Building Faith

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.         5 Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, 6 self-control, patience, devotion to God, 7 concern for others, and love. 8 If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (CEV)   The Apostle Peter encourages us to continuously grow in our faith because he understood so clearly that this growth would strengthen us against the stresses of this world. When we try to follow Peter's advice we can find many encouraging examples in scripture.                How do we add goodness except through a conscious effort to love our brothers.          We know that the inability to forgive hinders all efforts to love.           A beautiful example of the power of forgiveness is seen in Esau's forgiveness              of  his brother, Jacob.          We understand that our Savior expects us to show love beyond the love we have           for our friends and family 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God           reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. Matthew 5:46 (CEV)          An exciting picture of brotherly love is seen in the stranger who stopped to help a          “neighbor” he did not know.  We all know about the "Good Samaritan" and this            group which was viewed with derision is now seen as the prime example of the            way a good man should behave.          Our bible provides for us the “building blocks” we need to improve our faith and           grow in our love of God, but it is up to us to study and use this gift. Every bible           study, Sunday school lesson and sermon provide opportunities to grow in faith.          6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected           knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou           hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6 (KJV)              Self control, patience and devotion to God can be shown in our willingness to           spend time in His word as we prepare ourselves to hear with understanding the            Word as it is presented to us.          15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be           ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)         Peter encourages us to live lives that are useful and meaningful, lives that fulfill           the “Great Commission” (8 If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what           you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful.        Father God we thank you for wonderful teachers and pray that You strengthen         our resolve to do all that we can to be worthy of Your bountiful gifts. Amen.        May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!