Martin Vajda's Corner of Faithful Scriptures
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
It doesn’t take a lot of faith. Like our opening verse in Matthew 21 about faith moving mountains, in Luke Jesus lets us know how much faith is needed: “And the Lord answered, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.”(5) This was right after Jesus said we have to forgive others if we want the heavens to be open to our prayers.(5) Seven times seven we have to forgive others – for the same sin – every day! And Jesus, our example and strengthener, sustainer, Lord and Savior did this already, and now prays for us and comes to our rescue!(6)
God gave us the gift of faith to believe in Him and Whom He sent (Jesus). Not to try to treat God like a spiritual slot machine, to fulfill our selfish lusts.(7) We can only receive what is God’s will, to further His Kingdom, make us more like Him, and to bless others. He gives us everything needed for life and godliness, as He has already called us to His own glory and excellence!(8)
What great things are you believing God for in your life? In your family? In your church? In your city, your country, in the world? God said He will not give His glory to any other – “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols.”(9) Believe for the things that will glorify Him and see your faith rewarded by bearing fruit for His Kingdom. Sure He wants victory, health, prosperity and all the other good things for you. But we must stop just seeking our blessings and get about the building up of His kingdom. Keep praying in faith and see God’s provision manifested in your life, for His glory. Amen!
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. ...
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ...
if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”