20/ Faith
Ephesians 5:10 TRY TO LEARN WHAT PLEASES THE LORD. God is pleased when we have enough faith to trust Him.
What is faith? Hebrews 11:1,2,6
1/ To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.
2/ It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval.
6/ No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him.
WE HURT GOD BY OUR UNBELIEF AND DOUBT
Through a word of knowledge God showed me how we make Him sad by our unbelief.
June 1984
(1) Every time you fear or are worried about something, you hurt me. It means that you don't have the faith to put your trust in me and believe that I will take care of what you think are serious problems. Beware of Satan. Mark my words he is there and waiting to trap you in any way possible. Believe me he has the power to counterfeit me and will lead you to believing you are doing God's things, when in fact you are doing things which are of Satan. He is there waiting to strike, but I am ready with my shield to protect, at the very second Satan strikes, but I shall only do that if you ask me.
July 1984
(2) And when you are worried do not be afraid (John 14:1,27), because I am there to comfort you, and to pick you up in my arms (Hosea 11:3) and rock you back and forth until all your troubles are gone. Do not be afraid to ask for anything you desire, within reason, because I will give it to you. I love each and everyone of you - then isn't it right that you should love each and every person I have put on the earth? Spread my Word. (Matthew 28:18-20).
You should be glad as the Holy Spirit has revealed himself to you. But do not speak of me and then deny me as Peter did, you will lead a miserable life; discontented and disappointed. I am your God and you are my child. As your father kneels to kiss your forehead (Hosea 11:4) I wanted to do the same, if you accept me into your life. Remember I am with you and acknowledge to others that I am your Saviour, your Father and the one who loves you and brings peace of mind to you (John 14:27), your home and your family. Remember my wings are spread over you to protect you from the dangers of the world (Matthew 23:37).
Your faith has brought you to me and your faith will keep you with me. And do not question where you shall go once you are dead, but spread my message and let others come to know me, as I come to know you. If I made you surely I should know you, your character, your feelings and your problems.
I am your God do not forget this. I am here when you need me. Do not be afraid, for my love will be with you eternally.
Salvation
We receive salvation simply by believing in Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.
Acts 16:13 They answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -- you and your family."
John 5:24,20:31; Romans 3:22,23; 5:1; 10:9,lO; Acts 13:39.
ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU AN ABUNDANCE OF FAITH
1 Corinthians 12:9, Luke 17:5, John 15:7,16
The song: "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."
Examples of great faith in the Bible
The leper, Matthew 8:2&3
The centurion Matthew 8:5-13
The bleeder Matthew 8:20-22
The blind men Matthew 8:28-30
The Syrophenician woman Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus and the fig tree Matthew 21:21&22
21/ Jesus answered, "I assure you that if you believe and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I have done to this fig tree. And not only this, but you will even be able to say to this hill, 'Get up and throw yourself in the sea,' and it will.
22/ If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer
Faith works very much on the same principle as planting bulbs. The bulbs are growing, developing under the ground, without any visible results from above the ground. Yet by adding water and fertiliser, the green shoots will eventually grow above the ground. After the green stalks, leaves and then flowers will appear one day.
So it is with prayer and trusting in God's word, something happens in the world unseen by us. Faith in God is like the water and fertiliser which helps the bulbs to grow. I have seen immediate answers to prayer, but there have also been times where I have had to wait. The issue is that God has heard the prayer from the instance it was spoken, but in the case of my leg it took some time for my leg to look normal again, likewise with the baby I prayed for in PNG.
IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE!
God gave me a prayer for healing some time ago. The concluding sentences are note worthy.
Make sure that both of you believe totally . Don't even say "if", because it has already been done. Therefore have faith and be strong, for I am constantly with you, especially when you're at your weakest.
Special Promises To Those Who Trust God
2 Chronicles 20:20
Put your trust in the Lord your God and you will stand firm.
Psalm 31:19 Psalm 32:10 Psalm 34:22
Psalm 125:1 Proverbs 29:25 Isaiah 26:3
Faith:
assures success - 2Kings 6:15-23
a duty - John 6:28, 29
essential in prayer - James l:5, 6
a defensive weapon - Ephesians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:19; Hebrews 10:22,23.
Other Verses dealing with trusting God.
Psalms 37:3,5; Psalms 118:8; Isaiah 26:4; 50:10
1/ Fiji
2/ Egypt
3/ Israel
4/ Papua New Guinea
5/ Forgive or I cannot forgive you
6/ Jesus still heals today
7/ Suicide
8/ Long Bay Gaol
9/ Attempted murder
10/ Bathurst Gaol
11/ Angels
12/ How to pray
13/ Cords
14/ Counting the cost
15/ The heart condition
16/ Lorraine
17/ Dracula - fact or fiction
18/ If you love me
19/ Being gay
20/ Faith
21/ Roots
22/ Malaysia
23/ Fiji revisited - 1997
24/ What Jesus means to me
25/ My diary entries
26/ Conclusion