Believing, Faith and Power

If you are a believer you have been given power over the enemy of your souls.  If this is true, and it is, I wonder why so many believers seem to live like they don’t agree with this.  Is it just the times we live in or the lack of knowledge that they possess?  God’s Word says that every believer is given a measure of faith.  

It says this in Romans 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”  

It also says this in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

It also says this in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

When I think of a measure of a faith and I think of what Jesus said in Luke 17:6, “So the Lord said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.’”

The mustard seed is a very small seed when it is planted but it produces a very large tree that birds can build their nests in.  This is what should happen with faith.  The small seed is alive when it is planted, but in the right soil with its nutritional needs met, as time goes on, it becomes a large very large tree, like I said.  The same process should happen with faith; it starts out small but when nurtured in the right soil it should also grow to the point that whoever has it should end up with mountain moving faith.  If believers lack this kind of faith they will be bombarded by the enemy of their souls and have very little to defend themselves with.

In Ephesians it says this in 6:10-13, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Then it goes on to say this in verses 14-18, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Did you notice the emphasis in verse 16 where it starts out with, ‘above all?’  Every part of the armor is very important, but without the shield of faith the evil one can get his fiery darts through our defenses in the form of temptations and a host of other problems to bring devastation into our lives.  Maybe you could think of it this way; as our faith grows we have a larger shield to protect us when the fiery darts come our way.

How will we nurture our faith?  One great way to have our faith grow is by hearing the Word of God.  Read what it says in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

It is not only important to hear the Word, but we need to study the Word and ask the Lord to teach us through the precious Holy Spirit and bring all the things we are taught in the Word back to us when we need them and to help us hide them in our hearts that we might not sin against Him.  Doing these things will help you to renew your minds each day.

Another thing would be to spend time in prayer, then record all the answered prayers and let them be like stepping stones of faith.  In the process don’t forget to spend time thanking and praising the Lord.  I hope I have given you some food for thought.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a splendid day!!