Faith

I think that people struggle with mountain moving faith.  You can talk about faith but that is not the same as having faith.

Read what Hebrews 11:6 says, “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.”     

We live in a time where there are many who are suffering for their faith and if you are not, praise the Lord, but don’t be shocked if it happens to you; but still praise the Lord for He has counted you worthy to suffer for Him.

Read what it says in 2 Timothy 3:1-19, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect , thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

When Paul was persecuted he praised the Lord and when He wasn’t suffering he praised the Lord because he knew that the joy of the Lord was his strength or where his strength came from!!  That is something else that some believers struggle with; I know it is hard for me to be joyful when I am suffering.  If you have been around people that are very negative, at the time you may think that they have no faith but that isn’t always true, they may be going through a tough experience and it has taken them by surprise.  

Think about Job, he had his feet knocked out from under him, so to speak, he may have complained some but I think he still trusted the Lord.  

Now think of Elijah, the experience he had with King Ahab and the Prophets of Baal and what about when the ravens fed him in the wilderness.  Then all of a sudden King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, threatens him and he starts running for his life, not long after the experiences he had with God sending fire down from heaven and consuming his sacrifice in front of everyone.  Then he prays for rain which hadn’t happened in three and a half years and it rains, then he runs and beats Ahab’s chariot back to Jezreel but where was he?  He was running to Horeb the mountain of God!!  

Think of King David, he had some great experiences with the Lord also, but he was running for his life also from King Saul; but David was called a man after God’s own heart because he knew what repentance meant and was willing to humble himself and repent.

I have seen the Lord move in tremendous ways in my life and others but that doesn’t mean I never get negative at times or even fearful or have any doubts at times and it doesn’t mean that I, or any of these people that I talked about, lost our faith, no, it just means we are human.  So instead of ignoring these people maybe you should take some time to get to know them and try to encourage them, but don’t be like Job’s friends.  And if any of you that are born-again believers lack faith, ask God to help your unbelief and let faith arise in your heart.

Read Luke 18:8, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”  Think about what the Lord is saying here!!   

Enough said, may the Lord give you a blessed day and may He bless you and yours!!  And don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord, for He is worthy!!