Wanted - Muscular Faith

'For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated- of whom the world was not worthy- wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.'

-Hebrews 11:32-38

'He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."'

- Matthew 17:20

'Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.'

-William Carey

'You do not have, because you do not ask.'

-James 4:2

Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,

I love my friend Art Azurdia’s plea for muscular faith. I find this term resonating in my mind as I think of what often is described as passable Christianity. Some faith brings to mind milk-toast tenuousness rather than iron-grip tenacity. When I read in Hebrews 11 the extent to which believers have gone to in the trust and expectation of God's promises I find myself yearning to be stretched by a faith that believes God, not for status quo, but for genuine trust and hope in the things He has promised. Running, wrestling, fighting, and boxing are all metaphors for the Christian faith. Faith, many times, looks like hope-filled exhaustion. Unmistakably, there is nothing to be added to our salvation, however, half-hearted and tepid faith is not true faith. Faith is proven and tested in the crucible of life, and God's desire is that we trust Him implicitly. If you find your faith is weak and floundering Christ can make it muscular and strong. Implore Him to stretch you to believe the things He has promised. He will receive much glory in this and He will be faithful to answer our desire for muscular faith.

Asking God for muscular faith,

Pastor Dan