Faith

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“‘But say the word, and my servant will be healed…’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him…he said, ‘I have not found such great faith’” Luke 7:7, 9. “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith” Mark 6:5-6.

Over and over again I am amazed at how God works in the lives of people. We see situations that are unraveling before our very eyes only to see God knitting them into a greater plan. Where we see despair, hope eventually rises through the power of God. We see God work in sinfulness and righteousness appears on the horizon. The marvels go on and on. But were you aware that we also have the ability to amaze God? In the Bible there are two instances recorded where Jesus was amazed and they are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Jesus was completely amazed at the faith of the centurion who knew that Jesus only had to speak healing without even being present. On the other end were those in His family and hometown who did not believe, and missed out on multiple miracles. ‘It was not that Jesus did not have the power to perform miracles, but that he chose not to in such a climate of unbelief.’ NIV Study Bible, p. 1532.

Interesting thought and interesting question…how do we amaze God? Do the angels come before Him with a report of our faith? ‘O Holy One, you should see how this one displayed her faith or hear the life giving response of that man?’ Does God roll back heaven’s floor to witness how our faith stands firm for the weak and despaired? Or on the other side, does God give us provision after provision…comfort after comfort…peace after peace and we still worry, fret and grumble? Do our actions of faith take His breath away or make Him sigh under His breath? The question is not about love for He loves us regardless of our faith performances. The question is about living in the abundance of God while on earth. The question is in which climate do we move and live– the climate of belief or of unbelief?

He wants us to live in total freedom and freedom is found in our faith…freedom from fear… freedom from panic…freedom from despair. When we walk in the freedom of our faith we position ourselves in a climate of belief despite our circumstances. As we amaze others with our faith, our faith amazes the citizens of Heaven as they cheer us on to our own finish line. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders…and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” Hebrews 12:1.

How do you amaze Jesus?

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