Keep the Faith!Evidence is defined as "something that indicates" or "an outward sign." In acourt of law, the evidence you present to a judge can mean the differencebetween prison and freedom, or in some cases, life and death. In the kingdom ofGod, the evidence you present to your heavenly Father will determine whether ornot you receive from Him the things you desire. When it comes to proving to Godthat you are ready to receive all that He has predestined for you, faith is themost compelling evidence you can present to Him.The term faith is sometimes used as if it means "belief" or "hope." But faith isreally much more than either of these words suggest. According to Hebrews 11:1,"...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things notseen." In other words, faith is knowing that the things you hope for areavailable to you, even when you don't see any outward signs that they exist.Believers often sincerely "hope" that God will help them-- they even pray forhours-- but nothing happens without faith. If you don't understand faith, youwon't know how to operate in God's system.Imagine that you need money to pay your car note. You've tried several options,but they've all failed. Now you're desperate and you need God to "work amiracle" on your behalf. What are your options? You could cry, feel sorry foryourself and say, "I'm a good person. Why doesn't God just help me?" If you takethis approach, God will see you crying and sympathize with you, but His Wordsays,"Without faith it is impossible to please him..." (Hebrews 11:6), so youremotional expression is unlikely to change anything.To get God to act on your behalf, you could choose to pray a traditional"religious" prayer: "Lord, You work in mysterious ways. Please stop by my house,God. Please! Please, Father. Please don't pass me by...." This is the way manypeople pray, but this type of prayer doesn't express faith. It has the form of aprayer, but it lacks the power to produce results. James 1:6 (AMP) says that wemust ask in faith without wavering or doubting.As a Believer, you have the right to receive answers to every one of yourprayers. But the key to getting answers is faith. Whenever you pray or call uponGod to help you, you must present evidence of your faith. For example, if youwant God to show you how to get your car note paid, you have to petition Himcorrectly: "Father, your Word says that You will supply all of my needsaccording to Your riches in heaven. I ask you, Father, to show me how to pay mycar note. I surrender this problem to you, and I know that it is alreadyresolved. I thank You, Father, for answering my prayer." A faith-filled prayerthat is firmly rooted in God's Word will get answers!Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, so build your faith by spending timereading and studying the Word. God's Word (His book of promises) is the evidenceyou must present to receive the answers you need. His Word is your confession.It is the thing you say to Him in prayer, thereby increasing your faith. Pick upyour Bible and find scriptures to match the things you're petitioning God for.Using His Word assures your response.When you know what the Word says about the things you are entitled to receive,you can pray for those things and receive the answers you need. You never haveto beg, plead or bargain with God to have Him answer your prayers. He is movedby your faith in His Word. Show God your faith, and He will show you His love bypouring out His blessings in your life and fulfilling all of the promises Hemade in His Word.
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