FAITH (pt. 2)

FAITH, the moral conviction of the truthfulness of God. Faith says: i believe and trust that God is who he says he is and his Word is true; i believe he is faithful and just, he loves me, is all good and all wise, and knows what is best for me; i believe God's character. i believe because God broke through to the earth and revealed Himself to me in His Son. i believe because God has Spoken.

"So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

Faith says: i will be obedient to every word God speaks to me. God says it and i do it because i believe it will go better for me if i do what God says and not what the world says. i believe word God speaks to me in His word and in prayer and as i walk with Him . God speaks and i obey because i believe and trust what God says is true and best for me. This is faith that will be accounted as righteousness and pleases God. Remember here, that the fear of the Lord is the moral dread of being displeasing unto God.

It was said of Abraham.."And he believed in the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness." Genesis 15:6

Faith says: i will take that step out over the dark endless abyss even if i do not see anything to stand on or where it will take me, because i know God sees and that is enough.

"'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

What are we hoping for? New car, more things, a boyfriend, wealth, fame, etc? God wants all our fulfillment, peace and contentment to come from Him. Not the world. Hoping only for God's promises, hoping in Jesus and his work in us. Who do we believe? What are we hoping?

When we are unfaithful, hope is lost. God is always faithful and merciful. (Hope will be its own subject in a future blog)

Faith has everything to do with the character of God. Faith is only faith when it is built on the revelation of God. God revealing himself to his people; and God speaking to his people. God has spoken, he has said a Word, told us who he is, given us many great promises. Not only has he spoken, he has revealed to the true believer who he is. This is important because to believe the things spoken you must know and understand the character of the one who has promised it. Faith is all about knowing what God has said, and knowing who God is. i can know what a person has said and not believe what they say if i do not trust their character.

To know God you must be in the Word.

"Thy word have i hid in mine heart, that i might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11

Who am i to complain about anything.. God says: I created the universe little Deb, quit worrying, you can trust me with your family, your finances, for your needs, EVERYTHING, I created the world and I sustain it.. God is faithful, amen.

Unbelief is when God has spoken and we do not heed. Presumption is when we stand upon something that God never promised. Every time we disobey God, choose the world, all that glitters that is not gold in this present age, it is an act of unbelief attacking God's character. It is saying i know what is best for me and God does not. It is saying, i am wise and God is not.

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" Proverbs 14:12

We are obedient because we believe and trust God. We have faith.

By Faith we do not watch junky TV and movies.

By Faith we are not sensually dressing and seeking the world.

By Faith our lives are filled with purpose.

By Faith we say no to the world.

By Faith God is glorified.

By Faith there is reward.

By Faith i know what is a lie straight from the pit of hell. By what authority? By the authority of what my Lord God has Spoken.

By faith Abel, by faith Enoch, by faith Noah, by faith Abraham, by faith Issac, by faith Joseph, by faith Moses, by faith, by faith by faith...Hebrews 11.

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him; for before he was translated he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Hebrews 11:5

Can we possibly think that Enoch was translated and did not see death because of one solitary moment of faith. No, Enoch had become accustomed to walking in faith, and His righteousness pleased the Lord. An old adage goes like this..."Enoch and God were walking a long way together, and Enoch happened to notice how far he was from home. He mentioned to God how far they had come and God said to him, Well Enoch, my house is closer than yours, why don't you just come home with me." Praise God.

Isn't that what we all ultimately want? To go home with God? To have our faith counted as righteousness and be pleasing to the Lord our God? To hear "Well done my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23