Finish Strong

Matthew 14:22-31 And straightway "Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side", while he sent the multitudes away. [23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. [24] But "the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary." [25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. [27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. [28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [29] And "he said, Come". And when Peter was come down out of the ship, "he walked on the water, to go to Jesus". [30] But "when he saw the wind boisterous," he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of "little faith," wherefore didst thou doubt?

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, d I have kept the 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.

This verse here in Hebrews is very powerful, and it's quoted in 3 other places in almost exactly the same words.

It must become an established fact in your life and mine, that faith is not an option.

You may be a person with a great imagination, and you may imagine yourself in the most blessed and prosperous of circumstances, but without faith in God, you are on your own.

The whole Christian life is birthed and sustained, and multiplied through faith.

We are...

Saved by faith

Kept by faith

Healed by faith

Filled by faith

Sanctified by faith

Justified by faith

Delivered by faith

We over come by faith

1 Jn 5:4 Whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The Bible says, Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to him must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.

Let me say something very elementary here... If you don't please God, you're not going to heaven.

Most people judge each other in life by their stuff. Most people think if you have a lot of stuff, then you must really being doing it right, and you must be really close to God. Nope! Sorry! wrong answer.

God doesn't look at any of that to validate relationship with him. He only looks for one thing... True heaven approved Bible faith.

True heaven approved, faith is not optional. Positive thinking, creative thinking, active imagination. These are all great things of themselves... but they won't save you, deliver you, sanctify you or justify you.

Let me make as plain as I can... Without a true Biblical Holy Spirit approved faith, you aren't going to heaven. You may be the great great grand daughter of Kathryn Khulman, or you might be the great great grandson of Oral Roberts, but if you don't have a personal living, active, working faith, you aren't going to heaven.

You may be the most faithful attender and the largest tithe payer in the church. And you may shout louder than any one else in the church, but if your faith is not online, all you have is a shout with no clout.

If faith is so necessary, it has to be available to every one of us. God will not require something from us without first assuring that we can get what he is requiring.

Where do we go to get the faith that we can live by that pleases God, and will ultimately take us to heaven?

The answer is... The Bible Ro 10:17... So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Our first scripture says, the just shall live by faith. The only life that pleases God is the life that is lived in the faith of what God has said.

You may have high and lofty thoughts about many things in your life, but those thoughts won't bring you into good standing with God.

You may be a morally good person who tries to live a kind and considerate life, but that also will not put you in good standing with God.