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Got Faith? Now Step.

Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

I have been been prompted to read several verses today and all of them were centered around faith, and specifically saving faith.  Faith is such a fascinating concept to me.  What keeps popping into my mind today is the thought of crossing a scary, old-looking bridge.  I either have the faith to step out onto the bridge or I don't.  There isn't anything that can make me have more faith in the bridge from where I stand.  I can stare at the bridge all day long, but I am still seeing it from the same perspective.  The only way to increase my faith in the bridge is to step on it and see if it holds.  Once I take that first step and find myself standing firm, I can then see more of the bridge and a little farther down the road.  I can see the boards of the bridge when I am on it and I can feel its sturdiness.  My faith increases as I move farther along the bridge, feeling its support under my feet.  This is how it is with God.  Faith in God begins with a simple action, trusting enough to take one step.  That one step gives us the opportunities to see the path from a new perspective, to get a feel for what life in Jesus is really like.  We can then begin to increase our faith in Him because we can feel His support and love in just that first step.  As we get farther along the journey, we get to experience more and more of what God offers and our faith is strengthened.  Saving faith is very simply taking that first step in seeing Jesus' work on the cross and accepting it for oneself.  From that one step, our faith is grown as the Spirit leads us from path to path, step by step, on each leg of the journey.  Take that first step and feel the powerful support of the One who made you and has a plan for you.  If you've already taken that first step, what "bridge" is God challenging you to cross today?  Take that first step and see what He can do.

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