May The Faith Be With You

Does it control your actions?

We have talked about the difference in Faith and Traditions of men. We have talked about Faith without works. We have talked about Hebrews chapter 11, briefly. How Faith is the power of God. Working in your daily lives. Many "Christians" have Faith. Many Children of God have Faith, as for as much they believe in God and Jesus and have accepted His sacrifice for their Sins.

However, Faith is more than just a belief. I have heard it said many times, I believe in God. I have read the Bible. Or at least parts of it. So I am a good person. Well? The Devil knows God. Has seen Him eye to eye. He knows the Bible. He was there when all the Books were written. He saw Jesus face to face and walked with Him. Does this mean the Devil is a good person?

Many accept the Truth of God. They accept Jesus. They pray forgiveness of their Sins, and then they live on, wondering why things happen and why their prayers seemingly go unanswered. They allow the cares of this world to over take them and they fear. Fear leads to anger. Anger to hate. Hate to Sin. Sin to death.

Faith is not merely a belief. But it is also the Power of God to work in your life. It is stronger than anything worldly. Bigger and more powerful than any problem you will ever face. So what is Faith really?

Hebrews 11:

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

God tells us that He loves us. Yet we have never seen Him. He tells us Jesus came and died for our Sins. Yet, we never met Him. That we will go to live with Him in Paradise, where we have never been. He tells us that if we Pray, and doubt not in our hearts, we shall have whatsoever we ask. Yet, we see no evidence of the answer when we ask. In other words. We must operate as if what we pray about is already there, even though it is not. Already answered even though it hasn't been materialized. Live as if it is.

Luke 17:

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Mark 9:

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

You must have faith to believe, that what is not yet, already is. That what may seem ridiculous to some, and perhaps even impossible, is nothing to God. You being His child, nothing is impossible to you either.

I have a friend that is a big Star Wars fan. He thinks that Lucas created the "Force" and the entire concept of Good vs Evil and the light and Dark Side, Jedi, and Siths, etc, on Christianity. For those of you who are not Star Wars fans, sorry. But it is a good analogy.

When Luke was learning the ways of the "Force," first Obi One told him that the "Force" is what connects all things. It binds the Universe together. Yoda told him what a powerful ally the "Force" can be. Luke asked, someone, if it controlled your actions. They told him, partially, but it also obeys your commands. Luke learned to see things differently then all others. He learn to do things that seemed impossible to do. He became a Jedi.

Now if you watch the Movie, substitute God, and Faith, every time they talk about the "Force." You'll see my friend does have a point. Back to Hebrews 11.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

How does one exercise their Faith? How do you increase your Faith. How do you learn how to use your Faith? The Word of God. Praying to God. Spending time with God. Allowing the Spirit to teach you. Lead you. Guide you. Does it control your actions? It teaches you the way you should do things, so in a way, yes. But, like the "Force," Faith also obeys your commands. You must learn how to use it, and learn how to increase your Faith. There is only really one way..

Romans 10:

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If you do not read The Word, go to Church, or Pray, how can you be filled? You may have heard the Truth, and may have even accepted it. You may be Saved. However, if you do not fill yourself, replenish, then eventually, those things you heard will fade away, and they will profit you little. You want to become more Faithful, and Faithfilled, then you need to feed on the Word of God.

When some of Jesus's Disciples came back with a man possessed, they saw Jesus heal him and cast out the devils. They asked Him, why could they not do that?

Matthew 17:

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Think about that. Jesus tells us that we can move mountains, if we have such little Faith as compared to a Mustard Seed. We have the Spirit of God Himself in us.

1 John 4:

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

As Luke learned, the "Force" is what gives a Jedi his power. Faith is what gives a Saint, a Child of God, his power. Back to Hebrews 11

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Without Faith, it is impossible to please God. You have to accept, of course, that God is God. That He is above all and the Creator of all. That He is bigger than any problem that you may face in the World. You must have Faith in God's Word, and understand what it truly means. You have to have Faith the God, your Father, is Faithful and just to forgive you of your Sins and help you along your Journey. You must have Faith that the things God tells you are as absolutely true as the things you see everyday.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

It was not raining when Noah starting building the Ark.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

This goes back to our discussion of God preparing a way where there seems to be no way. That if God tells you to do something, trust in Him, and go do it.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Think about that also. We are in the world, but we are no longer of it. We do not always have to conform to the Laws of the natural world, because we have become supernatural beings. We have received back the authority over it, that God gave to Adam, and Adam gave to Satan. Look at this story in Matthew 8. Now Matthew 8 is filled with Faith and those practicing Faith in everyday life, well, let's look at some of them....

Matthew 8:

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

No greater faith. The Centurion, not a Religious person, asked Him to heal his Servant. He understood, that even though he was not worthy, that if Jesus would, merely speak the healing, his servant would be healed. He had Faith that, one, Jesus could do it. Two, that all Jesus had to really do was speak it. Command it. Tell the Spirit of Life to enter into his house and heal his Servant, and it would be done.

Then Jesus continued on to Peter's house.

14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Can you sleep during the storms in your life? You should be able to. The same Spirit that was in Jesus, is in you. You see, we have authority over all things God created, until Adam gave that authority over to Satan. Once you become a Child of God, you get that authority back. If you have enough Faith, you can create a calm in any area of your life, and even the natural realm. I have seen storms that wipe out houses on both sides and leave the one in the middle untouched. The person in the middle house, said they Prayed the Storm away. Many call it chance, or luck, but the truth is, they may very well have. Back to Hebrews 11

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

It is by Faith that we accept Salvation. It is through Faith that we accept and come to understand the Truth according to God. It is through Faith that we can be confident that our Prayers are always answered. It is by Faith that accept and understand who we are as Children of God. It is also by Faith, that we can come to learn how to be "More than conquerors through him that loved us." {Romans 8:37)

As Children of God, we must walk in Faith....

2 Corinthians 5:

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Live by Faith.

Galatians 3:

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Do you have this mountain moving Faith? Are you confident enough to be bold enough to enter into the very Throne Room of God Himself and say "Hi Dad?" If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

May the Faith be with you. Always.

Until next time, be blessed, and Jesus IS Lord of all!