By REV. TRAVIS S. GRUBBS

We talk a lot about faith. Faith means basically to trust. In relation to God we are called to have faith / to trust Him in two ways. First is “saving faith.” That is, we trust that God has accomplished all that is needed for the forgiveness of all our sins and gives us eternal life. He did it all through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ, as He came into our world, lived as one of us (except without sin), innocently suffered and died, and rose from the dead; paying for all of our sins and reconciling us to God.

As we need God’s help to truly have faith in God’s saving us from our sins, we also need God’s help to grow in our second type of faith. Such faith trusts that God is at work in our lives and that no matter what we endure, God will use it for our good. We can be sure of that fact as God’s word says in Romans 8:28; “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” It is so easy to believe those words when things are going well in our lives. The real struggle of faith comes when we deal with the struggles, trials, and pain that come into our lives. Then we find ourselves questioning God. Wondering: where is He?, will He help? can He help?

Those are the times when we can only find help as we turn to God and look at His promises given to us in His Word, the Bible. Start with 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept safe and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” Then go again to Romans 8:28 which I mentioned above. Remember also all that God did, through His Son Jesus, to save us from the consequences of our sins. A terrible experience that Jesus willingly endured because of his great love for us. In that love God promises, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.”

That is just the beginning. The Bible is full of God’s promises. He has kept every one of them. Search the scriptures for all that He has promised and know that He is with you in the good and bad times of life. There is also help and encouragement that God can give through His people. Please visit or contact St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fredonia (672-6731), Immanuel Lutheran Church, Gowanda (532-4342), or Trinity Lutheran Church, Silver Creek (934-2002).