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FAITH IS......
Scripture is rich in stories of men and women who apparently had nothing to hope for or believe in, and yet, who by faith saw wonderful and miraculous things happen. They were not super-humans. They were ordinary men and women who exercised extra-ordinary faith in an extra-ordinary God. They believed He could do anything, even the impossible, and they clung to His faithfulness to Himself and to His children to move in their behalf. You see, it isn't our faith that works miracles...it is our faith in a Faithful and Righteous and Holy and Loving God Who specializes in the impossible.
He invites us to call upon Him and He will answer. He asks us to bring Him our wounds and He will heal them. He tells us to cast all our cares and burdens upon Him and He will be our Burden Bearer. But we must ask in faith believing, having no doubts, trusting HIs love and power and wisdom in all things. If we would have greater faith, then we must exercise what we do have, just like we must exercise our physical muscles to strengthen them. Will you turn with me to that familiar passage found in Hebrews 11:1 as we read,"Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." Hoped for...CONFIDENCE it will BE even though you cannot see it. After all, if we could see it , then it wouldn't be faith, would it?
Now, let's look at 1 Peter 1:7 and find out about this exercise of faith. In this glorious chapter Peter tells us that the trials of life are the exercise machines for faith, that sometimes call for strength and endurance and pain in order to build up our faith. But oh, look at the result. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found to the praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." Then, beloved, as the old song goes, "IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL!"
Romans 8:28
Faith Is...
Faith is believing
When there's nothing to believe.
Faith is trusting
When trust has been deceived.
Faith is looking upward
When clouds obscure your view.
Faith is taking one more step
When the path is hid from you.
Faith is reaching out your hand
When no one reaches back.
Faith is catching up the torch
When confidence you lack.
Faith is racing toward the goal
When you're too tired to run.
Faith is stretching for the prize
When it seems 'twill ne'er be won.
Faith is saying,"Yes, I will"
When you don't think you can.
Faith is rising when you fall
And going on again.
Faith is trying one more time
When you've lost the will to try.
Faith is living proudly
When you want to quit and die.
Faith is this, and more-much more-
When you place your faith in God.
"Tis trusting Him to lead you
As step by step you trod.
Although you cannot see Him,
Yet knowing He is there,
Press on with full assurance
That He knows,He keeps, He cares.
Faith is simply trusting
In your Heav'nly Father's love;
Believing He will lead you
To that blessed home above.
Content to know He'll guide you
Through every night and day,
That He will never leave you
As you walk along Life's way.
So trust Him when the shadows
Fall dark across the road,
And trust Him when you're weary
Beneath a heavy load.
He'll give you strength and courage
For each trial you must bear,
And lift you in His mighty arms
And hold you in His care.
RRM 8/1/2001 .
Romans 8:28