Living by Faith

What is faith? And what does it look like to actually live by faith?

These are important questions, because we receive and experience the blessings God has for us through faith.

Hebrews 11:1 says, Faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen… (AMP).

Whether we realize it or not, every single one of us operates in faith on a daily basis. For example, when you sit down in a chair, you generally don’t worry that’s going to collapse. You have faith that the chair will hold you.

In the same way, God wants us to “simply” put our faith in Him. When we have a problem, He wants us to sit and relax in the arms of Jesus and say, “I’m asking you to take care of this and I’m believing you will.”

Romans 1:17 (NIV) says, For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

In other words, the gospel of Christ not only gives us the bold confidence to believe for our salvation, it helps us trust God for the good things He wants to give us each day.

Here are three practical ways you can put your faith into action today:

1. Release your faith through what you pray.

Prayer is the greatest privilege we have! It’s amazing that we can personally communicate with Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe. That means we can talk to Him and He hears us and that He wants to talk to us.

One of the main ways we hear from God is through His Word, which is why it’s critically important to study the Bible. As we do, we experience greater revelation of who God is, how He loves us, and what He wants to do in our lives. We learn how to pray for the things He wants to give us…the kind of life Jesus died for us to have.

There are many things you can freely receive any time you pray. Here are a few…

• God’s healing, refreshing presence (Psalm 147:3; Jeremiah 31:25).
• His gift of supernatural peace (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).
• Wisdom to make right decisions (James 1:5).
• The strength to do what you need to do (Philippians 4:13).
• The love of God and the good plans He has for your life (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10; Jeremiah 29:11).

Make it your number one priority to know and trust in God’s Word. And pray with bold assurance that you will receive every good thing He has for you.

2. Release your faith through what you say.

One of the most important lessons the Lord has ever taught me is, if we want His will for our lives, then our words need to agree with His Word. So, after we pray for a specific need, it’s so important to follow up our prayers with words of faith.

Even when it looks like nothing is happening, choose to say what God says. For example, I like to say, “God has a great plan for my life, and I believe something good is going to happen to me and through me today. This is the day that the Lord has made and I am going to enjoy it!” (See Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 139:17.)

Every time we declare what God says about us, we release our faith and get in agreement with Him. And when we say what God says, and do what God says to do, then we can have everything God says we can have.

3. Release your faith through what you do.

I think when we need a breakthrough, there is often something God is asking us to do in faith before He allows us to receive it.

For example, God gave Abraham some pretty serious instructions. He told him to leave his home, leave his country and go to a place that God would show him. And I believe that if Abraham hadn’t followed God’s instructions in faith, we wouldn’t be telling his story today.

God will always do His part. So, I encourage you to do your part and do whatever God puts in your heart to do.

When life gets difficult and you feel like giving up, just take it one day at a time. But continue to do what God asks of you in His Word by faith. Embrace Galatians 6:9 as God’s personal encouragement to you that you will reap a harvest of blessings if you don’t give up.

Try this tip from Joyce!

Choose a scripture from the those above. Put it where you will see it throughout the day, and begin speaking it out loud to align your heart and mind to God’s Word. Then do something to put your faith in action.