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Faith
Have you ever had a friend come to you, and ask to borrow money? Perhaps,
this was your answer. “Sure, I have faith that you will pay be back!”
You are saying, “I have trust, and confidence in you.” Faith is
being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see! Faith
is believing that what we want in life can become a reality. Even though
we cannot see, or touch it, we know that it is within our reach.
Tell me, what are you breathing right now? Did you say, “Air.”
Good answer! Are you sure it’s air? How do you know it’s air, or
that it even exists? Can you see it? Can you touch it? Can you smell it?
Now, I want you to think about President George Washington. Did he really
exist? How do you know? Did you see him? Did you touch him? Did you talk
to him? Oh, I see! You read about him in History from school. Even though
the book was handed down from generation to generation, how do you know the
book was reliable? We are sure that George Washington existed, because history
books tell us so.
What about the Bible? Isn’t it merely an old history book? The Bible
is also handed down from generation to generation, just like those history
books. After all, cities mentioned in the Bible still stand today. Some cities
have been rediscovered by scientist, who recently excavated them. Many people
do not realize it, but all prophecies, in the Bible, have come true, are
they are still coming true even today.
Before you can acquire faith, you must gather facts. Remember that person
to whom you loaned money? Why did you do it? Because, after gathering facts,
you came to the conclusion that he was a man of his word.
General Patton carried the Bible with him. He prayed before battles and studied
the great warriors from the Bible. Thus, making him one of the greatest men
ever to go to battle. Why? Because he studied his history book, the Bible.
The Bible is the most accurate book ever written.
Did you know that one of the main health problems we endure today, is lack
of natural minerals, and vitamins that our bodies need to maintain good health.
Scientists said over fifty years ago that the soil in our ground is seriously
depleted. You see, food that grows out of the ground feeds on the soil, bringing
forth the minerals, and vitamins, and it draws from the rich soil into its
own body. If the Scientists said our soil was seriously depleted over fifty
years ago, then how bad is it now? You might be thinking, “What does
this have to do with the Bible?” In Exodus 23:10-11, God said, “10.
And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:
11. But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor
of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall
eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy
oliveyard.”
Why? Because God, in His perfect wisdom, knew that the ground needed to be
replenished, and fertilized. Doctors and Scientists now admit that problems,
such as, allergies, arthritis, cancer, glaucoma, and common back pains are
attributed to the lack of minerals, and vitamins in our food, due to the
lack of rich soil.
Wow! Isn’t it interesting that the Bible contains so much wisdom? In
Romans 10:17, the Bible says, “So then, faith cometh by hearing and
hearing by the Word of God.” What does this mean? Well, it means that
by reading the ‘Word of God,’ you learn about Him, all His ways,
and about all that He has done for His people from generation to generation.
Thus, bringing forth wisdom, understanding, and faith. I have already stated,
in order to obtain faith, you first need to gather facts. Why did I make
this statement? Well, if you’re not sure that God even exists, then
how are you going to have faith? If someone wanted to sell you some ocean
front property in Arizona, would you buy it? Of course not! You know that
it does not exist. Does God exist? Of course He does! You don’t really
believe that one day, man just appeared out of thin air, or crawled out of
the ocean, do you?
Think about the human body for a moment, if you will. We have lungs to filter
the air, sort of like a car having an air-breather. We have kidneys to filter
our fluids, sort of like a car’s radiator. We have a liver to filter
our blood, sort of like a car’s transmission, or oil filter. It took
an intelligent man to make these parts for cars. We have the sense of smell,
taste, touch, hearing, and seeing. A perfect being must have made all of
these things.
What about all of the other creatures in the world? Did they also miraculously
appear out of thin air one day? What are the odds of that happening again?
There must be thousands of different types of animals, birds, sea creatures,
etc. So, if you believe man appeared out of thin air, then you must believe
they all did too! Right? The odds of man appearing by some astronomical event
must be a zillion to one. So, now you’re saying this miracle happened
thousands of times? Now, what makes more sense? We are made by a greater
being, or that this unlikely phenomena happens again, again, and again, literally
thousands of times.
We have trees that filter the air, giving us shade, and shelter. Lizards,
fish, and many other creatures can change the color of their skin to hide
in a matching background. Turtles have a shell to protect them. Porcupines
have quills. Alligators have their mighty jaws. The Bumblebee’s body
weight, and his wing capacity makes it scientifically impossible for him
to fly. Yet, he does fly, and hover. This has confounded Scientists. However,
somehow the Bumblebee’s wings are perfectly centered, and designed.
So, how did this, as well as all of the other perfection in the world appear?
I challenge you to take a look at all the things in this world, ponder the
perfection, and ask yourself, “Who had enough wisdom to create such
things?”
Have you ever watched Animal Kingdom, or read books or magazines about all
the wildlife, and other creatures in the world? How does a squirrel fly?
How is it possible for a leopard to outrun a Jeep at seventy-five miles an
hour? How does a heavy two-ton whale jump several feet out of the water?
Who gave the kangaroo a pouch for which to carry her young? Who made the
eagle to fly?
If you are still holding on to your thin air or astronomical theory, then
I suggest you take a step back, and rethink the matter. There is more and
more proof every day that suggests God does in fact exist. If I were you,
I would go to a bookstore, and read one of the many books available that
attests to this fact.
The Rosetta stone verifies the facts stated in the Bible, regarding Egypt.
The Tell el-Armana Tablets prove that Babylon, and many other cultures shared
the same language. They could converse freely with various people as they
moved from country to country, just as depicted in the Bible. They also prove,
(after being studied for over one hundred and sixty years) that the places,
and characters in the Bible did exist. There is also ABSALOM’S PILLAR,
located in the Kidron Valley, east of Jerusalem. The Bible speaks about it
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“The Dead Sea Scrolls,” is a name given to a collection of ancient,
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, (Also, fragment of manuscripts.)
found in a number of caves in the barren foothills of the Judean Wilderness,
west of the Dead Sea. These documents represent the most important, sensational
archaeological discovery of our age. More than one-third of these are books
of the Old Testament, which are older by at least one thousand years, than
the earliest known Old Testament manuscripts. An Arab shepherd boy looking
for one of his missing goats discovered them in the spring of 1947. You can
read about these, as well as much more archaeological proof that God exists,
in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, by Kirkbride Bible Company.
Now, we have learned that faith truly comes by hearing, for by hearing these
things, you see that there is proof of our Lord’s existence you simply
cannot have faith in something that you do not believe. As I said, there
are many books out there that show pictures of things form the Bible, such
as Jacob’s Well, Potter’s field, (where Judas hung himself after
betraying Jesus) Bethlehem, (the place where Jesus was born) the complete
scroll of the book of Isaiah, and much more.
Now, let’s continue our lesson about faith. I have faith that God exists.
He gave us each our own personal set of fingerprints. He created DNA, which
Scientists are beginning to understand thousands of years after God created
it. The DNA is our molecular map that is responsible for transmitting hereditary
characteristics, and for the building of proteins. There isn’t any monkey
in my DNA, how about your DNA? I Guess that pretty well closes the case on
Darwin’s Theory.
There is an entire chapter, in the Bible, dedicated to faith. It is the book
of Hebrews, chapter eleven. In verse eleven, the Bible says, “Now faith
is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Verse five says, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see
death.” Did you know that Enoch did not even have to die to go to Heaven?
Just as the Bible says in the above verse, “Enoch should not see
death.”
In the Bible, there are only two people that had such great faith in God
that He took them to heaven without them even having to die. They were Enoch,
and Elijah. Imagine that! In II Kings 2:11, the Bible says, “And it
came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared
a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them, both asunder; and
Elijah went up by a whirl wind into heaven.” Hebrews 11:6 says, “But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek
him.” Did you notice it said, “For he that comes to God must believe
he exists?” This Bible verse also tells us that without faith it is
impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:7-11 says, “7. By faith Noah, being
warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear, prepared an ark
to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became
heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8. By faith Abraham, when he
was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9. By
faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling
in tabernacles with Isaaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker
is God. 11. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive
seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged
him faithful who had promised.” In that same chapter, verses 17-31,
the Bible tells us that Abraham had such great faith in God, that he was
willing to sacrifice his son. “17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried,
offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only
begotten son, 18. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from
whence also he received him in a figure. 20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob
and Esau concerning things to come. 21. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying,
blessed both the sons of Joseph: and worshipped, leaning upon the top of
his staff. 22. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing
of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because
they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s
commandment. 24. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be
called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25. Choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for
a season. 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures
in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27. By faith
he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he indured, as seeing
him who is invisible. 28. Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling
of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29. By
faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians
assaying to do were drowned. 30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down,
after they were compassed about seven days. 31. By faith the harlot Rahab
perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies
with peace.”
We see now that faith plays a very important role in our relationship with
God. He is always faithful to us. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.” Please be sure to read the ‘SIN’ chapter
in this book.
In Matthew 9:21-22, the Bible says, “21. For she said within herself,
if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22. But Jesus turned him
about, and when he saw her, he said, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort;
thy faith hath made thee whole.’ And the woman was made whole from that
hour.” Imagine that! This woman, who was sick for over twelve years,
was healed according to her faith.
In Matthew 9:28-29, the Bible says, “28. And when he was come into the
house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, ‘Believe
ye that I am able to do this?’ They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29. Then
touched he their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith be it unto
you.’” Isn’t that beautiful? Do you see the power of faith,
now? Faith is the key to our relationship with God, but even Jesus, the most
kind, and loving man that has walked the face of this earth, tired of man’s
faithlessness. In Matthew 17:17-18, He said, “17. Oh faithless and perverse
generation, how long shall I be with you? Bring him to me. 18. And Jesus
rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from
that very hour.”
In Luke 12:28, Jesus said, “If then God so clothe the grass, which is
today in the field, and tomorrow is cast in the oven; how much more will
he clothe you, Oh ye of little faith?” In Luke 17:6, Jesus said, “If
you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you might say unto this sycamore
tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and
it would obey you.”
Remember, my friends, Paul kept the faith even while he was in prison, and
shackled to chains. The ground shook, the chains fell from him. As the prison
doors fell open, he was freed from prison. Acts 16:26 reads, “And suddenly
there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were
shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands
were loosed.”
In Timothy 6:12, Apostle Paul said, “Fight the good fight of faith,
lay hold on eternal life.” I Peter 1:6-9 says, “6. Wherein ye greatly
rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations: 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious
than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found
unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8. Whom
having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing,
ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9. Receiving the end of
your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” Romans 8: 24-25 says,
“24. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for
what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25. But if we hope for that we
see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 14: 23 reads,
“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of
faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” In Deuteronomy 32: 20,
God said, “I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end
shall be: for they are a very forward generation, Children in whom there
is no faith.” Habakkuk 2: 4 says, “But the Just shall live by his
faith.” Again in the book of Romans, chapter one, verse seventeen, the
Bible says, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith! As it is written, the Just shall live by faith.” Hebrews 10:
38-39 explains, “38. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man
draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39. But we are not of them
who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the
soul.”
In Matthew 8: 26, Jesus calmed the seas. He said, “Why are you fearful,
O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and sea; and there
was a great calm.” Peter, by the grace of God, was allowed to ‘walk
on water,’ but when he lost his faith, and became fearful, he sank.
Matthew 14: 30 says, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid;
and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” In Matthew
16: 8, the men were worried because they did not have enough food. They forgot
the bread, and Jesus said, “Oh ye of little faith, why do you reason
among yourselves, because you have brought no bread?”
You see, we lose faith, and begin to reason with the flesh, which is carnal,
and brings about worry, fear, doubt, and all kinds of negative thoughts.
In Matthew 8: 5-13, the New Testament says, “5. And when Jesus was entered
into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him. 6. And saying,
Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7.
And Jesus saith unto him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ 8. The centurion
answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my
roof: but speak the word only, and me servant shall be healed. 9. For I am
a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man, Go,
and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do
this, and he doeth it. 10. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to
them that followed, ‘Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great
faith, no, not in Israel. 11. And I say unto you, that many shall come from
the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,
in the kingdom of heaven. 12. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast
out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
13. And Jesus said unto the centurion, ‘Go thy way; and as thou hast
believed, so be it done unto thee.’ And his servant was healed in the
selfsame hour.”
Isn’t that amazing? This Centurion had faith that Jesus could heal his
servant. Yet, when Jesus said he would come to the man’s house to heal
his servant, the man, being a sinner, said, “I am not worhy that you
should come under my roof: but speak the word only and my servant shall be
healed.” What humility! This man loved his servant so much that he came
to Jesus, and asked Him for healing. In those days, most servants were treated
like garbage. He was so ashamed of the sinful life in which he had lived,
that he did not feel worthy to even have Jesus come into his sinful house.
The most important thing is that he believed. He had faith that if Jesus
just spoke the words, his servant would be healed. This impressed Jesus so
much that he said, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in all
of Isreal.” When the Centurion went home, he found out that his servant
was well. His servant had been healed by his faith. What a blessed feeling
this must have been. You can know that it changed this man’s life, and
way of living forever.
Did you have your bible open just now to this chapter and verse? If so, take
a look at verse seventeen. A prophet, named Esaias, foretold that Jesus would
heal the sick hundreds of years before it acually happened. Another prophet
in the book of Psalms foretold the exact words Jesus would say on the cross.
Remember, the Old Testament was written way before Jesus was born. From the
time Jesus was born, to the time He parted from His disciples, saying he
would return soon, over 300 prophecies came true.
In the book of Isaiah, chapters 28-29, Isaiah foretold the coming of Christ,
and the things He would do. You will learn these things as you read your
Bible day by day. So, let’s continue with this lesson on faith. In Matthew
9: 2, the New Testament says, “And, behold, they brought to him a man
sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto
the sick of the palsy; ‘Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven
thee.’”
I’m sure you understand now, that faith is very important. If we had
enough faith in the Lord, we could perform some mighty miracles in His name.
Just as the disciples did after His ascension. In Mark 10:52, Jesus healed
a man and then said, “Go thy way; thy faith has made thee whole.”
So, if we had enough faith in Him, we could even heal ourselves. However,
mankind prefers to remain ignorant, and deny Him his Glory.
The fools of this day say, “I do not believe in anything I cannot see,
or touch.” They, my friend, are headed for a disaster no man can outrun.
If you had great faith, you could even heal your children. In Matthew 15:
28, Jesus told a woman, who came to him about her daughter who was vexed
by a devil, (possessed) and He said, ‘“O woman, great is thy faith:
be it unto thee even as thou wilt.’ And her daughter was made whole
from that very hour.”
So you see now that FAITH is the key to our happiness and well being
