Faith
Dawn Jones, Roanoke, VA
Catagory: Volume 2, Issue 7 and 8
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1.
Faith causes the spirit to stir to a point of seeing into the Spirit of God and that thing hoped for becomes possible. The evidence is what the Word and the Spirit have said about that thing. The Word and the Spirit are the foundation of faith.
Our belief must extend beyond what we see in the natural. Faith is not natural, but spiritual. Faith causes us to believe that God has done whatever we ask or whatever He says.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, Hebrews 11:6.
Faith is not a game of hit and miss. Faith is a lifestyle; it’s our livelihood. Romans 1:17 says, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. Without faith, how can we believe that God Is? Faith brings us into fellowship, a right relationship with the God of Creation.
Our walk in faith cannot be separate from our walk of life. If we have faith one time and not another, we're of two opinions. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Our walk of life is strengthened by knowing Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Jesus is faith and He is faithful. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world, John 17:13-14. Faith allows us to see ourselves in the Spirit and not in the world. As we take Jesus at His Word, let's exercise our rights in Him. We are victorious in this life.
We must maintain our relationship with God. Through Jesus Christ all things are possible. When you ask in faith, you must have confidence that you have received. God has given us the authority to speak and it shall come to pass (whatever you speak must be based on the Word) and the Word must be mixed with faith.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly, Psalm 84:11.
We are God's beloved, jewel, elect, and sought after. We must have a one on one relationship with God. Don't take for granted that God wants from you what He demands from another. God uses our differences to build and to draw others into His Kingdom.
All Christians must travel the same path, but each soul must work out his/her own salvation with fear and trembling. We are responsible for what we do. When we speak, will it bring forth life? When we pray, will it be heard? When we testify, does it exalt Jesus and encourage others? Think on these questions. Do they stir your spirit or bring more questions? Where do we stand in our walk with the Lord? First Corinthians 15:14 says, And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Do we really believe that Christ is the resurrected Savior of the world?
The Holy Spirit refreshes and renews us day by day. Our anticipation grows as we move more into the things of God. The quality of our lives depends on the fruit we bear. Faith is encompassing, driving out the forces of darkness, sickness, disease, and despair. Faith produces life. When we have an opportunity to execute faith, we please the Lord.
To please God, we must first know what He requires. The Words says, But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, Hebrews 11:6. As the Word says, "We walk by faith and not by sight." Romans 14:23 says, For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Philippians 1:6 says, Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
God gives us faith to believe and not doubt. He has given us the ability to speak to the mountain and it shall be moved. God will continue to speak until we are complete in Him. God doesn't start something without knowing the end result.
As He speaks we must obey, because this world still needs a change. Romans 8:28 says, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Through faith we bear witness of bad things turning for good. The Power of the Holy Spirit causes your faith to reach into the spiritual realm and manifest the answer. The Anointing of God destroys the yoke and loosen the bonds that bind the hands of men, setting the captives free.
God made us in His image and likeness. When we refuse to allow faith to rise, we walk in defeat. We must hear the Word and hear the Word that we may see Jesus. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Romans 10:17. Faith stands when you have no other recourse. Faith moves you from one position to another. Faith increases; it grows. Faith works when you work it, faith must be released.
When you have nothing, stop doing what you're doing and allow faith to take over and watch God work. Faith allows someone to see an end, just as the Word says; "now faith is." Faith sees the end before the end manifests itself. Our faith is supported by what we know, which is the Word of God. Faith doesn't begin something; faith ends it. The Holy Spirit gives faith substance.
There are different facets of faith, which hinges on Jesus and the Power of the Holy Ghost. Without Jesus and the Power of the Holy Ghost, faith will not prevail. Without the Word, faith doesn't work; without faith, the Word doesn't work. The Word and faith can be interchangeable. A Christian’s life depends on faith. Faith is greater than any trial God allows. Whenever God speaks, faith is present. Many do not understand faith; they think that faith works at certain times.
Galatians 5:4-6 say, Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. We enter into faith by accepting the Love of God. We need faith to do the Will of God. It's important. Faith is an attribute of God.
In Exodus 3:7-8 the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. Just as the children of Israel caused God to move and come down, the same faith will cause Jesus' return. Faith allows us to see beyond the wickedness around us, and to the work of Jesus. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, Hebrew 13:5. God is never far from His children. As we hold to faith; we walk in faith and we live in faith. We have the assurance that we shall see the Glory of God. Faith moves mountains and causes limbs to grow and eyes to see.
Faith is forever because faith is God. Believe it or not, God is faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
