A measure of Faith.
By: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD
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Faith: noun,
1. A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
2.Complete confidence in a person or plan
3. Institution to express belief in a divine power
4. Loyalty or allegience to a cause or a person.

Faith is something that we all have. Even nonbelieving people have faith. Let me illistrate this point.

Everything that we think we know came to us by faith. You learned from your school teachers by believing in what they gave you in instruction as they taught you from books that were written by people that you never met. Through your faith you believed that this instruction was the truth and by faith you accepted the knowledge that was taught to you. Other things that you learned were taught to you by your parents or friends and you (through faith) accepted these things as useful and worth remembering adding them to your knowledge base.

We exercise our "faith" every day. We have faith that the sun will give light to our day, that our car will still be parked where we left it, that our money is still in the bank, etc. Our acceptance of these types of things proves that we trust (by faith) in them. You see, we all have a great deal of faith. We are born in innocence and are given to trust (by faith) that which we are taught.

Faith is a topic that if asked of any Christian they would quickly say that they have it. They believe in Christ as their personal savior. If you were to ask them if they are strong in their faith they would most likely answer that they are fully convicted in their faith. Yet many of these same professing Christian do not trust that the Lord will provide for them.

Matthew 17:20 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.

Luke 17:5-6, "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 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. "

Matthew 7:7-11, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? "

How many Christians today believe (I mean really believe) that God provides us with the power to move mountains? How many trust that God will come through for His children?
In today's society everyone is overly concerned about how they will meet their needs and yet God clearly tells us that through our faith we need only to ask an it shall be given. This does not mean that we sit and wait for it to happen, it means that God will provide a simple avenue to provide for us. We can do nothing for ourselves however that is exactly what most good Christians are trying to do. They are trusting in themselves and in the world to get provisions.

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Do you see what this says? "who giveth us richly all things to enjoy"

Luke 12:29-31, "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. "

God is telling us over and over in the scriptures that we cannot trust in the world for our provisions; "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Matthew 6:24-33, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. "

Still these Christian followers doubt the power, love and provision of our glorious Lord. They believe that God had the power to create all things and doubt that He can provide for their needs. They believe instead that the world and their own efforts are more effective to reach this end. How foolish can they be? God is the creator of all and God owns all and these same people think that the world (Satan realm) will provide for them. Yet they claim to be of faith in Christ.

Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

The power of absolute faith is also shown very clearly in the Holy Bible.

Matthew 14:25-32, "And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. "

Notice that Peter's doubt brought on "FEAR" in his heart. Fear is one of Satan's tools to divide us from our faith in God. (But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.) Notice that Jesus did save him without hesitation. So strong a love with absolute forgiveness does our Lord exhibit, asking for nothing more than faith in Him. Yet there are many Christians today who still depend upon the world (Satan's realm) for the meeting of their needs. Jesus Christ will not fail us nor will he hesitate to calm our "fears". We are told in the Bible that we may "rest" in the Lord. This means that we can have all confidence that He will provide for our needs. We only need to ask it of Him.

Matthew 8:24-26, "And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 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. "

We are all granted the power of the Holy Spirit. This means that by our measure of faith we can move mountains and heal the sick and afflicted. We can provide for the poor and downtrodden. God will provide the means and the power, working through us if we will only provide Him the faith that He asks of us. We have already proven that we are creatures with a great capicity for faith. Where we decide to place this faith is our choice. Most professing Christians in today's world make the choice of placing their faith in the world (Satan's realm). When someone does place their faith squarely upon God we read about them in the papers and see reports on the TV of this powerful, Holy person who performed this incredible act. If all modern day Christians had but a mustard seed's amount of faith, then these reports would fill every newscast. Sadly this is not the case.

1 Corinthians 3:18-21, "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; "

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

The sad truth in the belief of today's Christians is that they think that they MUST believe in Christ for their salvation. This is a truth. They do not see that through this same faith they are given a much greater gift. The POWER of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:12-18, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. "

The almighty power is within us all through our measure of faith. Jesus said "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]." ANY THING in my name. ANY THING !! That's a powerful statement! It is also a promise from our Lord. Jesus told us exactly how to receive this measure of power "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".

The modern Christian claims to be filled with faith. The first avenue that they pursue to meet their needs is the "world" and they place God in second place. The fruits of our faith come from our works that God has prepared for us. Many "believe" in Jesus and claim faith on this basis but how many have a faith equal to even a grain of mustard seed? Could you cast out a mountain, a tree or even Satan? Could you heal the sick or bring a soul to salvation? Your only limitation is the degree of conviction in your faith. How strong are you in Christ?
First seek your counsel in Christ and He will comfort and empower you through your faith.
You only need a mustard seed's amount of faith to start.

What is YOUR measure of FAITH ?


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Written by: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD
Senior Pastor & Administrator - UCMI