Faith

I used to have this scripture written on a piece of paper hanging near the computer in my office, so I’d often see it:

"Faith* comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17 – NKJV)

The problem was that it never made much sense to me. Why? Because I was blind to the truth, even though at that time I wanted to convince my self otherwise.

The lack of reading or hearing the Word of God was like a dry field with no rain. How could anything grow if there was no seed and no rain?

My understanding came after I received my salvation. The springs of the well of my heart were overflowing with living waters.

I had begun reading the Bible and listening to preachers speak. No longer would I be hindered by only hearing a few repeated scriptures year after year. That lack of knowledge had left me numb and unfufilled.

Now my eyes had begun to open to see the truth, and my ears were opened to hear the truth, too. My heart was now being filled with the love of God, and I wanted to give Him all my praise. Now, I wanted to honor Him with my life.

The Bible tells us that “…the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7 – NKJV)

I began to understand what it meant to have faith in God. I realized how much God truly loved me, and that I could completely trust Him.

In Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) of the Bible we find that: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

God allows us to find Him when we truly seek Him. Once we accept God’s free gift of salvation, our faith grows through a confident trust, and we want to please Him.

“Jesus said to them, ‘… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ ” (Matthew 17:20 – NKJV)

I believe the miracle of moving mountains by faith, which was proven to me again in my life in July 2012. I had prayed with faith for God to sell my house and be able to simultaneously buy another, less expensive house at a new location. I told others that I believed God would do this for me. I knew that He would because of this confident faith I have in Him. All this occurred in an economy when most houses were not selling. In an economy in America comparable to the Great Depression, God answered my prayer of faith. Although doubt would arise, trust would be released to God with greater faith restored, as the mountains moved.

As children of God (saved believers), we can move these mountains with confident trust and faith in Him: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 – NKJV)

*All words emphasized in bold are my addition to make the word(s) more noticeable.

Copyright © 2012 by Patricia Shehan