Yesterday, I asked the question, “Is faith in a decline?” After all, look at the world around us. On the surface, it doesn’t look as if there are many faith-seekers. Jesus once asked the question:
“However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:8 NASB 1995
Jesus asks this question in the middle of two important stories
The first story is about a widow who would not give up seeking justice. A hard-hearted unrighteous judge finally gave in and granted her request simply because she was getting on his nerves.
The point Jesus was making is to never give up asking and believing because God will grant justice to those who cry out to Him much more readily than any earthly judge would.
But they need enough faith to ask! (See Luke 18:1-8)
The second story, about the Pharisee and the tax collector, teaches us we should never trust in our own righteousness. Instead, have faith God will hear a cry of repentance. (See Luke 18:9-14)
Mustard Seed Faith
There may be less evidence of faith-seekers in today’s world, but it doesn’t have to be a lot of faith to see things change.
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
Matthew 17:20 NLT
How Do We Get Our Faith Rising?
It’s scriptural to pray for it.
And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”
Mark 9:23-24 New American Standard Bible 1995
Also, we know from scripture ways to increase faith is listen to preaching and read the Word of God. (We can never get away from basic disciplines if we want to grow in the Lord!)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 NASB 1995
The words of Christ are recorded in the Holy Bible. We are so blessed to be able to read it pretty easily in many parts of the world. I long for the day when EVERYWHERE people can read the Word in their own language.
In 2023, I want to increase my faith by praying, reading the Word, and listening to preaching more and more. What about you?
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the 12th day of my Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior series. For 28 days, we are examining truths about spiritual warfare, corporate prayer and praying in agreement and learning to apply them to our lives.
I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I’m going to be thinking with my fingers, so to speak, as I process what is in my heart about these topics after reading the word and praying for discernment.
You can go here to see each post I will be making on this topic.
Today’s question for your consideration: What is a faith fact?
PREVIOUS POST – Transformation: The Power of Jesus’ Name
Sharing at Anita Ojeda’s 2023 Write28Days Challenge and Inspire Me Monday