By Faith
May 2013
During my quiet time with the Lord, I was led to Hebrews 11. As you probably know this portion of the Word of God is referred to as the "Hall of Faith" because it features the "Heroes of Faith." As I read I noticed that each of these heroes, all of which had different callings and different stories-----some good and some bad-----did incredible things for the glory of God! They did these incredible and extraordinary things not by their own strength, power, or ability.....but BY FAITH! God began to minister to me about my future and He said to me what I believe many of you need to hear today and that is that, "The call of God on your life is going to require a "by faith" life!" You will be discouraged by what you see, feel, or the circumstances that you experience....if you do not live a "by faith" life. Hebrews 11:1,3 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Friend, this life for you and I is a faith life! We are in a faith fight and it's a good one....Praise God! As you read through Hebrews 11 you'll notice a common thread, "By faith Abel...." "By faith Enoch....." "By faith Noah...." By faith Abraham...." "By faith Sara...." "By faith Isaac...." "By faith Joseph...." "By faith Moses......" "By faith the Israelites passed through the Red Sea as by dry land...." "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down....." "By faith Rehab......" "By faith Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets....." Then starting in Hebrews 11:33 we read, "who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouth of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonments. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them.They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith....." (Hebrews 11:33-39 NIV) Whew, my friend, as we can see......there is nothing that we cannot do through faith....by living a "by faith" life! Faith has an attitude and an action. Believing is the attitude and speaking is the action. When we keep our speaker connected to our believer, faith carries us to our divine destiny. The Message Bible translates the phrase, "by faith" as "by an act of faith." Faith is an act. Act like Jesus has done what He said he did. Act like you would if you already had the thing you are believing God for. Act like you are who God says you are. Act like you can do what God says you can do. Remember, faith is an act. Hebrews 11 contains some of God's greatest actors. God gave oscars to these heroes of faith. Roll out the red carpet and get the camera ready! It is time for some more actors and the awards are eternal! Hebrews 11:6 tells us how we are to please God…..it is through faith that we please Him…..not fear, not doubt, not unbelief, and not disobedience. Faith gets happy now. Faith enjoys the journey in spite of all of the adversity that is being faced. Faith comes by hearing a certain sound. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, which then opens our ears to the supernatural plan and provision of God! (Romans 10:17,18) Living by faith is not something you do every once in a while; it's a daily walk with God. Faith will invade every area of your life. Faith will change the atmosphere in your house. Faith is more than just a formula; it is fire in the spirit of a man! Faith is not afraid of the unknown. Faith will push out from the shore and "….Launch out into the deep….for a draught (catch)…at thy word. (Luke 5:4,5). Faith will make you leave your comfort zone. Faith shouts even when the walls are still standing and FAITH IS THE VICTORY! (1 John 5:4) One of the devil's strategies is to entice the believer out of the arena of faith and into the arena of feelings, sight, or circumstances. You must stay in the arena of faith, because that is where the victory is won. Another strategy of the devil is discouragement. You may experience setbacks and delays in your life, but your faith fight is a good fight because YOU win (1 Timothy 6:12)! So friend, take a stand, stay focused, keep living by faith, and rise up and do great exploits all for the glory of God! It is YOUR time!!!!
Remember these words by Trina Hankins as you go throughout your day: "God is on my side. For the blood has been applied. Every need shall be supplied. Nothing shall be denied. So I enter into rest and I know that I am blessed. I have passed the test. I will get God's best!"
YOU WIN by living the "by faith" life and the devil is defeated!
Be encouraged!
Remember these words by Trina Hankins as you go throughout your day: "God is on my side. For the blood has been applied. Every need shall be supplied. Nothing shall be denied. So I enter into rest and I know that I am blessed. I have passed the test. I will get God's best!"
YOU WIN by living the "by faith" life and the devil is defeated!
Be encouraged!
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