SUBSTANTIVE FAITH

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

 

“Our belief in God is not blind faith. Belief is having a firm conviction something is true, not hoping it’s true.” - Lucado

Hebrews 11:1(KJV)

Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

Faith is THE SUBSTANCE!

That implies that FAITH needs to be tangible; a firm conviction.

That is more than “a wish” or even a HOPE as Lucado eludes.  

Faith for the CHRISTIAN must have SUBSTANCE.

 

Webster defines faith as a "strong belief or trust in someone or something."  We have seen how the BIBLE defines it.

 

But regardless of definition, it really is impossible to exist in this life without faith of some capacity and variety. Pastor Brooks reminded us of this as he closed things out this past Sunday.

 

You had faith the light switch would light the bulbs today as you struggled down the hall for the coffee pot.  You had faith that the key would start the car or the bus would come, that others in traffic would obey the rules.

 

We exercise FAITH all of the time.

So what makes the Christian’s faith unique?

 

Simply put…

Not because we LIVE by faith, but because of the OBJECT of our faith.

Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. – Mark 11:22 (NLT)

 

The question is, “Is He the OBJECT of my faith?” 

Do we HAVE FAITH in GOD?

Do we have FAITH in what we can’t see?

Is our FAITH more than a “Christiany” word or a "churchy" thing?

 

If a slight wrinkle appears and upsets the day’s schedule, do you like me sometimes get immediately irritated and FORGET the “sovereignty” and INVESTMENT in GOD in each of us for today?

 

When things go sideways does your FAITH waver? When troubles hit does doubt surface? Do you like me sometimes forget his wisdom, protection, and love for us.

People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over… things…(Instead) Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. From Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

 

That takes FAITH! 

Substantive faith!

 

When things are not MOVING the way we believe they should does our faith falter or do we forget to:

…Trust God from the bottom of (our) heart; (not) try to figure out everything on our own. Listen for God’s voice in everything (we) do, everywhere (we) go (?) – from Proverbs 3:5 (MSG)

 

I am not trying to beat us up today.

 

In fact, regardless of our sometimes faulty faith our acceptance with God is based on HIS FAITHFULNESS towards us, not our faithfulness towards Him!

 

Whew!

 

What I am doing today is just encouraging each of us to EXAMINE our faith. 

Is it substantive?

Are we merely wishing or BELIEVING in those unseen things?

 

Let’s:

“Trust God.

Believe with every fiber of your being that He will faithfully fulfill His promises. Do not just say, “I hope the Lord will come to my aid.” Do not merely stop at declaring, “I know He can work everything out.” Exhibit the highest level of FAITH by proclaiming, “I am absolutely certain my heavenly Father will help me—it’s as good as done.” 

― Charles F. Stanley

 

That is SUBSTANTIVE faith!

 

 

I love you ALL!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)