Growing in Faith 💛

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." — Mark 9:23 (KJV)

Faith is more than just believing God exists; it is trusting Him completely, even when circumstances seem impossible. In Mark 9:23, Jesus challenges the father of a demon-possessed boy, reminding him that faith unlocks the power of God. The man responds in verse 24:

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

This honest plea reflects our struggle—sometimes our faith wavers, but we can ask God to strengthen it.

What is Faith?

The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Faith is not based on what we can see or control. It is the confidence that God will fulfill His promises, even when we don’t understand how.

Faith and Salvation

Faith is not only about seeing miracles; it is the key to salvation. The Bible teaches that we are saved by faith, not by our works:

Ephesians 2:8-9 – "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Romans 5:1 – "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Galatians 2:16 – "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

These verses emphasize that salvation is a gift received through faith in Jesus, not something we earn.

Growing in Faith

Faith is not always easy. Like the father in Mark 9, we may struggle with doubt. But we can grow our faith by:

1. Hearing the Word of God – "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

2. Praying for Strength – Ask God to help your unbelief, just as the father did.

3. Walking in Trust – Faith grows when we step out in obedience, even when we don’t see immediate results.

Prayer:

Lord, I believe, but I need Your help to trust You more. Strengthen my faith, remind me of Your promises, and help me to rely on You completely. Thank You for saving me by grace through faith. Amen.

Faith makes the impossible possible, not because of our own strength, but because of who God is. Will you trust Him today?

God’s Loving Requirements and the Rewards of Obedience 🙏🏾

Today, I want to remind you of something truly wonderful—God loves us! Not just in words, but in action, in promises, and in the incredible plans He has for us. And because He loves us, He gives us guidance, not to burden us, but to bless us. His requirements for us are simple and good, and when we follow them, the rewards are beyond anything we could imagine!

Let’s start with God’s love and His desire for our good. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God isn’t sitting in heaven, waiting to punish us when we fail. No! He is a loving Father who wants us to live in peace, joy, and purpose. And to help us, He gives us simple but powerful instructions.

In Micah 6:8, we see exactly what He asks of us:

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

These aren’t heavy burdens—they are the keys to a joyful life! Living righteously, showing kindness, and walking closely with God fill our hearts with His peace and love.

Now, let’s talk about the rewards of obedience—because God is a rewarder of those who follow Him!

1. Obedience brings blessings!

In Deuteronomy 28:2, God promises:

“All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”

Imagine that—blessings so great they chase you down!

2. Obedience brings peace and joy!

Jesus said in John 15:10-11,

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love… that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

A life of obedience is a life overflowing with joy!

3. Obedience leads to eternal life!

Revelation 22:14 tells us,

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life.”

God’s greatest reward is spending eternity with Him, where there is no pain, no sorrow—only love and joy forever!

So, my friends, obeying God isn’t about fear—it’s about love. He loves us first and invites us into a life of blessings, peace, and joy. When we trust Him and follow His ways, we step into the amazing future He has prepared for us.

Let’s choose today to walk in His love, obey His word, and receive all the wonderful things He has in store for us!

God bless you, and thank you!

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