FAITH

The subject of faith can take us down many paths, here's one.

The Bible tells us in James that "faith without works is dead" or barren, or unfruitful. Then we are told in Hebrews that "without faith it is impossilbe to please God". Indeed faith is an important subject, something we need to understand and grow in.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)

The faith that Noah had caused an action, he moved, he prepared, he did something becasue of what he believed. It took many years to build the Ark, a good share fo his life, but because of what and whom he believed he stayed with it. Let me make this statement, "If what you say you believe does not effect what you do, you really don't believe it".

Notice James said, "faith without works is dead", he didn't say faith without manifestations, there is a big difference. Many times we are tempted to be discouraged when we excersize our faith and the manifestation doesn't come to pass as we had hoped. Faith isn't always about the manifestation that we want, but it is always about pleasing God. If you read the whole chapter of Hebrews 11 you will find that there are those who were "destitue, living in caves, and sawn asunder". Those aren't the usual manifestations we would expect to be associated with "productive faith", but God was pleased enough with their work of faith to record them in the Bible. In short I think it is safe to say that God is more interested in the Work of our faith, in our trusting of Him than in the manifestations our faith produces. That is not to say that He doesn't want us to have all that he has promised us or that we should not pursue the dreams He has put in our hearts. It is just that faith is about trusting our Father and obediently living our lives for Him and His purposes not just getting things from Him. It's a matter of priorities.

God is pleased with us as we use our faith even if we sink like Peter. Mt 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (KJV) When you stop and think about it that doesn't sound like some scathing rebuke, but like a father reaching out to a toddler who is learning to walk. If Jesus were that upset with Peter He might have called him a "viper" or "white washed seplechure", I am sure Jesus knew how to say what He meant. No I think it was more like "dude, you can always trust me" .. my paraphrase. I believe everytime you step out in faith Jesus and the Father look down on you and say, "look at him or look at her go". Jesus is Your great High Priest and your intercessor, I think it is safe to say He is your greatest fan.

Go for it. The Lord is on your side, who can stand against you?

SELAH