Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  
Hebrews 11:1

This morning my pastor was talking about faith.  He made some good points that I'd like to share with you.

1. Faith by definition is a substance, it is the foundation of what your beliefs are based on.
2. We can ask for an increase in our faith from God.  A story in the gospel of Mark tells of a father who has a son that was possessed by a spirit that would harm him.  The father takes the boy to Jesus to heal the son.  Through the course of the conversation Jesus tells the boys father that everything is possible for those who believe and the father responds by saying "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."
3. "...faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17  We can increase our faith by reading the word of God and accepting it as truth.
4. Faith is different from hope in that hope is a feeling and can be seen. For instance if I need a car to get to work and I ask my dad to borrow his car, I have a hope to get the car.  Hope can see the car and my dad trusts me so I have a good hope of borrowing the car.  Faith is based on what can't be seen.

Prayer:

God you are the creator of heaven and earth, you sustain all life by your word.  Please forgive my lack of faith when I doubt you, myself, or others, especially when I have no right to. Jesus thank you for your peace and amazing grace and love towards me.  Help me to set time aside to read the bible and to really understand it, help my faith to grow in you.  Amen.