What Happened to our Faith

According to Merriam Webster's dictionary, faith is: belief and trust in and loyalty to God. (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion. b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof. clinging to the faith that her missing son would one day return.

I have heard faith described as the substance of belief in things unseen.  The Bible says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.11.1.NKJV"  Christ, throughout His ministry, questioned the faith of the people, including the Disciples. He did this because many believed in Him because of what they witnessed, saw. Not because they truly trusted in the Word of YahWeh. 

From my early years to as recent as 5 years ago, I struggled with this principle. How am I to believe if I literally see or feel you? How do I know it's you if I can hear your audible command? I have asked these and other questions throughout my life.

I realize that it was because I relied on my own senses, wisdom, knowledge, that I could not overcome this hurdle. Then, The Holy Spirit started to move in my life, and it reminded me of all the times Christ had intervened previously in my life for my own good. That's when it became clear to me, in Christ, we live by faith not by sight or other human faculties like our own understanding. 

I reflected on how Christ taught. The purpose of his miracles and teachings was not merely to end an affliction, but more so to provide hope to the church then and now, and those to come. Those who witnessed His work were compelled to believe, unless you just adamantly reject Him and Jehovah and the Spirit. His miracles were for the benefit of the who would not be able to see Him perform them, but believe in Him based what they heard.

Now that I understood better what this meant, I was curious as to why this was an issue in the first place. I quickly realized that it was a tandem of things: satan and human will. The latter was a struggle because of the lack of belief in Scripture while experiencing and benefiting from the miracles, teachings, lives first hand. How do you have such a hardened heart people?

John 12 sums up how the tandem effect works as it say, "
But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.  And if anyone hears My words and does not believe,  I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.  For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.  And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
John 12:37‭-‬44‭, ‬46‭-‬50 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.12.37-50.NKJV"

The depravity of humanity was exacerbated by its willful dance with the devil and reliance on self.  The book of Ephesian says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it  is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.2.8.NKJV"  Due to humanity's tango with the devil, we were lead astray and taught to believe that we can suffice on our own. This is the same vanity that caused the devil to get thrown from YahWeh's presence in the first place.  Hebrews 11:6 states "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. But without faith it  is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:3‭, ‬6 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.11.3-6.NKJV". By the hand of the of the devil, we have been hoodwinked into believing that we cannot please Jehovah so why bother.....such a travesty!

There is a Google statistic that shows that use of the word faith in literature, in the English Language, has been in decline since the Civil War era. Why? having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. "For some have already turned aside after Satan.
I Timothy 5:12‭, ‬15 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.5.12-15.NKJV".

How do we get it back, reflect over history and look at the handy work of our Father. When death and destruction were certain, we have been spared. Why? Circumstances far outweigh options, yet you made it, how? Loss of life or the ability to take care of yourself and these things are worked out for you. Who has done this? It all comes from faith in God! Jesus said faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. This has been prove countless times in the Bible and in life right now, yet many still will not believe because of the cloth of vanity over their hearts, minds, and souls. It's time to get back to faith and right this massive wrong perpetrated against God.

Love like a child

There are so many hurts in this world. One of the most prevalent is the brokenness of families. To be deprived of the security and safety that comes with healthy family relationships is a tragic loss. And yet, many of us suffer because of this reality.

For some, “father” can be a term of endearment, and for others it is a source of fear, loss, or abandonment. When we hear God called, “Father,” it can be tough to visualize. It can be difficult to want to come to a “Heavenly Father” when so many earthly fathers seem so far removed. 

But God is Father. Father in the way we all deserve. Father in the way that brings out the very best in us; in a way that allows us to flourish as humans. Father in a way that instills confidence and safety and love.

It’s an amazing thing to realize: the God of the universe has literally adopted us as His own children through Christ. We now have nothing to fear and no reason to hide. When the Creator looks upon us He sees His children, innocent and pure, clean as fresh fallen snow. All that has happened in this life, all the pain, hurt and sorrow can be removed. 

Jesus’ sacrifice has freed us from that past. The veil that felt like separation from the Father has been torn in two. We can now approach our God with complete confidence and sit on the lap of our Abba, rest our head against His chest and know that we are fully accepted and completely loved. 

Go and sit with Him awhile. Be still and have Confidence knowing that He is Abba Daddy who loves you.

8 Day Devotional: Confidence by Sanctus Real

But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Luke 18:16‭-‬17 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.18.16-17.NKJV

This devotional has touched on a very real problem. Many "children", regardless of age, have experienced hurt, suffering, sorrow, loss, anguish, betrayal, and hatred at the hands of a parent, to name a few. Part of the parental function is to love, nurture, and protect. When a child goes without one of these things in life, the consequences can and often do cascade down through generations. All involved seemingly unaware to havoc being wreaked by there behavior, until someone comes along and points out the faults, provide reasons why it's wrong, offer solutions, and hold said person or people accountable to change.

Christ does this for us, He intervenes. Humanity has brought such turmoil to ourselves that our level of depravity is uncharitable,  unfathomable, and the crux of the fury of YahWeh, our Creator! Many refuse Christ because they want to remain intentionally ignorant to the wrongs they have created, others are completely clueless. Some don't want to be held accountable to change for a laundry list of reasons. Thus, this cycle of hurt, pain, and hatred continue. Thus, the reign of the devil continues. 

Our heavenly Father is not some tyrannical being like He is often made out to be. He is the polar opposite of the aforementioned negative attributes.  Lovingkindness, remorse, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and joy, plus many other things, are what He wants us to have. He understands that were are children, bound to make mistakes and so on, but He loves us still.

The world teaches that loving like a child is taboo and should be abandoned. However, loving like a child means to love without filters or negative influences. The love of a child is pure and virtuous, and harm's no one until someone manipulates this love and turns a meek and mild heart affection into a ferocious beast of hate, hurt, and distrust.  Everyone has something to learn from a child with regards to how to love. Take that lesson, and apply it our heavenly and earthly relationships. Watch your heart beat again, but lime never before.