BUILDING STRONG FAITH
I do believe; help my unbelief!
Mark 9:24
What would you say about a workout that only took four minutes a day and produced great results? Would you say, “Amazing! Awesome! Wow!”? I wouldn’t say that. I would say, “Baloney!” Yet, the ROM workout contraption (as advertised in all airline magazines) claims to do just that. You can buy one and see for yourself for only $14,615.00.
In my opinion, there is no short cut to getting in good physical shape. You have to work at it. both in diet and exercise. While the extra weight goes on easily, it does not come off the same way. It takes discipline, determination and follow-through to join the ranks of the physically fit.
SPIRITUAL FITNESS
Just as it is with the physical, so it is with the spiritual. They are no short cuts to spiritual growth and building strong faith. As much as we would like to go from a spiritual baby to a mighty man/woman of faith, we cannot get there in one weekend retreat, or one sermon series, or one Beth Moore Bible study. It takes consistency, discipline and time with the Lord to build spiritual muscle and maturity.
The good news is this: if you will put forth the effort to seek the Lord, you will find Him. God promises, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). If you will come to His gym (prayer, Bible study, worship, church, and discipleship group) day after day with your weak faith, He will transform it over time to strong faith. He wants you to grow. He is for you, not against you. He is looking for those who will get serious about being a true warrior for Christ and a person of God. Are you willing? Are you serious?
LORD, INCREASE MY FAITH
Let me encourage you to ask the Lord to increase your faith, to stretch you and grow you like never before. It may hurt (just like lifting weights can hurt), but it is well worth it. It may seem impossible (just like doing the stair master for 15 minutes on level 10 can seem impossible), but it will bring great results as you remain faithful and committed.
Let me also encourage you in these days of economic uncertainty to “walk by faith and not by sight” in your finances. So many people miss out on God’s blessings because they refuse to believe His promise that if you will honor Him with your finances, He will honor you in return (see Malachi 3:8-12). He says if you will give your tithe (10%) to His kingdom’s work, He will pour out a blessing on you that will be so big you won’t be unable to contain it all. It will literally overflow in your lap! Do you want a blessing like that? Then take Him at His Word and step out in faith and start today!
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
