Faith
What is faith to you?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." ~ Heb. 11:1-3
It is impossible to please God without faith. We put faith behind whatever we go to do. If you are preparing to sit in a chair, you are putting faith in that chair's ability to withhold your weight. If you are sending a text message, you are believing, by faith, that your message moves through the airwaves and is received properly by correct party to which it was sent. These are natural examples, but what about spiritual ones?
The above Scripture goes on after verse 3 to give examples of ancestors in the Lord who demonstrated extraordinary spiritual faith:
In none of the above examples did any person have concrete (tangible) proof that what they were setting out to do was going to work out. They just trusted God at His Word and moved forward. You know, God is trustworthy. You don't have to be afraid. I know, He is invisible, and your mountains are visible. However, it really doesn't matter. If God be for us, who or what can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) That is God's everlasting love for us. There is nobody or nothing that can separate us from It (Rom. 8:38-39).
There are times in everybody's life when life throws you a curve ball. A phonecall you were not expecting to have to deal with...an ache or pain that gets a person guessing or uncomfortable...a relationship gone sour and you just don't know how to deal with it...plenty of reasons to stir. However, Jesus already knew that we would have troubles in this fallen world: "In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). It does not say that we "might" have trouble, it say that we "will" have trouble. So, why would He tell us to be of good cheer when we will have troubles and tribulation?? Well, because of our faith; faith in the fact that He has overcome our troubles and our tribulations. When trouble and tribulation come, we stand firm on the Word of the Living God. Jesus Christ is the Word of God made into flesh (John 1:14). We should not allow anything...ANYTHING...to stir us from our stance in our faith. It's hard sometimes, yes indeed it is, but with man it is impossible, however, with God, ALL THINGS are possible (Matt. 19:26), amen! Don't lose faith. Don't lose heart.
We especially do not want to couple our faith with the wrong expectations. Putting our faith behind the unbiblical or ungodly thoughts that sometimes come to us is not a good idea at all. It creates an inner battle within your mind where you are trying to believe for one good thing, and fighting against believing for another bad thing. Remember, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). Instead, we must resist the wicked thoughts and put faith behind the blessed thoughts (James 4:7). As one of our old pastors used to say, "You cannot stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from making a nest in your hair." It is true. You are not responsible for the thoughts or temptations that try to come your way, but you are responsible for what you do with them. Rebuke or reject them, in the Name of Jesus. Then, continue to be of good cheer! Paul writes (under the direction of the Holy Spirit): Rejoice in the Lord always: Again I will say: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4) We have the power within us to put faith behind God's Word and His promises and not put any faith behind words spoken that do not reflect what God has said. Ephesians 3:20-21 says: "Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." That sums it up. He will do WAY above we can ask or even think in our minds...but it is according to the power that works in US...our faith.
Thank you Lord for the faith in me by Christ Jesus. You have given me the faith that I can exercise openly in accordance with Your Word. Hallelujah!
It is God Who has given us THE measure of faith (Rom. 12:3). It's powerful. Let's use it!
Blessed by Your presence, Lord...
And still exercising my faith for the everyday!
Schere :)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." ~ Heb. 11:1-3
It is impossible to please God without faith. We put faith behind whatever we go to do. If you are preparing to sit in a chair, you are putting faith in that chair's ability to withhold your weight. If you are sending a text message, you are believing, by faith, that your message moves through the airwaves and is received properly by correct party to which it was sent. These are natural examples, but what about spiritual ones?
The above Scripture goes on after verse 3 to give examples of ancestors in the Lord who demonstrated extraordinary spiritual faith:
“By
faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which
he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and
through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he
did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before
he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it
is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe
that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By
faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly
fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned
the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By
faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would
receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By
faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling
in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he
waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is
God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she
bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had
promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many
as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the
seashore." ~ Heb. 11:4-12
In none of the above examples did any person have concrete (tangible) proof that what they were setting out to do was going to work out. They just trusted God at His Word and moved forward. You know, God is trustworthy. You don't have to be afraid. I know, He is invisible, and your mountains are visible. However, it really doesn't matter. If God be for us, who or what can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) That is God's everlasting love for us. There is nobody or nothing that can separate us from It (Rom. 8:38-39).
There are times in everybody's life when life throws you a curve ball. A phonecall you were not expecting to have to deal with...an ache or pain that gets a person guessing or uncomfortable...a relationship gone sour and you just don't know how to deal with it...plenty of reasons to stir. However, Jesus already knew that we would have troubles in this fallen world: "In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). It does not say that we "might" have trouble, it say that we "will" have trouble. So, why would He tell us to be of good cheer when we will have troubles and tribulation?? Well, because of our faith; faith in the fact that He has overcome our troubles and our tribulations. When trouble and tribulation come, we stand firm on the Word of the Living God. Jesus Christ is the Word of God made into flesh (John 1:14). We should not allow anything...ANYTHING...to stir us from our stance in our faith. It's hard sometimes, yes indeed it is, but with man it is impossible, however, with God, ALL THINGS are possible (Matt. 19:26), amen! Don't lose faith. Don't lose heart.
We especially do not want to couple our faith with the wrong expectations. Putting our faith behind the unbiblical or ungodly thoughts that sometimes come to us is not a good idea at all. It creates an inner battle within your mind where you are trying to believe for one good thing, and fighting against believing for another bad thing. Remember, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). Instead, we must resist the wicked thoughts and put faith behind the blessed thoughts (James 4:7). As one of our old pastors used to say, "You cannot stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from making a nest in your hair." It is true. You are not responsible for the thoughts or temptations that try to come your way, but you are responsible for what you do with them. Rebuke or reject them, in the Name of Jesus. Then, continue to be of good cheer! Paul writes (under the direction of the Holy Spirit): Rejoice in the Lord always: Again I will say: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4) We have the power within us to put faith behind God's Word and His promises and not put any faith behind words spoken that do not reflect what God has said. Ephesians 3:20-21 says: "Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." That sums it up. He will do WAY above we can ask or even think in our minds...but it is according to the power that works in US...our faith.
Thank you Lord for the faith in me by Christ Jesus. You have given me the faith that I can exercise openly in accordance with Your Word. Hallelujah!
It is God Who has given us THE measure of faith (Rom. 12:3). It's powerful. Let's use it!
Blessed by Your presence, Lord...
And still exercising my faith for the everyday!
Schere :)
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say: Rejoice!" ~ Phil. 4:4
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have
boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no
fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But
he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first
loved us." ~ 1 John 4:17-19
**Hallelujah!!**
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