So to re-iterate, in part 1 of this blog series on faith we shared a definition of faith from Pastor James McDonald that "Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result." 

Today, let's take this a bit deeper.  We have learned over the years that "whatever you believe will determine your behavior!"  If you believe a stove is hot, you will not touch it!  If you believe a chair will hold you, you will sit down! If you believe your spouse and friends are not trustworthy, you will keep your distance emotionally!  Without a doubt, our belief system determines our behavior. With that said, What do you believe about the Word of God...because whatever you believe about it...will determine how you act upon it!  We know you get this...but here's the rub....your feelings get in the way between what you believe in your head and what you feel in your heart....that is why Pastor James McDonald's definition has so much insight and power for us...we can not let our feelings steal our faith from us...feelings while real and some times good...can also be very fickle and very deceptive.

When we were at the pinnacle of restoring our marriage (if you want to read our story, go to the about us page at www.daleandjena.com) our feelings were very loud and our faith was very weak.  We remember this battle between faith and feelings very well....our feelings told us we were afraid - afraid to hurt and be hurt, but our faith said...God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind..  Our feelings told us we did not understand how to reconcile, but our faith said not to lean on our own understanding, but to trust God...HE would direct our paths.  Our feelings told us to worry about what other's might think, if they would reject us, or think we were nuts...but our faith told us that the approval of man was a snare and that we could not be divided over who we would honor with our faith.  We decided to act on our faith, no matter what our feelings were telling us, because we believed that God's Word was true and could be trusted.Our faith in action led us back to an alter, two different people as we remarried in 1997.  We are living examples of what happens when you believe the Word of God and Act upon it. 

What about you, what do you need to do today to activate your faith?  Remember what James wrote...faith without actions - has no life, it is dead!  Don't let that be your story....today, by faith, seek God's word for some answers for your life, then take God at HIS Word by acting on your faith. When you do, you will have a "living faith"

walking with God by faith,
dale and jena

As we continue this theme of "Walking with God" we had to write about faith.  After all, without faith, there will be no walking with God.  In fact, it is impossible to please Christ without it (Hebrews 11:6)  So then, it makes perfect sense that if you and I were created to "Walk with God" and if we want to please HIM with our lives, it will require us to walk by faith. A "Living Faith" as we daily and continually place our lives in HIS hands as our leader and Lord.

LIVING FAITH - What is it really?

Webster's definition uses words like confidence and trust.  The Word of God defines faith in Hebrews 11:1 as
"being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Both of these are right on (and not that we are adding anything to the Word of God); But the best definition we have heard about faith, one that really stretched our application of faith, came from James McDonald.  He said that "faith is believing the Word of God, and acting upon it, no matter how you feel, because God promises a good result."  Wow, what a power packed definition for "Living Faith"   Over the next several blogs, we are going to flesh this out with you. 

For today, we simply want to ask you to ponder some questions:  Do you really believe the Word of God?  Do you trust God and that HIS heart toward you is good?  Do you believe that the principles and precepts HE offers in HIS word can be trusted?  Do you believe they will work for you, your life, your situation?  Do you have such a "living faith" that in the midst of chaos, confusion, deceptive feelings, unmet needs and unclear circumstances, that you will believe the Word of God and start acting upon it?  See friend, having a confidence and assurance in the "Word of God" and the "Ways of God" is your first step toward developing a "living faith."   This is critical because faith is not just a part of the Christian life, it is the WHOLE THING!  Every step toward freedom, every victory, every moment of growth and transformation will call on you to have a "living faith."

Today, take whatever you might be facing, take it to the Word of God and decide to Walk with God through it by faith...remember, HE sees, HE understands, HE has a plan and HE can be trusted...when you do this, you will have a "living faith." (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11)

fully surrendered, walking by faith, not by sight
dale and jena