Faith for the Journey

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FAITH FOR THE JOURNEY Romans 10:17 FAITH FOR TODAY Hebrews 6:10-12; 11:6 We know that we receive more faith by studying and understanding scripture. The bible also warns that those that have little or no faith cannot please God. The bible also tells us that those that exercise faith by their good works will not go unrewarded. John 8:56 Abraham is known as “the father of faith” because he became the friend of God by living a life that was full of trust that God would do what He said He would do. II Peter 1:5-10 Peter reminds us of the divine nature (vs. 4), that we are suppose to have. However, when we do not have the foundation of faith to start with we cannot have the vision we should have. Joshua 1:7-9 When we have a strong faith in God, we can face the trials and tribulations that each day might bring our way. When we believe God, He promises to give us the strength, (grace), we need. Daniel 3:16-18; 6:4-10 When we have a strong and binding faith in God we not only believe that God can help us in time of need but He will also give us the grace to face persecution for His honor. Proverbs 1:5-7; 9:9-10 As we develop a love and a fear of God He gives more understanding of His word. God will also give us humility and a desire to listen and study under wise teaching of His word. FAITH FOR THE FUTURE Galatians 5:5-6; II Tim. 4:8 Those believers that have a deep faith in God also will have a great love for others and a great faith and patience in waiting for His second coming. Hebrews 11:4-7, 24-25 When believers have a strong faith in God and His promises we can accomplish great things for God. By faith Abel showed us how to worship correctly. Through faith Enoch showed us how to walk with God and please God. Through Noah's faith we learned how we can serve the Lord and turn away from the world. Through faith Moses shows us that persecution, rejection and hard times can be handled in a way that pleases God and gives eternal rewards in the future. I Corinthians 4:2 Paul tells us that God demands that believers who want to serve and lead others in the ministry must be found to be faithful, faithful to God, faithful to church, faithful to others. Philippians 4:11-13 As faithful believers grow in faith, they put more priority on God and His business than they do on their own desires. Being faithful to God is being content to have less. THE COST OF FAITHFULNESS Luke 14:26-27; II Timothy 3:12 Most believers have the idea that they are certainly faithful to the Lord. By reading and understanding these verses we can see that there is a major cost to being faithful. Matthew 11:28-30 As believers this is one of the most loved verses in the N. T. but when we scrutinize the verse we might see it as challenging us more than we could bare. Being yoked up with Christ means not going where we want, not resting when we want, not playing when we want, etc. II Corinthians 4:15-17 When we desire to be faithful to God He requires us to be faithful to others as well. Christian faithfulness requires self-sacrifice so that others needs come before our needs. John 15:8 Being faithful to God requires all believers to bear much fruit. It may be the fruit that comes from witnessing to the lost, it may be the change in our personality from the fruits of the Spirit. It may be the fruit of worship, the fruit of praise, the fruit of thanksgiving or the fruit of giving. Matthew 6:19-21 These verses teach us that the cost of faithfulness is more than going to church on Sunday morning. The real cost Jesus is talking about is the majority of our time, our talents, and our money. Jesus tells us that by spending these things for Him we will be rewarded greatly in the future.