2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4102
Faith: belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness
From the Greek word 'pistis' (pronounced pis'-tis): God's divine persuasion
FAITH IS A GIFT
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
FAITH BELIEVES WHAT IT CANNOT SEE
Romans 8:24
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Galatians 3:2
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
FAITH SAVES US
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God.
FAITH SHIELDS US
1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Ephesians 6:16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
FAITH INCREASES
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
Faith is more than a denominational description; it is a precious gift from God to those who are ready to receive it and willing to accept it. God gives each one who is ready and willing a 'measure of faith' in the beginning of our journey of learning to lean on Him. It is up to us to exercise our faith that it may grow, that we may grow and reach new levels of grace as we walk in the Word, in the Way of Holiness.
In order for our faith to increase we must exercise it -- put it to use, act on it. What is God calling you to do that you are hesitant to do? Maybe it's that first step towards the salvation God is proffering you. The Spirit is calling you, tugging at your heart. Hear the Word of the Lord. Kneel where you are, confess your sins before God and receive that measure of Faith which God has in store for you.
Take that next step and be water baptized. This is when you make your salvation public - in the presence of people who know who you are and what kind of person you are - publicly proclaiming that Now you Belong to Christ and Christ belongs to you.
TESTED FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Keep walking. Take that third step and receive the baptism of God's Holy Spirit who will empower you to walk in and by Faith until you reach the perfection which God has ordained for you.
If you have already taken these three primary steps, you are halfway home. You see the Light from afar which the Father has left on for us, to guide us home. You have chosen the old, narrow path which meanders over hills, through valleys, near streams and cuts through fields.
Hear the Word of the Lord. Continue to let Faith be the measure by which you live your life in Christ. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God's Word to us as we read it daily. As the Israelites received the mana from heaven on a daily basis, so, too, do we receive heavenly mana from heaven when we read and study out what God is saying to us in His Word.
Do we eat a lifetime of meals in one sitting? Not hardly. Neither can we understand what God is doing in us, for us and through us all in one study or reading. This is allowing Faith to grow in us, whether we are new believers in Christ or steadfast believers in Christ.
LITTLE FAITH GETS THINGS DONE
Matthew 17:20
"Because you have so little faith," He answered. "For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
So, let's take out that small measure of Faith which God has given to each believer and put it into action. He has called each of us to share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ and that is just what I do every day. I share it with you here. I share it when I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am able to share the gospel because I study His Word every day that my well would be full of the Living Water. How can I share the Living Water with you, unless I first have It in me? We can't draw water from an empty, dry well. I have put my faith in action. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come". So, I'm calling you to come to the well and drink deeply.
Spirit of God - Canyon Hills Worship
Abide In Me - Andrew Marcus
Belong To You - Here Be Lions
Your Word - Awakening Music
Surrounded - UPPERROOM
Speak To The Mountains - Chris McClarney
Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship
Spirit Move - Bethel Music
WaveWalker - Citizen Way
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