Category: Jesus

True Lasting Faith

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This was written by a Pastor friend of mine and I thought you might enjoy it.

EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH – Sept. 2025

Southview Bible Church * 135 Bennett Ave. * Council Bluffs, IA. 51503

Phone: (712) 322-5743 E-mail: pastor@southviewbible.org * Web Site: www.southviewbible.org

FAITH TESTED AND TRUE

TRUE faith NEVER fails! In the end, it ALWAYS proves true! Yes, as people of faith, we often fail in our walk of faith. As James says, “we all stumble in many things.” (Ja. 3:2) However, human weakness does not nullify true faith. As Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt. 26:41) Every believer knows this reality!

When Peter denied the Lord three times, did he lose his faith? Absolutely NOT! Jesus said to Peter prior to his fall, “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail” (Lk. 22:31). Yes, Peter failed miserably in his faith walk, but his faith did NOT fail. One look from Jesus, and Peter went out and wept bitterly (Lk. 22:61-62). He HATED his sin because he really did believe in Jesus!

Abraham is the premier example of saving faith in all the Bible (Gen. 15:6). Abraham’s walk of faith was characterized by occasional stumbles. He repeatedly was deceptive about Sarah being his wife (cf. Gen. 12:10-20; 20:1-18). He heeded his wife’s counsel and bore an “illegitimate” child through Hagar (Gen. 16). Abraham stumbled at times in his faith journey, but he never lost his faith. And God used everything he went through to build his faith and to make him stronger. We learn through failures, and our faith is actually strengthened. This is the nature of having a true faith. God, who has begun a good work in us, will complete it (Phil. 1:6).

By the time Abraham was an old man, he had grown strong in his faith, being convinced that God would fulfill His promise of a son through Sarah (Rom. 4:19-22). And then, as the promised son, Isaac, came of age, a major TEST was presented to Abraham (cf. Gen. 22).  

Hebrews 11:17–19 (NKJV)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”

19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

The faith of Abraham was TESTED and proven TRUE! This is true for every true believer. In the end, they have a FAITH that proves true! At core, every true believer has an enduring faith. This is true through thick and thin, through failure and weakness. We are God’s “workmanship” and through it all He is shaping us into the people of faith He wants us to be (cf. Eph. 2:10).

Peter brings out that trials in the life of the believer serve TWO purposes. They serve to PROVE the reality of our faith, and they serve to REFINE our faith.

1 Peter 1:7 (NKJV)

7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

A true faith when TESTED is FOUND. Hard times are TESTING times, but they serve to PROVE the genuineness of our faith. Yes, in our human weakness, we often falter and fail, but if we have true faith, God uses these things to further REFINE our sincere faith. Even in failure, genuine faith is demonstrated in how the true believer responds. We hate our failures. We learn from them.  We go on even stronger because of them. GENUINE faith is tested and found TRUE!

Thot: True faith has an abiding reality that when TESTED proves TRUE!

Earnestly Contending, Pastor Dwight J. Oswald

When people say “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” their emphasis is…

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Source: When people say “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” their emphasis is…

Great are you Lord! You surround us with your amazing creation, that never ceases to amaze me.

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Comforting Bible Verses

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Remember God’s Care with These Comforting Bible Verses

By Jack Zavada

Free Christianity Newsletter!l

Our God cares about us. No matter what is happening, he never leaves us. Scripture tells us God knows what is going on in our lives and is faithful.

As you read these comforting Bible verses, remember that the Lord is good and kind, your ever-present protector in times of need.

Comforting Bible Verses

Deuteronomy 3:22

Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you. (NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (NIV)

Joshua 1:9

(NIV)

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV)

• Read Psalm 23 in several popular translations.

Psalm 27:1

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)

Psalm 71:5

For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. (NIV)

Psalm 86:17

Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. (NIV)

Psalm 119:76

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:24

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

(NIV)

• Compare Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 in several Bible translations.

http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersverses/a/Comforting-Bible-Verses.htm

11/13/2013Comforting Bible Verses

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Isaiah 12:2

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. (NIV)

Isaiah 49:13

ones. (NIV)

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted

Isaiah 57:1-2

Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting

them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. (NIV)

Jeremiah 1:8

“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. (NIV)

Lamentations 3:25

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; (NIV)

Micah 7:7

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. (NIV)

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NIV)

Mark 5:36

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (NIV)

Luke 12:7

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (NIV)

John 14:1

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. (NIV)

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)

John 16:7

to you. (NIV)

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that

we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (NIV)

Hebrews 13:6

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (NIV)

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