Have faith in God!

I think we all agree, that if there is anything in life that is vitally important,
... then it is Faith!

Why is faith so important?
Because faith is an expression of our relationship with God.

Jesus knew and lived this Himself.
He was always communicating with God,
… and when He found the Temple being used as a “place of trade”
He chased the traders out, and made this statement …

"Is it not written,
'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'?
--- Mark 11:17

The very next day whilst teaching His disciples on praying and believing,
Jesus said this to His disciples …

So Jesus answered and said to them,
"Have faith in God.”
--- Mark 11:22

What was Jesus saying?
Everything starts out of our relationship with God,
And If you want anything to happen, then … "have faith in God!"

Ask God!

James, Jesus’ earthly brother, who obviously knew Jesus’ lifestyle of prayer,
… and Jesus’ relationship with the Father,
taught us on practically living out our relationship with God,
… and the practical application of faith in our lives.

James went on to say how important faith and our relationship with God are,
telling us that …

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,
who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,
for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven
and tossed by the wind.
--- James 1:5-6

James, being very practical, did not assume that we are all super-spiritual,
… but that we all also have expectations as well as doubts,
and therefore tells us in verse 6,
… to ask in faith and don't doubt.

But ...

What does this ASKing in FAITH … actually mean?

Could it mean …

1. To be serious when asking God for a need or want?
2. To ask and expect God to do something?
3. To ask and wait on God to do His Word?

What is this faith, and this asking in faith, all about?

The answer to what faith, and asking in faith, is all about,
… we find summarized in James chapter 1…

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,
for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven
and tossed by the wind.
--- James 1:6

How can “with no doubting” be the answer to what “asking in faith” is?
Glad you asked. :-)
Yes it is not the answer, but the stimulant,
… and therefore the question should be,

What is it that will make you NOT doubt?

Confession? ... Well that will help, but it is not the answer!
Trust? .............. That will help, but itself needs help
Hope? .............. The substance of things hoped for,
…....................... that's close, real close!

Expect God!

The fundamental problem that we have, is that we both,
… generalize and jump to conclusions.
In other words, we stop before we properly start!

When we consider “asking without doubting”, we think of,
… do I doubt that there is a God?
… do I doubt that God will do what He promised?
Etc…
When the answer is much closer to the practical reality!

Well let’s start by looking at what the Bible tells us…

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
--- Heb. 11:1

What is this hope that is the substance to faith?
… obviously that something will happen!

So, "asking in faith, with no doubting",
… obviously means there is an expectation!

What is or should this expectation be?

Let’s read the original question (scripture) again …

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,
who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
--- James 1:5

The answer lies in … If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask …

To get wisdom,
… means you have to "receive" something
If you ask,
… it means you have to "hear" something

Therefore,
You are not going to hear God, even if He shouts at you,
Unless …
… you EXPECT Him to actually answer,
… you EXPECT Him to actually talk to you!

Unless you are in no doubt that God is going to answer you!
Unless there is a real expectation to hear,

For let not that man suppose
that he will receive anything from the Lord
--- James 1:7

Unless you have a real expectation, a hope (in action),
… that God is actually going to answer and talk to YOU!
There is no faith (in action)
You will hear nothing (no matter what God says)
And therefore no answer is received!
… no wisdom from God will be heard!

Hebrews puts it this way …

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
--- Heb. 11:1

for he who comes to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
--- Heb. 11:6

The real expectation that God is God,
… without allowing doubt to distracting you,
you listen for the answer!
… or await the manifestation of the promise!

Because you have a relationship with God,
… and you have heard His voice to you!