Hebrews 4:3 tells us, “…[His] works had been COMPLETED and PREPARED [and WAITING for all who would BELIEVE] from the foundation of the world” (AMPC).

     Everything we need to fulfill God’s will and to live the life He authored for us has already been completed and prepared – it’s just waiting for our faith to show up! He completed and prepared our answer long before our need ever showed up – it’s been waiting from the foundation of the world!

     How does our faith show up? Through our words and actions. When we declare what He said is ours and act on His Word, that’s our faith giving God permission to perform what He has already provided and said about our lives.

There are two things that made Jesus marvel. Let’s see what they are.

     Mark 6:1-6 reads, “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he MARVELLED because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

Jude 1:3 reads, “...it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith….” In telling us to “earnestly contend for the faith,” that lets us know that there are enemies to faith that will try to rob us of our faith – fear, doubt, unbelief, false doctrine, etc.

     How active are these words that surround faith – earnestly – contend. These are not passive words. “Earnestly” speaks of our interest level. How interested are we? It takes real interest to press past opposition and to see a thing through to the end. Without being interested, people won’t continue – they’ll give up. “Contend” shows us that there will be opposition. Faith has to be CONTENDED for. The deeper things of God don’t come to the casual observer; they have to be contended for, believed for, and pressed into.