Amazing Faith

I am re-reading Jim Cymbala's book, "Fresh Faith" and it has inspired some thoughts within...

Too many in the organized church focus on attendance alone, which has nothing to do with a church's health. It doesn't matter how many people show up at church, what matters is how active their faith is. You can pack a building without pleasing God because numbers do not equal spirituality.

God is not wooed or blessed by fantastic music, quality sound systems, fancy buildings and large crowds. Christ is not known for being impressed by intellect or wealth. Jesus was amazed by one thing: people's faith.

To those on the 'outside', he remarked on their faith remember? The Roman centurion, the canaanite woman pleading for her demon- possessed daughter and could we ever forget the faith of the bleeding lady who touched his hem? He was amazed at their faith and blessed them because of it.

To those on the 'inside' however, he marveled more than once at their lack of faith.

Faith is all we need to unleash divine power. When we lose it, we lose everything and our world crumbles. We get so low in the absence of faith that we believe that we are 'out of reach' 'un-rescuable' and too messy-even for God.

What a shame. If it has been taken from you, get it back and fight for what is rightfully yours!