UNDERSTANDING: FAITH IS ESSENTIAL
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2 Corinthians 5:7 (MSG) It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going.
Faith is as essential to us just as blood is to human life or oxygen is to our lungs. Faith is a core value of pleasing God. Faith and love are two essential roots of our foundation. Faith and hope are kissing cousins. When we are tested and tried we must reach beyond mental reasoning into the realm of God faith. The deeper we dig our faith well the sweeter the water.
We must train our hearts and minds to accept we must FOCUS OUR FAITH beyond today’s problems.
WITHOUT FAITH SPIRITUAL LIFE IS IMPOSSIBLE…
Have we forgotten that God is more than a general practitioner. God specializes in thinks thought impossible.
Hebrews 11:6 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.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (MSG) It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
FAITH IN GOD KNOWS NO LIMITS… THE CHECK IS AS GOOD AS THE DEPOSITS. GOD HAS THIS COVERED. WE TEND TO MAKE MOUNTAINS OUT OF MOLEHILLS. FROM HEAVEN’S POINT OF VIEW EVERYTHING IS A MOLEHILL.
Have we forgotten that God is more than a general practitioner, God is never caught by surprise nor is he caught off guard? God is a SUPER SPECIALIST. He ask us to trust him. God can take messes and make messages. God can take test and make testimonies.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Ephesians 3:20 (MSG) God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
I heard there was an angel giving the new arrivals an introduction tour of heaven. The angel told the new group, be very quiet and tip toe through this part? A believer questioned the angel, WHY? The angel responded, Oh, this group thinks they are the only ones that made it. The angel said: It seems many Christians compare themselves to themselves. We must get real. FAITH IS ESSENTIAL.
WHAT IS FAITH?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (MSG) The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.
Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) Now faith is the assurance(title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for(divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen (the conviction of their reality ---faith comprehends as fact what we cannot be experienced by the physical senses.)
HOW MUCH FAITH IS NEEDED? GOD’S DESIGN IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.
Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Ephesians 4:7 (MSG) But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
HOW DO I INCREASE MY FAITH?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 (MSG) The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to.
Reading and knowing God’s word, strengthens our faith. Listening to Bible teaching and preaching grows our faith.
IF GOD BRINGS YOU TO IT. HE CAN BRING YOU THROUGH IT…
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (MSG) That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
FAITH SAYS: I AM NOT THE PROBLEM, ME AND GOD ARE THE SOLUTION.
Let us discuss how faith comes to bear fruit when you step on an airplane?
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
CONCLUSION: WILL YOU AGREE WITH ME THAT FAITH IS HOPE WITH ITS BOOTS ON? …. Faith is more than make a wish? You ever hear of JOHNNY APPLESEED, THE PREACHER THAT TRAVEL AROUND PREACHING AND PLANTING SMALL APPLE SEEDLINGS. He was questioned once: WHY ARE PLANTING THESE TREES, YOU KNOW YOU WILL NEVER EAT AN APPLE FROM ONE? The preacher answered: I DO NOT PLANT THESE FOR ME, I PLANT THEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. I say emotions count apple seeds. Faith counts apples in the seed?
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NASB) Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
3 THINGS WORK TOGETHER AND WILL LAST FOREVER… 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com May your hopes and expectations become evidence as the impossible becomes possible. God rewards and honors faith.
