Face the Future with Faith!

7.17.2024 (part 1)

7.24.2024 (part 2)

7.31.2024(Part 3)

 

Foundations

As world conditions deteriorate, now is the time to build your faith in God’s Word.

1 John 5:4 (NKJV)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

World:

1 John 5:19 (NKJV)

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

John 14:30 (NKJV)

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NKJV)

Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

1 John 5:4 (BBE)

Anything which comes from God is able to overcome the world: and the power by which we have overcome the world is our faith.

1 John 5:4 (CEV)

Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory.

1 John 5:4 (GW)

Because everyone who has been born from God has won the victory over the world. Our faith is what wins the victory over the world.

1 John 5:4 (NLT)

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

Jesus gave you faith when you were born again! Don’t think you don’t have it because you do!

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 12:3 (NKJV)

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 (WNT)

For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate sobriety of judgment in accordance with the amount of faith which God has allotted to each one.

We all have the same measure of faith given to us when we come to Jesus.

It is up to us to do something with what God gives us!

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Rick Renner( Sparkling Gems)

“A verse that really helped me back in those days—and that still helps me today—is Hebrews 11:6. It says, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him [God]….” The word “without” is the Greek word choris, a word that means to be outside of something—like outside the city limits or outside the house, as opposed to inside the city or inside the house. It should actually be translated, “But outside of faith….” This word describes faith as a location—a place where you can live “in” or live “out” of. The Greek literally means, “But outside of the place of faith, it is impossible to please Him….” Furthermore, the word “please” is the Greek word euarestesai, a compound of the words eu and arestos. The word eu means well, as in something that is well—and the word arestos means enjoyable or pleasing. Together they describe the pleasure one feels from seeing something that is especially excellent or delightful. So when you take all these different meanings into account, Hebrews 11: 6 can be translated: “Outside of the realm of faith, it is impossible to bring delight and pleasure to God.…” The flip side to this statement is that when you are living “in” a place of faith—that is, if you are where God has called you and doing what God has asked you to do—you bring pleasure to the Lord.”

— Sparkling Gems from the Greek Vol. 2: 365 New Gems To Equip And Empower You For Victory Every Day Of The Year by Rick Renner

https://a.co/2jvYDMg

Faith is developed two ways: learning the Word, and then exercising it against the circumstances of life.

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

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

Faith in God means faith in His Word!

If I say I have faith in God in a particular situation, I must ask myself what scriptures am I believing in as I trust God.

Faith comes through the knowledge of God’s Word.

The more Word you know, the greater your capacity for faith.

Faith must also have resistance to grow, just like a muscle. So when negative things happen, learn to go to God’s Word and act like it is true!

James 1:22 (NKJV)

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:23-25 (NKJV)

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Start 7.24.2024

There is no faith in God that is not directly attached to His Word!

In some places there is an emphasis on the presence of God. We want the presence. But you cannot put faith in a feeling. Faith MUST be in God and in His Word.

Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Isaiah 55:8-11 (NKJV)

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

The only stable thing in the world is what God has said!

As conditions deteriorate in our nation and worldwide, we have a stabilizing factor in our lives with the Word of God!

I remember that when I came to Christ in 1976, the world was in chaos way back then. Inflation was high, gas prices were escalating as we had long lines at the gas stations. Businesses were laying people off. In the middle of all of this I was getting acquainted with God and His Word!

Isaiah 33:6 (NKJV)

Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure.

God and His Word, when added to any equation of need, equals a miracle of provision from Him!

Miracles happen when people trust God in faith.

Just think of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Daniel, David: Miracles happened! God provided. Needs were met. Healing came. Provision came. Protection came. All because of faith in what God said!

Hebrews 11:32-40 (NLT)

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Faith is what is going to navigate you through the things that are coming!

Get your faith ready!

Can you face a situation that looks and feels bad and believe that God will heal, or provide, or solve the problem when it doesn’t look or feel like it ?

We are the touch and feel generation.

We are the sensory generation. We want to see. We want to feel. We want to experience.

Notice what Jesus said to Thomas:

John 20:24-29 (NKJV)

Seeing and Believing

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Read and meditate the Word!

Start 7/31/2024

Believing right now that you receive answers to your prayers.

Faith is the key to overcoming the pressure and needs that life brings your way!

What kind of faith do you have?

John 20:27-29

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas’ faith only believes when it sees it.

Do you believe only when you see?

Can you believe when it seems like it is not working, or do you have to have the proof first?

If so, you will be at a disadvantage when tough things are here.

Abraham’s kind of faith

Romans 4:17-21 (NKJV)

17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Abraham’s faith that can believe when it looks like it is not happening. Can you?

Can you hold steady on God’s Word alone when you have a need?

Can you wait expectantly and joyfully when it looks like God is doing nothing?

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Thomas’ faith only believes when it sees it. Do you believe only when you see?

Can you believe and be excited about what God has promised to do for you when it seems like it isn’t working?

Start right now with small things and exercise faith!

Faith is believing right now that you receive what God has promised you and that He is answering your prayers.

Faith is the key to overcoming the pressure and needs that life brings your way!

God does not respond to need. He responds to faith!

Smith Wigglesworth Quote

There is something about believing God that will cause God to pass over a million people just to get to you.

When praying for certain things personally, it’s important to remember that faith is always past or present tense. To cooperate with the Lord, keep your tenses right!

You can’t receive in the present by talking or thinking in the future.

Faith is never future tense!

It is past or present tense.

If you just hoping that one day in the future things will be different, you’ll not receive from the Lord. It’s not hoping one day in the future that things will be different, but it’s believing that God has already answered, or is answering your prayer that brings results!

Hebrews 11:1(NKJV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation,the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

 

Notice what God said to Joshua…

Joshua 6:1-2

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. (2) And the Lord said to Joshua: See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.

 

God spoke to them in the past tense about Jericho. The walls were still up. Yet God had promised that the city was already theirs!

 

To Abram

Genesis 17:5

No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

 

Romans 4:17

(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed — God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.

 

Jesus spoke in the past tense when praying for Lazarus to be raised!

John 11:41

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.”

God does not respond to need. He responds to faith!

Smith Wigglesworth Quote

There is something about believing God that will cause God to pass over a million people just to get to you.

The woman in Mark 5 had a female issue for 12 years and simply touched Jesus in FAITH. And she was healed. A lot of people were touching Him at the time, but it was the touch of faith that made the difference.

Kenneth Hagin:

If Satan can keep you in the arena of thought, he will whip you, and whip you badly.But if you can keep him in the arena of faith, you will defeat

him in every challenge.

Your enemy can outthink you, but if you keep him in the faith arena, he has nothing that can defeat you if you will stand.

1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

I learned this first in my late teens when I came to Jesus. I had been in church for almost 18 years! Did not know this!

Believing you receive what you have asked for from the Lord before you see or feel it is the key to receiving from Him!

Mark 11:24 (NKJV)

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

I will come back to this.

You may be facing a huge crisis right now.

Faith, believing that you receive, is the ingredient that will get you through it.

Many speak of faith as an abstract – it’s somewhat nebulous and innocuous. As if faith is just something you have to help you grunt through life, but it doesn’t change anything.

But faith is a force that comes from your spiritual life that will bring you through the toughest things that life brings your way!

Notice the role that faith had in Jesus’ ministry:

 

Mark 9:14-23 (NLT)

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. 16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. 17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”19 Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Mark 9:23 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT)

A Roman Officer Demonstrates Faith

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites — those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

Matthew 8:13 (NKJV)

Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.”

 

Matthew 9:18-26 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Bleeding Woman and Restores a Girl to Life

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” 19 So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. 20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, 21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. 23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. 24 “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. 25 After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! 26 The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

Matthew 9:22 (NKJV)

But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

Matthew 9:27-29 (NKJV)

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” 28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

Impossible situations turn around when faith is exercised.

Don’t settle for less than God’s best!

Faith always receives right now what God promises!

When praying for certain things personally, it’s important to remember that faith is never future tense.

Faith is always past or present tense.

Hope is future tense.

To cooperate with the Lord and receive from Him, keep your tenses right!

If you’re just hoping that one day in the future things will be different, you’ll not receive from the Lord.

It’s not hoping one day in the future that things will be different, but it’s believing that God has already answered, or is answering your prayer, that brings results!

Notice what Jesus said about praying in faith in Mark 11:22-24:

Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV)

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them..

This next verse has simply revolutionized how I have lived my life.

Mark 11:24 (NKJV)

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Question some have – I would be lying if I said I have something and I don’t have it.

You’re not saying you have it; you are saying you believe you receive it. There’s a big difference.

 

Mark 11:24 (AMPC)

For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

 

Mark 11:24 (NCV)

So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you.

 

Mark 11:24 (GW)

That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours.

 

Mark 11:24 (ESV)

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

 

Mark 11:24 (CJB)

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, trust that you are receiving it, and it will be yours.

 

Mark 11:24 (BBE)

For this reason I say to you, Whatever you make a request for in prayer, have faith that it has been given to you, and you will have it.

 

Hebrews 11:1 (NCV)

Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.

Dr. J. Oswald Sanders Quote:

Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen.

Declare the end from the beginning!

Isaiah 46:9-10 (AMPC)

[Earnestly] remember the former things, [which I did] of old; for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose,

Are you willing to declare the end from the beginning?

Call those things that do not exist as though they did!

Romans 4:17 (NKJV)

(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

Romans 4:18-21 (NKJV)

who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Speak and act as though you believe you have what you have asked God for.

If you are depressed, weighed down, feeling low, ask God to set you free from it, and then believe you receive and say you believe you receive while the feelings are still there.

If you are believing for healing, pray, then start acting and praising and thanking God as though you were healed already, even before the symptoms stop.

Don’t ignore the problem. Speak God’s Word in the face of the problem!

If you are believing for finances, then pray, believe you receive, and act like, talk like, and praise and thank God like you already had what you asked for!

If you are believing for a job, act like, talk like, and praise and thank God like you already had what you asked for.

Examples of faith receiving right now:

 

Joshua

Joshua 6:1-2 (NKJV)

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. 2 And the Lord said to Joshua: See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.

 

God spoke to them in the past tense about Jericho. The walls were still up. Yet God had promised that the city was already theirs!

 

Abraham

Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV)

Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 17:5 (NKJV)

No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

God changed Abram’s name to Abraham! ‘Exalted father’ became “father of a multitude.” He and Sarah had zero children when God changed his name!

 

Romans 4:17 (NKJV)

(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed — God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.

 

Jesus spoke in the past tense when praying for Lazarus to be raised!

John 11:39-44 (NKJV)

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Faith is a fight!

1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

Fight – Greek – agœnízomai:

to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary)

The fight is to defy negative thoughts and feelings when it looks like it isn’t working.

Make it your habit every day, after you pray and ask, to say out loud what you believe!

Action Points:

1. Am I willing to pray and to believe that I receive what I pray for right now?
2. Am I willing to talk and act like I believe I receive the answer before any changes come?
3. Am I willing to fight negative thoughts and feelings even when it looks like nothing has changed?