*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 2019* *THE POWER OF FAITH*

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 2019*

*THE POWER OF FAITH*

TEXT: LUKE 7:1-10.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (LUKE 7:9)._

Faith in God makes great optimists. Over in Burma, a story in the Presbyterian Advance stated that Dr. Judson, a missionary, was lying in a foul jail with 32 lbs of chains on his ankles, his feet bound to a bamboo pole. A fellow prisoner said, "Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen?", with a smile on his face. His instant reply was, "The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God."

The faith of the centurion in the text was described as a 'great faith.' Jesus applauded this kind of faith because he had not seen this kind in Israel. There are several components of the centurion's faith that made it such a marvel. First, he obviously had not been a regular worshipper at the synagogues of the Jews, though he built one to show his kindness and ease relations with the Jews. But he was a Roman soldier and did not know too much of Scriptures. Secondly, he believed Jesus could say the words and his servant could be healed, even if Jesus said it from a distance. Lastly, he rested his mind on Christ's healing ability without any worry or anxiety. Eventually, the servant received divine healing.

From this incident, we conclude that your faith is about how much trust and confidence you have in God's words you have heard and believed. The paradox of unbelief and fear in Pentecostal circles today, despite all the sermons, is clearly worrisome. Worry and anxiety has pushed many believers to remote mountains for prayers, backed up with dry fasting without a strand of faith in it. Simply, we are not putting our faith to work as much as we should. If we believe God's word as much as this centurion, our faith can move mountains.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* Faith is the essential tool for unlocking God's wonders.

COVER TO COVER: ISAIAH 1-4.

*MEDITATION*

Secret of ever increasing faith

1. Take time to regularly read and listen to the word of God including faith lifting testimonies and materials. Faith comes by hearing the word of God v3, Romans 10:17.
2. Be fully persuaded of the unlimited and irresistible authority of Jesus. *No* sin, sicknesses, Satan, spiritual or social storm can resist His authority v8.
3. Do not underestimate the power of fellowshipping and moving with people who have greater faith and deeper relationship with Christ vv3-5.
4. Share your challenges and the need for prayer assistance with people of true faith who truly love you and will be willing to bear your burden in prayers vv3-5.
5. Release your faith by confessing your faith with your mouth in addition to prayers vv7,8.
6. Improve on your faith. At first, the centurion's faith was based on seeing Jesus in his house. Later he dropped that restricted faith and believed the miracle could still happen without seeing Jesus face to face. His faith increased from faith dependent on senses to faith in the word of God only. This is the faith Jesus never saw in any Jew when He was with them vv3, 6-8.
7. Learn to put your confidence on the word of God alone and not on your senses vv7,8.
8. An unwavering faith that is dependent on what the word of God says alone is great faith vv9,10.

HYMN: It's so sweet to trust in Jesus

1. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
2
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.
3
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.
4
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord, teach me to always take your word at face value, and without wavering.
2. Lord, teach me to develop my faith to an ever increasing and a great faith.
3. Lord, give me the faith that is greater than my challenges.
4. Lord, let the Spirit of faith and the power in your word lift our faith to a great faith.