).png)
Week Five:
How to Have Steadfast Faith: The Apostle James challenges us to understand the connection between faith and obedience. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” James 2:17(NKJV). In this text, he writes that faith without works is dead. In other words, not living nor producing anything good fruit, therefore, we cannot have unshakeable beliefs without obeying the Word of God. However, developing steadfast, resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering trust takes time. We are bron spiritually through simple, childlike faith that receives Jesus as one’s Lord and personal Savior. Convictions are nourished by a growing knowledge fo God and deepening confidence in Him. Now, experiencing His protection, provision and power in moments of testing that will strengthen our beliefs. Daniel is a good example of this, each time his loyalty was tested, he chose to depend on God, so each time his loyalty was tested, he chose to depend on God. Sometimes the circumstances were thrust upon him, such as whether to eat food sacrificed to idols. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself ” Daniel 1:8 (NKJV). At other times, he voluntarily initiated a difficult situation in order to help. “Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation” Daniel 2:24 (NKJV). In each case, he followed God’s leading. In the New Testament, Paul was planning to arret Christians when he encountered the Savior, in which he made a complte turnabout; despite threats, beatings, and shipwrecks, he obeyed God and preached the Good News message. Knowing and trusting God throuhg His Son, experiencing His presence, and living obediently are the elements needed to develop and unshakeable faith. Jesus Himself said that our work is to believe in Him, however with the Holy Spirit’s help, each of believer can have and walk with unwavering faith. “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” John 6:29 (NKJV).
Taking Risks of Faith - Part 1: Demonstrating faith in God may appear to be risky business, yet it’s actually the safest thing to do. Futhermore, it’s the way the Lord expects His followers to live. Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:22-32 exhibits someone who Jesus ask to take a risk. Can you imagine what the other disciples thought when Peter stepped out of the boat? It seemed like a crazy thing to do at the time, yet Peter trusted that Jesus would keep him from sinking into the raging water. “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary” Matthew 14:22-24 (NKJV). Nevertheless, life is pretty colorless when you don’t take risks. Being trapped by fear and refusing to take risks my lead to a safe, boring and mediocre life. But you will never thrive, learn, love, or grow if you stay in that trap.“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” Matthew 14:25-28 (NKJV).
Taking Risks of Faith - Part 2:
Mistakes are made, but they add authenticity and color to the performance even if you don’t notice them, especially if you don’t notice them. What are you going to lose? Something you never had to start with cannot be lost.You must test and stretch your abilities by taking risk. But what is risk anyway? And Peter did a pretty good job of walking on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus, as long as his total focus was on Christ, he was okay. Yet when he allowed himself to be distracted by human doubt, fear and uncertainty, he fell deep into challenge or struggle, because he couldn’t understand the point that Jesus was trying to make.“And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled” Mark 6:49-51 (NKJV). This demonstrates an important principle, so when doubts and uncertainity prevent you from obeying God, you will be doomed to failure. Failure is a key to learning. It is the fastest route to success because you learn far more from your failures than you do from your successes. But, when you step out in faith, God always assumes full responsibility for the consequences of our faithful obedience. The story of Peter’s walk in the sea or water teaches one three important things: (1) God will lead us into challenging situations that call us to walk by faith. (2) Christ stands ready to rescue us when we cry out to Him from a repentful heart. (3) The Spirit of God will never let us fall beyond His reach. This may be the season that you are facing a situation that requires full confidence and trust in the Lord as you continue to walk by faith and step our in obedience to the Lord’s wil for your purpose. The real risk lies in your temptations not to obey Him, although while keep our eyes on the Heavenly Father, while believing that He’ ll see you safely to the other side of any dangerous path or story. “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God” Matthew 14:32-33 (NKJV).
Unshakeable Faith:
Faith often matures in hardship, because trials remind us how dependent we are on the Lord. And as we allow ourselves to trust Him more deeply, we will increasingly find that with Him, we can endure crisis and difficulties. The key to such rock-solid faith is an intimate relationship with God. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” John 15:5 (NKJV). Upon salvation, we are grafted into the vine of Christ, which means that His Spirit lives and works in us and provides a constant connection between Father and child. Abiding in God gets us through hard times. However, we have to choose to tap into that power, trying to keep things from God’s control could interfere with His plans and cause our relationship with Him to grow distant. But when we commit to knowing God through prayer, meditation, and obedience, His power flows through us, like sap through a branch, bringing new growth. Intimacy helps us trust the Lord when life gets difficult. And the more we abide, especially during hard challenges and times, the more we grow into unshakeable “oaks of righteousness”. “To console those who mourn in Zion,To give them beauty for ashes,The oil of joy for mourning,The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness,The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV). However, and these Biblical examples didn’t put faith in Jesus and what he could do for them without some idea of who Jesus was and what he was about.