30th July 2009
Sharing with Keith

What is faith to you?

[Matt 14:22-33]

Having faith is liken to what we place in our hairdressers; to what we place in our parents to provide for us, to love and to care for us.
And the truth is that many times we miss to see that God's love for us is parallel to that too. We can have faith in God to provide, love and care for us. But when we doubt God, God cannot provide. Simply because it is written that without faith, we cannot please God[Heb11:6].

Building faith is like a learned conditioned response.
Putting faith in smth derives a belief in that smth which eventually comes to pass and thus we continue to have faith in that smth. It's a cycle. So how do we actually start the cycle of building our faith?

4 Guiding steps to help build our fiath
1. Trust
By taking that first step.
[v28] Peter trusted Jesus that's why he dared to ask for the impossible

Trust only comes with knowing someone closely. When we develop the relationship, we develop trust at the same time. And to develop the relationship, we need to spend time coupled with common interests etc. Our relationship with God iz the same. It has to be close for us to be able trust Him wholeheartedly and not doubt.

2. Obedience
[v29] Peter had to step out of the boat first.

Seeking God first and placing God's preference list first. That is the correct response to the call of God. Jesus cannot do a work in our life if we dun do anything. God can only work through our actions. More often than not, when we're walking in obedience with God, God will show Himself true to us. Being active is being in God's flow.

3. Focus
[v30] Peter took his focus off Jesus and started to sinkkk!!!

Focus iz that which sustains us in the long run. When we lose focus, we lose rhythm and therefore choose to give up. So choose to remain focused on God even in troubled times, lift up our eyes and you'll realise that He has enabled you to handle and overcome difficulties.

Last but not least,
4. Hold on

Hold on to the biblical principles, trusting and knowing that God will pull us through.
Hold on to God and never give up, never surrender. God will never let you go. He will neither leave nor forsake you, so friends, dun let go of Him. If we choose to give up, it simply means satan wins.


So dear friends (:
We from CCM encourage you to deepen that relationship you have with Christ. How on a personal level can you do that you may ask..
a) Praying
it's simply having a conversation with God

b) Reading the bible
that's where all of God's promises are. and each and every one of us are equal partakers of every promise. but in order for you to claim that promise, you need to know what was promised.
so..
go find your promises to claim! (:

see you in church! :D

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