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Research conducted by Columbia University found that "People with religious faith are markedly less likely to abuse alcohol and illegal drugs than non-believers." 

Why would faith make such a difference in substance abuse? The study cited the positive impact of religious teaching or the sense of belonging to a group or that faith fills a need that makes substance abuse attractive. 

(http://www.freshministry.org/illustrations.html)

Another study shows that Church goers live longer. Certainly some of the longevity is explained by healthy habits promoted by the church, like not smoking and drinking, but even after adjusting for those things, researchers are still saying that Church attendance promotes longer life. Doug Oman, the leading author of the study said, "We wonder if there's something else going on-like inner peace."

(http://www.freshministry.org/illustrations.html)

Personally, I'm not qualified to analyze the research or have an opinion why those who attend church abuse drugs less and live longer, but I am confident that following the teachings of the Bible will improve a person's life on earth, but more importantly, it will point a person to a path that will lead to eternal life. 

But I'm left asking, in what other tangible ways does faith work in our lives?

Well for one thing, the scripture teaches that FAITH BRINGS RIGHTEOUSNESS. In

Philip. 3:9 (NASB) Paul wrote, " and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith," Faith is the way God transfers His righteousness to us. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6 NASB 

Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? Have you ever really been thirsty? What kinds of things would real thirst drive you to do?

In the midst of a drought in Kenya, thirsty monkeys attacked Ali Adam Hussein and his fellow herdsman who stopped to water their herd. The wild monkeys barraged them with rocks, resulting in Hussein's death. When hunger and thirst reaches a critical stage, it becomes a primary motivator. It causes the thirsty to do things they wouldn't ordinarily do. 

What would happen if our spiritual thirst for righteousness was as strong as our natural thirst for water? (http://www.freshministry.org/illustrations.html)

Society needs righteousness. We need righteousness, and God will give it to us if we hunger and thirst for it. He with give it to us through our faith.

What else does faith give us? FAITH BRINGS HOPE AND SECURITY. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "Thank you for reading the free preview of this sermon.  The full manuscript is available to Premium Members use these resources in their ministry.

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