Read Mark 16:14

What are some obstacles to our faith?

• Human Reason
• Living by sight
• Surrendering to feelings
• Negative counsel
• Feelings of guilt
• Neglecting the Word of God- the fuel for our faith
• Continuing in sin

Satan's tactics                         

In Mark 16:14, Jesus rebuked the disciples for not believing.  Unbelief is like an under-tow that pulls you away from the Lord!  Read John 20:29, In this verse Jesus blesses those who believe without seeing!  In Hebrews 11:1&6, faith is our assuarance of hope and proof of the things not seen and in verse 6 states that it's impossible to please God without belief.   The stages of our faith:  The key word in faith is FOCUS!  We need to keep our focus on Jesus Christ.  Read Matthew 8:23-27-It doesn't take much to make us sink if we take our focus off God.  In Mark 9:17-24-We see struggling faith.  Our faith becomes stronger and greater as we stand on the truth of God's Word and apply our lives to it.  FOCUSING on God!  Some examples of great faith are found in Matthew 8:5-10, Matthew 15:21-28, I samuel 17 and many others.  Great faith is willing to wait for God's timimg not willing to give up.  Matthew 9:20-22 talks of a woman who didn't give up and had faith that Jesus could heal her.  As your faith matures you don't have to struggle with the things that you once did.  You understand  that God will take care of things and you begin to thank Him.  You trust Him because you have faith.  You have to apply faith to every struggle in life.  Read Genesis 22:1-5-Abraham hads great faith.  He knew the Lord would provide and said we will return.  Who are we putting our faith and trust in?  We need to focus on God and Him alone.