30 Day Course on Faith - Day 25

Faith is a Principle of Action and Power 

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” ~James 2:17-18

Faith is more than a theoretical belief in God; faith is a principle of action.  To have faith in God means changing your life for the better.  It means taking a step into the darkness, with confidence that God will show His light.  It means holding onto hope when you are in a dark tunnel with no light in sight -- knowing that He is guiding you to a greater light.

Would a farmer plant seeds if he didn’t believe he would reap a harvest?  Likewise, you are not going to take those actions that will produce the results you are seeking unless you first have a belief – or at least a hope – that you can achieve your desired outcome.

Beyond a principle of action, faith is also a principle of power.  

          "There is a level of faith that not only governs our behavior but also 

          empowers us to change what is and to make things happen that otherwise 

          would not happen."  ~D. Todd Christofferson

In Hebrews 11 we learn some of the things that have been accomplished through the power of faith:

Abel (v.4) - offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and obtained witness that he was righteous.

Enoch (v. 5) - was translated [And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. ~Genesis 5:24] that he should not see death and had a testimony that he pleased God.

Noah (v. 7) - was warned of God of things not seen as yet, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, and became heir of the righteousness.

Sarah (v. 11) - received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age.

Abraham (v. 17) - offered up Isaac

Moses (v. 23-29) - was hid by his parents as a baby; when he was older refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; forsook Egypt; kept the passover; passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.

We also read in the Bible of many people who were healed of disease and their sins because of their faith:

          "But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of 

          good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made 

          whole from that hour." ~Matthew 9:22 - the woman with the issue of blood

          "And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And

          immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

          ~Mark 10:52 - the blind man

          "And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

          ~Luke 7:50 - the woman who anointed Christ's feet

          "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 17:17-19 - the healed leper

While these are remarkable things which have been accomplished by faith, they are no greater than overcoming an addiction or any obstacle that prevents us from seeking and/or following God's will for us.  Have faith.  Have the level of faith that will empower you to daily seek God's will and to steadily move forward (baby steps are great; we don't have to constantly take huge leaps of faith) on the path that He has laid out for us.

Daily Challenge: Every day for 30 days in a row, 

I want you to say the following out loud at least 10 times each day!!!  

Be sure to say it cheerfully and enthusiastically!  

This scripture is found in Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

You've now completed this challenge 25 days in a row!
Be sure to congratulate yourself for a job well done!