Growing Strong in Faith 

Waiting is usually not a fun experience. It could be in the grocery line, for our turn at the doctor’s, or for a difficult period at work or school to be over its fulfilment. We may have promises from God that we are believing for and even have already made plans for, but yet, have not seen even a glimpse of. During these times, our faith may grow weak, and the promise of God may become forgotten.

As we read today’s verse, we see Abraham in such a situation. He had received a great promise from God, but for years did not see even a shadow of a possibility of the promise being fulfilled. Abraham was an ordinary man, and just like us, he faced doubts, questions and could have forgotten God’s promise over time. However, the verse tells us that Abraham’s faith endured, and in fact, grew stronger! Amazing! Abraham’s faith grew because it was based on his implicit trust in the character and Person of God. Therefore, he was able to believe — and believe again — that God would do what He said He would.

Today, we can draw close to God and ask for a revelation of His greatness and His goodness to us again. As we gain a deeper understanding of the God of the promise, our faith will be stirred up and grow! For example, I always believed in God’s ability to heal, but had not seen God use me to heal anyone before. 

However, as I grew in my trust and understanding of the faithfulness of God, I saw Him give me a fresh authority and faith in praying for the sick. Just recently, I prayed for a girl whose appendix was infected, and indeed, the girl’s appendix was then miraculously cleared of the infection! Faith is not alive until we act on God’s word to us (James 2:17). As we take every opportunity to exercise our faith in God’s word, we will see God move on our behalf!

Reflection

What are some aspects of God’s character that you can focus on that can help you develop implicit trust in Him?

What are some opportunities you can take to exercise faith in God’s word to you today?

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your promises in my life. Grant me a fresh revelation of Your ability and willingness to fulfil Your word to us. Help me to believe in You, and to take every chance available to act on Your word!

Fasting

10. **Seeking Revival**: Fasting is a catalyst for spiritual revival, both individually and corporately, as described in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

ROMANS 4

JAMES 2

17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

EPHESIANS 4

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,

he took many captives

and gave gifts to his people.”

9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.