Robert E. Lee, the general who led the Confederate forces during the Civil War, was well-known for his leadership skills. President Lincoln had hoped that Lee would choose the side of the Union. For Lee, the Civil War was a matter of states’ rights. He once said, “We must expect reverses, even defeats. They are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater energies, and to prevent our falling into greater disasters.”
Very often, the difference between success and failure, between a life richly lived and a life that is endless misery is faith. Even a daring faith.
In John 10:10, Jesus promised that He could give His followers an abundant life: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Part of that “abundant life,” we might say the foundation of that abundant life, is faith.
Early when we were missionaries in Romania, many people would say to us: “I couldn’t do mission work. It takes a lot of faith to do mission work.” Yes, it does. But there are so many events in life that you have experienced that we have not, that still takes just as much faith. We have not lost a spouse either to death or divorce. We have not lost our jobs. We have never lost our home. We have never lost a child. We have not lost our health or even been threatened with the loss of health. Everyone’s faith is tested in unique ways in the overall scheme of God under His wise oversight.
In our normal, everyday lives, we have faith in the integrity of others. When we drive down the road, we have faith that other drivers will follow the rules of the road. You cannot live without faith. Business ventures will be profitable, so we believe, and that motivates us to engage in such transactions. Faith is what gives reality to what we believe.
Have confidence in what God tells you. That’s faith. Faith is based on knowledge. You know what you know and have faith in what you can’t see.
Faith, the biblical definition of faith, is not a “leap in the dark.” It is not, as one rude skeptic claimed: “The Christian generally believes that faith is a good idea, that believing things for no reason — just because — is a good idea. The Christian generally believes that being more certain of their beliefs than the evidence warrants, is somehow a virtue.” I don’t know where he got his definition of “Christian faith,” but it’s not the biblical definition of faith. It’s not my definition of faith and I hope it’s not yours.
The dose of nonspecific order levitra relies on upon a few variables including age, restorative history, and the present medicinal status. These courses have been specially designed using 3-D animations, videos and other multi-media tools to teach the teenagers how to levitra order prescription become good drivers. Receive deliveryOnce you have purchased the jelly online, you will have to be aware of what you are actually buying. viagra tabs Since Karlovy Vary healing mineral http://amerikabulteni.com/2018/10/24/ross-gellerdan-gulduren-bira-hirsizi-ben-degildim-aciklamasi/ tadalafil generic cialis water can replenish the body with the much needed vitality and vigour. Yes, faith is a “good idea.” In fact, it’s the only idea, as we have already pointed out. Nobody can live without faith. But, no, Christians do not believe that we have faith “for no reason.” Biblical faith is based on reason. Faith is not more “than the evidence warrants.” Faith is “drawing only conclusions based on the evidence.”
That’s why faith is such a positive power. Hear Paul’s faith in the power of God as he writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:12. We also have faith in the power of others. Accept the strength that others have.
Finally, there is a certain power in having confidence in ourselves and in our own abilities. There is a certain amount of self-confidence that is needed. If we have confidence in ourselves, then others will have confidence in us. There’s a difference between being confident and being cocky. Cockiness means, “I’m the best. No one can defeat me.” Confidence is, “I can do this. God will help me accomplish this, if it’s His will.” If you doubt yourself, the world will also doubt you.
That is what John writes in 1 John 5:14. Consider the words of John in verses 13-15.
Yes. We need to live by faith and if our faith is lacking or if it is shallow, we need to spend some time in prayer and in Bible study. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) and faith is sustained by the word of God.
You can enjoy a more abundant life if you live by a daring faith.
–Paul Holland
