The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you. LUKE 17:5-6.
I have read often of christians being desperate for faith or greater faith. Their search always seem to be in the form of seeking some deeply holy formula. In the above text the disciples ask Jesus for more faith, I find myself wondering what did they really expect to happen. What they did receive was not what they expected, an explanation of how small and simple faith can be. There is no great formula, it is simply believing God can and will!
One of my favourite illustrations of faith comes from when I read the biography of the great evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, it is a story I would recommend to all believers. He was famous for when praying over people he would encourage them to "only believe!" He was quoting our Lord who said the same two words to Jairus whose daughter was gravely ill: “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” Luke 8:50. As we know Jairus' daughter was healed by Jesus, this is faith in action.
It is from such scripture that I have learned that the way to faith is a very simple three steps: 1. Ask of God expectantly, He knows our needs but He wants to hear you ask so He has the joy of providing (Matt.7:7). 2. Believe God, trust that not only He can but He will answer your prayer - "only believe!" 3. Give thanks to God, gratefulness is an important aspect of faith. We are called to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thes.5:18), thankfulness is a demonstration that we believe God has or will provide. In the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) only one thanked Jesus to which our Lord answered “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Thus be thankful!
Dear Father God, thankyou for your great love for me in Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Your Word tells me that you provide all my needs and love to answer my prayers, help me to anchor these truths in my heart and mind. Like the disciples I ask that you show me how to have faith, I believe you can and I thank you for your great provision to your humble servant. Amen.
This and other devotions can be found this web address:
HOW TO HAVE FAITH!
I have read often of christians being desperate for faith or greater faith. Their search always seem to be in the form of seeking some deeply holy formula. In the above text the disciples ask Jesus for more faith, I find myself wondering what did they really expect to happen. What they did receive was not what they expected, an explanation of how small and simple faith can be. There is no great formula, it is simply believing God can and will!
One of my favourite illustrations of faith comes from when I read the biography of the great evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, it is a story I would recommend to all believers. He was famous for when praying over people he would encourage them to "only believe!" He was quoting our Lord who said the same two words to Jairus whose daughter was gravely ill: “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” Luke 8:50. As we know Jairus' daughter was healed by Jesus, this is faith in action.
It is from such scripture that I have learned that the way to faith is a very simple three steps: 1. Ask of God expectantly, He knows our needs but He wants to hear you ask so He has the joy of providing (Matt.7:7). 2. Believe God, trust that not only He can but He will answer your prayer - "only believe!" 3. Give thanks to God, gratefulness is an important aspect of faith. We are called to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thes.5:18), thankfulness is a demonstration that we believe God has or will provide. In the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) only one thanked Jesus to which our Lord answered “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Thus be thankful!
Dear Father God, thankyou for your great love for me in Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Your Word tells me that you provide all my needs and love to answer my prayers, help me to anchor these truths in my heart and mind. Like the disciples I ask that you show me how to have faith, I believe you can and I thank you for your great provision to your humble servant. Amen.
This and other devotions can be found this web address:
HOW TO HAVE FAITH!