How can I grow my Faith?

The Seed Analogy

Just as I want to grow a tree from a single seed, our journey in faith begins with a small yet powerful seed of the faith we received when we became a believer. (For more on this, please check out my post, "Do you have Faith? Part 2.")

The Bible clearly states in Romans 10:17:
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Meditation on the Word

To grow this seed of faith, the key lies in meditating on the Word of God. It’s really that simple. Meditation is about taking the time to think carefully and deeply about Scripture.

I must admit that many times, after reading a scripture or the verse of the day, I would forget what I read within the hour. This led me to reflect on a natural process that some animals undergo. Cattle, deer, sheep, goats, and antelope chew their cud repeatedly to break down tough plant materials effectively. This process allows them to extract the most nutrients from their food, helping to ward off hunger.

Practical Steps to Meditate

This practical understanding inspired me to develop my meditation practice. Here’s how I do it:

1. Select Your Scriptures: I wrote down several scriptures I deeply wanted to understand that pertained to my circumstance.

2. Break It Down: I dissected each verse into smaller, manageable parts. I explored different versions of the Bible, using the dictionary for clarification where needed. It is amazing that ‘And’ or ‘If’ can make a difference in a verse or adjoining verses.

3. Process It: I put all the different parts together as I allow the Holy Spirit to teach me (John 14:26). He becomes my processor at this point. He sheds more light on it, sometimes taking me to another part of the word. At times, a word will drop in me and I search up on it.

4. Visual Reminders: I placed this scripture/s on my wall, ensuring that I saw and read through it at least five times a day. I remembered the notes and how I had broken the verse into pieces. It has become a part of me, and I no longer use a board now. I used it in my early stages of really grasping what it means to meditate. However, I still place sticky notes on my monitor or write on my notepad at work.

9 out of 10, it clicks! it registers! it makes spiritual sense. Note I said spiritual sense. When I meditate sometimes my physical mind cannot process/comprehend/rationalize what is in the word. The last 1 I reserve for when I get in the way of my understanding. Never the Holy Spirit’s fault.

This approach not only helped me grasp the meanings but also made meditation a significant part of my daily routine.

Signs of Successful Meditation

You’ll know you’ve successfully meditated on a verse when you experience a moment of revelation—a true “aha” moment when the verse clicks within your spirit. Trust me, you will know when. This may happen immediately or could take days of reflection.

Other Ways to Engage with Scripture

Alongside meditation, there are various ways to immerse yourself in God’s Word:

• Read Spiritual Books: Engage with scriptural literature that deepens your understanding and walk with God.

• Listen to Gospel Music: Scriptural music that uplifts your spirit can draw you closer to God’s truths.

• Sermons and Teaching: Listening to preaching provides additional insight into the Scriptures.

The Bible: The Root Source

In my experience, returning to the root source—the Bible—is unmatched. It is pure, sincere, and undiluted. As Paul writes in 1 Peter 2:2:
"Desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow thereby."

A Good Ground for Growth

Returning to our seed analogy, Jesus shared a profound parable about the sower in Matthew 13:3-23. Here, the second step to growing our faith is planting that seed (meditated word) in good ground—essentially, a meek heart that is open and receptive to the Word of God. James 1:21 reinforces this idea, encouraging us to humbly receive the engrafted Word.

When the seed of faith falls on a receptive heart, it can grow into a tremendous tree. As we hear and meditate on the Word of God, our faith—just like that seed—can grow in leaps and bounds.

Conclusion

Growing your faith is a journey that requires intention and dedication. By meditating on God’s Word, engaging with Scripture through various mediums, and cultivating a receptive heart, you can nourish that seed of faith within you.

Call to Action:
🌟 What techniques have you used to grow your faith? Share your experiences in the comments below!

What is Faith?

Introduction

Growing up, I believed that to have faith, I had to be a powerful man of God—an image that seemed almost saintly. I thought being holy, fasting for hours, and living without sin were prerequisites to truly holding faith.

But I’ve learned that faith is much more than that.

What Does Faith Mean?

Faith is being absolutely resolute that you have received God's promises before you see them. Imagine your dad telling you, "You’ll get a gift when I return from work." As a child, you believe without a shadow of a doubt that his promise will come true—why? Because your daddy said so. No matter what anyone else says, you hold onto that promise like a dog with a bone. But there's a catch: It’s a promise from someone you trust.

(In another post, I’ll share my experience on the intriguing topic of "Forgiving God." Don’t judge the title just yet!) 😊

The Human Condition

As humans, it's natural for us to believe only what we see with our physical eyes. For instance, if a friend says they have $1 million, I might ask to see some evidence—an alert, a receipt, anything! But faith flips that perspective on its head.

Understanding Faith

Faith means believing in something without needing to see it first. It’s a conviction based on a promise, knowing it is real—even if the evidence isn’t visible yet.

“Faith grasps the unrealities of hope and brings them into the realm of reality.” Faith calls forth things that are not as though they already exist. Like the child waiting for their gift—she truly believes it is hers because Daddy said so, and she knows that Daddy cannot lie.

What’s Next?

In upcoming posts, I will delve into several essential topics, including:

• Do You Have Faith?

• How to Grow Your Faith

• Examples of Faith in Action

• How to Receive by Faith

• Hindrances to Faith from My Experience

These principles will teach you how to lay hold of God’s promises—lessons I learned from Scripture and my own life experiences.

Conclusion

Now, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

Stay tuned for the next installment, where we will explore more about strengthening and understanding your faith journey!

Call to Action

🌟 Have thoughts or experiences regarding faith? Share your insights in the comments below!

Selah!