Faith in God is an amazing, and difficult, thing. We put our faith in other people or in other things because we have experienced them, or witnessed them to be true. We know that people have flown in planes and survived, therefore we know it's safe. We've sat on chairs before, therefore we trust similarly structured objects to also hold our weight when we sit on them. We've seen others display their love for us, therefore we trust that that love will continue. Yet there is nothing concrete we can use to explain our faith in God. We have His word, but that relies on faith that it is truly inspired. We have answered prayers, but that depends on faith that it truly was God's work and not just chance.

1 Peter 1:8 - "And though you have not seen Him, love Him."
James 1:6 - "But he must ask in faith, without any doubting."

Faith in God is a constant, active thing. it's not a lackadaisical second thought, but requires determination to declare that although I cannot see, I believe. And not only believe, I love. This is not phileo love, which says that I am fond of God. But is agapeo, the verb form of agape. Do I truly have a brotherly, benevolent love toward God, or is it just an appreciative fondness?

Hebrews 1:1,6 - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and the He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Faith, once accepted, can be freeing. It is not necessary to know God before we can receive salvation, it is only necessary to accept that He can offer salvation, and admit we need it. In fact, before we are saved, it is impossible to know God, because we do not have the spirit of God. "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. " (1 Corinthians 2:11). When we are saved, the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Spirit teaches us (Luke 12:12, John 14:26). The Spirit reveals God's wisdom. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10)

Put your love to the test

James 1:1-12

John MacArthur says that things are put to test "with the purpose of discovering that person's nature or that thing's quality." Cars, furniture, bridges and other such things are tested before being released to the public in order to prove they can stand up to the task for which it was created. Software programs are tested for errors. Food is tested to see if it lacks anything. In the same way, our trials and tests are used to prove that what we have is sufficient, or to find what areas need to be improved.

vs. 2 - The word for "consider" can also be translated "evaluate." It is not natural for us to rejoice in trials, but it is necessary. This is something we must train ourselves to do - make a conscious effort to face trials with joy.

vs. 3 - "testing" can also be translated "proving."

vs 4. - "perfect" - in regard to spiritual maturity; "complete" lit. "all portions whole."

vs. 12 - "approved" lit "passed the test."

A crown was not just reserved for royalty. In ancient Greek athletic events they would put a wreath on the head of the victor - the crown symbolizes a reward. Here it is the reward of eternal life.

Notes from Tuesday study

Philippians 4:1-7

Paul calls the church his beloved, and his joy and crown.

- They have the same joy, thus making his joy complete.

- Do I consider others in the church to be a joy or a burden?

  * How do others affect me?

- Two words for "crown"

  * diadem - crown of royalty

  * stefanos - crown a victor wears. This is the word Paul used.

  * The church is his reward for victory - He finds strength in them.

How do I paint the picture of my relationship with the church? Are they my strength?

In verse 2, Euodia and Syntyche are not like-minded and are at odds. Paul urges them in verse 3 to bring about correction. Galatians 6:1 - Restore each other gently.

1 Corinthians 1:10 - We are either complete in the same mind, or we are divided.

Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all men --> It is active and takes effort on our part.

Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord! our joy is found in God. Despite our circumstances, we should be full of joy because of God. 

vs. 5 - Gentle spirit, forbearing spirit - we must continue to strive in our gentleness and humility. If we rejoice always, it will be evident to everyone that we have joy.

vs. 6 "Anxious" - apply deep thought to something, which causes division in your mind. Everywhere else in the Bible it refers to the way we think. By not trusting God, we cause a division among ourselves.

The anchor holds in spite of the storm

Matthew 14:22-31

Peter had the faith to step out into the storm to go to Jesus. And although he became distracted by the wind and faltered, when he fixed his focus back on Jesus, he was safe again.

Lately I have been too afraid to take the initial step out of the boat. I am afraid to go to Jesus because of the difficulty surrounding my journey to reach Him. I would rather stay on the unsteady boat than find comfort in the arms of my Savior. He kept Peter safe, even when he began to drown. He will keep me safe whenever I focus on Him.

Being in the water probably wasn't high on Peter's list of places to be. But at that moment it was better than any place else he could have ever wanted to be, since he was with Jesus.

This is something I understand, but is it something I believe? Am I ready to be in a miserable place, knowing that Jesus is holding me in His arms, or would I prefer to keep Him at a distance, so I could remain in a more comfortable place (by human standards)?

"Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24) I do not have a lack of belief. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, and He has the power to save my soul. I believe that God loves me, despite my imperfections, and wants to have a relationship with me. I believe that through Him all things can be done, and I wil not lack in anything. But I still, at times, have a crisis of faith. I do not always have faith that God will do and take care of the other things. God promises food and shelter. Beyond that, none of His promises are physical. And it is often the physical that I desire. And they do not seem like bad desires. I do not seek wealth or fame or status or anything that glorifies myself. I long for a family and people to love who will love me back. But do I long for that more than I long for a right relationship with God? Am I trying to settle for what I think is best when God has something better in store for me if I am patient?

Hebrews 13:5 - Being content with what you have.

Philippians 4:11 - "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in."

Paul did not want, yet God supplied. My wants are spiritual - love, encouragement, strength, support. Yet the way I wish to receive them may not be the way God chooses to reveal them to me.

These things I want from God, yet what am I doing for Him? I sit and mope as I long for the things I want instead of going out and making the most of my time without them. I am so worried about the future and so caught up in the past that I can not live in the present. "Forgetting what lies behind... " (Philippians 3:13). Do I have so little faith that God will bring about good things in my life that I feel the ned to hold on to former good things? And as I look ahead, my hope is built on the things I think should be, which is still a measure of faith, but it is only partial, conditional faith.