How can I have Faith?

How can I have faith?

• There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle The other is as though everything is a miracle. --Albert Einstein

Dear Nicky….• I now have hope where previously there

was only despair. I can forgive now, where before there was only coldness. God is so alive for me. I can feel him guiding me and the complete and utter loneliness which I have been feeling is gone. God is filling a deep, deep void

Dear Nicky….• I now have hope where previously there

was only despair. I can forgive now, where before there was only coldness. God is so alive for me. I can feel him guiding me and the complete and utter loneliness which I have been feeling is gone. God is filling a deep, deep void

• I felt like hugging everybody in the street. I cannot stop praying, I even missed my bus stop today because I was so busy praying on the top deck

You know….• When someone becomes a Christian he

becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun– 2 Corinthians 5:17

You know….• When someone becomes a Christian he

becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun– 2 Corinthians 5:17

• To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– John 1:12

You know….• When someone becomes a Christian he

becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun– 2 Corinthians 5:17

• To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– John 1:12

• I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life– 1 John 5:13

QuestionnaireWould you have described yourself as a Christian at the beginning of the course?

Sort of Possibly, yes think so Not sure Probably ‘ish’ Yes- though looking back possibly no No- a semi-Christian Verging on it

How can I know God personally?• Jesus said ‘repent and believe’

• Mark 1:14-15

How can I know God personally?• Jesus said ‘repent and believe’

• Mark 1:14-15– Turn from sin (repent)

How can I know God personally?• Jesus said ‘repent and believe’

• Mark 1:14-15– Turn from sin (repent)– Have faith (believe)

How can I know God personally?• Jesus said ‘repent and believe’

• Mark 1:14-15– Turn from sin (repent)– Have faith (believe)– Ask (receive)

The Word of God

Feelings change… facts don’t

The Word of God

Feelings change… facts don’t

Facts

The Word of God

Feelings change… facts don’t

FaithFacts

The Word of God

Feelings change… facts don’t

FaithFacts Feelings

The Word of God

Feelings change… facts don’t

FaithFacts Feelings

The Word of God

Feelings change… facts don’t“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods.” C S Lewis

FaithFacts Feelings

Opening the door

Opening the door• Here I am! I stand at the

door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in

– Revelation 3:20

The Work of Jesus

The Work of Jesus

The Work of Jesus

The Witness of Holy Spirit • If God himself has taken up residence in

your life…. You yourself experience life on God’s terms– Romans 8:9

The Witness of Holy Spirit • If God himself has taken up residence in

your life…. You yourself experience life on God’s terms– Romans 8:9

• It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself?– Romans 8:10

The Witness of Holy Spirit • When God lives and breathes in you… you

are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!– Romans 8:11

The Witness of Holy Spirit • When God lives and breathes in you… you

are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!– Romans 8:11

• So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!– Romans 8:12-14

Fruit of the Spirit• Love• Joy• Peace• Patience• Kindness• Goodness• Faithfulness• Gentleness• Self control

– (Galatians 5:22)

Changes?

Changes?• New love for God

Changes?• New love for God• Desire to read the bible

Changes?• New love for God• Desire to read the bible• Sense of forgiveness

Changes?• New love for God• Desire to read the bible• Sense of forgiveness• New concern for others

Changes?• New love for God• Desire to read the bible• Sense of forgiveness• New concern for others• Enjoy worshipping God

Changes?• New love for God• Desire to read the bible• Sense of forgiveness• New concern for others• Enjoy worshipping God• Desire to meet with other

Christians

New lifeThis resurrection life you

received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.

It’s adventurously expectant… God’s Spirit touches our spirits and

confirms who we really areRomans 8:15-16

God says…I love you. I love you with all my heart. No matter

what happens in life, I will never harm you, I’ll always protect you. I will always be your father, I will always be your friend. I’ll always care for you. And I’ll

do this no matter what you do, no matter whether you turn from me or not, I’ll always love you

A simple prayerLord Jesus

I know you are alive and are still changing lives today. Please change mine.Forgive me Lord for my life lived without you.I invite you in right now as my Lord and Saviour. Please come and change me.

Amen.

How can I have Faith?