The Journey of Faith part 2

The journey of Faith Part 2

Heb.11:1-4 KJV
1)Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2)For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3)Through faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4)By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it being dead yet speaketh.

Last week we established that faith is persisting when i don't feel like it. It is keeping up even when i feel like giving up.If you keep up in faith and refuse to give up on God's plans and purpose for your life, then you will conquer where you have failed in the past, because you are persistent at it.

Concluding on the journey of faith, it is important we understand that:

4) Faith is declaring it in order to experience it.

In faith, saying precedes performance. Nothing has ever happened without it been declared first, neither will any thing happen that you have not declared.

Heb. 11:3 KJV

Through faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

What ever we want to create, is first formed when it is spoken. In the beginning, Bible recorded how God spoke each time He desired to create something. What ever it is you desire to see in tour life, you have to learn to SAY it, and you will see it manifest as you continue to say it

Rom.10:8-9 KJV

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

There is a strong connection between what we say and what we believe. When we say certain words consistently, it registers in our hearts and shapes our thoughts which consequently shapes our actions. This is why our words are very important because the success or failure of our effort depends greatly on what we say and believe.

You believe to say it, but you also say it to believe it. Words spoken with faith, which is believe carries great power. If you say it, then you believe it. The acid test of faith is boldly declaring it before other people.

Mark 11:23, Jesus taught that what ever a man says believing in his heart, he shall have such declaration. Check your results in life, you will see how much it agrees with your declaration. Your life moves in the direction of your speech and dominant thoughts. To change your results, change your declaration, for whatever you declare with your mouth, you will definitely see it happen. Never make negative declaration, because you are speaking to affect your world.

5) Faith is giving when i don't have it.

Heb. 11:4 KJV

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it being dead yet speaketh.

According to the scripture, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. In Gen.4:3-5, the two brothers offered the fruit of their labour, but Abel's offering was more excellent before God, not because of the magnitude of the gift, but because of the Heart behind the gift.

The only way to please God is by faith, according to Heb.11:6. What ever is not of faith is sin. Abel offered his sacrifice in faith and God was moved, that God could say Abel was righteous. Faith is not waiting to give when you have so much, it is giving even when you don't have. God is not moved by tears, but He is so moved by whatever is done in faith

The pastor of the largest congregation, Pst. David Yonggi Cho, once shared how their church embarked on a building project and they had nothing , in fact the church was in debt and members could not give anymore, but one day, an old woman came to him and said she want to participate in the project but all she has is the bowl in her hand, and she is giving it to the church.

The Pastor was not just moved, but this old woman's act, also challenged every one in the church to give more towards the project. they gave out of their little, some gave out of none, but God did bless their giving, for in no time, they moved into abundance. How interesting, that giving is also an expression of faith. If you have faith, express it in your giving and see if God will not be moved to bless you.

Faith is giving when you don't have it.

6) Faith is thanking God before i receive it.

Phil.4:6 KJV

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Faith is not just believing in your heart, neither is it just declaring what you believe, but it is also thanking God in advance for what you have not seen.

If you so much believe that you will have what ever you say or ask, then go ahead demonstrating it by thanking God in advance, faith attitude is to celebrate God for what he is yet to do for you.

John 11:41

KJV Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. What Jesus did at Lazarus' tomb look so simple, but it is also profound. Some folks at the tomb would have thought that raising a dead man should take more than thanksgiving, but Jesus understand how faith works. It does not work by just praying, but it also works by thanksgiving. To walk in faith, is to walk with a grateful heart, be thankful even for what you have not received, and you will receive it.

7) Faith is trusting God in disappointment.

Job 13:15 KJV

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Imbibe Job's attitude, trust God even when you feel you have being disappointed. In every situation, trust Him, for it is situations that change, God does not change. If you maintain unwavering believe in him, you will definitely rejoice over the blessings of faith.

A NEW WAY OF LIVING

A NEW WAY OF LIVING

2 Corinthians 5:7: “…For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Giving your life to Christ introduces you to a new lifestyle. ‘Sight’ in our text represents living by the senses; which appears to be only logical. We all depend on our senses to guide us in our everyday choices. However, to rise above the natural and live the supernatural lifestyle that Jesus lived; we have to learn that our senses cannot be relied upon where they contradict the guidance of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.

FEELINGS CAN BE FLAKY

How many times have we felt anger at a wrong assumption? This happens very often when we feel friends, family members or colleagues deliberately ignored us, made unpleasant comments about us, or acted unfairly. We get annoyed at the sense of injustice, betrayal or selfishness until we confront them or simply hear from them and realize our thoughts were wrong. Instantly our emotions change. This is positive proof that feelings cannot be relied upon.

Your feelings may not always be right. Living by faith requires choosing to believe God’s Word even when our feelings say the opposite. Choose to believe you are healed when you feel symptoms of sickness, that God is with you when you feel afraid and feel blessed when you feel like you are cursed. Let your feelings line up with God’s Word by lining up your thoughts with God’s Word. We often elevate our feelings to the level of conscience but emotions lack that kind of authority and power. Faith takes the Word of God as final authority.

Even where our feelings are naturally and medically verifiable, God’s Word is still to be chosen. Our feelings will always line up with our predominant thoughts.

FALSE EVIDENCE

Someone defined fear by using it’s spelling as an acronym. He defined it as False Evidence Appearing Real. This simply means sight can deceive. The life of faith requires a consciousness that as we have our physical sense of sight, so do we have the spiritual. 2 Cor. 4:18 says we should be looking at the invisible for it holds the power to change the visible. God’s Word is a spiritual reality capable of transforming physical reality.

It is however important that we mentally focus on God’s Word, filling our imagination with dreams and visions of its truth and ignoring the facts. Our minds must be so encapsulated by the thought of the reality of God’s Word that it affects our attitude. The disciples of Jesus were frozen with fear at His sight walking on the water. “It is a ghost” they said. But Jesus said, “it is I, be not afraid.” We ought to be positive in the midst of negative circumstances.

Many of the things we see around us are contraptions of Satan to deceive us into abandoning God’s Word for our circumstances. We don’t have to believe them. After His encounter with the father at Gethsemane, Jesus was so consumed with the mental picture of the resurrection that He could endure the cross and embrace His trial with a positive attitude (Hebrews 12:3). We should do likewise. Focus on the vision God gave you for your future and upon what God’s Word says concerning you and don’t trust false evidences.

FACT OR FICTION

We have been brought up to always believe and say the facts; but faith requires that we believe the Word as TRUE when the facts are contrary. A man of faith appears unrealistic and fictional in his confession. He like God; calls those things that be not, as though they were (Romans 4:17). How comical and ludicrous Abram and Sarai must have appeared to their Canaanite neighbours when on God’s instruction they officially changed their names to Abraham and Sarah (father and mother of nations); at 89 and 99 years of age. Dramatic, confused, insane, self deceiving etc. must have described the perception of the people about them. However, it wasn’t long when they began to notice changes.

Fiction began to turn to material fact. It won’t be long when circumstances around you will change for the better because you believe God’s Word and confess it even though it appears unrealistic. Even when you are struggling with believing the Word in your own heart, keep speaking it, for faith cometh by hearing (Rom. 10:17). It is scientifically proven that words spoken by us have the greatest impact upon our lives.

Korean scientists discovered years ago that nerves in the speech centre of the brain do exercise control over all other ones in the body. According to James 3; they influence our entire lives. If you will speak God’s Word in all situations, it is only a matter of time and every situation will line up with God’s Word.