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“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith is something that’s easy to claim when life is running smoothly – when the bills are paid and there’s a little money left over to stash away for a rainy day, or when you have no trouble at work, and are healthy. At these times, we can rest easy in the knowledge that God is there and in full charge of life. Then, something unexpected happens.
The roof suddenly develops a leak, and shingles are scattered across the yard, or your job has suddenly become tense, and there’s a possibility you could be laid off. Or, as in the case of my daughter, you get the diagnosis of cancer. At these times, we need to remember that God hasn’t left us and that He is still with us.
“Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shall thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:2-3).
Don’t blame God for misfortunes in this life, but thank Him and praise Him for His love and the promise of help in troubling times.
Times are troubling. Even if your finances are in tip-top shape and your health is better than ever, the world is in a mess. The Middle East is a powder keg ready to explode, but the world blames Israel for all of the trouble. Remember, God loves Israel, so Satan hates them.
There’s a darkness falling, and it keeps getting darker. Jesus is the Light of the World, but people tend to like the darkness. That’s where Satan lives. There’s no hope in the darkness of sin, and as we move swiftly to the end of time, the darkness is darker than ever. Christians need to grow stronger in faith and stop being afraid of offending the powers of darkness.
When we look up to God in faith, His power grows stronger in us; His light outshines the darkness. Trust God in all things, and don’t let fear darken your faith. Live in faith and let your light shine.
Jesus told His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
Is there a difference between God and Jesus? Well, yes and no. There is only one God, but He is three persons: God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. When Jesus came to earth and entered His Creation, He came to the Jewish people first. They believed in God and were looking for a man to be their Savior, the Messiah. The Disciples were Jewish and had been schooled in their faith…they believed in God. Jesus told them they also needed to believe that He was the Messiah, the Saviour. It would take faith for them to believe this, and eventually they did.
Their faith gave them courage to share the Gospel and face the hatred and rejection from friends and family. They watched as Jesus was crucified and buried. Then, after three days, they saw Him alive! He was risen from the dead, and the Holy Spirit filled them with knowledge, understanding, and boldness. Their faith became an unstoppable power that has changed the world.
Brothers and sisters, we have that same powerful faith, but too often we don’t look up to God in faith or reach out to Him in supplication. Our heads hang down, and our hands are in our pockets. We quietly have faith, but we keep it to ourselves and deny His power. Look up in faith and reach out to Jesus.
Remember the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years? She had spent all of her money on doctors, and they couldn’t help her. Finally, as a last resort, she reached out to Jesus. She touched his garment, and the power of healing went out from Him.
“And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him; and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched” (Luke 8:43-44).
She had tried everything that the world had to offer, but it was Jesus who held the power to heal. She reached out in faith and touched Him. That word “virtue” is from the Greek “dynamis,” which means power…think dynamite. Modern Bible translations use the word power instead of virtue. Whatever trouble you face, whether health, financial, career, or any other challenge you may face, reach out to Jesus in faith.
Don’t get me wrong, a money tree won’t pop up in your yard, or your health may not be restored immediately, but the power of God has gone out to you. Then, use your situation as a witness of God’s power and love.
I have friends who are facing a very challenging health problem. The husband has had knee surgery and now is having physical therapy. I won’t go into the details, but it has been a nightmare. They love Jesus and share His love wherever they go. The physical therapist comes to their home every other day, and I asked the wife if the therapist is a Christian. She told me she wasn’t sure, but he was certainly going to hear about Jesus before his work was done.
Use your challenges in life as a way to share Jesus with others. Jesus came to bring salvation through faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. We need to use every chance we get to share His love.
“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).
Don’t be afraid to share the Gospel with others.
Fear is a sure way of weakening faith. As Christians, we have hope no matter what our situation is. Fear will only weaken our witness for Christ and cause us to doubt. We need to face our challenges by walking close to Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. When we live in a way that honors Him, the words of our mouth are more believable. If you say you love Him but continue to deny Him by living a world-honoring life, your witness can’t be taken seriously.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
How would you answer someone who sneered at you for having faith in God to take you through a critical situation? Would you shrug your shoulders and say, “I don’t know why I think He will help, but I believe.” The best thing to do is to study Scripture and know God’s word, so when a crisis happens, you will know why you believe. Are you ready to give an answer for your faith in times of crisis? Reach out to others and share your faith. Your faith during a crisis may be what God uses to bring a lost soul to salvation.
While we live in this world, we will face trying times. There’s no way around that. The way we face our troubles is what makes a difference in getting through the problems with the joy of the Lord, or with defeat from Satan. Always look up in faith and reach out to Jesus.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
www.raptureready.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
The post Faith Looks Up and Reaches Out :: By Nathele Graham appeared first on Rapture Ready.
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