Faith

Faith - [feyth] noun

• Confidence or trust in a person or thing
• Belief that is not based on proof
• Belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion
• Belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc
• A system of religious belief

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/faith

Looking at this definition of faith I am moved to consider the difference between what humans refer to as faith (the bottom three) and what God says faith is (the top two).

We as humans in general and “Christians” in specific, often wonder why we can’t overcome the difficulties of life or why overcoming has to be so difficult. There are many examples of instantaneous healing and deliverance in the bible (please read below) which were the result of faith. But my favorite one is in Matthew 14 not only because it shows where our faith should be, but also because it shows how quickly Jesus responds when we cry out to Him.:

Matthew 14:23-32 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

I love this story because it pertains not just to a specific event, but to the way we live our lives out as Christians. Jesus was just being what He is and Peter wanted badly to be just like Him. He believed enough to get out of the boat but once he got into the rough water he faltered. How many times do we do that? Peter did not begin to sink until his focus was turned from Jesus to the storm around him. Once he realized his predicament though he did what we should all do, he made the conscious decision to change his focus from the storm and refocused on Jesus. As soon as he did this and asked Jesus to save him, Jesus brought him out of the storm and back to the safety of the boat and the storm subsided.

We, as true Christian believers, have the choice to believe in what we see in the natural (the storm around us) or to believe in the power of Jesus over the storm (faith). Which will we choose is the question. Will we choose to feel sorry for ourselves and allow satan to run our lives or will we choose to have faith to overcome the storm? Will we cry or cry out to Jesus? Will we have faith to step out and serve God or will we succumb to fear and let our testimony be compromised? Will we choose to believe man’s doctrine (religion) which might say miracles of faith were only performed by Jesus and cannot be replicated by men or do we believe Jesus when He said we would do greater works than He did? John 14:12 says “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:11-13 (in Context)

I know I am not perfect or all powerful, but I believe in the One who is. I believe we can accomplish anything we set out to do as long as it lines up with the Word of God and we do not attempt to do it in our own power but in the power provided to us by the Holy Spirit through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. What do you believe?

Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, mercy and love,

L

John 1:6-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Habakkuk 2:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

4 “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

 

John 3:36 New King James Version (NKJV)

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Romans 1:16, 17 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Hebrews 10:26-11:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

37 “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

  11 

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 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.

Psalm 56:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, 13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

Hebrews 11:32-35 New King James Version (NKJV)

32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Acts 14:9-10 New King James Version (NKJV)

9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

Matthew 9:22
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. 

Mark 5:34
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 

Mark 10:52
Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Luke 7:50
Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” 

Luke 8:48
And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Luke 17:19
And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”  

Luke 18:42
Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”  

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 

Mark 5:34
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 

Luke 18:42
Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”