Greetings in the name of Jesus. A prayer of faith will save the sick and bring the unsaved to Jesus. We, therefore, need unlimited faith, the faith Jesus spoke about. I trust that this letter will help you, or someone you know, receive and put this kind of faith to work.

When we hear a story of someone leaving this world, the first question that comes to mind is, "Did someone with faith pray for them. Were they saved, or did they not do anything and depart by the default route, the road to hell?" Too often we do not know. As I write, all news media is focused on the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her death is very sad to think about, especially when one thinks about her children. However, the same sudden death story could be told many times daily, told about thousands of non-public people. This is even more touching to think about! How many of these people know the LORD Jesus as their Redeemer?

We know that being with the LORD requires a resolution about God and the truth of His word, Jesus, and necessitates an action on our part. For this cause God gives us faith to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. By this faith we confess with our mouth that He is our LORD. By this faith God gives us power to forgive others so that He may forgive us. (See Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Matthew 6:14-15.) Without faith one cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, the first measure of faith is a key to obedience and forgiveness. After this, our obedience and forgiveness is the key to the magnificent faith Jesus told about.

Jesus said, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your [heavenly] Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15) This instruction about forgiveness causes many people to stop short of what God has for them, and they wonder, "Where is the faith Jesus told about in the following scriptures?"

And Jesus answering saith unto them [His Apostles], Have faith in God, For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any [If you hold anything against anyone who hurt you or said bad words against you, forgive]: that your Father which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses [sins]. (Mark 11:22-26)

Most people that teach about faith say, "You have to put your faith to work." And you think, "OK, I want to do that, but how do I get faith?" Now consider that our obedience and forgiveness is the key to the magnificent faith Jesus told about.

Faith abounds only where forgiveness abounds. When faith abounds we are ready to speak and see things happen, even see people get out of their default mode and accept Jesus as their savior. All things can be accomplished by our faith declaration, the power of the Holy Spirit and the acclaim given to Jesus.

Remember last month's message about givers and takers. Takers try to get God to work for their needs and desires, but givers have their needs met by promise. It is possible to be a taker and believe that we are not selfish. For example, some people spend their time talking about a "Rapture," saying "I want to get out of this world." Isn't this focusing on self instead of thinking about people that would be left in their default condition?

The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are givers. They focus on our needs and will bless us all the time, that is if we too are givers. Let us be like them and focus on the needs of others and watch our faith work and grow and grow and work.

A Report on JoAnn's health: On Wednesday, August 10, 1997, she woke up with new life in her body. God had answered the many prayers made on her behalf. By the following Saturday she went into the yard and worked in the hot sun for five and one half hours. She dug, pulled grass and weeds from her flowers and re-potted plants. These are things that she had not been able to even think about doing for a long, long time. She is walking the track and getting stronger daily. Thank you for praying for her.