Faith Isn't Just A Word, It Has To Be A Habit In Use

In this writing when I use the word FAITH I am referring to the belief that God is going to move in us and our situations, not as what I believe religiously. We as a modern church society tend to talk about faith, but when it comes to action, our faith is more of a background image. It is there, but not predominant in our lives. As time has passed and life for the most part has become comfortable, faith has moved from being a tangible part of our lives to being a word of no real meaning. Faith is not a part of salvation that has diminished in time. In fact, it is still just as powerful as your need requires. The issue, as I see it, is this -- we have lost faith to just believe. We find it so easy to run to a temporary solution to handle our need instead of waiting in faith for God to solve the issue in its entirety. In days gone by those temporary solutions were hard to come by, pain killers were limited and, in many cases, more deadly than the ailment causing the pain. Now pain killers are found in nearly every place we go. Its easier to believe in those for relief than in God through faith it seems.

In times when food was scarce and there were no grocery stores or food banks to go to, faith in God was needed for substance. Now it seems that food is bountiful in most places in our country. Faith in God to supply is not needed it seems.

In the days of our country's growth, money was scarce and there were no disability checks, or welfare programs. Faith in God was the bank for many during these times. Now it seems that even the poorest among us are living in prosperity compared to those in the days of which I speak. It seems that faith in God is no longer needed. Why is faith in these things important, Pastor? This is why. If we don't practice faith in these matters that are not life or death then how can we believe with faith in the times of desperation? When death is facing us, or calamity is upon our family, the over the counter medicine isn't going to work, the doctor has said go home and die, the bank can't buy your healing, where will you turn? How can you use something that you have not practiced?

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? We can talk about it, we can relive it through stories of old (and we should), but if we don't put it into work in our lives it will die with us! Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Church attendance is not required, they say; we can have church at home, they say; I don't need a pastor, they say. Then how can you hear? How can your faith build? I propose that the timeline of church attendance slacking off is about the same time there was a decline in healings and miracles. I said decline, not disappear. There are still some that live it. There are still some that speak in faith and allow God to be their Savior in all things. I propose that Satan has had a hand in stealing the necessity of faith in the small things, therefore effectively crippling faith in the big things. If we can't believe God for healing of a headache then how can we trust Him for cancer, tumors, heart disease, etc. What is the difference in the woman with the issue of blood and you? Faith! What is the difference in you and the blind man? Faith! What is the difference in you and the woman who gave all she had? Faith! Jesus has not changed since the days of those examples, not even a little. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. As a people, we must get back to the business of letting God be God. To remove Him from the small things in our life is to limit Him in the large things. Lets make it a point to use the faith instilled in use by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost in all aspects of our lives. God is still in business and we need to make faith a habit in our daily lives. Love you and God bless you. Pastor Teeples