HOW TO PUT FAITH TO WORK
"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."
Hebrews 11:6
What is Faith? "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
In our spiritual journey, understanding and actively engaging with our faith is crucial for experiencing the fullness of God's promises. The Bible, particularly in Hebrews 11:1, teaches us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for." This foundational principle emphasizes that faith must be directed toward specific goals to yield meaningful results in our lives.
The Role of Faith in Accessing God’s Resources
God has made abundant resources available to us, but accessing these blessings requires faith. Just as entering a bank does not grant you access to all the money within, merely having faith is not enough. We must channel our faith toward specific needs and desires to unlock the resources God has for us.
The story of Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10 serves as a powerful illustration of focused faith.
“ 46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”
Despite his blindness, Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for mercy. When Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus didn’t hesitate—he clearly stated his need for sight. This interaction teaches us that God desires us to articulate our needs and channel our faith toward specific requests.
We must ask ourselves: What are we truly believing for? Many of us may express a desire for change or improvement in our lives, but without clarity on what that change entails, our faith remains ineffective. It’s essential to identify specific areas where we want to see God’s intervention.
God desires us to express our needs clearly. Until we channel our faith toward specific requests, we may not see the results we seek.
Do this to build up your Faith daily:
Study God’s Word daily, join our daily Arise and Shine Prayer Call every morning at 6am, and listen to faith filled teachings WATCH THIS SERMON. Together, we can cultivate a focused and active faith that yields results in our lives.
Guarding Your Heart: The Key to a Fulfilling Life
Proverbs 4:23 instructs us: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life" (NLT). This powerful verse emphasizes our responsibility to protect our inner selves, which shape our thoughts and actions.
Understanding the Heart
When we speak of guarding our hearts, we refer to the core of our decision-making and emotions, not the physical organ. Our hearts are influenced by what we see, hear, and say—our "gates."
The Impact of Negative Influences
In today’s world, we are bombarded with negative information from social media and news outlets, which can foster hopelessness and fear. If we’re not careful about what we allow into our hearts, these influences can hinder our faith and joy.
The Law of Environment
Proverbs 13:20 reminds us, "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble" (NLT). Our environment significantly impacts our hearts. The people we surround ourselves with and the conversations we engage in shape our outlook on life.
Practical Steps to Guard Your Heart
1. Evaluate your media consumption: Choose uplifting content that edifies your spirit.
2. Audit your environment: Reflect on the five closest people in your life. Do they inspire you and help build your faith?
3. Be selective with your attention: You have the power to change the channel or walk away from negativity.
4. Feed your heart with positivity: Seek faith-building materials and encouraging conversations. Listen to teachings daily.
5. Watch your words: Remember, as Jesus said in Matthew 15:18, "The words you speak come from the heart."
Diligently guarding your heart creates space for faith, love, and hope to flourish. It equips you to face challenges and fulfill your purpose.
Take time today to assess the influences in your life. As you align your heart with God’s truth and surround yourself with positivity, you’ll experience transformation and growth.
Guard your heart above all else, for it truly determines the course of your life.
Watch the full teaching here
