Saturday 2 January 2016

Study Time: Faith

Hi all,

By the time this is published it will be 2016! How were your new year celebrations? Me, I had a wonderful time at church followed by a massive party at my aunt's. We literally partied until day break!
What better way to start the year than to exercise a little bit of faith? You have probably set yourself goals or a list of achievements you would like to see fulfilled this year. Well, to have any chance of realising those dreams for 2016, you will need faith. That, and a little bit of hard work!

This installment of Study Time will give you the basics of what faith really is. After you have read this, you will need to go out and add to your new found knowledge, and most importantly ACT on this knowledge. 

Definitions of Faith

Dictionary: Belief that is not based on proof
Bible:  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

The first thing to note from the two definitions is that faith is knowing that something exists without you even having to cast your eyes upon it, feel it or even taste it. For example, it's like ordering a new sofa, and clearing space for it before it arrives, because you know it's coming.
Before Crossover Night on the 31st

Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11: 1- 12, James 2: 14-26

If you have a copy of the Bible, turn to Hebrews 11, or simply google it. There you will read about all the champions of the Hall of Faith, and what their faith did for them

Six Things to Know about Faith
1. It requires action 
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works (James 2:26, NIV)

2. It must be authentic

Truly I tell you, if you have faith, and do not doubt...you can say to this mountain 'Go throw yourself into the sea', and it will be done (Matthew 21:21. NIV)

3. It has to impact others
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not show it by your actions. Can that kind of faith save anyone? (James 2: 14, NIV)

4. It will make you look foolish

Some were jeered at... (Hebrews 11: 36, NIV)

5. With prayer, it will not fail

You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it. (Matthew 21:22, NLT)

6. Start small, it can be built upon.
"Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed...nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20, NIV)
The main thing to also remember is that faith is not magic. It requires patience and perseverance. I must also repeat that it won't work if you do not act. What have you always wanted to do? Start a business? Go on a course? Get healthy? Save money? Travel? Write a book? 

Why not start your chain of action by writing one of your goals on a large piece of paper, and underneath that goal, list one thing you will do each week of this quarter (January to March) to work towards it? Pin it up somewhere you can see it as a reminder, and as a way to hold yourself accountable to the promise you have made to yourself. With each quarter that passes you can change this sheet of paper, replacing it either with the same goal or a different one. 

At church, after crossover night
In keeping with the theme of faith, one of the most important thing the Good Book says about faith is:  "...the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10: 8-9). 

Not only that, God is 100% faithful and dedicated to us. If you submit your plans to him, you will do more than just achieve goals, you will smash them!

So if this lesson has awakened your faith and you'd like to be saved and to enjoy a relationship with the God I speak of; or your faith in God has been dimmed by disappointment and you'd love to rekindle it, please read aloud the following prayer:

Heavenly Father, I recognise that I am a sinner, and ask for forgiveness for my sinful nature.
I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me, rose for me and is coming back for me.
I declare in Jesus' name that I am saved!
Amen!
It's as simple as that!

Was meant to take a photo of the party food before we tucked in!

Good luck with your endeavours this year. I pray you will have enough faith to step out and make life happen!
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21 comments

  1. Thank you so much for this. It came when I really needed it. Faith is very important for a child of God to have. Happy new year

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    1. Hi Nsungwe, I hope you are well and had a wonderful crossover. I am so happy that this has blessed you. Keep on keeping on. You are doing better than you think. You are very right, it is important for us to have faith!

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!

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  3. Look maravilhoso arrasou na postagem amei sucesso seguindo,
    2016 seja de realizações, sucesso em o nome de Jesus
    Canal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44dbnHrYIP4
    Blog: http://arrasandonobatomvermelho.blogspot.com.br/

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    1. Muito obrigado. Desejo-lhe todo o sucesso em 2016!

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  4. Thanks for kickstarting 2016 by motivating us to put faith into action. The dreams are big and they will certainly require a much greater power and that is God. And the bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. I like your stragetic plan in making your goals happen on 2016. I will certainly employ that and also my vision board as we discussed in your kitchen last week. Thank you Madeline for pursuing your dreams and making it happen. In doing that, you give others the motivation and drive to also pursue their dreams. Happy new year x

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    1. Thank you so much Patience. I wrote this post because I don't want people to just say they WILL do something, just because it's the beginning of the year, and then not do it. Please do that visionary board, and follow through. Nothing will make me happier! Happy new year to you too!

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  5. Thanks for kickstarting 2016 by motivating us to put faith into action. The dreams are big and they will certainly require a much greater power and that is God. And the bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. I like your stragetic plan in making your goals happen on 2016. I will certainly employ that and also my vision board as we discussed in your kitchen last week. Thank you Madeline for pursuing your dreams and making it happen. In doing that, you give others the motivation and drive to also pursue their dreams. Happy new year x

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  6. Amen to this post, loved reading the six things to know about faith section. Happy new year and may God continue to bless you. P.S your food pic is making me crave kenkey.

    http://sincerelymissj.blogspot.ca

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    1. Thank you SincerelyMissJ. Many happy returns. May you also be blessed in all you do this year! Lol! Are you a kenkey fanatic like me?

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  7. Its not easy, but it is definitely vital to have faith. Without it we can't please God indeed and we can't achieve non. Thanks for the motivation and encouragement, beautiful. Wish you all the best this year. :)

    missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Missy May, faith definitely is not easy! I mean think about it, it takes a crazy person to believe in what they cannot see, right? You are very welcome, and I also wish you all the best in studies and everything else.

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  8. I love your point about faith requiring action - actions speak far louder than anything else :) I hope 2016 brings you a lot of happiness!

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
    x

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    1. Hi Gabrielle, thank you for stopping by, and taking your time to read. I really appreciate. I so agree, actions speak louder! I wish the same to you too! I hope you fulfill all your dreams in 2016. xx

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  9. Thank you Sarah, for stopping by!

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  10. Hi Natsya, thank you so much for visiting my blog. We should by all means support each other! I am heading over to yours now...

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  11. Happy new year! Love this topic on faith, it is indeed patience and perseverance believing that God will do what we asked for at the right time and not our time. wishing you the best this new year.
    www.effortlesslady.com

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    1. Happy new year to you too Diana!In today's society of instant coffee and fast food we certainly do lack the patience to fully nurture anything. May God give us strength. I wish you a wonderful 2016!

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  12. "It requires action" that is so true; thank you for these words of encouragement.

    Rhenicia | Beauty By Rhenicia

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