Faith Comes!

Posted on 09/23/2012 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

Very early in my walk with Yahushua Messiah [the Hebrew name for Jesus Christ], I heard a key statement about faith that has stayed with me:

“Faith comes! If you don’t have it, you can get it!“

Derek Prince made that statement based on Romans 10:17 — “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“

train coming This simple verse in Romans tells us that if we want to acquire faith, then we must begin to hear the Words of the Bible.

That sounds simple to do. It seems simple. Yet there is something about it that is deep, profound, and hidden.

We all know that faith is important. Faith is key to pleasing God! (Hebrews 11:6)

Most of us know that faith relates to our believing in Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God] and in His written Word.

However, for me, faith has always been mysterious. It seems like I understand it, and yet, it seems complicated.

Learning the definitions for faith from the Hebrew and Greek definitions can be very helpful. The Bible meaning for faith can be summed up in one word: faithfulness.

The dictionary goes on to define faith as

firmness,
security,
loyalty,
stability,
trustworthy,
established,
conviction,
convince,
agree,
believe,
obedience.

All of these words reveal certain characteristics of faith. Knowing these can certainly encourage and build our faith.

For today however, I’m interested in how faith comes!

A Little Will Suffice

In Hebrews chapter 11, and throughout the Scriptures, we can see that many amazing things have been accomplished . . .

by faith,
with faith,
through faith,
of faith, or
in faith.

The ‘Heroes of Faith’ inspire me with a great desire to have faith. A little will suffice, for faith the size of a mustard seed can accomplish the impossible (Matthew 17:20).

While faith seems to be mysterious and difficult to understand, by God’s mercy, and by His Holy Spirit, “Faith Comes! If you don’t have it, you can get it!” — because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Yahuwah, the Mighty One of Israel.

eaar Some people do not have faith. Many have very weak faith, or very little faith. But, if we want to acquire faith, or if we want to increase our faith, we must begin to hear (and obey) God’s written Word, because. . .

Faith COMES . . . by hearing God’s Word.

There are at least three steps we could practice [with the grace of Yahuwah] that would enable us to HEAR the Word of Yahuwah, and thus increase our faith.

First Step to Increasing Our Faith

To HEAR the WORD of Yahuwah — we need to personally read and study the Bible. We must begin to read it and study it for ourselves! This is a major way for faith to come to us!

“The reading of the Word … is a kind of HEARING with the eyes, and faith … will often come to men while they are reading the Word of God for themselves. … The reading of the Word … is a quiet HEARING of the still small voice of the printed page. Faith comes by the Word of God reaching our minds, and our knowing and understanding it. The entrance of God’s Word gives light.” — Charles Spurgeon

As Charles Spurgeon said, when we begin to search and read the Scriptures for ourselves, we discover that our understanding increases and faith comes!!

Studying the Scriptures is a way of hearing the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. This practice increases our personal understanding of Father’s Ways, which will always be a means of building up our faith, and thus our obedience to Father.

As we read and study the Scriptures, our faith gets stronger and we are made wise unto salvation in many areas of our life. The more we read the Word for ourselves, the more we are convinced and convicted that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2Timothy 3:16).

[It is so important that we make sure we are reading the version of God’s Word [the Bible] that is pure, and that it does not contain any of men’s twisted additions and eliminations!! (See the warnings in Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19) The safest version to stay with is the King James version. If you are sincere in following Yahuwah, then He will be faithful to make sure you understand the purity of His Word! (See link below for Bible study guidelines.)]

Second Step to Increasing Our Faith

To HEAR the WORD of Yahuwah — we need to hear, and listen carefully to a preacher. The preaching of the Gospel is actually the proclaiming of God’s Word.

Father has appointed the ministry of preaching [or proclaiming] His Word as the means of bringing salvation, healing, deliverance, and maturity to Believers. When we hear the preaching of the true and pure Word of Yahuwah [not the deception of twisted worldly, man-made, or demonic doctrines], but hearing only the true Word of Yah, then our faith will begin to increase.

… how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Rom 10:14,15)

For the preaching of the cross is, to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God…. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1Corinthians 1:18, 21)

As the above Scriptures show us, Father sends His servants [the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers], to proclaim His Word and bring the glad tidings of His good Ways. Preaching is the way God has chosen for the perfecting and edifying, or building up, of the Believers (Ephesians 4:11-12).

The world considers preaching a foolish thing! But for those who are being saved, and are growing in the knowledge of Father God, the preaching of the Gospel — the proclaiming of the cross of Yahushua Messiah [Jesus Christ] brings deliverance and victory over sin! (1Corinthians 1:18)

We must, however, be very diligent to maintain an alert attitude, and guard ourselves against hearing any deceptive preaching of ‘another gospel‘!

The apostle Paul says it twice, very strongly — ‘let him be accursed’ who would preach any other gospel than Yahushua Messiah crucified, which is the power and the wisdom of God (Galatians 1:8-9 and 1Corinthians 1:23-24). It is ‘another gospel’ that leads His people astray, and away from obedience to Yah’s written Word!

Paul warned us that there are ‘false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah [Christ]. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light’ (2Corinthians 11:13-14).

We must be very careful and take heed what you hear (Mark 4:24)!

Hearing the preaching, or the proclaiming, of the Word is a wonderful way to acquire saving faith! But we need to make sure that what we hear is in agreement with the Scriptures!!

It is the hearing of the true, pure, written Word of Yahuwah, preached by those whom Father has appointed and sent, that is the means for building true faith within our hearts! When our faith is built up, we will gladly obey Father, which is greatly pleasing to Him (see Hebrews 11:6).

The proclaiming of God’s Word can also occur within the setting of our own dining table, or while sitting along side a fellow Believer. Hearing the Word of Yahuwah does not happen only within the setting of a congregation. Therefore, we must remain open and sensitive to the proclamation of Father’s Word wherever we are, and from whomever Yahuwah sends to us. Even Baalam received faith and insight when he heard the words of his donkey (see Numbers 22:27-31)!

Third Step to Increasing Our Faith

To HEAR the WORD of Yahuwah — we need to personally proclaim with our own lips, and declare with our own words, the written Word of Yahuwah [the words and promises found in the Bible].

We must begin to speak words that are in agreement with Father’s Words, and personally testify what God’s Word says about us — that we are His redeemed children, separated unto Him, and devoted to walking in His Ways.

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Messiah Yahushua [Christ Jesus]; (Hebrews 3:1)

This Scripture teaches us that Yahushua is the High Priest of our profession (our declaration) of faith. In other words, Yahushua, as our High Priest, is watching what we do and listening to what we say. Yahushua needs to hear our declaration of faith as He stands before the Father on our behalf.

Therefore let us hold firmly to our own words and not lose our grip on the proclamation of our faith! When we maintain a good confession, speaking words that confirm and agree with Father’s written Words, then we are building up and increasing our faith.

The words we speak are central to our eternal destiny. Yahushua has told us that by our words we shall be justified, and by our words we shall be condemned (Matthew 12:37). If we will maintain and hold firmly to a good confession, speaking according to Yahuwah’s written Word, then we will be proclaiming and hearing Father’s Word and thus, building up our faith.

It is a Bible principle, that every time we proclaim our faith, no matter how small, more faith comes — because we are hearing God’s Word! Furthermore, it is with the same measure we use, that it shall be measured to us, for unto you that hear shall more be given (Mark 4:24)!

It is with the words of our mouth that we need to proclaim the promises of Yahuwah’s Word. The more we proclaim His Word, the more we will be hearing it, and the more our faith and obedience will increase.

The personal proclamation of Yah’s written Words is essential for those who would be overcomers. It is by the word of our testimony, especially our spoken testimony, of what the blood of Yahushua has done on our behalf, that we will begin to walk in more victory! (Revelation 12:11)

Thank You Father, for Your Word! Help me Father, to do what I can, to hear Your Word! Give me ears to hear — ears that will hear and listen carefully to Your written Word. Build within me a willing and obedient heart to faithfully follow Your Word! In Yahushua Messiah’s name, I pray. Amen

Mustard Seed Faith

The Heroes of Faith heard God’s Word frequently and regularly. So start doing what you can to hear the Word of God. Remember, if our faith is the size of a mustard seed, then we too can be a Hero of Faith!

These are three easy steps for hearing Father’s Word, and thereby building up and increasing our faith and obedience. There is no other way for acquiring faith but by hearing the written Word of Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God].

With Father’s mercy and enabling grace, if our faith is little or weak, or if we don’t have faith, then we can get it — because ‘Faith comes!!‘

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