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Our Faithful God Demands a choice of Faithfulness from His People Deuteronomy 7:9–11 (KJV 1900) 9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. 11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. God’s faithfulness is unwavering, a constant in the lives of His children. No one can claim that God has not kept His word. As Numbers 23:19 (KJV) states, ‘God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?’ Every word He speaks, He fulfills. His faithfulness is a rock we can always depend on. God is faithful, and He demands His children to be faithful to Him. The English noun “faithfulness” denotes trustworthiness or dependability. When Christians disappoint God by doing things that harm Him, knowingly or unknowingly, they are not faithful to Him. God’s reassuring statement is ‘If one keeps my commandment or shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments, then I God will bless you’. Blessings only come from faithfulness to God. God never asks anything of us that He has not provided for us. His faithfulness to us should be enough for us to give Him the faithfulness He deserves. Sometimes we put faithfulness in degrees. We think, ‘I will be faithful to God in the big things, such as being loyal to my spouse and not stealing from anyone. You know, the ten commandments and the things others can see.’ However, God wants faithfulness in all that we do. This means that every action, every decision, every thought should be guided by our commitment to God. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV) reads, ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ Whatever we do, it must be to the glory of God. God demands it. Faithfulness is a demand from God and a choice from us. It is a choice we make every day, in every action, in every thought. This choice empowers us, giving us control over our spiritual journey. It is a choice we must make, and make wisely. Abraham was commanded to sacrifice the son whom God gave him in his old age (Gen. 22:1-2). Scripture shows that when God called Abraham to sacrifice his son, Abraham did not ask any questions, did not procrastinate, or get any advice from anyone else. He obeyed God immediately (Gen. 22:3-10). This immediate obedience was not just a result of Abraham’s love for God, but also of his developed faith. Over the years, Abraham had cultivated a deep and mature faith through his obedience and walk with God. This faith allowed him to be faithful to God even in the most difficult of circumstances. And it was this faith that opened to him the power of the Spirit to change his surroundings and situation to align with the will of God. When Abraham was about to finish the sacrifice obligation to God, the angel of the LORD stopped him and said, ‘Lay not thine hand upon the lad.’ (Gen. 22:11-12). Faith connects one to God’s Spirit in the spiritual world, which can change or defy the natural laws. Abraham’s faithfulness, rooted in his developed faith, ensured that his son’s life would be spared. If Abraham hadn’t developed his faith through obeying and walking with God during his lifetime, he might have disobeyed God in this situation. However, he made the right choice and God blessed him because of it. Final Thoughts. God will always be with the faithful believer. The Scripture speaks frequently of the faithfulness of God and how He is there ready to help and bless those who are faithful to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 explains this concept by saying, ‘For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…’ Psalm 34:15 says, ‘The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.’ Psalm 101:6 reads, ‘Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.’ A choice of faithfulness is so important to God that if it is consistent, the final words that will be heard are ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’ (Matt. 25:21) Well done, well done is what all faithful servants of God want to hear at the end of their lives. Well done. A Faithful God wants a Faithful people.

17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Sin is a sickness that needs to be healed. When sin entered the world through the disobedience of our first parents, it created a sickness that cannot be healed by any medicine that humanity can come up with. Since the beginning of time, humanity has been trying to solve its problem of sin, but has fallen short every time. Sin is not a physical problem, but a spiritual problem that impacts the whole essence of humanity. Humans are a three-part being: body, spirit, and soul. God created us this way. Genesis 2:7 reads, “7And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” In other words, God created man’s body, breathed a part of His Spirit into man’s body, and man came alive. Paul says it like this in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This three-part being understanding helps one to know that sin is not just a physical problem. It helps one to understand that there is more than what one can see with the naked eye. Therefore, sin needs to be healed, and the only way that can happen is that the sinner receives the gift of salvation from God. One may wonder why humans can do the terrible and horrific things they do to other human beings. Where is their conscience? Do they have any morality? Humanity is born sick in sin and needs a savior to heal the sickness. Everyone needs to be saved from sin. 2 Thessalonians 2 explains why some human beings can do these things. It says in the 6th-7th verse, “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. (NIV)” If one is not raised with some teaching of right from wrong, the enemy can lead them astray. Anyone can fall into this category. However, God loves us so much that He allows us to come in contact with someone who will give us what we need to have a relationship with Him. Only God can heal the sickness of sin. Only God can heal the Sickness of Sin. God gave a remedy for the sickness of sin, and that is the belief in Jesus Christ, His Son. John 3:17 (KJV) “17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Sin affects all of humanity, but God gave a healing balm that can reach everyone who believes. Psalm 107:20 (KJV) “20He sent his word, and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” John 1:1 (KJV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:14 (KJV) “14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:11–12 (KJV) “11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” Romans 10:13 (KJV) “13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” God wants all to be healed of the sickness of sin and has provided the way so that we will have no excuse. Final Thoughts. The Bible elaborates on Sin being a sickness that needs to be healed. God did not leave the restoration of humanity to humanity. God did not leave the healing of sin to the world. Because the sickness of sin could not be healed by human means, God Himself decided to devise a plan to complete the healing process. Through Jesus Christ, God saves those who subscribe to the plan of salvation. If one confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart, they will be saved. Salvation heals the sickness of sin and puts one in the right standing with God.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Life is about living to please God. God created humanity to be an extension of Himself to rule in His place on the earth. The Bible explains God’s thoughts after He created man and woman. Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV) “26Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” God’s thoughts are evidence that humanity is to take full possession of God’s creation to govern it with the mind of God within humanity’s thoughts. Man is supposed to have the mind of God in all dealings with the resources of God. Sin corrupted that connection God gave to humanity, but it did not destroy it. Sin corrupted all of creation, but God created a plan to restore creation to right standing with Him. Through the plan of salvation, God connects with humanity through faith. God gives life, and life is about living in a way that pleases God through faith. Romans 1:17 (KJV 1900) “17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Pleasing God can only be done by living in faith. The saying that “only what you do for Christ will last” is something to hold on to. Pleasing God is to live the Word of God in your everyday life. Doing what the word says in situations and circumstances will please God. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.” This action will please God through faith. To live by the Word of God, one must know the Word of God. To know the Word of God, one must read and study it, hear it, and connect with people who are living it. God will be pleased with anyone who lives this way. When God is pleased with the life you are living, He helps you in life every day. The way one lives reveals whether one believes in God’s existence. Those who live corruptly are suggesting that there is no moral resistance in their lives. Moral resistance comes from a higher authority than oneself. Ultimately, right and wrong come from God. When one lives one’s life considering the moral rightness that God has set, God is pleased and will lead and guide one in the right direction. Proverbs 3:5-8 (KJV 1900) “5Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. 7     Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8It shall be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.” Faith in God helps one to invoke God’s presence in everyday situations and circumstances. God will be with those who have a mind to please Him in their everyday walk. There will not be a day that God is not present if you have a mind and heart to please Him in all that you do. Will you do everything right? No, but He promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Faith in God is the only guaranteed solution humanity has for real help in everyday life. There is objective evidence that God can and will help you in your everyday life. One must have faith that God still works miracles. When one believes in everyday miracles, one will find the power of God being manifested everywhere. When you go to work and ask God to ensure you do your job correctly, a miracle of God will take place. Small things, like helping someone else, and God placing you amid someone who needs your help to make it through that day, are a miracle of God. Faith to know that God will watch over you and your family is a miracle of God. It is up to you to know that faith can help you in everyday life. Every day of life is a gift from God, and every person can enjoy the privilege of knowing that their faith in God is contributing to this coming to pass. Final Thoughts Do not take life for granted. Have faith in God every day and keep a stable relationship with Him. God is the beginning, and He will be the One who will judge all for what they have done, good or evil. He will be here when the last soul is called to present themselves before Him, so have faith in life that you may have everlasting peace with Him after life is over.

The two aspects of faith are saving faith and power faith. Every Christian believer has the potential to possess this complete faith that enables them to operate effectively in the physical world God has placed humanity in. Saving faith is a gift from God to every person, but power faith must be a faith that has been developed. To understand this concept, one must look to the Word of God. Faith Developed: living the Word of God. Matthew 17:20 (KJV 1900) 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Power faith makes the impossible possible. Power faith comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, which increases saving faith into a developed faith. Faith may start small, but it must grow to a faith that can move mountains in your life. A mountain of failure can be moved by power faith. A mountain of laziness can be moved by power faith. Power faith comes by using the faith you have in everyday life. Hebrews 10:38-39 reads, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. When one has experienced the power of God flowing through them, it is an unforgettable moment. It is a moment that one wants to experience time and time again. It sparks a desire to have God use you again to show the world that God exists. Some may get frightened with this power, but others will enjoy seeing God use them to bring the kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. James 1:22 (KJV 1900) 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Power faith has a prerequisite of doing what God says to do in His word. Hearing the word of God is a prerequisite for salvation. The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:13-14). The Greek word translated “preacher (kerysso)” has a sense of to announce (herald), which can be done by anyone who is saved from their sins. It implies making known (important news). God enlists all who have been saved to be an announcer of His goodness to those they come in contact with. That is what the Bible calls a witness. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Some stop at hearing the Word of God. They go through life thinking that hearing the word is enough. Hearing only is a deceptive practice. The Word of God comforts in times of crisis, encourages when one is in trouble, and soothes the soul when negativity bombards a person who is saved; however, implementing the Word of God within your life creates safety in an unsafe world. This is for the one who is a doer of the Word of God. Hearers only deceive themselves into thinking they have power faith to change their situations and circumstances to bring them into the will of God. Jesus says safety is secured to those who keep and do His words. (Matt. 7:24-25). Final Thought Power faith can be achieved by all who subscribe to the plan of salvation. It is not an impossible task, but one that will help God’s kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven. Every day life brings challenges to developing faith to its full potential. However, it can be done with a mindset that Jesus is going to return for all those who are doing what He told them to do in the Word of God. Stumbling will occur, but get up and keep moving forward.

For millennia, people have marveled both in amazement and controversy. While some see them as divine interventions, others perceive them as coincidences or unexplainable events. In Developing Your Sense of Faith: A Faith That Defies All Physical Senses, Dr. David T. Collum asks us to see the daily miracles occurring outside of the physical realm. According to him, religion is about perceiving the invisible—that is, about admitting the hand of God in our everyday life—not just about believing in huge supernatural happenings. Miracles: What are they? Miracles have long been characterized as remarkable happenings defying natural laws—that is, healings, supernatural interventions, or inexplicable phenomena. From Moses separating the Red Sea to Jesus turning water into wine, religious books abound with tales of miraculous deeds. Still, Dr. Collum exhorts us to see miracles in a wider sense. Miracles abound in the tiniest aspects of life; they are not just major happenings. These, too, are miracles: the birth of a child, the goodwill of a stranger, an unexpected gift, or even the will to bear adversity. We start to see and value these daily beauties when we are deeply committed to religion. Faith: The secret to miracles. Dr. Collum says one must have faith to experience and comprehend miracles. Without faith, we may write off incredible experiences as just coincidence. But with faith, we come to sense a spiritual presence in our lives above the tangible. Believing in Divine Time Wanting quick responses to their prayers is among the toughest challenges individuals experience. Faith holds that miracles occur in God’s time, not ours. Sometimes, what looks to be an unresolved prayer is really a miracle in development. For instance, someone could pray for a job and be turned down many times before subsequently finding an opportunity far greater than they had hoped. Through faith, we come to believe that delays are not rejections but rather results of a divine design. Appreciating daily miracles. Though many people think miracles have to be spectacular, Dr. Collum reminds us they may show themselves in subdued forms. These are all miracles—a buddy phoning at the precise moment, a financial breakthrough exactly in time, healing physicians cannot explain. Faith helps us see these gifts rather than ignore them. Faith Guides Us Over Difficulties. Sometimes, the miracle is about changing ourselves, not about our situation. Many have struggled greatly—illness, financial difficulties, personal loss—yet discovered the will to go on. It is itself a miracle to be able to stay positive, find calm among hardships, and carry on despite challenges. Dr. Collum contends that although religion provides us with the courage to confront challenges, it does not remove them. Looking back on our lives, we sometimes find that what seemed like a terrible delay or circumstance was really a miracle, getting us ready for something more. How may Your Faith be strengthened to produce Miracles? Maintaining a notebook of everyday blessings enables us to appreciate the marvels we sometimes overlook. Pray with Expectation: Rather than questioning, pray knowing God is already guiding events. Maintaining a religious community around you helps one to believe in miracles. Look for the good in trying circumstances; frequently, obstacles bring unanticipated rewards. Reading about previous miracles helps one to trust in modern ones. Final Thought Miracles are all around us; we need faith to notice them. Dr. David T. Collum’s lessons remind us that God’s hidden hand is working on daily life. Faith lets us see and value miracles, whether via supernatural intervention, unanticipated benefits, or just the fortitude to bear them. Opening our hearts to the invisible helps us to grow in confidence in God’s plan and start to live with the happy anticipation that miracles occur daily.

Many times, faith is defined as a conviction that transcends our sight, hearing, or touch and a belief in something beyond the observable. In his book Developing Your Sense of Faith: A Faith That Defies All Physical Senses, Dr. David T. Collum examines how one could grow to have a faith so powerful that it is unquestionable. His observations provide insightful teachings for individuals trying to deepen their religion and lead lives of greater spiritual connectedness. What Is Unshakable Faith? Unquestionably, faith is a great confidence in God or a higher power that does not waver even in the face of hardship. It is faith that is consistent and independent of other events—personal losses, financial difficulties, or social demands. This kind of faith is based on a strong spiritual conviction rather than any empirical evidence. Dr. Collum underlines that our five senses cannot define our religion; it cannot rely on what we can see. Rather, it’s about learning to have an inner confidence that transcends rational thinking. He exhorts readers to develop a strong and long-lasting faith instead of depending only on surface conviction. Lessons from Dr. Collum on Strengthening Faith Faith Requires Commitment and Discipline Dr. Collum teaches, among other important things, that religion is an active journey rather than a passive feeling. Faith has to be developed every day, just as physical activity tones the body. To help readers build their faith, he exhorts them to practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and reading holy books. Regular practice of these behaviors helps believers strengthen their connection to their religion, therefore reducing the likelihood of outside influence shaking it. Like a seed needing water and sunshine to thrive, faith develops when it is purposefully nourished. Faith Lives in Ambiguity. Another insightful lesson from Dr. Collum is that religion is about believing even if the solutions are not obvious—not about knowing everything. When confronted with uncertainty, many individuals battle with faith, yet Dr. Collum reminds us that actual faith is grown in times of ambiguity. Faith, he says, is like traveling over hazy ground. Even though we cannot always see the whole road ahead, we can take one step at a time, knowing that the road will show itself. This viewpoint exhorts Christians to welcome doubt as a normal aspect of spiritual development instead of a cause for rejection of faith. Trials Strengthen One’s Faith. According to Dr. Collum, difficulties and trials are supposed to hone rather than cause doubt of faith. Faith becomes stronger when challenged, just as gold is refined by fire. Many people go through trying events and then have spiritual breakthroughs. Dr. Collum exhorts Christians to regard challenges as chances for closer confidence in God, not as punishment. When everything else seems erratic, religion offers a strong base. Enircle Yourself with a Community Rich in Faith One does not want to develop faith in a vacuum. Dr. Collum emphasizes the need to surround one with a loving spiritual community. Being with others who value religion gives one encouragement, responsibility, and knowledge. Strengthening one’s spiritual resolve through faith-based dialogues, attending religious events, and sharing personal experiences with trusted mentors. Particularly in uncertain or crisis times, community helps to strengthen conviction. Faith Is an Ever-Changing Path. Dr. Collum finally reminds us that religion is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Though there will be times of great conviction and times of doubt, the secret is to stay forward. Faith changes with time and strengthens with life events and introspection. The path to unwavering faith is one of commitment despite obstacles, not of perfection. Conclusion Dr. David T. Collum’s lessons provide a road map for anyone trying to grow a faith that resists sensual appeal. His observations remind us that unwavering faith is about trusting in something higher rather than about seeing or having all the answers. Daily spiritual activities, acceptance of uncertainty, overcoming challenges, interacting with a faith-filled community, and realizing that faith is a lifetime journey help Christians develop a faith that will not waver no matter what life presents.