After Pentecost, the apostles, full of faith and the Holy
Spirit, continued to share Jesus’ teachings. The Word of God multiplied in the
hearts of many, and even some of the hard-hearted priests, who schemed to bring
about Jesus’ demise, put their faith in His divinity (Acts 6:7). This same thing occurs
today through the preaching of God’s Word.
Faith gives us the assurance of what we hope for, and
confidence even when we see no way for it to occur (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus’ life gives us the
faith to believe that God exists also, because God raised Jesus from the dead
and glorified Him at His right hand in Heaven. This allows us to place our
trust and hope in God alone rather than in our own abilities (1 Peter 1:21).
Our faith grows as we exercise it. Faith visualizes the
impossible (Matthew 19:26),
overcomes the lies of the devil (Revelation 12:9-11), believes in God without proof (Hebrews 11:1), holds
us firm during life’s tribulation (Matthew 7:24-27), places our feet on the solid Rock (Psalm 40:2), sees the
Creator in nature and clings to God’s faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9).
Faith overcomes temptation from the world, the flesh and
the devil without giving them any credence (Galatians 5:16). Even when we do not fully
comprehend it, faith helps us to believe the truth of God’s Word (Mark 9:24). Just a
little faith allows us to move huge impediments in our life, even those, which
are the size of a mountain, because nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 17:20; 19:26).
Prayer:
Father God, many in this world condemn themselves to hell
by their unbelief (John
3:18). Their stubbornness and pride cripple their heart and prevent them
from trusting in anyone but their own self. Those of us who do believe in You,
often have trouble with whole hearted trust. Father, help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). Take our
human doubts, which wiggle into our hearts and bind them with Your truth. Your
Word proves Your faithfulness to us over and over again. Thank you for all You
do for us each moment of every day.
Thought for the Day:
We live by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7
