Get a “Faith Boost” for Your Journey

Faith is a truly awesome gift God gives us! And it makes all the difference in whether we have healing and restoration or remain parked in our pain.

Here’s how Joyce explains what it means to live by faith…

"When a person puts their faith in Christ for salvation, they trust that Jesus has done everything that needs to be done for them to be forgiven of their sin and make them right with God. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (ESV).

"The same way we’re saved—believing and trusting in what Christ has done—is the same way we’re supposed to live: by faith!

"So how do we live by faith, or release our faith, to experience the promises of God?

"I remember when I was going to church every week, but I didn’t have any idea about the blessings God had for me as a believer in Christ. I wasn’t benefitting from any of them because I didn’t know what they were, and I didn’t have a clue that I could release my faith to have them.

"But when I began to seriously study God’s Word, I discovered what was available to me through Christ and how to release my faith to receive what He wants to give me. That’s when God began to do amazing things in my life: healing my soul from the horrible abuse in my past; restoring my hope that I could have a great life, not a second-rate plan because I was ‘damaged goods’; and taking me from miserable and full of self-pity to having real joy and peace in my soul.

"Here’s the key to effectively releasing your faith: You MUST base your faith on God’s Word. That’s why it’s so important to diligently study the Bible. It’s absolutely full of all the blessings Jesus bought and paid for with His blood. We need to devour the Bible and remind ourselves every day of how much God has done for us.

"For example, Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP) says God has plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. God loves you, and He has a good plan for you…but it’s not just going to happen on its own. You have to release your faith to have it.

"Faith is a powerful force in your spirit, and when you use it, that’s when things happen. You have to do something, say something, pray something—take some kind of action based on what you believe God has put in your heart.”

Think about this…

• What do you need to entrust to God more, or how do you need to put more faith in Him?
• What fears, insecurities, or other hindrances are holding you back in this area?
• How can you take steps of faith to overcome those obstacles to totally trusting God?

Look up scriptures that encourage you to trust God completely with your whole life. Study the character of God, His love for you, and other truths that build up your faith in Him. Dare to believe God will fulfill every promise He’s made to you!