Faith—In Things We Cannot See

We thought it would be great to include this "Faith" article, which was from one of our earlier newsletters...

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen;

it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.“ 

~Heb. 11:1, NLT

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary explains the word faith as:

a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust

Jesus explains faith to His disciples on numerous occasions.  It’s amazing to search the word “faith” in the Bible.  So often, it was explained that this person or that person was healed or saved because of their faith; yet, the disciples were continually reminded of how little their faith was—and they walked, talked & ate with Jesus!

Jesus told his disciples, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,

you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you.”

~ Matt. 17:20

Jesus then told his disciples, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

~ Matt. 21:21

Jesus said, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today,

and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,

how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!”

~ Luke 12:27-28

As we walk through this season of Support Team Building, we are continually reminded that faith can move mountains and what we hope for will actually happen.  Our support needs are great.  We are a large family of six… we are heading to Europe where the cost of living adjustment is an increase of 60%... we do live in Elkhart County, one of the hardest hit areas since the recession began four years ago and many are still struggling.

It can be so easy to find reasons why our support needs are impossible, but God calls us to live a life of faith and we choose to believe that He has called us to serve in Lyon, and He will provide all of our needs just when we need them!  Praise God!

Faith is also a step taken by each of our financial partners.  God may be calling you to sacrifice in some

way, or to step out in faith—believing in something for which there is no proof—and commit to give a monthly amount.  God is waiting for each of us to take a step of faith.  Are you ready to take that step?  God wants to meet your needs and bless you in abundance for your faithfulness in giving.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,

will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

~ Luke 6:38

 

Answering the "Why?" :: Part 1

And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

~ Romans 6:19

Why have we said, "Yes!" to God's leading to minister in France?  Because God is a God who heals!  We wrote previously about our health (or lack thereof) over the past 20 years, and in those times God continually reminded us of our vows, "in sickness and in health".  Praise be to God for showing up and showing off His healing power in our lives.  (You're welcome to read that previous post for more details.)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~ Jeremiah 29:11

We had such naive, idealistically high hopes when we plastered this verse on the wedding bulletin board that humid August morning 20 years ago, choosing for it to be our life verse. Somewhere around years 10-15, we had pretty much given up on what we expected for "future" and "hope" - you know, the kind that we had imagined God would provide.  Since then, we have been experiencing this verse in new and fresh ways, with what we think is a more informed understanding as we see a better picture of what God was really promising.

With God's healing again in our lives, we knew we had to do what we promised we'd do... serve Him.  As we've said before, through the difficult years Psalm 116 became our (for lack of a better phrase) life passage.  It says it so well near the end of the chapter:

What can I give back to God
for the blessings He's poured out on me?
I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
I'll pray in the name of God;
I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it together with his people.

~ Psalm 116:12-14

This renewed health was the beginning of our journey to seek what God wanted us to do and where He was leading.