--PROVEN FAITH~~
---1 Peter 1:3-9

--Faith is perhaps the most central element in the Christian life because it is the means by which we enter into salvation. But that’s only the beginning. From then onward, our faith—or lack of it—shapes our lives and determines what happens to us when the winds of adversity blow. Some Christians never lose their footing even in hurricane-force winds, but others are toppled by the slightest gust. To understand why this is true, we need to examine the source of our faith.

--Inherited faith: If you grew up in a Christian home, you probably adopted some of the beliefs of your parents. This kind of godly foundation is a wonderful gift from the Lord, but eventually, each person must assume responsibility for his own beliefs.

--Textbook faith: The Bible is the ultimate guide for establishing our beliefs. But that’s not the only source of influence. Books, preachers, teachers, and friends all impact our convictions. Our theology may in fact be sound, but faith is merely mental acceptance until it’s put to the test.

--Proven Faith: Only when we trust the Lord through the fires of adversity will we have faith that can stand. It is no longer based on what others have told us or what we’ve accepted as true but on our firsthand experience of His faithfulness.

-To evaluate your faith, consider how you react to adversity. Do you cling to the Lord or get angry at Him? Is your attitude one of rejoicing because He’s making you more like His Son, or are you bitter? No one can escape adversity, but those with proven faith will benefit from it.
--IN TOUCH~~

--Scripture Verses on Faith: bible
-'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not see."
--(Hebrews 11:1))

-'So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.'
--(Romans 10:17)

-'But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
--(Hebrews 11:6)

-'For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.'
--(1 John 5:4)~~
-We grow spiritually by reading the Word of God, talking to Him in prayer, and sharing His Word with others. We are in a sanctification process until we reach the Heavenly City.

So don't beat yourself up, or feel that you have failed God if you lack faith in some areas. Ask the Lord to help you overcome this, and Press On. Paul admonishes us, "Don't look back. Anyone having put his hand to the plow and looking back is not fit for the kingdom of God."

Paul was, in his own words, the worst of sinners. He persecuted the Christians, until the Lord Jesus knocked him to the ground on the Damascus Road. He was blinded for several days, and the Lord spoke to him that he would be the one to carry forth the Word of God. That is how we have the New Testament (Gospels), Paul diligently sought to spread the truth, that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through the Lord Jesus.
-Now we have the privilege to spread the Gospel to a lost and dying world. Jesus said, "This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world then the end will come."
--(Matthew 24:14)~
Let's get busy, Christians. It may be your very words that awakens another to know the Truth of Jesus Christ and be saved.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]