faith-full?
"Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." —Hebrews 11:1
Faith is an assurance. This confident assurance concerns what we hope for but can't see. We are saved by faith in Jesus (Eph 2:8). "All depends on faith" (Rm 4:16). Without faith, it's impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). The conquerors of the world are those who have faith that Jesus is the Son of God (1 Jn 5:5). When Jesus comes back a second and final time, He will be looking to see if there is any faith on this earth (Lk 18:8). Therefore, we definitely need faith.
Faith is a gift from God. He gives us the gift of faith by giving us Himself. We accept the Gift of God Himself by totally giving our lives to Jesus. Then we can have a deep, personal relationship with the Father through the Son and in the Spirit. In this relationship, we develop a deep faith.
If we resist the temptation to take control of our lives, if we don't try to provide all our needs ourselves, we will see God father us and deepen our faith in Him. If we take up the daily cross, we will believe ever more deeply in the crucified Jesus. If we let it be done unto us according to God's word (see Lk 1:38), we will develop faith in the Holy Spirit, Who teaches us (Jn 14:26) to hear Him by hearing the word (see Rm 10:17). The purpose of life is to have faith, grow in faith, and walk by faith in God (2 Cor 5:7).
Prayer: Father, by faith in You may I do what I've never done before.
Promise: "The wind fell off and everything grew calm. Then He said to them, 'Why are you so terrified? Why are you lacking in faith?' " —Mk 4:39-40
Praise: St. John Bosco heard his call to the priesthood as a nine-year-old shepherd boy, and walked by faith and attained his goal.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Pride and Faith on audio AV 64-1 or video V-64.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2008
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