The God I Never KnewSample

Gift of Faith

Have you ever gotten a bad report from the doctor? We’ve all gotten some kind of bad report in our lives at one time or another. It may have had to do with finances, our job, or our family. But have you ever had the Holy Spirit come in and give you faith for that situation? It’s a gift that causes you to say, “I know I’m going through a tough situation, but God just spoke to me about it, and I believe He’s going to help me.”

That’s the gift of the Spirit called the gift of faith, which is one of the dynamic gifts. You might think it’s odd that faith can be a gift of the Spirit because every part of being a Christian requires immense faith. The gift of faith is much different from the faith we use every day. It’s the supernatural impartation of belief and confidence for a specific situation.

Take the story of Ananias in Acts 9. Before Paul became a great apostle, his name was Saul. He was infamous for trying to destroy the early church and having its members arrested and beaten, and he even participated in the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. So when God called Ananias to tell Saul about Jesus and invite him to receive the Holy Spirit, it might have felt like an impossible situation. Imagine the fear and doubt that must have gone through Ananias’s mind. What gave him the boldness to obey God? I believe the Holy Spirit gave him the gift of faith. Ananias brazenly went to Saul, and through his obedience, one of the most influential people of our faith came to know Jesus. God changed Saul’s name to Paul, and he went on to write a third of the New Testament.

If you’re facing a difficult situation right now—even if it’s not as serious as the situation Ananias faced—the Holy Spirit wants to give you the gift of faith. If you experience moments of doubt or discouragement today, will you open your heart and ask to receive an outpouring of faith? 

Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank You for being our Helper and strength in times of need. And thank You for supernatural faith to help us through certain situations. Please give me faith today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." John 14:12