Having A “Without A Doubt” Faith!

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 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.”  – Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV)

 

Sometimes the view from the pew can be typical Sunday morning stuff. Not that churchy structure is a bad thing but it can be pretty predictable if you’ve been there long enough. So predictable that sometimes one can be caught up wanting the next segment to hurry along so we can get to the sermon because we need something to write about for the next Freedom Fighter entry they’re working on for the following week. Alrighty, maybe that’s just me, but I do ask our Pastors from time to time if I can swipe what they’re sharing because it’s something I’ve not heard before and I get a sense that you may need to hear it too.

 

However, my view from the pew within the past month has been anything but predictable. The wife of the senior pastor of the church I attend needed to have a life-changing operation that a doctor from Seattle in conjunction with The Mayo Clinic out in Arizona could perform BUT, as is something we all can feel our hearts get heavier over, the finances were nowhere near what was needed to cover the cost AND it needed to be paid before the operation would even take place. Close to $120,000 was needed and one week was the time frame. The cool part is that The Mayo Clinic didn’t cancel the operation but it didn’t stop the bill from being due.

 

So, with that, one of the church elders made an announcement from the pulpit for an emergency meeting right after service one Sunday morning. This caused a bit of commotion among some of the leadership because some folks aren’t church members and this was church business but once that bridge got crossed the call went out. Pastor James and his wife Rachael needed $120,000, but more importantly, this church needs and loves their Pastor and their 4 children, that deserve to have their mom around. Within 24 hours of that call the cost was covered, COMPLETELY, and Rachael has had a successful operation but the most important thing in all of this was an entire church body got to watch their faith in action as El Elyon, once again, shone Himself mighty to save.

 

“And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” — Deuteronomy 31:8

 

Pastor Jeremy Sahl’s sermon the following Sunday, after the goal was met and the Petersons were already in Arizona, spoke to this moment. What did we all actually see here, a gift of faith or the grace of faith? Well, it’s probably both but what puts this faith into action relies on two factors. One of them is the understanding the known will of God. We can fall back on what we read in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” as a go to, but basically the Lord’s will for us is to love others even if they hate you, to preach His word, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, to be in prayer with Him and that all would repent and say yes to Jesus!

 

The other is understanding the known word of God and knowing that it brings His promises for us. If we’re seeking first His righteousness and His kingdom, then what we ask for, in prayer, will be added to us. That what we read in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” is true. He’ll bless those who bless (but He’ll curse those who curse). If we ask for wisdom He’ll grant it, we’ll receive everlasting life, and after Jesus returns we’re gonna be hanging out around that dinner table I’ve heard a lot about.

 

Watching this Pastor display his faith in what God would do for his wife speaks volumes to seeing what faith in action looks like. First was that the operation was already the solution, this being the gift of faith, the second part was that God would supply what was needed financially, this displaying the grace of faith. So, I’m guessing that when we’re without a doubt about God’s salvation in our lives this will lead us to having a without a doubt faith that God will meet us where are, supply the need and receive the glory so rightly due. I’m hoping that your view from pew has lost its predictability, like mine has. Amen?

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

 

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a child of El Elyon, a son, a husband, a father, and has recently become a grandpop. He has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of The Colony of Mercy, 11/2003. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” – John 4:18-19