Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith is opening oneself to the idea of someone or power bigger that ourselves.
Does it take more faith to believe in God, that there is no God, or that we are equal to God?
I look at the mountains, valleys, sky, stars, sea, plants and animals of every kind.
I know that it is no accident; there must be a God that created it all.
Can I make even one of these from nothing? No. Then I am not equal to God?
Faith is a conviction that whose things that God as said will be trustworthy and true.
He walked with man at the beginning and gave to him his word.
God told man that he would die if he disobeyed. We did and we have been dying ever since.
It pained God to watch but He keep his word and set in motion a way back.
Faith is saying with confident that He will bring about His will.
He gave His written law to Moses, to keep us safe. He spoke to the prophet to guide us.
Abraham received it and was blessed because of it and made a convent with God.
By it we grafted back into abundant life.
Faith is trusting His heart for good when we cannot yet see the plan.
By Faith we have the assurance of His wonderful love and salvation.
For it is by faith that we receive His son and are forgiven our sins.
It is by faith that we believe we will one day enter heaven.
It is standing with confident that what He said He will do despite the fact that we cannot see it yet.
We trust that the sun will come up another day and we believe that tomorrow will be better than yesterday by faith.
It is saying if I never see the answer still I will hold to the fast to the promise.
Faith is putting one foot in front of the other and heading out, without knowing the destination.
Trusting him to provide and meet our needs just as He does the flowers of the field.
Believing that he will feed us just as He does the birds of the air.
Faith is handing over the worry and trouble of the day and entering into His rest.
It requires that we let go of our false believe that we are in control and can make a difference.
It demands that we acknowledge that we are in God’s hands and not our own.
It asks that we demonstrate that what is in our hearts with actions.
That we step out on the water, that we walk into the lion den,
That we are thrown into the fire, that give up our last morsel of bread,
That we give up our fears, our failures, and our pride
Before we see the outcome, before we know the future.
It can move mountains or sink ships depending of it strength.
It does not come easy, but slowly grows with each test along the way.
In the right hands it can part the Red Sea, cause the sun to stand still,
Release the prisoners from the four corner of the world to come home,
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, bring victory, and defeat Death.
The weak in faith are tossed about like ships, taking on water until they cannot stay afloat,
Or a tree bending back and forth with the changing winds until its bough breaks.
Oh, heart of mine remember all He has done for you.
Plant your feet and hold your ground against the storm.
Do not listen to the lies of Satan, Do not entertain his thoughts
But trust only in God’s word. Speak only what He has said until the mountain moves.
Let the fire produce its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.
Count it all joy for you will receive the crown of life and His blessing if you endure.
For faith without works is dead and I too want to be called a friend of God.

KATHY BARNES
Copyright 4-24-09