JULY  –  FAITH 

1.  Hebrews 11:1  “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is  

going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”  LB 

Faith is the evidence, substance, or manifestation of something that has existed for-merly in the realm of hope. Hope is unseen. Faith brings the invisible into the visible. Therefore we all need to have vision or hope to ever see the practical work of faith do it’s job for us. Faith is believing, or trusting in God; that He will actualize whatever it is He gave us hope for. Let us continually go to God and His Word to receive the hope we need for our lives. Without this hope there is no possibility of faith bringing the answer to our needs. Let us continually encourage people to start with step one – to have hope. 

2.  Hebrews 11:6  “It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because  

anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists, and that He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him”  MSG 

Here is a foundational doctrine of Christianity. Faith is the key. God works by faith and through our faith. He is not manipulated by our needs, nor does He respond to the plight of people until there is an exercise of faith on our part. He wants to reward all those who sincerely seek Him and choose to depend on Him. I believe He is anticipating blessing my life on a continual basis because I believe in Him, and I depend on Him for everything. There is no part of my life that I want to run by myself. He is there for me and has revealed the secret of success on earth. It is living by Faith in God. 

3.  Ephesians 2:8-9  “For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of  

yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

It is God’s grace, or supernatural power that has saved us from our former dark and sin- 

ful life. Yet this could not have happened until we saw the truth in the Scriptures and exercised our faith, or belief in what the Word of God says. Therefore faith is necessary to become part of the family of believers, or the Body of Christ, called the church. Since we were born again by faith, let us also continue to live by faith as a family of faith, in total dependence on the God of Faith. We continue to trust in the ability of God, a gift from God, which is called faith. We cannot take any credit for  this gift working, either for our salvation or for the supernatural activity that happens in our daily walk with the Lord. 

Faith comes from the Creator, and we have the privilege of living with it. 

4.  1 John 5:4  “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the  

victory that overcomes the world  –  our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

We have no power in ourselves to overcome the world and the evils of the world. Yet when we submit to Christ and believe in His Word, there is a deposit of faith that comes from God to change our former failures and weaknesses into victory and strength. The worldly ways will be eliminated from our minds, and the ungodly living will diminish until there is no shadow of the old ways remaining in our lives. This truly is a victory. This is faith in action. This is the life of Christ in us. This begins when we make a decision to believe in Him and follow that decision up with becoming a committed student and disci-ple of His, serving in the family of God, which is the church. 

5.  Galatians 5:6  “And we to whom Christ has given eternal life don’t need to worry  

about whether we have been circumcised or not, or whether we are obeying the Jewish ceremonies or not; for all we need is faith working through love.”  LB 

Far too often we are overly concerned about whether somebody is eating and drinking the acceptable thing, or acting in a particular way to suit our preferences, or even listen-ing to the music we deem to be proper for a Christian to be using. Our goal is not to adopt a certain religious behavior that will offend no one, but rather to live in a way that will please the Holy Spirit. Let us live before God and men with faith in the Word of Christ, and practicing a God kind of love that will propel that faith into doing works that glorify the Lord. We are above all to love people by faith so that they will turn to God, and be moved by that love to follow God by faith with all their hearts. 

6.  Matthew 6:28-30  “Will all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why  

worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don’t worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you, O men of little faith?”  LB 

The sign that we have little faith is our worrying. This indicates that we still have a small trust in God. Just what are we going to do about it? It will never do to live our whole life in fear that we won’t be taken care of by God. Worry is the evidence that we really don’t know our Heavenly Father. There is a whole volume of books written about Him; in fact He is the Author. Check Him out! Read about Him. Get an accurate picture of Whom He is and observe His ability. Read the Bible to help God turn little faith into big faith. 

1. Matthew 8:25-26  “And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat  

was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing.’ But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’” 

Here is another indicator that our faith is yet small. It is fearfulness, even when Jesus is with us. Here was a critical, life threatening situation at hand, yet Jesus was having a sleep. These disciples had walked with Him and watched Him, yet they feared. We should always be taking our cue from Jesus, if our trust is truly in Him. You and I need to walk with Jesus in the Scriptures until we build our little faith into storm stopping faith. These accounts of Him serving people should be impressing our hearts so powerfully that our faith grows daily, preparing us to respond to any circumstance with that faith. 

1. Matthew 9:20-22  “And suddenly a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years  

came from behind and touched the hem of His garment; for she said to herself, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.’ But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was made well from that hour.” 

After twelve years of being sick, the only thing ever on this woman’s mind was sick-ness. Then she heard about the healing ministry of Jesus. This gave her something else to think about, so she started to meditate on being healed and having an encounter with the One who could do it. Her faith began to rise up. This faith grew until it became bigger than the 12-year sickness mountain. It grew until she made a move to go and touch the Healer. Immediately that faith worked. Faith gave this woman her miracle. 

1. Luke 5:18-20  “Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were  

looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, He said, ‘Friend, I forgive your sins.’”  MSG 

What was it that impressed Jesus? He was seeing with His eyes that these men had faith. Their bold belief had moved them to do something about their needy friend. They didn’t care about the ruined roof of the house as much as they were committed to get-ting their pal some help from Jesus. The crowd in the house would not even budge to assist them, but this could not stop their drive to engage the Healer. Too many of us to-day give up too easily. We sacrifice our reward. Let us press on in faith for healing. 

1. Luke 18:7-8  “So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for His  

chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t He stick up for them? I assure you, He will. He will not drag His feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on earth when He returns?”  MSG 

This is a story about a widow who refused to give up her rights. I wonder how many Christians today actually stand up for their Bible rights. If Jesus would return to earth this moment would He be disappointed that I was not living up to the blessings and promises that are mine because God is my Father? Would Jesus be hurt because He has paid a high price to make me a child of faith and I have neglected to exercise that faith to receive what is mine? I want to please the Lord. I will look in the Good Book to see what is written there for me. I will begin to walk in faith to receive my inheritance. 

1.   Proverbs 20:6  “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a  

faithful man?” 

There are many people out there who are ready to claim and proclaim their loyalty and  

love. But how responsible are they in their relationships with others and in the church family when a small disagreement arises. Even husbands and wives declare their loyalty, and then a few days later they are breaking up the marriage. The problem is a lack of faith in their covenant and commitment when a difficulty arises. Faith is willing to believe and act and work hard towards a goal or vision originally made together. When we fail to exercise faith in issues here on earth it is usually a reflection of our relation-ship with God, and the faith we have in Him. Therefore it would be good to develop a great faith in the Lord so we would be empowered to have more faith for works on earth. 

12.  Matthew 24:45-47  “Are you a wise and faithful servant of the Lord? Have I given  

you the task of managing My household, to feed My children day by day? Blessings on you if I return and find you faithfully doing your work. I will put such faithful ones in charge of everything I own!”  LB 

Here is a great promise for all those in the family of God who are wise in the steward-ship He has given them. Our faithfulness to Christ is measured by our serving people. Are we taking care of the church? Are we steadily working to share the spiritual food and minister to the physical needs of the saints? Our faith in action sets us up to receive the blessings of God, more authority from God, and responsibility to steward more and more of the household of God. When we have proven our faith by the works of our hands there is never any fear about the Master coming to evaluate our life. 

1.   Luke 16:10-12  “ He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he  

who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?”  

Our faithfulness is tested first in small things that have little value. We have to prove we will do what is right. Often we are first tested with money or material things. If we fail in that responsibility we cannot be trusted in spiritual matters, especially concerning the teaching of the Word of God and caring for His people. Those are the true riches. This is how we can determine who gets the stewardship of a group of disciples or the assign-ment of a leadership position. Be a faithful servant, and God will use you mightily. 

1.   Hebrews 11:11  “ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed,   

and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 

Sarah and Abraham waited 25 years after God promised them a son, to finally receive the child. Why such a long wait? Well, this was to be a child of faith, and obviously Sarah did not have the level of faith it took for a woman her age to conceive. She was too old and her body was past childbearing age. She had to spend 25 years building up her faith in God, believing He could do this, trusting in His Word. Finally her faith rose to such a level that it became the strength she needed in her aged body to miraculously conceive that seed for a baby. Faith was the power that enabled her. She had come to the point of truly believing the Lord to give exactly what He had said He would give. 

1.   Ephesians 6:13-16  “ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be  

able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having your feet shod with the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” 

We are in a constant battle against the invisible forces of darkness, wicked spirits that war against the people of God. He has made a complete suit of armor available for every be-liever. The Bible states that above all, we are to take the shield of faith and use it. This is the only weapon given to us to quench all the arrows of Satan sent to kill or wound us. Faith protects us. Without this shield we cannot even use our swords. We are dead. So use the Word of God to build your faith up; live and be strong for the Lord. 

1.   Romans 10:17  “ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” 

Jesus’ disciples realized that His amazing works were the result of His great faith in God. They had seen the evidence with their own eyes. They even asked Jesus to increase their faith. But He replied to them stating that even a small amount of faith can produce great supernatural works. Faith is something from God. Can anything from God fail to produce great results? Here is what Romans is saying – faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Then it continues to grow and work by more hearing. I am convinced that meditation in Scripture is the secret to building faith. Joshua was promised that if he would meditate in the Word day and night everything he did in every place would prosper. There is no need for us to go for a different plan when there is a perfect plan that works. Meditate, hear what God is saying, and your faith will grow and produce. 

1.   Romans 1:17  “ This Good News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven –  

makes us right in God’s sight – when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it, ‘The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.’”  LB 

The Bible states in numerous places that the just shall live by faith. God is looking for people who will trust Him because they believe in Him. Why? Because He wants to reveal Himself  to the world by making a distinction between those who live by faith and those who do not. When He empowers and blesses people of faith it is a sign of His great love for the world. When He gives His peace and forgiveness to those who were once vile sinners He is inviting others to also embrace Himself. As He heals and deli-vers many from the powers of darkness and the flesh they can begin to truly see Jesus. 

1.   1 Chronicles 10:13  “ So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed  

against the Lord, because he did not keep the Word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.” 

Saul was the king of Israel. He had been anointed to serve in that capacity by the great prophet Samuel. Yet in his years as king, he disregarded the Lord’s Word on a number of occasions. He did what was right in his own eyes. He had a shallow relationship with God so he carried on ruling Israel without God’s guidance. Finally he stooped even lower and got direction and counsel from a medium. The Lord had warned His people to avoid mediums, and rely totally on Him for instruction and guidance. He wanted them to live by faith in God alone. He was best able to govern them. He had good plans for them and had power over their enemies. Let us have faith in God alone. 

1.    Mark 11:21-22  “ And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree  

which you cursed has withered away.’ So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’” 

The disciples were following Jesus closely and observing carefully what was happening as a result of His Words. He had cursed a fig tree the previous day and in the morning that tree was dried up from the roots. They were amazed at the power of the spoken word of their leader. Jesus immediately had to explain that as God the Father gives us faith in our hearts our spoken words carry authority. These words can affect us either negatively or positively, depending on how we speak them. Jesus spoke and an un-fruitful fig tree died. The very next morning He exhorts His followers that faith words also have that kind of power to remove mountains or challenges in our lives. 

1.   Hebrews 12:1a-2  “ …and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  

looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Faith starts with Jesus. He is the Author of faith. When we come to Him, believing in who He is and deciding to trust in His Word, He releases to us a supernatural power that is meant to enable us to live for Him. This faith is designed to give us victory in the race that Christ has assigned us to run on earth. It will be the defining element that can make our work or service in the Kingdom of God a joyful experience, even though we should be called to a most difficult task. Faith in God is what causes Him to partner with us in serving His purposes. Keep looking to Jesus and He will give you faith to run well. 

1.   Proverbs 25:19  “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken  

tooth or a foot out of joint.  AMP 

In a time of trouble we really need people of faith to go to. Unfaithful people are unreli-able, so why get help from someone who doesn’t have their own life in order. It is as silly as trying to chew meat with an infected tooth in our mouth or running a race with a broken foot. Look around you! Who is there that has faith in God and in His Word? Who relies on the Scriptures for getting answers for their life? Who has a positive attitude and displays the joy and confidence that comes from the Lord? This is the kind of person that reveals in his day to day living that Jesus has changed his life and there is faith available to assist others in their struggles. Make yourself aware of who has faith, and better yet, become one of those people of faith who can serve others in need. 

1.   John 20:27-29  “ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger into my hands. Put your  

hand into My side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas said. Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen Me. But blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe Me anyway.’”  LB 

We have heard the words on occasion that seeing is believing. According to the Bible that is not true. Thomas had seen Jesus die and now he saw Him alive in the flesh. Yet his seeing did not give him faith to believe his eyes. He had to touch the evidence and then choose to believe it. Believing happens in the heart. We can let the senses over-rule our hearts. Let’s stop that! God is looking for people who will regard His Word as Truth and decide to believe it without seeing Him personally. That is faith. That’s what impresses God! Jesus said that those who do this are blessed people. 

1.   Luke 18:41-42  “What do you want Me to do for you? He said, ‘Lord, let me receive  

my sight!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith (that is, your trust and confidence springing from your faith in God) has healed you.’”  AMP 

There is something about faith, that in the right setting, gives us confidence to ask for what Jesus can give us. This blind man who was led to Jesus had heard for many days that the Healer was in the area. Probably because he was blind, his hearing capability was sharpened to a fine edge. This attentive hearing transmitted into faith in his heart, to the point that he was shouting and demanding that Jesus pay some attention to his need. Those around him tried to shut him up, considering he was just a distraction to the ministry. He would not let his faith be quenched, and the result of his persistence got him exactly what Jesus had to offer, which was what he needed. Faith really works! 

1.   Luke 18:40-43   “So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.  

And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ And he said, ‘Lord, that I may receive my sight.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” 

There is something about faith in us that attracts Jesus to us. He was a busy man mov-ing about the countryside ministering to people. His reputation for doing supernatural works among them preceded His arrival. The blind man, having faith in who Jesus was, began to petition Him for help. He called Him ‘Son of David.’ Even a blind man knew He was the Son of God. May our faith also draw life for us from the Son of David. 

1.   Luke 18:43   “ And instantly he received his sight and began to follow Jesus  –  re- 

cognizing, praising, and honoring God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.”  AMP 

The evidence that this blind man had an authentic faith in Jesus was the immediate manifestation of healing in his eyes. The blessing of this faith was three fold. Firstly, the man was no longer bound to the limitations put upon him for being blind. Secondly, he was praising and honoring God for setting him free; giving glory to the One who gave the faith and did the work. Thirdly, the witnesses of the working of God in this event were pointed to the Lord and began to praise Him too. Now this kind of faith in action is a motivating invitation to the public to follow the God who hears and answers our petitions, and does works beyond our imagination. Activated faith changes people. 

1.  Hebrews 3:1-2  “ Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consid- 

er the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.”  

What are we to consider about Jesus? His faithfulness to His Father. What was so nota-ble about Moses? He also was faithful to His Father. What is God expecting from all of us who have become partakers of life through having our sins forgiven by our Savior? We should be faithful to our Lord. Like Moses, we are to be faithful in our family, our home, and in the house of God. If we cannot have faith for those who are saved by the wonderful blood of Jesus, how could we have faith for those living in darkness and re-jecting Christ. Let us express our faith toward the Lord by fervent praise, by loving those in the body of Christ, by committed praying, and by diligence to study the Word of God. 

1.   Nehemiah 7:1-2  “ Now when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the  

gatekeepers, singers, and Levites had been appointed, I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah, the ruler of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for Hananiah was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.”  AMP 

Who is the person that God can trust with the oversight of the city, or the church, or even a job? It is a man who has been proven faithful in his daily responsibilities. The foundation of being faithful, or having faith, is having a deep respect for God, honoring His Word, and living by the principles in the Scriptures. Having respect for God is a decision, agreeing with His Word is humility, and accepting the standards of the Bible for a lifestyle takes courage. This describes a life that is separated from the ways of the world. This defines one who has the fear of God and who will become strong in faith. 

1.   James 2:17-18  “So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. You must also do  

good to prove you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all  –  it is dead and useless. But someone may well argue, ‘You say the way to God is by faith alone, plus nothing; well, I say that good works are important too, for without good works you can’t prove whether you have faith or not; but anyone can see that I have faith by the way I act.’”  LB 

Faith alone is not enough to attain salvation. There needs to be a receiving of forgive-ness. We can believe and still not be saved. In the same way, just having faith by itself does not accomplish the mighty works of God. It must result in some form of activity. Plan to activate your faith so you bear fruit. Receive direction from the Lord about how to put faith into practice. Get His plan. Then go to work and enjoy watching God work. 

1.  Hebrews 4:2-3  “ For this wonderful news – the message that God wants to save us –  

has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith. For only we who believe God can enter into His place of rest. He has said, ‘I have sworn in My anger that those who don’t believe Me will never get in…..’”  LB 

The multitude of people that Moses led out of slavery in Egypt would not believe that God would deliver them to their Promised Land. The Lord even gave them Joshua and Caleb as examples of great men of faith so they could see what faith is and how it works. However, they chose to hang on tightly to their negative unbelief and despised their leaders. They all died in the wilderness because of their choices. Let us be careful to avoid the wrong pathway and follow those with faith in God who show us the way. 

1.   Psalm 31:23-24  “Oh, love the Lord, all you saints! For the Lord preserves the faith- 

ful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strength-en your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” 

Thank God He has committed Himself to protect, preserve, and strengthen us. All this is ours if we will take the time to seek Him, be careful to hear Him, and put into practice all the commands He gives us. Only the proud and stubborn person is so foolish and de-ceived as to try to live without the counsel of the Father. Take the time to be in love with Him. Take plenty of time to wait in His presence. Honor Him by making His Word the source of direction for every day. Include Him in making plans for the future. Let Him in on the choices you are making and the priorities you set. Make Jesus the center of the ministry you do in the church. Love Him with all your heart. These are faith actions! 

1. “ I have been crucified with Christ – (in Him) I have shared His crucifixion; it is no  

longer I who live, but Christ, the Messiah, lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith – by adherence to and reliance on and (complete) trust – in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”  AMP 

Oh, what a love Jesus has for us!  What great faith He has in us! When we were yet totally committed to darkness, when the devil was still our father, Jesus gave His life in faith that we would believe in Him and receive His offering to save us. Messiah took my whole dark past, all my sin, on Himself on the cross, in faith that this offering would be acceptable to the Heavenly Father on my behalf. God received this offering of faith and made me free. Oh what love, that moved faith to work on my behalf. How could I ever repay such love and faith? Well, let me now live my days in faith to serve Christ. He is number one in my life by faith. The church, His Body, is my family of faith. And eternity with Jesus is my ultimate destiny through the faith He has imparted to me. Praise the Lord!