Volume 4 Post/Email 5 – Faith(#5)
Ephesians 3:20 reads, "Not to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us."
Prayer is an act of faith. We pray because we believe in the presence and power of God, and that God responds to our prayers from faith.
We cannot quantify the power of God, nor the power of prayer. God can do "immeasurably more" than anything we can ask or fathom. But we can believe in God's power and accessing this power through prayer.
Yet, sometimes we neglect prayer. Why?
And sometimes, we pray puny prayers. We do not expect much. Why?
We should believe in and pray to the God who moves mountains.
Furthermore, we should not give up on others, nor ourselves. God's Spirit can bless and change anyone. Scripture has numerous examples of people, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but nevertheless, people who are positively transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Whenever spiritual conversion and spiritual change/growth occur, this is concrete evidence of the power of God at work in us.
For whom have you witnessed God's answer to pray in your past?
Believe in and practice Ephesians 3:20. It is a promise from God, who is faithful.
A good application/reflection question: Who am I currently praying for?
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 4 – Faith(#4)
Peter mentions (in 2 Peter 1:4) that God has given us "very great and precious promises."
In the last post I referenced the aspect of faith being precious, from Peter's opening statements in his first letter.
Now I want to highlight from Peter's opening statements in his second letter the aspect of his promises being precious.
God has promised us all that we need for this life and everlasting life. We can trust in his promises, even when our circumstances are negative, difficult, and even make us feel despair.
Faith in God's promises produces hope. The Bible is full of words of faith and encouragement for us. We have every reason to be optimistic!
Our future is as bright as the promises of God!
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 3 – Faith(#3)
Faith is precious, especially when dealing with adversity.
Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:7, "These (v. 6 'trials') have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold (NKJV 'much more precious than gold'), which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Whether it is sickness, loss, or other forms of suffering, faith in God is what propels us forward with a positive attitude and actions of perseverance. Faith says "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
I honestly don't know how people without faith deal with problems and trials of life.
The longer I live, the more grateful I am for faith, and the more I realize how precious my faith is to me.
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 2 – Faith(#2)
Do you navigate toward believing matters are possible, or impossible?
In Matthew 17:20 Jesus states, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
What an incredible concept! Mustard seed faith moves God to move mountains.
Jesus is looking for faith. Discipleship requires trust.
Consider some of the many challenging teachings of Jesus - forgiveness, not worrying, loving an enemy, generosity, servanthood, accepting ridicule and persecution, and prayerfulness.
Whether or not we do all of these hinges upon the issue of faith. When matters don't make sense, or we would tend to worry, faith is what transforms us and causes obedience to these teachings.
Faith and prayer are lifestyle choices and habits of Jesus-followers. Believing "the impossible" is to be typical for Christians. Jesus says, "Nothing" will be impossible for you.
Remember that whatever mountains are in your life are not nearly as big as the God in your life!
-Brian