The Wheelbarrow of Faith - James 2:18

In the this weeks episode of Eden's Conflict, host Jai dives deep into the essence of faith, likening it to sitting in a wheelbarrow while being pushed across a tightrope above the Niagara Falls. Challenges listeners to not just be spectators of faith but active participants. How deep does your faith go when facing life's daunting challenges? Tune in for a profound exploration of trust, conviction, and divine promise. Don't miss out—listen, reflect, and share this enlightening journey with friends! 🎧✨

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Transcript

Jai: 0:00

And he asks how many of you believe. That I can Carry somebody across the Niagara falls. The crowd cheers and says, yes, you can do it. We've seen you do it so many ways you can accomplish this feat. Pointing to the wheelbarrow. Blondin and asks the crowd. Who. We'll get inside. Welcome. Dear listeners to another edition of Eden's conflict. I am your host Jai. And today we are going to continue our exploration of the Bible. The subject that we're covering today, I've covered. Indirectly a couple of times. But no matter how much I seem to study it. I can't get enough. Of this topic. Today, we're going to be talking. About the story of faith. Looking at some practical examples.

Lilith: 1:21

But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2 verse 18.

Jai: 1:33

We ever. Stopped. And wondered. What exactly is faith. Can faith be measured or quantified on a scale? Is there a spiritual totem pole? I which God is. holding up against every person. Kind of like, The measurement to get on a carnival ride. You have to pass a certain height to qualify as having faith in anything below that just doesn't quite count. And more importantly, what is the moment in which we have faith? The disciples. Who were with Christ. We're performing miracles. In which they were casting out demons and healing, the sick. And yet time and time again. We find them. Without faith. Doubting. Christ. Perhaps you say. Faith is the moment that we accepted the Bible is true. Or maybe faith is when we believe that God is wiser. Then me, and for that reason, I don't have to worry about life because I know that all things are within his power. Or maybe it's saying. Faith is the fact. That Christ's righteousness covers my sins. And I think all of these would be right. But what is the moment in which, you know, You have faith. Allow me to paint. A picture. From a fairly old story. Imagine the year. Is 1859. And a man by the name of Charles Blondin. Has decided to be the first person to tight rope. across. The Niagara falls river. From the us to Canada. Now. Blondin in his day, did not want to be known as just a tight rope Walker. No Blondin had it in his mind that he was going to be known as the best. Too. Wow. and. Ooh, the audiences. In ways they had never seen before. So not only does Blondin decide to walk across the Niagara falls. Multiple times. He does it. each time. In different. And unique ways at one point, he goes across in a potato sack. And another, he does it on stilts. And still another time he carries a small portable cooking stove and cooks an omelet. In the middle of his walk. Now. On July 15th. Blondin decides. I need to raise the stakes even higher. So. He decides. To walk across the tight rope backwards. The crowd. Is amazed. At this man's ability. The faith and confidence he has in his technical skill. To be able to go across a distance. Not small by any means. But to do it backwards. It's already confusing enough sometimes to walk a straight line when you're looking forwards. Coming back Blondin decides to bring a wheelbarrow with him. And the, the crowd is amazed even more. And when he gets back to the other side, The crowd is cheering on this man. And he asks how many of you believe. That I can Carry somebody across the Niagara falls. The crowd cheers and says, yes, you can do it. We've seen you do it so many ways you can accomplish this feat. Pointing to the wheelbarrow. Blondin and asks the crowd. Then Who. We'll get inside Despite. All of the praise. Glory. And confessions of faith. Not a single person volunteered. Our walk with God. There's a lot, like this story. You see, it's easy. To be a spectator. In the world of faith. To watch people go up on stage or do we read about miracle healings in other countries. And to cheer them on. To say that is an amazing work that God is doing through you in whatever field or mission that person is involved in. But the moment. in which, we are given the opportunity. To sit in the wheelbarrow. At Christ is carrying. Many of us. Back away in silence. See faith is more than an acknowledgement. Of God. It's not about. Praising him when life is good. But about staying true to our beliefs? When a loved one we care about is diagnosed with cancer. When someone in a relationship Rejects us. When our job calls us. And says. We thank you for your service. As your assistance is no longer required.

Wisdom: 6:22

We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed. We are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken. Struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4, verses 8 and 9.

Jai: 6:37

Faith. Is formed. Under pressure. Let us remember. The success. Of our faith. It does not rely solely on our own capabilities. But in what God accomplishes through our abilities. God urines to empower us. Both in spiritual and temporal matters. To hone our intellect. To impart, tack. And skill. For all. Who come to him asking. For these things. In order that they might be more faithful in spreading the love of Christ. He will never turn them away.

Charlotte: 7:23

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1 verse 5

Jai: 7:36

As we grow. In our understanding of who God is. And we begin to emulate. His nature and character. Our, faith. will grow also. Our wisdom. We'll begin to expand in ways we did not understand. Or know we're possible. Take for example. The story of Joseph. Joseph. A young man, when he is sold into slavery. From. What has been a very. Maybe not luxurious, but. Taking care of life. Is now faced with a choice. Does he submit to his captors? And give up on his belief in God. He's Eventually faced with a temptation. Potiphar's wife. Begins to. Present herself to him. And One could argue. He deserved. After all he took care of the house. His master didn't even need to worry about anything. And he was unjustly treated. Unfairly put into slavery. Is he not. Deserving. I have this reward. See faith also. Is seen. Not only in trials. Of hardship. But in moments. Of temptation. When the opportunity to reach out and take that. Which we. Have no right to. Presents itself before us. That is another way in which God reveals. The soul. Of our inner most being. To see where our faith and loyalties lie. Yep. While. Resisting the temptation. On the surface. I may have seemed like a negative thing because Joseph eventually ends up in prison. For a crime. He does not commit. God does not abandon him. And if anything. Joseph's faith inevitably leads into a position. Of power and authority. That he never would have imagined. Of a life. Free from the burden. That he once had to carry. Because he faithfully carried the burden. Of integrity and faith to God. Our faith. Went into twined with genuine surrender. And belief. will bring about such a remarkable transformation. That the world will look on in wonder and amazement. True faith in God. Has the power to broaden our minds. Expand our perspectives. As we align ourselves with God. We begin to unlock boundless possibilities. And endless comprehension. See your faith is more than just a feeling. It is not a sensation. Have a presence. But it is a belief. In God's promises. Before they are even materialized. It is like, Casting an anchor into the future. And holding onto it. With all that we have. Trusting that God. Will lead us to the point. Of salvation.

Callum: 11:57

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11 verse 24.

Jai: 12:07

This dynamic. Living faith. We'll penetrate. The darkest clouds. That this world can cover us in. It will Pierce through confusion. And offer a guidance. That no gloom. No trial. No test. We'll ever be able to shake. True faith arrests. In God's promises. Has if they are already. Existent. And real. And only those. We'll believe on that level. Well, actually see those promises are revealed. Faith is a surrendering. To sit. In the wheelbarrow. Above a raging river. On a tightrope. You may feel uncomfortable. But your destination. Your trust. Is not in the wheelbarrow. Or the rope. But in the one who is behind you. Who is pushing you across. That is what I believe. faith. Truly is. And if this is your desire. And invite you to pray with me. Father in heaven. Load. Give us this faith. That comes from conviction of your words. Give us an attitude and mindset. That is willing to surrender our trust. And whatever situations of life we feel scared or helpless in. So that the world around us may begin to see a transformation of character. And that through that. They will begin seeking Christ. And a heart. That lives. In a way that says he is real. To me. Thank you father for hearing this prayer and for giving us the example of faith. Through the gift of your son. And whose name we pray. Amen. As we conclude today's episode. I challenge you once more. Trust in God to guide you. Across lives, perilous tight ropes. The moments where you feel unbalanced and uncertain. And if you find yourself in these situations, by your own choices. Then turn to God. And surrender. Re-establish the confidence in him. So that he might lead you back. To the path. Of the straight and narrow. And as you live out this life experience. Let your life. We won that others. May spectate. And learn. To take. Their own steps of faith. Until next time. Take care. God bless. And remember the words of scripture are yours to claim. If only you would believe them.