I had always thought of faith as something I muster out of my own strength. God recently challenged me on this through an RC Sproul podcast. So, I began praying, asking God to give me faith. God's word supports this approach.
"Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:2
Jesus said, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 So, in this case the fruit of faith does not come from myself alone, but from Jesus who is the vine.
This past week, I prayed daily that God would give me more faith. I noticed a pronounced difference. I had challenges this week... challenges that in the weeks and months past had had derailed my sense of peace. In that loss of peace I even questioned if God was really there. This week seemed different. Storms came up, but I remained at peace that God was with me and that there was nothing to fear. I had faith!!!
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet, Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:37-40
David
"Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:2
Jesus said, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 So, in this case the fruit of faith does not come from myself alone, but from Jesus who is the vine.
This past week, I prayed daily that God would give me more faith. I noticed a pronounced difference. I had challenges this week... challenges that in the weeks and months past had had derailed my sense of peace. In that loss of peace I even questioned if God was really there. This week seemed different. Storms came up, but I remained at peace that God was with me and that there was nothing to fear. I had faith!!!
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet, Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:37-40
David
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