How do we strengthen our faith?
In my studies I've found four simple, although not necessarily easy, ways to strengthen our faith.
First, we add muscle to our faith by reading the Bible. "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." - Romans 10:17 There really isn't any explanation necessary for this one. If you believe in something then you want to know more and more about it and the way to learn more about God is through reading his word.
We also strengthen our faith through prayer and fasting. The disciples had just attempted to cast a demon out of a man's son but had been unsuccessful. However, Jesus was able to rebuke the demon and cast him out. Later on the disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to cast this demon out since they had done this and other miracles before. In Matthew 17:20-21, Jesus answered the disciples "Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind (of faith) does no go out except by prayer and fasting." We have to spend time talking to and listening to God thru prayer. Communication is key to any relationship and our relationship with Christ is no exception.
The third way we can strengthen our faith is by being obedient. In Luke 17, Jesus discusses duty with the disciples. He tells a story of someone who has a servant tending his fields and has finished work for the day and comes in to eat. Should the man thank the servant for doing the job that he had been told to do? Well Jesus goes on to tell us that once we do everything we are told to do, we should say "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty". We are expected to be obedient to God. That includes how we talk, how we act, how we treat others and our tithe. I believe that we are expected to give 10%, anything less is unacceptable and anything more is a blessing. There's a quote I've read that says "Fear looks, faith jumps". Many people have faith but won't jump, we are scared to obey what the Lord is telling us to do and step out in faith sometimes.
Lastly, the strongest and deepest faith in the world is useless if it is in the wrong thing. We place our faith in our bank accounts, our significant others, our jobs, or titles and then when one of those fail us we wonder why we come crashing down. The stock market will always rise and fall, loved ones will always make mistakes, and jobs will unfortunately at times be lost. But if we place our faith in Jesus we will have a solid foundation to land on and build back on from any of life's disasters. In John 14:6, Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
Wrapping up what I've learned on faith over the last week or so...
What is faith? Full Assurance In Trusting Him
Why do we need faith? For guidance and direction in life.
How do we strengthen our faith? Bible reading, prayer, obedience, and placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
In my studies I've found four simple, although not necessarily easy, ways to strengthen our faith.
First, we add muscle to our faith by reading the Bible. "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." - Romans 10:17 There really isn't any explanation necessary for this one. If you believe in something then you want to know more and more about it and the way to learn more about God is through reading his word.
We also strengthen our faith through prayer and fasting. The disciples had just attempted to cast a demon out of a man's son but had been unsuccessful. However, Jesus was able to rebuke the demon and cast him out. Later on the disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to cast this demon out since they had done this and other miracles before. In Matthew 17:20-21, Jesus answered the disciples "Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind (of faith) does no go out except by prayer and fasting." We have to spend time talking to and listening to God thru prayer. Communication is key to any relationship and our relationship with Christ is no exception.
The third way we can strengthen our faith is by being obedient. In Luke 17, Jesus discusses duty with the disciples. He tells a story of someone who has a servant tending his fields and has finished work for the day and comes in to eat. Should the man thank the servant for doing the job that he had been told to do? Well Jesus goes on to tell us that once we do everything we are told to do, we should say "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty". We are expected to be obedient to God. That includes how we talk, how we act, how we treat others and our tithe. I believe that we are expected to give 10%, anything less is unacceptable and anything more is a blessing. There's a quote I've read that says "Fear looks, faith jumps". Many people have faith but won't jump, we are scared to obey what the Lord is telling us to do and step out in faith sometimes.
Lastly, the strongest and deepest faith in the world is useless if it is in the wrong thing. We place our faith in our bank accounts, our significant others, our jobs, or titles and then when one of those fail us we wonder why we come crashing down. The stock market will always rise and fall, loved ones will always make mistakes, and jobs will unfortunately at times be lost. But if we place our faith in Jesus we will have a solid foundation to land on and build back on from any of life's disasters. In John 14:6, Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
Wrapping up what I've learned on faith over the last week or so...
What is faith? Full Assurance In Trusting Him
Why do we need faith? For guidance and direction in life.
How do we strengthen our faith? Bible reading, prayer, obedience, and placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
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