HAVE THE GOD KIND OF FAITH! In the beginning God SAID, "let there be light." And there was light.  Then he SAID "Let the waters gather together into one place and let the dry land appear."  Again, what God said happened!  And then God SAID, "Let the earth bring forth grass, and the fruit tree yielding fruit."  Again, whatever God spoke out in faith...happened!  Have you ever wondered why God SAID these things?  God believed that whatever he spoke without doubt would come to pass. Jesus was the same way. Jesus said, "Be healed" and the person was healed. Jesus believed that what he SAID would come to pass. In Mark 11 Jesus went up to a fig tree to look for some fruit. He did not find any. "Never again will anyone eat the fruit from this tree," Jesus said. The next day the disciples noticed that the tree had dried up down to its roots. They were amazed. Jesus said, have faith in God; If you have faith in God and refuse to doubt you will tell this mountain 'get up' and 'jump into the sea' and it will obey you." "If you have faith, Everything you ask for in prayer will be given to you." We are God's children now. Jesus said that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains. Do we believe him? Faith comes be hearing and hearing by the word of God. As we spend time in Scripture with the Holy Spirit and hearing the word of God preached it builds up our faith. Just like our brother Jesus and our Father God, if we believe and speak it out in the name of Jesus, what we said will come to pass.      The apostle Peter understood the awesome power in the name of Jesus as demonstrated in Acts 3:6.  When a man begged somthing from him Peter SAID "in the Name of Jesus stand up and walk."  Peter then acted upon his confession of faith by grabbing the mans hand and helping him to his feet.  That is the God kind of faith.  Complete confidence that what he SAID would come to pass.      Have you noticed that miracles only happen now "in the name of Jesus."  God does this to confirm that Jesus is his only son as the gospels reveal.  We have never heard of these supernatural miracles taking place in the name of Mohammed, or Budda, or Confuscius or any other name.  These miracles only happen in the name of Jesus because God wants us to understand that Jesus died for our sin thereby making a way of salvation to all who have the faith and love to believe.      In Acts 14 Paul showed that same kind of faith.  In verse three we read the Lord confirmed that Paul's "message about His great kindness was true."  There was a man sitting there [v. 8] who was born with crippled feet.  So Paul "looked straight at the man and SHOUTED, stand up."  The man then jumped up and started to walk around.  Again, Paul spoke out, not doubting, what he believed was possible in Christ and the miracle took place.  This miracle was not only a confirmation that Jesus is the only son of God but also confirmed the wonderful things Paul was saying about God's kindness.  Paul showed the God kind of faith!      Jesus' mom also showed the God kind of faith in Luke 1.  Here an angel appears to her and tells her she is very blessed because the Lord is with her.  The angel tells her that "the Holy Spirit and God's power will overshadow you so that the child will be called the Son of God."  Mary SAID, "I am the Lord's servant; let it happen as you have said!"  And, as described in Scripture, through the power of God [i.e., not knowing a man, Mary conceived Jesus Christ, the Son of God.]  That is the God kind of faith.  Mary went on to SAY that "From now on all people will say that God has blessed me."  And here we are over two thousand years later talking about the faith of this chosen vessel.  Mary SAID what would happen to her and the miracle took place because she had faith in the power of God! I think I should conclude this section on having the God kind of faith with the beloved King David.  Long before David became King he chose to encounter Goliath.  David found out Goliath was challenging Saul's army.  David was outraged that anyone should speak against "the army of the living God."  Accordingly, David TOLD Saul that the same God who delivered him out of the paw of both the bear and the lion would deliver him out of the hand of this uncircumcised Philistine.  David knew the power of God and knew that God was with him.  David approched Goliath and SAID, "You come against me with sword, shield, and spear but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Hosts...  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands and I will kill you and I will take your head from you that everyone on earth may know that there is a God in Israel."  David ran towards the battle line and to this day we know the outcome.  When David spoke out in faith, what he SAID came to pass - not for his glory but so that "all the earth" may know the God of Israel.  That is the God kind of faith!  If you are a born again believer in God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - you too have faith. Yes, YOU!!! I believe that as you reflect and read about God's friends in Scripture your faith will be nourished too. Your faith will grow and you will act upon this word in Jesus name. I encourage you to save this page to review what the Lord has shown you this day. Have the God kind of faith!