Journey of FaithAnd They Will Know We Are ChristiansTheme: Faith

Anchored Verse:

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see Hebrew 11:1

Just like a diesel that ignites an engine for a car to run and reach its destination, we Christians are also driven by the FAITH we have been holding on as we journey to a place we call heaven. It is the driving force of every Christian to combat worldly lures. It is the very reason why we believe in our existence and why we believe in one true GOD that He is real, and that His faithfulness never fails.

As we reflect on our battle cry for the Year of Faith, we take a glimpse of the panorama of a remarkable journey of humanity journey of faith, where we experience the doubts, the courage to act and fight for it, and the rewards for enduring til the end.

I. DOUBTTo one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.--St. Thomas AquinasWe doubt. Given our human limitations, a lot of times we stumbled down into the trap of doubts where awaits uncertainties and our spiritual dryness. God knows that we would be in trouble in living with our faith, and thus He uplifts us by encouraging us to rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4).

Reasons for our Doubts: Unhealthy prayer life Listening false teachings Disobedience Attitude (procrastination, laziness, prideetcetera.) Worldly leisure/pleasures

These doubts eat up or being thus causing us to fail and see the faithfulness that God has in us. We cling to the looming darkness that surrounds us. We lose our stand as well as our direction because we hide ourselves from the light, the true light that is Jesus.

Songs: Some Nights by FUN Dont You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia

II. ACTIONWhere there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith.--Saint Francis Assisi

The love of our Lord proved our faith to be worth fighting for. He chose to die for His sinful people. (Romans 5:8) Lets decide, then, to take the courage of moving our feet towards a giant step in combat of what contempt our faith. Lets pray. Lets defend our faith. Lets continually seek for the truth and of what it takes to give back to God the favor of His unfailing faithfulness. Let us act NOW!

Our Actions to Strengthen Our Faith: (A reflection from Hebrew 11) We pray We seek We strive for righteousness We please God We sacrifice We bless the world We worship God We meditate for Gods instructions We trust We bear sufferings We forgive We cooperate to Gods plan We listen

The small, tiny seed of faith that lives in us needs to be nurtured and nourished for it to grow and reproduce fruits. As children of God, it is our desire to know Him more by serving Him through His people. We are called to stand as soldiers ready and willing to fight for Him. Despite the waves and tribulations that the world offers, may we always have the mind, heart and spirit like Jesus has.

Songs: Always Need You by Melissa Polinar Here I Am by Crisna Marie Lauron I Run to You by Lady Antebellum

III. REWARD

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."--St. Augustine

At the end of our journey, God will lovingly and joyfully show to us that we have not endured our faith in vain. God keeps every promise He make (Proverbs 30:5). We will reap the laudable rewards of our faith. And the greatest of these rewards is to be with Him in eternity. Let us, so, endure the fight and rejoice a claimed victory of our faith! Let us be as happy as when Abraham received the descendants that would belong to him, not because he obeyed the Law, but a promise based on his faithfulness to the Lord (Romans 4:13-25). Lets savor the fruit of peacefulness with God (Romans 5:1) and proclaim to the world our hope of sharing Gods glory (Romans 5:2) as faithful sons and daughters of God.

Our Rewards for being Faithful: ( A reflection from Hebrew 11) We understand that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen We obtain Gods approval Gods happiness Gods deliverance Fulfillment of Gods promises Gods miracles The heavenly country Gods blessings God directs us We gain confidence Appreciate the beauty of suffering We gain strength to do Gods will We enjoy Gods favor We are forgiven Lifes victory Fulfillment of Gods plan for us We take authority Peacefulness We share Gods glory!

As the caterpillar undergoes into a slowly but surely transformation of being a butterfly, so are we as Christians. The step we took on our journey towards faith led us to victory. The Lord always fulfills His promises. Lets bathe ourselves in His love and faithfulness and respond to it courageously holding in our hearts the assurance of His Word.

Songs: I Do Cherish You by 95 Degrees When I Met You by Apo Hiking Society The Victory by Planetshakers

Conclusion:

How happy are those who believe without seeing me! (John 20:29).We need faith. We are privilege to know God and be given the opportunity of being faithful to Him and enjoy the rewards of our faithfulness. God never give up on us and His faithfulness is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrew 13:8) All we have to do is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. Let us not give up like Christ "who did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him Let us never be weary with the troubles along our journey and imitate Jesus as he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross and let us claim Gods assurance of our reward at the end of the race like Jesus who reaped reward when he is now seated at the right side of Gods throne.(Hebrew 12:2). Let us continue our journey of faith. Let us live and share our faith. Let us declare to the world that we are Youth for Christ!

Worship Songs: God in Me Fast Song

To God be the glory!:)