When reaching for your destiny, you need something like a pole-vaulter’s pole—something that will propel you higher than you could go on your own.
That pole is faith. It is faith in God’s Word, faith in His character, and faith that He will do what He has said He will do. Use the pole of faith to get where you need to go. When you do, you will learn how to soar.
Tony Evans, Called for a Purpose
Faith gives us additional power to rise higher than our own natural abilities, as shown in this analogy between a high jumper and pole vaulter.
Faith gives us spring to help propel us. It empowers hope and strengthens our goals. It not only helps us reach our destiny, it is essential.
And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.”
And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Matthew 8:13
My Pondering:
God is omncient and omnipotent. There is no denying that. Yet, He often chooses to work with like minded people to accomplis His sovereign and permissive will.
We so often read in many of the interactions with Jesus and in Scripture in general that God often partners with people of faith. Jesus commended the Centurion for his faith.
His response to the Centurions plea was, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.”
Jesus coupled doing this miracle with the Centurion’s faith, his belief in God.
Within God’s permissive will, it is multiplication.
God power is infinite but He seems to wield it as we can handle it. Kind of like a step down power transformer.
For simplicity, consider this formula as an example;
God’s Power Applied (GPA) × My Faith Factor (MFF) = Power Watts (PW)
1,000 GPA x 0 (no faith) = 0 PW 1,000 GPA x 1 (little faith) = 1,000 PW 1,000 GPA x 100 (max centurion faith) = 100,000 PW
So the closer we get to God’s will with the greatest amount of faith will result in the best outcome and maximising our combined effectiveness. Obviously, in many respects it isnt just that simple but on the other hand it is that simple, as we see in Scripture.
Its one thing to read, another to comprehend, and lastly to do; to apply.
I know have a long ways to go but yet a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Won’t you join me? And may I join you in this great adventure called life?
My prayer:
Lord of life, aid me in my work and being. I know in my heart of hearts you are real and love me.
Jesus’s imputation of righteousness upon us believers is paramount, for sure!
Yet, I also read of performance based rewards (not regarding salvation because no one should boast of it).
Such as the Parable of the Talents.
And James also speaks of Faith and Works.
God gave Adam work to do before the great fall.
We also are told we reap what we sow. Solomon built great things and God blessed him greatly (the blessing no doubt was foremost).
With that said, are we Christians not wise to first ‘receive’ then ‘do’ our best, next ‘rest’, and then ‘repeat’ until we are called home?
After all, God created for 6 days then He rested. Six days of work, 1 day of rest for a weeks cycle with holidays mixed in.
A cycle of giving our ‘best then rest’ seems right. Faith and Works. One without the other seems incomplete to me.
“You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;” James 2:22
“and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1st Thes 1:3
Work of faith Labor of love Enduring hope
I think think its more of a WHY and what’s our motivation. Is what we do about the old man, the selfish one or living in the new man who is partnered with the Spirit for His glory. We are blessed best when our first fruits are go to God.
This verse triggered Martin Luther to leave a works based doctrine to one where faith reigns supreme. Nonetheless, faiths outputs are good works, good fruit.
Faith is only as good as to what’s behind it.
What, or whom, is behind yours?
Ponder this:
If aren’t exercising your God given faith, it’s a warning sign. Read and re-read this powerful verse, if you will.
Catch that: LIVE BY. In a society where we have learned a lot about the world ESSENTIAL we discover and confirm the word FAITH is ultra essential to being JUST (aka justified, deemeed righteous or imputed with Christ-likeness).
This little passage is mighty! There is power in it IF WE LIVE BY IT, BY FAITH, BY GOD.
PS… Self, other people, good works, noble intentions, human heroes are all insufficient as the Bible reports (and yes, it is inspired Word of God… I know that a trippy thought but it is… and faith is its active ingredient as yeast is to bread).
At some point, we must have faith and it trumps science. That doesn’t mean science isn’t important or legitimate but rather some things are beyond facts and discernment from our limited perspective.
