How Strong is Your Faith
Covid has created many changes in our world. Many people have been afraid to leave their homes, to eat out at a restaurant, or even to attend church. God does not want us to live a life that is controlled by fear. Many peoples’ faith has been challenged and shaken. We are not to forsake fathering together for worship. We draw strength from each other as we study and share with each other.
In Hebrews we read… “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”… “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible”… “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Believing that God exists is only the beginning, The Bible tells us that even the demons believe in God and they tremble. God will not settle for mere acknowledgment of His existence. He wants a personal dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life. Those who seek God will find that they are rewarded with His intimate presence.
James 2:14-17 says “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts, If our lives remain unchanged, we don’t truly believe the truths we claim to believe. We cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying God. But such actions show that our commitment to God is real. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of our faith in Christ.
It seems that in today’s world believers are being judged and accused when we stand up against things like abortion and homosexuality. As you obey God don’t be surprised if others regard you as “different.” Your obedience makes their disobedience stand out. Noah experienced rejection because he was different from his neighbors. God commanded him to build a huge boat in the middle of dray land, and although God’s command seemed foolish, Noah obeyed, As a result he and his family were saved through the flood.
One of the evidences of a Spirit filled life is faith. The just shall live by faith. Abraham was willing to give up his son when God commanded him to do so. God did not let Abraham take Isaac’s live because God had given the command in order to test Abraham’s faith. Instead of taking Abraham’s son, God gave Abraham a whole nation of descendants through Isaac. If you are afraid to trust God with your most prized possession, dream, or person, pay attention to Abraham’s example. Because he received back more than he could have imagined.
Moses’ parents trusted God to protect their son’s life. They were not merely proud parents, they were believers who had faith that God would care for him. As a parent have you trusted God enough to take care of your children? God has a plan for every person, and your important task is to pray for your children and prepare them to do the work God has planned for them to do. Faith allows us to entrust even our children to God.
Satan is alive and prowling about looking to see who he can devour. We need to put on the whole armor of God that we may resist his temptations and be strong enough to stand up against him. It is important that we read and study God’s Word so that we will recognize the false prophets who are misleading the people. We need to pray for wisdom and discernment so that we will know the truth and not be misguided by the false news.
In Mathew 17 the disciples were unable to drive out a demon that had possessed a young boy. They asked Jesus why. He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Even small or undeveloped faith would have been sufficient. Perhaps the disciples had tried to drive out the demons with their own ability rather than God’s. There is great power in even a little faith when God is with us. If we feel weak or powerless as Christians, we should examine our faith, making sure we are trusting not in our own abilities to produce results, but In God’s abilities.
Nany Jones, Spiritual Ministry Team Member