No Faith? Or? Is it, they just don’t get it?

I’ve been thinking of things people have said to me that have left me scratching my head wondering where their faith was.

One person told me not to email them prayer requests, because, by the time they checked their email, the prayer was answered. Seems to me that God cares nothing about time. Just pray, He knows before you pray what you will pray for. Think of it this way, to Him a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. God, who made the sun stand still, is able to post date your prayers. Just say your prayer and have faith.

I was told that witnessing and handing out Bible tracts in the Bible belt doesn’t work because every one in the Bible belt thinks they are saved anyway. I suppose the person who said this, doesn’t believe the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of those who live in the Bible belt. HMMM, I’m certain the Holy Spirit is able to as He pleases. God spoke to Balaam through the ass he was riding, he can also use you, me and Bible tracts. Have faith.

How about those that visit a church, worship somewhere or go to a prayer meeting and then say “I didn’t feel the Spirit there!” I’m fairly certain God didn’t give us the Holy Spirit to make us high. If you’re looking for a feeling, smoke a joint. If you want to worship God, petition Him with prayer or gather at a church, then just do it. God is present, whether you feel Him or not. If you have been born again the Spirit dwells in you. When you stop being judgmental, the Spirit will flow and you’ll see the joy of the Lord was present the entire time. It’s not where you are at or who you are with, it’s you, have faith.

I guess my all time favorite example of no faith are the guys who think one Bible translation is from God and others are not. Using their mis-guided logic, shouldn’t we only pray in Hebrew and read the Greek text? I guess they don’t think God is powerful enough or loving enough to protect the meaning of His holy Word so that His children won’t be led astray. He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake, and He will do it using whatever translation is available. Have faith.

Two people came to church one night and were allowed to teach on healing. They actually had booklets stating the exact prayers we must pray to to get healing for specific ailments. Again I must say, HMMM. Where in the Lord’s prayer did they find these prayer formulas? The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. He heals who He will and He doesn’t do it according to some man-made formula. Just pray, believe He is able, forgive others and have faith.  One more thing about this, the pastor who invited the formula healers loves to preach against legalism in the church.  What’s more legalistic than formula prayers?

Jesus said “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” To me it seems that we over-think things way to much. God is able to do anything. He’s the Creator of Heaven, earth the seas and everything in them. He loves us more than we have words to describe. He loves us more than we can even start to imagine. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Why is it so hard for us to believe that He will use the most simple prayer, any Bible, any church, any person to do His pure and perfect will in our lives? Just have faith in our Father, like a child has faith in its mommy. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Have Faith.

Be noble. Be holy. Be useful. Be relevant. Steve