Summary: Faith cannot simply be belief – in God, or in a set of teachings – for “even the demons believe and tremble” (James 2:19). In this show, we discern what faith is, by looking at what it isn’t.<br> Study Audio<br> <br> <br> <br> LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is according to a Augustinian* personality approach.<br> Listen (Receive the Word)<br> Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”<br> Observe (Connect the passage to recent events.)<br> Do you really believe God wants to reward you? What do you think He might want to reward you with?<br> Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)<br> Talk to God about the longings of your heart, how you feel about them, and however you feel about Him in relation to those desires.<br> Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)<br> Jesus, I believe; help my unbelief!<br> .<br> *LOVE the Word™ exercises vary weekly according to the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.<br> Scripture References<br> Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. But faith is not the absence of logic or reason. Faith lays hold of what the senses and reason cannot. Faith in God is necessary, according to Karol Wojtyła’s (John Paul II) doctoral thesis “Faith in John of the Cross,” because God is pure spirit. There is nothing to see, hear, or sense of God at all unless He makes Himself felt, seen, or heard. Humans receive information through their senses. Since He is pure spirit and therefore beyond sense, He must be received and “reached” through faith. Faith is the ONLY way to lay hold of God.<br> James 2:19, Faith is not simple belief in the existence of God or even in a body of teachings, for even the demons “believe” and tremble.<br> James 1:6-7, Although we are instructed to “ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord,” faith is not having faith in the amount or quality of our faith. <br> Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” God rewards faith with Himself and not necessarily with what we want. The Hall of Fame chapter in Hebrews 11 teaches us that things didn’t always work out the way God’s people wanted, and they don’t always work out the way we want, so faith is not trusting in what we want to happen.<br> Daniel 3:17-18, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” Daniel’s friends show us that faith is not trust in our ability to know God’s will. <br> Faith is not faith in the quality or quantity of our faith or trust in our beliefs. It is not believing what we want to happen will happen. Nor is it trust in our ability to read God’s secret will. Faith, quite simply, is trust in God alone: His timing, His provision, His goodness, His answers to our prayers.<br> Psalm 72:18 “Blessed by the LORD, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things.”<br> Episode Resources<br> My newest book with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers: Ignite, Read the Bible Like Never Before, available for pre-order with a 30% discount using code SP...
