Friday, August 13, 2021
“Lord, I want to be a more devoted Christ-follower, so please increase my faith.” I had no idea that was such a dangerous prayer! Why couldn’t You to just say, “Here, take this increased faith!” No, You don’t work that way. Increased faith involves pain. Lord, Your ultimate purpose for me is the increased faith suffering produces in me. Reading Romans and James looking for encouragement, both James and Paul said the same: “Got pain? Let’s party!” (Romans 5; James 1) My first thought — “Are you kidding me?” I calmed down as they expounded on their theology. Suffering has a higher purpose for the Christ-follower than for the unbeliever. Increased faith comes in stages, First, suffering produces perseverance. With You, God, I can make it through this crisis. Perseverance builds character. God comforted me and gave me abundant grace to endure the suffering. He gave me a strength I had not known. Character produces hope. How can I be disappointed by putting my hope in God’s Word? The Lord brought me through my darkest hours. He is true to His Word. Hope in the message of the Gospel, that we can have a personal relationship with God and eternal life through Jesus, develops spiritual maturity and increased faith.
Lord, may I live “dangerously” and be willing to pray for increased faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
THANKFUL 
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