NO FAITH IN FAITH

It appears that everywhere you look these days, there are so many, who seem to have No Faith, In Faith.

Whether it’s the idea of Faith, or the institutions of Faith. There is, No faith in Faith.

Reports reflect that in 1980 more than 90% of Americans, or 204 million people of the 227 million population, claimed to be Christians.

Today, the population in America is 332 million people, with 65%, or 215 million, claiming to be Christians.

While the population grew by 105 million people over those 40 years, there was still a 25% decrease in those of faith.

Approximately 90 million people had less or no faith than those who did in 1980.

What caused that? Allow me to share my thoughts on the subject.

We live in an Extremely Fast Paced Society, where mostly everything can be received in an instant.

We can get Instant Food, Instant Answers through the Web, Quick Weight Loss, Instant Tax Refunds, Instant Money, Instant Credit, Instant Dating Partners, etc.

Everything is Click, Click, Quick!

However, Faith is not so. Even though some have tried to make it so.

Some contend that you can get whatever you want, just by thinking about it.

Blink, Think, Wink, and its Yours! Again, not true!

Faith is a relationship, not a single act.

Faith requires development through trust over time.

Even the disciples of Jesus, after seeing several miracles as well as hearing countless testimonies, had no faith, in faith.

They saw what he did, but they had not experienced for themselves that he could do.

Faith comes through experience.

When something is not experienced it is tough to believe in it

God has to be experienced, not just read about.

Faith should be viewed more like a relationship than a means to get something. God is not a Genie.

God is the person that we are in the relationship with. He is our Father / Partner

The relationship must be built on trust.

How can two walk together unless there is a mutual agreement …of trust.

God trusts that we will trust and follow him no matter what it looks like.

We can only see things from one angle/perspective at a time.

God is multi-perspective; he sees from all perspectives at the same time in other words he is Omniscience.

God sees everything from all possible angles at the same time.

Hence his ways are not like our ways.

Here are some ways to build our Faith relationship with the person of God.

1.     Listen to Gods Word – Find a way to hear the Bible read audibly to you.

2.     Trust Gods Word – Accept/Believe what you hear as the undeniable and irrefutable truth. Don’t waiver!

3.     Apply the Truth that you have Heard and Believed to your life.

Let’s use Psalm 23 as our example.

The Good Shepherd

1 You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.

 APPLICATION: Lord God, I have chosen you as My Leader. I trust you, to supply everything that I need. I will keep the faith; no matter what! Amen

2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water,

APPLICATION: You know when I need rest, and you know who I need rest from. I trust you to provide a peaceful place and time of needed rest for me. Amen

3     and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.

APPLICATION: I trust You! You won’t lie to me. I can trust your way of leading me, even when I don’t understand it. Lead me O Lord! Amen

4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.

APPLICATION: I know it won’t always be easy or feel good. But you will be there with me through it all. I have your word on that. I trust your word. You will keep me safe! Amen

5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.

APPLICATION: You will continue to provide for me no matter what or who is in my life. You are my Provider. I will have more than enough because you are generous and loving to me. I believe that! Amen

6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.

APPLICATION: You will take care of me forever. You won’t miss a day. I’m safe with you. I love you, Lord. Amen

Listen, Trust, Apply! Listen, Trust, Apply!  Listen, Trust, Apply!

Let’s continue to have Faith in Faith.

                                                          This is a Thompson Truth