According to Your Faith

By Robert F. Cox

Robert takes the reader on an in-depth journey through the stories of faith from the bible. The reader will develop a greater understanding of what it means to have faith in God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664159006

Robert F. Cox

Robert currently resides in Hamden, Connecticut and soon he will celebrate twenty five years in ministry for the kingdom of God. He is a father, grandfather and widower who spends most of his time raising his two god sons. In December of 2020 he officially retired from pastoring and continues to perform other duties in ministry. Reverend Cox has self-published seven books in all, According to Your Faith (2021), God, Money & You (2020), When Satan Attacks (2018), Believe in Yourself (2017), What God requires (2017), A Man with a Dilemma (2007), Overcoming Rejection (2006).

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Copyright © 2021 by Robert F. Cox.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/17/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1     The Beginning of Faith

Chapter 2     The Process of Faith

Chapter 3     Faith Produces Results

Chapter 4     Living By Faith

Chapter 5     Satan Opposes Faith

Chapter 6     Fear Cancels Faith

Chapter 7     Faith Pleases God

Chapter 8     Faith Gives Endurance

Chapter 9     Justified By Faith

Chapter 10   Faith Produces Boldness

Conclusion

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to my daughter Elisha and to my granddaughter Harper. May God keep and protect both of you and may your faith in Him never fail.

Introduction

I am a big fan of the many nature and survival shows that come on television where the experts put themselves in dangerous situations and show the viewer what it takes to make it out of those life threatening experiences alive. As much as I enjoy watching these television shows, I hope that I never find myself in any of the situations that these survivalists face. In order for these experts to survive they must have faith and trust the skills that they have learned to get them out of these tough situations. Christians must use their faith in God and apply what they have learned from the bible so that they will overcome every tough circumstance. The information that the survivalists have is interesting to me and by them sharing it with the viewing audience they hope that it may help someone who finds them self in a life or death encounter. People face all types of things on a daily basis that require them to have faith. It is necessary for the experts to not only survive but they must desire to stay alive in some of the most difficult circumstances that are thrown at them. My desire in writing this book is that hopefully it will inspire individuals, who feel that they cannot go on to just hold on a little longer. Believing that their struggle will end with a great reward for them. With over twenty years in ministry I have had my share of personal challenges where I have had to rely on my faith in God. Leaning on God at my weakest moments gave me the strength to not only survive but to grow stronger. Please be encouraged if you are a follower Christ that is currently going through a difficult time that you will survive and be better for the experience.

Normally when we hear the word faith we may think of people we know that stand strong in their service to God. What we need to understand is that these mighty men and women of faith have faced situations that have changed them into the champions that we see today. They have had many obstacles in their lives where they did not have much and had to stand on the word of God and use their faith. There may come a time in our lives where faith will be put to the test. This occurs because in order for faith to grow there must be some tests and trials. A desert is a hot and extremely dry place that has a few plants or animals living in that environment. Most people would consider it a harsh place not suitable for human habitation. Some of the hardest times that we have or will face I would consider or classify as a desert. Maybe it was the time that we lost a job after many years of dedicated service. Causing us to wonder how we would make ends meet now that our income has been taken away. And as a result of this dilemma a person may find them self in a financial bind. This is something that many people have had to deal with at some point in their life. Another desert could be when a spouse, child or family member is diagnosed with a serious or terminal illness. Leading to stress, worry and fear along with impacting the family financially. When a loved one dies I would call this a desert in life because a void has been created with the passing of the family member. Whether the person passed away suddenly or from a long illness we will need time to go through the mourning process. No matter what desert we face one thing that we must keep in mind is that our heavenly Father will help us to get through it when we have faith in Him. The bible has many stories of people who were just like you and I, who faced personal deserts and with the assistance of God survived. We are reminded in the bible that God is gracious, merciful and loving. What God has done for others He will do for you and me. Great news indeed because we do not have to face or endure our deserts alone. God the Father wants to guide us every step of the way through all circumstances. By now you should be excited about reading this book. In the chapters that follow you will become inspired to never give up and to continue to press forward. You will learn that God is on your side and that you will have the victory. God has never been defeated and when we join forces with Him by using our faith then our survival or success is guaranteed.

Chapter One

The Beginning of Faith

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 (KJV)

As I begin our discussion on faith, I think about how it all started for me. It started as I began reading the bible many years ago while working the third shift in the New Haven jail. At the time my girlfriend who would later become my wife gave me a New International Version of the bible that I carried to work and read. Therefore, as I continued to read the bible it created a desire in me to want to go to church. Whenever I had a Sunday off from work I would go with my girlfriend to her church where I would hear the word of God preached. The more that I read the bible and attended church the more the seed grew that was planted in my heart. Ultimately leading me to a place where I wanted to have a personal relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. It was during this time that I came to the realization that I truly needed God in my life and did not want to miss out on eternity in heaven. I am a witness that the above mentioned scripture is true and that the seed of faith to believe in God had been planted in my life through this process. Faith for a believer starts as a small seed which reminds me