Faith takes action
by Jim Person
One Sunday at church, as the speaker shared the word of God, I realised that Christians may not be understanding faith as they should. Some people are taking faith to mean believing in God to do something for them, instead of believing God will help them do something.
Peter called out to Jesus to enable him, and then he stepped out of the boat and walked on the surface of the sea. The rest of the disciples cowered in the boat.
Abraham believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead, so he took his son up a mountain to sacrifice him. When Isaac questioned Abraham about where the sacrifice was, Abraham responded ‘the Lord will provide’.
The Israelites left Egypt and were escaping from the Egyptian army when they came to a barrier. They cried out to God, and God parted the Red Sea. They then picked up their property and ‘walked across’ the dry bottom of the sea, believing God was capable to hold back the sea until they crossed to their salvation.
Then there was the woman with the issue of blood, who said to herself ‘if I could just touch the hem of His garment I will be healed’. Then with that fixed in her mind she pressed through the difficulties set before her and managed to touch a bit of Jesus’ robe, and was healed. Jesus then told her that her faith had made her well, that is her belief in Jesus’ abilities and her actions to see that belief fulfilled in her life.
Each one mentioned above took action when placing their trust in God. This is faith. Jesus said, ‘Follow me’ when he called His disciples; not just believe in me, but leave your old life and follow my life. Is He not saying the same to us today?
When I was younger I was told I could never be a public speaker because of the physical speech difficulty I had as a child. So every time I stand up to speak I’m taking a step of faith. I’m trusting God will enable me to do what He has for me to do. When God first called my family and me to the mission field it meant leaving our home and going to another land. This is what activated the faith I now walk in.
God has a plan for your life! But you need to be active in that plan to see it fulfilled in your life! This new year stretches out before you, waiting for you to step out of your boat, walk up your mountain, walk through your sea on dry ground, and reach out more to Jesus! Will you activate your faith by taking action in response to the call of God on your life? Be tenacious and step out in faith today!
Prayer: Lord I need Your help to enable me to step out in faith, trusting in Your unwavering ability to sustain me. Help me, Lord, take action in this new year to see my faith grow! I want to do Your will, Lord! Would You take me by the hand today, right now, and lead me into Your will for my life, enabling me to do it? Thank You Lord! Amen.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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