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Scripture:
"Now that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do
not see" Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Observation:
Faith is a gift of God and its origin is in Jesus not in human
willpower.
According to Roman 12:3 NIV "For by the grace given me I say to every one of
you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of
yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed
to each of you."
Our faith comes from God and it is a gift which God distributed it to each of
us. The question is, how will our faith grow deeper and what's the importance
of faith? That question was already answered by JESUS CHRIST because he is our
great example of faith. But there were also people of great faith that were
mentioned in the bible.
For example, Abraham didn't even know the destination of his journey but he
solely relied on and obeyed God's instructions. His obedience was greatly
shown when he was tested to offer his son, Isaac as a sacrifice.
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, because of her faith she was able to give birth to
Isaac in her old age. Another one is Noah. He built a big boat in the middle
of dry land-he obeyed by faith. Moses, grew up as a wealthy son of Pharaoh's
daughter, but he chose to side with the people of God rather than enjoying the
pleasure of sin. Daniel's life was endangered by a pack of lions but God saved
him.
Another is Peter, the apostle of Jesus. He left his comfort zone (which is his
boat-his security and his livelihood) when he saw Jesus walking through the
water and followed Jesus on the top of the water and that's faith. Peter
followed Jesus even when he is in his comfort but he chose to follow Jesus
setting aside his comfort.
The (Roman) Army officer asked Jesus to only speak the word in order for his
servant to get well without the need to ask for Jesus to come to his
house-thru Jesus's spoken words alone is enough.
By obeying what Jesus said is an act of Faith.
Among those people in the bible, the most important and greatest example is
Jesus himself, who came to earth fully God, and fully man.
It is God's will that we are to be saved from our sin through Jesus and be set
as an example for us of what a true faithful child of God is.
It's not fair to compare the life of Jesus with our lives because He is the
Son of God and we are a human being but still but remember Jesus came to earth
as a human being like us also tempted by the devil but He trusted the Father
amidst those temptations offered by the devil.
Through that, we learn to overcome those temptations by relying on God solely
as it was written in Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For
it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’
Even the storm at sea he was able to stop because of His faith to the Father.
Jesus praying to the Father, that only the will of the Father and not of his
will. Even the will of His death and taking the cross, He did it all for the
will of his Father, that's faith. And that, He saved us from eternal death.
Through that, He cleansed us of our sins thru His blood on the cross- He made
a sacrifice for us. To receive that promise (and gift), God is calling
us to surrender our life to Him and repent of our sins unto Him.
From the beginning, we are sinners in the first place.
Brothers and sisters, repent.
Through that by His grace, we accept His gift through faith.
Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this
is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one
can boast."
And many more if we meditate and study to the life of Jesus we where more
amazingly learn who Jesus is and that's by faith. The more we study Him (and
His Word) the more we increase our faith which comes from Himself, our source
of faith. We nourish and deepen our faith through God's word. Have Faith in
the Lord your God and you will be upheld 2 Chronicles 20:20
2 Corinthians 5:7 said "We walk by faith, not by sight"
And that's the deep and genuine faith in God, even though we cannot see him
even before we created him he just give us a gift and that's faith. Faith is a
continuous walk with GOD its not instantly one click or time it
continually gaining and growing thru our relationship with him.
God is our Hope.
[He has a plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11 said For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future"]
That's our purpose- to trust him, worship him even though we cannot see him;
that's a genuine relationship with God.
That's Faith.
"For we Walk with Faith not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
Application:
Many times in this world, we lose our confidence (in ourselves and in God),
bringing us down and making us fall to sin; even though we lose our hope, that
can cause giving up to those trials especially right now we are on the midst
of the pandemic. There some trials that came: loss of jobs, bankruptcy,
restriction to movement, career, loss of loved ones, and sickness.
Points of Faith
1. Believe there is God
God Created Heaven and Earth. Believe that God created us. It was proven and
written in the Bible. At the Genesis. The Beginning. And not basically based
on science but because of faith.
2. Follow God
Now that you believe you follow him now. You repent and surrender your
life to God that God has chosen you to follow Jesus his son as your savior.
because of faith
3. Accept and Receive God's Gift
You accepting God's Gift and the promises of him the Grace of Salvation that
God victoriously did upon that cross you are saved [because of your faith].
4. Knowing, Listening, and Reading from God's Word.
Because of your Faith you are now knowing, studying, meditating
understanding, and applying God's word because of faith.
5. Listening to the people of God
Continually you are now listening to the people appointed by God and for his
purpose to deliver the message of God. There was a situation you be offended
by your brother but (because of) God alone you can easily forgive that's
because of faith. God put you close together because of faith we have
fellowship not just for friends but became a family of God. That's faith and
came from you it's from God.
(Pastors, Leaders, Brothers and sister, Family)
6. Listening using new modern equipment (Podcast, online activity
about God)
"Faith has driven you for a new lifestyle "
It becomes your habit. That's why you are here watching online devotion using
new technology because of the faith that God has given you that's
why we have those online activities because of the faith that has been given
to those called to organize this [and provide this because of faith]
7. Learning to talk with God through Prayer.
You are now Communicating to ask God thru prayer because of Faith we connect
to God. Thru prayers even we cannot see him because that's is faith
8. Learn that those things you're receiving come from God
You now experience the joy, peace, hope, perseverance, and blessings
from God and you became thankful to God that those are because of Faith (it's
because of what God is doing and continue doing). Be thankful to God that
those situations or uncertainties you victoriously passed it all even how many
storms that Jesus happen when he into the storm.
Matthew 8:23-27 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed
him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves
swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him,
saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little
faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the
waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind
of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
9. Sharing your faith with others.
This is the most genuine part that what faith is but if you will see your
naked eye it's totally hard to share what you cannot see, but by faith, we can
easily share those things we experience with God even though we cannot see him
before but thru Faith, we experience His presence everywhere through his Word.
That's how wonderful God is. That's why I am sharing this devotion is because
of faith, faith alone.
It is not about me. It is about Jesus who made me and reward me the gift even
though I don't deserve. You bear fruits because of Jesus whom you put your
faith into.
And that's the GREAT COMMISSION JESUS said in Mathew 28:18-20
"Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on Earth has
been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit l, and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always
to the very end of the age.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8
Photo by: Brett Sayles
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