What to do with our measure of faith….

When I began attending my church I had never read the bible except trying as a kid to thumb through the pink Precious Moments bible given to me as a birthday gift one year. I didn’t grow up in church except going on occasion and I just had an idea of what God & Jesus were about. Apart from praying when I really needed help or saying night time prayers and singing Jesus loves me with my kids, I really didn’t have a relationship with God or even know He wanted one with me. 

I even had Noah & Moses confusion - which one had the boat and which one did all the other stuff? The Word of God was just stories I had heard, it wasn't ALIVE in me, it wasn’t IMPRINTED on my heart. 

Abut six months in to attending church regularly, my church began a new year long discipleship program called The Journey. When the Journey started I knew that was just what I needed - a translator for all of this bible stuff. I thought I knew what I was getting into but I had no idea. Especially when they assigned Discipleship Coaches...  I get Kerri - the Pastors wife!! To say my my first thought was a holy one would be a blatant lie. My first thought was FEAR. I can't tell her my stuff! They'll kick me out! So I was committed to not blabbing. I'll get good teaching but I'm not telling her my junk or that I get Noah & Moses confused! But you know what? Every time I talked to Kerri she would ask me questions and I would just answer every question she had honestly. Like, no sugar, honest. What is up with that? How was she making me talk? I distinctly remember hearing myself talk to her and at the same time trying to tell myself to shut-up. HOW is she breaking down the barricade I built around myself? 

It bewildered me so much that at one point I just had to say - OK God, I haven't scared her away yet so I'm going to choose to trust you and her.

That was my first lesson in faith.

As I study through the bible, I can’t help but notice the relationship between faith and an action. Faith is not us with eyes shut curled up and blocked off afraid to look out at what is ahead & simply repeating: "I believe, I believe, I believe."

Faith requires AN ACTION!

You know what the cool thing about faith is? We all have a measure of it. 

"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

God even gave us something to start with! None of us no matter our faith level ever started on empty! We all start with a measure of faith but it is up to us to take the ACTION and act upon it. 

Faith is you making a move towards God, faith is getting outside of your comfort zone  Faith is standing on God’s promises for you! Faith is knowing you are loved. Faith is falling apart and trusting Almighty God will put you back together. Faith is in the face of adversity you know who is by your side. Faith is singing His praises in good times and bad. 

BE PART OF THE CROWD THAT WENT TO JESUS, GET OUT OF THE BOAT LIKE PETER & WALK TOWARDS HIM, BE LIKE THE CAANANITE WOMAN OF GREAT FAITH, BE LIKE THE BLIND MEN OF JERICHO & CRY OUT FOR HEALING, BE LIKE THE GUYS IN CAPERNAUM THAT WHEN THEY COULDN’T GET TO JESUS ONE WAY THEY TOOK THE ROOF OFF!!!!

Jesus didn't say "stay right here " He said "come follow me." Action is required.

Let me encourage you today. With your measure of faith - take action! If you don't know where to begin, pray that The Lord reveals your starting place. Follow Him, move in His direction. He'll get closer to you with every step you take towards Him. And with every step your faith will grow. When we become believers and we respond to Jesus’ call and direction in our lives, the Kingdom continues to express His presence here on earth and our LIFE IN FAITH becomes a testimony to others!

Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for being our Provider. I pray that you soften the heart of every person reading this today. That you lead them to where their starting point is. That no matter how long they have been walking with you that their faith is increased even more. I pray your Word comes alive and is imprinted on every heart. I pray for you to highlight areas in each of us where we can operate in increased faith. In Jesus name, Amen.