GROWING FAITH

I had a lovely day on the beach near Busselton, Western Australia with Pastor Nigel, Sandy and their children. It is good to be back in Australia again. The weather in Western Australia is nice and warm. I have been swimming in the pool and the beach for the last few days. I went out for dinner after swimming on the beach with Pastor Nigel's family. I enjoy eating western cuisine in Australia. Ps Nigel and Sandy have five children. I love Joshua and Sarah. They are so cute! See photos.



GROWING FAITH

How is your faith today compared to yesterday, last week or last year? Are you learning to trust in God more today than yesterday? Do you experience God’s grace, provision, wisdom and anointing at an increasing measure? Do you desire to grow more and more in faith as you journey through life with God?

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 2Th 1:4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thes 1:3-4

I would like to share three vital principles to have growing faith;

A growing faith needs developing

For trust to grow there must be an element of a relationship involved. It is difficult for a child to trust in his parents if he only sees them once a week or once a year. A child needs to experience the parents’ instruction, wisdom and love. In order for us to trust God more, we need to grow in our relationship with God. The Bible in Romans 10:17 says that faith comes from hearing the word of God. We can hear from God through prayer, reading and studying the Bible, and praise and worship. Make a decision today to make hearing God a lifestyle. We don’t need to be legalistic in our relationship with God by sticking to a rigid program. I like the lifestyle approach when it comes to building relationship with God. I like to pray, read the Word and worship God during my day. I allow God to be in every part of my life and not just on Sunday.

A growing faith needs perseverance

We need to persevere in order to grow in faith. Sometimes, we get discouraged or stop trusting God because we have not seen God’s words or promises come to pass. We doubt God’s love and wisdom because we don’t like delayed promises. In the past 21 years of my Christian life, I discovered that God’s timing is always perfect. God has perfect timing for my university studies, career and ministry. God is not interested in our successes only but He is interested in our spiritual and character development. We need to press toward the vision and goals that God has given, no matter how long it takes. Abraham had to persevere for 25 years before he saw God’s promises fulfilled: through his son Isaac.

A growing faith needs trials

No one likes to grow through discomfort, trials, challenges, and difficulties in life. We like a smooth road that leads to the final destination. I am a frequent flyer and I face turbulence regularly during my flights. I think it is a part of life to experience some turbulent and unexpected occurrences. The rough roads and turbulence in life will help us to rely more on God. We learn to overcome challenges with the wisdom and grace of God. Our faith in God grows much more when we experience God’s faithfulness and victory in times of trials.

Let’s determine in our hearts to have a growing faith rather than a stagnant faith in 2010. We will receive many blessings when we learn to walk in greater faith in God.