Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1)
Hi, I'm Essie Faye. It's great to meet you. Welcome to my blog: Fierce Faith Under Fire. This blog has been brewing in my spirit for years. I decided to start this blog because I was overwhelmed with spiritual dissatisfaction. As an Apostolic Pentecostal pew baby, I've been raised in church. There wasn't a time that I remember when I didn't know of God or the Holy Scriptures. I've had faith as long as I can remember. I was baptized young and born again as a teen. But as an adult, I couldn't seem to shake the idea that there has to be more to my faith than attending church services, doing footwork, sweating out my hair, or wearing the title of "minister." My life started life-in' and I needed REAL FAITH for REAL PROBLEMS. I've had REAL LIFE CHALLENGES and my faith community was silent. Honestly, I was given no real solutions to these life challenges, as if Faith had no answer. The devil is a Liar! Like me, so many people need answers. We need Fierce Faith--a faith that is relevant, resilient, and stands up to life's trying circumstances. God is able to address any situation-- w/ faith all things are possible. Anything is possible to those who believe. So here I am, blogging my lil heart out.
Let me introduce myself. I'm a woman of faith--relevant faith and REAL faith. I have lots of love to give and I plan to receive lots of love as well. I love all things music. I absolutely love people. Well, most people anyway--I'm trying to love my enemies. I'm just keeping it 100. I have lots of siblings--fourteen to be exact. I'm an identical twin as well. So I know what it means to partner from conception. I'm an extrovert and I love hanging out and connecting with folks, swapping stories, laughing, and just being.
I'm a Christian--I strive to be a real one, living according to biblical principles and to please God. I'm a I am a bilingual educator, author, speaker, psalmist and interpreter by day and a serial entrepreneur by night. I'm a minister of the gospel, and advocate for women and girls. So, yeah, I wear a lot of hats. But nowadays, who doesn't? Especially us women, we can do it all. Even if we can't most times we are the ones that end up doing it--whatever "it" is. I'm an 80s baby--it's debatable whether or not I'm a millennial, but either way, I'm in the 40's club. This is a huge deal. I've lived nearly four decades! Wow. That is amazing. I want to invite you into my world. This is a safe space where I speak from the heart.
My hope is that we can connect and you'll enjoy the ride as we journey to explore one of the most captivating elements of the human experience – faith. This concept has sparked countless debates, inspired moving stories, and fueled profound moments of courage throughout history. But what exactly is faith? How does it manifest in our lives, and what significance does it hold for each of us? Let's embark on a quest to delve into the intriguing mystery that is faith.
The Essence of Faith
At its core, faith is a force that transcends tangible evidence and logical reasoning. It is an unwavering belief in something greater than ourselves, a trust in the unseen, and a conviction that guides our actions even when uncertainty looms large. Whether rooted in spirituality, personal relationships, or life's unpredictability, faith serves as a beacon of hope in the stormy seas of existence. Faith is trust in a Sovereign God. It is the belief that and invisible omnipotent God exists and He rewards those who seek Him diligently. It is the belief that an Omniscient Being created humanity and He strategically orders our lives. Having faith means acknowledging that humanity desperately needs the presence, power, and provision of God in our daily lives.
Faith in the Face of Adversity
Faith isn't truly faith until it's tried. One of faith's most profound manifestations can be witnessed during challenging times. During times of difficulty unseen faith produces evidence of its existence. It is in the moments of darkness, doubt, and despair that faith shines brightest. Like a flickering flame in a vast expanse of shadows, faith illuminates our path, offering solace, strength, and the courage to persevere. Like faith, an invisible God becomes tangible in a special way during our times of uncertainty and pain. In times of adversity, by faith, God serves as our steadfast companion, whispering words of encouragement and resilience.
Personal Faith & Nurturing Faith Through Community and Connection
Personal faith is essential; Faith indeed is personal first as we grow to have our own encounter with the God of the universe. Faith is cultivated and nurtured through spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, reading the Word of God, living according to Biblical principles, solitude, corporate worship and fellowship. Community and connection is the fertile soil of faith work. When shared among like-hearted individuals, faith blossoms into a powerfully fierce force for positive change. United by common beliefs, values, and experiences, communities built on faith cultivate a sense of belonging, support, and mutual empowerment. God dwells in faith-filled communities and He demonstrates miracles, signs, and wonders in response to corporate faith.
The Transformative Power of Faith
Fierce Faith is faith that is indestructible and relevant. Fierce Faith is resilient and ever expanding--it is contagious in nature and explosive. It addresses real problems in a world of hurting folks. Some would argue that the faith of the Bible is irrelevant. They have a right to their opinion, however, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Fierce Faith is transformative power to reshape lives, perspectives, and destinies. It ignites the spark of inspiration, propelling individuals to dream, create, and achieve the seemingly impossible. Through Fierce Faith, ordinary individuals have achieved extraordinary feats, overcome insurmountable obstacles, and embraced a vision of a brighter, more compassionate world. Fierce Fierce Faith connects us to God and the realm of the spirit, which controls our natural world. With faith in God, all things are possible.
Embracing the Mystery of Faith
In the tapestry of human experience, Faith is a mystery--it remains one of the most intriguing and enigmatic threads. It defies easy definition, transcends traditional boundaries, and resonates with the deepest recesses of our souls. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us embrace the mystery of faith with open hearts, curious minds, and a spirit of wonder. For in the quest to understand faith, we may just discover the true essence of what it means to be human. Through Fierce Faith we understand our frailties and vulnerabilities; we realize our necessity for God. Through faith we understand our limitations and we acknowledge that God's reach is limitless. The mystery of faith undergirds the entirety of the Christian experience--Faith in God is our foundation. We grow from faith to faith. We live by faith. We exist by faith. It's a blessed mystery.
Conclusion
Fierce Faith is what this generation needs--not a list of dos and don'ts. We need to see Faith in action. We need a God that is present and real. We need to know the God that is moved by our experience and desires to connect with us--the One who loves humanity without condition. There is nothing that we can do that can cause God not love us. Fierce Faith is unshakeable, relatable, and sustaining. It is a tapestry woven from the threads of belief, courage, and connection. It is a light that shines brightest in the darkest moments, a force that unites diverse souls in a shared journey, and a power that transforms ordinary existence into extraordinary living. As we ponder the meaning of faith, let us remember that its mystery lies not only in finding concrete answers--God has answers for us-- but also in embracing the journey of exploration, discovery, and growth that faith inspires.
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, You said that those who come to You must have faith. You said that without faith, it's impossible to please You. Help us to have faith. Help us to believe that You are who You declare Yourself to be. Reveal Yourself to each reader, so that they will grow in faith. Father make our faith fierce--resilient, relevant, and REAL. IN trying times, help us to lean into our personal faith and into our faith communities. t us know that we are not alone. You are with us and our communities are with us as well. Thank you for hearing and answering this prayer. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
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