Are you living by faith?

Are you living by faith? Is your faith a living faith? Is your faith growing?

Do you have faith in God today? Are you trusting in him, depending on him, relying on him, entrusting yourself to him, waiting on him, hoping in him, in every aspect of your life and ministry, without exceptions? 

Peter Adam | October 2019 |

Are you doing so cheerfully, hopefully, enthusiastically, constantly?

Are you doing so in your actions, in your hopes, in your private thoughts and reflections, in your life, in your ministry, for yourself, for others?

You believe ‘the faith once for all entrusted to the saints’.  Are you living by faith, is your trust in God growing and strengthening, are you trusting God more and more, and also trusting him for more and more… for everything?

You trust God for salvation: are you trusting that God is transforming you from one degree of glory to another, that these slight momentary afflictions are working an eternal weight of glory, that God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose, that though you will die in weakness you will be raised in glory?

Are there areas in our life or ministry where you are paralysed by lack of faith?

Those who know your name trust in you,
   for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

But I trust in your unfailing love;
   my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5

As for me, I will always have hope;
   I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14

Remember your word to your servant,
   for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
   Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:49.50

What are you trusting God for?

Are you trusting God the saviour for your own salvation, for eternal life, for the ability to die to sin and live to righteousness, do you have assurance of salvation, are you offering yourself as a living sacrifice every day?

Are you trusting God the saviour for his church, his people, that Christ will build his church, that he will one day present his bride to himself without spot or wrinkle, that God will present us to himself with great joy, that a great multitude of people from all nations, peoples and languages will worship God and the Lamb forever. Are you trusting that God will bring glory to himself in the church and in Christ Jesus?

Are you trusting God the creator, sustainer, ruler and judge of all he has made to care for his creation, sustain it, hold it together in Christ, to provide for the welfare of his creation and all people, to rule all nations in justice and mercy?

Are you trusting in God the creator, sustainer, ruler and judge of all people, that no power and no person is strong enough to overturn his rule or frustrate his plans?

Are you trusting your loving heavenly Father for every aspect of your human life: your gifts, your family, your friends, your past, your present and your future, your health, your life, your death?

Are you trusting your loving heavenly Father for food to eat, water to drink, for fresh air, for sun-lights, for energy, health, the good functioning of your body, for his daily gifts, for sleep? 

Are you trusting your loving heavenly Father that he placed you where he wants to you to serve him, and gives you the gifts, energy, and strength to do the good works he has prepared for you to do, and prepared you to do?

Are you trusting your loving heavenly Father when he gives and when he takes away, when he opens doors and when he closes them, in sickness and in health, in need and in plenty, in weakness and strength, in what we call ‘failure’ as well as in what we call ‘success’?

Are you trusting your loving heavenly Father when you are caring for people who are ill, in need, in terrible circumstances? Are you trusting him for them, or trying to replace God in their lives?

Are you trusting loving heavenly Father when you hear of Christians being martyred for their faith, their lives, their actions?

Are you trusting loving heavenly Father when you hear or read the world news?

Are you trusting loving heavenly Father when God judges people, nations, or churches?

 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
   in the morning I lay my requests before you
   and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:1

 We wait in hope for the LORD;
   he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
   for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
   even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 32:20-22

 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
   and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
   more than watchmen wait for the morning,
   more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5,6 

I must confess that there are two areas where I find it hard to trust God: when I look at world situations such as Syria, millions of refugees, and starvation; and when I see people I care for suffering. I must grow in faith and trust in our gracious God.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 

   “Hallelujah!
   For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Revelation 19:6

Are there dark corners of doubt in your life? Bring them into the light, repent of them, and ask God to increase your faith, and grow your vision of his power.

With warmest good wishes,

Yours,

Peter