Contagious Faith

Did you ever meditate on the reasons Jesus drew such great crowds of people to himself?  I think if you have pondered this, you came to the conclusion that there was more than one reason.  Some came to be fed, others came to be healed, others on behalf of a friend and their needs, still others for His teachings and I also believe that many came to Him because of His contagious faith.

Have you ever been around someone that had a contagious faith and regardless of their circumstances or situations they stayed faithful and encouraging, always having a kind word to say and when they prayed they prayed with conviction and their prayers seemed genuine and not just for show, as many seem to be?  These are the kind of people that you can tell have spent time with Jesus, they try to bring the best out in others and try very hard not to make others feel inferior to them.  They just out and out love God and love their neighbors and express it in all kinds of ways.  They are always truthful no matter the outcome, not intentionally trying to hurt anyone and always ready to repent when needed, keeping short accounts with God.  If you think about it, I am expressing the attributes of Jesus except He never had to repent because He never sinned.  These kinds of people are a pleasure to be around and it was the same with Jesus.

I would like to say this describes me but I would be lying, although I can truthfully say that this is the kind of person I would love to be and that I am pursuing this kind of lifestyle.  It seems like I can demonstrate some of these attributes at times but not near as consistently as I would love to.  There are many other attributes that the Lord has that I didn’t mention above and my desire is to have and express all of them.  I am sure if you are a believer you would desire all of them also.

The good news is that we were all created in God’s image and likeness and God’s Word says this in Psalms 139:14-18:

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.

When I awake, I am still with You.”

I am in a pursuit of rediscovering the Lord.  I have been walking with the Lord many years and have let a lot of worldly baggage attach itself to me and it has marred my way of thinking and I have become very negative which I have repented of but it has cost me some needed growth.  This can happen to any of us, but when the Lord shows us the errors of our ways we should repent and confess and seek the Lord’s forgiveness then maybe step back and seek to rediscover the Lord.  Sometimes we may think we have the Christian life and the Lord somewhat figured out, then we find out that we have only scratched the surface.  

I have read and studied the Word for around 34 years.  I started out with a pretty strong faith and have seen prayers answered and received many blessings and have been very excited, but as time went on I have finally realized that I have started to depend more on myself than I have the Lord, which has hindered my faith and growth, to my shame.  Deception is easy to swallow in small increments; you don’t even realize that it is happening.  I used to think I had a fairly contagious faith a few years ago but because of my bad choices my light doesn’t seem to shine so brightly.  Jesus never had these problems because He always made the right choices.  Thank God it was not too late for me and it is not too late for you.  If you find yourself in somewhat the same situation repent and confess and start a journey to rediscover the Lord for yourself.  The Lord said, “if you seek me with all your heart you will find me,” praise the Lord!!

I hope this encourages all who read it to seek a closer walk with the Lord.  Something to think about!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!