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NOW FAITH IS... Heb 11:1 Just as our Father is the "I am", living always in the present, so is faith. We cannot change what has already taken place nor can we change what has not yet occured. However, we must believe that we can move the heart and hand of God with our prayers. When our prayers seem unanswered; somehow no is not considered an answer, we conclude that we do not have enough faith. Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.It would be a cruel God indeed to have given man a measure of faith that is insufficient for his request. Yet we believe that we just need more. Mar 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.Mar 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.The Lord told his disciples to have faith in God. That they must "say", "not doubt in their heart", "believe", and "ask". This implies more than just posession of an abstract concept. We all believe in gravity so we avoid jumpimg off tall buildings. Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?James tells us that faith without works is dead. It is like a seed that lies dormant. It must die to what it is to become a tree bearing fruit with many seeds that will die to bring forth more trees and so on forever. Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.The greek definition of faith pistis is conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and persuasion. The divinely implanted principle of inward confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance in God and all that He says. (Hayfords Bible Handbook) We look at faith through the eyes of our understanding which is so limited. To truly understand faith we must view it from the perspective of the One in whom we have faith. If we lack faith it is because we don't truly believe that God is all He says that He is. In the Bible the name of a person declared who they were and their destiny. God changed names when there was to be new direction in a persons life. Consider (meditate) on the names of God and search your heart. Do you really have faith in the God of the Bible? YHWH, JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, IAM WHO I AM -Nothing defines who God is But God Himself. What He says and does is who He is. Exodus 3:14 JEHOVAH-JIREH, THE LORD WILL PROVIDE - Do you trust God to provide all you need and equip you to serve Him or is your trust in your ability or paycheck? Genesis 22:14 JEHOVAH-NISSI, THE LORD IS MY BANNER - Is God your victory over all your circumstances or do you seek help from self, others, or material things? Exodus 17:15 JEHOVAH-SHALOM, THE LORD IS PEACE - Is God your peace or do you look to find peace in circumstances and significant others? Judges 6:24 JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, THE LORD IS THERE - Do you believe the Lord is always present or do you hide from Him? Ezekial 48:35 JEHOVAH-TSEBAOTH, THE LORD OF HOSTS - Do you see God as the commander-in-chief of the heavenly hosts, a great army that outnumbers your enemies? 1 Samuel 1:3 JEHOVAH-TSID KENU, THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS - Is God the sum total of all that makes you righteous or do you try to earn His favor? Jeremiah 23:5 JEHOVAH- M’KADESH, THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIES ME - Does your life reflect the 1st Adam who declared "My will not thine." or the 2nd Adam who agonized in prayer "Thy will not mine."? Leviticus 20:8 JEHOVAH-ROPHE, THE LORD WHO HEALS ME - Do you trust in The God who formed you to heal you body, soul, and spirit or would you even think He is interested in your pain? Exodus 15:26 JEHOVAH-ROHI, THE LORD WHO IS MY SHEPHERD AND GUIDE - Do you believe God orders your steps and directs your path or is their fear in your heart for the future? Psalm 23 GOD IS; SPIRIT-JOHN 4:24, CHANGELESS-HEBREWS 1:12, ALL-POWERFUL-GENESIS 18:14, ALL-KNOWING AND UNLIMITED-ROMANS 11:33-36, EVERYWHERE-PSALM 139:7-12, ETERNAL-REVELATION 1:8, HOLY-1 PETER 1:16, LOVE-1 JOHN 4:8, WISDOM-1TIMOTHY 1:17. OUR FATHER-MATTHEW 6:9 II CORINTHIANS 10:14-18 AMEN |
