King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Increase Our Faith
Date: Friday October 28, 2011
Chapters: Luke 17-18
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-28

Hello My Friend,

“Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” - I Timothy 3:7-13.

As Christian's, our faith in God goes up and down like a roller coaster, one second we are rejoicing and praising Him knowing that all things are possible with Him, the next we are wondering why we even bother praying because it's just impossible. While the faith of the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, at times, we are going to have to increase our faith if we want to see our impossible become possible. God will help us increase our faith in Him, but do not expect warm and fuzzy situations to get you going, affliction and distress will surely come your way. Why? To perfect what is lacking in your faith. Something could be hindering you from receiving that one thing that you have been waiting and waiting for.

As Jesus was talking with His disciples, He told them that forgiveness is the key to overcoming our obstacles,

their response, increase our faith. Jesus explains how the disciples, that includes all who are saved and serving God, can increase their faith. “And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” -Luke 17:6-10.

Believe it or not, our faith in God increases as we serve Him, not expecting anything in return. Let me tell you, this day and age, you cannot get anyone to anything for you without them expecting some kind of payment for it. While we do not mean to be this way, we too can develop this attitude toward God, the “I am serving You, now, what are you going to give me for it” attitude. We should know by now that our blessings from God do not come from how much we do for Him, but by our faith in Him as do them. God wants to give us things and He does every day, if He gave us salvation simply by faith, He will certainly give us other things by faith, if we want to see the impossible become possible, try serving Him without expecting anything in return. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” - Hebrews 12:28.

As Jesus came into Jerusalem ten men approached Him, seeking Him to heal them from their leprosy disease after healing them only one turned back to give thanks to Him. “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” - Luke 17:14-19.

Perhaps we have the right attitude, but lack thanksgiving, sometimes we can get so caught up in doing our duties for God that we forget to personally give thanks and glory to Him (I am guilty of this at times). It's funny, those who are not saved have more faith in God than those who are, but if we are not personally praising Him how can our faith in Him increase? Once again, God does want to give us things, He just wants us to pay more attention to Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6.

As Jesus walking through Jericho a blind man, a beggar, sitting along the side of the road, heard a bunch of commotion, wondering what was going on, he asked what was going on. When he heard that Jesus was near he began crying out to Him. “And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.” - Luke 18:38-43.

Perhaps it's not our attitude nor our thanksgiving that hinders God from giving us things, but it's our lack of praying or lack of faith when praying. While God will give us things automatically once in a while, the majority of the time, we must ask Him for the things we want. Praying means asking, asking by faith means receiving, sometimes we need to ask for quite some time, but as long as we keep praying, keep calling out to Him, He hears us and when the time is right we will get what we are asking Him for. By the way, we rarely receive what we are asking in the way that we want, so, be sure to keep looking for the signs, He may already be working on it. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.“ - Matthew 21:22.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, increase my faith, help me to be more faithful in serving You, to acknowledge You in every way, and to keep praying without ceasing. I know that all things are possible with You, if there is anything that hinders my relationship with You, reveal it so, I can take the steps needed to get right with You. Lead me and guide me in Your will and Your way, be with me in all that I do and show me some answers to my prayers. I love You, Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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