Walking by Faith

As we pray together to God for the future of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, our combined faith will be critical to our journey. Without faith, the Bible says it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Faith is not simply wishful thinking or blind optimism. It is a confident trust in the character, power, and promises of God. It is the assurance that no matter what we face, God is always in control, and His Word will never fail.

Faith is more than believing with our minds—it is lived out with our actions. James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith without works is dead.” In fact, true faith moves us to obedience. When Noah built the ark… when Moses stretched out his staff… when Peter stepped out of the boat… they ALL acted on faith.

Their trust in God led them beyond what they could see, and because of that, miracles followed.

As our church grows, our faith will often be tested. We will certainly experience what Eph. 6:11 calls, “schemes of the devil.” We can expect trials,
setbacks, disappointments, and seasons where God may seem silent.

Yet, it is in those very moments that our faith will have the opportunity to grow. Like gold refined in the fire, our faith will be purified through our challenges. Romans 10:17 tells us, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” This means that the more we fill ourselves with God’s Word, the stronger our faith will become.

As your new pastor, I encourage you to nurture your faith. Guard it by your prayer. Strengthen it by staying in God’s Word. Exercise it, by stepping out in obedience, even in the small things. And share it, as your testimony of faith to inspire others to trust God more deeply.

Remember this; we are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). When life doesn’t make sense, when doors seem closed, when the
mountains appear too high—keep walking. God has NEVER failed, and He will not fail us now.

Pastor Johnny