faith is dead

[David_james]

I need help reviving my faith. I know praying and reading Bible more would help. I want to bare good fruit but don't know how.

[Soldier4Christ]

Praying and reading the Bible is the primary key here. To get closer to God is to spend more time with Him.

Be the best Christian testimony through your own actions and words that you can possibly be.


Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

[nChrist]

Hello Brother David,

First, I agree completely with what Pastor Roger told you. Love is a key, and the key to using love is from God and in His Word. Telling God that you want to yield for His use is part of this. God likes to work in and through us - big ways or small ways - it really doesn't matter.

I love this portion of Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:1-18   1  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Some people will read this portion of Scripture and say, "But I'm not a preacher." This portion of Scripture doesn't say that we have to be preachers. "Ministry" is a very broad term:

G1248 (Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries)
G1248 διακονία diakonia (dee-ak-on-ee'-ah) n.
1. attendance (as a servant, etc.)
2. (figuratively) charitable aid
3. (especially) official service of the Christian teacher
4. (technically) official service of the body of stewards (deacons)
[from G1249]
KJV: (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing)
Root(s): G1249
[?]

As Christians, we have received God's Mercy and Forgiveness, so helping others in many different ways is a "ministry". Now, go back to the portions of Scripture that Pastor Roger gave you. Brother, make this simple:

Matthew 22:36-40 KJV  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  38  This is the first and great commandment.  39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

God calls loving others the "Royal Law".

James 2:8 (KJV)  8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Love In Christ,
Tom

[David_james]

Thank you Brothers.

One of my problems is being quick to anger and slow to forgive.

[Soldier4Christ]

That is just another part of being human and another reason to show that we have a need for the Savior Jesus Christ. None of us are perfect and as such we all have our problems of one sort or another. It is the recognition of this that leads us to Salvation through Him. It is the works of God through us that brings out the good.

[David_james]

Nothing is changing. I can't seem to try very hard. Also, I can't get the courage to pray because I don't think God is listening anymore. The Bible does say sometimes he won't listen.

It is my lack of faith that is going to condemn me.

[nChrist]

Nothing is changing. I can't seem to try very hard. Also, I can't get the courage to pray because I don't think God is listening anymore. The Bible does say sometimes he won't listen.

It is my lack of faith that is going to condemn me.

Hello Brother David,

Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)  1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.   2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Brother David, I think that you might be having just a down time or possibly are discouraged about what you should be as a Christian. Maybe you are expecting too much out of yourself. God doesn't require so many good works before you can be Saved or stay Saved. In fact, God doesn't require good works at all. Maybe you haven't progressed to the point that you wanted to be. Don't worry about it - just ask God to help you.

Remember:

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

God obviously wants us to do good works, but only out of love and appreciation for Him. I also know that you're ill, and I know from personal experience how illness can drag someone down and discourage them. God understands better than anyone else. Consider God as your Heavenly Father, your best friend, and your closest confidant because that's the position He wants anyway. He will never leave or forsake you. Put your worries at the feet of Jesus and let Him handle it.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Soldier4Christ]

Brother David, I do agree with what Brother Tom said.

It is difficult at times for us all. We all need to remind ourselves of the promises that God has made to us from time to time.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Be assured that God does here your prayers and He does answer them all. Sometimes it is an answer of 'not yet' and other times it may be a 'no' answer but He still does answer us. Sometimes it is an answer such as Paul received when he had the 'thorn' in his side.

2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I am glad that you have come to us with this. Even though you have had your doubts and times of weakness I have seen a greater faith shine from you than from many others. We may never understand in this lifetime why some of us must go through the trials, tribulations and doubts that we do but also rest assured that God does have His reasons. I know that I for one have received strength from God through you to continue on even when I am at my worse.

[Brother Jerry]

David I know I am late to this.  I am praying for you during this time, I know what it is like.  My faith has been tested and tried through events in my life. But the knowledge that God was right there with me helped.  We often want to think that we can do it alone, or we try God by demanding that He do something to prove He is there.  I had got to the point where I too felt that God would not help...I felt that God allowed me to get into the mess I was in so that I could learn on my own how to get out.  Then I got to the point where I put conditions on my faith, "God if you will do this for me...I will do that for you." 

Then one night when I thought all was lost.  I honestly was figuring out how the family could spend the insurance money and get out of the debt I was about to leave behind.  God told me to pick up the Bible...just one last time.  I opened it up and first opened up to 1 Corinthians.  I started to read chapter 10 and got to verse 13

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

A light lit.

I kept thumbing through my Bible and ended up in James chapter 2.  At which time I broke.  James talks about letting our faith guide our works, letting what we accept as truth be the driving force behind what we do.  Not what we do be the reason for our faith.  James talks about not just going through the motions and simply believing that God is there, but understanding that God IS there and always has been, and always will be.  That He is the one that saved your to begin with, and only He can save you now.  Nothing we can do can help ourselves, but what we do with God can bring us through it.

Keep up the faith David and know that God is there, waiting for you to rely on Him and not yourself.

[Jon-Marc]

I need help reviving my faith. I know praying and reading Bible more would help. I want to bare good fruit but don't know how.

That makes two of us. Sorry I can't help you, but I can't even help myself. "Lord I believe. Help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24

[nChrist]

Pastor Roger Said:

I am glad that you have come to us with this. Even though you have had your doubts and times of weakness I have seen a greater faith shine from you than from many others. We may never understand in this lifetime why some of us must go through the trials, tribulations and doubts that we do but also rest assured that God does have His reasons. I know that I for one have received strength from God through you to continue on even when I am at my worse.

Amen! Brother David, you have been an inspiration and encourager for me also, and that is fruit. I doubt that you know how many others that you have inspired and encouraged. That was God working in and through you.

All of us have up and down times, and all of us will eventually face trials in our lives. It could be any number of difficulties:  illness, financial problems, family relationship problems, etc. As Christians, the difference is that we have God with us. He wants to walk with us every step of the way. This doesn't hint that God will heal all our physical problems, give us boat loads of money, or solve all of our relationship problems. But, it does mean that our Heavenly Father will be with us, love us, and give us His grace. I love to study the life of the Apostle Paul because he serves as such a wonderful example for us, and he shows us the end result. He was beaten, imprisoned, stoned, persecuted, and finally martyred for proclaiming the Gospel of the Grace of God. Paul also suffered from illness, and I doubt that any of us have the problems that the Apostle Paul lived through. Paul said those were the times that he was the strongest because he was depending on the strength of Jesus Christ - not his own. Paul grew closer and stronger in the Lord during his worst times, and those worst times became his best times. Paul knew this short life wasn't all there was, and his strongest and most personal relationship was with Jesus Christ. God inspired the Apostle Paul to write many of my favorite and most beautiful portions of Scripture that I love to read frequently. Pastor Roger already quoted one of my favorites:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)  9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 5:1-2 KJV  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 15:4-7 KJV  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:  6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Ephesians 1:15-23 KJV  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  16  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Colossians 1:24-27 KJV  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:  25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;  26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

[nChrist]

That makes two of us. Sorry I can't help you, but I can't even help myself. "Lord I believe. Help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24

Hello Jon-Marc,

It's great to hear from you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a difficult time. Maybe we can all benefit from this discussion. I hope and pray that we do. We can all also pray for each other, and everyone here will be in my prayers. I would sincerely appreciate you praying for me. God knows our needs, and we all have them. At the best, we live in difficult times. I'm not a pessimist, but I do believe that things are going to get worse. I believe that the Tribulation Period grows near, but that also means that the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ to catch His Church Home also grows near.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 4:1-18   1  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.