Sacrifice - Part 1

When we call out to God, He is not moved to answer because of the tears we cry, the pain we feel or however great our needs may be.
God acts according to our faith; this is the only method He uses to determine our blessing.

That is why, those who believe receive, and those who do not believe do not receive! Take a look at what Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe..." (Mark 16:17)

During the search to build a stronger relationship with God, charitable works and religious doings shouldn’t be called into question, because it is necessary that “he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

God is especially pleased with these acts of faith because they prove how much a person depends on Him and that they are willing to completely obey His Word.

However, many think that they will automatically call the Lord’s attention with acts of kindness and charity. Then, with hands crossed, they wait, hoping that God will reward them because of their actions.

But that’s not how it works! This is why many people suffer, even though they believe in the Lord Jesus.

The Lord considers sin to be the vilest act a man can possibly do, but He forgives us through faith.

If faith is needed to have our sins forgiven, then it is no different to achieve its benefits. What is easier to obtain: eternal life or material possessions?

Those who don’t have faith to achieve their material dreams, won’t have faith to achieve spiritual promises either.

As an example of faith, the Lord Jesus reminds us of the great famine that came upon Israel during Elijah's time. At that time, the Prophet was only sent to one widow in Zarephath and nobody else. During the Prophet Elisha’s time, there were many lepers in Israel, but only Naaman was healed.

“But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:25-27)

Why were these people chosen to be blessed? Because they both expressed their faith to the fullest!

We all have the choice to embrace the path of faith or the path of disbelief. When we choose the path of faith, we must be ready to sacrifice, because faith requires constant sacrifice.