling to God's promises even if the physical reality says otherwise. They cling to the very idea that all things are possible with God. They have surrendered their will to God and have let God have a free reign in their lives.

Let me illustrate this with my own personal example to see how God works with individual persons. My eldest sister had recurring hypertension for just a little over two years and had diligently taken her prescribed medicines. When her finances got strained, she failed to take them for about a week. She got a massive stroke that almost resulted in her death. She was confined at the intensive care unit of a hospital for two months. Lately when I visited her, she was so emaciated and could no longer talk. She had her eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. I have a brother in the province whom I was not even aware had diabetes like me. It was probably very recent only. I was shocked to hear that his right leg was already amputated because of his diabetes.

Then I consider God's protection and guidance over me. I have hypertension for more than 20 years now and diabetes for about 10 years and have been in the valley of the shadow of death so many times that I lost count already. It has been two years since I last saw a doctor although I am regularly taking my prescribed hypertension and diabetes medicines. I was scheduled for three major operations two years ago which did not push through due to some problems. After all those years, I am still alive and relatively healthy to give glory to God and becoming a living testimony to His goodness and grace. Not that I commend myself for what I am doing but I am giving all the praises and glory to my living God who provides for all my needs and have never left me nor forsaken me. TO HIM BE GLORY, HONOR, PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING FOREVERMORE.



Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Living By Faith, Live By Sight, Living Faith, Grace, Trust in The Lord

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

14 comments:

Darlyn said...

you experience a lot of trials but i am happy to heard that you survive and keep believing that there is GOD who always take care and love you..

yeah living by faith is not as easy as we say it, we encounter a lot of trials but we are happy to defeat them all. indeed, God is good all the time..

Cheers!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Darlyn,
Thank you so much for your very kind words but as always, TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Thanks for your visit and comments my young friend. God bless you always.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your testimony. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on our own understanding" is also related to this post , "To live by faith and not by sight."
Praise God!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Bingkee,
Thanks for the quotation. That is also one of my favorite Bible verse. You might notice that most of my posts are on God and His righteousness, and things that are inspirational. That is the rationale for this blog. I try to come out with specific themes for each of my blogs so that I can target individual niches in the blog world. I learn that from marketing techniques. Thanks for your visit and inspired comments. God bless you and your loved ones always. I pray that the Lord will finally bless you with your dream baby.

Anonymous said...

Life is a story and we have to play our roles no matter we like it or not.
:)

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Hobo,
Thanks for the visit and the profound comments. God bless.

Anonymous said...

you're one man of faith. may God give you the desires of your heart for yourself, your family and your relatives. God is faithful. He will fulfill His promises to you and your family. I know He will. I'm also expecting God for my miracle.

God bless you, dear bro.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Pia,
Thanks for the comforting words but TO GOD BE THE GLORY. You know, we are both buffeted by the enemy but we have to be strong for our loved ones and for those who are reading us. You are one of those who has always given me strength and I want to thank you so much for that. God bless you always my dear friend.

Tey said...

we fear for something and everytime we have fear in our heart, it's an indication of lost faith. I feel bad sometimes for fearing about alot of things in life. But I am glad that I grow up and learn a lot of things in life, I have more faith now than ever
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Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Tey,
With what's happening in the world right now, we have to have great faith so that we will not weaken spiritually. Thanks for your visit and inspired comments. God bless you always my friend.

SeaSpray said...

God is certainly with you Mel. You always write such inspirational posts. :)

God bless you and your family. :)

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Seaspray,
Thanks for the compliment but TO GOD BE THE GLORY. How are you? I hope you are better now. I am praying for your total healing. Thanks for your visit and wonderful comments. God bless you and your loved ones always.

escape said...

i can see how bold you are in your faith. may everyone share the same thing specially bloggers.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

HI The Dong,
Thank you so much for the compliment but TO GOD BE THE GLORY. God bless you always.


"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 4:7b)

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