Speaker: Sis. Techie Rodriguez, Elder, The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community

“ Faith that Amazes God”

“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is believing in the promises of God who is watching to fulfill his word (Jeremiah 12:1). Faith is trusting that God keeps his promises always!

What kind of faith do we have? How do we hear and receive the word of God?

“ Faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17).

Jesus spoke to large crowds in parables about a sower who went out to sow (Matthew 13:1-9). The kind of soil on which the seed (representing the word of God ) fell, may be the kind of faith that we have as explained by Jesus in the parable of the sower in Luke 8:11 -15:

1. The Path – “ Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved.” (verse 12).

These include people who have no faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6). People without faith will not be saved.

2. Rocky Ground – “Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial.” (verse 13).

These include those whose faith is very shallow. They fail in times of trials. Like plants with no roots, they will wither and be scorched to death by the sun's heat (problems, tribulations, pressure, and tests of life).

3. Among Thorns – “As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit.” (verse 14). The thorny bushes are hindrances to our faith in God. We should remove them in order to mature in our spiritual life.

4. Rich Soil – “But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” (verse 15).

Our faith should be like a rich soil that always hear and receive the word of God and let it grow luxuriantly in our life. It should be deeply rooted and strong for us to be prepared to pass the tests of God. It should be faith that amazes God!

The Holy Bible abounds with many examples of faith that amazes God.

THE FAITH OF JAIRUS - “ When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying. ‘My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.' He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.” (Mark 5:21-24).

“While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, ‘Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?' Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid; just have faith.' He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, ‘Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.' And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum,' which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!' The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded.” (Mark 5:35-42).

Jairus pleaded earnestly with Jesus. (verse 23). He had faith in Jesus. He had no fear even when told that her daughter had died.

Like Jairus, we should not be afraid. We should not have fear. Fear is an enemy of faith. [The twelve disciples of Jesus were fearful of the storm at sea. They were terrified because they did not yet have faith. (Mark 4:35-41). When Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus, he became frightened of the wind and began to sink. (Matthew 14:29-30).)

We should not have doubt. When we begin to doubt, we begin to be afraid. Fear takes over and we lose our faith.

We should not let Satan steal our faith. We should not allow the enemy to steal the word of God from us. We should not let the devil rob us of our joy. We should resist him and he will flee from us (James 4:7). We should watch and pray and so that we will not fall into temptation. (Matthew 26:41).

When we hear the word of God , our faith grows and becomes stronger. (Romans 10:17). But we should not only hear the word of God . What is more important is to be doers of the word by obeying it. (James 1:22).

When God puts our faith to tests, let us be prepared to pass them, for when we have been proved we will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. (James 1:12).

The journey of Jesus to the house of Jairus was delayed when a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched his clock and was immediately healed. (Mark 5:25-34). Jairus had no fear of the interruption. Jesus told him “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” (Mark 5:36 ).

When we pray to God, let us be patient. If He makes us wait for the answer, He is testing our faith. If He does not respond immediately, he is deepening our faith. He is keeping his own clock; his pacing is always perfect.

We should not stop praying. We should be persistent in our prayers. Let God be in control of everything – not ourselves – not anybody else! We submit everything to the Lord. Let us have faith in God's promises. God is always faithful to his promises!

Like Jairus' faith, our own faith may be tested by God. Let us remember what Jesus told Jairus “Do not be afraid, only believe.” (Luke 8:50).

Let us confess what we believe. Let us declare our faith. This is the faith that amazes God. (Mark 5:36 ). “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” (Mark 11:23-24).

Do not be afraid. Be of good cheer. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (John 14:1).

THE FAITH OF THE WOMAN WITH HEMORRHAGES - Another example of faith that amazes God is the faith of the woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She believed that by touching the clothes of Jesus, she would be cured. Jesus healed her affliction because of her amazing faith. (Mark 5:25-34).