Greater Faith - Final

New Year, New Commitments

As the door to the new year opens, and while you are thinking about the resolutions or commitments you will make, this is also a good time to put some thought and prayer into your relationship with Jesus, your prayer life, your service, your giving. The tasks of supporting ourselves and our families, raising and educating our children, taking care of our daily needs, are all vital responsibilities and part of what builds a better future in this life and world; yet we are reminded of what Jesus told His followers: “Desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Peter Amsterdam (Matthew 6:33 CEB)

Seven tips for strengthening your faith

Take the Word into your life. Drinking in the Word, absorbing it deep within you on a daily basis, and allowing it to become a part of your life is one of the most important things that you can do to boost your faith. “Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God.”15

Live the Word. Patterning your life around the principles of God’s Word plays a big role in the strengthening of your faith.

Employ willpower. Faith requires action. Faith means effort. “Faith without works is dead.”16 It takes work to put your faith into action, to take a stand of faith.

Praise. Praise is the voice of faith, the fruit of your lips giving thanks to His name.17 Praise invites the fruits of faith into your life.

Expect great things from God. Every promise in the Bible can be yours, whether you feel worthy of it or not. If you do your part to have faith and meet the conditions, He’s promised to fulfill His promises.

Rise above physical situations and conditions. Strive to focus on Jesus and His power when the situations you face seem overwhelming. There are difficulties, there are impossibilities, there are huge needs and sometimes setbacks. Then there’s the God of the universe, who supplied the entire world with water‚ plants, animals, life‚ time‚ order‚ seasons, and much more‚ in only six days. His power to intercede on our behalf is unlimited!

Allow Him to work in your life in the way He deems best. Learn to recognize the way that He uses things in your life to strengthen your faith‚ and yield to them. Grow through the tests that come your way. Hold on when you’re going through tough times. Choose to get the most mileage you can out of whatever battles you face by hearing from Jesus, and by fighting, and then receiving the enhanced faith and confidence that comes once the battle is over. If you make the right decisions‚ then the battles and tests and trials of life will strengthen your faith rather than weaken it.—Adapted from a message from Jesus

15 Romans 10:17.

16 James 2:26.

17 Hebrews 13:15.
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THE BEST ABILITY IS AVAILABILITY.

God uses what is available, like you and me when we're available. He doesn't create saints out of thin air, He creates them out of flesh-and-blood and Salvation!

Most of the greatest saints the world has ever known were little people who just did what they thought should be done--without others hearing about it or even knowing they were around! But they were always there when they were needed, always willing to see the need and respond. And we, too, have real love for the Lord and others, we'll do whatever needs to be done! But He won't force us! It all depends upon us and our yieldedness and willingness to be made willing, total humility, which is synonymous with total love, so that we're willing to go anywhere, anytime, and do anything, for anybody, and be nobody, to please Him and help everybody!




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