How to increase, or strengthen our faith.

Leon ♦ June 23, 2016 ♦ Leave a comment

God wants us to trust him, and his promises. Hebrews 11:6 “ 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.” We cannot please God without faith. Faith in Jesus is the bedrock of our salvation. The power of God, and the Holy Spirit, is released through faith. Mark 11:22-23 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 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.” This verse not only describes what can be done with faith, it tells us how to use it. First Jesus tells us to have faith in God. When we read the Holy Bible, we need to be aware of how many times God came through for the person, or people, he was dealing with. God wants to teach his children, like any parent would, to be able to do things for themselves. God wants us to take off the training wheels on our bike. He does not want to follow us around, holding onto the back seat forever, as we pedal. Notice Jesus said, “whosoever shall SAY, onto this mountain, be thou removed.” We must use our words, to speak to our problems, or the problems of others. Next Jesus says, we must not doubt, but believe those things we Say, they will come to pass. The term, come to pass, is not an expression of immediacy, but denotes a thought of patience, or waiting. James 1: 3-4  ^“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

   We have had an infestation of stink bugs in our home this spring and summer. I have tried everything to get rid of them. One day I was fed up, and almost without thinking yelled, “In the name of Jesus, stink bugs leave this house now, and don’t return.” I was surprised that I had waited so long, to speak to this problem. I noticed they were still around a few days latter. Perhaps worse then ever! Well I guess they were coming out from their hiding places, because after about a week they were all gone! Some things I have spoken to, in Jesus name , have manifest themselves almost immediately, and a few other things, I have been waiting on for years. James states, the trying of our faith works patience. Use your faith correctly, and it will increase. Romans 4:17 ^“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Paul here is speaking about Abraham. God called Abraham a father of many nations, long before he had any children. And Abraham continued to believe God, and his promise, long into his old age. We need to hold onto, and wrestle with the things we are believing for. Jacob wrestled all night with an angel, and declared, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Genesis 32. Finally, don’t waste your faith on things of this world. A house in Florida, a cottage by the lake, the newest car, or fanciest cell phone. James 4:3  ^“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” Remember it is more blessed to give, then receive. Read the Holy Bible, write down God’s promises to those who have received Jesus, as their Lord and Savior. If you have, all God’s promises in the Old and New testament are yours! You are a child of God. Paul wrote, Romans 10:17 ^“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Read God’s word. Hunt for the power and blessing you have been given, when you became a part of the family of God, like you would hunt for gold or silver! God’s promises and blessings are more precious then all the gold and silver in the world. Trust in God and be patient, and your faith will increase.