FaithInGod | Kristi's Morning Devotional

There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “I know the Author of the world’s best seller”.

It doesn’t say I am acquainted with the author or that I met the author once in a book line when I got His autograph. No, it says I know Him. I am more than acquainted with Him, I have sat down and talked with him, I have gained insight and advice for life from Him. I have studied His words and found Him to be the writer of truth.

“… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking unto Jesus, the ^[a]author and ^[b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

It’s important for us to understand that the Bible isn’t just a good book with good principles to learn from. It is THE book of life – not just life on earth but eternal life with God, the Father.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He is our example of a life lived by faith. Everything we need to know about faith, He has written. How do we learn more about faith? We read and we hear.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NJKV

The way of faith is not hidden, it is open for all, however, there are few who choose to utilize the faith that has been provided.

“…Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. ” Romans 12:3 CEV

The Bible tells us that when the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert God provided all they needed; their food and water and not even their shoes wore out. He had made them a promise.

“And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.” Deuteronomy 29:5 NKJV

“The people asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
⁴¹He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river.” Psalm 105:40-41 NJKV

Jesus taught the Jewish people, reminding them of their promised blessings – building their faith in God:

“Why should you worry about clothes? Think how the flowers grow. They do not work or make cloth. ²⁹But I tell you that Solomon in all his greatness was not dressed as well as one of these flowers. ³⁰God clothes the grass of the field. It lives today and is burned in the stove tomorrow. How much more will He give you clothes? You have so little faith! ³¹Do not worry. Do not keep saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will we wear?’ ³²The people who do not know God are looking for all these things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all these things. Matthew 6:28-32 NLV

Faith is the absence of worry and fear. Faith is trust in what God has done and said. He is the one who has given us faith and He is the developer of it. He promised to provide.

May I encourage you to spend time with the Author of our faith, read the Book and learn from Him!

This morning I was reminded of a time, not so very long ago, when I was talking with the Lord about a situation that needed to be changed. Yes, I was complaining and even started to beg. It didn’t take me long to realize that the Lord was not impressed by either.

I had this thought come up – are you a beggar or a believer? What! A beggar or a believer? Show me how to stop begging because I really thought I was believing.

Jesus is the perfect example of a “believer”. He never doubted God’s word or His power. We need to follow his instruction. Jesus’ disciples asked for examples on how to increase their faith, their ability to believe, and this is what happened.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Show us how to increase our faith.'” Luke 17:5 NLT

Jesus went on to tell the disciples about a man that had a slave who worked for him. He said that the master doesn’t compliment the slave for doing what he’s supposed to do. No, he expects the task to be done.

The way I read this is Jesus was telling them that they didn’t need to beg for faith, they simply needed to put it to work. And then Jesus gave them an example.

“As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, ¹³crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” ¹⁴He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.” Luke 17:12-14 NLT

The lepers “begged” Jesus for healing. Jesus put his faith to work and “believed” God and it was accomplished. Faith was working to bring about the will of God.

Another example is the lame man at the Gate Beautiful who had been there begging alms all his adult life. He saw Peter and John coming to the temple and began begging from them. Peter said “We don’t have any silver or gold to give you today but what we do have we’ll give to you. In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk”. (Acts 4) Immediately he jumped up and began walking.

“You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.” Acts 4:16

Begging indicates a lack of faith, an uncertainty that what we are asking will get done. But faith is confident belief.

“We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. ¹⁵He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:14-15 ERV

That’s the way it is with our heavenly Father, we simply tell Him about the need and believe in faith that it will be taken care of. There’s no need to be a beggar, we are called to be believers.

Have faith in God!

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The Author

Begging or Believing