Strengthened, Increased, Deepened Faith!

We are glad you are here! Thank you for taking the time to study the Word of God with us! God gives each of us a measure of faith and yet we can take some actions that will strengthen and increase it and cause us to be more confident in our faith walk. I pray this Word of God will bring positive changes in your walk with the Lord. Eric

During our life's journey each of us experiences a huge variety of highs and lows. We have times of great joy and also great sorrow. We experience both success and failure, victory and defeat, ease and hardships, health and sickness, contentment and turmoil, peace and anxiety along with happiness and sadness.

Most of us, especially when we are struggling through the difficult trials, have at some point desired or wished that we had a stronger or deeper faith in God. Sometimes the valleys are very low, painful, dark and sorrowful. In those times, we can feel very isolated or alone and wonder if we will ever get to a place where we will experience the light, peace or joy again.

When you get right down to it, you wish or desire that you would have a degree of faith that would level out those deep dark valleys to where your trust level in God will shine His light in your dark places. We all desire to 'live' in a place where peace comes easier and our anxiety meter would remain stable. You want to know that He is with you and working on your behalf no matter what your circumstances are. You want to know you will be able to smile, and experience hope, peace, joy and light again.

God's Word reveals that He has given a measure of faith to each one of us. (Romans 12:3) 'Metron,' the Greek word translated 'measure' means a divine allotment. HELPS Word-studies describes it as the basis for determining what is enough. 'Faith,' pistis, is a gift from God and is God's divine persuasion, assurance and belief.

It is pretty awesome to realize that He has given us 'enough' faith to assure our salvation. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) reveals, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. The faith the Lord has given us is the channel through which grace is received. Faith is not just intellectual assent. It is a deep-seated trust in God's promises and our foundation for living a successful life that is pleasing to God. (Hebrews 11:6).

Faith is believing that God is at work in our lives even when we can't see it. Hebrews 11:1 (NASB) reveals, "Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen." One thing we need to recognize is that since 'faith is a gift of God, “it is spiritual and you cannot command faith at will." (Lloyd Jones). We see an example of this in Mark 9 when a man brought his son to the disciples and Jesus for deliverance from as unclean spirit. The disciples were not able to make the demon leave. When Jesus arrived, the father spoke these words to Him in verse 22, "If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. 23"If you can? echoed Jesus. "All things are possible to him who believes. 24 Immediately the boy's father cried our, " I do believe, help my unbelief." The father knew that his own belief was not enough. The Greek word for 'believe' is pisteuo, taken from the root word pistis meaning faith. The root word of pistis is peitho. According to HELPS Word-studies, pisteuo means "persuade or be persuaded. The word 'believe' (affirm or have confidence is used of persuading oneself which equals human-believing." However, "with the sacred significance of being persuaded by the Lord is added, that changes the meaning to faith-believing." When we read the context of the Scripture, we discern whether it is human belief or believing which originates from God's impartation of faith in us. So, we see 'believing is not necessarily the same as having faith. James 2:19 reveals that even the demons believe or recognize God's existence and power. However, to believe without experiencing a change in character and submitting to God's will is not faith. Satan does not have faith in God. Faith is God's divine persuasion and is distinct from human belief or confidence. Yet, our belief or confidence does play a role in our faith. When we witness or experience the intervention of God as He responds to our faith, our confidence level increases and we begin to trust in the Lord and His Word more and more.

Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. We read in Romans 4:20 that “no unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God.”

Jesus was sharing some of the difficulties and struggles involved in ministry with the disciples. Their response to what Jesus was sharing was, "Increase our faith." (Luke 17:5). Even those who walked with Him called on Him to increase their faith.

Romans 10:17 (ESV) reveals how our God given faith can be increased. Faith comes by our hearing the Word of God. God's Word is true. John 8:31 and 32 teaches us that if we hold fast, cleave or abide in the Word of God, we will know the Truth and that Truth frees us from the slavery that comes from sin!

The Word of God will always accomplish what it is sent to accomplish. Since God's Word is of divine origin, it has all power and authority and is capable of bringing about change.

How can we be sure of this truth? Let's look at Jeremiah 1:12 ESV). It is an amazing Scripture! The Lord spoke these words to Jeremiah, "I am watching over my word to perform it." 'Watching,' shaqad in the Hebrew means: alert, sleepless and vigilant. God is always watching over His word to perform, do or fulfill it! Praise God! If we could only grab hold of this truth. 1 Kings 8:56 reinforces it by revealing that, "of all He has promised, not one word has failed."

We can indeed hold fast to the hope, expectation, trust and confidence we have in God because He is faithful and trustworthy!

How do we develop a deeper faith?

To have deeper faith, we must align ourselves with God's purpose and will. 1 John 5:14 and 15 (Amplified Bible) reveals, "This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us. 15 And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him." If you pray His Word, you are praying His will.

Romans 12:2 (BSB) commands us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God."

Knowing the Scripture though is not enough - we must obey it by stepping out or exercising what faith we have and then, we will see it grow and deepen. When we pray and see God's intervention, we will step out again and our faith will be stretched!

Finally I want to share a number of practical actions that will increase our faith and trust in God and His Word.

- Pray daily. Philippians 4: 6 and 7 (ESV), "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

- Saturate yourself in the Word of God. Exposure to Truth will keep your faith strong and encourages healthy spiritual growth. "Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ." (Romans 10:17).

- Allow worship to become infused in every part of your day. God inhabits the praise of His people. (Psalm 22:3 KJV).

- Spend quality time with fellow believers. This time will be invaluable to you as you share testimonies, hear of God's faithfulness and pray for one another.

- Make gratitude a habit. His steadfast love for us endures forever! (Psalm 136: 1-5).

- Serve others wholeheartedly. When you serve others, you reflect God's love and experience a deeper understanding of His heart for all people. Sometimes, the best way to serve others is to speak a kind word, give a smile, share a hug or offer a prayer.

- Memorize key Scriptures so you are prepared to stand firm when you encounter daily challenges and temptations. The Word of God is our sword! It is power and when we speak the name of Jesus, demons flee. (Mark 1:25-27).

- Regularly do a self-examination and ask the Father to reveal if there is any wicked way in you - if there is, repent, turn away from it and you will be cleansed. (1 John 1:9).

- Give God permission to search you to see if there is any hurtful way in you. Then let Him lead you in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23,24).

- Meditate on His promises. Set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2), Keep your focus on Him.

- Expect great things! (Psalm 62:5 (NKJV), "My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him."

- Walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7).

- Trust Him, even if it doesn't seem like the reasonable thing to do. Psalm 28:7 (NIV),"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."

As you put Him, His word and His will first place in your life, you will see your faith strengthened, increased and deepened! Hallelujah!

Scriptures were taken from the English Standard Version unless noted otherwise.

NIV New International Version

BSB Berean Standard Bible

KJV King James Version

NKJV New King James Version