Right now, in Texas as most of the country it's hot. We are in a strong upper level heat wave. Today, however, I'm thinking about storms. Today, that might be hard to imagine. Some might even hope for a good North Texas thunderstorm. If you're from Tuscaloosa, Joplin, New Orleans, or Houston, you know all too well about the storm of destruction. Not all storms have to do with weather. In these hard economic times, you may be in a financial storm of destruction. Notifications of job termination, sudden unemployment, or unexpected health expenses can spiral out of control like a storm. People try to manage these kinds of storms different ways. Some blame others for their problems, some self-medicate, others turn to eradic and self-destructive behaviors, still others turn to depression and hopelessness. The good news is there is a better alteranative. The writer of Psalm 57 had a plan for hardship. Psalm 57:1 says that he was going to take refuge in the Lord until the storm of destruction passed by. I think the ESV captures this idea well. It may be true that you are in a strom that is destructive, relationally, financially, or otherwise. The Lord is available! This writer understood that he could turn to the Lord in times of difficulty. Every believer knows this, but somehow we allow ourselves to think that we are the only ones who are suffering. It's time to turn to the Lord with that trial! He is more than able to help and more than willing to render aid. There's a second part of this. The Psalmist knew the reality that the storm, though destructive, was not permanent. Here is the hope. The storm will come to an end. So how long can the Lord be trusted in a trial? Until the storm passes by. If you don't believe me, then maybe you'll believe Vernon Charlesworth. Vernon was the headmaster at Charles Spurgeon's school. Written over 150 yeas ago, his words today illustrate the power of Psalm 57.
The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide—a shelter in the time of storm, secure whatever ill betide—a shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day, defense by night—a shelter in the time of storm; no fears alarm, no foes affright—a shelter in the time of storm.
The raging storms may round us beat—a shelter in the time of storm; we’ll never leave our safe retreat—a shelter in the time of storm.
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear—a shelter in the time of storm; be Thou our helper ever near—a shelter in the time of storm.
Chorus: O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land; O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land—a shelter in the time of storm.
If you're in a storm today, turn to Jesus till the storm passes by.
Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), 212.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Hope of the Church
I'm at Kids Kamp. Tomorrow we go home. This week is the second of two solid weeks, 4 camps total. It's been hot and it's been busy. I'm serving as one of the boys deans. We've had great services. I'm personally thankful for my wife Tonya, our family, and our team from Bethel and their ministry to the 5-7 year olds last week in camp 2. It was wonderful to see God use them so greatly after so much hard work. This week, the district has conducted 2 camps under the ministry of Bill and Becky Harness. If you aren't familiar with their ministry, let me encourage you to attend one of their services when you get an opportunity. After 4 kids camps, I've come to one conclusion. There is hope for the Church. Jesus said let the children come to me and do not hinder them because the kingdom of God belongs to these. It's happening right here in North Texas.
We've also had great leadership! Rev. Duane and Sharon Swanson, the children's ministries directors for the North Texas District have done outstanding in providing a great set of camps for the children of the North Texas AG churches. We've seen God work in the lives of children and adults. Children have been saved, baptized in the Spirit, called to ministry and healed.
There is hope for the Church! In just a few short years these children will be the ministers, youth ministers, missionaries and church members in ministry. What a joy to see them connecting with God. The future is bright for God's church, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will see great days ahead. Last night, as I looked at the hundreds of children and workers connecting with God, I thought of Jesus' prayer request for workers in Luke 10:2.
I found myself praying "Thank you Lord for answering your prayer request for laborers". The opportunities for ministry are everywhere. Where will God use you next?
We've also had great leadership! Rev. Duane and Sharon Swanson, the children's ministries directors for the North Texas District have done outstanding in providing a great set of camps for the children of the North Texas AG churches. We've seen God work in the lives of children and adults. Children have been saved, baptized in the Spirit, called to ministry and healed.
There is hope for the Church! In just a few short years these children will be the ministers, youth ministers, missionaries and church members in ministry. What a joy to see them connecting with God. The future is bright for God's church, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will see great days ahead. Last night, as I looked at the hundreds of children and workers connecting with God, I thought of Jesus' prayer request for workers in Luke 10:2.
I found myself praying "Thank you Lord for answering your prayer request for laborers". The opportunities for ministry are everywhere. Where will God use you next?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A Love for Scripture
The B I B L E, that's the book for me! I stand upon the word of God, the B I B L E! As children we sang this song. I'm curious how many generations of children sang that song. There is something resident in that affirmation, namely: That's the book for Me. There appears to be a growing chasm between those who have a love for Scripture and those who do not. Even though the Bible is more available than ever (online, software, e-books, phones, print, etc), there appears to be less reading, studying and thinking about the message of Scripture. Although I think about this constantly, I'm not sure of the reasons why. I suppose the abundance and availability of Scripture causes believers to take it for granted. I also would guess that the message of the Gospel (Romans 10:9-10, Philippians 2:1-10) has been rehearsed and presented through so many different venues that there is a subtle familiarity that breeds contempt among the people of God.
In contrast to this spiritual neuroses, the Scripture makes great claims about its usefulness. Hover your mouse of the references and see the depth and breadth with which the Bible references itself on the claims that it makes.
Mark 12:10 (NASB)
Mark 15:28 (NASB)
Luke 4:21 (NASB)
John 2:22 (NASB)
John 7:38 (NASB)
John 7:42 (NASB)
John 17:12 (NASB)
John 19:24 (NASB)
John 19:28 (NASB)
John 19:36 (NASB)
John 19:37 (NASB)
John 20:9 (NASB)
Acts 1:16 (NASB)
Acts 8:32 (NASB)
Acts 8:35 (NASB)
Romans 4:3 (NASB)
Romans 9:17 (NASB)
Romans 10:11 (NASB)
Galatians 3:8 (NASB)
Galatians 3:22 (NASB)
1 Timothy 4:13 (NASB)
1 Timothy 5:18 (NASB)
2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)
James 2:8 (NASB)
James 2:23 (NASB)
James 4:5 (NASB)
1 Peter 2:6 (NASB)
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)
Consider the passion in the statement of these translators to the New American Standard Bible (NASB) about their work
In contrast to this spiritual neuroses, the Scripture makes great claims about its usefulness. Hover your mouse of the references and see the depth and breadth with which the Bible references itself on the claims that it makes.
Mark 12:10 (NASB)
Mark 15:28 (NASB)
Luke 4:21 (NASB)
John 2:22 (NASB)
John 7:38 (NASB)
John 7:42 (NASB)
John 17:12 (NASB)
John 19:24 (NASB)
John 19:28 (NASB)
John 19:36 (NASB)
John 19:37 (NASB)
John 20:9 (NASB)
Acts 1:16 (NASB)
Acts 8:32 (NASB)
Acts 8:35 (NASB)
Romans 4:3 (NASB)
Romans 9:17 (NASB)
Romans 10:11 (NASB)
Galatians 3:8 (NASB)
Galatians 3:22 (NASB)
1 Timothy 4:13 (NASB)
1 Timothy 5:18 (NASB)
2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)
James 2:8 (NASB)
James 2:23 (NASB)
James 4:5 (NASB)
1 Peter 2:6 (NASB)
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)
Consider the passion in the statement of these translators to the New American Standard Bible (NASB) about their work
New American Standard Bible (1995 Update) - Scriptural Promise
The New American Standard Bible has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek were inspired by God. Since they are the eternal Word of God, the Holy Scriptures speak with fresh power to each generation, to give wisdom that leads to salvation, that men may serve Christ to the glory of God.
Paul encouraged Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6) We have His word. Let's do our part in setting the world on fire with His message
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Glorious Church
Bethel just had it's 70th Anniversary. It was a great day. We had the joy of singing old songs and new, heard a choir of former and current members, and listened to testimonies of His faithfulness. The text for the sermon came from Hebrews 13:8 which was posted over the church on Vickery street before they moved to the new location. Jesus did promise to build His church. He is still building His Church. Churches that celebrate anniversaries have one thing in common: They are still having church!
Many today are in-between churches. They can't seem to find the right fit. That's understandable in an age where everything is taylored to our liking. Customer service and church membership do not always go hand in hand. I just think there's nothing better than Church.
Church is where children are taught that there are others who live for Jesus in every situation and station in life.
Church is where the people of God gather to worship and receive instruction in the word of God.
Church is the vehicle by which people hear the call of God for ministry and vocational service.
Church is a missionary sending agency.
Church is where the Gospel is preached, the saints are taught, and the mission is started. Jesus did NOT say I will build my empire, my business, my retreat, or my culture. Jesus said "I will build My Church"
I know I'm not objective because I think Bethel is the greatest church on the planet. What constitutes a good church? Scripture says Christ is returning:
Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 4:11-16 talks about the gifts that God has provided for His Church.
Wherever you may be attending church, know this: God will use you if you make yourself available.
Great churches are built on great relationships with great people in relationship with God. Hebrews says:
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Whose anniversary will you be a part of? See you in Church! :-)
Many today are in-between churches. They can't seem to find the right fit. That's understandable in an age where everything is taylored to our liking. Customer service and church membership do not always go hand in hand. I just think there's nothing better than Church.
Church is where children are taught that there are others who live for Jesus in every situation and station in life.
Church is where the people of God gather to worship and receive instruction in the word of God.
Church is the vehicle by which people hear the call of God for ministry and vocational service.
Church is a missionary sending agency.
Church is where the Gospel is preached, the saints are taught, and the mission is started. Jesus did NOT say I will build my empire, my business, my retreat, or my culture. Jesus said "I will build My Church"
I know I'm not objective because I think Bethel is the greatest church on the planet. What constitutes a good church? Scripture says Christ is returning:
Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 4:11-16 talks about the gifts that God has provided for His Church.
Wherever you may be attending church, know this: God will use you if you make yourself available.
Great churches are built on great relationships with great people in relationship with God. Hebrews says:
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Whose anniversary will you be a part of? See you in Church! :-)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
As You Wait for the Revealing
The Corinthian church was full of problems. God still loved them. Two of the 66 books in the Bible were written to the Church at Corinth. Every chapter, especially in 1 Corinthians, is an introduction to a different disfunction. Paul the apostle was careful in how he dealt with the church, but always highlighting the best news in the world, the Gospel of Jesus. It's interesting how he opens his first book, and herein we discover one of the many great points of how to grow in Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 tells what the apostle viewed, should be the attitude of a believer in a city that conveyed anything but godliness and righteousness.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 tells what the apostle viewed, should be the attitude of a believer in a city that conveyed anything but godliness and righteousness.
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Notice in this thanksgiving section what the apostle says: "as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ". This is the point in our day. The current culture suggests that it is all about me and mine and now. For the believer, it's about the future. Stock experts are always quick to point out that the value of a stock is not in what it sells for now so much, but what is it's growth potential?
Believers have a certain future in Christ! The NT authors frequently referenced the hope of heaven. Consider what else Christ does for the believer:
who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is more than able to sustain you and I! This is a sustainment in Christ that is free of guilt! To God be the Glory!
Verse nine sums it up well, even before Paul begins to address all the problems in that church:
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Whatever is in your future, you can be sure that in Christ you will ALWAYS find God to be faithful.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Prayers That God Won't Answer
The book of James talks about prayer. In this book, the half-brother of Jesus says for instance, the prayer of the righteous avail much (James 5:16). That's an encouragement to pray! The praying that we do has an effect if it's in accordance with God's purposes. (James 5:15). There are, however. some prayers that are not answered. Earlier in the book of James, when he's instructing his readers to ask in faith, nothing wavering (James 1:6), he makes the point that the one who wavers, or doubts should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7), an empty prayer that won't be answered. The writings of Charles Spurgeon reminded me to day that we are just in good of shape when God doesn't answer our prayers as when He does. Elijah prayed that God would take his life. (1 Kings 19:4). God did not answer that prayer because it was prayed during a time of depression. He hears our prayers! But thank God He does not always answer them. What is especially interesting about this passage is the point that Spurgeon makes. Elijah did NOT die! Could it be that when we are in situations where there seems to be no answer, God not only knows the answer, but has ordained that in our future (whether we realize it or not) the thing we are concerned about, or pray about may not happen at all? God is in control! In, through and around our prayers.
William Cowper must have understood the power of God's Mysterious ways when he penned these words:
William Cowper must have understood the power of God's Mysterious ways when he penned these words:
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His foot-steps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take: The clouds you so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; behind a frowning providence faith sees a smiling face.
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.
Thank God for His protection! Thank God for His provision! Thank God for His mercy!, in answered as well as unanswered prayers!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Davey and Goliath Happy Easter!
As a child I had the privilege of watching Davey and Goliath episodes on channel 5 right before we'd head off to church. Later I discovered this was produced by the Lutherans! That blessed me almost as much as when I found out that Mr. Rogers was a Presbyterian with an MDIV!
Here's the links to the Easter special on youtube for those who care:
Part One: http://youtu.be/HBEXxiol_RU
Part Two: http://youtu.be/cgswW2URu-g
Part Three: http://youtu.be/QaZy6nqmcl8
HINT, don't watch the first part or the second part unless you are committed to watching the third link. This is an amazing depiction of how to use the Resurrection to handle grief.
He Lives!
Here's the links to the Easter special on youtube for those who care:
Part One: http://youtu.be/HBEXxiol_RU
Part Two: http://youtu.be/cgswW2URu-g
Part Three: http://youtu.be/QaZy6nqmcl8
HINT, don't watch the first part or the second part unless you are committed to watching the third link. This is an amazing depiction of how to use the Resurrection to handle grief.
He Lives!
The Truth About Jesus
Jesus actually came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again! This is truth. Here are the passages in the Bible where the authors assert that Jesus was who he claimed he was and the facts around which we celebrate the truth of the Gospel. May the Lord bless you as you review these passages.
Matthew 27:15
Mark 15:6
Luke 23:13
John 18:1
I pray the Holy Spirit reminds you in a powerful way of the truth of Scripture, and the truth of this greatest news in the world.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Idolatry of Erudition
There is a new idol out there. It's not materialism. It's not pleasure. It's not selfishness. Those have been around since the dawn of time. Maybe this one has too.
It's related to a condition called Erudite. "having or showing great knowledge or learning". Now there is nothing wrong with reading, asking questions, and thinking critically. There is something wrong when it is exalted above God. Let's call it Erudition. That's idolatry.
Perhaps it first emerged at the tower of Babel. The builders of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves.....even so some who perceive themselves as intellectuals. Maybe there was something to God's forbidding the eating of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.....I'm guessing it was a timing issue. Imagine that.....God can be trusted to tell the truth. Unfortunately many in our day fit the description of Jesus and Isaiah.
Isaiah 29:13
I teach at a University. I'm proud of what SAGU has done to train people to fulfill the mission of "the whole Gospel, for the whole man, for the whole world". I'm also an ordained Assemblies of God minister. I have the privilege of pastoring a church too. I happen to have a Ph.D. This is not about me. I'm nothing special. I simply want you to understand where I'm coming from. I'm not writing this blog because I'm anti-education.
I do, however see a condition in the current culture that is alarming. It's idolatry. They are theologians and church members. They can be found in Christian universities, and denominational meetings. They have replaced simple faith with intellectual endeavor. It's subtle, and yes creepy, but very real.
What are their characteristics?
They prefer reading theologians rather than Scripture.
They prefer ANY type of Christian media to Scripture
They preach on ANYTHING BUT Scripture.
They are bored with the Gospel.
Romans 1:22 provides an accurate description.
This has been a problem throughout church history. My view is not unique. The Bible says much about false teachers and those who wander from the faith.
In 1 Timothy 1:12, the Apostle was clear in what he believed.
How can you tell if you are in the presence of a false teacher or an idolater?
Usually, they don't mention Christ.
Here are some Scriptures where false teachers and false prophets are mentioned.
Lamentations 2:14
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.
Ezekiel 13:9
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.
Ezekiel 22:28
And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 24:11
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
Matthew 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
Luke 6:26
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
2 Peter 2:1
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
May the Lord bless you as you study HIS word.
It's related to a condition called Erudite. "having or showing great knowledge or learning". Now there is nothing wrong with reading, asking questions, and thinking critically. There is something wrong when it is exalted above God. Let's call it Erudition. That's idolatry.
Perhaps it first emerged at the tower of Babel. The builders of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves.....even so some who perceive themselves as intellectuals. Maybe there was something to God's forbidding the eating of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.....I'm guessing it was a timing issue. Imagine that.....God can be trusted to tell the truth. Unfortunately many in our day fit the description of Jesus and Isaiah.
Isaiah 29:13
I teach at a University. I'm proud of what SAGU has done to train people to fulfill the mission of "the whole Gospel, for the whole man, for the whole world". I'm also an ordained Assemblies of God minister. I have the privilege of pastoring a church too. I happen to have a Ph.D. This is not about me. I'm nothing special. I simply want you to understand where I'm coming from. I'm not writing this blog because I'm anti-education.
I do, however see a condition in the current culture that is alarming. It's idolatry. They are theologians and church members. They can be found in Christian universities, and denominational meetings. They have replaced simple faith with intellectual endeavor. It's subtle, and yes creepy, but very real.
What are their characteristics?
They prefer reading theologians rather than Scripture.
They prefer ANY type of Christian media to Scripture
They preach on ANYTHING BUT Scripture.
They are bored with the Gospel.
They suggest if you haven't read someone's theology you can't critique it.
They question the education, experience or God help us....prayer life....of those that disagree with them.
It's troubling to these idolaters to sit in a service where the Gospel is being preached.
They take pride in asking questions rather than providing answers, and subtly criticize those who have affirmed their beliefs.
They exalt logic over faith.
THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM BEGINS
In contrast to this, we should look to Scripture.
The Bible is great in speaking for itself.
Romans 1:22 provides an accurate description.
This has been a problem throughout church history. My view is not unique. The Bible says much about false teachers and those who wander from the faith.
In 1 Timothy 1:12, the Apostle was clear in what he believed.
How can you tell if you are in the presence of a false teacher or an idolater?
Usually, they don't mention Christ.
Here are some Scriptures where false teachers and false prophets are mentioned.
Lamentations 2:14
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.
Ezekiel 13:9
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.
Ezekiel 22:28
And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 24:11
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
Matthew 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
Luke 6:26
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
2 Peter 2:1
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
May the Lord bless you as you study HIS word.
Friday, March 11, 2011
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Bethel-News.html?soid=1102633925530&aid=DtZwSGPomug
This is the weekly email we send out from Bethel. If you want a weekly devotional, information about our great church, or contact information about our ministries including weekly podcasts of messages. Follow this link. You can also add yourself to our list to stay connected. Visit us at Bethel any Sunday or Wednesday. Let's grow this great church together!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Faith
I just downloaded a piece of software that clocks your computer speed on all levels. It goes deep looking into graphics, ram, processor speed, etc.
As I was thinking about having faith in God, I was reminded about that diagnostic tool. The word of God is our diagnostic for our faith. Where is it? How is it? Can it process through life? Faith in God, Faith in each other, Faith for healing, and our Christian Faith are all described in Scripture. At its core, faith is about trust. Can we trust God? All the way back in the garden this was the inference of the enemy. God cannot be trusted. You shall not surely die. Eve and Adam began that day to question whether or not God could be trusted, and landed humanity into a sin-corrupted world. The Church endeavors to proclaim the reality that God can be trusted. Jesus made some amazing claims about faith. He said to the woman with the issue of blood: “your faith has healed you”. He also said that if you had faith as much as a mustard seed “you can say to the mountain be removed and be cast into the sea”. Paul is recorded as saying “without faith it is impossible to please Him for whoever comes to God must: 1. Believe that He is and 2, Believe that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. By faith we are saved, he also said, it is the gift of God not of works that no one could boast.
Hebrews says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The Bible says MANY things about faith. I searched the Bible in the ESV about faith. Here are the results. You’ll notice that some of them talk about trusting others. You will also notice that our faith in God is through CHRIST! Hallelujah. We have access to the Father through Jesus. I hope you’ll also notice that faith puts our trust in One who can do ANYTHING, can always be TRUSTED, and is able to do MIRACLES.
May the Lord bless your study on Faith.
faith in ESV
Exodus 21:8
If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her.
Leviticus 5:15
“If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the LORD, he shall bring to the LORD as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.
Leviticus 6:2
“If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor
Numbers 5:6
“Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt,
Numbers 5:12
“Speak to the people of Israel, If any man’s wife goes astray and breaks faith with him,
Numbers 5:27
And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people.
Deuteronomy 32:51
because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.
Joshua 7:1
But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
Joshua 22:16
“Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the LORD by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the LORD?
Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.’ ”
Joshua 22:22
“The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today
Joshua 22:31
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”
Judges 9:15
And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
Judges 9:16
“Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved—
Judges 9:19
if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
1 Chronicles 2:7
The son of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing;
1 Chronicles 5:25
But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.
1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith.
1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.
Ezra 10:2
And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.
Ezra 10:10
And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have broken faith and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel.
Job 39:12
Do you have faith in him that he will return your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?
Psalm 106:24
Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise.
Psalm 146:6
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Isaiah 7:9
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ”
Isaiah 26:2
Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.
Habakkuk 2:4
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Matthew 6:30
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
Matthew 8:26
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Matthew 9:2
And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Matthew 9:29
Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
Matthew 14:31
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Matthew 16:8
But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?
Matthew 17:20
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 2:5
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 4:40
He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Mark 5:34
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Mark 10:52
And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Mark 11:22
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.
Luke 5:20
And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 8:25
He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
Luke 8:48
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Luke 12:28
But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Luke 17:6
And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Luke 17:19
And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 18:8
I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Luke 18:42
And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 22:32
but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Acts 3:16
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 6:5
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
Acts 6:7
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 11:24
for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 13:8
But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Acts 14:9
He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:27
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Acts 15:9
and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
Acts 16:5
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Acts 20:21
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 24:24
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Acts 27:25
So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
Romans 1:5
through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
Romans 1:12
that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1:17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:22
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
Romans 3:25
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Romans 3:26
It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:27
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
Romans 3:28
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3:30
since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Romans 3:31
Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Romans 4:5
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Romans 4:9
Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
Romans 4:11
He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
Romans 4:12
and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Romans 4:14
For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
Romans 4:16
That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
Romans 4:19
He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
Romans 4:20
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
Romans 4:22
That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:2
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 9:30
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;
Romans 9:32
Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Romans 10:6
But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down)
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 11:20
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Romans 12:6
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
Romans 14:1
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Romans 14:22
The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
Romans 14:23
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Romans 16:26
but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
1 Corinthians 2:5
that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 12:9
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:13
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
2 Corinthians 1:24
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
2 Corinthians 4:13
Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,
2 Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 8:7
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
2 Corinthians 10:15
We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Galatians 1:23
They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Galatians 2:16
yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:2
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Galatians 3:5
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—
Galatians 3:7
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
Galatians 3:8
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
Galatians 3:9
So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Galatians 3:11
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:12
But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
Galatians 3:14
so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:23
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
Galatians 3:24
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Galatians 3:26
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Galatians 5:5
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Ephesians 1:15
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 3:12
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Ephesians 3:17
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 4:5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:13
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Ephesians 6:16
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:23
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:25
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
Philippians 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Philippians 2:17
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
Colossians 1:4
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
Colossians 1:23
if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Colossians 2:5
For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:7
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:12
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:8
For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
1 Thessalonians 3:2
and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:6
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—
1 Thessalonians 3:7
for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:10
as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:4
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:11
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
2 Thessalonians 3:2
and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:4
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
1 Timothy 1:5
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:14
and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:19
holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
1 Timothy 2:7
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 2:15
Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
1 Timothy 3:9
They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
1 Timothy 3:13
For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
1 Timothy 4:6
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:12
and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:11
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:21
for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 1:13
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:18
who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
2 Timothy 2:22
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:8
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
2 Timothy 3:10
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
2 Timothy 3:15
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
Titus 1:4
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Titus 2:2
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
Titus 2:10
not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
Titus 3:15
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Philemon 5
because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,
Philemon 6
and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
Hebrews 4:2
For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Hebrews 6:12
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:38
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Hebrews 11:9
By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,
Hebrews 11:20
By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.
Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.
Hebrews 11:22
By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
Hebrews 11:24
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
Hebrews 11:27
By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
Hebrews 11:30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
Hebrews 11:31
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Hebrews 11:33
who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Hebrews 11:39
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
James 1:3
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 2:1
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
James 2:17
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:18
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:20
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
James 2:22
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
James 2:24
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
James 2:26
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 5:15
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
1 Peter 1:5
who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:7
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:9
obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:21
who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 5:9
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
2 Peter 1:1
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:5
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
1 John 5:4
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Jude 3
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Revelation 2:13
“ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Revelation 2:19
“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
Revelation 13:10
If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
As I was thinking about having faith in God, I was reminded about that diagnostic tool. The word of God is our diagnostic for our faith. Where is it? How is it? Can it process through life? Faith in God, Faith in each other, Faith for healing, and our Christian Faith are all described in Scripture. At its core, faith is about trust. Can we trust God? All the way back in the garden this was the inference of the enemy. God cannot be trusted. You shall not surely die. Eve and Adam began that day to question whether or not God could be trusted, and landed humanity into a sin-corrupted world. The Church endeavors to proclaim the reality that God can be trusted. Jesus made some amazing claims about faith. He said to the woman with the issue of blood: “your faith has healed you”. He also said that if you had faith as much as a mustard seed “you can say to the mountain be removed and be cast into the sea”. Paul is recorded as saying “without faith it is impossible to please Him for whoever comes to God must: 1. Believe that He is and 2, Believe that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. By faith we are saved, he also said, it is the gift of God not of works that no one could boast.
Hebrews says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The Bible says MANY things about faith. I searched the Bible in the ESV about faith. Here are the results. You’ll notice that some of them talk about trusting others. You will also notice that our faith in God is through CHRIST! Hallelujah. We have access to the Father through Jesus. I hope you’ll also notice that faith puts our trust in One who can do ANYTHING, can always be TRUSTED, and is able to do MIRACLES.
May the Lord bless your study on Faith.
faith in ESV
Exodus 21:8
If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her.
Leviticus 5:15
“If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the LORD, he shall bring to the LORD as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.
Leviticus 6:2
“If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor
Numbers 5:6
“Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt,
Numbers 5:12
“Speak to the people of Israel, If any man’s wife goes astray and breaks faith with him,
Numbers 5:27
And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people.
Deuteronomy 32:51
because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.
Joshua 7:1
But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
Joshua 22:16
“Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the LORD by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the LORD?
Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.’ ”
Joshua 22:22
“The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today
Joshua 22:31
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”
Judges 9:15
And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
Judges 9:16
“Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved—
Judges 9:19
if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
1 Chronicles 2:7
The son of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing;
1 Chronicles 5:25
But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.
1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith.
1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.
Ezra 10:2
And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.
Ezra 10:10
And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have broken faith and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel.
Job 39:12
Do you have faith in him that he will return your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?
Psalm 106:24
Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise.
Psalm 146:6
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Isaiah 7:9
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ”
Isaiah 26:2
Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.
Habakkuk 2:4
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Matthew 6:30
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
Matthew 8:26
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Matthew 9:2
And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Matthew 9:29
Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
Matthew 14:31
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Matthew 16:8
But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?
Matthew 17:20
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 2:5
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 4:40
He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Mark 5:34
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Mark 10:52
And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Mark 11:22
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.
Luke 5:20
And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 8:25
He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
Luke 8:48
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Luke 12:28
But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Luke 17:6
And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Luke 17:19
And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 18:8
I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Luke 18:42
And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 22:32
but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Acts 3:16
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 6:5
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
Acts 6:7
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 11:24
for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 13:8
But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Acts 14:9
He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:27
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Acts 15:9
and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
Acts 16:5
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Acts 20:21
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 24:24
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Acts 27:25
So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
Romans 1:5
through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
Romans 1:12
that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1:17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:22
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
Romans 3:25
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Romans 3:26
It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:27
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
Romans 3:28
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3:30
since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Romans 3:31
Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Romans 4:5
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Romans 4:9
Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
Romans 4:11
He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
Romans 4:12
and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Romans 4:14
For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
Romans 4:16
That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
Romans 4:19
He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
Romans 4:20
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
Romans 4:22
That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:2
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 9:30
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;
Romans 9:32
Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Romans 10:6
But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down)
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 11:20
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Romans 12:6
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
Romans 14:1
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Romans 14:22
The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
Romans 14:23
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Romans 16:26
but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
1 Corinthians 2:5
that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 12:9
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:13
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
2 Corinthians 1:24
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
2 Corinthians 4:13
Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,
2 Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 8:7
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
2 Corinthians 10:15
We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Galatians 1:23
They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Galatians 2:16
yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:2
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Galatians 3:5
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—
Galatians 3:7
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
Galatians 3:8
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
Galatians 3:9
So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Galatians 3:11
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:12
But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
Galatians 3:14
so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:23
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
Galatians 3:24
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Galatians 3:26
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Galatians 5:5
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Ephesians 1:15
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 3:12
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Ephesians 3:17
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 4:5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:13
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Ephesians 6:16
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:23
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:25
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
Philippians 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Philippians 2:17
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
Colossians 1:4
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
Colossians 1:23
if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Colossians 2:5
For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:7
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:12
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:8
For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
1 Thessalonians 3:2
and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:6
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—
1 Thessalonians 3:7
for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:10
as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:4
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:11
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
2 Thessalonians 3:2
and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:4
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
1 Timothy 1:5
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:14
and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:19
holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
1 Timothy 2:7
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 2:15
Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
1 Timothy 3:9
They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
1 Timothy 3:13
For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
1 Timothy 4:6
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:12
and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:11
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:21
for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 1:13
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:18
who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
2 Timothy 2:22
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:8
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
2 Timothy 3:10
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
2 Timothy 3:15
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
Titus 1:4
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Titus 2:2
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
Titus 2:10
not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
Titus 3:15
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Philemon 5
because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,
Philemon 6
and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
Hebrews 4:2
For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Hebrews 6:12
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:38
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Hebrews 11:9
By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,
Hebrews 11:20
By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.
Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.
Hebrews 11:22
By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
Hebrews 11:24
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
Hebrews 11:27
By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
Hebrews 11:30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
Hebrews 11:31
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Hebrews 11:33
who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Hebrews 11:39
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
James 1:3
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 2:1
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
James 2:17
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:18
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:20
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
James 2:22
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
James 2:24
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
James 2:26
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 5:15
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
1 Peter 1:5
who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:7
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:9
obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:21
who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 5:9
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
2 Peter 1:1
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:5
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
1 John 5:4
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Jude 3
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Revelation 2:13
“ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Revelation 2:19
“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
Revelation 13:10
If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Bible Study Tools for 2011
Keeping up to date with the new and different ways to study the Bible is a challenging task as there are so many wide and divergent ways that people go about studying God's word. To keep this as simple as possible let's ask a few questions.
First, are you content to read an actual Bible, or do you prefer to look up things online?
That alone will make a difference in what you should do next. For instance, if your Bible study is restricted to one Bible, then the choice of that Bible is crucial. This is a good place to talk about versions. What's the deal with so many and what's the point? The point of course is to get as much as you can out of Bible study as possible. That is to say, when Paul said to Timothy to study to show yourselves approved, it benefits not only the believer, but also God's Church! Hover over this reference, 2 Timothy 2: 15 and consider the value of study for the believer as well as the purpose of God.
King James Version.
This version has worked well for over 400 years! 2011 marks the 400 year anniversary of this great text. Many of us have a King James memory, as we studied only this version while we were being disciple. The problem is, however, language usage has changed in 400 years and there are some passages that are difficult to negotiate.
New International Version.
This is the most popular and widely used version in the last 30 years. It has found its place into our teaching/preaching and discipleship materials. The NIV illustrates the perpetual challenge that translators face in trying to bring the original text of Hebrew and Greek into modern day language usage. As such, they rely on a method of translation that focuses on the "concept" of Scripture rather than the actual words. The translators in 1979 did a fantastic job of staying faithful to the original text, (KJV only detractors notwithstanding) and this translation has been a blessing to the Church. The problem? The NIV is changing. Several years ago, Zondervan produced the TNIV (today's New International Version) one if its "features" was the removal of gender specific language for God. For example, referring to God as a male was discouraged even when the male personal pronouns were used in the original. This is not good. The future will show those looking for the "original" NIV.
New American Standard
This is a fantastic version that rather than use the "dynamic equivalence" approach of the NIV translators, focused on word for word translation. The faithful work of these scholars has stood the test of time and the NASB still exists as the gold standard of translation work. The problem of course is the readability of the text. This is why it never took hold in church use.
English Standard Version
The ESV is a triumph of biblical scholarship. Focusing on a word for word translation and using the latest in textual analysis tools, the scholars of the ESV have produced an amazing translation that is not only readable but focuses on conveying the word for word standard of the King James and NASB. Consider this from the preface to the ESV to help illustrate my enthusiasm for this version:
We know that no Bible translation is perfect or final; but we also know that God uses imperfect and inadequate things to his honor and praise. So to our triune God and to his people we offer what we have done, with our prayers that it may prove useful, with gratitude for much help given, and with ongoing wonder that our God should ever have entrusted to us so momentous a task.
Soli Deo Gloria!—To God alone be the glory!
New Living Translation
If you remember the Living Bible, then you can appreciate what the New Living Translation has done. This is an amazingly relevant translation that will span the test of time. Many churches have adopted its use rather than the ESV because of its amazing readability. What's the issue? It follows, like the NIV, the dynamic equivalence approach of translation. Personally, I have no problem with this, but you cannot interpret the NIV or the NLT without doing exegesis or word studies on the text.
Holman Christan Standard Bible
This Bible is a direct translation from Broadman and Holman publishers. This publishing house is owned by the Southern Baptist convention. The Assemblies of God has yet to come up with their own version of the Bible, but thankfullythe HCSB is a faithful word for word translation on the lines of the KJV, ESV, and NASB. It has shown up mostly in theme oriented Bibles for children, youth, and professions.
As I continue on, let me simply say that if you study your Bible with paper only. You should invest in a study Bible. My recommendation is the ESV Study Bible. You can find it at www.mardel.com ; sometimes cheaper at www.christianbook.com or the publisher's site itself: www.crossway.com The ESV Study Bible has 20000 notes and resources that are a wonderful introduction to all that is good in Christian Theology. With the purchase of any ESV Bible, they also give you a code where you can search online and find many other resources for FREE.
If you prefer to use online and/or phone Bibles, an amazing world of learning and adventure awaits you.
If you are interested in indepth study of Scripture using your computer, Then allow me to direct you to 4 different options. As you look at these, think of them the way you think of automobiles. You don't need them all, you only need 1. It's poor stewardship to have all of them.
E-Sword. This is free and amazing. If you want to save the most money and get the most value, stop here. www.e-sword.com
The next bang for your buck with an amazing interface and many conservative resources is BibleSoft
The next resource is Wordsearch. It has many features with the ability to expand your library as well as a great interface.
The best….by far….is Logos. It's the same in features and price as the ones already mentioned, but you might prefer the interface or focus of the others. As you add resources, however, it becomes more powerful and more expensive: way more expensive. The people at Logos are committed to the primacy of Scripture and have created ways to search and study the Bible that are not available anywhere else (they simply built a better mouse trap) and they charge $$$$ for it. Logos is available for the PC, MAC, and on the Iphone. They are also developing an Android app. I dare you to ask me about Logos Bible Software J
If you are a mac user then I think your problem is solved with logos, but you also might like accordance
If you are a crazy original language study person and refuse to use logos then you should take a look at Bibleworks
Then there's the question of Phones.
If you have a smartphone. You have the ability to read the Bible, your devotions, do word studies and have a Bible reading plan. The question is what kind of phone do you have? If it's an Iphone, you have a wide array of choices. If you use a blackberry or android based phone you can find a Bible and reading plan for your device at:
My favorite is
www.logos.com instant word studies on your phone….do I need to say more? J
many users like:
for a nice dramatic Bible,
There are MANY others. I've just listed the ones I'm aware of. The amazing thing to me is the ability to customize Bible reading plans. This can be done with the top three Bible software programs and some of the phone apps.
E-Readers
If you use an e-reader like Kindle or Nook then you have to buy the individual Bibles. I'm personally partial to Nook Color as it is IN COLOR, and has the capacity mark up text, attach notes, and keep your place as well as recommend what you read through facebook, and twitter
Finally, there is the question of Bible searching
The hands down most popular online searching interface is Bible Gateway. Using "the cloud" keeps you from having to have the Bible on a device like a desktop, laptop, or smartphone, and meets the needs of most people for Bible searching. My preference is being able to search across several versions, which I'm not sure you can do. Bible Gateway has the most online features it appears.
Bible.logos.com I think has the future in view but no customizable reading plans like Bible Gateway
However you study the Bible does not matter, what matters is whether or not, you are studying Scripture. Technology has obviously made it easier for all of us, the question remains whether or not we will. Consider this great encouragement from a writer of Scripture himself.
2 Peter 1:16–21 (ESV)
Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord bless you as you study His word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)