The Christian F Word

Faith, the Christian F word. Recently I've been searching for the meaning of this word 'faith', and through some sources these are some definitions I've found.

faith [feyth]

-noun

1. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability
2. belief that is not base on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact
3. belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.: to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty
4. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims
5. a system of religious belief: the Christian faith; the Jewish faith
6. the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.: Failure to appear would be breaking faith
7. the observance of this obligation; fidelity to one's promise, oath, allegiance, etc.: He is the only one who proved his faith in recent troubles
8. Christian Theology. the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved

All of the above are somewhat correct translations of the word faith, but which one actually is the real deal? Or in other words, which one is the faith that was described and used by Jesus or Paul in the Bible? Or is it none of the above?

The answer is ....................
Faith has many dimensions. In the Bible we find out that faith is a substance of things hope for the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We also know that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Also in Ephesians 2:8, we understand that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God.

I've learned some dimensions of faith as well through teachings and preachings and also revelation from God Himself. Here are some cool explanations.

1. Persistence isn't faith, neither is patience faith and neither boldness and courage faith, but faith has the elements of persistence, patience and boldness and courage.
2. Faith isn't a feeling but when you have faith, it feels good.
3. When we look at grace (a.k.a Jesus) in any time, whether good or bad times, Grace looks back at us and says that is faith.
4. Mustard seed of faith also can move mountains.

Awesome isn't it? When we start to understand the meanings of what God's actually talking about, we have a new perspective of things (read 'All Eyes On You' post for more insight).

Here is a joke to highlight this post.

A man was drowning in the sea. He shouted and screamed with all of his heart and might, "God save me!!". A few minutes later, a boat passed by. Men threw life rescue tubes and shouted,
"Grab on, grab onto the tube!". The man answered, "It's ok. Don't worry about me. I've prayed to God and He's gonna save me. My faith is in Him!". The boat left. After some hours another boat passed by and men threw life rescue tubes to him and shouted, "Grab on, we're here to save you!". The man answered, "Don't worry about me. I've prayed to God and He's gonna save me. My faith is in Him!". The man died in the end and went to heaven. He then asked God furiously, "Why didn't You save me? Didn't You hear me?". God answered and said, "I SENT YOU 2 GIANT BOATS YOU BIG DUMMIE!".

Sometimes we want God to show up in the way we want things to happen and finally miss the very thing we actually prayed for. 'It's my life, I'll do what I want' attitude or 'I don't care what people think about me, I'll do it my way' attitude will only lead us to the destruction of ourselves. Sometimes people think that faith is being stubborn, and the truth is that stubbornness is not at all a dimension of faith.

Get in focus people, look at grace (the gift of God, Jesus) and grace looks back at us and says that that is faith and He is pleased in the end because you have just used faith and faith pleases God.

'WORDS OF FAITH'

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!". (Matthew 8:10 NLT)

'REVELATION'

We look at grace and grace looks back at us and says "That is faith".

Joseph Prince, author of best-selling 'Destined to Reign'

Part Of Something Big!

As we walk this journey called life, we eventually figure that money and fame isn't all to life. We then get into a group or be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Some find a person to be with, some start their own enterprise, some become fans of a football team and the list goes on. Whether poor or rich, young or old, people will have the desire to be a part of something big and significant.

Just last Saturday, I was at a football at our home stadium, Bukit Jalil. A match between the past 3 season English Premier League champions and my home team Malaysia. As we journeyed to the 90,000 seater stadium, me and my friends were all psyched and ready to cheer. We entered the stadium and as the 2 teams began to walk out of the players tunnel, the crowds cheer was enough to cause an earthquake. I soon realise that I was part of the minority supporting our Malaysian team due to the popularity of Manchester United. In my mind I sort of knew we were gonna lose, but I really was positive that night and I knew WE COULD DO IT!

Around 10 minutes and Manchester United scored the first goal. A few years back when they came, we lost 6-0 and flashbacks of our humiliating defeat spoke to me that it was gonna happen again tonight. A few minutes later it was 2-0. I took a deep breath and kept on cheering on for my home team. It was nearing half-time and the 44th minute of the game, my dream since I was a kid came true. A dream to cheer at a goal my home team would score. It was a beautiful goal and the score was now 2-1 as half-time drew in. Second half and just as it got on the way, a fumble by the Manchester keeper gave us a 2-2 scoreline. There was such a cheer in the crowd that it gave the Malaysian team some hope that we could actually win this! As the match drew to a close it was around the 80th minute that Manchester finally sealed the win. The match ended at a close, 3-2 final score.

At the end of everything, things that matter seem to not matter anymore. Like who scored the goals but focus was on how hard the team tried and played. Seeing them just try was good enough for me as a supporter and it really showed me that we can do it if we tried.

Friends, we've got to start to understand that we are already actually part of the biggest thing in the world. We got to know that our life was meant for a purpose and a mission. Just like a watch proves that there is a watch maker and a watch was designed to show us time, the existence of us human beings proves that there is a maker and we must have a purposed for living. This mission is so big and victorious in nature that even the championship cup has already been won by our Lord, Jesus Christ. All we gotta do now is show off that championship cup, our salvation, His grace. So lets do that.

'WORDS OF FAITH'

For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21 NKJV)

'WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT'

Let us continue to bring in the reality of the authentic gospel. God bless and bye bye.

Bill Johnson, Senior Pastor of Bethel Church, Redding

Isn't It Strange

I recently read an e-mail that really was catchy and also with lots of truth in it that we could use to evaluate ourselves. Here is how it goes..........

Isn't it strange

how a 20 ringgit bill seems like such a large amount when you give it to church,
but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange

how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church,
and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange
that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but..
you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange
how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but
how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or Stephenie Meyer book?

Isn't it strange
how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or football games but
they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange
how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks
before the day so we can include it in our agenda,
but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange
how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others
but how easy it is to learn, believe and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange
how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but...
we question the words in the Bible?

If you are a person as described like the above statements, you seriously have a problem. Ask God to reveal Himself to you, which most often than not, He will answer your prayers. Your breakthrough and new beginning starts today. May God bless you with all the riches of heaven and may we continue to impact this world with the reality of the authentic gospel.

'WORDS OF FAITH'
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14 NKJV)

'WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT'

I'm not condemning you, just making you feel a little ashamed.
Kris Vallotton