PART 1 – UNDERSTANDING FAITH

1. Research and explain the following Hebrew words for Faith

a) Aman (100 words)
The Hebrew word of faith according to Holladay and Vines, "Aman" means “believe, trust
in, rely upon, believe in, have faith or be faithful, have belief, believe, to be certain". More over as
it can be interpreted, in Hebrew 11:1, now faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen (NKJV). Equally important into the life of a true Christian to live spiritually. Faith
is essential as it is the reason why we believe unto our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Faith is a gift
of God that we can rely only to him.
b) Mibtah (100 words)
From Holladay, “Mibtah” is another Hebrew word in Old Testament related to faith it
means “trust, confidence or confidence… security.” It comes from the Hebrew word “batah"
meaning as be full of confidence. Mibtah can be found in Psalm 40:4; “Blessed is that man who
makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies” (NKJV).
The full confidence of a saved person can only be found in the trust of His Saviour, the author and
finisher of his faith.
c) Yahal (100 words)
Another Old Testament Hebrew word related to faith is “Yahal". It means wait, tarry for,
and wait for equalling hope for", according to Brown, Driver and Briggs. “Yahal” is used in Job
13:15 (NKJV) by Job about God; “though he slay me, yet will I trust Him”. This shows Job’s
awaiting in God's challenge to calm down, being assisted in abiding of Job's place as God's servant.
In the same way, when a child of God is to look upon the coming of His Savior Jesus Christ, the
child will reason him/herself to wait upon God— to address “Yahal".
d) Emunah (100 words)
The word “faith" in Habakkuk 2:4 is the Hebrew word “emunah". Vine says, the basic
meaning of emunah is “certainty” and “faithfulness”. Brown, Driver, and Briggs say that the
context of Habakkuk 2:4 means “faithfulness, trust”. Elwell says, “The old testament defines faith
as resting, trusting, and hoping in the Lord, cleaving to Him, making Him our shield and tower or
taking refuge in Him. The New Testament regards the self-despairing hope, world renouncing
obedience. On this note, faith is vast and deep proving that it is not ours but God's present to His
chosen people, way back history up to posterity.

2. Research and explain the following Greek words for Faith

a) Pistis (100 words)
The Greek word “Pistis" of faith means a word that denotes a faith in Christ without any
modicum of physical sight. “Faith" is not a mere “trust". For trust (in Greek, Pietho) is something
anyone can have, Christian or not because it is something based on evidence and available to one's
physical sight; according to Mark Ward. True enough, Pistis faith is what a real Born Again
Christian has. For God is spirit, unseen and mysterious to many people. And so, Pistis faith is when
we truly believe even if it is so unbelievably intangible. That is why we are called to live by faith
and not by sight, 1 Cor. 5:7(NKJV).
b) Hypostasis (100 words)
Faith in Hebrew 11:1 largely depends on how we perceive the word “substance". In
Greek it is hypostasis, literally “a standing under”, or “that which underlies what is apparent “.
Hypostasis is the unseen supports of what is standing in clear view–according to John W.
Ritenbaugh. For instance, you can’t see the foundation of a building. Yet you see the towering
building standing so firm, and so there you believe that the foundation is real. When the building’s
foundation is unnoticeable to us, yet the building itself is visible in our eyes, it supports that its
existence is true. We may not see God, but we see Him changing many lives, validating that He is
real.
PART 2 – RESEARCH
QUESTION 1
Read and research on the “The Titanic” and explain how they had misplaced
Their faith and believed and hoped in the wrong thing. Explain. (300 words)
“The Titanic"
The Titanic was a luxury British steamship that sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912
after striking an iceberg, leading to the deaths of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. The Titanic
was believed to be built as an unsinkable ship that could not be defeated by the laws of nature. As
befitting of this first transatlantic crossing of the world's most celebrated ship, many of the
passengers are high ranking officials, wealthy industrialists, dignitaries and celebrities. With that
for a reason many people trust into the ship, unto the captain and engineers, thinking there will be
no harm to them at all. People inside this ship maybe so happy to have that experience as a record
in their lives. When the nightmare of Titanic started to happen, I may not be on that actual situation
but if I were there, obviously it will be so frightening. In Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NKJV) says; “Vanity
of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Definitely, no matter what a
man has in his life, when face to death, everything in its carnality will be so worthless. The so-
called unsinkable ship sank, killing hundreds and thousands of souls. When titanic sinks, there are
life boats that can hold 65 passengers but only of those were 28 aboard. The scenario was just so
disorderly catastrophically, troublesome in illustration that I can say, it is too much to explain.
People began to trust on their own selves finding way to survive. They put their trust into the
captain and engineers and the ship, leaving them so hopeless in the end. True enough that when
we put our faith into earthly things and hope for which is not everlasting, will fall into tragedy,
because the world is betrayal.
QUESTION 2
Read and research on the movie “The Perfect Storm” and explain how faith was
Misplaced and what it led to. Explain. (300 words)
“The Perfect Storm”
Base on a true story, on October 1991, the ship Andrea Gail, sail unto sea of Gloucester,
Massachusetts. The crew heads up to their normal fishing ground of Newfoundland, leaving a
tropical storm behind them. Along there fishing, there ice machine breakdown that compels them
to decide whether to go back or to go into the building storm or just wait for the storm to calm.
The crew decided to risk to the storm. However, in between Andrea Gail and Gloucester are two
powerful weather and hurricane. Then there the Perfect storm that ever happened in history takes
place. The Andrea Gail faced 40 foot waves and broken stabilizers and the crew struggles so much
to sail along the storm. Concentrating unto the faith that the crew lend unto their own
understanding, strength and capabilities. They create their plan in sailing through even from the
very beginning, inspired by their pride and selfishness. Putting their own faith into themselves,
causing them to be in a perfect storm. Struggle of unity and helping hand in the midst of storm.
They thought of themselves they are enough to manage their future 10 seconds, putting a selfish
faith, as long as in the end, they can get money and honor from their fishing journey. Another
thing, in life, if we put our faith in ourselves (talents, skills, degree, or pride) surely the Perfect
Storm will follow. Jon Reeves says; an unusual intense storm pattern catches commercial
fishermen unaware and puts them in mortal danger. If we will put our faith in our own, it is not
just that the spiritual life gets messy, there is danger that might happen outside. And that is beyond
our control. It should be that whenever we do things, everything that we do we will trust alone in
our Saviour’s promise. Not in our own wisdom.
QUESTION 3
Read and research on the life of Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA and what
Steps of faith he had to take to become the person he is today. (300 words)
“The life of Ingvar Kamprad”
Ingvar Kamprad, the IKEA founder who turned a small scale mail order business into a
global furniture empire. Kamprad was a precious entrepreneur. He grew up in a poor family in a
village. His grandfather died shooting itself by gun, afraid of being burdened in debt. Ingvar even
have dyslexia that angered his father for not studying but he proved it that he can do better. In the
age 17 years, he had started selling match boxes to neighbors from his bicycle. He found that he
could buy them very cheaply from Stockholm and sell them at a low price but still make a good
profit. From matches, he explored to selling fish, and etc. In 1950, Kamprad introduced furniture
into his catalogue. Getting positive response, he soon decided to go for furniture business by
discontinuing all other products. Hence IKEA was formed. Here it is visible that Kamprad got
whether he will be successful or not but he by step try to do the opportunities that goes in him. In
his life quotes says; saving money is one way of serving God. In Christian life, we should live truly
by faith that even if we don't see things ahead, we will go on and press on to glorify our fathers
heaven, no matter if it takes persecution because of the truth the we hold– through the ups and
downs of life. He got so much rough roads in life yet still believe that sometimes what’s real is
something that cannot be seen and he go farther into his successful career. Success in material
things is not the guarantee in our faith of Jesus Christ alone, it is that the more we desire him, the
more we will grow in worship to him. Jesus deserves honour, which is why faith is granted to his
children.

PART 3 – THE DEVIL’S STRATEGY

The Devil will always find ways to diminish our faith in God. Explain each of the
Following strategies in your own words according to the video SATAN IS A TOAD
On our ONE VOICE MINISTRIES YOU TUBE CHANNEL (click the link).
a) Tempter (100 words)
Satan is a tempter, Matthew 4:7(KJV) “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt
not tempt the Lord thy God". Satan did not just even tries to tempt the save people of God, he even
tempted my lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Satan uses the world as his bait to test us into his trap
causing us to sin against God. Like whenever we get into a place where we are surrounded with
ungodly people, he tries to whisper to do the same thing the world is doing. That is why knowing
Satan as a tempter is a good weapon to fight against his plans.
b) Oppressor (100 words)
Satan is an oppressor, 2 Cor. 11:114(KJV) says; “And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light.” Satan thinks of himself greater, which he is not because he is
the father of lies. He overpowers those children of God telling them to follow the fake comfort he
has because he got the whole rotten experience that he can offer to anyone. He tells people, they
can do nothing and do not have purpose in life. Just like suicides, he crushes those that are weary
and broken, grinding them into sorrow so that he might gain them.
b) Accuser (100 words)
Satan is an accuser. John 8:44, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry
out you father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for the us
no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Satan got all lies to tell that it's all your fault, you have to be blame, and that may result to man,
drawing far away from God. He charge things to God’s people, even it was already being thrown
by God and it was all his schemes.
c) Destroyer (100 words)
Satan is a destroyer. John 10:10 (KJV), “The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill and
to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Satan
destroys our faith in a way that he whispers all his lies. He do not want us to grow and know more
in Jesus Christ because the enemy knew that if we get to grow in our Christianity, we will be more
like Christ. He do not want God to be lifted because Satan wants to be above our God. He wants to
destroy our relationship with Jesus Christ.

PART 4 – VIDEOS
In order to grow our faith to the next level, we must always challenge ourselves
to do new things. Go to our ONE VOICE MINISTRIES YOU TUBE CHANNEL (click
the link). Watch the following videos and explain in detail what you have learnt.
a) FINDING FAITH (PART 1/6) – THE BLIND MAN AT SILOAM (400 words)

Growing in faith is essential in a Christian life and the fact that faith is a substance
that supports the unseen, if I don't want to be eager in studying the scriptures how can I
build my level of faith? In this video, I learned so much, as in. Before I was thinking a
wrong thought that, because I am a Christian and God loves me, it might be just okay for
God that I will stay average in my faith. So again, I was reminded that yes, God don't want
his children being stock. He wants my level of faith to grow not for me to feel better but so
that I can worship Him more. In my Christian life, I can say that it was not me who moved
and do things so that I can understand the sovereignty of God. It was God himself that
acted and change my mindset. And instead of living a life in darkness, he appeared to me
in light because He is light. And that Jesus knew me from the very beginning that I am a
sinner and spiritually blind ever since from my mother’s womb. Just as it was said, “God
can work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedy, but is doesn’t mean he orchestrated
tragedy.” Indeed, Jesus is Holy, he has no sin, and nothing in Him is evil. We cannot
question His supremacy. Salvation is when a man is being granted by God a heart of
recognizing that he is blind, he is in need of help from a prophet and a man that do the will
of God– no other than Jesus. And when he heard the good news of Christ, he was granted
faith and now worship in the name of Jesus. And it doesn't end there because as when we
were being open from blindness, we see Jesus in a manner we did not see Him before. And
that is continuous ln a Born again Christian. In my journey, I know God has sent me in
Issachar Academy for me to grow more in faith of Jesus. Even in my personal devotion,
God is helping me in my nourishment. Now I have to behold upon Jesus in faith, more and
more and more even until eternity. Because how can a man worship a God he did not know
about? Knowledge of God brings more faith and It leads to worship.
b) FINDING FAITH (PART 2/6) – THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD (400
Words)
 In my life before I was converted into believing of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Personal
Savior, I was like this woman with issue of blood. Not literally with an issue of blood but knowing
the fact that I also suffered some of the suffering she experienced in her life. And yet it was all
about having faith in Jesus Christ at the end. Starting from my age of 7, I started growing up in a
broken family, a complicated state of my parent’s marriage. My father suffered tuberculosis 10
years ago because of his cigarettes and compels him of not having his works, in medication that
he need to standby. And so my mother worked afar, substituting my father in the family’s
providence. Growing up without a mother was hard, it was emotionally challenging to me that
whenever I have to go on stage and get my awards, I don't have her. I have no one to pick me up
in school, no one to be with me in our school camps or activities. We suffered financially for my
father’s maintenance, and the sustenance of every day living. It affected my life socially, I am
afraid of getting bullies that my father is sick and mother was issued of having other man outside.
I suffered them all even in my young age. Until such glorious Savior of mine came into my life. I
heard about the gospel of Him. I know it was God in heaven granted me that faith to fully believe
in Jesus that he will fix my life and heal me from my brokenness. Not just for my fleshly suffering
to cease but I know, when I will follow Jesus, I will have that peace I never had before. Even if
having faith in Jesus may not be a guarantee that my family will reunite or will be rich materially,
I know that following Him in faith is setting aside those things and focus only to him. Indeed,
many miracles happened in my life, spiritually. I got peace, forgiveness and love in my heart. All
because God cause me to step out in faith. Now that I am already possessed by Jesus, the faith in
my heart will continue in believing and being certain that He got more in store of my life.
b) FINDING FAITH (PART 3/6) – THE FROGFISH AND THE STOAT (400 words)
It is certainly impossible for a man to believe in a living glorious God without faith. In line
with this, in Romans 10:17(NKJV), “So then Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word
of God.” The Gospel of Jesus produces faith and even so it is necessary for the People of God who
found their first faith from the Gospel to continue in seeking Him and find faith only through Jesus
Christ alone. As the animals in the animal kingdom has its own way of catching its prey even if it
take hardships and tricky strategies. So is the Armies of God, we know the way of having food–
that is reading and studying the scriptures. Though there are times it’s hard to get up and open the
bible, life offers discouragement for us to not continue in knowing Jesus more, or even the
emotional high is fading. But no, we need to be persistent and laboriously strive in the midst of
Gods love to grow in faith at Him alone. God’s mercy every morning is new and His love is
steadfast. Our struggles are temporary. And obeying Christ is not of feelings or emotions. Seeking
God and the love of desiring Jesus more should be in our prayer. Faith grows in no other way,
unless we know our God. The reality of who is God cannot be determine just by experience. It is
only through the scriptures, our daily spiritual food. We need to find our wisdom in living
Christianity by our faith alone in Christ. Moreover, we should remember that even our salvation
is by Faith alone in Jesus Christ. When the frogfish slowly approaches unto its food, it got the
whole lot of his food. I learned that even if the change in our life is not once at a time, but yes
when we step out in faith gradually, it will not fail us to know Jesus enough. And while the stoat
dances around his food to catch it by entertaining, I learned that we should keep ourselves
entertained in the supremacy of God, on how God uses his full authority in his creation, whether
he allows challenges or not, and their the faith will results us to have more in Him. I have to be
diligent in having faith to him because I need Him. And the more will I step out in faith, the more
I will I get to know of who He is as a living God.
d.) FINDING FAITH (PART 4/6) – HUDSON TAYLOR (400 words)
James Hudson Taylor in his life, for sure truly understands the significance and beauty of
the Gospel that he took a step of faith in obedience in God to be a missionary. Even in his
young age, he seek God earnestly. In here I was informed that in the lives of Christians, in our
every decisions can be a step of faith. Backtrack, when I was a martial artist of tong-il moo do,
I was held under by a cult group. The martial arts itself taught me self-defense and even found
 some of my skills. But disappointedly, this non-government organization that take over the
martial art I am in is cult. They worship a mother god and a father god. I knew it was cult and
being under their some practices was so wrong. But that time I hardened my heart because I
excelled so much in that sport. I went through regional, and national competitions and bring
home the pride of my homeland, and fame in my name. But God is so gracious and merciful
to me that one time as I was having my devotional, he convicted me in his word about the sin
I am in. In 2 Cor. 10:3(NKJV), “for though we walk in flesh, we do not war according to the
flesh.” It enlightened me that as a Christian, the battle we declared against is not of flesh to
flesh but of spirit, so why is this things matters to me to go and fight and win a tournament that
only glory to a false God. Then there I decided to quit being undertook by them. It was my step
of faith. Though it was hard on the first time, it cause me to weep both from the joy of peace
and pain of withdrawing what my flesh wants. It even took some time for me to fully recover
from the pain that I went through in the sense that I already built a friendship to them. But all
it was for the Glory of God alone. Also, faith in Jesus Christ alone, impact many lives. And
when I came in point to understand enough of Jesus, I value the life of other people, telling
them about Jesus for who he is in the scriptures. It no longer matters to me what people says
about, but I will follow my Savior by faith.
e) FINDING FAITH (PART 5/6) – PAUL AND THE ESCAPE FROM DAMASCUS (400
words)
Unless a person knows his Gods attributes, he will grow in faith and a way to find that out is when
a person delights in studying Gods word. If a person says that he don't need theology, he don't
need books from people that God used mightily, or when he says he don't need the counsel of
pastors or anybody from God– he will not grow in faith unto his Savior. Because that person may
think that his interpretations about God is enough. In this note, that is why we need our support
system for our perception in Christian life of faith. We cannot grow alone, no man is an island.
God is using His word, telling us who He is so that we will come to increase in faith alone in Him.
And those people that surround us was not given to us mistakenly by God. And yes we need to
discern those people that knows the biblical Gospel so that we can grow in truth. Our support
system or assistance can determine how our life in faith grows. If our support and assistance are
from people who are so self-centred, we probably cannot come into the knowledge of Christ.
Leaving as faithless. If our support system are those people whose lives were grounded upon the
satisfaction of the finish works of Christ, then there, whenever we will go through the point of our
shortcomings and doubts, they may lead us into the truth of Jesus, that His grace is sufficient for
us. We needed those people that are use by God for the protection or safety of His sheep. In here,
Gods love is demonstrated. Think of that when he sent his only begotten son to die for the payment
of sins in the world. In addition to that, our faith will grow because we perceive that it is not us
who are being faithful but it is God. That when we painstakingly seek more of him, He will reveal
himself. And faith will grow. As a body of Christ, we will grow together in the faith of Christ,
even if we differ from different levels of faith. If we become so selfish, thinking that we don’t need
the basket, the window and rope, then we will be damned because we set aside the things that are
by and for Christ, and think of our own capacity.
f) FINDING FAITH (PART 6/6) – RHODA (400 words)
This video is amazing, showing me real signs of faith. First of all, when a person prays,
that is not a sign of real conversion into real Christianity because even the unconverted person
prays. Though I am not telling that the disciples aren't save, but it is just to clarify that first thought.
If I would to compare the life of this simple servant named Rhoda and the disciples, I can discern
what a genuine faith is. I hear many people misuse the word of faith. They think that faith is
something that they have to earn so that they could have it. In John 3:27(NKJV), “John answered
and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” Faith is a gift, and can
grow only when a person continue to seek God. To the disciples, yea they prayed, they spoke in
tongues and maybe this people are so ministy-oriented. But when the time comes that something
impossible in the eyes of man yet possible in the hands of God happened, it reveals that they seems
to be not having of faith. And I can conclude that truly when apostle Matthew in Matthew
7:21(NKJV) says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” meaning there are some people who proclaim
and know Jesus yet don't really put their faith in Him, causing them be unknown to the father in
heaven. In 2 Corinthians 13:5(NKJV) says that, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the
faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed
you are disqualified”, every Christians should examine their self. God is not looking unto our
works, he is searching much deeper in our hearts if do we truly find our faith only in Jesus. As I
look in the life of Rhoda, even if she is just a mere servant, when she ran towards the disciples
without seeing that it was really Peter, it proves her totally pure childlike faith. As I heard a pastor
once said; “God is more interested in the minister, rather than the ministry.” We should not look
upon doing more good works, but growing more in the heart of desiring Jesus. And God will
miraculously pour out a blessing of faith.
g) GREAT FAITH (PART 1/6) – A HEBREW PERSPECTIVE (400 words)
So “Emunah” is to hope and cleave unto God. Now, one of the things that comes into in my mind
when it comes to hoping and cleaving is “Abraham” our father of faith. It was when Abraham had
fully hope and cleave unto God, that God will fulfill his promise unto him, giving him a son. It
was not that easy unto Abraham to wait upon Gods fulfilling of his promise. It even begins unto
Abraham to doubt and just laughed about it. But because it was already in the plan of God that the
Savior Jesus Christ will come unto his loins, God let the heart of Abraham verily have the
expectation and encouragement to look forward on having a son. From all the daunting feelings
he had, Abraham presents an emunah faith- like an ox, water, nail, sea and a standing man. In
Romans 4:20(NKJV) says, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was
strengthened in faith, giving glory to God”. We know, God is a faithful God, when he promised
to redeem his people, he did exactly as it is, sending His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, as a
perfect atonement. Now if God did that even to me, a very wicked person, how amazing is that.
And so many true Christians can come into learning that we should continue to be strong and bold
in Christ, no matter if the world will persecute us because of our faith. We should be immovable
that when the lies of Satan tries to trap us, we may not be deceive. Let us be rooted in Jesus that
was nailed on the cross and bore our sin. He is our strong tower. And when we continue to declare
our faith, the victory of Jesus to the cross over our sins, the world and Satan– it will make our light
shine. Because Jesus is the only light a true Christian can possess. In Matthew 5:17(KJV), says,
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which
is in heaven”. When having this in our lives as Christian, we can show to them that through our
faith as clue that He is real. And it will be unto generations because that’s the only thing we can
leave as a legacy, our faith in Jesus. Moreover, emunah faith is when we hope and cleave in the
coming of Jesus, because He promised to come again.
h) GREAT FAITH (PART 2/6) – A GREEK PERSEPECTIVE (400 words)
For me faith is so complex to understand if we look it deeply, and glory to God for giving
me understanding and using Issachar. The words “Pistis” and “hypostasis”, was a prior research
of the activity. Doubtlessly, faith is a heavenly gift. What a wonderful lovely being that could give
this to a sinner like me. Real faith is unshakable, and steadfast. Though it may be challenged and
tested but if that faith is founded to Jesus, it will not be moved. It will not make a person stumble.
Faith is found in the word of God, challenged in the word of God, persevere in the word of God,
and most especially, grow in the word of God. That is why we need to devote unto the word of
God because the word of God is living. Hebrews 4:12(NKJV), “]For the word of God is living and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We must be
under the word of God because it is true and reliable. Not just even to go under the word but to
stand under word, meaning we should not be subjected into uncertainty but of certainty. Standing
in the word of God, is not just holding to what you believe in your doctrine and what your
knowledge stores, but standing in the word is when you practice your every day lifestyle plotted
in the word of God. When our faith is being questioned, we can know for sure that we can answer
because we stand under the word of God. Not will it just profit us to win an argument over Satan’s
lies but we can show to other people that we are centered of the truth. And I know for sure, God
will make us steadier. And forget not, that it is the simple faith that makes us strong. Like a
childlike faith, not being skeptical. God will faithfully, show us his perfect faithfulness fulfilling
all that he has said on who he is in the bible that will result us bowing in him and worshiping him
alone. Jesus must be the ultimate source of our faith because in him life is found. Even if we cannot
see the things ahead of us, let us remember that God already sees the future.
i) GREAT FAITH (PART 3/6) – UNHEARD OF WONDERS IN THE WORLD (400
words)
Oh when I look upon and ponder from the creation, no words can utter Gods greatness in my
mouth, it just cause me to kneel down and worship Him. The creation really speaks of who God
is. Backtrack in this quarantine time, I got sick. I had fever, cough and cold that even alarmed us
here the symptoms of COVID. I was not worried that time, but in some days my body was just so
weak. Thankfully, after 3 days my fever was gone, I still have my common cold and cough but I
now manage my body to work and move around. And in that Saturday night, I decided not to join
our church’s Sunday service because I might scare my brethren, instead I would hike into the
mountain and do my solitude worship and devotion to God’s word. So it happened, I hiked alone
for 1 hour and 30 minutes. And when I arrived at the tippy top of the mountain, I was found
speechless. I saw the sun shining so bright, the calm blue sea, the fogs covering up the foothills,
the green color of the land covered with trees–showing the overview of Bohol. I heard the birds
singing, the butterflies and dragonflies flying and so many others things. And so I looked up into
heaven and cried “Lord what is in me that you chose me!” It is beyond imaginable how can a so
great God who created all this wonderful things so good, will be an author and finisher of my faith.
Now, I know that He is a God so loving, so gracious, so merciful, so perfect, even he sent his Son
Jesus for me, that granted me faith– will do mighty things in me spiritually and I believe. What an
amazing God who created things just by speaking it into existence! He deserves glory, honor,
praises, thanksgivings, he deserve to be lifted up and be worship because who He is, is too
wonderful for words that I can have more and more of Him, even unto eternity. I am a sinner who
deserves nothing of him, I do not even deserves Jesus because I am so wicked, filled of sin. And
in his own great love and justice He sent my rescue that I could see Him and worship Him. Now
if everything exist to lift up Jesus, then I should pray to God that He may make my desire for Him
increase and grant me faith to continue into believing that He is everlasting beautiful.
j) GREAT FAITH (PART 4/6) – ELINOR YOUNG (400 words)
I learned that faith alone in Jesus Christ, will impress us to share no other than the source
of our faith and the good news that all the people needs– the Gospel. As I can see in the life of Ms.
Elinor Young, that even if she is a physically disabled person, it did not prevented her to serve the
Lord. Really, God did not chose us because something in us is good because the truth is that
nothing can be found good in us. We are dead because of sin. God chose us as it pleases Him. God
can even use a rock to do a thing for Him. But He just chose us. Even if Elinor is physically
challenge– she was used by God mightily. He says in John 15:16(NKJV), “ ]You did not choose
Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should
remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Jesus was already there
standing in the day of creation. It is all because of Jesus that we are saved. And it should be all
because of Him that we will do this things he called us of. Now our faith of Him can produce great
desire of us to share the Gospel into all the nations. And no matter what challenge we may go
through, let us be reminded to have faith in Him. Not literally because we want everything in our
lives the wellness and betterment of anybody, then we will follow. But it has to be because we
wanted Christ himself. If that is the crave of every true Christian, surely he will hear his children’s
prayer. He will answer. And knowing this things, we have to keep up the solid faith. God can do
many things, he can change many hearts because no one can change a man except Himself.
Trusting God is so important that we might succeed in our missions for God. Like Elinor, her
situation is not a hindrance. Therefore, we should not be corrupted by the things that temporary
and let us focus to Jesus. God saves people because he is a savior and that he deserves to be
glorified. Let us share the Gospel many people, may glorify God. Trusting is God is knowing that
apart from we can do nothing. Great faith will come along as we persevere.
k) GREAT FAITH (PART 5/6) – THE CENTURION (400 words)
In my experience, before I was truly converted in to real Christianity, probably when I was
still a kid, I have this kind of attitude being so “studyholic.” Now, studyholicity, is a term that
many people in the Philippines use to describe someone who study too much. And true, I am so
affectionate in my study before, that I can give all of my time to have grades. I am so competitive,
I always wanted to be on top. Until one point in my high school life, being so decomposed of
study, I suffered depression and para suicidal attempt. An instance was that, in one week of having
consecutive days of reporting, role play and some reposts, dance classs, and etc. I was bombarded
with so many responsibilities being appointed as a group leader in all the groups. It was hard,
because my family was not their to help me and support me. Yet God was merciful to me. When I
was about to think of taking the knife I do not have any fear, I wanted to what I am doing. But in
a sudden something pops up in, I immediately feel a fear of facing death. Now I was not yet a real
born again Christian there that time, though I grew up in church, I did not grew up in Christ. IN
short I became a Christian. Eventually, now that I have been opened by God the father and believe
about the Gospel of Jesus and its essentiality, the real changes in me started just happening. I
always now love reading his word and studying it. I was able to read in John 4:14 says, but whoever
drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will
become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” In His word, I found
assurance of being satisfied. I see that his power is so spiritual that only his elect can understand.
Truly, when I hear about the good news which is Jesus Himself, I never thirsted again. The
authority and power in the words of Him, is the contentment that my spiritual life needs. Jesus
now shows me that He brings his freedom from to the bondages of sin. He broke the culture that
was clinging in unto my life. The fact that we need to study the scriptures is real, and we need to
be sensitive on the word of God. Because Satan is also a whisperer and if we do not read Gods
words, we might not recognize the voice of Him.
l) GREAT FAITH (PART 6/6) – THE SYROPHONECIAN WOMAN (400 words)
Faith matters because it will lead us in our total to dependence in an omnipotent God.
Without faith we cannot call upon the name of God. And like this syrophonecian woman, she puts
her faith upon Jesus that He can heal her. And she call upon the name of the almighty Jesus as
Lord, showing her reverence into Jesus. We see then, that our reverence to Jesus is important
because we are not just calling unto someone normal. Jesus is a supernatural Glorious being. And
in the sense that when we call unto Jesus, and he seems to be silent in can be demonstrated that in
reality, when we pray unto God and appears as that he is not answering, we should not be
discouraged. You see, praying or calling upon the name of God, is not that you pray because you
wanted your prayer to be granted immediately. That’s not it. You pray because you know in
yourself that you cannot do anything, and you are entrusting your request to him. Entrusting is that
even if your prayers will not be granted, you will still know that He is God and says, “God is
enough.” That is real faith in prayer. And if that happens unto our lives multiple times, it is a way
for us to acknowledge that there is no reason for us to seeking Jesus in our lives. Let us again and
again, run unto Jesus because in our lives as true Christians is that; “Jesus is not our last option,
He is our only option.” We do not come to him because he is the last thing we can go through, but
because he is the only one we can go through, primarily. Let us be reminded that the word of God
is never silent on telling us who Christ is, only when we remember to open and read and study the
bible. Let us set aside, earthly desires. We should not grab Jesus so that we might gain the healing
of our earthly survival. Rather by faith alone in Jesus, let us continue to behold him, because He
himself I a healer and worthy to be praise. Faith is tested, and if is a biblical faith, it will hang on
even if what waves will come through because Jesus is the author of that faith. Jesus never fails.
Like that woman, let us wait upon Jesus by faith.