12/04/2015 - YOUR FAITH CAN BE INCREASED

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And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” Luke 17.5

There are some things that we must do that are very difficult in their natural aspect. When difficult times come, a mixture of sadness and frustration takes over us, but it should not be so. There is not even one difficulty that we are not able to give a solution. Therefore, we must always seek the direction in the Scriptures and follow it, because on the contrary, we will not be successful. Prepare to be victorious in everything.

The apostles were at the Master’s side for a long time already and they had seen all kinds of miracles happen, for they had been used in the operation of many healings and even the deliverance of the demon-possessed. However, when they heard the lesson that they should forgive those who offended them an infinite number of times (Mt 18.21,22), they realized that they did not believe in God enough. Hence, they asked for God to increase their faith.

Now, faith is received when we listen to the Scriptures, but to listen means to pay attention to what is written, reading the Word and hearing It’s preaching (Rm 10.17). As we examine what comes to our eyes, faith enters our hearts, and with the certainty that the blessing is ours, we can make the right prayer. Besides, it gives us the power to rebuke the enemy and be freed from his aggressions. It is not wrong to ask for our faith to be increased.

The Master’s answer was not negative, but challenging. He taught them that faith should work like a mustard seed, or any other plant – and that if it were in their hearts, they would be able to say to a tree for it to be removed from their way and be planted in the sea, and it would obey them. Undoubtedly, this shows us how little we know about what we are capable of doing.

There are many obstacles that challenge our perseverance in Jesus’ words, and certainly, we lose many things because of them. While we are still in times of good winds, peace, and tranquility, it will be good for us to study the Bible, in order to present ourselves before the Father as approved workers, who know well the Word of Truth and have nothing to be ashamed of (2 Tm 2.15). There are people who are in need of our firmness in God.

Our faith in Jesus is everything we need to defeat the forces of evil, to be freed from the temptations, and healed from any disease. However, if it is unexpressive in our way of believing, it will not work at all. There is nothing complicated in regards to faith; some people manage to have it, others don’t. God has given each one of us a measure of faith. Now, we must listen to the Word so that it may show up.

In a certain day, the disciples were in the Sea of Galilee in the middle of a great storm. When they noticed that the ship would sink and Jesus slept in the prow, they woke the Master asking Him if He did not care if they shipwrecked. After rebuking the winds and the sea, He asked them why did they not have faith (Mk 4.35-40). Understand this: whoever listens to the Word receives faith.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares