Dear Church Family and Website Friends, 

Remember the old TV show Dragnet? Remember detective Joe Friday?

What was it he always stressed when questioning a witness to a crime?  He would say, ''The facts ma'am, just the facts.''

Unfortunately, that is how a lot of people try to live their faith, by the facts…..The problem with that is that a saving relationship with God, through Jesus Christ is a matter of faith.

In fact, God's word assures us in both, the Old and new Testaments that ''the just shall live by faith.''

God's word does however, reveal several ''facts about faith.''

WE CAN EXPECT OUR FAITH TO BE TRIED.

When we seek to live by faith in Jesus Christ, our faith will be tested/tried.

However, God works in the tests to build us up and make us stronger.

What are some ways God tries our faith?
Through challenging calls/opportunities
Through challenging circumstances
Through the challenge of discipleship

We can expect our faith to be tried, but we can also expect the Holy Spirit within us to give us the strength/guidance we need to pass the test!

Another Fact about Faith is this:

WE CAN EXPECT OUR FAITH TO BE TROUBLING.

Can you imagine the burden, heavy heart and anguish Abraham must have felt when he was asked to give up his son as a sacrifice to God?

Have you ever wondered why God would ask such a thing of Abraham?

It certainly wasn't that Abraham go through with the sacrifice, but it was a test of Abraham's faith.

To obey God was troubling for Abraham.

The same is often true for us today as well.

When we are following Christ in our daily lives, we will occasionally experience some troubling trials.

Standing and living for Jesus will occasionally place us in troubling situations with peers, play mates and maybe even our marriage partners.

However, God will always honor our faith when we stand true to the convictions of a Biblical faith.

Another ''fact about faith'' is this:

WE CAN EXPECT OUR FAITH TO BE TRIUMPHANT.

We can expect our faith to work!...If it is in God!

Abraham's faith was tried and was troubling, but because he held to his faith and practiced it anyway, it was triumphant.

His faith not only withstood the test but conquered it!

The same can be and is true for us as well when we hold to and live by faith.

What are some steps we can take to practice a triumphant faith in times of trial?

Stand on God's Promises.

Rely on God's Provision.

Draw from God's Power.

Act on God's Principles.

If we take these steps when our faith is tried we can expect our faith to be triumphant!

God bless you all as you ''live by faith,''

Pastor Lee