Walking in faith is a daily commitment to live according to God's Word. It is a way of life that only comes by His grace and through your obedience to Him.
The devil peddles many bags of worry, doubt, depression and fear to God's people. It is imperative that we reject these temptations and instead, walk in faith.
1. Be a part of a Community
Getting to know your neighbors is vital in finding opportunities to share Jesus with them. You can do this by introducing yourself to your neighbors and offering to pray for them. You can also help them get to know Jesus by inviting them to church and other community events.
The Bible says we are to live together in fellowship. This means we are to be supportive of one another, help each other in times of trouble and be a light for the world. This is a big job and requires the leadership of church leaders who are willing to take this responsibility seriously. They need to be leaders who model true community, curbing petty disputes and personality conflicts and encouraging everyone to become vulnerable.
In addition, they need to encourage people to reach out to the lost around them. They should lead by example and demonstrate the power of prayer, showing how the lives of believers are changed through it. And they should encourage everyone to serve in a way that reflects the glory of God, including helping to build the church and care for those who are less fortunate.
It will take courage and strength to follow Jesus' path, which is quite different from the path of power and success that many people crave. But it will be worth it, especially if we are prepared for opposition, like the spiritual battle that Jesus faced in the desert and with the religious leaders of His day. It will require a resolve to follow Christ no matter what life throws at us, even if it costs our lives. As we see in the story of Esther, it may mean taking a chance on our own lives to protect the lives of others (Esther 4:14).
2. Build Relationships
When you walk by faith and not by sight, it is important to have the support of people who understand your journey. You should seek out fellowship with other believers in your church and in Bible study groups. These people can help keep you on track and on the straight path by encouraging your faith and holding you accountable. They can also be a support when you face difficulties in life.
The New Testament expands on the importance of community, showing how Jesus interacted with His disciples. He seldom spent time with just one of them, but usually had several with Him at the same time. He even brought Aquila and Priscilla into His most significant moments to encourage His disciples to maintain a Christlike lifestyle (Acts 18:24-28).
If you have a strong sense of community, you will be better able to endure hardship and resist the temptation to give up. Then, when God calls you to do something big and difficult, you will have the strength to follow through. community for jesus
Walking by faith means clinging to dreams, even when others think you are crazy. Abraham’s neighbors thought he was crazy for building an ark, and Noah’s were undoubtedly the same (Genesis 12:1-8).
This is why it’s so important to build relationships with those who share your faith and will encourage you. A great way to do this is by joining a small group that is dedicated to spiritual perseverance. You can find these groups in your church or through various Bible studies and weekend retreats such as FaithWalk, Discipleship Walk, Great Banquet, Tres Dias, or Cursillo. The Be Disciples DVD series by best-selling author Rick Burgess and the Rick & Bubba Show includes leader’s and participant’s guides to facilitate meaningful small group sessions.
3. Connect with God
We can connect with God in many ways. One way is through prayer, which is a direct line of communication with Him. It is important to have regular prayer time, and to be open to God speaking to you throughout your day. Another way is to study the Bible and take note of what you are learning, and how it relates to your life.
It is important to connect with God by doing good things for Him. Whether it is volunteering at a soup kitchen or helping out a neighbor in need, doing something for God’s glory will help you build your spiritual connection with Him. Also, remember that God loves all people. Try to see His love in everyone you meet, even if they don’t show it.
You can also connect with Him by meditating on His Word. Take note of the passages that speak to you, and let the Holy Spirit teach you through them. Then, write your thoughts down in a journal. Finally, you can also connect with Him intellectually by picking a subject that interests you and studying it. This can be anything from learning about the history of the Bible to analyzing biblical verses that talk about the topic.
Walking in faith isn’t always easy, and it can make you look foolish to those around you. But don’t forget that God is with you every step of the way, and that He will help you through any trials you face. Keep your faith strong by focusing on His promises and following the ways of Jesus. He wants you to be happy, so let Him lead you through your journey of faith!
4. Be an Encourager
Faith is a powerful force that compels people to do good things. A life of faith should also encourage others to do those things, too. The best way to be an encourager is to live a life of faith, which means being willing to step out and serve in the community. You can begin by simply encouraging others to pray, which is a powerful tool for change. You can also help them find a place to serve. Listen to the hopes and dreams of people in your community, and be a support system as they try to reach their goals. For example, you might encourage a student to study hard in school or an employee to work diligently at his job.
Lastly, you can encourage people to share their own stories of faith with others. For example, you might help someone share their testimony of how Jesus healed them. This could inspire others to heal and recover from their own illnesses or setbacks.
A life of faith requires a resolve to follow God’s plan no matter what. Whether it’s standing up for the oppressed like Daniel, or sacrificing personal gain to save lives as Esther did, living a life of faith requires courage. The unconverted often don’t understand this kind of conviction and resent it, even if they claim to believe in Christ.
To overcome this, you must be willing to be an encourager, regardless of how your life is going or how much you’ve accomplished. Encourage others by pointing them to scripture and telling them that Christ is always present in their struggles. In fact, he can turn even their sorrow into unbelievable joy.
5. Be a Supporter
It's critical that mature Jesus-followers help guide new disciples. Discipleship isn't something that happens naturally. It requires a deep commitment from both the disciple and the disciple-maker. It's also important that a disciple understand what a life of dependence upon the Holy Spirit looks like and can teach others to do the same. This is why the first commandment to followers of Christ is "to be baptized in water" (Matthew 28:19). Taking this step is an indication that you're ready to make and keep a promise. It's a commitment to live the Christian life in its entirety, not just on Sunday morning or at other times during the week.
As a disciple, you'll be on call to follow Jesus, 24/7. This doesn't mean community involvement or a veneer of tolerance. It means being a fan of Jesus with joy at the heart. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains, "making disciples involves gathering his worshipers."
A disciple will be willing to be inconvenienced or risked for the sake of following Jesus. This includes sacrificing your own comfort and desires for the good of those around you. It can even mean being willing to risk your life for what you believe in, as demonstrated by Esther's willingness to face death for the sake of her people (Esther 3:7).
This kind of dedication isn't possible without support from other believers. This is why Jesus calls those who are weary or burdened to "come unto me" (Matthew 11:28). He invites them to take his yoke on them and learn from him -- his way of doing things. This yoke isn't easy, but it is light and it is the way to find rest for the soul.
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