Believing is Seeing

 

We’ve all heard the old expression “seeing is believing” but I think God sees it the other way around, “Believing is Seeing”.  After all, how much faith does it take to believe in something you’ve already seen?  But when we believe before we have seen it, that’s getting much nearer to the heart of faith.

 

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

 

Things to think about:

·       We must believe

o   James 1:5-8 – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

·       It must be according to His will

o   1 John 5:14-15 – This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

·       There must not be anything hindering our prayer like sin, unforgiveness, or marital communications

o   Isaiah 59:1-2 - “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” 

o   Mark 11:24-27 - “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.  “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” 

o   1 Peter 3:7 - “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

·       The benefits include Peace, Blessing, a Personal and Lasting Testimony

o   Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

o   Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

o   Hebrews 11:4 - By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

 

What are you trusting God for today?

·       A friend or family member’s salvation

·       A health concern

·       Financial woes

·       Ministry

·       Whatever it is, ask God with a pure heart and full belief and see how He moves!