In Hebrews 11:8 we are told “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Faith is something you don’t want to overlook in your Christian walk. You want to please God.
Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as “the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the true foundation on which your belief in God is built. It has to be solid as a rock. You want to please God.
You may be going through something right now that challenges your faith. Never forget that you can overcome any problem through faith in God. God command is:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them (problems) for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you” ( Deuteronomy 31:6).
Lyrics of Gospel Song Says How a Problem Can Be a Reward
One songwriter said it so well in the lyrics of the gospel song Through It All performed by Andre Crouch:
“If I’d never had a problem,
I wouldn’t know God could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.”
Faith can move mountains. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says to 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.”
Yes, nothing is impossible for you if your faith is in Christ and what He has done for you on Calvary’s cross. Your faith and trust cannot be in your bank account, the government, your education or your physical strength.
Your faith and trust, if you want to please God, cannot even be in the church you love and attend, nor your pastor or priest. It must be in Christ and Christ alone.
The Thief on The Cross: His Reward Was Paradise
There are a lot of examples in the Bible of great men and women who were rewarded for their faith. But my mind’s eye at the moment can visualize that thief who was hanging beside Christ on Calvary’s cross.
He recognized the deity of the One who was dying on the cross next to him and he asked Jesus to remember him in Luke 23:43. Jesus recognized his faith. Christ said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
What a reward! To be with Christ in Paradise was the thief’s destiny, the greatest prize one can possess..
This scene reveals how faith is so greatly valued by God. Think about it:
• God doesn’t care how wealthy we are and how much we give to the church.
• God is not impressed with how well we are dressed on Sunday morning.
• God is not impressed with our talent.
• God is not impressed with the number of mission trips we take.
• God is hot impressed with how long and loud we pray.
• God is not impressed with how much we study the Bible.
• God is not impressed if we speak in tongues.
All these are good, but they are not enough to save us. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Yes, God does not want our religion or denomination. Like the thief on the cross, who was not a Baptist, not a Pentecostal and not a Methodist, we must be willing to surrender all to God.
There Is No Reward For The Doubting, Double-Minded Person
It is our faith that God wants. James 1:5-8 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
Cast fear and doubt out of your life. Lean on God and “delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
Faith in God does have its reward:
1. It can make a way for you where there seems to be no way
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2. It can save the lost.
3. It can heal the sick.
4. It can change the alcoholic, drug addict or child abuser.
5. It can put marriages back together
6. It can gives us that blessed assurance that God has prepared a home for us in Heaven.
Let Us Pray That We Will Remain Faithful and Not Fall Away
“Dear God in Heaven, we thank you for so much. We thank you that you continue to watch over us. We thank you that you are such a great provider. We lack, God for nothing, because our faith is anchored in you.
Lord, we know that we are living in difficult times. We know your coming is soon. because it is all lining up just as your Word says. Help us to remain faithful to your cause and not stumble and fall away. Help us not to become entangled with false doctrines, doctrines of devils, backsliders and pretenders.
Help us Lord. We need strength in our walk. We need your wisdom. We are not a perfect people, Lord, but we know that your Word says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
We do want to please you, Lord. Help us to realize that what you want from us is a heart that is broken and contrite as well as a broken spirit. Help us not to be proud or haughty. Keep us in a state of repentance.
It is our desire to be faithful to you, Lord. Like that thief on the cross, we want you to see our faith and guide us and direct us on a path of righteousness that will one day lead us to that heavenly home.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen.”