Living By Faith

June 2, 2021

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water” (Matthew 17:14-15).

The Apostle Paul tells us that the only means whereby a person can be saved, forgiven of sin, given eternal life, have fellowship with God the Father, etc., is by God’s grace through our exercising of faith. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Just as we are saved by grace through faith, we must also live by grace through faith. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

In our Wednesday night Bible study we will be studying that great chapter of the Bible that deals with the heroes of faith - Hebrews 11. It will be an in-depth study that will take several weeks because there is so much in that chapter that is necessary for the Christian to understand regarding faith, and there are so many heroes of faith that demonstrate how faith worked in their lives. If you wish to be a part of the study, email me at gmartin@wintonchurch.org and I’ll put you on the study list.

Peter, James, and John were walking down Mt. Tabor (the Mount of Transfiguration), having seen the glory of the Lord shining through His flesh, and having witnessed Elijah and Moses speaking to Jesus about His coming death. They wanted to stay on that mountain with Jesus and not go back down to the hardships and heartaches of life among the Israelites. But down into the valley they had to go because that’s where ministry takes place - like it or not.

The first opportunity to apply what they experienced on the mountain top immediately met them as they neared the base of the mountain. A frantic and frustrated father met Jesus and the 3 disciples with a need that could only be satisfied by an act of faith. What needs are evident in your life today that you can bring to the Lord Jesus and His people, knowing that they will endeavor to help meet that need by faith in Jesus Christ? You can trust in the testimony and the promise of Paul in Philippians 4:18-19, But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

“Lord Jesus, teach me to live more and more by faith in You every day. In every situation and circumstance, in every encounter and opportunity, may I exercise faith in You, trusting in Your leadership, Your wisdom, Your counsel, so that I may serve You and minister to others in a way that increases Your Kingdom here on earth while exalting Your name before others. I ask this in Your holy name, Amen.”

Pastor

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