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What Is Faith?
Faith is usually defined as a belief, confidence, or trust
in a person or thing. It is also said to be a belief not based on proof. The bible defines it as
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) What does
that mean? Well it is saying that: Presently, the conviction or belief of the truth
(relating to God's existence, Christ's salvation) is the firm foundation of the expectation of good;
the proof of what has been done- not of what can be seen by the eye or experience.
When it speaks of substance or the Greek word hupostasis , it speaks of something that has actual existence.
So faith is something real.
On what do you
place your faith on?
Whether it be God or yourself (based
on what you have or have accomplished), everyone has their trust on something. Basically, it
comes down to these two things. If it's in God, then it means everything else you have you know it's
just an added bonus. If it's on your money, your wisdom, your relationships or on how great you are, then
basically you trust in yourself. In turn making you your own Lord over your life.
"In Me I Trust". Sounds silly huh? In essence, it is what is occurring inside of you.
"No
man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (riches -personified and opposed to God, confidence
i.e. wealth, treasure)." Matt 6:24
Belief In God and Believing
God
Many are those who say they
have a belief in God or a "higher power". One of the first steps to faith is believing that God exists.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews
11:6
Does it stop there? How can it? If so many believe in God, then why do we still
see evil all around?
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble." James 2:19 So we conclude that we must go further. It is not
just believing in God but believing Him.
Over and over in the bible, are the words "The
just shall live by faith." It means that in everything we do we should do it in faith. When
we get up to go to work , we do it in faith; faith that our job will be there when we get there; faith that we will
get there and return home in health. When a homemaker who relies on the Lord wakes up to take the kids to school, take
care of the baby, clean the house, pray, study the Word, sort the mail, pay the bills, buy groceries, cook
the food, do the laundry, solve every trivial problem from 'Honey, do you know where I placed my so and so' to 'Mommy,
where's my favorite toy?'; she does so having the belief that her strength is in God alone. She knows
that He is the one who has provided her with multi-tasking skills. Whatever it is that we do, should be believing that
it is because of God that we are alive and able to enjoy the fruit of our hands. (*Let's not misuse the term, "living
by faith" by applying it to someone who refuses or chooses not to support
himself and his family by working at a job or owning their business but instead continues to rely on the government
for years and/or on "gifts" or "love offerings" from churches.* Sounds more like fleecing the flock
and the government too. )
How many times have you been overtaken in problems and situations caused by your
opinions of yourself? "I'm not good enough. I'm not smart enough. No one will miss me when
I'm gone. I'm afraid of..... I don't speak well. I'm not bold enough to do that. There
are definitely more qualified people than me for that promotion. He/she will never notice me. I'm not attractive. I will never have enough money. I can't
go back to school. I'm too old. I've had such bad experiences before that I can no longer trust. There's
no way that anyone would look beyond my criminal background. I don't do those things anymore but why should I be
forgiven and given a fresh start? I can't even forgive myself. I have been divorced and now am a single parent.
Everything goes downhill from here. I'm just so sick and tired all the time. I don't think I can ever
be healed. I need answers for my life situation. During this recession, I know I'll be next to lose my job. It's impossible
to find a good job now. I definitely will not have money to retire. I see myself working until I die!"
Do any of the above situations sound like you?
If you said yes, you may be one of many who say they believe that there is a God. Oh, but how hard it is to believe
God when He speaks the contrary to your thoughts! When He says: "For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jer
29:11
There will be some who will say that only applies to those who are of a certain religion, denomination,
sect, or one of the very few who will be "saved"; according to their view of salvation (read article
Law of Circularity) for mankind . But when the Bible is looked upon as a spiritual book and
not just stories and moral sayings, the words come to life and the promises become personal when one has a change of
mind (repentance) and turns back to their Maker after turning away from everything wicked (conversion). "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom 15:4
There are people who are against speaking words of faith, of speaking contrary to your situation, or positive confessions. If it is contrary
to what they have learned in biblical theology or systematic theology or any other theology teachings, then it is
deemed as: "heresy"(an opinion or doctrine in contrast to a set religious belief), New Age, occultic in nature,
or belonging to a cult. Yet, there is the other side; the ones who experience Godly changes in their
lives and circumstances by calling the things that are not as if they were- Knowing that speaking has power, for good
or for bad. (Read the article Word Power)
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. " Prov 18:21
Go ahead and
speak life, the life of God into your situation and you will enjoy the benefits.
"There is one who speaks
like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health." Prov
12:18
Declare healing over your mind and body. Remember that by His (Jesus) stripes
we are healed.
"A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a
man's hands will be rendered to him" Prov 12:14
Some may say that this
is not faith. How can it not be? Believing that with God all things are possible(Mat 19:26),
that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you(Phl 4:13) , that whatever we bound on
earth shall be bound in heaven, whatever we loose on earth shall be loose in heaven (Matt 18:18)in
Jesus name, can only be achieved through faith. -V.C.N.-
"He who has faith
has an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well- even though
to the world it may appear to come out most badly." B.C. Forbes.
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