"Faith"
By Michelle Ragland
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1; 11:6
Definitions: Webster's American Collegiate Dictionary
"Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."(Hebrews 11:1)
Faith > a confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing. 2) Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
4) Belief and trust in God!!!
Other words that symbolize faith or the acting of faith:
Faithful, Loyal, true, constant, steadfast, staunch, resolute, devoted, trustworthy.
These adjectives mean: Firm, unchanging in attachment to a person, cause or the like,
Faithful> a long undeviating devotion.
Now that we have gotten that tidbit of information out of the way let us see how this applies to the body of believers:
If faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, than it means we must be expecting something that we can't see(physically or for years to come) in order to have faith in it! Jesus said to His disciples "blessed are those who believe but have not seen", in regards to the unbelief of the disciples who were with him at the time but still did not understand the magnitude of His purpose and destiny. Even after Jesus went to the cross, was resurrected and appeared to the disciples, Thomas (whom they call doubting Thomas) said until he can see the nail prints in His hands(Jesus) and the holes in His feet he would not believe. Now Jesus had taught them while they were learning all things from Him about His death and resurrection and they (some of them) still did not understand until He was face to face with them and they could see the manifestation of the word. Now Faith, says we are blessed because we believe and have not seen, maybe will never see or experience, but because we trust the word of God we have a spirit of expectation of the promise.
Faith drives prayer, because without faith there is no reason to pray, no reason to study to show ourselves approved unto the God of our Salvation, matter of fact there would be no Salvation because we are saved by faith.
"But without Faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must come believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."(Hebrews 11:6)
If Faith is needed to please God that means again that it is an action that is without the evidence of physical manifestation. You just do it! We have not seen Jesus because we not on this earth at the time of his physical existence, but we believe in Him. That's Faith! We didn't see any of the acts in the bible happen or witness any of the miracles but we have a belief and trust in God. If we can trust the people at our place of employment to have our paychecks according to the time we have worked, to be there tomorrow, to pay us retirement when we retire, and to cover their part of our insurance then why can't we put our trust in God for lifestyle changes, health, deliverance, and freedom?
In Abrahams day, He was considered blessed by God according to his Faith and his faithfulness (look at the definition of faithful), that was before Jesus, then there was Paul who after his conversion experience he built many churches and had steadfast faith (another example of faithfulness), that was after Jesus. These two are examples of faithfulness and strength( getting to my next point), which means that the faith of the saints of old is the same faith saints need to exhibit today.
"The Strong must bare the infirmities of the weak."
Those in the church that have steadfast faith, that are prayerful, study and have compassion for God's people, must lift up and nurture those in the body that are babes. You can't keep the nutrients from the meat of the word to yourself, but you must spread the wealth and wisdom of God's word to those He directs you to. We have come so wrapped up in ourselves and the lives of our families that we have forgotten the community of believers that we are commanded by God to also encourage, educate and inspire by the word of God. I have been called a devil, unspiritual, and only God knows what else just because I desire to please God by spreading the essence of word as He directs me. "My people are destroyed because they lack knowledge" the word says, and where does wisdom come from? The Holy Spirit of God, the comforter, the one who leads and guides you in all truth.
There are people hurting, walking around in pain everywhere especially in the church. They don't know what to do to get out of their situation or they know the scriptures to read but not how to apply them to their lives.
We believe God for STUFF, materialistic things but not for lifestyle changes, not for healing or deliverance, we don't seem to have enough faith or power for that. That is probably why we are walking around with cancer, addicted to drugs & alcohol, marriages busted up, families fighting against each other, separation in the church, people fighting against the spirit of depression……. The strong must bare the infirmities of the weak. We want all that God can give us that can be placed in our hands, but healing is what we need, deliverance is what our soul is crying out for.
If you have faith enough to pray, than you can lay all your problems at the feet of Jesus and healing will come, if you begin to worship Him for what has done for you through His Son Jesus, Deliverance will come now.
Be healed through faith from that cursing demon, the spirit of confusion, the spirit of Homosexuality, disobedience to God, wrath, un-forgiveness whatever you are struggling with.
Prayer:
Holy, merciful and great God, God of wisdom, Power and Dominion, thank you for your protection, grace and mercy, for wisdom and understanding of your word, oH God, and Thank You for Your Son Jesus who died for me on the Cross. Lord forgive me for anything that is in my heart and is not pleasing to you and help me that I may live out the wisdom of your word that you may be glorified. Help me Lord that I may submit myself to you and be an encourager to others, lifting them up to you in prayer, and being a nurturer through your unconditional love, in your son Jesus name ,Amen.
