Pastor's Letter August 2015 

Dear Liberty Church Family
 
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”
Heb 11:1 (NIV)
 
Faith is a wonderful thing.  On more than one occasion Jesus commends those who come to him for their faith.  Faith unlocks the promises of God to us – promises of salvation, of healing, of answered prayer.  One of my favourite passages is in Matt 8:5-13, where the Roman centurion comes to Jesus to ask him to heal his servant who is suffering.  Jesus offers to go with him, but the centurion says that there is no need.  He understands authority and he simply asks Jesus to “say the word” and he knows his servant will be healed.  The thing I love about this passage is Jesus’ response.  The Bible says that Jesus was “astonished” at the faith of the centurion, and he heals his servant with a word.  What an incredible thing to astonish Jesus!
 
How is your faith?  Do you feel like the Roman centurion – confident that Jesus will do what you ask? Or, perhaps, like me, you feel astonished at how little faith you seem to have so often.  Jesus says in Matt 17 that if we have faith like a mustard seed we can move mountains.  Now a mustard seed is very small and it is difficult to see how such small faith could move a mountain, but the thing is that a mustard seed grows into one of the biggest garden plants, and our faith is meant to grow.
 
As I think about that verse in Hebrews 11, I know that there is much we are hoping for that we do not yet see.  There will be things we are praying for and asking God for regularly and longing to see.  Sometimes we get disillusioned and give up asking.  Perhaps it is for healing for yourself or someone you love, or for salvation for those you have been praying for.  Perhaps it is to see the church moving into a new home.
 
As I consider the season ahead and I look at what God is doing amongst us I know that God is calling us again to have faith in his promises, and I believe that a faith adventure awaits us this year.  It is not just down to you or to me as individuals, but it is a collective faith of the church family as we look at the promises of God and take even the smallest steps of faith together.  It is time to start flexing those faith muscles, and doing a little body building together!
 
Love and blessing
 
Jon