We Are Believers

One thing I've learned as a believer in Christ is that we don't have to be encouraged to have faith like Jesus encouraged the Jews. We just have to exercise the faith that we have like working out in a gym (use it). it says that God has given to every man a measure of faith. That is so cool that we have the Holy Spirit to lean on when our faith is weak. The spirit inside of us intercedes and strengthens us at our weakest times. We are co-laborers even in faith.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

To the Jews:

"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

Part of exercising as far as using our faith is to pray.  I find that many times I get stressed out if I have not taken it to the Lord in prayer.  That is literally dumping my cares and worries on the throne room of God.  It says to “humble” ourselves casting all our cares on the Lord.  To keep our worries and concerns is to say that we can take care of the problem ourselves.  One thing I have learned in life is there are many problems I cannot fix or handle on my own.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

I look at what problems is someone’s else problem – what drama is someone trying to dump on me or put the blame on me.  Many times this happens at work and it can happen with a spouse who wants to blame us for something that goes wrong in their life.   It’s can be something that they failed to do.  Same way with children.  What is actually my fault.  Is it something I’ve failed to do and take responsibility for my actions.  Or is the problem related to a spiritual attack on my life. 

The more I press through to take over Satan’s territory in life – cover more ground as far as sharing God’s word, sometimes there have been attacks directly related to that.   It’s being an open vessel for God to use whenever he wants to use me.   Jonathan decided to take the hill without Saul (before Saul woke up) but he took another person with him (his armor bearer) and he prayed that God would give him a confirmation.  I personally like 2 or 3 confirmations when I’m doing certain ministries, but he did it on just one confirmation.  Gideon asked God for four confirmations (signs).  Obviously, Gideon had a very low confidence with God.   Not only that, but Gideon even became rather accusational with God about why he was not around to help the children of Israel for a time.

This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2 Cor. 13:1

But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' Matthew 18:16

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:13-15

It’s hard to understand in our lives why God seems silent at times.  My only explanation is that I heard something on the radio today which said that prayer is listening to God.  Try increasing a prayer life.  Since I received the gift of the Holy Spirit, I pray in tongues a lot and I find that opens up my spirit woman to really hear God’s voice better, but also spending more time in God’s word or time in worship.    Jude said that it “builds” us up so I look at that as part of my exercising my muscles of faith by praying in the spirit and then it goes on to say, “keep yourselves in the love of God.”

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21

Someone said that taking God’s word in is inhaling and prayer is exhaling.