Getting and Developing Faith in God
How do we get faith and develop it?
Hearing the Word of God: Romans 10:17 (NKJV): “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Engaging with the Bible, listening to sermons, and participating in Bible studies helps build faith as we learn more about God’s nature, His promises, and His works.
Prayer and Communion with God: Mark 11:24 (NKJV): “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Notice that Jesus said when we pray, we should believe what we are praying about. in otherwards anytime you pray, you don’t just pray for praying sake! You pray with faith. Jesus was teaching us that prayer must be linked with faith. It is prayer with faith that get the attention of God. Additionally, regular prayer strengthens our relationship with God, making our faith more personal and robust as we experience answered prayers and grow in our trust in Him.
Obedience and Action: James 2:17 (NKJV): “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Acting on God’s Word and obeying His commands reinforce our faith, as we see the results of our obedience and grow in confidence in His guidance. The action or obedience to God’s directive is what makes our faith alive. It is the faith that is alive that produces results.
Fellowship with Other Believers: Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV): “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Being part of a community of believers encourages and strengthens our faith through mutual support, sharing testimonies, and collective worship. You hear of people who listened to a testimony of someone going through a problem similar to what they are facing, and it builds their faith and they say, “if God did it for them, God will do mine” and because of their renewed faith God gives them the miracle or breakthrough they were trusting God to do.
Accessing Blessings and Miracles through Faith
Faith is a key principle in accessing God’s blessings and miracles. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how faith can unlock God’s power and favour in our lives. Here are some key insights and scriptures that illustrate this truth:
Faith in Action Brings Healing and Miracles
●Mark 2:5 (NKJV): “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.'”
In this story we are not told about the faith of the paralytic man. But we note the faith of the paralytic’s friends, demonstrated by their determination to bring him to Jesus, resulted in his healing and forgiveness. Our faith can be expressed through our actions, demonstrating our trust in God’s ability to heal and deliver. This story also in addition highlights the power of corporate faith in accessing miracles and healing from God. The four men were united by faith in Jesus that if they got the paralytic man to Jesus, he would be totally healed. That when we are united in faith, God can use our corporate faith to do mighty things in a church service or family or wherever two people are in agreement. That because of corporate faith, God can decide to heal or show His wonder to someone who even has no faith or is an unbeliever. The case of a muslim who came to a meeting to see if Jesus can heal. He came with no faith and got healed because of God’s grace first and foremost but also because of corporate faith of the believers in that meeting for God to heal the sick that day.
●Mark 5:34 (NKJV): “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.'”
The woman with the issue of blood was healed because of her faith. She believed that just touching Jesus’ garment would heal her, and it did. This shows that personal faith in Jesus’ power is also crucial for receiving miracles.
●Mark 10:52 (NKJV): “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.”
Blind Bartimaeus received his sight through faith. His persistent petition cry to Jesus; “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” and believing in His power brought about his miracle. Here we can see a combination of prayer and faith working together to release divine healing. Prayer plus faith draws down divine miracles
Faith as a Requirement for Answered Prayer
●Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV): “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'”
Jesus teaches that faith is essential for effective prayer. Believing without doubting that God will answer our prayers is key to seeing those prayers fulfilled.
Faith as a requirement for obtaining healing and forgiveness
●James 5:15 (NKJV): “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
The prayer offered in faith has the power to heal the sick and bring forgiveness, showcasing the effectiveness of faith-filled prayers. Therefore faith is needed to access healing in Christ Jesus. Faith is needed to access forgiveness in Christ Jesus
Acts 14:9 (NKJV): “This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed.” Faith is necessary for healing, indicating that lack of faith (due to doubt, fear, or unbelief) can hinder healing.
This story is about the man born lame at Lystra who was listening to Paul’s preaching. Bible says Paul saw faith to be healed in this man. Now faith is not something the physical senses like the eyes, nose or ears can pick up. Faith is a spirit (2nd Corinthians 4:13 talks about the “spirit of faith”). It is spiritually discerned. As the Holy-Spirit stirs my heart, I believe that Paul was operating on either the gift of the word of knowledge of the gift of discernment of spirits to sense spiritually that this lame man has the spirit of faith in his innermost being needed for his healing to manifest
God bless you
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Prayer: Holy-Spirit, You are the Spirit of Faith, please overshadow my life, in Jesus Name.
Feast of Light Word Ministry
Resource: The key of faith (1) – Feast of light
