[Biblemat] A) STRENGTH OF FAITH

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Friday morn-
ing to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.  Here
is an article from my recent files:

STRENGTH OF FAITH

     Not all Christians exercise the same strength of faith.
Some people seem to think their problem is unique and there-
fore too big for God to solve.  Others are sure that God is
supreme but they're not confident that He is mindful of them.
Others are confident in what God can do and trust Him to do
what's best.  These various outlooks range from a weak and
hesitant faith to a firm confidence that believes God at His
Word and trusts He can do all things.

     As we look into the life of Jesus, we see varying degrees
of faith in those who came to Him.

     He cast out a spirit from a boy whose father wavered be-
tween faith and doubt  "...But if You can do anything, take
pity on us and help us!  And Jesus said to him, 'If You can!'
All things are possible to him who believes.  Immediately the
boy's father cried out and began saying, 'I do believe; help
my unbelief'" (Mk. 9:17-24).

     He healed a leper who knew He could but was not sure He
would, "And a leper came to Him, beseeching Him and falling
on his knees before Him, and saying to Him, 'If You are willing
You can make me clean' And moved with compassion, He
stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, 'I
am willing; be cleansed'" (Mk. 1:40,41).

     He healed the servant of a centurion who was so sure of
the outcome that he asked Jesus merely to speak the word
from afar  (Lk. 7:1-10).

     "Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He
was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to 
Him, 'Lord, do not trouble Yourself further,
for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; for this
reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You,
but just say the word, and my servant will be healed' ...Now
when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and
said to the multitude that was following Him,'I say to you, not
even in Israel have I found such great faith'" 

     These examples do NOT teach that God always answers
according to the strength of our faith.  Rather, in His wisdom,
He responds to any degree of faith.  Remember, He desires
for us to trust Him completely, so that we may know Him more and be closer to 
Him.

     Let us be committed to God's Will, having a strong faith in
the Lord and relying on Him completely!   ---- Shane Williams
in The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 8, No. 4, August 2007.   </HTML>
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