John 8:31-21, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If you are anything like me, it seems that continuing on is the hardest thing to do at times.
We grasp the “what” of what God is saying to us. But the victory lies in the process of continuing on.
While we grasp what God is saying, we are able to run with it and experience some victory, peace, and receive some blessings. However, this is a fleeting experience. Like the sower seeds which fell on stony places.
Matthew 13:1-9, “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.”
But when we continue on to walk with Jesus, the true and lasting blessings come. We take time out to personally study the word, to meditate on that word. We seek God in prayer – without an agenda, but just to listen to him as he speaks. Then when we set ourselves to move forward we have a direction.
Our roots are strengthen and the reach deep down in the good ground or soil. We are prepared to wither any storm that dares to blow on us.
So dont get up to fast after you received a word from God. Rather, continue on to be that disciple of Christ. Continue on to know the truth. That truth will make you free, and when you are free, nothing can stop you!
Luke 8:49-50, “While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”
We must face facts, sometimes the very thing we fear, happens. Yes, we speak and proclaim by faith. We decree and declare in faith. But God is still sovereign. His will be done.
Ecclesiastes 9:11, tells us that time and chance happens to all of us.
John 9:1-3, tells us that somethings happen so that God can get the glory.
Do not think, when the worst happens, that God does not hear or answer prayer. Rather, understand that God is sovereign. Many times we want things to play out in a specific manner, but we don’t leave room for God. We don’t really take the time to ask God what his will is in the situation. Or even that his will to be done in the situation. Rather, We go straight to a prayer that more or less orders God’s hand. This is not faith, it is an attempt to manipulate God.
This type of prayer does not work.
Remember, Paul did not intend to end up in jail, but he did. Or to be ship wrecked and survive by using broken boards, but he did.
In this Covid-19 climate we live in, many of us has suffered great loss, and have allowed our faith to be shaken. But don’t give in to fear and doubt. Gird up your loins, and strengthen your faith.
We must have faith that stands in the midst of God’s sovereignty.
So, things did not play out the way you wanted. Now, what is your next step?
We must have faith that still trusts God in the midst of the worst of times. Jesus instructed “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. “
Take a deeper look at Luke 8: 51-54. We must choose carefully those who we ask to take this faith Journey with us. Out of everyone who was present when the bad/sad news came, Jesus only took a few with him to deal with the situation.
We must not be unequally yolked in our faith walk!
Dealing with this type of dire situation requires someone who is at the same or a greater faith level as we are. This work is not for the faint hearted or those who cannot believe beyond what they can see. This requires that faith of Hebrews 11:1!
Everyone who was calling it a dead situation or hopeless. Everyone who was weeping and wailing, and laughing at those who dared to still believe the report of Jesus. These are the same people who Jesus had to put out the house!
If you have people around you who refuse to see God, and believe him in spite of the worst that has happened, you must also put these people out of your way. Their faith is not at the level you need to see this thing through to the end! It is a faith thing that they cannot understand.
By removing these people, you clear the way for Jesus to speak into your situation and for life to be restored!
The Bible tells us that he that endures to the end, the same shall be saved.
We must stand and withstand every attack of the enemy, every time. Yes, there are times when we will fail and fall. But we get back up again. We don’t stay down. The Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit that dwells in us quickens us. We shake ourselves and continue to fight the good fight of faith.
So, know those who work or labor along side you. Know who is of faith and who is not. Remove who you must, but keep moving forward. God has a plan specifically for you. It will take your faith to receive and achieve.
But a lack of faith will keep you where you are. For without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). And whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).
Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Why is “Faith” so important?
By definition, faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Spiritually speaking, this someone or something is God!
Faith is so important because it is all we have to navigate through this life. It is what allows us to endure the test and trials of this life. It is our faith that allows us to endure to the end. For the Bible says, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13).
Hebrews 11:16, “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.”
Our faith is important because by using it we please God. This is why a measure of faith is given to everyone (Romans 12:3). This initial measure is to be added to and increased by the individual. We are instructed to grow from “faith to faith” (Romans 1:17).
Our faith is so important that the bible mentions several time (old and New Testament) that the just – or the redeemed of the Lord, the believer, the follower of Christ – shall live by faith!
• Romans 1:17 – “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
• Galatians 3:11 – “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
• Hebrews 10:38 – “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
Now that we understand why faith, let’s look at what faith can do, and how it touches Jesus!
Luke 8:43-48 tells the story of the woman with the issue of blood. It was the desperation of her situation that spurred on her faith. Sometimes, we go through times that are so tough, where you have exhausted everything you know to use, but yet the situation persists! It is in this place this woman found herself.
Generally, when you find yourself at this point, it is only your faith that is keeping you going. This level of desperation separates you from others. Why? Because they have not been pushed to their limit, they cannot understand the extremity of your next step!
It’s all about living by YOUR faith!
This woman heard that Jesus was coming close to her location. So she decided to go to him directly. There were many people there, so she said to herself… Stop there – this is her faith speaking “if I can just touch him, I know I can be made whole.”
She put her faith in action, and did what she believed! We all must do the same!
Here is the results of her faith: “and Jesus said, Who touched me?”
Yes, there was a throng of people around (a large crowd). Yes, many people were reaching out to touch him. However, the only touch that Jesus felt or acknowledged was the touch of faith.
It was her faith that caused the healing virtue to leave him, and enter and heal her!
2022, is the time to put your faith in action, and do what you believe. Let your faith touch Jesus, and receive whatsoever you are believing him for!
If our faith is weak, how can we strengthen and increase it?
We said earlier that we all were given a measure of faith. From that initial measure we will need to increase it as we walk further with the Lord. The Bible says that, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.
We can consider faith like a muscle. We all have them, but to make the strong and to work as they should, we must exercise them. The same with faith. To make our faith strong we must exercise it. To increase our faith, we must study the Bible, and put it into practice in our daily walk.
2022, is going to be a year of faith. It will require our faith to be strong. We are going to have to use our faith as never before! We must be in a place to endure to the end so we can be saved!
Happy New Year! This is usually time where people make resolutions for change or improvement. This year, let’s resolve to live a life that pleases and touches Jesus. By its very nature, this type of living will also over flow to those around us.
It’s time to put your faith in action – faith that touches Jesus! Go after that thing or things which are burning in your spirit. Let your faith touch Jesus!
Onward To Perfection.com 