As Christians, we face many trials and tribulations throughout our walk with God. Whether it be from the taunting of non-believers or temptations of the flesh, not a single Christian has led a perfect walk with God. As a young female, I am especially tempted. In today’s society the young generation is attacked through the media and society. Whether it be vanity, sexual immorality, lying, stealing, or disobeying the mother and the father, it’s easy for one of us to stray off the straight and narrow path. However, we must rejoice when we face a trial. It’s a test that God allows us to go through and the bible states that he won’t let us face more than he knows we can handle. After all, he knows us more than we know ourselves.
“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the
testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature
and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously
to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
-James 1:2-6
This brings us to faith: without faith, nothing will happen. Unfortunately, many who call themselves Christians have very little faith. Some have said that all they need is faith the size of a mustard seed. That isn't what Jesus meant.
Jesus says in Luke 17:6 and Matthew 17:20 that if you had the faith as of a mustard seed that you could tell a mulberry tree to uproot itself and go plant itself in the sea and it would do it. If you had faith as a mustard seed you could tell a mountain to move and it would do it. But, most Christians are not moving any mountains or uprooting any trees. In fact, not only do they not have faith as of a mustard seed, they don’t have enough faith to move a mustard seed.
Most Christians interpret the Luke 17:6 and Matthew 17: 20 passages about the mustard seed as referring to size; the size of a mustard seed. Because a mustard seed is very small, they interpret the recently cited passages as saying that if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, or if you just had a little faith, then you could move mountains.
But, the Lord does not specifically say,’ if you had faith the size of a mustard seed.’ What He says is, “if you had faith like or as a mustard seed. In other words, it is His desire that your faith be like a mustard seed. So what is a mustard seed like? Well, not only is it smaller than all the other seeds in a garden, but when it is planted, it grows up and becomes a tree that is larger than all the other garden plants; producing large branches for birds to nest in.
Jesus is saying that your faith should be like a mustard seed. That first, you have to sow it. You have to plant or sow your faith. Then, when you do, it will grow and grow and produce works in you that you never thought possible. You can’t ask for more faith, it's not something given to you; you have to build it yourself. Faith is no good unless it is sown; unless it is planted. Hebrews 11:6 says, that without faith it is impossible to please God.
Faith is the most important piece of armor that we have to fight against Satan. Ephesians 6:16 says that the shield of faith can extinguish all the flaming missiles of the enemy. The only way anyone will be able overcome this enemy, this Antichrist, is by faith in Christ Jesus.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Jesus says in Luke 17:6 and Matthew 17:20 that if you had the faith as of a mustard seed that you could tell a mulberry tree to uproot itself and go plant itself in the sea and it would do it. If you had faith as a mustard seed you could tell a mountain to move and it would do it. But, most Christians are not moving any mountains or uprooting any trees. In fact, not only do they not have faith as of a mustard seed, they don’t have enough faith to move a mustard seed.
Most Christians interpret the Luke 17:6 and Matthew 17: 20 passages about the mustard seed as referring to size; the size of a mustard seed. Because a mustard seed is very small, they interpret the recently cited passages as saying that if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, or if you just had a little faith, then you could move mountains.
But, the Lord does not specifically say,’ if you had faith the size of a mustard seed.’ What He says is, “if you had faith like or as a mustard seed. In other words, it is His desire that your faith be like a mustard seed. So what is a mustard seed like? Well, not only is it smaller than all the other seeds in a garden, but when it is planted, it grows up and becomes a tree that is larger than all the other garden plants; producing large branches for birds to nest in.
Jesus is saying that your faith should be like a mustard seed. That first, you have to sow it. You have to plant or sow your faith. Then, when you do, it will grow and grow and produce works in you that you never thought possible. You can’t ask for more faith, it's not something given to you; you have to build it yourself. Faith is no good unless it is sown; unless it is planted. Hebrews 11:6 says, that without faith it is impossible to please God.
Faith is the most important piece of armor that we have to fight against Satan. Ephesians 6:16 says that the shield of faith can extinguish all the flaming missiles of the enemy. The only way anyone will be able overcome this enemy, this Antichrist, is by faith in Christ Jesus.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
-1 John 5:4-5
Satan wants to throw a declared incurable cancer your way? Faith! That’s all you need! So many have been healed by this faith!
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his
wounds we are healed.”
-Isaiah 53:5
“Is any among you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint
him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick
person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned
he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for
each other so that you may be healed. The pray of a faithful man is powerful.”
-James 5:14-16
-Healed leprosy: Matthew 8:1-4
-Roman centurions servant healed: Matthew 8:5-13
-Peter’s mother-in-law healed” Matthew 8:14-15
-Man with palsy healed: Matthew 9:2-7
-Blind men gain sight: Matthew 9:27-31; Matthew 20:29-34
-Canaanite woman’s dead daughter brought back: Matthew 15:21-28
So many more people could be healed if they stopped only turning to doctors and medicine for healing. Sure, those can help and God gave doctors the knowledge to help heal us. But the true medicine is that of God's healing power. Just believe, from your gut, without a shadow of a doubt that you can be healed. I've seen this myself!
So many more people could be healed if they stopped only turning to doctors and medicine for healing. Sure, those can help and God gave doctors the knowledge to help heal us. But the true medicine is that of God's healing power. Just believe, from your gut, without a shadow of a doubt that you can be healed. I've seen this myself!
Yes, faith is a very powerful tool, yet so few really use it. This is how powerful Hebrews 11:1 says it is: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The bible also states that a righteous man lives by faith. Abraham, for example, gained righteousness through his faith. It is through faith that we know we are saved and will have eternal life in the glorious kingdom of God.
Along with faith, we need deeds to show God to others.
"Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for
what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see
that his faith and his actions were working together,
and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the
scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it
was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's
friend. You see that a person is justified by
what he does and not by faith alone.
-James 2:21-24
Are you ready to experience that faith that can make things that seem impossible possible?
Rebecca, this new blog you created is outstanding! The annointing, gifting and calling on your life is so strong, so powerful. The work that you have been doing for Him all along, under the radar screen in your humility, is the purest reflection of Jesus. I am so excited that you are connecting to Word of Life Christian Center in Newark DE ~ www.wolcc.org as we and many others around the world get to discover His hidden treasure ~You. He will richly bless you, your business and your ministries as you bless others for Him. He adores you His good and faithful servant, His obedient disciple of Christ. xoxo
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