| There are many times in your life when you | | | | The definition of faith is found in Hebrews. |
| might be afraid. You might be afraid of loosing | | | | Living Bible |
| your job, or of not having a job, or becoming | | | | Hebrews 11:1: What is faith? It is the confident |
| sick. You might be afraid you won't be able to | | | | assurance that something we want is going to |
| pay your bills. You might be afraid for your | | | | happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for |
| children, their health and well being. You know Job, | | | | is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up |
| in the Bible was a lot like that. Job was a good | | | | ahead. |
| man who loved the Lord with all his heart. | | | | Without faith it is impossible to please God. |
| Living Bible | | | | Living Bible |
| Job 1:1: There lived in the land of Uz a man named | | | | Hebrews 11:6: You can never please God without |
| Job--a goodman who feared God and stayed | | | | faith, without depending on him. Anyone who |
| away from evil. | | | | wants to come to God must believe that there is |
| Job had a problem, he was afraid all the time; he | | | | a God and that he rewards those who sincerely |
| worried and feared all the time. He worried about | | | | look for him. |
| everything including his children. He was afraid | | | | When you accepted Jesus as your Savior, you |
| they would sin and curse God, he offered | | | | took the biggest step of faith you have ever |
| sacrifices all the time because of his fear. | | | | taken. Think about it you believed that Jesus was |
| Job 1:5: So it was, when the days of feasting had | | | | born of a virgin, lived and died on a cross, rose |
| run their course, that Job would send and sanctify | | | | from the dead in three days. You weren't there, |
| them, and he would rise early in the morning and | | | | you didn't see it or hear about it from someone |
| offer burnt offerings according to the number of | | | | else, and you simply accepted it by faith. You |
| them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons | | | | knew deeply within yourself what you believed |
| have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.'' Thus | | | | and acted on it for your salvation. |
| Job did regularly. | | | | 1 Peter 1:8-9: whom having not seen you love. |
| The result of Job's fear is that what he feared | | | | Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, |
| came upon him. | | | | you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, |
| Job 3:25: For the thing I greatly feared has come | | | | receiving the end of your faith the salvation of |
| upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to | | | | your souls. |
| me. | | | | This is the same kind of faith you need to walk in |
| When we fear and doubt God and his Word, this | | | | every day. It is not a different faith, or more |
| opens the door for things to happen to us. This | | | | faith, it is the same faith! |
| gives the enemy permission to attack us, | | | | We all need to study God's Word to build up our |
| because we doubted God's promises and walked | | | | faith and keep us strong. |
| in unbelief. God can not work in our doubt and | | | | Romans 10:17: So then faith comes by hearing, |
| unbelief. God only works through our faith. | | | | and hearing by the word of God. |
| In the Gospel of Mark, the ruler of the | | | | Remember: |
| synagogue, Jairus, asked Jesus to heal his | | | | Revised Standard |
| daughter. | | | | Romans 8:31: What then shall we say to this? If |
| On the way they found out that she had already | | | | God is for us, who is against us? |
| died. | | | | -- Revised Standard |
| Mark 5:35-36: While He was still speaking, some | | | | Luke 1:37: For with God nothing will be impossible. |
| came from the ruler of the synagogue's house | | | | Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ |
| who said, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the | | | | who strengthens me. |
| Teacher any further? As soon as Jesus heard the | | | | Philippians 4:19: And my God shall supply all your |
| word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the | | | | need according to His riches in glory by Christ |
| synagogue, Do not be afraid; only believe. | | | | Jesus. |
| The opportunity to doubt arose in Jairus, but | | | | Take what Jesus said to Jairus and hold it - stand |
| Jesus was already with him, he was right beside | | | | on it. |
| him! Jesus said to him, "Do not be afraid; only | | | | Don't be afraid - only believe. |
| believe." | | | | The first step is coming to Him and making Him |
| Mark 5:37-42: And He permitted no one to follow | | | | your Savior. This is the first step we all must |
| Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of | | | | take. It is so simple all you do is pray this prayer. |
| James. Then He came to the house of the ruler | | | | Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name |
| of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those | | | | of Jesus. Your word says, "...and the one who |
| who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He | | | | comes to Me I will by no means cast out." |
| said to them, "Why make this commotion and | | | | (Jn.6:37), So I know You won't cast me out, but |
| weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.'' And | | | | You take me in, And I thank you for it. You said |
| they laughed Him to scorn. But when He had put | | | | in your Word, "whoever calls upon the name of |
| them all out, He took the father and the mother | | | | the Lord shall be saved.'' (Ro. 10:13). |
| of the child, and those who were with Him, and | | | | I am calling on Your name, So I know You have |
| entered where the child was lying. Then He took | | | | saved me now, You also said, "...that if you |
| the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, | | | | confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and |
| cumi,'' which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, | | | | believe in your heart that God has raised Him |
| arise.'' Immediately the girl arose and walked, for | | | | from the dead, you will be saved. For with the |
| she was twelve years of age. And they were | | | | heart one believes to righteousness, and with the |
| overcome with great amazement. | | | | mouth confession is made to salvation." |
| After Jesus told Jairus to not doubt, He only took | | | | (Ro.10:9,10). |
| with Him, Peter, James and John. Then when he | | | | I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son |
| got to the house, Jesus put out everyone but the | | | | of God. I believe He was raised from the dead |
| parents and the disciples. Why? | | | | for my justification. And I confess Him now as |
| He was getting rid of all the doubt and unbelief in | | | | my Lord, Because Your Word says, "... with the |
| the house, so that He could complete His work. | | | | heart one believes to righteousness..." and I do |
| Even Jesus could not work in an atmosphere of | | | | believe with my heart, I have now become the |
| unbelief! | | | | righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21), |
| Matthew 13:54-58: 54. And when He had come to | | | | And I am saved! Thank You, Lord! |
| His own country, He taught them in their | | | | I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born |
| synagogue, so that they were astonished and | | | | again child of God! |
| said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and | | | | Glory to God!!!! Amen. |
| these mighty works? "Is this not the carpenter's | | | | Here are some helpful scriptures to look up in |
| son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His | | | | your Bible. |
| brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? "And | | | | Romans 10:17: So then faith comes by hearing, |
| His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then | | | | and hearing by the word of God. |
| did this Man get all these things?'' So they were | | | | Romans 8:31: What then shall we say to these |
| offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A | | | | things? If God is for us, who canbe against us? |
| prophet is not without honor except in his own | | | | Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ |
| country and in his own house.'' And He did not do | | | | who strengthens me. |
| many mighty works there because of their | | | | Philippians 4:19: And my God shall supply all your |
| unbelief. | | | | need according to His riches in glory by Christ |
| God cannot move in your life if you are in doubt | | | | Jesus. |
| and unbelief in your situation! But if you will stay in | | | | These are just a few. The Word of God is full of |
| faith, stay in God's Word, keep it before your | | | | helpful promises that we can rely on. I encourage |
| eyes and in your mouth you will overcome any | | | | you to look these up and underline them in your |
| situation! | | | | Bible. And start confessing them daily to help your |
| 1 John 5:4: For whatever is born of God | | | | faith grow. Remember that faith comes by |
| overcomes the world. And this is the victory that | | | | hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. |
| has overcome the world our faith. | | | | |