A few days ago, by phone, I made a long conversation with my mom. At the end of conversation, she suddenly asked me something, “How’s your faith today, my princess?” Then confidently I answered, “My faith is good. Very good, mom” However, I don’t know why after the conversation, I kept thinking about my answer of my mom’s question. Right now my personal life, Thank you to God, is in very good condition. I’m not currently facing major problems. There’s a question arises in my mind. What if I’m beset by hard problems and trials? Do I still could say my faith is in Good condition and didn’t waver at all? Do I still have big faith when I’m in the lowest point of life and do not go see any way out? Whether my faith remains well maintained when I had to wait for the God’s answer that not been come? Worse, in life and death situation, could I still uphold my faith and not sacrifice it just the safety of my own life?
My beloved readers, once again this’s about faith. I never bored talk about faith. Faith is a substantial thing in the Christian living. As written in Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I always remember when I was teen my mother said: “We must have a radical faith” Initially I was a bit shocked why she use “radical” to describe toughness of our faith. In my mind “radical” often used for things that has negative meaning and used to describe a dangerous movement of a group or organization. Actually, radical comes from Latin language “radix” which means “root” The real sense of radical is something that leads deep into, down to the roots, to the matters of principle, something very fundamental. So if we refer to the true definition, there’s no negative and dangerous meaning. If we associate with faith so it would mean that radical faith is faith that rooted to the deepest in our life, comes out from the inside and become a strong foundation in all aspects of our lives, a faith that isn’t easily shaken by any kind of threats. This evening I would like to take a bible story that (for me) could be as a great example of radical faith. Let’s take a look to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were bravely against king’s command.
The story begins when the king Nebuchadnezzar made sixty cubit height and six cubits width of an image of gold (Daniel 3:1) He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. (Daniel 3:2) Through the herald, Nebuchadnezzar commanded all nations and peoples of every language should fall down and worship the image of gold when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music. The consequence to those who not obey the command will be thrown into a blazing furnace. (Daniel 3: 4-6) This was a serious and terrible threat and punishment. I believe at the time nobody dared to defy the king’s command and didn’t want to die in vain in the furnace. But among the people, these three young men bravely fight against Nebuchadnezzar’s command. At the very moment, they were brought before the king and said to them, “… if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Daniel 3:15)
What was their reaction of the king’s threat? They gave a radical reaction. They said:
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”(Daniel 3: 17-18)
My dear readers, my heart trembled when pondering the answer of these three men. This wasn’t a recklessly or carelessly answer. There’s something very powerful underlies their answers. There’s something very strong rooted in their heart and mind. I separate their response become two important things. First, they showed their unswerving conviction to God. They strongly believed that God will save them from the blazing furnace. They had very strong confidence in God who is who He says He is, and will do what He says. Their answer showed that their faith to God has been deeply rooted and too strong to be shaken even by life threats. They showed a faith that strongly depends on the extraordinary power to deliver them from the death.
The second, they remain hardened their hearts to disobey the king’s order even if God doesn’t deliver them and it means they will face the death in the blazing furnace. Once again, they marvelously showed that their root of faith was so strong embedded in their lives so that they were willing to dead as long as not worshiping the image of gold of the king. They didn’t want to sacrifice their conviction and faith solely for the sake of their safety instead they even are willing to sacrifice their own life. Actually, if they follow their lust of the flesh, they obey the king’s command to worship the image of gold then they ask forgiveness to God. What matters is they free from the horrible death. But they completely realize this wasn’t a matter of apologize and forgiveness. This was a matter of fundamental thing that cannot negotiable. This was about faith to God! Once they worship the image of gold it means they have been sacrificing their faith just for the sake of their own safety and there was a tendency they didn’t believe that God will save them from the death. Also because they realize that God loves them so much and they really love God so they still refused to abandon God to worship the king’s gods. This’s a perfect example of radical faith. A faith that deeply rooted and become a foundation, not only focused on the blessings and help of God alone.
After got the answer of these three young men, with furious, Nebuchadnezzar ordered to burn them with fire seventh time hotter than usual (Daniel 3:19) But what happened? Nebuchadnezzar was astonished that the fire didn’t consume these three men. He was even more amazed when he saw not three, but a fourth person with them: “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25 NKJV)
I would ask all of us to ponder these things. If we have the same problem like these three brave men, what we will do? What about our faith? Could we have faith like them? Will we put our faith more than anything else in a precarious situation? Further, could we sacrifice and face the threat of death for the sake of our faith in Christ? It was true they were directly experienced God’s miracle. But once again please consider their radical response, that, even if God decides to not save them, their faith will not be sacrificed.
My beloved friends, in this wonderful Christmas season, please allow me to encourage all of us to make this Christmas as a momentum to renew our faith quality. Let’s make more effort to build radical faith in our lives. Ask to God to always increase our faith like the apostles said in Luke 17:5, “Increase our faith” Let’s give a very serious attention to the growth of our faith that could totally believe without seeing our circumstances, also never loose of hope. We will never know what will be happen next year. We all know that life isn’t so easy. There’s time God allows trials and difficulties in our lives and God also doesn’t always guarantee that we’ll never suffer or experience death; we may not always understand the purpose of our trials. Let’s accept and live it as a maturing process of our faith. We also have to always remember if God had become the fourth man standing beside Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; it means there’s a firm guarantees God also always standing beside us. Maybe this time we’re in very bad situation, maybe we’re in the lowest point of life; maybe this time we experienced suffering and “fiery persecution” and our faith being tested. Once again I encourage all of us to always remember that there are assurances from God:
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20), He shall sustain us (Psalm 55:22), He will uphold, strengthen, and help us (Isaiah 41:10)
When God’s help hasn’t come to us, don’t be hasty to doubt God’s ability, much less doubt His existence. God has wonderful plan that give us peace, not evil, and give us future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11) and we have to remember that everything coming down from our Father is very good and perfect gifts. (James 1:17) If we haven’t got answers from God, don’t despair; still hold God’s promise with radical faith. Not matter there’s blessing, help, and miracle or not, our faith in God mustn’t waver at all. When we experiencing illness, persecution, oppression and all of that might require us to sacrifice our own lives, please always remember that, it’s not the end of our lives. There is life after death. God promises an eternal home to all those who love and obey Him. Jesus Said: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)
Let’s celebrate this Christmas not only with party but also by reforming our faith quality so we would have a radical faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Have faith that remains rooted in God, have genuine faith that much more than precious gold (1Peter 1:7). Completely surrender to believe in God’s decision not because of what He can do but simply because we love Him wholeheartedly. Amen
My beloved readers, this post will be my last post this year. I will come back next year. I, my husband, and our little son Andrew say “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” to all of you. Hope and pray that all of you will experience wonderful and unforgettable holiday season this year. God bless you.
Karina – Living by faith
Image source: Google images
So nicely written! Faith is the fuel of everything in my life. My courage, my inspiration and the reason behind all my happiness. And from my experience praying is the best key to the solutions of the problems we have in our life. Faith is the reason I get up every time when I fell. Faith gives me the encouragement and believe that everything will be fine because He is watching and hearing my prayers. I believe praying is the reason behind everything I got. And now praying is helping me to fight my depression. This is an excellent medication.
Dear, sister Samantha.
Thank you very much for the great response to my post. I strongly agree with your statement that Prayer is the best key to the solutions of our problems. Prayer by firm faith! Once again thank you for sharing your great thought on my post, sister. God bless and have a wonderful Christmas season.
You too… 🙂
Thanks for the challenging us to think about our faith. I love your mother’s question. I will be thinking now today about the answer. Also Merry Christmas to you and your family. May you receive all the blessings that God has prepared for you.
Dear, Pastor Pete.
You are much welcome 🙂 I thank you for the warm comment of you. God bless.
Reblogged this on Church Set Free and commented:
“I always remember when I was teen my mother said: “We must have a radical faith” Initially I was a bit shocked why she use “radical” to describe toughness of our faith. In my mind “radical” often used for things that has negative meaning and used to describe a dangerous movement of a group or organization. Actually, radical comes from Latin language “radix” which means “root” The real sense of radical is something that leads deep into, down to the roots, to the matters of principle, something very fundamental. So if we refer to the true definition, there’s no negative and dangerous meaning. If we associate with faith so it would mean that radical faith is faith that rooted to the deepest in our life, comes out from the inside and become a strong foundation in all aspects of our lives, a faith that isn’t easily shaken by any kind of threats. This evening I would like to take a bible story that (for me) could be as a great example of radical faith.”
Karina Lam writes from the heart to yours and mine. And with Christmas fast approaching, adds a heartfelt and inspirational post about this celebration of faith.
As always comments are disabled here, please join the conversation at Karina’s place. Thank you
Dear brother, Paul.
It was a great honor to me you Reblogged my post. Thank you very much, brother. Hope and pray this post will be a blessing to others 🙂 Have a wonderful day and God bless.
((hugs) to you and your family
Such a good reminder that faith is built up and challenged when under fire. Challenges me in how real my faith is. The need for radical faith is high. Thanks for sharing Karina.
Dear, brother Tom..
You are welcome, brother 🙂 i thank you for you lovely response on my post. God bless. Have a wonderful day.
Karina, I always love reading your posts. Thoughtful, biblical, and personally honest.
Dear sister in Christ, Granonine
Thank you very much 🙂 I think I have to learn more about Christianity from you considering your background. Please feel free give me advice and suggestion if you found something need to be corrected on my post. Thank you and God bless 🙂
Karina, dear, I don’t read other’s posts critically. That’s not my purpose, and it would take away the pleasure I get from what others write. I was an English teacher for a long time, and I had to read everything my students wrote critically. I’m glad not to have to do that any more 🙂
All that being said, if something really does just jump off the page at me, I may say something. Maybe 🙂
My dear, gorgeous sister.
I have been thinking about my faith after reading this stunning post. There’s question in my mind how’s my faith quality now? How radical my faith? Thank you very much for needed to ponder writing. Love you,sis 🙂
Your are welcome, my little angel 🙂 Be good while you in Indonesia. God bless
I was challenged today by what you wrote on having radical faith. I have been wavering in my faith in a certain situation but I will push on in my faith in God. Like you said, we must never sacrifice our faith for the comfortable! Thank you Karina and God bless you!
Have a merry Christmas to you and your family! I pray you have a blessed time.
Rolain
Dear,brother Rolain.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment,brother. Yes we don’t have to sacrifice our faith for our own safety 🙂 Hope and pray you will have wonderful Christmas and New Year with beloved family. Thank you and God Bless.
Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season, Karina. Thanks also for writing such faith-filled posts that encourage us all.
Dear brother in Christ, Mel
Your are welcome,brother 🙂 Blessing to you and family too,brother 🙂 I wish you have wonderful Christmas and New Year moment. God bless.
Lovely, Katrina. Your faith is always so apparent as you write about your love for God. ❤
Dear sister, Susan
Thank you very much for your warm comment, sis. God bless you.
Excellent story, Karin! We should all strive to gain a radical faith in God through Christ Jesus. For it is impossible to please God with out faith. We must believe and trust at all times in our lives, good and bad…especially in the bad times. This is when our faith may be tested, but if we persevere, we are all the stronger for it in the Lord!
Steve
Dear, brother Steve.
Thank you very much for always put nice and lovely comment on my post,brother 🙂 Everything you say was so true. Thank you,brother. God bless.
Always, sis! You are a good hearted young lady and deserve the happiness you have. Enjoy your day and so sorry for taking so long to reply!
Steve 🙂
I love how Jesus walked with those three faith heroes through the fire. He will also be there with us! Thank you for this beautiful, detailed post.
Dear friend in Christ, Emily
You are welcome 🙂 Thank you for you lovely comment on my post. God bless.
Excellent post, Karina! A message on faith is always needed. I hope you are doing well, friend. I plan to write to you soon. I’m sorry that it’s been too long.
Hello my dear, Lauren
First of all, please forgive me because for quite a while I am not keep in touch with you too. Lately, I am so busy made some business trip to the some countries. How are you, Lauren? I hope you also doing well there 🙂 Thank you for you lovely comment, my friend. Okay, I will wait your email first. Thank you and God bless.
Lovely post, Karina. Without faith I have nothing! Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Dear sweet friend, cheryl
Thank you very much for your lovely comment 🙂 hope and pray you also have wonderful Christmas time with you and Family. Thank you and God bless.
Your blog is full of inspiration and hope. Thank you, Karina.
Merry Christmas, Karina, to you and your family. May you be very blessed in faith and in all from the Lord. Thank you for your support of my blog. I appreciate it. Keep up the great work!
Dear,RJ.
Merry Christmas to you too 🙂 hope and pray you will got wonderful and blessed Christmas season. Thank you and God bless.
Beautifully written! We all need to have an insatiable desire for our faith to increase.
Hello, dear..
Thank you very much 🙂 have a wonderful Christmas season. God bless.
And you, as well!
Once again Karina where is it confirmed in Scripture that God willingly allows harmful trials and difficulties into our lives to test us? yes He knows we will have them and as confirmed in the Scripture below and in others and He will be with us and Strengthen us as we go through them but where does it say He willingly afflicts us because to agree to something is the same as willingly allowing it and even in our Law this makes us an assesory to a Crime.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by Name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of Peace and not of evil, to give you a Future and a Hope.
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men.
So where does it say Karina in Scripture that God agrees with Evil and willingly does it or allows it?
Did He willingly allow me to be molested 5 times by 5 different Men from the age of 3 and raped by one of them who was a Doctor when I was not yet 15 and why did He want me to be bashed by my first husband many times even while I was pregnant or for my 7 Children to die before they had a chance to live, especially the one I aborted when as a Child myself when I was just over 14 and was pressured into having an Abortion?
Why would God willingly allow these evils or want them to happen to me? Would you willingly plan to hurt your Child Karina or willingly allow it ???
Who has the right to Control this earth Karina because of the fall of Mankind? who put Jesus to the test and how could he offer Him the World if Jesus worshiped him if it was not his to give?
Just because someone close to us says something, it does not make it right, only the Confirmation of Scripture by the empowering of The Holy Spirit does, it’s never about what a Man or a Woman thinks it’s saying in their own understanding, wisdom or logic.
In Christ’s Name – Anne.
My dear sister, Anne
First of all, Thank you very much for your great critic that could make grows my spiritual life
. Verily there is no biblical verse which states in a real and clear that God allows us to suffer. Here I am trying to not make debates but I would love to give a bit explanation based on what I have learned. If you don’t mind may I know your email? I will write something As soon as I have free time to explain my thought about your question. Thank you very much for always gives me good critic and suggestion to my post. I would be very happy and blessed if I could discuss with you and others because for me all of this is learning process so I will get to know more what is wrong and right.Once again thank you very much,sis. Have a wonderful day and God bless.
Hi Karina, we have talked about this error of yours before but if you click your edit on my Comment you will see my e-mail address for the Blog, I will give you another one when you e-mail me.
Blessings – Anne.
I have received your e-mail Karina and will respond but would like to do so here, if that is OK with you.
The Deception that God willingly allows us to suffer or Tests us with evil to mold and shape us, needs to be corrected or this Deception will continue to cause harm to those who believe it, many have fallen away because of it.
Blessings – Anne.
Okay sis.. I love to wait your response through email. Thank you very much 🙂 God bless.
Very clearly stated, Anne. It is so easy to blame God when there is no antagonist in the world that’s recognized. God is not dead. But neither is Satan… BUT we need to accept an evil force exists but not fear it through our connection with Holy Spirit! Blessings to all!
Thank you Jan for you Statement of Truth and for joining up with Freedomborn, I will visit you in the near future.
When we come close to God Satan flees, he can’t stand goodness.
God also protects our Souls, so as you shared Jan we do not need to fear.
Christian Love and Blessings – Anne.
This Comment is a warning to others Jan….. I was sorry to read on your Blog that you have been deceived by Cult and Atheist Teaching, yes you do have some Truth as you shared above and I feel you are seeking to understand God’s Truth but you need to ask for His Wisdom and Empowering and believe you have received them.
The Scriptures below confirm the reality that The Godhead or The Trinity as we call Them today both meaning 3 in One that you reject, They are also very much confirmed in many other Scriptures as is the Truth that we were Created by God, we did not Evolve from Animals as you propagate.
The word Trinity now used for The Godhead being The Heavenly Father, Jesus The Living Word and The Holy Ghost was first used in the 18th Century the same as Dinosaurs, they were originally called Dragons and are mentioned in the Old Testament . Aids is also mentioned in the New Testament and D.N.A but not by those names. The word Rapture is also relatively new but is called The First Sickle in Revelation and is also referred to by connection in Luke and other Scriptures.
1 John 5: 7 For there are Three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these Three are One.
Matthew 1:22-23 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying; Behold, a Virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call His Name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the Light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
1Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is The LORD, but by the Holy Ghost.
Revelation 19:15-16 And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a Name written, KING OF Kings and LORD OF Lords.
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the Government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His Government and Peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
In Christ’s Name – Anne.
Once again, it really is all about Faith. Otherwise, many of us might despair over the purposes and future of our lives. Merry Christmas to you and your family and friends, Karina.
Hello there…
Merry Christmas to you too and your family. Thank you and God bless.
Merry Christmas, Karina!
Merry Christmas to you too and your family. God bless.
A wonderful post, Karina! Have an equally wonderful Christmas! I’ll look for you again in the New Year. ❤
Thank you very much, sister Anna. Merry Christmas to you and yours. God bless.
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Loved this article!
Thank you very much,brother in Christ Jacob. God bless.
So beautifully written! We’ve been through much tragedy that many times we’re asked “How did you endure?” It’s simply learning God always ALWAYS provides the strength. I have seen how He has used what has happened in our lives to be a witness for Him.
This statement stood out to me, “When God’s help hasn’t come to us, don’t be hasty to doubt God’s ability…” I believe God’s help never leaves us but because of our condition we may not recognize His help.
Have a great CHRISTmas! Boni
Hello,there..
Thank you very much for the such great attention to my blog post, also for the lovely response..Have a great Christmas season to you too 🙂 God bless.
This is beautiful my dear. Thank you for coming to visit th3 platform again. God bless you and everything you do. You’re very talented 😊
Hello, there…
Thank you very much 🙂 I thank you too for reading my blog post 🙂 God bless.
Amen, Karina! A well thought and sweetly stated truth.
Thank you very much, brother in Christ, Mitch
Blessings and thanks…beautiful post! Blessed and Merry CHRISTmas to your family!
Hello,there.
You are welcome 🙂 Thank you for the lovely comment. Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas to you too and yours. God bless.
Good word Karina! Have a very Blessed Christmas and wonderful New Year!
Thank you so much, dear sister Lilka. Have a blessed and wonderful Christmas and New Year to you too. God bless.
Very rich post! I look forward to reading others.
Dear, Brother in Christ Matthew.
Thank you very much for reading my post also for the encouraging comment. Have a wonderful Christmas day to you. God bless.
The real Faith ‘ means :
1- When we are under pressure still stays faithful
2- When All say NO , It says YES
3- When all are opposites , It is still remains strong
4- Ignore what the flesh says , It stays faithful to the Spirit
5- Believing others for their best and have hope to unseen things
Great post to reminder How we need to keep our Faith strong under all trails of this temporarily life. Thank you
https://hhhigh.wordpress.com/2016/03/24/faith/
Please come and visit me , everyone welcome and if you like just like.
Great friends stay forever !
Hello there!
What such a great honor to me you visit, follow and read my post. Thank you very much for your insightful comment. Yes I will surely visit to your blog and follow you as well. I strongly believe will learn many things from you great blog post. Thank you and God bless.
Bless you
I agree with everything hhigh has said about what faith is.
Bless you , and thank you for comment
Karina this is powerful article. Blessings.
Hello there..
Thank you very much for visiting and reading my post..God bless.:)
Light&Love.
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Greetings and Blessings to you! Good post! Remember to Smile 🙂 God loves you!
Thank you very much 🙂 God loves and bless you too.
You are welcome, and thank you! 🙂
There is a difference between inconvenience and grievous loss. The persecution of Christians is rising across the globe. We cannot know what we may be called on to face ourselves. It is only with a radical faith that we an endure radical circumstances. Thankfully, God supplies us that faith. ❤
Dear,Sister Anna.
Thank you very much for this important reflection..Yes.. it’s all about faith. Faith is one of our foundation beside love and hope. Thank you very much,sis. God Bless.
A post well deserving of a second look. The story of Daniel is all the more important in a time like ours when truth is considered relative and faith foolish.
Dear,sister Anna
Thank you very much, sis. Thank you for always come back to read my posts. I really appreciate it. God bless and have a wonderful new week.
Truly, this is required in our day and age. Blessings, A.
Thank you very much, dear sister Anna. God Bless and have a great new week.
As Christmas once again approaches, we have the joy of celebrating Christ’s birth again. But everyday of the year, we have the opportunity to exercise radical faith. Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas, Karina. Love, A. ❤ ❤ ❤
Dear,sister Anna
Thank you very much for your lovely response,sister. Wishing you and your a blessed and wonderful Christmas during this difficult time. Thank you and God Bless.
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