Faith For You And Somebody Else

I am typing this message to you while I am in Stamford, CT where it is 19 degrees outside and the expected high is supposed to be 33-34 degrees. I understand that the weather is similar back in Winston-Salem.

Now, as I have said from the pulpit, "We need more postal Christians." By that, I mean that we need to be willing to press our way for the things of God just as we do for the things in the world.

I am so proud of how you have pressed your way on many of a frigid Sunday to gather with the church family when others may have chosen to stay at home.

I can understand the decision although I do not agree with staying away from the church family.

We need to be faithful and being faithful is not just about you. Your faith is also there for someone else.

In Acts 27:22-25, the Apostle Paul faced a storm in his life with others who were not believers and he said the following,

"I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and, indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."

First, your faith needs to be a revealed, not a hidden, faith. We have faith in what we cannot see; but, people need to see that you have faith.

Second, know that your faith in God comes with privileges. God and the ministering servants of God, the angels, know exactly who you are, what you are going through, and how God is going to bring you through it.

Third, know that those around you cannot hinder what God desires for you; but, they may be better for going through it with you.

Finally, live out your faith life in such a way that others will not just be attracted to you but to the one in whom you have faith.

Remember, your faith is for you and for somebody else.

Beloved, I look forward to seeing you this evening as the church family gathers together to hear from Officer Tim Burge of the Winston-Salem Police Department who will be discussing church safety. I expect for it to beneficial discussion for all regarding church and potentially home safety.

Also, do not forget that we will begin HOPE Wednesday (Hour Of Power and Encouragement) next Wednesday at 6:30pm. I will have materials tonight and/or on Sunday. If you want to know what HOPE Wednesday is, it is us taking the creative power of imagination that God has given us to rename or, in my opinion, better name Bible Study.

Our faith in God will grow as we receive more power through the study of the word of God and encouragement to rightly apply it to our lives.

I look forward to seeing you this evening.

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain