Faith to Believe

Romans 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Have you ever had a hard time believing in God's Word?  Come on now, be honest.  It is always easier to believe for others to be healed than it is to believe for yourself.  That is why God wants us to be encouragers to those who suffer...many time when your sick finding faith is very difficult, all you can do is hold on and hope things turn out all right.  I have always had the faith to believe for others because I never had to worry about the outcome.  However, when Sarah got sick all that I knew and believed was going to be tested.  I remember I did everything I was taught to do...I prayed, named it and claimed it; I spoke to the mountain, yelled at the devil, and tried with all my heart to believe that she would be healed.  I often wondered if I was lacking the required amount of faith to be healed.  I had settled it in my heart that the only way I could believe God was for her to be miraculously and instantly healed.  Understand something, God knows what He is doing!  Everything He does has a purpose.  I knew God could heal but could he sustain us?  That was something I was never taught to believe...Could God actually use this for His glory and for my benefit?  I had to settle my faith totally in God even when we heard bad news or when she would be rushed to the hospital...I had even learned to settle the dreadful possibility that Sarah would not survive the treatments...that was hard, but I did it.  I gave her completely to the Lord's work and purpose...I told God it was all up to Him, I would step aside and trust Him...so glad I did!

 I had to endure nearly 300 days of trust in the Lord because that is what He wanted.     More than needing a miracle I needed to know the powerful grace available to those who believe.  God sustained us and showed us His tender mercies.  Our eyes opened up to the needs of others around us.  We seen pain and hurt firsthand...much like Jesus did by coming to earth and living among us.  Now when I pray and believe for others it is with renewed faith because I have witnessed His power in our lives.

What about discouragement?  Well, I never said that you would never get discouraged because you will.  David said, "At what times I am afraid I will trust in you."  Discouragement does creep in especially when the journey is long and drawn out.  Again, that is why other believers must learn to become encouragers.  We have to learn to suffer with those who suffer...this is the law of Christ.  In fact, did you know that the word compassion means "to suffer with?"  True compassion is always demonstrated by actions...othewise all you have is sympathy.  We have plenty of that!  We all feel sorry for those who go through hard times but what are we doing about it?  We must learn to touch others and speak faith into them and even stand before God on their behalf...until we learn to do this all we have is sympathy and pity, that will never heal the sick!

I challenge you to use your journey to touch others along the way.  Please be sure to continue to pray for Julie and Kevin.  Kevin is doing much better and is able to be is a special home with his lovely wife until he is out of danger.  Sarah and I have fallen in love with these two great survivors and we know that God is going to complete in them His work like He did for us.

Thanks for listening,

Pastor Kent