Faith Which Is Pleasing

March 15, 2021

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

~II Corinthians 5:7~

Paul gave us some of the best teachings as he was filled with the Holy Spirit and obeying the Lord each day of his journey. Most of his journey required a lot of rejection, abuse and physical pain as he endured for the cross. Paul knew that without faith he would focus on the circumstance in front of him. He knew that faith was the very reason he was able to be a mouth piece for Jesus to begin with. "And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 9:5)

The very act of Paul calling Jesus Lord in that moment was an act of faith in itself. Jesus called him to preach, teach and work signs and wonders in His Name. Without faith, Paul could not have done these things. Faith activates what Jesus already set in place. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12)

We could very well speak these words to our circumstances, however without faith backing up the spoken word of truth we cannot activate those promises. As we walk in our journey beside Jesus and submit to the plan He had for our lives, we may come across uncomfortable situations just as Paul did. Standing for the gospel is not something the world is appreciative of; "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:19)

As we approach these hard times of more changes to society and the way people groe cold, we will need solely to walk by faith; just as Paul did. There will come times when it is literally all we have left. We know that Jesus is the only One who will never forsake us.

"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)

Let us be ready to stand for Jesus just as He stands for us. We owe Him that much and then some. The faith that was in Him as He walked this earth is the reason we have the ability to choose freedom. Jesus always acted in faith. Jesus always spoke in faith. Jesus always lived in faith. Let us take on the image of Christ and be of the same mind as we unite and walk by faith, not by sight.

When we focus on what we can only see we can so easily let our emotions get the best of us. We cannot please God with trusting in our own eyes, but only the eyes of Him. He sees way ahead, He goes way ahead. The Lord vows to take control as we give up control to Him. Why not let Him do so? Our part is to be faithful. "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 11:6)

When Paul endured hardships, when he was sent to a new place by the Holy Spirit or when he prayed over others; he did so completely by faith. If Paul had focused on what he saw rather then who He knew, he wouldn't of been able to get so many letters written, words spread and miracles shown.

Paul walked by faith and wanted us to know that we should too. We cannot claim Jesus as Lord without it, we cannot live for Jesus without it. Faith is the very sustenance of the gospel. The foundation on which we stand to follow Jesus to the Promised Land.

We can appreciate the apostles teachings and works as they gave their all to the Lord Jesus Christ, even to the point of death. They pushed onward in faith and they did not let the sight of this world around them deter them from accomplishing what the Lord needed them to do. We shouldn't either. The Lord wants us to trust in Him, no matter how many people may tell us not to; "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God."

(Psalms 20:7)

He wants us to be healed, no matter how many try to say how impossible it is. "For with God nothing will be impossible.”

(Luke 1:37)

He wants us to be free, even though some may still want us bound; "The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law." (Psalms 119:61)

My friends, as we walk in faith and continue to trust in only Jesus Christ wherever we go or whatever we do, that faith will continue to rise just as it did in Paul and we will be willing to sacrifice all that we are for Him, including our own lives if ever that be the case. Let us keep strong in the Lord and in the power of His might and walk by faith and not by sight, so that we may be a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for this great faith which You brought to this earth with the breath of Your mouth. Thank you for allowing me to partake in this great faith beside the Lord Jesus Christ. I choose to follow You as Paul followed you. Even as I enter situations that seem uncertain or unsettling, I know that You go before me and make a way for blessings to come out of it, for Your glory to be shown. I declare to be used for more people to see Your great love that You died to give to all. Guide me Holy Spirit so that I may pierce the hearts of the lost and broken. Give me the strength to walk by faith, not by sight. Let all praises be given to You as the wonders and signs are brought to this earth, as I represent Jesus for who He truely is. I receive divine understanding on the next step You have for me and I wish to always look to You first. It is in Your Faithful Name I pray. Jesus Christ. Amen.