Increase Our Faith

    The old saying is that it is hard to remember your mission was to drain the swamp when you are up to your waist in alligators. In 2020 alligators might be considered a pandemic, fires, an election year, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, looting, and intrusions on our right to freely worship.  The early disciples of Jesus were tested by the priests, the Romans, the Jews and their own self doubts. 

    Jesus reminded the disciples that their faith came from within, by the Holy Spirit.  In Luke chapter 17 verses 1 through 10 Jesus instructed His disciples that temptation to sin would come but woe to him who would cause one of the humble ones to stumble (lose their faith). Our actions, therefore, can cause others to fall; but our actions can also help build someone’s faith.  Really we are not in need of bad news, there is enough of that all around us.  We need words of encouragement.  A faithful follower of Christ will be an encourager.

    A faithful follower is a forgiving follower.  When a fellow follower sins we must rebuke him/her and if he/she repents, we must forgive them. Jesus forgives us, we must forgive others.  Therein our faith is strengthened.  Paul wrote, “Faith comes by hearing and nearing the words of Christ (Romans 10:17).  Do you want your faith to increase – keep listening, keep doing, keep practicing your faith and you will grow bolder and more steadfast in your love of the Lord and in your belief.