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In Times of Testing



Today I am reminded of the importance of faith. Being “comfortable” is a dangerous place for most Christ followers. It's easy to be a champion of faith when life is easy, comfortable and good.  Wait until you get shingles on your face (like I did) and see if you are still the poster child of faith.  I have put together some quotes on faith from some of the most notable people of history...and a few others.

Encouraging Quotes

“Great faith trusts God when there is nothing in the cupboard to eat and no money to buy food. Great faith trusts in God when health is gone, work is gone, reputation is gone, or family is gone. Great faith trusts God while the windstorm is still howling and persecution continues.” ~ MacArthur

Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends. ~ George Muller

The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin. ~ A.W. Tozer

Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe. ~ Augustine

The true, living faith, which the Holy Spirit instills into the heart, simply cannot be idle. ~ Martin Luther

God does not expect us to submit our faith to him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity. ~ Augustine

Faith is a voluntary anticipation. ~ Clement of Alexandria

Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand. ~ Augustine

Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand. ~ Thomas Aquinas

God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing. ~ Martin Luther

Quotes from a Holocaust Survivor

Remember the story of Corrie Ten Boom? Incarcerated at a Nazi death camp at age 59 for providing a hiding place for Jews. She lost her father & sister to the death camps.

A few of her notable quotes.

“The school of life offers some difficult courses, but it is in the difficult class that one learns the most – especially when your teacher is the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“God has plans – not problems—for our lives.”

“Faith is like radar which sees through fog—the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see.”

What kills our Faith?

Lately, I have been hanging out in Luke 8. I have become aware of certain things that can paralyze our faith. I jotted down seven Faith Busters from this chapter. Real struggles that attack your faith.

7. Vv1-3 Failure to have an Attitude of Gratitude

6. Vv4-8 Rejection or mishandling the Word of God

5. V13 - Times of testing

God delights to increase the faith of His children...I say, and say it deliberately--trials, difficulties and sometimes defeat, are the very food of faith...We should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more that faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us. - George Mueller

Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace. - Oswald Chambers

4. V14 - CPR  (Cares, pleasures and riches)

a. Cares (anxiety/worries)
Xref: Matt 6:33, 2 Peter 5:7, Phil 4:6
b. Pleasures (GK - Hedone) - hedonistic - Pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence.
c. Riches - wealth, abundance.

3. Vv16-18 - Hiding your light . . . let it shine!  Matt 5:14-16

2. Vv19-21 - Family.  Let's face it, sometimes our own family can kill our faith faster than a buzz saw.  They know the buttons to push and they also know us better than anyone else.  If they aren't feeling it, they can let you know and bring you down with lightning speed.  They can also be masters of distraction.

1. V22-25 - FEAR - It can steal our faith quicker than just about anything.
a. Losing your job, spouse, child or loved one
b. Losing everything you own
c. Losing your health
d. Losing your ability to work
e. Fear of dying
f. Fear of failure
g. Insert your own fears . . .

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” ~ Luke 8:22-25

Jesus says, “Do not fear, only believe”. Luke 8:50.

Today, be encouraged by the men and women who have walked this earth before you.  They have been tested and tried and their faith stood the test.  Look to Abraham and the great people of faith that have left behind examples of what it is like to walk by faith.

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