Lord, Increase My Faith!
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Mark 11:22-25
Most people think of faith as believing in God. However, Satan knows there is a God, and he is well aware of Jesus. So clearly, faith is not just having the knowledge that God exists. Romans 12:3 tells us, “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” It is the same measure of faith that everyone receives when they ask Jesus to come into their hearts. Sadly, most people do not develop their faith. They are ignorant of God’s word.
To increase your faith, you must increase your knowledge of the Word. Without knowledge of the Word, you cannot grow and speak with the power and authority Jesus says you have.
Take a moment and consider, what is limiting your knowledge of the Word? Is it a simple lack of desire? I almost asked if it was a simple lack of self-discipline, but you don’t have to discipline yourself to spend time learning something you desire!
So, is it a lack of desire? If so, let me encourage you to investigate Who God is! Take a close look at the One who wants to have an amazing relationship with you! Do you have trouble finding a consistent block of time in your day and already get up earlier than you wish? If so, find multiple shorter times on those days. Do you have trouble reading and comprehending? Listen to a recording instead. Identify the obstacle and move it! Accept nothing less than moving forward to increase your knowledge of the Word!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of faith! Thank You for the gift of unshakeable faith. I know that no matter what threatens my peace, You hear my prayers. You are there to answer my prayers! Increase my faith as I increase my knowledge of Your Word! Show me more and more clearly Who You are! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Faith Gives Substance
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1
Those who put their faith in parents, education, money, psychiatrists or their earthly possessions eventually end up depressed. Things such as drugs, sex, food or shopping are used to try to fill the void that only God can fill.
Webster’s Dictionary defines faith as belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof. The King James Version tells us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Let’s dissect this definition for clarity. Faith is the substance (something tangible) of things hoped for (things we want and pray for), the evidence (the reality) of things not seen (by the natural eye). Faith gives substance to your hopes, dreams, and heartfelt desires that cannot be seen or understood with the natural mind’s eye. For encouragement and the development of your faith, memorize what Jesus clearly said in Mark 11:23-24.
Faith, in the truest sense, is putting your complete trust in the Lord. With any issue you are facing, trust the Lord for the outcome. Put it in His hands, then let go! The reason we don’t see the results we prayed for is that, most the time, we do not let the problem go. We pray as if we are laying the problem in the Lord’s hands. We say “Amen,” which means “so be it.” Then we try to figure out how we will to fix the problem by ourselves.
There is no faith involved if you are controlling the outcome. Turning your situation over, means just that. Do not take it back! Your faith and relationship with Jesus will go to a new level when you understand this principle.
Then touched He their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you.
Matthew 9:29
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for faithfully increasing my faith. I ask for wisdom to truly turn my situation over to You. Give me peace to not wrestle it back from You. Give me peace to not be in control. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Faith Words
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Ephesians 6:16
Satan may give you a big dose of fear, trying to cancel out your faith. Doubt floods your mind. Negative thoughts dance between your ears. Those are the times you must resist the devil, and he will flee. Your faith must be released through your words.
You know the scripture says that faith without works is dead, but faith without words is also dead. By our words, we ask Jesus into our hearts. By words, we praise and worship Him. When praise goes up to God, He sends His glory down. When your faith is challenged, immediately speak scriptures!
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
I am far from oppression, and fear does not come nigh me.
Isaiah 54:14
Unwavering faith is a God given gift, a gift available for the asking. It is graciously given, so that we learn to trust our Heavenly Father in every circumstance. Sometimes we start out trusting God for something, like the rent that is coming due, but then we give up too soon and panic. Sometimes He waits until the last nanosecond, making it clear that He gets the glory and not us! There are also times when God does not answer in the way that you are believing. In those times, you must trust that your faithful Father has only good gifts for you. He will show you, in good time, what good will come in His answer.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of the spoken word! Thank You for pointing out multiple times in Scripture that I can use Your Word. I can speak Your Word in faith and have supernatural impact on the natural world. Thank You for all the times that You came through for me, building my faith and my endurance through trials. Bring these to my mind often, remind me of Your faithful, trustworthy presence. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Written Records
But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.
1 John 2:5
If you are not in obedience to God’s Word, He has no obligation to you. If you are only a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, you are no different than an unbeliever who studies the Bible out of a scholarly interest in ancient texts. If you believe in the existence of God, but refuse to live in obedience to Scripture, you are living in outright defiance of an Almighty God! I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly not brave enough for that one!
I want to live in absolute compliance to the Word of God! I want to follow the example of Jesus! He said that He does nothing but what He sees the Father do. We have a written record of what Jesus did! We have a written record of what He commanded us to do!
I want to live in obedience out of love, but I also recognize that God motivates us to obedience with promises. How many of you have used that with your children? I know I certainly have! Our Father does, too! He places good things in front of us and links our receipt of those gifts to specific behaviors and attitudes. He wants us to build trust in Him!
Faith is trusting God for everything! It is that simple! It is knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that whatever claims your attention is not a surprise to Him. It is knowing that, if you are faithful to the conditions set on His promises, He will make good on His Word! He is not a man that He should lie! Any lack of trust in your life comes from being disappointed by people. It doesn’t come from God! There is a reason Christ calls us to child-like faith. There is completeness in faith that recognizes the all-sufficiency of Jesus. There is unwavering trust and devotion by one who has not been let down, who has not become jaded.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me as Your own child. Thank You for promising me rewards and for giving guidance and discipline when I need it. I ask You for the purity of child-like faith in my heart. Bring my life into full compliance with Your Word! In Jesus’ Name, amen.