Faith's Reward: Trust And Believe

The concept of have faith and faith shall be given to you is a recurring theme in the Bible, with Jesus encouraging his followers to seek God's help and promising that if they ask, they will receive. This idea is echoed in Mark 11:24, where Jesus says, Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Similarly, in Matthew 7:7, Jesus tells his followers to ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. This theme of asking and receiving is also reflected in James 1:5 and 1 John 5:14-15, where believers are encouraged to ask God for wisdom and guidance, with the assurance that their requests will be granted if they align with God's will. The Bible is filled with stories of God answering prayers, such as King Solomon's request for wisdom and Hannah's plea for a child, demonstrating God's faithfulness and love. Additionally, the quote Act as if ye had faith; and faith will be given to you is often attributed to the Bible but actually comes from David Mamet's screenplay for the 1982 film The Verdict, spoken by the character played by Paul Newman.

Fake it 'til you make it

"Fake it till you make it" is an aphorism that suggests that by imitating confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset, a person can realize those qualities in their real life and achieve the results they seek. The phrase is thought to have been first used by David Mamet in his screenplay for the 1982 film The Verdict, in which Paul Newman delivers the line: "Act as if ye had faith; and faith will be given to you."

The idea is that by acting as if you have faith, you will eventually be rewarded with the object of your faith. This is similar to the biblical passage from Mark 11:24: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

However, it's important to note that "fake it till you make it" doesn't mean you should be dishonest or delude yourself. Instead, it's about taking action and adopting behaviours that reflect the person you want to become. For example, if you want to be more confident, you can work on your body language and communication skills. Over time, as you see positive results, your real confidence will increase.

The key is to have a strong foundation of evidence and experience to back up your "fake it" behaviour. For instance, Bill Gates offered to create a BASIC for the Altair 8800 product, even though he didn't have a finished product or experience with the Altair 8800. However, he and his colleagues were confident they could make it work, and they did.

In conclusion, "fake it till you make it" can be a powerful tool for personal growth and success, but it should be approached with honesty and a strong basis in reality.

Ask and you shall receive

The phrase "ask and you shall receive" is a powerful reminder that our desires and aspirations are within reach if we simply take the initiative to ask. This concept is deeply intertwined with the principle of having faith. When we ask with faith, we demonstrate our belief in the possibility of receiving that which we seek.

Faith is the foundation upon which "ask and you shall receive" is built. It is the unwavering trust in a higher power, the universe, or oneself, that our requests will be answered and our desires will manifest. This faith acts as a catalyst, propelling our requests forward into the universe with expectation and belief.

To ask with faith, we must first cultivate a deep sense of clarity and conviction regarding our desires. It is essential to identify what we truly want and why we want it. This clarity helps focus our intentions and ensures that our requests are aligned with our highest good and the good of those around us.

Once we have identified our desires, we must ask with sincerity and authenticity. This means expressing our requests from a place of genuineness and openness, devoid of any ulterior motives or manipulation. Asking with sincerity demonstrates our respect for the process and our understanding of the importance of integrity in our pursuits.

Moreover, asking with faith requires us to let go of attachments to specific outcomes. True faith involves surrendering to the process and trusting that we will receive what we need, even if it differs from our initial expectations. This detachment allows us to embrace the mystery of the universe and remain receptive to the many ways in which our desires can manifest.

As we ask with faith, it is crucial to maintain a positive mindset and a sense of gratitude. Instead of dwelling on doubts or fears, we should focus on the abundance that is present in our lives and the potential for our desires to be fulfilled. Gratitude plays a pivotal role in this process, helping us recognize the blessings we have already received and fostering a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.

Seek God's presence and guidance

The phrase "have faith and faith shall be given to you" is a line delivered by Paul Newman in Sidney Lumet's film The Verdict (1982). It is not a direct quote from the Bible, but it does echo a number of Biblical passages about faith and prayer.

For example, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says:

> "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

This is echoed in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus says:

> "According to your faith, let it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29)

These passages suggest that having faith and believing in God's ability to answer prayers are crucial to receiving His blessings and experiencing His presence.

Prayer

Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and experience His presence. Setting aside time at the beginning and end of each day to pray can help you enter into God's presence and receive His guidance and strength.

Reading Scripture

Reading God's Word, the Bible, is a way to seek His presence and guidance. Reading Scripture aloud can help you sense its power and His presence in a particularly profound way. As you read, pray for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and heart to understand God's Word and apply it to your life.

Worship and Praise

Worship and praise are essential aspects of seeking God's presence. When you praise and worship God, you shift your focus from yourself to Him, and this can help you sense His presence more keenly.

Confession and Repentance

Unconfessed sin can create a barrier between you and God, hindering your ability to sense His presence. Confess your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. This will help restore your fellowship with Him and open the lines of communication.

Gratitude

Expressing gratitude to God is a way to honour Him and acknowledge His blessings in your life. Cultivating a grateful heart can help you recognise God's presence and provision in your life.

Removing Idols

Idols can take many forms, such as career, money, or success. Surrendering these idols and giving Christ His rightful place in your heart will help you experience more of God's presence and guidance in your life.

Seeking God's Will

Surrendering to God's perfect will for your life demonstrates your love and trust in Him. Pray for a willing spirit to follow His lead, and ask Him to give you a desire to seek and obey His will, even when it may be difficult.

Remember, seeking God's presence is a continual process, and there may be obstacles along the way. But as you faithfully seek Him, He will reveal Himself to you and guide you on your journey.

God's willingness to give good gifts

The phrase "have faith and faith shall be given to you" is often misattributed to the Bible, but it actually comes from a modern film, The Verdict (1982), written by David Mamet and starring Paul Newman. In the film, Newman's character, while addressing a jury, says:

> "Act as if ye had faith; and faith will be given to you."

This line, delivered by Newman in a Boston courtroom filled with Irish Catholics, was meant to sound like scripture.

In the Bible, there are several verses that speak to the idea of God's willingness to give good gifts to those who ask for them. For example, in Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus says:

> "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you... You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."

This passage is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, in which he addresses those who have suffered at the hands of earthly parents and may have trouble trusting a father figure. Jesus stresses that God is an exceedingly loving Father who wants His children to know that He can be trusted and that He will give them what they need.

In Luke's account of Christ's teaching, one of God's good gifts is the Holy Spirit:

> "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" (Luke 11:11–13, CSB)

The Holy Spirit is described as God's built-in gift to every believer, providing comfort, help, counsel, empowerment, and guidance.

Another example of God's willingness to give good gifts is found in James 1:5:

> "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

God wants His children to open their hearts in total dependence on Him, trusting that they are safe and secure in His embrace.

In Mark 11:24, Jesus says:

> "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

This verse emphasizes the importance of faith and prayer in receiving God's good gifts.

Overall, the Bible portrays a God who is loving, generous, and willing to give good gifts to His children.

God's faithfulness and love

The phrase "have faith and faith shall be given to you" embodies the concept of reciprocity in faith and belief. It encourages individuals to take that initial leap of faith, assuring them that their faith will be rewarded and strengthened by God's faithfulness and love.

God's faithfulness is an unwavering commitment to His people, a promise that He will always be there, guiding and supporting them through life's challenges and triumphs. This faithfulness stems from His infinite love, a love that is unconditional, merciful, and forgiving. By having faith in God, we open ourselves up to experiencing this love and faithfulness in our own lives.

Throughout the Bible, God's faithfulness and love are consistently demonstrated. In the Old Testament, Moses reminds the Israelites of God's faithfulness, saying, "Know the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations" (Deuteronomy 7:9). This verse highlights the enduring nature of God's faithfulness, which spans generations and is rooted in His covenant of love.

The Psalms also express God's faithfulness and love. Psalm 36:5 declares, "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds" (ESV). Here, the psalmist portrays the vastness and reliability of God's love and faithfulness, reaching to the heavens. Similarly, Psalm 89:1-2 proclaims, "I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul" (NIV).

The New Testament also provides assurance of God's faithfulness and love. In Romans 8:38-39, we read, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NIV). This passage emphasizes the enduring and all-encompassing nature of God's love.

In conclusion, the phrase "have faith and faith shall be given to you" reflects the reciprocal nature of our relationship with God. As we put our faith in Him, we can be assured of His faithfulness and love, which are consistently demonstrated throughout Scripture. God's faithfulness and love are the foundations of our faith, providing us with hope, strength, and joy in our journey with Him.

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