TODAY'S LESSON: THE FAITH FACTOR
Do you have it, that is, the FAITH FACTOR? Most of us do, but it can be easily shaken at times.
It's hard to believe in something that isn't there yet that's what faith is: Believing in the unseen. Take a look at Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
We have faith in all kinds of things: When we sit down we have faith that what we are sitting on will hold us up.
When we stand up we have faith that we won't fall down.
When we put food in our mouth we have faith that it will nourish our bodies
(also that the preparer didn't burn it or something)
When we have something to say we have faith that our vocal chords will
operate the way that they're supposed to.
So, now that we can recognize faith how can we use it?
Well, I'll tell you one way:
USE IT, DON'T ABUSE IT!
James 2:17 it says,
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
That's a pretty strong statement for anyone to make, but in the bible you say? It's there, in black and white.
That tells me that faith and actions go hand in hand!
What we say and what we do reflects our intentions and our outlook on life
whether it be good or bad.
Example:
Your church has decided to build a much needed facility for sunday school. You have faith that God will provide the materials as well as the laborers for the job, but you don't give to the building fund, you don't volunteer your services as a teacher or as a worker, you don't even pray for God's will to be done throughout the project or that he would open the hearts of men and women who could help.
Your works don't necessarily have to be action oriented.. Some of today's greatest accomplishments have been made on the knees of people like you and me.
You and I might accept email, but God accepts knee mail!
In Matthew 21:22 Jesus said,
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
IT DOESN'T TAKE A LOT OF FAITH TO SEE HIM, BUT IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF FAITH TO KNOW HIM.
