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Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Luke 12:27 (New Living Translation)

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Luke 12:27 (New International Version)

Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

Luke 12:27 (The Message)

For we live by believing and not by seeing.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (New Living Translation)

We live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)

It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (The Message)

We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all.

1 Corinthians 8:3 (The Message)

But the man who loves God is known by God.

1 Corinthians 8:3 (New International Version)

But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

1 Corinthians 8:3 (New Living Translation)

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Ephesians 1:4 (New Living Translation)

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Ephesians 1:4 (New International Version)

Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.

Ephesians 1:4 (The Message)

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation,
the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Isaiah 52:7 (New Living Translation)

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7 (New International Version)

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
Breaking the news that all’s well,
proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,
telling Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7 (The Message)

BUILDING STRONG FAITH
I do believe; help my unbelief! Mark 9:24

What would you say about a workout that only took four minutes a day and produced great results? Would you say, “Amazing! Awesome! Wow!”? I wouldn’t say that. I would say, “Baloney!” Yet, the ROM workout contraption (as advertised in all airline magazines) claims to do just that. You can buy one and see for yourself . for only $14,615.00.

In my opinion, there is no short cut to getting in good physical shape. You have to work at it. both in diet and exercise. While the extra weight goes on easily, it does not come off the same way. It takes discipline, determination and follow-through to join the ranks of the physically fit.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS

Just as it is with the physical, so it is with the spiritual. They are no short cuts to spiritual growth and building strong faith. As much as we would like to go from a spiritual baby to a mighty man/woman of faith, we cannot get there in one weekend retreat, or one sermon series, or one Beth Moore Bible study. It takes consistency, discipline and time with the Lord to build spiritual muscle and maturity.

The good news is this: if you will put forth the effort to seek the Lord, you will find Him. God promises, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). If you will come to His gym (prayer, Bible study, worship, church, and discipleship group) day after day with your weak faith, He will transform it over time to strong faith. He wants you to grow. He is for you, not against you. He is looking for those who will get serious about being a true warrior for Christ and a person of God. Are you willing? Are you serious?

LORD, INCREASE MY FAITH

Let me encourage you to ask the Lord to increase your faith . to stretch you and grow you like never before. It may hurt (just like lifting weights can hurt), but it is well worth it. It may seem impossible (just like doing the stair master for 15 minutes on level 10 can seem impossible), but it will bring great results as you remain faithful and committed.

Let me also encourage you in these days of economic uncertainty to “walk by faith and not by sight” in your finances. So many people miss out on God’s blessings because they refuse to believe His promise that if you will honor Him with your finances, He will honor you in return (see Malachi 3:8-12). He says if you will give your tithe (10%) to His kingdom’s work, He will pour out a blessing on you that will be so big you won’t be unable to contain it all. It will literally overflow in your lap! Do you want a blessing like that? Then take Him at His Word and step out in faith . and start today!

By Jeff Schreve

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

Matthew 18:20 (New Living Translation)

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 18:20 (New International Version)

And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.

Matthew 18:20 (The Message)