AnotherLookAtFaithKennethW.Hagin

Unlessotherwiseindicated,allScripturequotationsaretakenfromtheKingJamesVersionoftheBible.

ElectronicEditionPublished2014

ISBN-13:978-1-60616-845-5

ISBN-10:1-60616-845-2

Copyright©1996RhemaBibleChurchakaKennethHaginMinistries,Inc.Allrightsreserved.

TheFaithShieldisatrademarkofRhemaBibleChurch,AKAKennethHaginMinistries,Inc.,registeredwiththeU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficeandthereforemaynotbeduplicated.

Chapter1

WhatFaithIsNotAndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,That

whosoevershallSAYuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichheSAITHshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverheSAITH.ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,BELIEVEthatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.—Mark11:22–24

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews11:1

JesustoldustohavefaithinGod.ThemarginnoteinmyKingJamesBiblesays,“HavethefaithofGod.”GodwantsustohaveHiskindoffaith.TheGod-kindoffaithbelievesandspeaks.That’showGodcreatedtheuniverseinthefirstplace(seeGenesischapter1).

Weneedtotakeanotherlookatfaith—Biblefaith—sowecanunderstandtheGod-kindof faith. Some people say things about faith that don’t line upwith theWord of God.Manypeoplehaveassumedthingsaboutfaiththatarenotbiblicallycorrect.Whenpeopledon’tunderstandBiblefaith,theyoftenmakefalseassumptionsaboutit.

Theirfalse ideasaboutfaith influencetheirremarks,attitudes,andactions.What theyassume tobe faith isnotbiblical faith at all, so theyendupdisappointed, thinking thatfaithinGoddoesn’twork.Theyaremisledjustbecausetheydon’tknowwhatBiblefaithisandwhat it isnot. Soweneed to take another look at faith and seewhatBible faithreallyis.

OneMisconceptionFor example, one misconception about faith is that it is wrong to believe God for

specific things or for specific needs to be met. Some people say that we only need ageneralfaithinGodbecausebelievingGodforaspecificprayerrequestismanipulatingHim,andthatdetractsfromHissovereignty.

Theyteachthatitisonlyappropriatetopray,“Lord,Thywillbedone,”becausewecannever know the will of God. Therefore, to pray for anything specific may be prayingagainstthewillofGod.

Forexample, thesepeople teach thatyoumaybeprayingforGodtomeetafinancialneedinyourlife,whileGodmaywantyoutobepoor.SotheybelieveGodmaywanttoteachyousomethingbyallowingyoutosufferwithlackandpoverty.Therefore,theysaythat ifyoupray forGod tomeetyour financialneeds,youcouldbeprayingagainst thewillofGod.

According to this teaching, you can never pray about anything specific with anyconfidence.Youcanonlypray,“Lord,Yourwillbedone.”AndyoucanneverknowwhatGod’swillisbecause“Godmovesinmysteriousways,Hiswonderstoperform.”

Butoneproblemwiththisteachingisthatpeopleassumethatwhatevertheoutcome,itmustbeGod’swill!

Wecanprayaboutourspecificneeds.TheBible teachesus thatGodwantstosupplyourspecificneeds.

PHILIPPIANS4:1919ButmyGodshallsupplyallyourneedaccordingtohisrichesinglorybyChristJesus.

Godwantstomeetourspecificneeds!Infact,youshouldbespecificwithGodbasedon thepromises inHisWord.Faithbeginswhere thewill ofGod isknown, and ifyouknowwhatHisWordpromises,thenyouknowyoucanreceiveyourspecificpetition.ThisiswhattheBibleteaches!

1JOHN5:14–1514Andthisistheconfidencethatwehaveinhim,that,ifweaskanythingaccordingtohiswill,hehearethus:15Andifweknowthathehearus,whatsoeverweask,weknowthatwehavethepetitionsthatwedesiredofhim.

How can believingGod for specific requests be unscriptural? After all, if you don’tbelieveGod specifically for salvation, you can’t get saved.Without faith to receive thebaptismintheHolySpirit,youcan’treceivethisgiftfromGod.Withoutfaith,youcan’treceiveanyofthepromisesofGodinyourlife.

DoestheBiblegiveusanyinstancesofpeoplebelievingGodforspecificneeds,suchashealing? If people in theBible believedGod for specific needs to bemet, thenwe canknowitisscripturaltouseourfaithtoreceivespecificpetitionsfromGod.

TheWomanWiththeIssueofBloodInMark 5, there was a woman who had suffered for twelve years with an issue of

blood.Sheneededtobehealed.Shehadsufferedmanythingsofmanyphysiciansandwasnotbetter,butrathergrewworse.

MARK5:25–3425Andacertainwoman,whichhadanissueofbloodtwelveyears,26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and wasnothingbettered,butrathergrewworse,27WhenshehadheardofJesus,cameinthepressbehind,andtouchedhisgarment.28Forshesaid,IfImaytouchbuthisclothes,Ishallbewhole.29Andstraightway the fountainofherbloodwasdriedup;andshe felt inherbody that shewashealedofthatplague.30AndJesus,immediatelyknowinginhimselfthatvirtuehadgoneoutofhim,turnedhimaboutinthepress,andsaid,Whotouchedmyclothes?31Andhisdisciplessaiduntohim,Thouseestthemultitudethrongingthee,andsayestthou,Whotouchedme?32Andhelookedroundabouttoseeherthathaddonethisthing.33Butthewomanfearingandtrembling,knowingwhatwasdoneinher,cameandfelldownbeforehim,andtoldhimallthetruth.34Andhesaiduntoher,Daughter,thyfaithhathmadetheewhole;goinpeace,andbewholeofthyplague.

The woman with the issue of blood said, “If I may touch but his clothes, I will bewhole”(v.28).Inotherwords,shewasbelievingGodspecificallyforherhealing.Shehadfaithforaspecificneedtobemetinherlife—thehealingofherbody.

Thiswomanbelieved that touchingJesuswouldhealherofa long-standing infirmity.Shespecificallybelievedshewouldbehealedoftheissueofbloodshe’dsufferedwithfortwelvelongyears.

Notice that when Jesus asked, “Who touched Me?” He did not try to correct hertheology or try to change theway she’d used her faith (v. 30).He did not go off on adoctrinaldissertation,tellingher,“Don’taskMetomeetyourspecificneedsordesires;Ionlyanswergeneralprayers.”

Jesussimplylookedatherandsaid,“Daughter,thyfaithhathmadetheewhole”(v.34).Herfaithforaspecificneedwasrewardedbecauseshewashealedandmadecompletelywhole!

TheLameManatLystraAre there other instances in the Bible of people receiving specific needs met? Yes,

rememberthelamemanwhoneededaspecifichealinginhisfeetandanklebones?

PaulhadpreachedinLystra,andtherewasacrippledmaninthatcitywhoneededtobehealed.Themanneededtobeabletowalk!

ACTS14:8–108 And there sat a certainman at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from hismother’swomb,whoneverhadwalked:9ThesameheardPaulspeak:whostedfastlybeholdinghim,andperceivingthathehadfaithtobehealed,10Saidwithaloudvoice,Standuprightonthyfeet.Andheleapedandwalked.

Not only did thisman need to be healed, but Paul perceived that he had faith to behealed.However,ifthismanhadneverbelievedGodtomeethisspecificneedforhealing,heneverwouldhavewalked!Hehadfaithforaspecificneedtobemet—thehealingofhisfeetandanklebones.

Mydad,Rev.KennethE.Hagin,hadspecificfaithtobehealedofadeformedheartandanincurableblooddisease.Iwouldnothavebeenbornifithadn’tbeenformydad’sfaithinGod’sWord.IthankGodtodaythatmydadhadfaithtobelieveGodforaspecificneed—thehealingofanincurabledisease!

Youmay remember from readingmydad’sbooksandhearinghimminister that as ateenageronhisdeathbed,aministerwasaskedtovisithimsomydadcouldaskhimaboutMark11:23and24.

Thedoctorhad already toldDad that heonlyhada fewdays to live.Becauseofhiscondition,Dadcouldn’treallyspeak.Sowhentheministercame,DadtriedtoaskhimifMark11:23and24reallymeantwhatitsaid.

Theministercouldn’tunderstandwhatDadwastryingtosay.Sohejustpattedhimonthehead,andputtingonhisbestprofessionalvoice,hesaid,“There,there,myboy.Justafewmoredays,anditwillallbeover.”

But,thankGod,ateenagedboyhadfaithintheWordofGod!Noonetoldhimaboutfaithordivinehealing.HehadneverheardanyonepreachaboutbelievingGod’sWord.HesimplyreadtheWordofGodforhimselfandbelievedit.

ThisministryhastaughtfaithinGod’sWordbecauseGodgaveBrotherHaginaspecialassignmentora specialcommission to teach faith.God toldhim,“Go teachMypeoplefaith.”

Thisdoesn’tmeanthere’snotmoretotheWordofGodthanfaithorthatfaithismore

important than other biblical doctrines. But faith is important because the Bible says,“WithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod”(Heb.11:6).

TheBiblealsosays,“Nowthejustshalllivebyfaith...”(Heb.10:38).Therefore,weemphasizefaithandbelievingwhattheWordofGodsaysaboutfaith.

FaithDefinedBiblicallyTheBible defines faith for us inHebrews chapter 11.Andwe can understandmore

aboutfaithbylookingatdifferenttranslationsofHebrews11:1thathelpdefinewhatfaithis.

(KingJamesVersion)

Nowfaithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,theevidenceofthingsnotseen.

(NewInternationalVersion)

Nowfaithisbeingsureofwhatwehopeforandcertainofwhatwedonotsee.

(AmericanStandardVersion)

Nowfaithisassuranceofthingshopedfor,aconvictionofthingsnotseen.

(Weymouth)

Nowfaithisaconfidentassuranceofthatforwhichwehope,aconvictionoftherealityofthingswhichwedonotsee.

(Goodspeed)

Faithmeanstheassuranceofwhatwehopefor;itisourconvictionaboutthingsthatwecannotsee.

(Moffatt)

Nowfaithmeansthatweareconfidentofwhatwehopefor,convincedofwhatwedonotsee.

(Berkeley)

Butfaithformsasolidgroundforwhatishopedfor,aconvictionofunseenrealities.

(Beck)

Faithisbeingsureofthethingswehopefor,beingconvincedofthethingswecan’tsee.

(Montgomery)

Nowfaithisatitle-deedofthingshopedfor;theputtingtotheproofofthingsnotseen.

(NewEnglishBible)

Andwhatisfaith?Faithgivessubstancetoourhopes,andmakesuscertainofrealitieswedonotsee.

(TwentiethCenturyNewTestament)

Faithistherealizationofthingshopedfor—theproofofthingsnotseen.

(Williams)

Now faith is the assurance of the thingswe hope for, the proof of the reality of thethingswecannotsee.

(Amplified)

Nowfaithistheassurance(theconfirmation,thetitle-deed)ofthethings[we]hopefor,being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faithperceivingasrealfactwhatisnotrevealedtothesenses].

FindOutWhatFaithIsNotSometimestoaccuratelydefineandidentifysomething,wemustfirstfindoutwhatitis

not.Infact,sometimesitiseasiertofindoutwhatsomethingiswhenyoufindoutwhatitisnot.Itistheneasiertodiscoverwhatitactuallyis.

In themechanicalshopatRhema,sometimesrather thanlookingfor theproblem, themechanicsbegintosortoutwhattheproblemisbydeterminingwhatitisnot.Byfindingoutthroughtheprocessofeliminationwhattheproblemisnot,theyareabletodeterminewhattheproblemis.

Forexample,iftheproblemisintheelectricalsystem,theycandetermine,“Well, theproblemisdefinitelynotinthefuelsystem.Andweknowit’snotintheoilsystem,”andtheylistwhattheproblemisnot.

Theycancheckoutvarioussystemsanddetermine,“It’snotthis.It’snotthisorthis.”Andas they run through thesystems,afterawhile, theyareable todeterminewhat theproblemisthroughtheprocessofelimination.

Wecandothesamethingspirituallywhenitcomestofaith.It isimportanttolookatwhat biblical faith isnot, sowe can determinewhat biblical faith inGod is. Ifwe cangraspwhatfaithisnot,wecanhaveabetterunderstandingofwhatfaithis.Thenwecanuseourfaithtobestrongerindividuallyandcorporatelyasabodyofbelievers.

Listedbelowaresomethingsthatfaithisnot:

Faith isnotan isolatedspiritual force; inotherwords, faithworks inconnectionwithotherspiritualforces.

Faithisnotdenial;itdoesnotdenytheexistenceofaproblem.

Faithisnotneglect;itdoesnotneglectresponsibilities.

Faith is not imitation. Faith cannot be imitated; it must arise in each person’s heartbasedontheWordofGod.

Faithisnotalegalisticformula.Godrespondstofaith,nottoformulas.

FaithisnotanissueoforderingGodaround.FaithdoesnotnegatethesovereigntyofGod.

FaithisnotatickettoUtopia.Faithdoesnotensureperfectionforthislife.

Faithisnotapanicbuttontopushonlyintimesoftrouble;itisalifestyleoftrustinginGod.

Faithisnotamagicwand;faithdoesn’tinstantlysettleeveryproblemorquestion.

Faith is not the ability to override the free will of another; faith does not give usauthorityoverotherpeople.

Faithisnotlimitedtospecificresults;wemustalsohaveageneralunderlyingfaiththatcannotbemovedbyanycircumstance.

Faithisnottheabsenceoffeeling;faithisbasedontheWord,notonfeeling,butfaithdoesnotdenytheexistenceoffeelings.

FaithIsaSpiritualForceFirstofall,wehavetounderstandthatfaithisaspiritualforce.Inotherwords,faithisa

spiritualissue;itisnotanaturalissue.Faithisofman’sspirit,notofhismindorbody.

WhenwearedealingwithfaithinGod,faithfromGod,andthefaithofGod,wemustrealize thatGod is Spirit (John 4:24). Therefore, faith inHim is a spiritual issue to bediscernedandoperatedspiritually.

TheBiblesaysthatwearespiritbeings.Manisaspirit,hehasasoul,andhelivesinabody.SoBiblefaithisofman’srecreatedspirit,nothismindorflesh.

1THESSALONIANS5:2323AndtheveryGodofpeacesanctifyyouwholly;andIprayGodyourwholeSPIRITandSOULandBODYbepreservedblamelessuntothecomingofourLordJesusChrist.

That’s why Bible faith is of man’s heart or recreated spirit; it is not mental. It is aspiritualforce!TheBiblecallsit“thespiritoffaith.”

2CORINTHIANS4:1313WehavingthesameSPIRITOFFAITH,accordingasitiswritten,IBELIEVED,andthereforehaveISPOKEN;wealsoBELIEVE,andthereforeSPEAK.

Whatisthespiritoffaith?It’sBiblefaith—believingwiththeheartandspeakingwiththemouth.

Inanotherscripture,theBiblesaysthatfaithisbelievingwiththeheartandconfessingwiththemouth.

ROMANS10:9–109ThatifthoushaltCONFESSWITHTHYMOUTHtheLordJesus,andshaltBELIEVEINTHINEHEARTthatGodhathraisedhimfromthedead,thoushaltbesaved.10 For WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH unto righteousness; and with THE MOUTHCONFESSIONISMADEuntosalvation.

TheBibletalksaboutthe“hiddenmanoftheheart”orman’sspirit.FaithinGodresidesinthehiddenmanoftheheart,man’sspirit.

1PETER3:44 But let it be the HIDDENMAN OF THE HEART, in that which is not corruptible, even theornamentofameekandquietspirit,whichisinthesightofGodofgreatprice.

Inotherwords,manbelieveswithhisheartorspirit.Sobiblicalfaithisnotmental;itisnotmentalassent.Itisnotintellectualagreement.Faithisaspiritualforcethatgrowsanddevelopsintheheartorspiritofman.

JesussaidthatHisWordisspiritandlife(John6:63).Therefore,BiblefaithcomesfromGod’sWord:“…faithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod”(Rom.10:17).God’sWordhastheabilitytoquickenusspiritually.

JOHN6:6363Itisthespiritthatquickeneth;thefleshprofitethnothing:thewordsthatIspeakuntoyou,THEYARESPIRIT,andTHEYARELIFE.

SincetheWordofGodisspirit,ithastheabilitytoproduceaspiritualforcewithinourheartscalled“faith.”FaithinGod’sWordcanchangecircumstancesandmoveimpossible“mountains”inourlives(Mark11:23,24).

Aswehearthe“logos”orthewrittenWordofGod,itdevelopsfaithinsideofus.Webelievethelogos—thewrittenWordofGod.ThenaswespeakthelogosWordofGod,inasenseitbecomesarhemaWordofGodtous.

Theword“rhema”isaGreekword.Initsliteralsense,itsimplymeans“speaking”or“the spokenword.” So in the sense we are using it, “rhema”means theWord of Godspoken. TheWord ofGod that is spoken out in faith becomes the “rhema”Word—thespokenWord.

Vine’sExpositoryDictionaryofBiblicalWordsdefines“rhema”inthefollowingway:Thesignificanceofrhema(asdistinctfromlogos)isexemplifiedintheinjunctiontotake“theswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod,”Eph.6:17;herethereferenceisnottothewholeBibleassuch,buttotheindividualscripturewhichtheSpiritbringstoourremembranceforuseintimeofneed,aprerequisitebeingtheregularstoringofthemindwithScripture.1

Therefore,therhemaWordofGod—theWordofGodspoken—isaspiritual force. Itmustbedealtwithspiritually.Forexample,unlessyouunderstanditspiritually,thereisnoway to explain the rhemaword ofGod because theBible says that spiritual things arespirituallydiscerned.Youwon’tbeable todiscernspiritual thingswith justyournaturalmind.

1CORINTHIANS2:1414But theNATURALMANreceivethnot the thingsof theSpiritofGod: for theyare foolishnessuntohim:neithercanheknowthem,becausetheyareSPIRITUALLYDISCERNED.

Spiritual things are not discerned by the natural man—byman’s mind and intellect.That’s why many people have problems understanding spiritual things. They try tounderstandthethingsofGodwithonlytheirnaturalmind.

FaithIsNotanIsolatedSpiritualForceFaithisaspiritualforce,butit isnotan isolatedspiritualforce.Thatmeansfaithwas

never meant to work alone, just by itself. It works in conjunction with other spiritualforcesofGodsuchasloveandpatience.

You see, spiritual forcesmust operate in contextwith other spiritual forces towork.WhenyoustudytheWord,youseethatfaithwasintendedtooperatewithotherspiritualforcesofGod.

For example, prayer is a spiritual force; scriptural prayer releases the power ofGod.Faithoperateswithprayer.Whenyoupray in faith,youreceiveyouranswer fromGod.Butittakesfaithtoactivateprayer.

The loveofGod isalsoaspiritual force,but it takes love tomake faithoperate.TheBiblesaid,“faithworksbylove”(Gal.5:6).

AllthespiritualforcesthatGodhassetintoexistence—love,prayer,hope,patience—

mustoperatetogetherinordertoaccomplishthepurposesofGod.

Thenaturalandthespiritualmustalsofunctiontogether.Forexample,eachofushasahumanbody.WeunderstandthattheBiblesaidweareaspirit,wehaveasoul,andweliveinabody(1Thess.5:23).Tofunctionproperlyinthenaturalandinthespiritualrealms,man’sthreefoldnature—spirit,soul,andbody—mustworktogether.

Then in the natural realm, all the bodily systems must function properly and worktogethertoo.Forexample,thehumanbodyhasacirculatorysystem,arespiratorysystem,adigestivesystem,acentralnervoussystem,andsoon.Eventhoughallthosesystemsaredifferentandoperateseparately,theymustalsooperatetogetherinharmonytoallowthebodytofunctionproperly.

That’sthewayfaithis.Faithisnotanisolatedforce,operatingalone.FaithisaspiritualforcethatmustfunctioninunityandharmonywiththeotherspiritualforcesthatGodhassetintomotionsuchaslove,hope,patience,andprayer.

TheWordIsFoodtoOurSpiritSince theWordofGod isSpiritand life, theWord isspiritualsustenance—bread—to

ourspirits.MATTHEW4:44Butheansweredandsaid,Itiswritten,Manshallnotlivebybreadalone,butbyEVERYWORDthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod.

TheBiblesaysman is to liveby“…everyword thatproceedethoutof themouthofGod.”WhydoesGodwant us to livebyHisWord?One reason is that faith comesbyhearingtheWordofGod.Therefore,faithcannotoperateindependentlyoftheWord.

SomebelieverswanttopickafewisolatedwordsoutoftheBibleandlivejustbythosewords.Forexample,theywanttopickouthealingandprosperityscripturesandusethosescripturesastheirscripturalfoundation.

Well, it’s true that scripturesonhealing andprosperity arewords that proceedout ofGod’smouth,andwecanlivebythem.ButwealsoneedalltheotherscripturesinGod’sWordtoliveby!Basingourlivesononeortwoscriptureswouldbeliketryingtoliveinthenaturalrealmbyjusteatingoneortwokindsoffoods.Itwon’twork.

Andoftenpeoplewhopickandchoosethescripturestheywanttolivebyarenottooeagertofindscripturesaboutholiness,consecration,evangelism,judgment,andtheloveofGod.However,faithandprosperity,holiness,consecration,evangelism,judgment,andtheloveofGodallworktogethertodevelopamaturespiritualman.TheWordhelpsmanwalkwithGod,receivefromGod,andfulfillGod’swillontheearth.

ButallthatmanypeoplewantisjusttoreceivefromGod.Theycontinuallypray,“God,gimme,gimme,gimme…”Yes, theWordofGoddoes talk about receiving fromGod.Andit’struethatwecan’tgiveouttoothersuntilwehavereceivedsomethingfromGodourselves.

Butwecannot just takeportionsandbitsandpieces from theBibleanddevelop intostrong, mature Christians.We need the whole counsel of God, not just part of it. ThewholecounselofGodmustworktogetherinourlivestodevelopastrongspiritualman.

FaithisimportanttoourspiritualdevelopmentbecausetheBiblesaysthatwearetolivebyfaith(Rom.1:17).Butwemustalsolivealifeoflovebecausefaithworksbylove.

Sometimesitseemsthatpeoplewhotendtotalkthemostabouthowmuchfaiththeyhave andwhat strong “faith people” they are often don’t seem to havemuch love.Butsince faith works together with love to be effective, strong faith is impossible withoutlove.

1CORINTHIANS13:1313Andnowabideth faith, hope, charity [or love], these three; but the greatest of these is charity[love].

Accordingtosomepeople, thegreatestspiritualqualityisfaith.ButtheBibledoesn’tsay that. It says, “… the greatest of these is love.”However, theBible does say, “faithworks by love” (Gal. 5:6). Therefore, both faith and love must work together to beefficient.Butloveismoreimportantthanfaith,becauseloveisthecatalystthatgetsfaithworking.

Ifyoudon’thavelove,yourfaithisnotgoingtowork!That’sonereasonsomepeoplehave a hard time using their faith.They can quote theWord, and they brag about howmuchtheybelieveGod,buttheystilldon’tseemtobereceivingfromHim.Itmaybethattheylacklove.

Mydadsaysthefirstplacehetellspeopletolookwhentheydon’tseemtobereceivingfromGodistheirlovewalk.Yousee,faithcannotbeanisolatedspiritualforce.Faithdoesnotworkalone.FaithworksinconnectionwithalloftheotherspiritualforcesofGod,andoneofthoseislove.Loveworkingtogetherwithfaithcausesfaithtooperateproperly.

For example, using the illustration of an automobile again, a car hasmany differentsystems:anelectricalsystem,afuelsystem,acoolingsystem,justtonameafew.Allofthosesystemsworkindependentlyofeachother,buttomaketheautomobilerunsmoothly,allthesystemsmustalsoworktogetherproperly.

Eventhoughacarhasmanyindependentsystems,you’regoingtohaveaproblemifthecooling system breaks down or the oil system doesn’t work. All systems must workefficiently separately before they can work together collectively. For instance, if thecoolingsystemortheoilsystemshutsdown,yourengineisgoingtoblow!

Somebelievershaveblownuptheirfaith“system”byfailingtowalkinlove!Becauseone area affects another area, failing towalk in love can almost shut down someone’sspiritualwalkwiththeLord.

FaithandPatienceWorkTogetherFaithworkswithotherqualitiestoo.Whenourfaithistestedandtriedaswecontinueto

standontheWord,itworkspatienceinourlives.JAMES1:2–42Mybrethren,countitalljoywhenyefallintodiverstemptations;3Knowingthis,thatthetryingofyourFAITHWORKETHPATIENCE.4Butletpatiencehaveherperfectwork,thatyemaybeperfectandentire,wantingnothing.

TheBiblesayswecannotinheritthepromisesofGodwithoutpatience.Therefore,faithandpatienceworktogethertohelpusreceivewhatweneedfromGod.

HEBREWS6:1212Thatyebenotslothful,butfollowersofthemwhothroughFAITHANDPATIENCEinheritthepromises.

Youcansee thatpatience isanotherqualityorspiritual force that interactswithfaith.When patience is fully developed, it perfects our faith.But patience is somethingmostpeopledon’tlikebecauseitrequiressomeendurance!

Many people say theywant to develop strong faith. But if they’re going to developstrong, enduring faith, theymust “let patience have her perfectwork” because patienceperfectsormaturesourfaith.

Youcanseetheneedforpatienceinanotherscripturetoo.TheBiblesaystherewillbetimes we must stand on the Word regardless of circumstances. Sometimes that takespatientendurance.

EPHESIANS6:13–1413WhereforetakeuntoyouthewholearmourofGod,thatyemaybeabletowithstandintheevilday,andhavingdoneall,TOSTAND.14STANDTHEREFORE….

The answers to our petitions don’t always manifest overnight. When we don’t seeimmediateresults,thosearethetimeswejusthavetostandonGod’spromises,eveninthemidstofnegativecircumstances.Thattakespatience!

Whenyoudoeverythingyouknowtostandinfaith,andthenyoukeeponstanding—patienceisperfectingyourfaithandmakingitstrong.Youmayhavetoenduresometestsinordertokeeponstanding,butifyoupatientlystandsteadfastonGod’sWord,youwillseeyouranswer.

Manybelieversdon’twanttokeeponstanding;theywanttheanswernow.Theydon’twanttowaitorto“letpatiencehaveherperfectwork.”Theyjustwanttheanswerquickandeasy—rightnowwithoutanyeffort!

Acoupleofyearsago,IreadthatTulsa,Oklahoma,isthefast-foodcapitaloftheworld.More people per capita eat at fast-food restaurants in Tulsa than anywhere else in theworld.

Yousee,weliveina“now”society.Wewanteverythingnow!Itseemstobethespiritoftheage.Forexample,ifwehaveacomputer,assoonasanupdatedmodelisavailable,wewanttheupdatedversionrightawaysoitwillrunfaster.Wewantthefaster,upgradedmodelssowecanproducemoreworkmorequickly—now!

Whenwebuyanewcar,oneof thequestionsmanymenask is“Howmanysecondsdoes it take togofromzero to60?”Or“Howfastcan it run thequartermile?”They’llprobablyneverusethatzeroto60speedbecausetrafficdoesn’tallowthemtogothatfastanyway!

Butsometimespeopleask,“What’sthehighestspeedyourcarwillgo?”

“Oh,thisonewillgoabout145milesanhour.”

Where in the world could we ever drive at 145 miles an hour unless we are on aracetrack?But,yousee,ifwearenotcareful,wecangetcaughtupinthespiritofthisageand want everything fast, quick, and easy—right now! But God’s Word says it takes

patienceorsteadfastendurancetoinheritthepromisesofGod(Heb.6:12).

Whenweget caught up in theworld’s impatience, it hinders us fromwalking in thefaithofGod.Weneedpatience tomatureour faithandmake it strongandstable.ThennothingcancauseustofalterinourfaithwalkwithGod.

AddOtherQualitiestoYourFaithTheBiblesayswearetoaddotherspiritualqualitiestoourfaith.Thereisareasonfor

this.Otherspiritualqualitiesstrengthenourfaith.2PETER1:5–95 And beside this, giving all DILIGENCE, ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; and to virtueKNOWLEDGE;6AndtoknowledgeTEMPERANCE;andtotemperancePATIENCE;andtopatienceGODLINESS;7AndtogodlinessBROTHERLYKINDNESS;andtobrotherlykindnessCHARITY[orlove].8ForIFTHESETHINGSBEINYOU,andabound,theymakeyouthatyeshallneitherbebarrennorunfruitfulintheknowledgeofourLordJesusChrist.9Buthethat lackeththesethings isblind,andcannotseeafaroff,andhathforgottenthathewaspurgedfromhisoldsins.

Yousee,faithisnotanisolatedspiritualforceorquality.Itworkswithotherspiritualqualities. In fact, not only do you need patience to develop your faith, you also needdiligence,virtue,knowledge, temperance,brotherlykindness,and love. Ifyouadd thesequalitiestoyourfaith,yourfaithwon’tbebarrenorunfruitful.Itwillproduceforyou!

TheBiblesays,“Andbesidethis,givingalldiligence,addtoyourfaithvirtue…”(v.5).Theword“diligence”means togivespecialattention tosomethingbypersistence. Itmeansyou staywith something, stick to it, andpersevere evenwhencircumstances areagainstyou.

SowecouldreadSecondPeter1:5:“Andbesidesthis,addpersistenceandperseverancetoyourfaith.”

ManybelievershavestudiedtheWordandincreasedtheirfaith,buttheydon’tseemtobe receivingall they should frombelievingGod.Many times theirproblem is that theyhave not added these other qualities to their faith.These other spiritual qualitieswouldgreatly strengthen their faith,but somebelievers try tooperate their faith in an isolatedspiritualcocoon.

Faithisvitallyimportantbecauseyoucan’tpleaseGodwithoutit(Heb.11:6).Butfaithisnotanisolatedspiritualforcetobeusedordevelopedalone.That’swhytheBibletellsus toaddtheseotherqualities toourfaith.Theseotherspiritualqualitiesstrengthenandtransformourfaithtomakeitenduringandstrongevenintestsandtrials.

Our faith in God is valuable. In fact, the Bible says the trying of our faith is morepreciousthangold(1Peter1:7).Therefore,thefaithofGodshouldbeheldinhighesteem.But faithmust grow and develop so it can be increased.Wemust develop exceedinglygrowingfaithsowecanaccomplisheverythingGodhasforusinthislife.

Butalongwithincreasinganddevelopingourfaith,wemustalsoseektogrowinlove,wisdom, hope, patience, virtue, knowledge, and temperance, since all these qualitiescooperatewithandcomplementfaith.

Yousee,faith isnotanisolatedspiritualforcetobeusedinanisolatedfashion—ina

vacuum.Don’tmisunderstandme.Inordertounderstandfaith,youmayhavetostudyitbyisolatingit.Butyouputfaithintoactionandmakeitworkbycombiningitwithlove,patience, virtue, knowledge, and temperance. All these other qualities give faith itsstrengthandmakefaithwork.

Too many times believers study faith alright, but they don’t bother to study it inconjunctionwith all the other spiritual qualities designed toworkwith faith.Butwhenthey learn toadd theseotherqualities to their faith, theycanstartconsistently receivinganswersfromGod.

Wedonotneedtoshrinkbackfromfaith!WeneedtostandstrongerinfaithonGod’sWordthaneverbefore.Butusewisdomandunitefaithwiththeseotherspiritualqualities.That’showwewillbecomesostronginfaiththatnowindofdoctrineoranydevilinhellcanmoveus!WebecomerootedandgroundedfirmlyinGod’sWord!

Faithisasupernaturalforce,butweliveinanaturalworld.Infact,weliveinaspiritualworldandanaturalworldatthesametime.Therefore,wemustuseoursupernaturalfaithtooperateinanaturalworld.

Howcanweoperate successfully in bothworlds?Aswe standonGod’sWord, faithwillbringresultsinbothrealms—inboththespiritualandthenaturalrealms.StandingonGod’sWordinthespiritualrealmenablesustolivesuccessfullyinthenaturalworld.

Afterall,wewillhavetooperateinbothworldsaslongaswedrawbreathonthisearth.Sowe can stand onGod’sWord and speak out the rhemaWord ofGod to change ourcircumstances.

I’vesaidformanyyearsthatthenaturalandthesupernaturalcomingtogetherproduceanexplosive force forGod!PutGod’sWord towork foryou inyour life.SpeakGod’sWordoveryourfamily,yourchurch,andyourcommunity.IfyouputGod’sWordtoworkforyou,youcanchangeyourworld!

StiryourfaithuptobelieveGodmorethanyou’veeverbelievedHimbefore.RekindletheexcitementoftakingGodatHisWord.Butbediligenttoaddthequalitiesofpatientendurance, virtue, knowledge, and temperance to your faith so you can begin receivingeverythingGodpromisedyouinHisWord!

1W.E. Vine,Merrill F. Unger,WilliamWhite, Jr. eds.Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words (Thomas

NelsonPublishers:Nashville,1985),p.1242

Chapter2

FaithIsNotDenialSo thenFAITHCOMETHBYHEARING, and hearing by THEWORDOFGOD.—

Romans10:17

AndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HAVEFAITHINGOD.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;and shall notdoubt inhisheart, but shall believe that those thingswhichhe saithshall come to pass; he shall havewhatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.—Mark11:22–24

GodwantsustohavefaithinHim!Mark11:22canalsobetranslated,“HavethefaithofGod.”Yousee,faithinGodisaspiritualforce.ItcomesbyhearingtheWordofGod.Theforceoffaith—Biblefaith—canchangeyourcircumstances.ButwhatisBiblefaith?Tohelpanswerthatquestion,let’scontinuetolookatwhatBiblefaithisnot.

FaithDoesNotDenyCircumstancesWeneedtotakeanotherlookatfaithbecausesomebelieversareconfusedaboutwhat

Biblefaithreallyis.Somethinkthatfaithisdenyingtheproblem,sickness,disease,orthehindrance.But faith isnotdenial!Denying the existenceof aproblem isnot faith—it’sfoolishness!

Somepeoplethinkthataslongastheydon’tspeakaboutaproblem,thatmeanstheyarein faith.Faith pleasesGod, so they thinkbydenying a problem, they are pleasingGodbecausetheyareactinginfaith.

Butfaith—Biblefaith—doesnotdenytheexistenceortherealityofaproblem.Insomesituations it is very dangerous to deny that a problem exists, especially in the case ofsicknessanddisease.

Somepeopleevensay,“IwillnotadmitthatIhaveaproblembecauseIdon’twanttoconfessitintoexistence.”Butbyadmittingaproblem,theyaren’tconfessingtheproblemintoexistence—theproblemisalreadythere!

Forexample,supposeyouhaveallthesymptomsofacold—yournoseisrunning,youreyesarewatering,youhavea fever,andyouaresneezingandcoughing.But insteadofadmittingyouhaveacold,youconfess,“Idon’thaveanysymptoms.I’mfine.Nothingisthematterwithme.”That’snotfaith—that’slying!

Somepeoplethinktheyarestandinginfaithforhealingbyjustmakingconfessionsthatdenythefactthattheyaresick.Buteveryoneelsecanseethattheyaresickbecausetheyuseaboxoftissueseveryfifteenminutesandeatcoughdropslikecandy!Butinanefforttobeinfaith,manypeoplewillstillconfess,“Nothingiswrongwithme!I’mnotgoingtoconfessthatIamsick.”

Butyoudon’thavetoconfessitwhenitisplaintoseethatyouaresick!Thefactsspeakforthemselves.

Yousee,merelyconfessingornotconfessingsomethingdoesn’tchangethefacts.NowifyouputtheWordofGodtowork,eventuallyyourcircumstancesaresubjecttochange.Butsomepeoplehavethemistakenidea,“IfIdon’tacknowledgemyproblemasafact,thenIhaven’tconfessedit.AndifIdon’tconfessit,itmustdisappear.”

ButtheBibledoesn’tsay,“Denythetruth.Don’tconfessthefacts.”Itsaystoconfessthosethingsthatbenotasthoughtheywere(Rom.4:17).Andforsomethings,itdoesn’tmatterwhetheryouconfessthemornot;theystillexistasfact.

Ifyouarebroke,it’safactwhetheryouconfessitornot.Whetherornotyouconfessittoanyone,youarestillbroke.Youwon’tgetoutofthatsituationuntilyourecognizethatfact,andthenputyourfaithtoworkforyou.

It’sthesamewaywithhealing.Apersonhastorecognizeheissickbeforehecangethealed.Andapersonhastorecognizethefactthatheisasinnerbeforehecangetsaved.

Therefore,thequickeryourecognizethefactsthatexistandapplythegreaterfactsofGod’sWordtothesituation,thequickeryouwillbedelivered!

For example, one fellow who was divorced said, “I will never confess that I amdivorced.Youwillneverhearthatspokenfrommylips.”

Isaid,“Youdon’thavetoconfessyouaredivorced.It’safactthatisrecordeddownatthecountycourthouse.”

He thought that by denying the fact that he was divorced, God could restore hismarriage. But I explained to him that before a person can believeGod tomove in hisbehalf,hemustrealizethataproblemexists!

Forexample,beforeyoucouldgetsaved,youhadtorealizeyouwereasinner.YouhadtorealizeyouneededaSavior!Beforeyoucangethealed,youmust realizeyouhaveaphysicalproblem.

Butsomanypeoplethinkthatfaithisdenyingthefacts.Theythinkthatbydenyingthefacts,theirfaithisworking.ButtheBibledoesnotteachthis.

LookattheOldTestamentmenoffaith.Inanefforttobeinfaith,didtheydenytheirproblems? Did Joshua deny the existence of Jericho that lay in front of him to bedefeated?No!Heknewthatenemyfortresslayaheadofhim.Inotherwords,headmittedtothatobstacleorproblem.

ButJoshuadidn’tstopthere!ThenJoshuaactedinfaithonwhatGodhadtoldhimtodo.ThechildrenofIsraelshouted,andthewallscametumblingdown.

WhenDavidwas confrontedwithGoliath, didDavid deny the existence of the giantstandingbeforehimcursingGod?No!ByfaithinGod,Davidranouttodefeathisenemy(seeFirstSamuelchapter17).

Somanypeoplewanttosticktheirheadinthesandspirituallyspeaking,anddenythattheyhaveaproblem.Butifyourpocketsareempty,you’vegotemptypockets!Youmightaswelladmitit.Butthendon’tstopthere.Thoseemptypocketsdon’thavetostayempty!UsethoseemptypocketsasanopportunitytoprovethatGod’sWordworks!

ArmyourselfwiththegreaterfactsofGod’sWordandbyfaithbegintosaywhatGod’s

Wordsaysaboutyourparticularsituation:“MyGodshallsupplyallmyneedaccordingtoHis riches inglorybyChrist Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).Don’t deny the facts, but allowGod’sWordtotransformandchangethosefacts!

Lookatthewomanwiththeissueofblood(Mark5:25–34).Shedidnotdenythefactthatsheneededhealing.Shedidn’tjustsitinherhousedenyingthefactthatshe’dhadthisconditionfortwelveyears.

Shedidn’tdenythefactthatthephysicianscouldnotcureher.Shedidnotdenythefactthat she’donly grownworse, but she didn’t justwallow in her problemeither.No, sherecognizedthatshehadaproblem,butthenshedidsomethingaboutit!

SheusedherfaithtolookbeyondherproblemtoJesus.SheallowedthegreaterfactofJesus, theLivingWordofGod, toovercomeherproblem.She said, “If I can touch thehemofJesus’garment,Iwillbemadewhole”(Matt.9:21).Thatwasherfaithtalking!

But notice that she didn’t justmake that confession and then sit still doing nothing.Faithisanact—it’sactingonGod’sWord.It’stakingGodatHisWordandactinglikeitistrue.SosheactedonherfaithbygettingupandgoingtoJesus!Eventhoughshewasstillafflictedwithanissueofblood,sheknewwhenshetouchedthehemofJesus’garment,she’dbehealed.

FaithFacesthe‘WhatIfs’ofLifeWithVictory!StudythelivesofgreatmenandwomenoffaithintheBible.Allofthem—Abraham,

Isaac,Jacob,Gideon,Esther,Daniel,justtonameafew—wereconfrontedwithproblemsthathad tobeovercome.But theyfaced theirproblemswithastrongbelief inGodandtriumphedovereveryinsurmountablebarrier!

Faithisnotafraidtofaceproblems,obstacles,anddifficulties.Itdoesn’tdrawbackinfear.FaithpressesontoGodandwinsthevictoryeverysingletime!

Faith is not afraid to face the perplexities of life either—the “what ifs” of life. Forexample,we’veprobablyallheardpeoplesay infear,“Yes,butwhatif…?”Butwhenyouareinfaith,youcanfearlesslyfaceeveryproblemortrialwithconfidence.Faithlooksatnegativesituationsanddeclares,“Iamnotafraidofthe‘whatifs’becauseGodisbiggerthananyproblemorcircumstance!Iserveagreat,bigGodwhocanovercomeanything!”

Nowit’seasytosaythatGodwilltakecareofyouwhenyouaresittingsnugandsecureinyourchurchsurroundedbyotherstrongbelievers.But it’sanother thing tosay,“Godwill take care of me” when turmoil surrounds you, you can’t pay the rent, and theelectricityisabouttobeshutoff!

You can talk about howmuch faith you’ve gotwhile you are safe and secure in thecomfortsofyourownhome.But it’sanother thingtoact infaithwhennothingisgoingright, andyouronlyhope isGod.OneBible translation says, “Youshowmeyour faithwithoutanyaction,andI’llshowyoumyfaithbymyaction”(James2:18).

BelieverswhoaretestedbutstandfirmonGod’sWordinthefaceofnegativesituationsshowtheirfaithbytheiraction.TruefaithinGoddoesnotwaverintimesoftrouble.

Remember a woman in the Bible by the name of Esther? She faced a dangeroussituation;notonlywasherownlifeinperil,buttheentirenationofIsraelwasfacedwith

extinction.ThewickedHamanhaddevisedaplottokillalltheJewsinthekingdomandalsotodestroytheJewishQueenEsther.

SoEstherfacednotonlytheextinctionofherrace,butalsothelossofherownlife.Yetinthemidstofalmostsuredestruction,shestoodfast,trustinginGod.ShedemonstratedhergreatfaithinGodbyheraction.Shedidallshecouldinthenatural,butthenshecastthe care on God by saying, “… if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). That was hercommitment.

ManytimesintheWordofGodpeopleobeyedGodandwentagainstallodds,yettheyreceivedtheirvictories.Forexample,inreality,itdidn’tmakeanysenseforGideontogoouttobattlewith300menagainstanarmyofmorethan20,000trainedfightingmen.ButhedidwhatGodtoldhimtodo,andIsraelwonthevictorythatday(seeJudgeschapter7)!

Andinreality,Danielshouldhavebeeneatenalivewhenhewasthrownintothelion’sden(Dan.6:16).ButDanielfacedthatperiloussituationarmedonlywithhisfaithinGod.Theangelof theLordprotectedDaniel so that the lions sleptpeacefully thatnight, andDanielcameoutthevictor!

In fact, King Darius had Daniel’s accusers thrown into the lion’s den instead. Hisaccusersweretorntopiecesbytheverysamelions—beforethosemeneverhitthebottomofthepit(Dan.6:24).Inoneday,Daniel’senemiesweredestroyed,butDanielprospered(Dan.6:28).

Every one of the greatmen andwomen of faith in theBible faced problems in life.Faithwon’tkeepyoufromexperiencingsomeproblems.Buteachoneofthesefaithgiantswe read about in theWord did something about their problems. They put their trust inGod,steppedoutinobediencetodowhatGodtoldthem,andGodbroughtthemthroughvictoriously.

DoYouReallyBelieveGod?YouwillhavetolearnwhetheryoureallybelieveGodorwhetheryouarejusttalkinga

goodtalk.YoufindouthowmuchyoubelieveGodwhenyoucomeupagainstdangeroussituationsandyourlifeisontheline.

I rememberyearsagowhen Iwent toAfricawithanotherminister.We’dcharteredasmallairplanetogofromonecityinKenyatoanother.Aswestartedourdescenttolandatourdestination,wecouldseeabadstormrollingin.

The pilot of that small aircraft quickly landed the plane on a grassy strip, threw ourluggageout,andsaid,“There’saroad.Youcancatchavehiclegoingintotown.It’sonlyafewkilometers.Go to thehotel, and therewillbe someonewhospeaksEnglish tohelpyou.I’vegottogetoutofthewayofthatapproachingstorm.”

It was about 5:30 in the evening, and the shadows were gathering as the nightapproached.Hereweretwopreacherswhohadn’tsleptforabouteighteenhours,standingalonebesidea road that led toa remote townweknewnothingabout.Wedidnotevenknowwherewewere,exceptthatweweresomewhereinKenya!

You find out howmuch you believeGod in circumstances like that!Whenwewerefinallypickedup,wefoundourselvesinthebackofatruckwithsomerough-lookingmen

whocontinuallyeyedourcamerasand luggage.Wecouldn’tunderstandwhat theyweresaying,butweknewtheywantedourgear.

Wefoundoutlaterhowdangerousitisinthatpartoftheworldtorideintotownwithstrangers!Butwedidn’tknowthatatthetime,andGodprotectedus.

MakingFaithDeclarationsWhenthatministerandIhadfirstlandedinAfrica,aswewalkedacrossthetarmacto

customs,weprayedinagreement.Wemadeafaithdeclaration.Weprayed,“IntheNameofJesus,whileweareinthiscountry,noharmwillbefallus.Andbesidesthat,wewillnotbebittenbyanyinsectsoranythingelsethatwouldharmus!”

I remembered that faithdeclaration as I thought about theLord’sprotection thatday.Wefinallyarrivedatthatvillageandhiredataxitodriveustoourdestination.Wefoundoutlaterthatwassomethingelseyoudon’tdounlessyouknowthetaxicabdriver.Butwedidn’tknowanybetter,andonceagainGodprotectedus.

WehadtobelieveGodeverystepofthewayonthattrip.Itrainedhorriblythatnightaswetaxiedfromonecitytoanother.Atonepoint,Iwokeupjustasthatcabwasslidingandskiddingdowntheroad.

Later when I drove back over those same roads, I saw that wewere high up in themountains,andononeside,therewasathousand-footcliff!Ithought,Lord,Youweresogoodtoprotectus.Wedidn’tevenknowweneededprotecting!

Youfindoutjusthowstrongyourfaithiswhenyouliedownatnightandturnoutthelight and you hear, “Bzzz, bzzz.” All those bugs that we’d claimed wouldn’t bite usbuzzedaroundconstantlyinourroom.

In theUnited States, those insects probably aren’t dangerous. But inmany places inAfrica,mosquitoescancarrymalaria.However,Godprotectedus,andweweren’tbittenorharmedinanyway.

But,you see, it’sone thing to talkabouthaving faithandbelievingGod. It’s anotherthingtoliveyourfaithinGodwhenyouarefacedwithdangeroussituations.

Sometimeswefaceminorproblemsinlifethatweovercomewithourfaith.Butwhenyourlifeisontheline,youfindouthowmuchfaithinGodyoureallyhave!

FaithinGodOvercomesProblems!FaithinGoddoesnotmeanyouwillneverfaceanotherproblem.FaithinGodsimply

means you know how to deal with problems and triumph over them. Everyone isconfrontedwithproblemsfromtimetotimeinlife.ButyourfaithinGodallowsyoutoovercomeproblems—nottobeovercomebythem.

Actually,thefirststeptovictoryisrecognizingthatyouhaveaproblem!Onlythencanyoubegintouseyourfaithtoreversethesituation!Yousee,faithisnotdenial.That’swhyyoumustfirst identifytheproblem.Thenputyourfaithtoworkforyou.Nothingis toohardforGod!Butifyouneveradmityouhaveaproblem,you’llneverputyourfaithtowork against the problem. Faith does not deny the existence of problems; it justovercomesthembythepowerofGod’sWord!

Whenyouareinfaith,yourealizethatproblemsexist,butyouknowthegreatertruthofGod’sWord that says,“But thanks be toGod,which giveth us the victory through ourLordJesusChrist”(1Cor.15:57).Youknowyoudon’thavetobedefeatedbyproblems!

Faith—Biblefaith—isamatterofmakingachoicetobelieveGod’sWordrather thanthe problems that confront you. Yes, you will have to stand on God’sWord until theproblemscomeinlinewiththeWord.Butyoudon’thavetobedefeatedbyproblemsandnegativecircumstances!

AndsometimesstandingontheWordinthemidstoftrialsrequiressomeperseveranceandpatience.ButhavingdonealltostandonGod’sWord,thenbegindeclaringyourfaith:“Godsaidit.Ibelieveit!Therefore,IreceivemypetitionaccordingtotheWordofGod,andIcountitasdone!”

Whenyoucan’t seeyouranswer, feel it, touch it,or taste it—youmust still standonGod’sWord,praisingHimthatHehasalreadyansweredyourprayers!That’srealfaithinGod!ThankGod,Hewillmeetyoureveryneed.

Idon’tmeantominimizetheproblemsthatconfrontallofusfromtimetotime.Andlittleproblemsarejustasreal tosomeoneasa tremendouslybigproblemis tosomeoneelse.Weallfaceproblemsinlifenomatterwhoweare.ButwhatIamsayingisthatGodisbiggerthananyproblems!

But,yousee,it iseasytobelieveGodwheneverythingisgoingsmoothly.ButstrongfaithbelievesGodevenwhenthingsgowrongandthepressuresoflifeseemtopressinonevery side. And your faith in God will always be rewarded by victory if you’ll justpersevereinGod!

NeglectingYourHealthIsNotFaithPeople alsomistake faith for neglect in the area of taking care of their health. They

thinktheycanneglecttheirbodyandjustprayandGodwilltakecareofthem.ButGodalsoexpectsustousesomecommonsense.

Forexample,inthewintertimewhenI’mpreachingonaplatformwherethosehotstagelightsgeneratesomuchheat,itwouldbefoolishofmetoimmediatelygooutsidewithoutacoat!Itwouldnotbefaithtojustsay,“Well,I’mpreachingtheWord,soGodwilltakecareofme.”

Westillneedtousesomecommonsense!Faithdoesnotnegatecommonsense,anditdoesn’tmeanwecanneglecttakingcareofourphysicalbodies.IfIleavetheplatformhotandsweatyandwearmycoatsoIcangreetmycongregationatthedoorwherethecoldwindblowsonme, does thatmean I don’t have any faith?No, itmeans I’vegot somesense!

People who neglect their physical bodies in the name of “faith” need to ask God’sforgivenessbefore theyaskforhealing!SomebelieversarealwaysneedingGodtohealthembecausethey’veneglectedusingcommonsense,andthey’veactedfoolishly.

SometimesGod blesses us in spite of our ignorance, butHe expects us to learn andgrowspiritually!Weneedtorealizethatwehavearesponsibilitytotakecareofourselvestoo. We just can’t keep pushing our bodies, or we can begin to develop physical

symptoms.PHILIPPIANS2:25–27,3025YetIsupposeditnecessarytosendtoyouEpaphroditus,mybrother,andcompanioninlabour,andfellowsoldier,butyourmessenger,andhethatministeredtomywants.26Forhelongedafteryouall,andwasfullofheaviness,becausethatyehadheardthathehadbeensick.27Forindeedhewassicknighuntodeath:butGodhadmercyonhim;andnotonhimonly,butonmealso,lestIshouldhavesorrowuponsorrow….

30BecausefortheworkofChristhewasnighuntodeath,notregardinghislife,tosupplyyourlackofservicetowardme.

TheWuesttranslationsaysthatEpaphroditus“recklesslyexposedhislife”(v.30).ManyBible scholars say that Epaphroditus got into trouble because he overworked in theministryandneglectedhisownhealth.

Hisintentionsweregood;hewasworkingfortheLord.Butnevertheless,Epaphroditusneglectedtakingcareofhisbodyproperly,soitbegantogivehimtrouble.

EpaphroditushadhelpedPaulgreatlyintheministry.IfPaulhadlostEpaphroditus,hisfellowlaborer,hewouldhavebeensorrowful.That’swhyPaulsaid,“…lestIshouldhavesorrowuponsorrow”(v.27).

ButPaulnotonlywouldhavebeensorrytoloseEpaphroditus,heprobablywouldhavealsofeltresponsibleforallowingthisfellowministertooverwork.

We’vegottotakecareofourselves!Takinggoodcareofourbodiesdoesn’thinderourfaith.Not takingcareofourbodiescanhinderourfaithbecausethenwe’realwayssickandhavetospendallourtimetryingtogethealed—andwewonderwhy!

Wecannot recklesslyexposeourselves todangerand riskourhealth.Forexample, ifyouvisitsomeonewhohasacontagiousdisease,thedoctorsrequireyoutowearamasktoprotectyourself.

Butsomebelieverswhoconsiderthemselvessuchgreat“faith”peoplesay,“BlessGod!I’mapersonoffaith.Idon’tneedanyprotectionexceptmyfaith!”

That’s just ignorance! In my life, I’ve believed God and received some tremendousanswers to prayer.Yes,my faith in theWord protectsme, but I also have to use somecommonsense!Ican’tneglectmyresponsibilitiestotakecareofmyselfinthenaturalinthenameof“faith”andactfoolishly.

IdoallIcaninthenatural,andthenbasedonthepromisesinHisWord,IexpectGodtotakecareofmeinthesupernatural.

Forexample,ifIwerevisitingapersonwhohadacontagiousdiseaseanddoctorstoldme,“Werecommendthatyouputonagownandmaskforyourownprotection,”Iwouldhave enough sense to do what they recommend! It wouldn’t hinder my faith at all toprotectmyselfasIprayedtheprayeroffaithforthesickpersontobehealed!

Manybelievers do foolish things and call it faith,when really they are just acting inignorance!Faithisnotneglect!

Youcan’tneglectyourhealthandatthesametimetrytohavefaithforyourhealth.Inotherwords,asyoubelieveGodforgoodhealth,don’tneglectyourresponsibilitytoget

theproperexercise,rest,andnutrition.Neglectingthenaturalrealmwhileyou’retryingtobelieveGodinthesupernaturalrealmisnotfaith—it’sfoolishness!

Faithvs.MedicalCareWhataboutfaithversusmedicalcare?Somebelieversthinkitshowsalackoffaithto

gotothedoctorwhentheyaresick.But thinkabout thewonderfuldiscoveriesmadebymedical science!For instance,medicationcanhelppeople stayaliveas theybuild theirfaithintheWordtobelievefortheirhealing.

Ifyouhappentobeinthatcategoryofthoseneedingmedication,Isuggestyoucontinueto takeyourmedicineaccording toyourmedicalprescriptionasyoubuildyour faith inGod’sWord.Takingmedicationshouldn’tnegateyourfaiththatGodisstillworkinginthesituation.

Actually,sometimesdoctorscankeepyoualiveuntilyoucanactivateyourfaith!Godisthe One who gave doctors the knowledge to discover all those wonderful medicalbreakthroughsinthefirstplace!SodoallyoucaninthenaturalanddoallyoucaninthesupernaturalbystandingstrongonGod’sWord.

BrotherO.B.BrauninFortWorth,Texas,wasagoodexampleofapersonwhobuiltuphisfaithwhilehecontinuedtotakehismedicine.BrotherBraunwasafull-timeministerfriendofmydad’s.HehassincegonetobewiththeLord,butovertheyears,mydadheldmanyrevivalmeetingsforhim.

BrotherBraunhadsugardiabetesforaboutthirtyyears.Everymorninghehadtocheckhisbloodsugarlevelandgivehimselfashotoftheproperdosageofinsulin.ButfinallyBrotherBraunlearnedhowtobelieveGodforhisownhealingbystandingontheWord.

When he learned how to activate his faith inGod’sWord, hewould give himself aninsulinshot,thenmakethisfaithdeclaration:“IthankYou,God,thatYouareworkinginmybodytoeffectahealingandacureinJesus’Name.”

Afterhe’dbeenstandingonGod’sWordinfaithforawhile,hisdoctorcheckedhimoutagain.Hisdoctoraskedhim,“Couldyoustayatthehospitalalittlelongersowecanrunafewmoretests?Somethinghaschanged.”

BrotherBraunrealizedthatforthelastseveraldayshehadn’tneededtotakeanyinsulinatall.Hisdoctorranallthetestsonhimandcouldn’tfindanythingwrongwithhim.

FinallyhetoldBrotherBraun,“I’vebeenyourdoctoralltheseyears.Andinalltheseyears,you’vealwaysneededtotakeinsulin.Butnowyourpancreasisworkingnormallyandsupplyingyourowninsulin,soyoudon’tneedtotakeinsulinshotsanymore.”

Fromthat timeuntilyears laterwhenhewenton tobewith theLord,BrotherBraunnever tookanymore insulin.Hedidn’tneed tobecausehewas totallyhealed.But,yousee,itdidn’thinderhisfaithatalltotakethoseinsulinshotswhilehewasbelievingGodforhishealing.

Everytimehetookhismedication,hejustdeclaredinfaiththatGodwasworkinginthesituation.Actually,themedicationkepthimalivewhilehefoughtthegoodfightoffaith—andwon!

Many people say that those of us who believe in God’s Word are against medicaldoctors.Butwe arenot. In fact,BrotherHaginhas said, “If youdon’t have faith tobehealed,youneedtogotothedoctor.Takeyourmedicinesoyoucanstayaliveuntilyoubuildyourfaithsoyoucanreceiveyourhealing.”

Someone said, “But I have an incurable disease.”Well,medicine canmake life a loteasierforyouwhileyouarestandingonGod’sWordforyourhealing!

DoweseeanythingaboutmedicineintheBible?Yes,remembertheparableJesustoldabout theGood Samaritan and thewoundedman left for dead by the side of the road(Luke10:30–37).Whatdid theGoodSamaritandowhenhefoundthe injuredman?Heministeredtohimtheonlywayheknewhow.

LUKE10:30–3530AndJesusansweringsaid,AcertainmanwentdownfromJerusalemtoJericho,andfellamongthieves,whichstrippedhimofhisraiment,andwoundedhim,anddeparted,leavinghimhalfdead.31Andbychancetherecamedownacertainpriestthatway:andwhenhesawhim,hepassedbyontheotherside.32AndlikewiseaLevite,whenhewasattheplace,cameandlookedonhim,andpassedbyontheotherside.33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, camewhere hewas: andwhenhe sawhim, he hadcompassiononhim,34Andwenttohim,andbounduphiswounds,POURINGINOILANDWINE,andsethimonhisownbeast,andbroughthimtoaninn,andtookcareofhim.35Andonthemorrowwhenhedeparted,hetookouttwopence,andgavethemtothehost,andsaiduntohim,Takecareofhim;andwhatsoever thouspendestmore,whenIcomeagain, Iwill repaythee.

ProbablytodaywewouldsaytheGoodSamaritanministeredfirstaidtothisman.Hecleanedhiswoundsbyusingoilandwine,whichnotonlydisinfectedthewoundbutactedasabalmtoseal thewoundagainst further infection.Thatwas thebestmedication thatwasavailabletohim.Thenhebandagedhimupandtookhimtoaninn.

Jesus mentioned the Good Samaritan’s deed as commendable, not lacking in faith.SometimesIthinkpeopleoverreactagainstdoctorsandmedicine.But,thetruthis,doctorsandmedicine are onewayGod has of trying to help peoplewho don’t know anythingaboutfaith!

God createdman, andHe is interested inman’swelfare. Some people have sufferedunnecessarilybecausetheythoughtthattobeinfaith,theyhadtorefusemedicalhelp.

IremembersomethingthathappenedwhenmycousinRuthlivedwithuswhenshewasateenager.Sheoncehadanappendicitisattack,andDadtoldher,“Ruth,I’mgoingtoprayforyourhealing.Butifyoudonothaveenoughfaithtogetimmediateresults,thenwearetakingyoutothedoctorbecauseadoctorcantakecareofthis.”

We need to realize that certain medical emergencies require immediate results. Ifimmediate resultsarenot forthcoming, thenweneed togo to thedoctorsowecanstayalive.

Inthepaperafewyearsago,Ireadthatsomeparentsrefusedtotaketheirnine-year-oldboytothedoctor.Thechildhadanappendicitisattack.Hisappendixfinallyburstand,ofcourse,hedied.Thatdeathwastotallyunnecessary,butsadtosay,thoseparentsthoughttheywerebelievingGod!Theythoughttheywereinfaith.

Friends,insituationsthatarecriticaltoyourlife,ifadoctorcanhelpyou,gogetsomemedicalhelp!Ifyourfaithisn’tproducingimmediateresultsandyourlifeisindanger,gotoadoctor!

DoctorsandProperMedicationDoNotHinderFaithThereisnoreasonthatgoingtoadoctororusingthepropermedicationshouldhinder

yourfaith!Infact,theBibletellsyoutodosomething—totakesomepositiveaction—tohelpyourselfgetwell.

PROVERBS18:9(AMPLIFIED)9…hewhodoesnotuseHISENDEAVORSTOHEALHIMSELFisbrothertohimwhocommitssuicide.

OneTuesdayafternoonin1983,IsatinaroomintheCityofFaithhospitalwithfourdoctorswhotoldmethatmyson,Craig,hadatumoronhisbrainaboutthesizeofaman’sfist.

Theyinformedmethatthetumorwaspressingagainstthebrainstemandthattheskullbonehadbecomesothinacrosstheareawherethattumorhadgrownthattheskullbonewasas fragile as anegg shell.They saidwithanyquickmovementorbump toCraig’shead,hisskullcouldcrackandshatterandhecoulddie.

The doctors wanted to do surgery immediately. I said to them, “Just aminute” as Ibegan topray.ThenInotifiedDadandmywife,Lynette,and theybothcameup to thehospital.

Iaskedthedoctorstogiveustwodaystodecidewhattodo.Aftertwodays,therewerenoimmediateresults,sowedecidedtogoaheadwiththesurgery.

Whenwe told the doctors thatwe’d decided to go aheadwith the surgery, wewerecriticizedbypeoplewhosaid,“BlessGod!Ifthathadbeenmyson,IknowwhatIwouldhavedone.IwouldjusthavebelievedGod!”

ButwedidbelieveGod!Weprayed,andwhenwedidnotgetimmediateresults,weallbelievedGodforaperfectoutcomefromthesurgery.Asmydadoftensays,“Whenyoudon’tgetimmediateresultsfromyourfirstlineofdefense,dropbacktoyoursecondlineofdefense.”

That’snotalackoffaith!That’sjustusingsomewisdom.Whenpeoplecriticizemeforallowingdoctorstoremovethattumorandsavemyson’slife,Ijustlookatthemandsay,“Well,itwasn’tyourson.Youweren’tinthatposition,soyoureallydon’tknowwhatyouwouldhavedone.”

IfyouhadprayedandbelievedGod,butnotseenany immediate results,whatwouldyouhavedone?Ifyouneededanimmediatemanifestationanddidnotreceiveit,wouldyouwanttobethereasonyourchilddied—justsoyoucouldsayyouwere“infaith”?

Peoplecansaywhattheywantto,buttheyreallydon’tknowwhattheywoulddountiltheyareinthesamesituationthemselves.

And,actually,therewassomethingIdidn’tknowthataffectedthesituation.CraignevertalkedaboutitmuchuntilyearslaterwhenhespokeonaChristiantelevisionprogram.Hesaid that after the tumor was removed, he realized that he was old enough when this

happenedthatheshouldhaveusedhisownfaithtobehealed.

You see, there comes a time when children are old enough and spiritually matureenoughtobelieveGodforthemselves.Theycan’tcontinuetorelyontheirparents’faithany longer. In fact, there comes a timewhen parents can’t carry their children on theirfaithanymore.

Anyway,Craighadtheoperation,whichlastedtwelvehours.Thedoctorswereabletoremoveallofthetumorexceptjustalittleridge.Theyexplainedthateverytimetheytriedtoprobetogetthatlastlittleridgeofthetumor,itcausedproblemsthatshoweduponthebrain-wavemachine.Finally,theydecided,“We’rejustgoingtoleaveitalone.”

When the doctors couldn’t remove all of the tumor, we stood in faith for Craig’scompleterecovery,andwereceivedouranswerfromGod.Craigwasreleased,completelywell!Notathingwaswrongwithhim.WhenCraigwentbackforhisCATscan,eventhatridgewasgone!

Normally,ifthistypeofsurgeryisdonewhenachildisateenager,theskullbonedoesnotgrowback.Butthedoctorssaidtheycouldseethatthebonewasgrowingbackandtheskullwouldbenormal.

That entire incidentwas a life-threatening emergency that could be taken care of bymedicalscience.ItdidnothindermyfaithinGodatall!Infact,weprayedandbelievedGod,andthedoctorssaiditwasthemosttextbook-perfectoperationofthatkindtheyhadeverexperienced.Infact,thepowerofGodwassostronginthatoperatingroomthatoneofthenurseswashealedofabackproblem!

People can criticizeme all theywant for allowingdoctors tooperateonmy son, butCraigiswithmetodayintheministry,preachingthegospeloftheLordJesusChrist.Infact, todayCraighasa stronghealingministry.Forexample, the first fellowCraigeverprayedforwasablindmanwhowastotallyhealed!

Youcanstillhavefaithandusethebenefitsmedicalsciencehastooffer.Medicineanddoctors shouldn’t negate your faith. Sometimes you may need to use medical sciencewhileyouareexercisingyour faith to receiveyourcompletehealing. If that is thecase,stayinfaith.TakethemedicationinfaithasyoudevelopyourfaithinGod’sWordsoyoucanreceiveyourcompletevictory!

Chapter3

FaithIsNotNeglectAndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,That

whosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubt inhisheart,butshallbelieve that those thingswhichhesaithshallcome topass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.Therefore I sayuntoyou,What thingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.—Mark11:22–24

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews11:1

Let’s take another look at faith! Is faith a substitute for common sense and soundbusinesspractices?Isitaneasywayoutsobelieversdon’thavetoworkanymore?Whatdoes theBiblehave tosayabout faithandpracticalmatterssuchas financesand takingresponsibility?

SomeChristiansactuallybelievethatfaithallowsthemtoescapeanyresponsibilitytoworkortohandlefinanceswisely.ManypeopleactlikefaithinGodreleasesthemfromfulfillingalltheirresponsibilities.Butthat’snotscriptural!

Faith inGoddoesnotmeanpeoplecanneglect theirnatural responsibilities andGodwill just takecareofeverythingfor them.Faith isnotneglect!Faith isnotsomesortofsubstitute for a person’s lack of responsibility! In other words, faith in God does notreleasepeoplefromtheirownresponsibilitiesinlife.

We live in a naturalworldwherewemust fulfill natural obligations aswe trust andbelieveGodtohelpus.

Forexample,somepeoplesay,“Well,I’mgoingtolivebyfaith.”Thentheyproptheirfeetuponthetable,sitbackandrelax,thinkingGodwillmeetalltheirneedswithoutanyeffortontheirpart.That’sjustirresponsible!

Believerscannotneglecttheirjobsorfailtopaytheirbillsinthenameoffaith!Faithisnotneglect.

What about faith for employment and finances? Sometimes there are steps youmusttake in the natural so you can receive what you’re believing God for. Faith does notneglectthenecessarystepsofobediencethatmustbetakentoreceivefromGod.

Forexample,manypeoplesay,“I’mbelievingGodforajob,”buttheyneglecttogooutandlookforone.Butnormallynoemployerisgoingtobeatdownyourdoortoaskyoutogotoworkforhim!

SoafteryouprayandbelieveGod,youmustputsomeefforttolookingforwork!Godwill rewardyoureffort.Buthowcanapersonsayhe is trustingGod tomeethisneedswhenallhedoesissitaroundalldaydoingnothing!

Ifyouwanta job,andyouarebelievingGod foremployment, thenput some legs toyour faith!Go out and start looking for a job!A person can’t legitimately claim to be

trustingGod tomeethisneedswhenheblatantlyneglectswhatGod’sWordhas to sayaboutwork.

In fact,we’re told throughout theWordofGod that ifwewalk inobedience toGod,thenwhateverweputourhandstowillprosper(Deut.28:8).Joshua1:7alsosaysthatifweobeyGodandfollowHisways,wewillprosper.

Yes,believeGodforfinancialblessings.ObeytheprinciplesinHisWordaboutgiving,andbelieveHewillmeetyourneeds.But thengetupandputyourhandstosomething!Don’tjustsitaroundsaying,“Oh,Lord!Bringinthefinances!”

Yes,Godwillprosperwhatwedo,andHewillprosperusforbelievingandactingonHisWord.Butbelievingandputtingactiontoourfaithworkhandinhand.

Yousee,faithdoesn’ttaketheplaceofaction.Inotherwords,ifyouwantajob,don’tsitaroundyourhousedoingnothing.Putyourfaithoutforagoodjob,butthenputsomeactiontoyourfaithandgooutandlookforworkyourself.

GodwillcomethroughforyoubecauseHepromisedtosupplyallyourneeds.Butoneof the ways Hewill supply is by you going to work to provide for yourself and yourfamily(Phil.4:19;1Tim.5:8).

Pray and claim a good job based onGod’sWord.Then thankHim in faith: “Lord, IthankYouthatYouaregivingmeagoodjob.IthankYouforthejobnowwhenIpray.IbelieveIreceiveagoodjob,andIacceptitnowbyfaith.”

Thenyoucantellpeople,“I’mbelievingGodformyjob.”Butifatteno’clockMondaymorning,youarestilllyinginbed,saying,“ThankYou,Lord,formyjob,”youarenotinfaith.

Faithputssomeactiontoprayer!Ifyouarenotgoingtotakeanyaction,youmightaswell say, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are.” Without anycorrespondingactiontoyourprayers,that’sallthegoodyourprayersaredoing.

IfyouarereallybelievingGodforajob,thengetupandgooutlookingforwork.Putactiontoyourfaith.Toomanypeopleusefaithasacop-outsotheydon’thavetowork.Theydon’twanttoworkinthefirstplace,sotheymakeexcusesbysaying,“Lord,IthankYouforajob,”butnevergolookforone.Faithisnotneglect!

WhatDidPaulSayAboutWork?Actually,theApostlePaul,themanwhowrotemoreaboutfaiththananyoneelseinthe

entireWordofGod,istheonewhowrotethatifyoudon’twork,youdon’teat.2THESSALONIANS3:10–1110Forevenwhenwewerewithyou,thiswecommandedyou,THATIFANYWOULDNOTWORK,NEITHERSHOULDHEEAT.11Forwehear that there are somewhichwalkamongyouDISORDERLY,WORKINGNOTATALL,butarebusybodies.

Paul, thegreatmanof faith,wasa tentmakerby trade. Inotherwords,Paulusedhisprofession when necessary as he pioneered churches and visited works that he hadestablished.

TheBible tellsusaboutoneoffering thatwasfinally takenupforhim,andPaulwas

grateful for that (2Cor.1:11).AndPaul taught that it is right togivematerialgoods tothoseministerswhotakecareofthespiritualneedsofothers(1Cor.9:11).

WhenwereadaboutPaul’sfaithexploitsintheNewTestament,wecanseethathedidmorethanjusttalkaboutalifeoffaith;helivedalifeoffaith.AndeventhoughPaulknewmoreaboutfaiththananyoneelse,hedidnotjustsitarounddoingnothing,expectinghisfaithtoaccomplisheverythingforhim.

Forinstance,weneverseePaulsaying,“SinceI’mlivingbyfaith,Idon’thavetodoathing!”Yes,Paullivedbyfaith,buthealsousedhisfaithbyworkinginanareauntilhisministrywasestablishedthere.Hemixedsomehumaneffortwithhisfaith!

TheBible says that peoplewho don’tworkwhen they are able towork arewalking“disorderly”(2Thess.3:11).Theyoftenbecomebusybodies.Forinstance,Ihavenoticedthatmanypeoplewhowon’tworkbecausetheyarelivingby“faith”veryoftenseemtorunaroundstickingtheirnoseintoeveryoneelse’sbusiness!

ForsomereasonitseemsthatwhenwehumansgetholdofanewrevelationfromGod’sWord,weeitherrunoffintotheditchontheleftsideoftheroadorintotheditchontherightsideoftheroad.Oneditchisthatbelieverscanusetheirfaithsotheyneverhavetowork!Theotherditchiswhenbelieversgetsocaughtupintheworkoftheministrythattheygetwearyinwell-doing(Gal.6:9).

NowifyouareintheministryworkingfortheLord,youmaynotbeworkingasecularjob.Youmaybelivingentirelybyfaith.Butinthatcase,youarenotjustsittingarounddoingnothing,expectingGodtobringyoufoodandmoney—youareactivelyinvolvedintheworkoftheministry.

Actually, the truth aboutGod’s prospering you is right down themiddle of the road.GodhasHisparttofulfillinprosperingyou,butyoualsohaveyourparttofulfillsoHeisabletoprosperyou!

Somebelievers don’t feel they need to do their part in providing for themselves andtheirfamilies.Somehowtheyfeeltheyareexcludedfromworkingforaliving.

Theysay,“Lord, thankYoufora job,”andthensitathomeanddonothinginsteadofgoingouttolookforwork.

UseWisdominHandlingFinancesWeneedtousesomecommonsensewhilewe’rebelievingGod!IbelieveGodtomeet

myneeds,butIalsohavetoworkandbewiseinhandlingmyfinances!

Peoplewhodon’thaveanyfinancesbecausetheymismanagemoneyoftenseemtobetheveryoneswhogoaroundtellingothershowtomanagetheirmoney!

Andhaveyouevernoticedthatthepeoplewhorefusetoworkareusuallytheveryoneswhoarealwaysgoingaroundtellingothershowtolivetheirlives,raisetheirchildren,andhowtomanagetheirfinances—whentheydon’thaveanymoneytomanagethemselves!

It’softenthesamewaywithsomepeoplewhodon’thavechildren.Someofthemseemtohavegreat,grandideashowotherpeopleshouldraisetheirchildren!Buthowcantheyknowanythingaboutitwhentheydon’thaveanychildrenthemselves!

Besides,mostparentsstartoutraisingtheirchildrenwithalotofgoodideas,butoncetheirchildrenactuallybegingrowinganddeveloping, they findout someof those ideasdon’twork.Raisingchildrenisalotdifferentthantheythought!

Apersonneeds tobewise inmanaginghisownchildrenandforget trying tomanageother people’s children! The same thing is true in finances. People need to be wise inmanagingtheirownfinancesandforgettryingtomanageeveryoneelse’smoney.

Faithisnotasubstituteforcommonsenseorforbusinesssense!PeoplecannotneglecttheirownfinancesbysayingthatGodwilltakecareofeverything—andcallthatfaith.

IbelieveGodtomeetmyneeds,butIalsounderstandthat if there isachangein theeconomy,Imayhavetobudgetmyfinancesmoreclosely.Faithdoesnotneglectnaturalresponsibilitiesandcommonsense!

HowmanyofyouhavelightsathomesoyoucanseetoreadyourBible?Howmanyofyouarecomfortableinyourhomesbecauseofheatorair-conditioning?

Well,thepowercompanysendsyouastatementeachmonth,andyouhavetopaythebill. If youdon’t pay it, onedayyouwill bewithout lights and electricity.So it’s yourresponsibilitytopayyourbills.

You can’t just say, “Well, I believe God that those lights will stay on. Somehow Ibelievewe’lljusthaveheatinthewintertime,”andthennotpayyourbills!Yousee,faithdoesnotneglectresponsibilities.

Somebelieversthinkthatwalkingbyfaithmeanstheycanforgettheirresponsibilitiesand every business principle they ever learned in life because they’re believingGod tomeettheirneeds!

Yes, God will meet our needs. But He also expects us to do our part by working,budgetingour financesproperly, andusing somecommonsense.Wecanuse thebrainsGodgaveusandstillbeinfaith!

Forexample,ifyouknowhowtobalanceabudgetandpayyourbillsontime,youcandowhatyouknow todoandstillbelieveGod forwhatyouneed.Usinggoodbusinessprinciplesdoesnothinderfaith.

Good, sound business principles dictate that you take responsibility for your ownfinances.Forexample,practicallyspeaking,youshouldn’tspendmoneyyoudon’thave.Wiselymanagingyourmoneyisjustusingwisdom.

TheBible tellsus tobe“…wiseas serpents,andharmlessasdoves” (Matt. 10:16).One translationuses theword“shrewd” insteadof“wise.” Inotherwords,weare tobeinnocentandirreproachableinourbusinessdealings,yetshrewd,wise,andsensible!Faithisnotneglect.

ThankGod,wecanhavefaithandalsoberesponsible.Exercisinggoodcommonsenseandsomepracticalknowledgedoesnothinderfaith.Wecanusetheknowledgewehaveinthenaturalcombinedwiththeknowledgewehaveinthesupernatural.AsIstatedearlier,thereisastatementI’vemadeformanyyears:“ThenaturalandthesupernaturalcomingtogethermakeanexplosiveforceforGod!”

Therearecertainbiblicalprincipleswemust implement inour lives ifwewant tobesuccessful.Faithisnotneglectingtheresponsibilitiesoflife.Infact,ourfaithinGodwillensure that we fulfill our responsibilities in life. Actually, faith makes our naturalresponsibilitieseasierbecausewecanbelieveGodtohelpus.

Forexample,somepeoplesay,“Godisgoingtomeetmyneeds,”but theydon’teverbothertofigureoutthattheyspendmoremoneythantheytakein.Theyaren’tfinanciallyresponsible,yettheysay,“I’mbelievingGodtosupplyallmyneeds.”SoamI,butIalsousewisdominhandlingmyfinances!

Faithisnotmeanttobeusedinsteadofgoodsensewhenitcomestohandlingfinances.GodisgoingtomeetyourneedsifyoucontinuetobelieveHim,butHealsoexpectsyoutousesomegoodpracticalsense.

Itdoesn’thurttosavefinancially.Infact,it’snotalwayswisetospendeverythingyoumake.Youneedtobewiseinfinances.Forexample,Davidsavedupastaggeringamountof gold,whichSolomon later used to build the temple forGod (2Sam.8:11; 2Chron.5:1).

FaithDoesNotNeglectToPlanFaithdoesnot takeawayyour responsibility toplanandprepare.Haveyouevermet

peoplewhosaytheyarelivingbyfaithbuttheyneverplanorprepareforanything?That’snotfaith;that’sfoolishness.

Peoplelikethatalwaysseemtogetintotrouble.Godwantsyoutouseyourfaith,butHealsowantsyoutodosomepreparingandplanning.Manypeoplesay,“ButJesussaidtotakenothoughtfortomorrow.”

MATTHEW6:3434Take thereforeno thought for themorrow: for themorrowshall take thought for the thingsofitself.Sufficientuntothedayistheevilthereof.

But ifyouwill study thecontext,youwill findout thatJesuswasnot talkingagainstplanning and preparation.Hewas talking aboutworrying.Hewas telling people to puttheirtrustinGod,notintheirownplansandpreparations.

Thatdoesn’tmeanweshouldn’tplan.It’sgoodtoplanforthefuture.Planningdoesnothinderfaith.Youcanbeinfaithandstillplanforthefuture.JustbesureyouincludeGodinyourplansandallowHimtodirectyourfuture!Faithdoesnotneglecttheresponsibilitythatisourstoplanandprepare.

PROVERBS21:5(NASB)5ThePLANSOFTHEDILIGENTleadsurelytoadvantage.

God’sWordhasalottosayaboutbeingdiligent.Theword“diligent”meansworkthatischaracterizedbysteady,earnest,andenergeticeffort.Godwantsustobediligentsowecanenjoyeveryadvantageinlife.ButHealsowantsustoincludeHiminourplans.

PROVERBS10:44Hebecomethpoorthatdealethwithaslackhand:butthehandoftheDILIGENTmakethrich.

PROVERBS12:2424ThehandoftheDILIGENTshallbearrule:buttheslothfulshallbeundertribute.

Somepeoplearediligent,buttheyfailtoplan.Othersplan,buttheyarenotdiligent,so

theirplansnevercometopass.

Youknow,it’slikethefellowwhowantedtoruntogiveamessagetoKingDavidwhenDavid’s army was fighting Absalom, David’s rebellious son who staged an uprisingagainstDavid.

David’scommanderssentarunnertogiveDavidthemessagethattheuprisingagainsthimhadbeensubdued,butthatDavid’sson,Absalom,whohadledtheuprising,wasdead(seeSecondSamuelchapter18).

Another fellowstandingnearbywanted to run toDavid just tobe running.Hedidn’thavethemessage,buthestillwantedtoruntoDavid.Hemayhavebeendiligent,buthehadnoplanofactionbecauseoncehegottoDavid,hedidn’thaveanythingtosay!

He had no plan!When David saw that the runner had nothing to say, he told him,“Stand aside” (2 Sam. 18:30). You see, some believers are diligent; they want to dosomething forGod,but theyhavenoplanorpurpose to fulfill thatdesire.Sowhen thetime comes when they should succeed, they have to stand aside because they haven’tpreparedproperly—theyhavenoplan.

Then there areotherswhohaveaplan,but they’renotdiligent enough tobring theirplantopass.GodmayhavespokentotheirheartaboutsomethingHehasforthemtodo,butiftheyputnoefforttotheirGod-givenplan,theywon’tsucceed.

Evenwhenyouhaveaplan,you’vegottobediligenttoworkyourplan.Youcanmakeplansandstillbeinfaith.JustmakesurethatyourconfidenceisalwaysinGod.

Faithvs.InsuranceWhataboutfaithversusinsurance?Faithisnotaninsurancepolicy.Moststatesrequire

carinsurance.Somebelieversthinktheycanrefusetogetcarinsurancebecausetheyarestandinginfaiththattheywillneverhaveanaccident.

BelieverswhodothatareindisobediencetoGod’sWord,andGodcan’thelpthemeventhoughHewantsto.JesusHimselftoldHisdisciples,“RenderuntoCaesarthatwhichisCaesar’s”(Mark12:17).WhenJesusreferredtoCaesar,HewastalkingabouttheRomanstateorthegovernment.

AtRHEMA,we require the training-center students to have car insurance beforewegive themacampusparkingstickerbecause insurance isa requirement in thisstate.WearenotgoingtobeapartytobreakingthelawbecausethenGodcan’tblessus.

There’snothingwrongwithhavinginsurance.Itshouldn’thinderaperson’sfaithatall.

Somebelieversdon’tevenmakeawillbecausetheythinkfaithautomaticallytakescareofeverythingandtheydon’thaveanyresponsibility.

But ifapersonhasyoungchildren,hehasaresponsibility toprovidefor themandtoprotectthem(Prov.13:22;2Cor.12:14).Onethingawilldoesisdeterminewhowilltakecareofthechildrenshouldanythinghappentotheparents.

Yousay,“ButI’mbelievingGodthatnothingbadisgoingtohappentome.”IbelieveGodfordivineprotectiontoo.Butbelieversstillneedtobewiseinalltheaffairsoflife.

Faithvs.BirthControlWhataboutfaithandbirthcontrol?Welaughaboutthis,buttherearesomepeoplewho

aretryingtousefaithinsteadofbirth-controlmeasures.Itwon’twork!

Severalyearsago,DadandIwerevisitingamarriedcouplewhomentionedthat theywereusingtheirfaithastheirbirth-controlmethod.BrotherHaginlookedthemrightintheeyesandsaid,“That’sfoolish.”

Anyway, their faithmusthave failed thembecauseabout tenmonths later theyhadachild!Don’ttrytousefaithinareaswhereitdoesn’tapply.

Wehaveallstudiedbiologyinschool,andwe’vestudiedthephysiologicalmakeupofmenandwomen.Therefore,it’sfoolishtotrytogoagainstnaturallawsthatGodHimselfsetintomotion,saying,“Well,I’mjustgoingtobelieveGodtooverridethisnaturallaw.”

ButweneedtorealizethatGodcreatedusthewayweare.Hecreatedtheprocessofchild-bearing.Hecreatedtheprincipleofseedtimeandharvest.AndHedesignedthewaychildrencomeintothisworld.

Goddidnotintendforustouseourfaithasabirth-controlmeasure.Naturallawsworkinthatarea.Ifmarriedcoupleswanttoplanthesizeoftheirfamily,theyshoulduseothermethodsthanfaithforbirthcontrol.Faithwasnotdesignedtoworkinthatarea.

Regardingnatural laws,wemust dowhatwe cando in the natural.We shouldn’t bemotivatedbyfear;weshouldbemotivatedbywisdom.Wecanstill trustGodbutat thesametimetakeourproperresponsibilitiesinthenaturalrealm.

FaithIsNotImitationIt’s important tounderstand that faith isnot imitatingsomeoneelse’sactions!Wecan

baseouractionsontheWordofGod,butwecannotexpectanswerstoprayersbasedonthetestimoniesofothers—whatotherpeoplesaidordid.

Forexample,IrememberapersonwhogavehiscarawaybecauseGodtoldhimtodothat,andsomeonegavehimamuchbettercar.

He received a car supernaturally by faith because hewas in direct obedience toGodwhenhegavehiscaraway.Butrightafterthatsomeotherbelieversalsogavetheircarsawayjustbasedonthatfellow’stestimony.Inoticedthatseveralmonthslater,theywerestillwalking!

Why didn’t their “faith”work for them?Because they based their faith on someoneelse’sactions—notontheWordofGod!Theyweren’tbelievingGodforthemselves;theywerejustimitatingwhatsomeoneelsehaddone.Theysaid,“Well,thatfellowgavehiscarawayandgotanewone,sothat’swhatwe’regoingtodotoo.”

But,yousee,theotherpersongavehiscarawayinobediencetowhatGodhadtoldhimtodo.HisfaithwasinGod,andhebasedhisgivingonscripturalprinciples.Theseotherpeoplebasedtheiractionsonimitatingsomeoneelse’sactions.

Godwillnotmeetyoubecauseyouimitatewhatsomeoneelsedid.GodwillmeetyouwhenyouobeywhatHetoldyoutodobyHisSpiritbasedonHisWord.IfyoutakeactioninobediencetoGod,youwillprosper!

SometimesGodleadspeopleindifferentways,andaslongasbelieversobeyHim,theyareblessed.Butthatdoesnotmeantheycanjustimitatewhatsomeoneelsedidandexpecttoreceivethesameresults.However,iftheyactontheWordofGod,thentheycanexpectthesameresults.

Butsomepeopleactin“faith”justbecausetheyareimitatingothers.TheiractionsarenotbasedonapersonalfaithinGod;theiractionsarebasedonimitation.

Letmegiveyouabiblicalexampleofactionthatwasbasedonimitation,notonfaithinGod.You’llnoticethatkindofactionfailed.

HEBREWS11:29(NIV)29 By faith the people [the Israelites] passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when theEgyptianstriedtodoso,theyweredrowned.

The Egyptians tried to cross the Red Sea because they saw that the Israelites hadsuccessfully crossed it before them. But, you see, the Israelites were able to do theimpossible—cross over the Red Sea on dry ground—because they were obeying God!WhentheEgyptianstriedtoimitatetheIsraelites’actions,thatentireEgyptianarmywasdrowned!

Youcan’tstepout infaithonsomeone’selse’sactions!However, ifyouseesomeoneelse’sactions,andyousearchtheWordforyourself,youcanalsorespondtothepromisesinGod’sWord for yourself! Someone else’s testimony can inspire your faith; but youractionsmustbebasedonyourownfaithinGod’sWord.

Many believers are acting in faith because that’swhatGod’sWord said to do:“Fortherein is therighteousnessofGodrevealedfromfaith to faith:as it iswritten,Thejustshall liveby faith” (Rom.1:17).However,whenpeople try todo something that isnotbasedontheirownfaithandobediencebutisonlybasedonimitatingsomeoneelse,theyareactingliketheEgyptians,andtheireffortswillfail!

Youmayhaveheardmytestimonyofmyhealingfromanincurablefungalinfectioninmyear.Doctorssaidtherewasnomedicalcure;I’djusthavetolivewiththatconditionandcontrol itwithmedication.Theyalso toldme that I shouldneverget thatearunderwater. I was in high school at the time, so that meant I could never participate inswimmingingymclass.

But theLord toldme, “You are healed!” So in faith based onGod’sWord, “ByMystripesyouarehealed”(1Peter2:24),andinobediencetotheHolySpirit,Ijumpedintothepoolingymclass.WhenIdoveunderwater,Iheardapoppingsoundinmyear.Myearpoppedopen,andIknewIwastotallyhealed!

ButIdon’ttelleveryonetodowhatIdid.Forme,jumpinginthatpoolinobediencetoGod’sWordwastheactionIfeltinmyheartIneededtotaketodemonstratemyfaith—butI’dalreadyheardtheLordspeaktome.

Therefore,IwashealedbasedonmyownfaithinGod’sWordasIobeyedtheLord.ButIdon’tgoaroundadvisingeveryonewithanearinfectiontojumpintoaswimmingpooltogethealedoftheirearinfections!

Andjustbecauseonepreacherwhohadsugardiabetesthrewawayhisinsulinisnosignthat if you have sugar diabetes, you should throw your medication away. That’s

dangerous!

Remember, every time that preachergavehimself a shotof insulin, he said, “I thankYou,God,thatYouareworkinginmybodytoeffectahealingandacure.”

But he kept right on taking his medicine believing that God was working in thesituation. But the day came when he didn’t need his insulin anymore because he wastotallyhealed,sohethrewitaway.

Inanotherexample,amanalsobelievedGod’sWordconcerninghealing.ButbecauseoftheparticularwayGodimpressedhim,hethrewawayhismedicineandwashealedtoo.WithoutbeingspecificallyledoftheLord,wisdomletsyouknowthatyoucanonlyfollowthefirstexample.Inbothcases,healingultimatelycametothemenbecauseoftheirfaithinGod’sWord.

ToreceivefromGod,eachpersonmustactinfaithbasedontheWordforhimself—notbasedonsomeoneelse’saction.

Idon’trecommendthatpeoplewithincurableearinfectionsdowhatIdid.Forexample,if someone with an ear infection followed my actions, threw his medicine away andjumpedintoaswimmingpool,hecouldget introubleifhe’snot infaith.Ifhewasjustimitatingmy actions, and his faithwasn’t basedon theWord, he probablywouldn’t behealed.

IrecommendthatpeoplebelieveGod’sWordforthemselvesandputtheWordofGodintheirheartsothattheyknowexactlyhowtoactinfaith.

HEBREWS13:7(NIV)7Rememberyourleaders,whospokethewordofGodtoyou.ConsidertheoutcomeofTHEIRWAYOFLIFEandIMITATETHEIRFAITH….

Yousee, theBibledoesn’tsaytoimitateotherpeople’swayoflife.Inotherwords, itdoesn’tsaytoimitatepeople’sactions;itsaystoimitatetheirfaith.

There is a difference between imitating someone’s action or lifestyle, and imitatingsomeone’s faith. You can imitate someone’s lifestyle and not have one ounce of faith.That’swhywecanfollowsomeoneelse’sfaiththat’sbasedontheWordofGod,butnotsomeone else’sactions.We can follow scriptural faith, not what someone else says ordoes.

TheBiblesaysthatwearetorememberourleaderswhospoketheWordofGodtous.Wearetoconsidertheoutcomeoftheirwayoflifeandimitatetheirfaith.IlikethisversebecauseitshowsusthatwearetobeactivelyinvolvedinbelievingGodforourselves,notjustimitatingsomeoneelse.

Irememberbackintheearly’70s, themessageoffaithwasjust takingoffonalargescale.Someonewouldgiveagoodtestimony,tellinghowGodhadblessedhim,andyouwouldhearotherpeoplesay,“Well,Iclaimthatsameblessingtoo!”

ClaimingGod’sblessingsbasedonsomeoneelse’sexperienceratherthanontheWordofGodcausedalotofconfusionintheBodyofChristbackthen.Whenbelieversdidn’treceivewhattheyclaimed,theycouldn’tunderstandwhy.Butitwasbecausetheydidn’tbasetheirpetitiononthesolidfoundationofGod’sWord.

Irememberthatduringthattime,BrotherHaginwasteachingpeopletobasetheirfaithontheWord.Hetoldthem,“Youcan’tsay,‘Iclaimthatblessing!’justbecausesomeoneelse received it.Faithdoesn’twork thatway!Nowhere in theBibledoes it say tobaseyourfaithonsomeone’stestimony.YouhavetoclaimyourpetitionbasedonyourfaithinGod’sWord.ThenthepromisesofGodwillworkforyouliketheyworkedforothers.”

Peopleweregivingtheir testimonysaying,“Godgavemeacar.”Or“Godgavemeahouse.”Otherpeopleheardthatandbegansaying,“Iclaimonetoo!”

Butitdidn’twork,becausetheywereimitatingsomeoneelse’sactions!TheyhadnevertakentimetodeveloptheirownfaithintheWord.TheyhadnevertakenthetimetogetthepromisesofGoddeeplyrootedintheirownhearts.Theirconfessionwasbasedonwhatsomeoneelsehadreceived,notontheWordofGod.

Wearenottobeimitatorsofsomeoneelse’saction.WearetodevelopfaithintheWordofGodforourselves.WearetogotoGodandclaimwhatbelongstousinChristbasedonGod’spromisetous.

BuildyourfaithconfessionsonthepromisesinGod’sWord:IammorethanaconquerorinChrist.MyGodwillsupplyallofmyneedsaccordingtoHisrichesinglorybyChristJesus.ItismyFather’sgoodpleasuretogivemetheKingdom,andmyFatheralwaysgivesmethevictorythroughmyLordJesusChrist.(Rom.8:37;Phil.4:19;Luke12:32;1Cor.15:57).

Startexercisingyour faith!Findscriptures inGod’sWord thatpromiseyouwhatyouneed.Then stand steadfastlyon theWord.Diligently claimGod’spromises toyou, andyouwillseeGodmeetyoureveryneed!

Chapter4

FaithIsNotaFormulaAndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,That

whosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubt inhisheart,butshallbelieve that those thingswhichhesaithshallcome topass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.Therefore I sayuntoyou,What thingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.—Mark11:22–24

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews11:1

Let’stakeanotherlookatfaith!Biblefaithisnotalegalisticformula.Itseemsthatsomanypeoplehavetriedtorelegatefaithtosevenprinciplesortotwelvesteps.Nowitistruethattherearecertainprinciplesoffaith.Andwhenweteachfaith,weoftenrefertovariousbiblicalprinciplesthatworktogethertohelpactivateourfaith.

Butontheotherhand,faithisnotasetoflegalisticformulas.Yes,somebasicprinciplesoffaithoperatetogethertocausefaithtowork.Forexample,inMark11:23,wefindtwobasic faith principles thatwork together.One isbelievingGod.The secondprinciple issayingorconfessingwhatwebelievebasedonGod’sWord.

MARK11:23–2423ForverilyIsayuntoyou,ThatwhosoevershallSAYuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.24ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.

So there are scripturalprinciples thatgovern faith,butweneed tobecareful thatwedon’tgethunguponformulas.According to thedictionary,a“formula”canbeasetofwordsusedby ritualor rote.Goddoesn’t respond to formulas, butHedoes respond tofaithinHisWord(Isa.55:11;Ps.138:2;Heb.11:6).

Manypeoplehaveoveremphasizedthepartthatconfessionplaysinfaithbyturningitinto a legalistic formula.Then faith becomes nothingmore than amental exercise.ButBiblefaithoriginatesinman’sheart—inhisrecreatedspirit.AndBiblefaithiswhatgetsthejobdone,notsomementalexercise!

Peoplecangetsoinvolvedinconfessionthattheylosesightoftheotherprinciplesthatwork with faith to make it effective such as: love, patience, hope, and perseverance.People can beginmaking strong confessions, but without these other spiritual qualitiesactivatingfaith,theirfaithcanbecomeweakandinoperative.

Then they wonder why their faith won’t work! So they try to make their faithconfessions come to pass in their own strength, and they end up saying, “This faithbusinessdoesn’twork!”

But when your faith is energized by the love of God, plus hope, patience, andperseverance—yourfaithwillwork!

SomanybelievershavebecomeobsessedwithfaithformulasinsteadofBiblefaiththatisempoweredbytheseotherspiritualqualities!Forinstance,somebelieversthinkthatiftheyconfesssomething5,000times,ithastocometopass!That’sjustnotso!

Confessions that are not based on theWordwill not come to pass just because youconfessthem.But,faithconfessionsbasedonGod’sWordwillproduceresults.

ISAIAH55:1111Soshallmywordbethatgoethforthoutofmymouth:itshallnotreturnuntomevoid,butitshallaccomplishthatwhichIplease,anditshallprosperinthethingwheretoIsentit.

GodpromisesthatHisWordwon’tgooutandcomebackvoid,butitwill“…prosperinthethingwheretoIsentit.”SoyoucanseethatthereisquiteadifferencebetweenjustconfessingwordsandconfessingtheWord!

MATTHEW24:3535Heavenandearthshallpassaway,butmywordsshallnotpassaway.

Whenpeopledothingsbyroteusingformulas,theymissthespiritoffaith.WhenItellsomepeoplethey’remissingthespiritoffaithwiththeirfaithformulas,theytellme,“Oh,don’tconfessthat!”ButI’mnotmakingaconfessionatall—I’mjuststatingafact.Thereisabigdifferencebetweenmakingafaithconfessionandstatingfacts.

Sometimesbelievers canbe soboundup in fear about confession that apersoncan’tseem to say anything. For example, have you everwalked into a roomand just simplymadeacasualstatement,andeveryonejumpedonyouformakingabadconfession?OnetimeIwalkedintoanauditoriumwheretwofellowsIknewwereworkingonthechurchsoundequipment.

Iknewthemwell,soIwasjustkiddingwhenIsaid,“Withthosetwofellowsworkingonthesoundequipment,itmayneverwork!”

Oneofthemeninchargesaidwithfearinhisvoice,“Oh!Don’tconfessthat!”

Ianswered,“Whatintheworldareyoutalkingabout?Iwasonlyjoking.”

Sometimesbelieversaresofearfulaboutconfession,apersoncan’tsayanythingaroundthem!Every timeyouopenyourmouth, theyanswer,“Oh!Don’tconfess that! Itmightcometopass!”

Whenpeoplerespondtocasualremarksbysaying,“Don’tmakethatbadconfession!”Itrytoshowthemthedifferencebetweenbadconfessionsandcasualremarks.

It’simportantthatpeopleseethedifferencebetweenacasualremarkthatcomesfromyourheadandafaithstatementbasedontheWordthatcomesfromyourheart.

RitualorFaith?Yes, it is scriptural tomakedaily faith confessionsbasedon theWordofGod.But I

have a problem when people make daily confessions just by rote and ritual. Whenconfessionssimplybecomearitualisticmentalformula,theybecomeineffectual.

“Are you saying we shouldn’t make faith confessions?” you may ask. No, I’m notsayingthat.ButIamsayingthatfaithconfessionsshouldn’tbecomearitualisticformula.Whenfaithconfessionsgetritualistic,theybecomeunproductive.

Doyourememberthe“preciouspromisebox”thatwereespeciallypopularinthe’50sandearly ’60s?Somebelieverswouldpull apromiseoutof thepromisebox insteadofreading theWordofGod!And somepeople tried to live their livesbased juston thoselittlepromises.

Butthatwon’tworkbecauseweneedthewholecounselofGod!AndweeachneedtogettheWordofGodintoourheartsforourselves.Grabbinga“promise”asyourushoutthedoortoworkbecomesnothingmorethanaritual.

Inmostcases,itwasjustsomethingsomebelieversdideverydayasaritualistichabit.IthadnothingtodowithworshippingGodoredifyingandbuildingupthespiritualman.

Well,ritualisticfaithconfessionsbecomelittlemorethangrabbingapromiseoutofthepromise box—they lose their meaning. There is nothing wrong with making faithconfessions,butlet’sjustmakesurethatourconfessionsarebasedonGod’sWord.Also,let’smakesureourfaithconfessionscomefromaheartofworshippingGod,notbasedonritualisticformulas.

There’squiteadifferencebetweendoingsomethingritualistically,anddoingsomethingbecauseyouareearnestlyseekingGod.Youjustcan’taffordtoallowfaithtobereducedtolegalisticformulas!

FaithIsNotOrderingGodAroundFaithisalsonotamatterofmanipulatingGodororderingHimaround.Haveyouever

heard people say, “Oh, those faith people are detracting from the sovereignty of GodbecausetheyarealwaysusingtheirfaithtoorderGodaround!”

Butareyouorderingsomeonearoundbysimplyaskingforsomething thepersonhasalreadypromisedyou?

Inthenatural,areyourchildrenorderingyouaroundwhentheyaskyouforsomethingyou promised them? For example, suppose you tell your children, “If you make goodgrades,Iwilldosuchandsuchforyou.”

Whenyourchildrenreceivetheirgradesandmeetallyourconditions,aretheyorderingyouaroundwhentheyremindyouofyourpromise?Aretheymanipulatingyouwhentheyaskyouforwhatyoutoldthemwastheirs?No,theyaresimplyclaimingyourpromisetothem!

Itisthesameprinciplespiritually.WhenwestandonGod’sWord,wearesimplygoingtoGodwithHispromises.WearesimplyremindingGodofHisWordandaskingHimtogiveuswhatbelongs tous.WearedoingwhatGodtoldus todo. Infact, inHisWord,GodinvitedustoremindHimofHispromises.

ISAIAH43:2626Putmeinremembrance:letuspleadtogether:declarethou,thatthoumayestbejustified.

ItisscripturalforabelievertotakehisstandontheWordofGodandremindGodwhatHehaspromisedinHisWord.Infact,GodsaidtoputHiminremembranceofHisWordandwhatHehaspromisedus.

You see, faith believes what God has already said; faith responds to what God hasalreadydone;andfaithreceiveswhatGodhasalreadyprovided.

Itisnotarrogantforachildtoremindhisparentsofapromisemadetohim.That’snotarrogance, disobedience, manipulation, or disrespect. It is simply asking for what wasalreadypromised.

Therefore,itisnotarrogantforustoaskourHeavenlyFatherforthegiftsorbenefitsHealreadyprovided forus.Weare just claiming in faithwhatHehaspromised inHisWord. It does not detract from God’s sovereignty to put Him in remembrance of HisWord!

Taking a stand onGod’sWord is not arrogant!Andwhen you stand onGod’sWordagainstthedevil,youcan’tbemealy-mouthedandwishy-washyaboutit!YoumustknowwhoyouareinChristandtakeyourauthorityoverthedevil.

You’vegottobestrongintheLord!You’vegottoboldlydeclarewhoyouareinChrist.That’s not arrogance—that’s faith! When we are bold in Christ, we are not taking anarrogantstanceagainstGod.Wearetakingastrongstanceagainsttheproblemandagainstourenemy,Satan,basedontheauthorityofGod’sWord(Luke10:19;Phil.2:9,10).

Letthedevilknowyouarenotgoingtobeintimidatedbyhimorhisdevices.That’snotarrogance againstGod; that’s acting boldly in your authority over the devil. It’s boldlystanding inyourplaceof authoritybecause theWord said that Jesusdefeated thedevil.AndbecauseSatanhasbeendefeated,youcanbeboldasalion.

PROVERBS28:11Thewickedfleewhennomanpursueth:BUTTHERIGHTEOUSAREBOLDASALION.

Youaredealingwithadefeatedfoethatisalreadyunderyourfeetbecausehe’sunderJesus’feet,soyoucanbeboldinyourauthority!ThedevilhasalreadybeendefeatedbytheLordJesusChrist!

Jesussaid,“…Allpowerisgivenuntomeinheavenandinearth”(Matt.28:18).ThenHe said, “Goye,” giving that power toHisChurchon the earth (Matt. 28:19).Sowhyshouldwebeweakandafraidtodealwithadefeatedfoe—whenwehavetheauthorityinJesus’Nametoputhiminhisplace?

ItisnotarroganttoscripturallycomeagainsttheenemythatistryingtostealfromuswhatGodhasalreadygivenus.WhenyouknowGod’sWord,yougetboldandstrongintheLord!

Butwhenpeopledon’treallyknowwhatGod’sWordsays,theydon’thavetheboldnessto standagainst thedevil.And somebelieversonlyknowwhat someone thoughtGod’sWord said. But if they would study the Word for themselves, they would see forthemselvesthattheyhaveauthorityoverthedevilinJesus’Name!

Somebelieversaren’tsureabouttheirauthorityinChristbecausetheyarestilltryingtofigure out everything in their natural minds. They say, “This is how I interpret thisscripture.”Or“ThisiswhatIthinkthisscripturemeans.”

ThentheytrytoexplainawaythetruthofGod’sWordtheologicallybecauseitdoesn’tcoincidewithwhattheybelieve,andtheycan’tfigureitoutwiththeirnaturalmind(1Cor.2:14).

Butwhenyouaredealingwithfaith,youcan’talwaysfigureout thewayGodworks

withyournaturalmind.Faithdoesnotalwaysmakesense. It isnotalways logical,andyou can’t always understand spiritual things mentally. But as long as you walk inobediencetoGod,youcanclaimandreceivewhatHisWordsaysbelongstoyou.

Yousee,boldnessrisesupontheinsideofyouwhenyouknowGod’sWord.WhenyoufindoutwhoyouareinChrist,whatyouareinChrist,andwhatbelongstoyoubecauseofJesus’redemptionatCalvary,thenyoucanboldlyproclaimwhattheWordsays.

Don’tmistakeboldness for arrogance.Wearen’t supposed tobearrogant.Buton theother hand, refuse to be intimidated by thosewho teach contrary to theWord of God.When I know what God’s Word says about something, I refuse to back down. Why?BecauseGodsaidit.AndifGodsaidit,Icanhaveit,andI’mgoingtoboldlydeclareit!

That’snotarrogance—thatjustboldfaith!I’mgoingtotakeGodatHisWordandenjoymyChristian lifebefore Igo toHeaven.Godsaidwedon’thave towaituntilwego toHeavenbeforewearevictoriousinourChristianwalk.HisWordsaidwecanbevictorsinthislife!

SomebelieverslivetheirwholelivesjustwaitingtogotoHeaven.Theysay,“Oh,somehappyday,itwillallbeover,andthenwe’llbeinHeaven!”

IthankGodforthatdaywhenwewillgotoHeaven—tothatcitywithstreetsofgold!But theWordofGodalso tellsme that I donot have tobeunder thedevil’s dominionwhile I’m living down here on this earth! The Bible tells me that I can live a life ofhappiness,joy,andpeacerighthereonearth.Idon’thavetobepoororsickanymore.

AndI’mgoingtobeboldanddeclarewhattheBiblesaysIhaveinChrist!It’stimetotakeastrongstandonGod’sWord!Arethereareasinyourlifewherethedevilistryingtosteal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)? Then take a bold stand against the devilwith theWord!He’s under your feet! It doesn’tmatterwhatpeople say—itmatterswhatGod’sWordsays!

AndwhenIfindoutwhatGod’sWordsaysaboutanysubject,thenIknowthatisGod’swill.I’mgoingtoclaimGod’swillformylifeandwalkinit!AndI’mgoingtoenjoythetriumphineverycircumstancebecauseGodpromisesmethevictory!

1CORINTHIANS15:5757ButthanksbetoGod,whichgivethusthevictorythroughourLordJesusChrist.

I’vegotthevictorynow!NomorebondageinJesus’Name.Forsickness,Ihavehealth.Forpoverty,wealth—sinceJesussetmefree!

Whatever you need, receive it from theWord ofGod.Boldly declare theWord overyourcircumstances!Boldlydeclareyourfaith,whetheryoucanseeyouranswer,feelit,ortasteit!Takeitbyfaith!

Yousee,whenyoubaseyourfaithonGod’sWord,youcansay,“It’smine!Ihavemyanswernow!”Howcanyoubethatboldinyourfaithdeclaration?BecauseJesusalreadymadeprovisionforyoureveryneedtobemet.That’swhyyoucanreceiveyouranswerinfaithwhenyoupray(Mark11:24).

GrabholdofGod’sWordwiththetenacityofabulldogwithabone.Don’tletgoofHisWord!TenaciouslyholdontoGod’spromises.That’swhenyoureceiveresults!

I have two dogs named Princess and Dottie. Princess is a black lab and Dottie is adalmatian.WhenIgo to thebackdoorwithbones inmyhand, thosedogssit thereandwaitpatientlyuntilItellthemtheycanhavethebones.I’vetrainedthemtodothat.

ButassoonasIsay,“Okay!”thosedogsgrabthosebonesanddon’tletgo!Oncetheygetholdofthosebones,Idon’ttrytotakethemaway,becausetheyholdontothemwiththetenacityofabulldog.

That’s thewaybelieversneedtobeabout thepromisesofGod.Get theWordofGoddown in your heart, and hold on to theWord! TheWord is more powerful than yourcircumstancesoranythingyoucouldeverfaceinthislife!

If I tried tograbholdof thosebones, thosedogswould just tighten theirgrip!That’swhatyouneedtodowhenthedeviltriestostealyourblessingsawayfromyou.Tightenyour faith grip onGod’s promises!Don’t let loose of theWord!Tell the devil, “In theNameofJesus,stopinyourmaneuversagainstme!”

Someofyoujustneedtoget infaithandlaughat thedevilbecauseyouhavevictoryoverhim.Break freeof thedevil’s liesby shoutingyourvictory in faithbecauseGod’sWordistrueandyoureceiveyouranswernow!

DowhateveryouneedtodotodemonstrateyourfaithinGod’sWord.StrengthenyourfaithsoyoucanwalkinthefreedomJesusalreadypurchasedforyou!Youdon’thavetoreceiveanythingthedeviltriestothrowatyoubecausehe’sadefeatedfoe!

Sometimesbelieverswill receive something fromGod in churchwhere the corporateanointingisstrong.Butwhentheygetoutthereintheireverydaylivesbythemselves,thefirsttimethedeviltriestotaketheirblessingawayfromthem,theybackdowninfearandlethimhaveit.

ButyouhavetobestrongintheLordandholdfasttowhatbelongstoyouinChrist!YouneedtopraisetheLordforyourvictorybeforeyouseetheanswer(Mark11:24).Ifsomeoneasksyou,“Whyareyoucarryingonlikethat?”tellthem,“BecauseI’vegotthevictory!”

Insportsevents,whenateamwinsthechampionship,peopledanceinthestreets;theyjump,laugh,andcarryon.Theyshowsomeemotion!ButwhenGoddoessomethingforusandwerejoiceinHim,somepeoplewanttocallusfanatics!

Letthemcallusfanaticsiftheywantto!GlorytoGod!TheBiblesaysit;Ibelieveit;andit’sHisWordthatsetsmefree!WhenyoureceiveyourpetitionfromtheLord,yourejoiceinHim!

TheBiblesays,“MakeajoyfulnoiseuntotheLord,all theearth:makealoudnoise,andrejoice,andsingpraise” (Ps.98:4). It also says thatweare toenter intoHisgateswiththanksgiving,andintoHiscourtswithpraise!WearetobethankfultoHim,andblessHisholyName(Ps.100:4).

Sowecanrejoice inourvictorybyfaithbeforeweseeouranswerbecauseweknowGodisfaithful!Victoryisours!Don’teverletthedeviltakeanythingawayfromyou.YoumayhavetostandyourgroundonGod’sWordtoensureyourvictory,butbestrongintheLordandtellthedevil,“Flee,intheNameofJesus!”

EverytimeyoutakeyourauthorityoverthedevilintheNameofJesus,it’slikegivingthedevilablackeyespiritually.Every timeyouarebold inyourauthority inJesus, it’slikegivingthedevilalefthooktothejawspiritually.Itputshiminhisplace!WhenyoustandonyourauthorityinChrist,thedevilhastoflee!

Ifthedeviliswalkingalloveryou,maybeit’sbecauseyouhaven’tstooduptohiminyourauthorityinChrist.PuthiminhisplacewiththeWordofGod.IfyouareinChrist,theBiblesaysthedevilisunderyourfeetbecausehe’sunderJesus’feet!SoputthedevilontherunwiththeNameofJesus!

Rejoice in theLordbecause Jesus isyourvictory! Itdoesn’tmatterwhetheryou feellikeitornot.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyourmindissayingtoyouifit’scontrarytotheWordofGod.RejoiceintheLordbecauseHisWordpromisesyouthevictory!ThankGod,HisWordneverfails.YoucanbeboldandconfesswhatGodsaysaboutyouandreceiveyouranswernow!

Chapter5

FaithIsNotaTickettoUtopiaAndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,That

whosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubt inhisheart,butshallbelieve that those thingswhichhesaithshallcome topass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.Therefore I sayuntoyou,What thingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.—Mark11:22–24

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews11:1

Let’stakeanotherlookatfaith!Somepeoplehavetheideathatifyouhavefaith,you’llneverexperienceanymoreproblemsin life.Theythinkthat ifapersonjusthasenoughfaithinGod,lifewillbeperfectandeverythingwillgosmoothlyallthetime.Butthat’snotwhattheBibleteaches!

FaithinGoddoesnotproduceacontinualstateofUtopia.WhatisUtopia?Actually,itwasanimaginaryplaceinliteraturewhereeverythingwasperfect—society,politics,andlaw. Now we use the word “Utopia” in our own language to mean a place of idealperfection.

FaithinGoddoesnotproduceastateofUtopia—aconditionofperpetualbliss.Inotherwords, justbecauseyouarebelievingGod,that’snosignyouaregoingtofloatthroughlife on flowery beds of ease.Many people get the idea that once they begin to live byfaith,Godwilljustautomaticallydoeverythingforthem.

ButitisunrealisticandunbiblicaltoexpectfaithtobeatickettoUtopia,becausetheWordofGodsayswearegoingtohavetestsandtrialsinthislife.Butitalsosays,“MyGodhasdeliveredusoutofthemall!”FaithinGodisknowingHewilldeliverusoutofallourtestsandtrials.

TheWordofGodsaysGodwillblesswhatyouputyourhandto(Deut.28:8).AndGodalsosaysinHisWordthatwecanreceivethevictoryineverysituation(2Cor.2:14).ButitisveryunrealisticandunbiblicaltothinkthatyoucanbelieveGodtoneverhaveanotherproblem in life. If you have that idea, somehow you are not reading the Scripturecorrectly.TheBibledoesn’tsaythat!

PSALM34:1919Manyaretheafflictionsoftherighteous:buttheLORDdeliverethhimoutofthemall.

TheBibletellsusexactlywhywesufferafflictionandpersecutioninthislife!It’sfortheWord’ssake.JesusHimselfsaidthatinthisworld,wewouldsufferpersecution.

MARK4:1717…whenafflictionorpersecutionarisethfortheword’ssake….

JOHN16:3333ThesethingsIhavespokenuntoyou,thatinmeyemighthavepeace.Intheworldyeshallhavetribulation:butbeofgoodcheer;Ihaveovercometheworld.

Wearestillinthisworld!Irealizewe’vebeenbornagain,andwebelongtothefamily

ofGod.Butinthenatural,wearestilllivinginthisworld.AndJesussaid,“Inthisworld,youshallhavetribulation.”

Manypeopledon’tliketohearthatbecauseitmakesthemfacethefactthattheyhavetotakesomeresponsibilityinthislife.Manypeoplejustwanttosay,“Well,I’mbelievingGod,soHe’lltakecareofeverything,”andthentheydon’tmakeanyefforttodotheirparttoreceivefromGod.Theydon’tunderstandtherearethings theymustdotoreceivetheblessingsofGod.

It is utterly ridiculous for people of faith to ignore the facts and deny theirresponsibilitiesinlifejustbecausetheysay,“Well,I’mjustgoingtolivebyfaith.”Somebelieversseemtothinktheycansurroundthemselvesinsomekindoffaith“cocoon”andneverbeaffectedbythisworldthattherestofushavetodealwith.

But,friend,westillliveinthenaturalworld!Yes,ourcitizenshipisinHeaven,butwealsostillhavenaturalcitizenship.Andinthenatural,wemustdealwithnaturalproblems.

Problemswill always exist in the natural realm as long aswe live on this earth.NomatterhowmuchfaithyouhaveorhowmuchoftheWordofGodyoucanquote,aslongasyouareinthisworld,youwillstillexperiencesometrialsandtribulationsfromtimetotime.

ACTS:14:21–2221Andwhentheyhadpreachedthegospeltothatcity,andhadtaughtmany,theyreturnedagaintoLystra,andtoIconium,andAntioch,22Confirming the souls of thedisciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and thatwemustthroughmuchtribulationenterintothekingdomofGod.

Nowit’s true thatwecanuseour faith inGod’sWord todealwithproblems thatweface on this earth and overcome them. We don’t have to be overcome by problems.EmpoweredwithGod’sWord,theWordcanovercomeanyproblem!

FighttheGoodFightofFaithName any hero of faith in theWord of God, and I will show you a strong man or

womanoffaithwhoovercameobstacles,challenges,tests,andtrials!Forexample,lookatPaul’slife.Hesufferedsometestsandtrials!

2CORINTHIANS11:23–2823AretheyministersofChrist?(Ispeakasafool)Iammore;inlaboursmoreabundant,instripesabovemeasure,inprisonsmorefrequent,indeathsoft.24OftheJewsfivetimesreceivedIfortystripessaveone.25ThricewasIbeatenwithrods,oncewasIstoned,thriceIsufferedshipwreck,anightandadayIhavebeeninthedeep;26Injourneyingsoften,inperilsofwaters,inperilsofrobbers,inperilsbymineowncountrymen,inperilsby theheathen, inperils in thecity, inperils in thewilderness, inperils in the sea, inperilsamongfalsebrethren;27Inwearinessandpainfulness, inwatchingsoften, inhungerandthirst, in fastingsoften, incoldandnakedness.28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all thechurches.

Paulsaidhe’dbeenbeaten,leftfordead,throwninjail,inperilinthesea,stonedandleftfordead.ButinallofthetrialsPaulendured,hekeptonbelievingGod.HisfaithinGod neverwavered. In fact, hewent on later to say, “I am always victorious inChrist

Jesus.”

Paul,thatgreatmanoffaithwhowrotemoreaboutfaiththananyoneelseintheNewTestament, suffered some trials and tribulations on this earth! But he was victoriousbecauseheunderstoodthathistrialsandtribulationswerenotthefinalchapterinhiswalkof faith.Heknewhis faith inGodwould seehim througheverythinghe suffered sohewouldcomeoutthevictor.

Thatgreatapostleoffaith,SmithWigglesworth,oncesaid,“Greatvictoriescomeoutofgreatbattles.”Thatisscripturalbecauseeachoneofuswillfightthegoodfightoffaithfromtimetotimeinthecircumstancesoflife.

1TIMOTHY6:1212Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,whereunto thou art also called, andhastprofessedagoodprofessionbeforemanywitnesses.

Everyonewantsvictoryinlife,butfriend,theonlywayyou’lleverreceivevictoryistofightthegoodfightoffaith!Ifthereisnofightoffaith,therewillbenovictory!Beforeyou can enjoy the victory, you’ve got to enter into the arena of faith in God’s WordbecauseSatanwilltrytoopposeyou—buthe’snomatchfortheWord!

For example, in the natural, just because you enter an athletic field of competitiondressedin theproperequipment, thatdoesnotautomaticallysecureyouthevictory.No,youhavetogetonthefieldofcompetitionanddefeattheopposingteam!

But,thankGod,wecanequipourselveswiththefullarmorofGod,andarmedwiththeWord of God, we can expect the victory before we ever get to the battlefield! Why?BecausetheLordJesusChristhasalreadygivenusthevictory!

Weneed to claimwhat belongs to us! Jesus already defeatedSatan for us. Jesus hasgivenusHisarmor,HisName,andHisWord.Wejustneedtolearntowearourspiritualequipmentproperlysowearereadyforthefightoffaith.

Forexample,itwoulddoafootballplayernogoodtoputhishelmetonbackwards.Itwould still be a football helmet, and it would still protect his head. But if hewears itbackwards,hewouldn’tbeabletoseewherehe’sgoing.Hecouldn’tevenseetheactiononthefield!

It’s the same way spiritually. Once you are wearing your spiritual equipment—thearmorofGod—youstillhavetouseyourequipmentproperlybeforeyoucansucceed.

EPHESIANS6:11–1711PutonTHEWHOLEARMOUROFGOD,thatyemaybeabletostandagainstthewilesofthedevil.12Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces.13WhereforetakeuntoyouTHEWHOLEARMOUROFGOD,thatyemaybeabletowithstandintheevilday,andhavingdoneall,tostand.14 Stand therefore, having your LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH, and having on THEBREASTPLATEOFRIGHTEOUSNESS;15AndyourFEETSHODWITHTHEPREPARATIONOFTHEGOSPELOFPEACE;16Aboveall, takingTHESHIELDOFFAITH,wherewithye shallbeable toquenchall the fierydartsofthewicked.17AndtaketheHELMETOFSALVATION,andtheSWORDOFTHESPIRIT,whichisthewordofGod.

Inabaseballgame,thecatcherwearsapaddedchestprotector.Itwouldbefoolishforhimtoput thatchestprotectoronhisbackandgoouton the field toplayball.Healsowearsafacemask,butifheputsitonbackwards,thebackofhisheadisprotected,buthisface is exposed. You see, he would be wearing the right equipment, but he would bewearingitimproperly.

Manypeoplehaveputonthehelmetofsalvation,buttheyhavenotbotheredtousetheother pieces of their spiritual equipment: the breastplate of righteousness, the shield offaith,theshoesofpeace,theswordoftheSpirit,andthebeltoftruth.Iftheydon’tweartheirequipmentproperly,theyarevulnerabletotheenemy.

For example, it is the shield of faith that quenches all the fiery darts of the enemy.NoticethatasyouliveyourlifeforGodonthisearthclaimingGod’spromises,theenemywillshoothis fierydartsatyou.Buteven thoughhe tries toopposeyou,yourshieldoffaithinGod’sWordwillovercomeeveryoneofhisfierydarts.Withyourfaithshieldheldhigh,youcankeepthosefierydartsfromhurtingyou.

Don’tRelaxYourGuardItdoesn’tmatterhowheavy thatshieldof faithgets,you’vegot tokeep itup! Ifyou

don’t use your faith as a shield, sooner or later youwill get into trouble spiritually. Sodon’tletyourshieldoffaithsagindoubtandunbelief!Don’trelaxyourguardspiritually!

Have you ever noticed that a boxer keeps his hands up in front of his face forprotection.He keeps his elbows tucked in at his side to protect his body, and his headhuncheddowntoprotecthisneck.

Whenhisopponenttriestohithiminthestomach,hecanusehiselbowstowardofftheblows.Hishandsinfrontofhisfaceareaneffectiveprotectiontohelpdeflectanyblowshisopponentthrowsathim.

WhenIwasajuniorinhighschool,wewererequiredtotakeboxingingymclass.Wewore huge, padded gloves sowewouldn’t hurt anyone.Actually, theywere so padded,theywerelikepillowstiedonourhands.

Atfirst,Iwasn’tusedtoholdingmyarmsupinfrontofmyfaceforprotection,soI’dgettiredanddropmyarms.ButIsoonfoundoutthatonceIdroppedmyguard,Iwasanopentargetformyopponent.

Sometimesinaboxingmatch,ifaboxeriswinning,hemayrelaxhisguardalittleandwithoutthinking,drophishandsdown.Thatleaveshimunprotectedandwideopensohisopponentcantaghimrightonthechin.

That’swhatmanybelieversaredoingspiritually.TheyarelivingbyfaithinGod’sWordandeverythingisgoingsmoothly.Butwhenthingsaregoingwell,theyrelaxtheirguardandlettheirshieldoffaithdown,andSatannailsthem.

Theywerewieldingtheshieldoffaithandstayinginvictory,butthentheygotcarelessandthought,Icanrelaxforawhile.Then“BOOM!”theenemyhitthemwithatestoratrial.

WalkingwithGodinfaithdoesnotguaranteethatyouwon’teverhavetestsandtrials!But as longasyoukeepyour faith shieldheldhigh,believing, trusting, andwalking in

God’sWord,youareguaranteed thatGodwill seeyou through tovictory. JesusalwayscausesyoutotriumphinHim!

FaithIsNotaPanicButtonSomepeoplehave thought thatfaithwas justapanicbuttontopushin theeventofa

crisis.Forexample,intheOldTestamentweseethatmanytimestheIsraelitespushedthepanicbuttonwhentheygotintotroublewiththeirenemies.

TheIsraelitesseemedtooperatethiswayallthetime.Aslongaseverythingwasgoingwell,theydidn’thavetimeforGod.Butassoonastheygotintotrouble,theyrancryingtoGod.Whenthecrisesoflifecame,theycriedouttoGod,“Lord,deliverus!”

Wedothesamethingspiritually.Whenthingsgowell,wemaynotbeseekingGodasdiligentlyasweshould.Buttheminuteacrisiscomesourway,weruntoGod.ButGoddoesn’twantustolivefromcrisistocrisisandfrompanictopanic.HewantsustotrustHimallthetime!

HABAKKUK2:44…thejustshalllivebyhisfaith.

Thescripture“the just shall liveby faith”means that faith is tobea lifestyle for theChristian.FaithasalifestylemeansyouwalkbyyourfaithinGodeverydayofyourlife,365 days a year, regardless of circumstances! Faith becomes away of life, not a panicbuttonyoupusheverytimeyougetintotrouble.

Goddoesn’tintendforfaithtobesomethingyoujustuseinthecrisesoflife.FaithissomethingyoumustuseeverydayoftheweekifyouaregoingtowalkwithGod.Godwants you to trustHim every day for the little things aswell as for the big things.HewantsyoutoleanandrelyonHimcontinually.YouaretoclaimHispromisesforyourlifedaily,notjustwhenthegoinggetstough.

In fact, ifyouwait till thecrisiscomes to try tobelieveGod,you’vewaited too late.YouneedGod’sWordinyourheartbeforethecrisiseverhappens.YouneedtomeditateonGod’sWordcontinuallytogetitintoyourheart.

Ifyou’veeverbeen involved inanexerciseprogram,youknowwhathappens ifyoumissseveralweeksandthenstartexercisingagain.Youcan’tstartoutatthesameexerciselevel asyouwerewhenyouquit.Youget tired fasterbecauseyouareno longer in thesamephysicalshapeyouwerebefore.Youhave tobuildyourendurancebackup to thelevelyouwereatphysicallybeforeyouquitexercising.

Exercise issomethingyouhave todoall the timefor it to reallyprofityou.A lifeoffaithinGodworksthesameway.Therewillneverbeatimeyoucanquitusingyourfaithandjustrelaxandtakeiteasy.ThedayyourelaxandquitexercisingyourfaithisthedayyouquitprogressinginyourChristianwalk.

No,youmustkeepyourfaithstrongandaliveuntilthedayJesusChristcomestotakeushome toHeaven.Until then,youneed tocontinuallyexerciseyour faithbecause thedevilisjustwaitingtotrytotakeyouunawares.He’swaitingforthedayyouloweryourshieldoffaithandrelaxyourgripontheWord.Then“Wham!”hewillhityouwithafierydart.

TheBiblesaysSatanisgoingaroundasaroaringlionseekingwhomhemaydevour(1Peter5:8).Thatmeanswedon’tneedtobedevoured!Well,howdowekeepfrombeingdevoured?By continually using our faith, not as a crutch in a crisis situation, but as astrongshieldtoprotectusfromtheenemy.

FaithasashieldmeansthatIwalkwithGodeveryday.DailyIbelieveGodandobeyHisWord. I continually surroundmyselfwithGod’spromises.Armedwith theWord, Ishieldmyselffromtheenemy.

PSALM23:44Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil:forthouartwithme;thyrodandthystafftheycomfortme.

TheBiblesayswecanwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeathbutfearnoevil.Whenyou’vebeenlivingfaith,confessingfaith,andsurroundingyourselfwithfaithfromtheWord,youcanwalk throughtheverymidstof thepitsofhell,andthepowerof theenemywillhavenoeffectonyou.

Faith isnot somethingwe justusewhenwe’re in a crisis! It’snot apanicbuttonwepush in the storms of life.We need strong faith in God every day of the week.Wrapyourself in the promises of God, and you’ll experience the peace of God in everysituation!

AsGod’schildren,wehavebeenblessedwithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlyplaces(Eph.1:3).WeareseatedwithChristnow(Eph.2:6).Inthatsense,weareshieldedfromhard times. Yes, in the natural we do run into some hard times—the tests, trials, andtribulationsweallgothroughinlife.

But,thankGod,weareseatedwithChristinheavenlyplaces!Sowhenournaturaleyesseenothingbutdarkdisappointmentandbleakdespairallaroundus,withtheeyeoffaithwecanseethegoldenglowofGod’spowercomingtoourrescueonthehorizon!AswefixoureyesonthelightofGod’sWord,byfaithwecanwalkoutofanydarksituationintothedeliveringpowerofGod!

ButyoumusttakethosestepsoffaithtowalkfromdarkcircumstancesintothelightofGod’sWord.Godhasalreadyprovidedforyourcompletevictoryineverysituation.ButyoumustliftupyourshieldoffaithlikeabannerofvictorybyproclaimingthepowerofGod’sWord!Withyourheadheldhigh,walkinyourtriumphinChrist!

FaithIsNotaMagicWandFaithisnotsomekindofmagicwandyouwavearoundtogetwhatyouwantinGod.

TheBible is not amagic lamp you can rub so a geniewill pop out to grant you threewishes. Some believers seem to think faithworks like that. It is unfortunate that somepeoplehaveheardafewfaithprinciplesandthentriedtousethemformaterialisticgain.

PSALM119:105105Thywordisalampuntomyfeet,andalightuntomypath.

Yes, theBible is a lamp to light our paths sowe can seewherewe are going in lifespiritually.AndbyfaithwetakeonestepatatimeonthepaththatGodhasforus.Usuallythat’saboutasmuchlightastheLordwillshedonourpathwaybecauseHeexpectsustowalkbyfaith,notbysight.

I remember in drivers’ education in high school, the instructors talked about nightdrivingandsaid, “Don’toverdriveyour lights.”Whatdid theymeanby that statement?Theymeantdon’tgoanyfasterthanthetimeittakesforyoutostopwithinthedistancethatyourheadlightsareshining.Theheadlightsofyourcaronlyextendsofar,soallowyourselfatleastthatmuchdistancetostop.

Thesamethingistruespiritually.Wecouldsayitthisway:Don’tgobeyondthelightofGod’sWord.Don’twalkoutbeyondthelightthatGod’sWordhasshoneonyourpath.

TheBibleisalight,notamagicwandthatwewaveovernegativesituations.TheWordofGod is a light sowe can find thepaths thatGodwants us towalkon.As a light, itdispels darkness because where the glorious light of the gospel shines, there is nodarkness.Whenwe’renotgropingaroundinthedarkness,it’smucheasiertoknowwherewearegoing!

Ifyouturnedoutallthelightsinaroom,youcouldlightonecandle,andwhereverthatlightshines,darknessisdispelled.Darknesscannotoverpowerlight,butlightextinguishesdarkness.Darknesscannotputoutthelight,butlightovercomesdarkness.

Yousay,“Butyoudon’tknowwhattheenemymightdo!”Theenemycan’tdoanythingaslongasyoudwellinthelightofGod’sWord.Ifyou’relivingandwalkinginthelightofGod’s Word, darkness must flee! Faith in God’s Word gives you light, and that lightdispelsthedevil’sdarkness.

JAMES4:33Yeask,andreceivenot,becauseyeaskamiss,thatyemayconsumeituponyourlusts.

Another translation says, “You ask and receive not because you askwith thewrongmotivesthatyoumayconsumeituponyourownmaterialisticways.”

We need to understand that James was talking to people who were obsessed withmaterial possessions. There is nothing wrong with material things in their properperspective.IbelieveGodwantstoprosperHispeople,butIdonotthinkthatourfocusshouldbeonmaterialpossessions!

WhenourfocusisonmaterialthingsinsteadofonGod,wegetintotroublespiritually.WeneedtofocusonwhatGodsaidinHisWordandonthethingsofGod.

Acquiring material possessions is not the focus of Christianity. We are promisedmaterialgoods,buttheyarenottobeourfocus.Whenyouloseyourfocusinlife,youloseyourwayandyourpathcangetdarkandmuddled.ButwhenyourlifeisfocusedonGod,youknowexactlywhatpathtotakeinlife.

1TIMOTHY6:17–1917 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertainriches,butinthelivingGod,whogivethusrichlyallthingstoenjoy;18Thattheydogood,thattheyberichingoodworks,readytodistribute,willingtocommunicate;19Layingupinstoreforthemselvesagoodfoundationagainstthetimetocome,thattheymaylayholdoneternallife.

Paul says that God wants to give us all good things to enjoy. So enjoying materialpossessionsisnotwrong.ButdesiringthemaboveGodiswrong.Andastingyandselfishattitudeaboutthematerialpossessionsyouhaveiswrong.

SeekFirstGod’sKingdomJesus talked toHis disciples aboutmaterial things. He said if we seekGod andHis

Kingdomfirst,materialthingswillbeaddedtous.MATTHEW6:3333ButseekyefirstthekingdomofGod,andhisrighteousness;andallthesethingsshallbeaddeduntoyou.

SeekingGod’sKingdomfirstisGod’sperspectiveonhowtoreceivefromHim.JesussaidifweseekfirsttheKingdomofGod,materialpossessionswouldbeaddedtous,notsubtractedfromus.

Theninanotherplace, theBiblesaid,“…all theseblessingsshallcomeon thee,andOVERTAKEthee,ifthoushalthearkenuntothevoiceoftheLordthyGod”(Deut.28:2).TrueprosperitycomesfromobeyingGod!

WhenyouarebusyaboutyourHeavenlyFather’sbusiness,Hewill takecareofyourbusiness!But somepeople reverseMatthew6:33 and seek things first before they seekGod’sKingdom,sotheydon’tprosper!Andothersgivejusttoget,sotheirwrongmotiveshinderthemfromreceivingfromGod.

Ihavenevergivenanofferingyetjusttogetsomethinginreturn.ThereisadifferenceingivingjusttoreceiveandgivingbecauseyouwanttoblessGod’sKingdom.Whenyougivetobeablessing,thenyoucanclaimGod’spromisesandwatchalltheseotherthingsbeaddeduntoyou!

WrongmotivesmakeadifferencewithGod!Evenifabeliever’sfaithisstrongandheconfessesGod’sWord,ifhismotivesarewrong,hewon’treceiveareturn.GodwantstomeettheneedsofHispeople,butsometimesHecan’tbecausetheirmotivesareallwrong!

There’safinelinebetweengivingmotivatedbyobediencetoGod’sWordandgivingtogetsomethinginreturn.Whenyoucangivewithpuremotives,youcanexpecttoreceivebasedonthepromisesofGod.YoucanexpecttheWordtoworkforyou.Butyouarenotgivingjusttogetthosepromisestoworkforyou.

YourmotiveingivingshouldbetoadvanceGod’sKingdomsothegospeloftheLordJesusChristcanbepreachedtotheendsoftheearth.Thatputsgivingintoperspective.

God doesn’t want us to seek things becausematerial possessions aren’t our ultimatepriority.FaithinGodisavitalforceinourlives,notgainingmaterialpossessions.IfJesussaidtheywouldbeaddedtousasweseekHisKingdom—HewillbefaithfultokeepHisWord!Godcan’tlie(Num.23:19).

You see, some people have takenGod’s promises about prosperity and gotten out ofbalance in that area. But just because some believers have gone overboard by puttingmaterialpossessionsfirst,thatdoesn’tmeanI’mgoingtoquitbelievingGod!

We need to walk strong in faith, boldly proclaiming the Word. And we need todemonstratetheWordbyshowingwhattheWordproducesinourlives.Aswearefaithfulto seekGod’sKingdomfirst,onebenefit thatwill eventuallybeadded tous ismaterialblessings.

AllowGod’sWord to revitalizeyour faith!Let’s rise toour full stature inChrist and

proclaim,“I’mgoingtobelieveGodbecausefaithpleasesGod!IbelievethepromisesinGod’sWordaretrue.WearewhoGodsaidweareinChrist,andwehavewhatGodsaidwehaveinChrist.GodhasblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinChrist!”Solet’swalkinthefaithofGod!

Chapter6

FaithDoesNotOverrideFreeWillAndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,That

whosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubt inhisheart,butshallbelieve that those thingswhichhesaithshallcome topass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.Therefore I sayuntoyou,What thingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.—Mark11:22–24

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews11:1

Let’s take another look at faith! Faith—Bible faith—looks at negative situations anddeclares that God is bigger than any problem! Faith is a spiritual force that works inconjunction with other spiritual forces of God—such as love, patience, and hope—toovercomeeveryobstacleinlife.

We’ve looked at some commonmisconceptions about faith.We’ve seen that faith isbasedonGod’sWord.Faithdoesn’tmeanthere’sanabsenceofaproblem,andfaithdoesnotneglectnaturalresponsibilities.Andfaithdoesnotcallthosethingsthatareasthoughtheyarenot. Inotherwords,faithdoesnot ignoretheproblemanddenythefacts.Faith“callsthosethingswhichbenotasthoughtheywere”(Rom.4:17).That’stheGod-kindoffaith—Biblefaith!

Whataresomeothermisconceptionsaboutfaith?SomebelievershavetheideathatiftheyjustbelieveGodhardenough,theirfaithcannegatethefreewillofothers.Butfaithdoesnotgivepeopletheabilitytooverridethefreewillofothers.

Godgave everyperson free choice, andGodHimselfwill not negate a person’s freechoice.WecanseethisprincipleintheBible.Godspecificallysaid,“Youchoosewhomyouwillserve.”

IfGodwon’toverridepeople’sfreewill,wearenotabletooverridepeople’sfreewilleither.

JOSHUA24:1515AndifitseemeviluntoyoutoservetheLord,chooseyouthisdaywhomyewillserve;whetherthe gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of theAmorites,inwhoselandyedwell:butasformeandmyhouse,wewillservetheLord.

RememberthatinMark11:24,Jesussaid,“ThereforeIsayuntoyou,whatsoeverthingsyoudesire,whenyoupray,believethatyoureceivethem,andyoushallhavethem.”TheBibledoesnotsay,“Whatsoeverthingsyoudesireforanotherperson,youcanhavewhatyousay.”

Mark11:24istalkingaboutwhatsoeverthingsyoudesirethatlineupwiththeWord—not the things that someone else desires. You can’t desire something for someone elseunlesstheydesireittoo.

Onemistakesomebelieversmakeisthinkingtheycangovernandcontrolotherpeoplebytheir faith.Theythink if their faith is juststrongenough, theycanovercomeanother

person’swill.But they can’t.Goddidnot put us in chargeofotherpeople throughourfaith.

Forexample,thisistruewithhealing.Itdoesn’tmatterhowmuchyouwantsomeonetobehealed,ifthatpersondoesnotwanttobehealedordoesn’tbelieveitisGod’swilltohealhim,hewon’tgethealed—unlessthereisaspecialmanifestationofthegiftsoftheSpirit.

Wecan’tdesiresomethingforotherpeoplethattheydon’tdesireforthemselves.GodgaveusfaithinHisWordsowecouldeachpersonallyreceivefromGod.ButGoddidn’tgiveusfaithsowecouldmanipulateothers.WecanprayforothersthatGodwouldshowthemthe truths inHisWordabouthealing,butwecan’tmake themwant to receive thehealingthatJesusalreadyprovidedforthem.

Anotherareawherebelievershavethoughttheycouldoverridethefreewillofothersisin theareaofmarriage.Forexample,believerscannotbelieveforacertainpersontobetheir spouse unless that person also desires it.When believers begin to believeGod insome of these areas, it takes two people in agreement on the same issue to bring thepetitiontopass.

The Bible says, “Whatsoever things you desire… .” God didn’t give us faith so wecould be in dominion over other people with our faith. Now you can believe God foranother person in certain areas.But byyour faith, you cannot transfer your desires andyourwillontosomeoneelsewhodoesnotshareyourdesireorwill.

2CORINTHIANS1:2424Notforthatwehavedominionoveryourfaith,butarehelpersofyourjoy:forbyfaithyestand.

Yes,wecanhelpotherswhentheyallowusto,butwedonothavedominionoverthem.Wecan’tpushourdesiresoffonothers,butwecanprayandintercedeforthem.Wecanwitnesstoothersbyourwordsandbyourgodlylives.AndwecanprayandbelieveGodforlaborerstocrosstheirpaths.

Forexample,haveyouevercomeacrosspeoplewhobelievecontrary to theWordofGod?You’dliketotalktothemabouttheWord,buttheyjustdon’tseethetruthsoftheBible.OrmaybeyouhaverelativeswhoarenotreallyinterestedinthethingsofGod.Youcan’tjustsay,“I’mgoingtobelieveGodforthem,andtheyaregoingtoreceivewhatGodhasforthem—whethertheywanttoornot!”

No,ifyouareprayingforotherstobesaved,youcanbelieveforlaborerstocrosstheirpathsotheycanheartheGospel.Effectivelaborerscaninfluencetheirlivessothattheybegintodesiresalvation,healing,andtheblessingsofGod.

Youcanpraythatpeople’sheartswillbeopen,sotheywillbeinterestedinthethingsofGod.Oncetheirheartsareopen,thewordstheyhearcanchangetheirmindsotheycanreceivewhatGodhasforthem.

Ifyouknowpeoplewhodon’tunderstandhealing,andyoucan’tseemtogetthroughtothem,prayandbelieveGodtosendsomeoneacrosstheirpathwhocancommunicatetothem.Pray that the eyes of their understandingwill be enlightened so they can see thetruthofGod’sWord(Eph.1:18,19).

ThenGod’sWordwill begin to change them, so theywill be able to understand the

thingsofGod.Once theybegindesiring the thingsofGod,youcanhookyour faithupwiththeirs.

Butyouwon’tbeabletoimposeyourdesireonpeoplewhentheyhavedifferentdesiresthanyoudo.Godmadeusallfreetochooseourowndestiny;weeachhaveourownfreevolition.SoifGodwillnotviolateaperson’sfreewill,whywouldwethinkwecoulduseourfaithtoviolateaperson’sfreewill?

God desires for everyone to be saved;He doesn’t want anyone to perish. ButmanypeopleareperishingbecausetheyhavechosennottoacceptGodandHisbenefits!

Even though God desires that not one person perish, He does not come down andimposeHisdesireandHiswillonpeople.PeoplearefreetochoseHimortorejectHim.IfGodcan’t imposeHiswillonpeople, thenwecertainlycan’t imposeourwillonotherswithourfaith!

Godmademan free!Man can choose his own destiny in life—Heaven or hell. Godgivesmaneveryopportunity tochooseforHim.But justasGodwon’tchooseforman,youwon’tbeabletotakeyourfaithandmakesomeonechooseforGodeither.

HOSEA4:1717Ephraimisjoinedtoidols:lethimalone.

Ephraim chose to go a different direction than the oneGod desired for him. Finally,Godsaid,“Lethimalone.”Therearetimeswhenpeoplemaketheirownchoicesanduntiltheychange,nothingcanbedoneaboutit.

Sohowdoyouputyourfaithtoworkforothersinthesesituations?Youpray,“Lord,bringlaborersacrosstheirpathwhowillinfluencethemtochangetheirdesires.”

That’showyouexerciseyourfaithbecauseuntilpeoplechangetheirdesires,youcan’thookupwiththemuntiltheycomeintoagreementwithyoubasedontheWordofGod.

When Jesus walked upon this earth, He could not change people’s minds either.RememberwhenHestoodoutsideofJerusalemandweptoverthecity?TheIsraeliteshadrejectedthewayofGod.EvenJesusHimselfcouldnotforceHiswillonJerusalem.

MATTHEW23:3737OJerusalem,Jerusalem,thouthatkillesttheprophets,andstonestthemwhicharesentuntothee,howoftenwouldIhavegatheredthychildrentogether,evenasahengatherethherchickensunderherwings,andyewouldnot!

The Israelites refused to yield toGod.They refused to turn toHim. Jesuswept overJerusalem because He realized what was going to happen to them because they hadrejectedGod.

But notice that Jesus Himself, the Son of God, couldn’t change what was going tohappentothenationofIsrael.Don’tyouthinkifJesuscouldhavechangedthesituation,Hewouldhave?But,yousee,thosepeoplelivinginJerusalemhadsomethingtosayaboutchoosingtheirowndestiny.

This doesn’t mean we should quit praying and believing God to influence people’sdesires.No,weshouldn’tquitprayingforpeople.Itsimplymeanswemustrealizethatwecannotoverridethefreewillofotherswithourfaith.Therefore,weneedtoknowhowwecanuseourfaithtohelpandblesspeoplesowedon’twasteourtimeinineffectiveprayer.

Forexample,manypeoplearewastingtheirtimebypraying,“Oh,Lord,saveBrotherJohn.SaveSisterSarah.SaveCousinJohnnieandAuntMary.”

ButGodalreadyprovidedfortheirsalvationattheCrossofCalvary!Hewantsthemtoaccepttheirsalvation.He’salreadydoneeverythingHecandotosavethembecauseHegaveHisSonJesustodieuponaCrossforthem.NowtheyhavetoacceptthefreegiftofsalvationthatHe’salreadyprovidedforthem.

That’swhythemoreeffectiveprayeris,“Lord,sendlaborersacrosstheirpathswhowillinfluencethemforYou.SendpeoplewhowillhelpthemchangetheirdesiressotheywanttoserveYou,nottheenemy.”That’showtouseyourfaitheffectivelytoprayforothers.

If youknow someonewho says, “I don’t know if it’sGod’swill to healmeor not,”begintoprayforlaborerstocomeacrossthatperson’spath.ExerciseyourfaithforGodtohelphimunderstandtheWord,andthenyou’reprayingeffectually.

FaithIsNotLimitedtoSpecificRequestsIsaidpreviouslythatitisscripturaltohavefaithforspecificthingsthatGodpromised

usinHisWord.Thewomanwith the issueofblood,blindBartimaeus,andthecrippledman at Lystra all had specific faith for the healing of their bodies. Believing God forhealingisbelievingHimforsomethingspecific.

Therefore,weknowitisscripturaltoprayforspecificprayerrequests,becausepeopleinJesus’dayprayedspecifically,andtheyreceivedanswerstotheirspecificprayers.Butin addition to believing God for specific requests, we also need to have a strongunderlyingfaiththatundergirdsusandthatwecanrelyuponevenwheneverythingseemstogowrong.

Yes,wecanexerciseour faith for specific requests,andweshouldbecause theBiblesaysthat“…allthepromisesofGodinhimareyea,andinhimAmen…”(2Cor.1:20).But there are also times in a believer’s lifewhen he faces disappointments. It’s duringthosetimeswhenabelievercanfeelsofardownspirituallythathe’sreadytoquit.Butit’salsoduringthosetimesthathecannotaffordtothrowawayhisfaithinGod.

ProbablyeveryonehasbeenreadytoquitatsometimeoranotherinhisChristianwalk.Duringtimeslikethat,weneedastrongunderlyingfaithinGodthathelpsusdetermine,“Nomatterwhathappens,IstillbelieveGod!”TheBibletalksaboutthiskindoffaithinGodwheneverythingseemstobegoingwrong,andwearetemptedtogiveup.

And during those times in lifewhen everything seems to gowrong,we just need todetermine,“I’mgoingtopraiseGodanyway!”TheBibleteachesthis.

HABAKKUK3:17–1917Althoughthefigtreeshallnotblossom,neithershallfruitbeinthevines;thelabouroftheoliveshallfail,andthefieldsshallyieldnomeat;theflockshallbecutofffromthefold,andthereshallbenoherdinthestalls:18YetIwillrejoiceintheLord,IwilljoyintheGodofmysalvation.19TheLordGodismystrength,andhewillmakemyfeetlikehinds’feet,andhewillmakemetowalkuponminehighplaces.Tothechiefsingeronmystringedinstruments.

WhattheBibleissayinghereisthatwheneverythinggoeswrongandnothingseemstobeworkingoutright,youstillneedtohavefaithinGod!Don’tcastawayyourconfidenceinHim!Youneed topraiseHimeven in thehard times, trusting thatHewillbringyou

throughtovictory.

For example, sometimes even members in my own congregation don’t receive theirhealingforsomereasonoranother.Idon’talwaysknowwhy.Sometimestheydie,andwehavetopreachtheirfunerals.ButImuststillhaveastrongfaithinGodsothatIcancomeback to thecongregationwithadeterminedfaith that says,“IbelieveGodregardlessofcircumstancesorwhathappenstosomeoneelse!”

We just need to realize that life is not always going to be perfect as long aswe livedownhereon this earth.Weare going to face tests, trials, and temptations.ButGod isalwaysgoingtosustainus.WejustneedtokeeptrustingHim.

You see, our faith cannot be based on everything going right all the time.Our faithshouldn’tbebasedonwhetherornotweface tests, trials,ordisappointments.OurfaithmustbebasedonlyonGod’sWord.

InHisWord,GodsaidHewillneverleaveus,norforsakeus(Heb.13:5).Soitdoesn’tmatterwhatcircumstanceslooklikeorwhatitseemslikeinthenatural,wemuststillhavethatstrongundergirdingfaiththatdeclares,“HereIamandhereIstand,liveordie,sinkorswim,gounderorgoover—IstandwithGod!”

Godsaid,“Heavenandearthwillpassaway,butMyWordwillneverpassaway”(Matt.24:35).Therefore,IamgoingtowalkwithGodregardlessofcircumstances.I’mgoingtowalkaccording toHisWord. I’mnotgoing toallowcircumstances toshakemyfaith—evenwhenIprayforsomeoneandthepersondoesn’tgethealed.

Peopleaskmeallthetime,“Don’tyougetupsetwhenpeopledon’tgethealed?”

Yes, it bothersmewhen people don’t get healed because I have such a desire and acompassiontoseethemhealed.ButI’mnotgoingtoquitprayingforthesickjustbecausesomepeopledon’tgethealed!

Acoupleofyearsago, Ipreached the funeral foroneofour travelingministers.Thatwasdifficult.Attimeslikethat,itwouldhavebeeneasytoquitpreachingthatGodheals.ButGodisstillGod.AndtheWordisstilltheWord.AndfaithinGodstillworks.

Peopleask,“Whywasn’tthatyoungmanhealed?”

Idon’tknow!ButIdoknowthis.Ifyouallowtheenemytotormentyoutocontinuallyask,“Why?Why?Why?”everytimeyouhitacrisis,youwillneveradvanceanyfurtherspiritually.

In fact, theenemycancauseyou togetdiscouragedand turnback ifyouarealwaysquestioningwhythingshappen.Thequestionyoushouldaskyourselfisnot“Why?”but“DoIstilltrustGodinspiteofthefactthatIdon’tunderstandeverythingthathappensinlife?”

Peoplecometomeallthetimesaying,“ButIjustdon’tunderstand!”Thentheytrytomakesenseofsomecircumstanceintheirlife,butfinallytheyjustsortofsputtertoastop.TheythinkmaybeIhavetheanswerastowhyaparticularthinghappenedintheirlifeasitdid.

I look at them and I say, “I don’t understand either, but God is still in the healing

business.Heisstillinthesavingbusiness,andHeisstillinthedeliveringbusiness.AndwhetherornotIunderstandeverynegativecircumstance,IstillbelieveGod!”

OurfaithinGodshouldn’tbegroundedonunderstandingeverythingthathappenstousin life. Genuine faith in God determines to believe God’sWord regardless of negativesituations.

“But,” someone said, “I knewSo-and-so, and I know shewas believingGod for herhealing.Youcan’ttellmeshewasn’t!Sowhydidshedie?”EventhoughImaynothaveeveryanswer,Idoknowonething:GodisstillGod.AndtheWordisstilltheWord!

I also know this:Your faith needs to be so rooted and grounded inGod’sWord thatregardless of circumstances, you can face setbacks, disappointment, or adversity anddeclare,“Nomatterwhathappens,IbelieveGod!”That’sstrong,maturefaith.

StrongFaithinGodThegreatmanoffaith,theApostlePaul,demonstratedhisstrongdeterminedfaithwhen

he said that in spite of all the trials and tribulations that confrontedhim, nothing couldseparatehimfromtheloveofGod.

ROMANS8:35,37–3935Who shall separateus from the loveofChrist? shall tribulation, ordistress, orpersecution, orfamine,ornakedness,orperil,orsword?…

37Nay,inallthesethingswearemorethanconquerorsthroughhimthatlovedus.38ForIampersuaded, thatneitherdeath,nor life,norangels,norprincipalities,norpowers,northingspresent,northingstocome,39Norheight,nordepth,noranyothercreature,shallbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGod,whichisinChristJesusourLord.

Paul demonstrated his strong faith in God when he didn’t waver in spite of all thetribulations he suffered: he was left for dead, beaten, shipwrecked, bitten by a viper,escaped from a city at night. He demonstrated his strong faith inGod by counting hissufferingasnothingcomparedtoservingJesus.

PHILIPPIANS3:88Yeadoubtless,andIcountallthingsbutlossfortheexcellencyoftheknowledgeofChristJesusmyLord:forwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings,anddocountthembutdung,thatImaywinChrist.

Sometimes believers try to use faith without wisdom. But it’s best to use faith andwisdomtogether.That’swhattheApostlePauldidwhentheApostleslethimdownfromthecitywallsohecouldescape!

ACTS9:22–2522 But Saul increased themore in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,provingthatthisisveryChrist.23Andafterthatmanydayswerefulfilled,theJewstookcounseltokillhim:24ButtheirlayingawaitwasknownofSaul.Andtheywatchedthegatesdayandnighttokillhim.25Thenthedisciplestookhimbynight,andlethimdownbythewallinabasket.

IfPaulhadbeenlikesomefaithpeopleIknowtoday,theyneverwouldhavelivedtopreachanothersermon.Theywouldhavetriedtokeeponpreaching,saying,“BlessGod,by faith, I’m going to preach!” Theymay have used their faith, butwithout using anywisdom!

Andeven though their lifewas indanger, theywouldhavekeptonpreaching, and itmayhavecostthemtheirlife.

ButeveninspiteofallofPaul’ssufferingsandperil,hewrote,“NothingcanseparateusfromtheloveofGod.”Inspiteofbeatings,imprisonment,andsufferings,Pauldeclared,“I’m more than a victor.” No matter what happened in life, Paul’s faith was in JesusChrist.

For example, even thoughhehad to slipoutof the cityunder the coverofdarkness,Paul still declared, “I thank my God, I always triumph in Christ Jesus. I am a victorbecauseIammorethanaconquerorinHimwholovesme!”

FaithIsNottheAbsenceofFeelingMany believers think that when they are standing strong in faith, they will not

experiencefeelings.Theythinkfaithnegatesfeelings.

And it is true, theBible says,“Forwewalkby faith, not by sight” (2Cor. 5:7).Wecouldsayitthisway:“Thejustwalkbyfaith,notbyfeelings.”Thisstatementisvitaltostrong faith because feelings fluctuate and can’t always be depended upon. We can’tmeasuretruthbyfeelings.WecanonlymeasuretruthbywhatGod’sWordsaysbecauseitistheonlyeternalfact.

Butatthesametime,wemustrealizethatGodgaveusemotionsandfeelings.Althoughtheywerenevermeanttogovernus,emotionsarestillbeneficial.Wecanhavestrongfaithandstillexperiencefeelings.Faithisnottheabsenceoffeeling.It’sjustthatwecan’twalkbyourfeelingswhentheycontradictGod’sWord.

However,thewaysomepeopletalk,theygivetheimpressionthatGodwantsustobeunemotional like robots.They think it’swrong ifweevenmention theword“feelings.”Somebelieversevencriticizeothersforsaying,“Ifeelgood!”

I’vehadbelieverstellme,“Feelingsdon’thaveanythingtodowithit,brother!”

Well,Idon’tknowaboutyou,butI’dratherfeelgoodthanbad.I’vebeeninbothcampsandfeelinggoodisbetter!

Wecanhavefeelings!Wejustneedtounderstandthatfeelingsdon’tnecessarilyhaveanything to do with what we believe. The Bible determines what we believe, not ourfeelings.

But even Jesus Christ experienced feelings as He walked upon this earth. Do youbelieve Jesus was a spiritual faith person when He walked on this earth? Well, Heexperiencedthefullspectrumofemotions.ReadtheNewTestament!

Forexample,wecanseethatJesusweptatLazarus’tomb(John11:35).Attimes,Jesuswasangry.Somepeoplesay,“Jesuscouldneverbeangry!”Well,whydoyou thinkHepickedupawhipand ran thosemoneychangersoutof the temple!Hewas righteouslyindignantbecausetheyweredisgracingHisFather’shouse.

JOHN2:13–1613AndtheJews’passoverwasathand,andJesuswentuptoJerusalem.14Andfound in the temple those thatsoldoxenandsheepanddoves,andthechangersofmoneysitting:

15Andwhenhehadmadea scourgeof small cords,hedrove themalloutof the temple,and thesheep,andtheoxen;andpouredoutthechangers’money,andoverthrewthetables;16And said unto them that sold doves,Take these things hence;makenotmyFather’s house anhouseofmerchandise.

Jesuswasrighteouslyindignant!TheBiblesaysthatJesuseventurnedtablesover,anddrovethemerchantsoutofthetemplewithawhip.Hedidn’tjustsuggestthattheyleavethetempleornonchalantlyaskthemtoleave.TheBiblesaidHedrovethemout.

Well,ifyou’veeverseencowhandsdriveaherdofcattleontheopenrange,youknowthatwhentheywanttogetthosecattlemoving,theydon’tdoitnonchalantly!Theycrackthatwhip!

TheApostlePaulwasalsoagreatmanoffaith,butheexpressedemotionandfeelingsinmuchofhiswriting.Forexample,Epaphroditus,oneoftheyoungmenofhisspiritualcompanyalmostdied,andPaul’sfeelingsaboutthatincidentcameoutinhiswritings.

PHILIPPIANS2:2727For indeedhe[Epaphroditus]wassicknighuntodeath:butGodhadmercyonhim;andnotonhimonly,butonmealso,lestIshouldhavesorrowuponsorrow.

Paul said that if Epaphroditus had died, Paul would have had sorrow upon sorrow.That’semotion!Sorrowisafeeling.Therefore,PaulexperiencedsomesorrowwhenhishelperandfriendEpaphrodituswassick.

Sohere isamanwhowrotemoreabout faith thananyoneelse in theBible,andhe’stalkingaboutfeelings!Manypeoplesaywearenotsupposedtoexperienceanyfeelings.ButthatcanputtheBodyofChristintobondagebecausethatmakesitdifficulttoworkthroughsomesituationsifbelieversalwaysfeelcondemnedforexperiencingemotions.

Just because you are a faith person does not negate the fact that you also are anemotionalperson!Ouremotionsarenotsupposedtogovernourfaith,butit’snotwrongtoexperiencesomefeelingsandemotions.

Somepeoplehaveevensaidthatbelieversshouldn’tweeporfeelsorrowwhenalovedonedies.Sorrowisusuallyaccompaniedbytearsandafeelingoflonelinessanddespair.But Paul himself said that if Epaphroditus had died, he would have had sorrow uponsorrow.ButtheBibledoesn’tsaythatwearenottosorroworcrywhensomeonedies.Itjustsaysthatwearenottosorrowastheworldsorrows.

1THESSALONIANS4:1313…sorrownot,evenasotherswhichhavenohope.

TheBibledoesn’tsaynottohavesorrow.Itjustsaid,“Don’tbelikethosewhosorrowwithnohope.” It doesn’t say, “Don’t shed tears.” It only saysnot tobe like thosewhoshedtearswithnohope.Thereisabigdifferencebetweensheddingtearsbecauseyouaregoingtomisssomeonewho’sgonetobewiththeLord,andthegrieftheworldfeelswhentheirlovedonesdie,becausetheyhavenohopeofeternallife!

TheGreaterOneWillStrengthenYou!Hereisanotherprincipleweneedtounderstand.Eventhoughyouexperienceemotions,

youcanbegintoreleaseyourfaithbydrawingstrengthfromtheGreaterOneontheinsideofyou.TheHolySpiritwithinwillhelpstabilizeyouintimesofsorroworgrief!

Actually,emotionscanactasawarning,alertingyoutothefactthatyouneedtogetinfaith!Inotherwords,sometimesyouwouldn’tevenrealizeyou’reintroubleunlessyournegativeemotionsalertedyoutothatfact.

Onceyourfeelingsalertyouthatyouarenotinfaith,begintograbholdofthepromisesof God. For example, when you’re feeling afraid and anxious, you know you need torenewyourmindwiththeWordsoyoucangetinfaithaboutthesituation!

Youdon’tgoaroundhollering,“Lord,thankYouforhealingme”whenyoudon’thaveany symptoms.Many times, it’s onlywhen you get in touchwith your feelings in thephysicalrealmthatyourealizeyouarehavingproblems!Thenyoucanbegintoputyourfaithoutforthatsituation.

Whenyoubegintofeelemotionsofsorrow,despair,anddepression,itshouldalertyoutoturntotheGreaterOneontheinsidewhoistheretocomfortandstrengthenyou.

You see, it’snotwrong tohave feelings andemotions! Jesushademotions.Paulhademotions.Ifyou’veeverreadthePsalmsofDavid,yourealizethatDavidexpressedquiteavarietyofemotions,includinganger,despair,anddisappointment.

Butatthesametime,noticethatDavidalwaysturnedandimmediatelybegantodeclarethegreatnessofGod.Forexample,whenSaulwaschasingDavidandhismenalloverthecountry,Daviddeclared,“Godismyfortress!Heismyrefugeandmystrongtower!”

Sodon’tfeelcondemnedifyouexperienceemotions.Eventhegreatpatriarchsofoldexperiencedemotions,buttheystilllivedforGodandexperiencedgreattriumphsintheirlives!

Many believers today condemn others for their feelings and emotions. They’ll tellothers, “Oh, brother, don’t talk about feelings!Feelings don’t have anything to dowithfaith!”

It’struethatfeelingsdon’thaveanythingtodowithbelievingGod.Inotherwords,webaseourfaithonHisWord,notonhowwefeel.Butwedohavefeelings.Wejustdon’tbase our faith on our emotions. If we do, we’re going to be in trouble. Faith in Goddefinitelyhelpsusdealandworkthroughthesefeelingsandemotions,butfaithdoesnotimplytheabsenceofemotion.

Strong faith is not the absenceof strong feelings and emotions.You canhave strongfaith and still experience feelings and emotions.When you are in faith, you just don’tallowyourfeelingstogovernyou.TheWordofGodistogovernusinall theaffairsoflife.WhenyouputtheWordfirst,yourfeelingsmustcomesubjecttotheWordofGod.

RealfaithinGod—Biblefaith—ismuchdifferentthanmanypeoplehavethought.FaithinGoddoesnot insulateyou fromencountering life’sproblems, but it does ensure thatyoucomeoutof every situationas thevictor, not thevictim!Also, faithdoesnotdenycircumstances,nordoesitdenythefacts.ButarmedwiththegreaterfactsofGod’sWord,thebelieverwho is in faith canovercomeany circumstancebecauseGod’sWordneverfails!

AbouttheAuthorKennethW.Hagin,PresidentofKennethHaginMinistriesandPastorofRHEMABible

Church,seizeseveryministryopportunitytoimparttheattitudeof“Icannotbedefeated,andIwillnotquit.”Rev.Haginhasministeredforover50years,beginningasanassociatepastorandtravelingevangelist.HehasorganizedanddevelopedRHEMABibleTrainingCentersaroundtheworldandisthefoundingpastorofRHEMABibleChurch.HehoststheannualACalltoArms®Men’sConferenceandwithhiswife,Lynette,cohostsRHEMAPraise, a weekly television program, andRhema for Today, a weekday radio programbroadcast throughout the United States. They also conduct Living Faith Crusades,spreadingthemessageoffaithandhealingtotheworld.

Tofulfill theurgentcallofGodtoprepare theChurchforadeeperexperienceofHisPresence,Rev.Haginemphasizeskeyspiritualtruthsaboutfaith,healing,andothervitalsubjects. He ministers with a strong healing anointing, and his ministry helps leadbelieversintoagreaterexperienceofthegloryofGod.

TableofContentsAnotherLookAtFaith

01WhatFaithIsNot

02FaithIsNotDenial

03FaithIsNotNeglect

04FaithIsNotaFormula

05FaithIsNotaTickettoUtopia

06FaithDoesNotOverrideFreeWill

AbouttheAuthor

MoreAboutKennethHaginMinistries

TableofContentsAnotherLookAtFaith

01WhatFaithIsNot

02FaithIsNotDenial

03FaithIsNotNeglect

04FaithIsNotaFormula

05FaithIsNotaTickettoUtopia

06FaithDoesNotOverrideFreeWill

AbouttheAuthor

MoreAboutKennethHaginMinistries