So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.
—Hebrews 10:23
Giving voice to your faith can actually increase your faith—because what you say out loud gets rooted in your heart. I have heard that we believe more of what we say than what anyone else says, so why not say things that we truly want to believe? Say frequently, “I trust God,” or “I believe God is working in my life and circumstances right now.” Say, “God loves me and will work through me to do good to other people.”
The Psalms are filled with confessions of faith: I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! (Psalm 91:2). You can make a similar confession!
The apostle Peter said we should resist the devil at his onset (see 1 Peter 5:9). Developing the habit of confessing your faith as soon as any negative thoughts, words, behaviors, and attitudes appear will increase your faith and your joy. Soon you’ll be living from faith to faith (see Romans 1:17), without wavering.
Power Thought: God is faithful; my hope in Him is unwavering.
A Penitent Heart
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:40–43
The contrast in response between the two thieves crucified with Jesus couldn’t have been greater. One joined in the mockery directed at the Saviour, but the other recognized his sins and his need for mercy. He also recognized that the sinless Son of God was his only hope, and he cried out for mercy. Though it was the last day of his life, Jesus heard and answered his prayer, recognizing that it was the outpouring of a repentant heart.
The evangelist Gipsy Smith told of a man who was converted during his evangelistic campaign in South Africa. Smith said that the next morning, the new Christian knocked on the door of another man’s house and showed him a watch. The man was surprised to see it, for though it had his initials on it and was definitely his, he had not seen it for eight years. He asked why the man had it, and the new convert replied, “I stole it. I was converted last night, and I have brought it back first thing this morning. If you had been up, I would have brought it last night!” Salvation always makes a difference in the heart.
The devil tempts us to think that because we are not as bad as others we do not need to repent, but God who sees all that is in our hearts knows our true nature. Yet in grace, when a sinner cries out to Him for forgiveness, He freely pardons.
Luke 23:40–43
The contrast in response between the two thieves crucified with Jesus couldn’t have been greater. One joined in the mockery directed at the Saviour, but the other recognized his sins and his need for mercy. He also recognized that the sinless Son of God was his only hope, and he cried out for mercy. Though it was the last day of his life, Jesus heard and answered his prayer, recognizing that it was the outpouring of a repentant heart.
The evangelist Gipsy Smith told of a man who was converted during his evangelistic campaign in South Africa. Smith said that the next morning, the new Christian knocked on the door of another man’s house and showed him a watch. The man was surprised to see it, for though it had his initials on it and was definitely his, he had not seen it for eight years. He asked why the man had it, and the new convert replied, “I stole it. I was converted last night, and I have brought it back first thing this morning. If you had been up, I would have brought it last night!” Salvation always makes a difference in the heart.
The devil tempts us to think that because we are not as bad as others we do not need to repent, but God who sees all that is in our hearts knows our true nature. Yet in grace, when a sinner cries out to Him for forgiveness, He freely pardons.
Today’s Growth Principle:
When we recognize the enormity of our sin, we do not cling to it but repent and forsake it.
How to Increase Your Faith
by Joyce Meyer - posted November 01, 2016So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.
—Hebrews 10:23
Giving voice to your faith can actually increase your faith—because what you say out loud gets rooted in your heart. I have heard that we believe more of what we say than what anyone else says, so why not say things that we truly want to believe? Say frequently, “I trust God,” or “I believe God is working in my life and circumstances right now.” Say, “God loves me and will work through me to do good to other people.”
The Psalms are filled with confessions of faith: I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! (Psalm 91:2). You can make a similar confession!
The apostle Peter said we should resist the devil at his onset (see 1 Peter 5:9). Developing the habit of confessing your faith as soon as any negative thoughts, words, behaviors, and attitudes appear will increase your faith and your joy. Soon you’ll be living from faith to faith (see Romans 1:17), without wavering.
Power Thought: God is faithful; my hope in Him is unwavering.
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