Live Free For Jesus
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Janet's Blog
Janet's Blog
Blog
Where Faith Is – Where it is Not
| Posted on 22 June, 2015 at 4:09 |
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Sometimes we need to know what faith is not to discover what faith is because there is so much misunderstanding. And we wonder why 'our prayers are not answered' Only God in His Wisdom knows all the answers but here in this article, I address the most common mistakes we make and how to avoid them. Faith
is a faculty of your spirit that responds to spirit. Jesus said “My Words are
spirit and they are Life”. Feelings often get mistaken for faith. But feelings
are a faculty of your senses, having to do with emotions. Reasoning is a
faculty of our mind, given to us for relating with the world and logic that is
working things out. It has to do with intellect whereas faith is spontaneous in
nature but not to be mistaken with feelings. For feelings are often
fickle……they have their highs and lows and often let us down. But faith can be
strengthened by His Word in His Presence – it is more constant in nature and
you can learn to tune into it. Yes,
feelings are changeable, faith is steady. Even though faith is spontaneous, it
can hold on to something for longer than feelings once you find where it is.
Feelings rely on sense knowledge, faith rests in God and He is Spirit – we
worship Him in spirit and truth. Try
not to depend on the faith of others, for that weakens your spirit – it is not
exercising your faith. Remember the principle that faith and feelings respond
differently. Yes faith has different stimuli than feelings. Faith is activated
trust….. faith knows, feelings question…..faith accepts His Words as evidence,
feelings reject them – they must see or hear first but faith does not. So
we see that feelings and reasoning have nothing to do with faith! We
have 5 senses that relate with sight and touch etc. Now faith is a 6th sense
that relates with your spirit (separate to the others). For many years, our
thoughts have been taught by sense knowledge pertaining to the world around
us…..faith is resident in our spirit and relates to the knowledge of God and
things pertaining to His Kingdom: His Promises and Blessings. Feelings and
intellect depend on circumstances but faith rests in the promises. Feelings are
restless, faith is calm. Faith defies logic – it would rather question
circumstances than question God. Faith
rises when prayerfully reading His Word……it ignites in the Presence of
Jesus….. it is released in praise and worship…..during these times we can
readily access faith. It also comes by hearing His Word in preaching – you
could call this faith in response. To move in faith, we believe with our heart
and confess (speak accordingly) with our mouth……this is a really good way to release our
faith. Notice, this is a decision instead of a feeling? We will be closer to
recognising it…..because it works like a light switch….. and with it, we can
dismiss the darkness of negative thoughts, doubts and fears. It’s
good to remember this tip: when doubts surface we can believe anyway – rather
than let them disturb us, we can allow faith free reign. Yes, practice this
again and again you will be acquainted with the way it works. If we practice believing
for something each day (great or small) faith will surface more often. Remember,
we have all been given a measure of faith – we can use it more or less than
others – it’s there. And to Jesus, there is no faith like our faith. We don’t
earn the blessings of God and He does not have favorites – all His blessings
are by Grace and they come in receiving mode. That’s why Jesus said “believe
that you have already received them” – He is a Good God, He is not
stingy…..these things are being handed to you. They are yours. This is the
Grace of God – His unpremerited favor, like when you found Him and He became
your Savior. ALL THE VERY BEST TO YOU! |