You gotta have faith!

For the past two weeks, the name "Jeremy Lin"  has been seen and heard in all forms of social media. He has become a sensation to both basketball and non-basketball afficionados. People cheer and applaud for him for different reasons. As for me, I applaud for him not just because he really plays well but for his boldness and being vocal in sharing his faith. Every end of his game, he knows who he is playing for.  His faith brought him to this great breakthrough in his life. If he had given up basketball and didn't trust that God would give the best for him, he could have missed this blessing. Indeed, faith can move a mountain.  (Matt 17:20)

While reading all the stuff about Mr. Lin, I've been reading in parallel the story of Brother Andrew. Unlike Jeremy Lin, not a lot would be familiar with him. But his life is one great testimony of faith too. I wish I could just put all his faith stories here (check the book God's smuggler). He is God's smuggler of Bibles to countries that restrict it. He had crossed many borders just trusting that God would make the guards  not see the Bibles. And, indeed they didn't! On times that Brother Andrew would need provision, blessings would just come from everywhere without even asking.  One of his stories that really struck me was when his friend told him that he should learn to drive because he would need it someday. He didn't have a car that time that's why he never learned driving. But so he did. Until one day, another friend of him gave him a car for his mission trips.  Indeed, faith is sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  (Heb 11:1)

This next story is my personal story. When I started working, I got excited with credit cards. Not all gets approved when you apply for one and I was happy that I was. And then, one was not enough that I got another one.  Until I came to a point that I realized my salary all went to payments for my rent , cards and my day to day expenses. I could not even save, all the more, tithe.  In short, I was in debt dilemma. And from there, I made a faith goal that before the year ends, I will have all my cards cut. Not only that, I have to start tithing along with paying more than the minimum due of my credit card bills.  With my salary that time, I just didn't know how to do it. But I just trusted that God will take care of any unplanned expenses. By faith, I gave my every first to Him. And amazingly, even before the half of the year, I had my two credit cards cut! Indeed, faith can deliver you! (Luke 12:22-31)

God is at work in all of us in different ways. We may not be famous like Jeremy Lin, but in God's eyes, we all are famous to Him, our Heavenly Father. Just so you know, your faith in Him counts big time as it counted for Jeremy Lin or Brother Andrew.  I just remembered in the session that I attended last night by Dr. Caroline Leaf. From the words of a scientist, she said, "Have faith."  

 "Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." - Mark 11:22-25