Little faith

There is much said about "little faith" and I wonder if it is because there are so many who are of this category and do not even realize it. If they do, why so they not want to gain more?

Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

It is obvious that before Yeshua breathed upon them the Holy spirit or before Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon with without measure, they were men who had just a glimmer of the truth and faith. They didn't know the power of faith, or just how much power God had. It was theoretical to them.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

How often are we doubting God in our current situation, not trusting Him to be obedient to His requests, like throwing the net on the other side of the boat?

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

I know that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we are mighty in comparison to the disbeliever, but weak compared to the mighty warrior of God. Is it really the lack of faith, or the lack of desire to be mighty in God's kingdom? Are we lazy? Are we just enjoying the ride, going with the flow, and not willing to take the narrow lane? We think that just because we have come this far, we need not go further than what others have gone and done before us. But is that enough, is more required of us?

I know some of you have wrestled with the "giving all" for the kingdom of God. The pleasures, pleasantries, comforts, and companionships that come with it make it easy to stay where you are spiritually. But I think God requires more from us.

Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

If a situation call for us to go the step out of spiritual comfort zone, would we? Even if it meant calling upon the Lord and He says, "Tell the dead body to arise" Would we, before friends and family, stand before them all and not only pray for healing but claim it if God spoke to you and asked you to say "Rise up and come forth" to the one whom the Dr. just declared dead.

Matthew 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I believe Yeshua, in this verse, is asking us all a very important question "Why do you doubt?"

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Matthew 21:21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

Matthew 6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Do you think Moses upon lifting up his arms before the Red Sea knew what was going to happen? Did he not step out in faith, not knowing exactly what, when, or how it was going to happen? Did he gain this faith or did it grow in Egypt with each passing event of obedience to the Will of God?

Hebrews 11:1-40 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. ...

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

I just want to repeat this last part of the last verse I quoted, "THIS is the victory that has overcome the world...Our FAITH." and I do not believe it will be of little faith. I believe our faith must grow in knowledge, strength, and in personal experience with Him.

Here is the hard verse for those of "little faith"...

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I believe "little faith" has no given themselves over fully, so that Yeshua lives fully in them.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I believe that by personal experience and knowledge of Him, via His Holy Spirit teaching us the walk we are able to endure what is before us, with our eyes steadfast upon Him, until He returns.

Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Many think that baptism is all the is required. But I think that "believes" is bigger than that which the "little faith" currently has. It is stronger, wiser, more focused, and steadfast in their spiritual journey, never taking their eyes off the their purpose in perfecting Yeshua in them.

You know, many read these type of verses and think that they only apply to that moment. But the truth is that it applies for all eternity. Yeshua never said anything that did not carry further than the moment. He who has eyes to see for all eternity, worded His Words carefully, not just for the moment but for everyone down through the ages. We worry too much about our daily cares instead of casting our cares upon Him and go about doing the Lord's business instead.

Matthew 16:8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

It is when the temptation come, the accusation fly, the guilt overwhelms, the conflictions stall our decision making process that we need to trust God.

Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

It is by our trust in God and His Will that will carry us through the valley of the shadow of death, block the fiery darts, shield us from temptations in our path, and guide us in the way to go.

James 1:3 For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Faith is not the only thing we need, we also need to have love in our heart or we will not see right, do right, and represent God right.

1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Love is a big part, a lot larger than what "little faith" has. It takes a lot of faith to see past what is before us, and see it the way God sees things and cares about it. Often we are caught up in the moment, the stirrings of passion, feelings, and righteousness, that we fail to move and do as God wants us to. We are often pushing faster than the God shepherd would push His sheep. We are frustrated that those around us to not see and do as we perceive they are suppose to. What God has shown us, is not necessarily what He has shown them nor required of them, just yet. Sometimes, it is first things first.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

So have hope, and wait in patience and prayer, seeking God's witness in the matter, and being still, know God cares more and will do it best at the right time, with the right words, that will pierce their hearts and turn them to chose this day to do right.