Faith in God is an amazing gift. It starts the moment your heart says, “I believe Jesus is God’s Son and He came to rescue me.” But I wonder how many Christians decide that’s where their faith ends, when the truth is; God has so much more for us in this life!
One of the reasons this happens is because many people feel they don’t measure up to what they think they should be. They get stuck focusing on their weaknesses and mistakes rather than focusing on who God is and what He’s doing in and around them.
John 3:17 (NASB) tells us, “God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”
Jesus is not only your Savior, He’s your advocate. And He wants you to start believing God for more than a trip to heaven.
Faith: The Answer to Every Problem You Face
The Bible says, “the just shall live by faith” (Heb. 10:38). In other words, faith is an attitude that can become your way of life—and there is no better way to live.
Faith replaces fear and worry with peace and joy. It purifies the heart, cultivates hope, receives provision and overcomes the attacks of the enemy.
Ephesians 6:16 says that faith is a shield. So when the enemy starts to shoot darts of fear and insecurity, you can get behind your shield of faith and keep going forward with God.
But here’s the thing: A shield won’t do any good unless it’s lifted up. You need to raise up your shield by praying, saying and doing things that line up with God’s Word.
Second Peter 1:5 (AMP) says to, “[…make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence…knowledge (insight, understanding).”
If you will exercise your faith to become more like Christ Himself, the way you think will change and the things you say will change. You will begin to live with greater love and compassion. And it will become very natural for you to encourage others in their faith.
I want to encourage you to make a habit of getting up in the morning and thanking God for what He’s done in your life. Praise Him for what He’s going to do. Declare your trust in Him to provide everything you need and ask Him to prepare you for whatever challenges may come your way.
Faith Becomes a Part of Who You Are
It’s important to understand that you cannot change yourself. It’s spending time with God that transforms you.
One thing the apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesian church was that the Holy Spirit would reveal Himself in their inner being and personality—that they would see who God had created them to be through Christ.
Ephesians 3:16-17 (AMP) says, “May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love.”
God wants us to be firmly rooted in the love of Christ so we can stand in authority against our enemy. And He wants us to be so stirred up in His love that we can’t help but share it with others.
Faith Leaves a Footprint for Others to Follow
Ultimately, it’s not the things we do but our faith that pleases God (Heb. 11:6). As we look to the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, we see how God was able to work in their lives because they believed. And they never stopped believing God for something greater than before (Heb. 11:13)! The Bible says that they were sustained and controlled by their faith and their faith still inspires us today.
Noah prepared an ark to save his family. It took him 100 years to build and he was made fun of every single day because where he lived, there was no rain. But he stuck with God’s plan. The Bible says that by faith, Noah “became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Heb. 11:7, NASB).
By faith, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac with the hope that God might raise him from the dead (vv. 17-19).
Rahab was a prostitute but she chose to believe that God could use her in a mighty way. And because of her faith, she and her family were saved (v. 31).
What will be your great story of faith?
First John 5:4 (NASB) says, “For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.”
Decide today that, with God, the impossible is possible. Amazing things can happen when you choose to believe. So be bold in asking God to reveal what His promises mean for you and never stop believing for more than what He’s already accomplished in your life.
God created each of us for a specific time with a specific plan and purpose for our lives…and He wants to make you a real-life hero of faith.
For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-teaching CD series Overcoming Fear with Faith. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting joycemeyer.org.
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries. {eoa}
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored 130 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Authentically, Uniquely You (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit joycemeyer.org.
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