FAITH OF THE BELIEVER.

BIBLE PASSAGE:
For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies
for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if
we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we
belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and
returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the
dead and the living.
(Romans 14:7-9)

MEDITATION:
The dictionary defines ‘faith’ in these terms:
    1. Confidence or trust in a person or thing
        (faith in the ability of someone or something).

    2. Belief that is not based on proof.

    3. Belief in God, or in the doctrines and teachings of religion.

    4. Belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.

    5. A system of religious beliefs (the Christian faith; the Jewish faith).

    6. The obligation of loyalty to a person, promise, engagement, etc.
         (failure to appear when needed would cause ‘faith breakage’).

    7. The observance of an obligation; fidelity to one’s promise, oath,
         allegiance, etc. (one who has proven themselves reliable during
         times of trouble).

If we are talking about faith in another person, our faith is based
on their track record or abilities. In other words, they have ‘come
through’ in the past, so we assume they will do the same in the future.

When we consider our faith in things, it is quite often a result of
previous tests. For instance, if we sat in a chair and it supported
us, we will assume that it will hold us up the next time we sit in it.

When we look at #2, we see that faith can be damaged or diluted
whenever we try to include logical reasoning. Those of us who have
faith in Jesus Christ do not need facts or proof to sustain our faith.
Our faith is based on the Word of God that tells us how Jesus went
to the cross for our sins, how He was buried and on the third day
He was resurrected, and how He is seated at the right hand of God.

This is God’s plan of salvation for mankind, and it is where we have
placed our faith. Our faith is that God’s Word is true, and we believe
it. We weren’t there to witness the events, but we trust in His Word
that all things happened exactly as they were reported.

Satan likes to plant thoughts in our head like,
    “Did everything described really happen? How do you know?”
    “How can God speak everything into existence?”
    “Where did God exist before He created the world?”
    “How did the evil one find his way into the Garden of Eden?”
    “Why wasn’t Satan happy with the utopia God created?”
    “Why did people in Old Testament times hear God audibly,
      but we don’t hear Him that way today?”
      Note:
          Someone told a friend, “I want to hear from God”
          The friend said, “Read the bible”
          His response was, “I want to hear from God audibly”
          The friend said, “Read the bible out loud!”

Of course, Satan can go on and on trying to create doubt in our minds,
and if we allow these thoughts to ‘hang around’, we can cause damage
to our faith. But the beauty of faith is, we don’t have to figure out the
answers to everything.

God said it and we believe it, because we believe God exists, and we
believe that He inspired writers to create the Bible. It is as simple as
that…a childlike faith that doesn’t have to prove anything. Our proof
is our relationship with Him on a daily basis. Our proof is that we had
a life-changing experience.

If we fail to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, then we fail to
believe in God’s plan of salvation. But let’s say that Satan is winning
a battle in your mind. He is starting to have success in creating doubt.
Perhaps you would like to have something to support your faith and
dispute those doubts. Look at what the scriptures say in Acts:
    After his suffering, he presented himself to them
    and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.
    He appeared to them over a period of forty days
    and spoke about the kingdom of God.
    (Acts 1:3)

This is a report from an individual (Luke – a physician) that has not been
refuted since it was written. Although there were skeptics during that time
who doubted that Jesus was resurrected, there is nothing written anywhere
that indicates they were successful in proving it did not happen.

They had many theories, but nothing substantial to disprove Jesus was
not only resurrected, but appeared again for forty days to show He was
alive as He spoke about the kingdom of God. So, even if we were to apply
logic (which is not needed), the scriptures give us the proof we need.

ACTION:
How would you describe your faith? Is it based on facts, or trust in
God’s Word? Did you have a life-changing experience when you
received His gift of salvation? How has your life changed since your
profession of faith? Have you grown closer to the Lord, or has the
world pulled you in another direction?

Are you excited to worship with other believers at least once a week?
Are there ‘things’ you allow to take the place of worshipping with
others? Is there anything more important than worshipping with
other believers?

Have you learned to sacrifice your will for His will? How would others
describe your faith? How are you using the ‘spiritual gift’ you were given
at the time when you received salvation? Do you know the ‘spiritual gift’
you were given? What efforts have you made to discover your ‘spiritual
gift’? How are you serving the Lord as an expression of gratitude for
receiving salvation?
    But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then
    choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
    whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the
    Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land
    you are living. But as for me and my household, we will
    serve the Lord.
    (Joshua 24:15)

    Never be lacking in zeal, but keep
    your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
    (Romans 12:11)

God knew that we would have challenges navigating a sinful world
as followers of Jesus Christ, so He gave us an advocate (Holy Spirit)
when we received salvation, to assist us in the areas where we are weak.
    And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
    another advocate to help you and be with you
    forever
    (John 14:16)

    But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
    will send in my name, will teach you all things and
    will remind you of everything I have said to you.
    (John 14:26)

    When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you
    from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out
    from the Father—he will testify about me.
    (John 15:26)

    But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am
    going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not
    come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
    (John 16:7)

What kind of impact is the Holy Spirit having on your life?
Is He active, or have you caused Him to be dormant? Has
He shown you the spiritual gift you were given, and how is
He guiding you in using it to serve the Lord? Should we be
serving the Lord? What do the scriptures tell us?
    “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty,
    “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare
      them, just as a father has compassion and spares
      his son who serves him. And you will again see the
      distinction between the righteous and the wicked,
      between those who serve God and those who do not.
      (Malachi 3:17-18)

    Jesus answered, “It is written:
    Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
    (Luke 4:8)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, all of the arguments concerning Your existence
have been refuted in my mind as I feel Your presence each day. My
soul rejoices in knowing that You, Lord Jesus are with me! You are
the Lord of those who have passed from this earthly life, but You are
also the Lord of the living! You are my daily strength and my joy!
Thank You for Your love for me. Thank You for paving a way for
me to travel toward eternal bliss with You and our Heavenly Father!”

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