How Much Faith Does It Take

Faith

How much does it take?

Isaiah 53:5 By Jesus stripes we are healed. How much faith does it take to see that healing become a reality? How much faith does it take to bring health to you and to your family? How much faith does it take to heal your finances? How much faith is enough? How much faith does it take to see miracles happen?

Jesus said if we have faith the size of a mustard seed that we could move mountains yet most Christians lack what it takes just to cure a common headache. Why is that? A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, so it isnt the size of our faith that makes the difference.

Do we need more faith? How do we see change come in this area? Jesus said Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the word of God. Many people of faith have taken this scripture to mean that if you continue to read the word of God that you are increasing the amount of faith that you have. This is false; the faith that the God refers to here is salvation. Reading the word of God does help us to grow closer to Jesus and help us to know Him and His ways. It helps to remove unbelief.

Rom. 12:3 as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. This means that each man is given a measure of faith. We dont know how much a measure is but each man gets it. Why then are many still plagued by sickness, financial problems, relational problems and many other problems? Why does the enemy continue to have a foothold? Why are those mountains still in our way? The answer is unbelief.

Some Christians would argue the point that we cannot have faith and unbelief at the same time. This too is false. Lets look at the example that God has given us in Mathew 14:28 31 Peter says to Jesus If it is you Lord then command me to come to you on the water, Jesus said come. Peter stepped onto the water and began to walk, but as Peter began to look at the waves crashing around him, unbelief began to creep in and Peter began to sink.

Here in is the lesson God wants us to learn. When Peter stepped out on to the water he was full of faith, but as he began to look around at the waves or the world around him unbelief began to creep in. If it were not possible to have both faith and unbelief at the same time then Peter would have dropped into the water all at once. That isnt what happened. Peter began to sink slowly until he put his eyes back on Jesus and called upon the name of the Lord. At that moment Jesus raised him out of the water. Jesus said Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt Notice Jesus said little faith, not no faith. You see Jesus said that Peter had little faith and doubt and unbelief at the same time. If you believe the word then you have the faith to see miracles happen, but the unbelief that is there as well is enough to stop the miracles.

In Mark 9:23 we read All things are possible to them who believe and many Christians stop right there, but if you read the next passage. Mark 9:24 you read this. Immediately the boys father cried out and began saying I do believe; help my unbelief.

In Mathew 21:21 Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to his mountain, Go throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done. Notice that Jesus mentions having faith and not doubting.

Each day we must be in fellowship with God building our relationship with him, learning His promises and replacing doubt and unbelief with His word. Faith is like a muscle when you exercise it gets stronger, so when your exercise your faith it grows stronger. When trials come stand on the promises of God exercise your faith and when unbelief and doubt come, cast them down use His word. God has more promises than you have problems. Dont lose your focus on His promises. Dont focus on the problems.

It takes a real testing of your faith to ignore what the flesh, what your mind is telling you & just trust what God has already said. Trust that He will meet all your needs.

One of my greatest challenges came at a time when I thought my marriage to TJ was at an end & I couldnt help trying to fix it myself. Finally I decided to stop trying to fix it. I gave it to God and only talked about it when asked. In doing this I had to trust God, to stretch my faith and trust that even if it didnt look like it was working that He was still working it out and that is exactly what He did.

When doubt and unbelief come dont give in to them. Cast them down and bind them with Gods word. When we open our mouths and speak the doubt we give the enemy a foothold. The enemy hates it when we stand strong, when we cast our cares upon Jesus and let God work it out.

Now let me ask you a question. Is the world coming up against you? Are the things of this life bringing you down? Do you feel like you are up against insurmountable odds? Does it seem like there is just more and more with no relief. Stand Strong, cast you cares upon Jesus. Romans 8:28 says For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

You see its not more faith that you need, its less unbelief. Its time to start getting your faith in shape, start exercising your faith. Cast down unbelief.