Faith Archives - Page 8 of 16

Be Bold

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a conference at my church. The basis of the conference was to equip Christians to become bold witnesses for Christ. As I was listening to the minister I began to think about why Christians today are not as bold as they could be.

Why Not Us

This is not an indictment on Christians, but rather just my observations and what I think is necessary to help us grow into bold, confident believers. I see so many people of other faiths that are bold and it seems that Christians are lacking when it comes to boldness.

Are we, as Christians, willing to talk about our faith at work, in the community and just in everyday life? I’ll be the first to admit that I may not do this as well as others. I do however, understand who I am and who I represent.

Confidence in Who I AM

I believe confidence is one of the biggest problems that Christians face today. Too many of us do not understand who are. We are not sure what it means to be called of God. We read the Bible and there is a disconnect from what we read to how it applies to us.

If we look at other groups in society, they seem very solid and grounded in who they are and what they stand for.

I believe that boldness starts with confidence. Confidence in who God has called me to be. I must have confidence in what God has called me to do with my life. Christian boldness starts with these things.

I can’t speak to my neighbors, co-workers, friends and family about my faith and love for God if I’m not confident in that faith and love.

Spending Time With God

The purpose of spending time with God is to gain confidence in who He is. Gaining an understanding of God and being in a relationship with God also breeds confidence in Him.

This week, let’s look to build our confidence in God by spending time with Him. Then we can go into the world and be bold Christians that share His love.

Why Faith

Why I Wrote About Faith

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been writing about faith. What it is, how to use it and how to have Faith when all attempts of my own efforts fail. In my heart, I believe that people can struggle with their faith. For that reason, I wanted to share some of my own faith victories and struggles this time.

My Struggle

Faith for me was always something that I heard about in church. I knew I was supposed to have it, that I was supposed to use it and I even knew a scripture or two. Despite all of this I struggled with developing my own faith.

Rules & Laws Are Not the Way

I tend to be a person that likes steps and rules. The 5 Steps for this or the 7 Laws of that, tend to be right up my alley. That is how I think. It makes concepts and processes easy for me to understand.

What I failed to understand was that believing in God and then trusting in Him was more than 5 or 7 steps. It is more than fulfilling certain rules and laws. Following steps doesn’t build trust in God. It distances us from God and makes Him seem like an unapproachable boss rather than the loving Father that He truly is.

What I Really Needed

Following rules and laws are good, but it doesn’t help me develop a real relationship with God. I didn’t really trust Him. I was trusting more in the rules and laws to get the results that I wanted.

Today, I like to think that I’ve gotten better. I honestly still struggle with thinking that sometimes it would be easier to just follow the rules and then get the results. However, some of the best parts of being in a relationship with God have nothing to do with the “things” that come. Some of the best parts are the comfort that comes from being able to be open and honest with God. The peace that comes from knowing Him. He has helped me in more ways than I can count.

Be Honest

There is nothing wrong with being honest with God and telling Him that we are struggling with something. Even if it is trusting in Him. God will prove Himself to you. Just as He did for me.

Getting Better

My relationship with God is stronger now than it was in the past. I know that it can get better and as a result my faith will be positively impacted. I look forward to growing in this relationship, so that I can tell others about God and how He transformed my life.

What has helped you in your relationship with God? How does your faith come into play?

Using Your Faith

The last couple of weeks we’ve been looking at the subject of Faith. Faith is the pinnacle of the Christian life. We’ve looked at what faith is and how to have faith. All the while the attempt is to ultimately make us stronger in our faith and trust in God.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Is Faith is important?

Our faith is essential to living a life that is pleasing to God. That’s what our lives should be based on. In the last post I discussed how Faith in God can be related to Trust in God. So, Hebrews 11:6 is saying that to please God we must trust Him.

Our Faith in Actions

If we trust God then our actions should line up with that fact. Our actions show what’s in our hearts. They also show what we truly believe in.

It’s the same in a relationship. I have faith in my wife. There is a relationship built where I trust her to do what’s best for our family. I have faith in her to do what God has called her to do. My actions in our relationship reflect that trust. I don’t have to monitor every dollar that she spends. I don’t have to track every conversation or keep track every time she goes out with her friends.

James 2:17 (ESV)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

The actions that make up our lives, should be actions that are pleasing to God.

Is it as simple as living by the ten commandments? That may be a good place to start, but there is a deeper level that we can attain. The problem with the ten commandments is that they were laws. While laws to live our lives by are great, laws without relationship leaves you disconnected to God.

Seeing God in Our Lives

When we accept Jesus into our hearts, He lives there. If He lives there, then there is the ability for Him to be talking to us everyday. Everyday we can hear words from Him. Those words help us to trust Him. His words help us to identify His actions in our lives. Seeing His actions in our lives will show us that God loves us. Trusting Him is having Faith in God.

It is all connected. Using our faith should be an everyday occurrence. Every action, every part of who we are has the potential to be an extension of our faith. Begin using your faith today.