Faith in Practice

1 Nov 2014 by Robbin Khoo-

 

Quite so often I come across people, both believers and pre-believers, who ask a common question. How do we build our FAITH? Why is it that some have it and some don’t? And even amongst those who have, there are varying degrees within which their faith levels can be noticed. Isn’t this something that is a “given”? Isn’t faith what we have when say we believe? If that be so, then why are many believers still so frightened by fears and phobias?

So, here it is….the consistently sought after question, “HOW do we build our FAITH and keep it sustainable and constantly growing?”

 

 

The answers to the above can be found when we combine some fundamental principles with relevant scriptural verses, and then practice them as a consistent and habitual motion in our lives. Making this practice a regular part of our everyday lives allows it to become the conforming catalyst to the development of our FAITH. This very activity invokes a divine transaction that will take place as we consistently communicate, interact, seek, explore, and implore the intervention of the Lord into all our circumstances. In the flow of this regular activity where we consistently seek the Lord, we learn to now pray for clarity rather than His direct intervention. We pray for revelation for where and how we can actively participate in the “overcome” of our circumstances, and not just bluntly request for the total dependency upon the Lord’s compassion, mercy and grace. We begin to pray with a thankful heart for the privilege to participate and partner the Lord in rising above the challenges in our circumstances.

 

 

Let us take a look at the combination process where we can begin to grow and develop our FAITH in the God we serve.

 

5 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

There could be more but for a start, practice these five fundamental principles regularly until they become a natural habit in your life.

1. Always ask this question whenever someone talks to you, and you sensed that there is somehow an underlying message – “God, was it You who just spoke to me?”
2. Always remember HOW to recognize when God is speaking to us:
   • It can be related back to Scripture
   • God usually repeats it through one or multiple persons
   • The thought comes especially during prayers
   • The desire grows stronger over time
   • It involves the element of RISK or FAITH
3. Always use the BURP prayer method when praying:

• B – BELIEVE wholeheartedly that JESUS died that we might have eternal life
• U – Ask the Lord to help us UNDERSTAND the challenges we face in life
• R – Ask the Lord to REVEAL what we are need to do in facing these challenges
• P – finally, request for the PARTNERSHIP of JESUS

4. Always pray BEFORE you embark on a complex situation, or an important decision
5. Always be THANKFUL for whatever the outcome of our circumstances, knowing we have surrendered them to the Lord

 

 

12 SCRIPTURE VERSES

Here are the 12 scriptural verses I have personally held on to over the last eight years, regularly revisiting these verses with every turn and corners of my life. Enlivening them in the course of my everyday life has been truly fulfilling, none short of a retrospective claim in faith development. Somewhere, somehow I was spirit-led to take this path, and I praise the Lord for that.

 

THE CORE

 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt 6:33)

 

This helps to consistently keep our “eyes upon the Lord.” (Matt 6:33)

 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? (Matt 6:25)

 

This reassures us the Lord has our worries all in the palms of His hands. (Matt 6:25)

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer 29:11)

 

This reaffirms the Lord’s ever presence and interest in our lives, for He has a PLAN for each of us. (Jer 29:11)

 

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Col 3:23)

 

This provides as a timely reminder that whatever we do, we do for the Lord…and at our BEST. (Col 3:23)

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

 

Remembering this will help us maintain a POSITIVE posture and courageously in all circumstances. (Gal 5:22-23)

 

THE REMINDERS

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:6)

 

A common reminder that is so needed in our everyday lives, for on our own, we have an innate weakness to be anxious of what we cannot see or understand. (Phil 4:6)

 

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

 

A reassuring calmness for those of us who constantly work on our love towards God. (Rom 8:28)

 

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

 

A Godly assurance to remain calm and composed even in dire times. (1 John 4:4)

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Cor 13:4)

 

The complementary reminder to God’s Greatest Command about LOVE. (1 Cor 13:4)

 

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor 5:17)

 

A spiritual reminder to re-immerse in His Confidence. (2 Cor 5:17)

 

THE BASE

 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)

 

As a Contingency fall back when we are losing our focus and confidence. (1 Pet 5:7)

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

(Psalm 23)

 

 

As a strong foundation BASE to dwell and meditate upon, constantly. (Psalm 23)

 

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And much of what seemed simple and easy to understand during the earlier parts of my Christian journey, I soon found new depths in the understanding of His Word with this practice. And where I was once indifferent to God’s wisdom, brushing it off that it was no different from that of man, I now stand corrected as the Holy Spirit revealed the truth in my lack of faith.

Today, I find myself growing in faith and in His confidence with each passing day, constantly unearthing new levels of understanding in the correlation and engagement between the spiritual world and that of ours. I pray and hope the following scripture verses would also help you find a relevant posture to propel the growth and development of your faith in the God we serve.

The CORE contains five extremely relevant verses in scripture that has helped me manage my posture with the Lord. The REMINDERS are there for frequent quick referencing and be reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness and promises. These have provided much peace and calmness in dire times. The BASE lends itself every now and then, as the contingency that holds our hearts and eyes steadfast on the Lord that even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil.

Blessed be the name of the Lord in all the earth. And may His Peace transcend upon your lives henceforth, and His Light brightens your paths ahead so that you shall tread forth in His confidence and fear no more. Amen.

 

ABOUT AUTHOR: Since coming to the Lord in 2005, Robbin was introduced to an entire new world of music, the Christian Contemporary Music (CCM). The Lord’s plan for Robbin’s journey in worship was just about to begin. And so by 2007, he was asked to lead worship in the home cell group he was attending. With a God-given passion for music, he found strength in the Lord and perseverance to diligently serve in this role week-in and week-out over the last six (6) years with only some sparing moments of non-availability. God has since expanded his horizon and he now regularly leads worship in his own home cell group, in an FGB (Full Gospel Businessmen) Chapter, in a corporate Christian Fellowship group and also as a choir / singing member of the Resonate team, the resident worship team at DUMC (Damansara Utama Methodist Church). By the grace of God, he also had the privilege to be called to serve in several weddings and funeral wakes. This is his mission calling to share the Lord’s messages in serving God’s community through the field of music and leading worship. And his journey continues…

 

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