Can I Have Faith in Faith
Day 8: January 13th, 2019
FAITH FOR MY NOW ~ WHAT IS FAITH?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 NASB
A personal relationship with God is established by faith and continuous fellowship with God is maintained by faith. Paul told the Church in Colossians, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” Colossians 2:6, NKJV. We received Him by faith, and now we walk in Him by faith. Remember the same faith that saved you will grow and mature and therby, keep you! Without faith we cannot please God, and we cannot live effectively for Him. “Without faith,” the Bible says, “it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6, NIV
Second Kings, chapter 5, records the story of Naaman, a powerful Syrian military leader who was suffering from the most dreaded disease of that era, leprosy. Someone told him that Elisha, the man of God, could possibly heal him, so he sought the prophet’s help. When finding the prophet and seeking his wisdom, Elisha instructed Naaman to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River to be healed. The great soldier became angry at such a ridiculous suggestion. “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot, and cure me of my leprosy,” said Naaman to his servants 2 Kings 5:11, NIV. At first he refused, but without any other remedy, Naaman at last went into the river and was healed. The act made no human sense, recalling yesterdays devotion; faith is not built on facts, fact says dipping yourself in water would not heal leprosy, however, truth said otherwise. So in the divine plan, it was an act of faith. Why do we need faith? There is no other way to relate to God, for in His infinite plan He has determined that “the just shall live by faith.” On your own, with your family, or in your Life Group, identify one thing God is asking that from you, that you consider an act of faith. Determine to do that thing, and keep a record of the evidence of God’s blessing on obedience in that behavior or action. Share the results.
Prayer Focus: Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ask God to grant you and CFTN.F the faithfulness to follow through with the good works He has prepared for you and for us to do.