Victory Life KY

FaithTime VI

Episode Summary

The fundamental fact of our existence is that this TRUST in God, this FAITH, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. Hebrews 11 MSG

Episode Notes

Hebrews 11,MSG, The fundamental fact of our existence is that this TRUST in God, this FAITH, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.

Living this kind of life requires development, practice, it really does take some God inspired trust, motivated by some God inspired expectation.

Think about this, if we’re born again, according to Jesus we’re no longer of this world. We’re built to live a different way, the faith way.

Habakkuk 2:2, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38,
THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

I think throughout our day, each of us has to ask ourselves, are we actually living a life by faith? Living like the truths we believe about Jesus are the fundamental foundation of our existence?

John 11:21-27 NKJV- Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22, But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
23, Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24, Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26, And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
27, She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

John 11:40-44 NKJV- Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
41, Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
42, And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
43, Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
44, And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Remember last week, Jehoshaphat and the people of God, even though they had the word of the Lord, still had to step out to see the word come to pass.

Here’s the deal, yes, God absolutely has plans of success for each of us, but they usually come on the other side of us stepping outside our comfort zone, (otherwise what do we need faith for?)

Something I’ve discovered over the years is that most of the time God’s not going to ask us to take these giants steps of faith right out of the gate.

Remember Ananias, God asked him to take one small step of faith and it changed the landscape of Christianity.

Ananias is a faithful example, that even if we don’t become some superstar for God, taking those small steps of faith God puts in front of us, usually have a much bigger impact.

And I realize that on the surface it might seem small and insignificant, but Ananias was used by the Almighty to change the course of mankind by one simple act of obedience.

Think about it, if our steps are ordered by the Lord, and we’re willing to take them, it means every step, especially the small ones matter.

Listen to Paul’s words again, “The life I now live, I live by faith in Him”
The steps I take, I take by faith in Him.
Martha, “Didn’t I tell you, that if you believed…”

Here’s a reality way too many of us overlook, the majority of the time it’s those seemingly small decisions we make that shape our lives, because they eventually become habits.

Studies have shown that it takes between 30 and 90 days for a small decision to become a habit. Lets give our faith a chance to become a habit.

Seriously, in the bigger picture, the majority of our lives are made up of seemingly small choices.

Come on, one small decision, refocusing our attention on something Godly, positions us just like Ananias.

This is why putting into practice what the Psalmist says is key to this life of faith. Be still and know that He’s God. In other words, take the time to make room in our thinking for God to inspire us.

If we continue to neglect our “be still and know moments” we can miss what God is trying to do in us because we’re so occupied with the things of this world.

Seriously, we get clouded by circumstances, opinions, emotions, the things of the world, and it hinders us from hearing the Lord when He communicating.

So, no matter how uncertain, stuck, afraid, hurt, disappointed you may feel, no matter how green the grass looks somewhere else, you still have to weed eat it. So let’s not overlook the next small step God has for us, regardless of what we’re facing.

God said this through Zechariah saying, “How dare any of you despise the day of small beginnings.”

So, regardless of what you have or haven’t done, accept this reality, God’s not finished with you.

Start today with one small decision, acknowledge Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith. Remember Martha.

Dare to believe for more, one decision at a time, one day at a time. Let God enlarge your vision. Remember, it’s in the little things.

Van Gogh said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” (Just like the Church)

Great faith starts with usbeing faithful in the little things.

Proverbs 4:18,NLT- “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”

Here’s a reality Christians have to come to terms with, God actually expects us to live beyond our humanity, to actually live a spiritual life.

Remember this, right thinking+right believing+right speaking=right living

Practicing this simple principle right in the middle of whatever situation we’re facing is exactly what living a life of faith looks like.

This is a challenge for most of us in our modern, multitasking lifestyle is that we don’t make the time for God. Not to mention, living a spiritual life isn’t something human nature just willingly accepts.

And for the born-again, our new lives can only be found in Him, willfully giving our lives to Him is the key to our success.

This is why Paul instructs us that we are to put on our new man in Christ.

Those who live spiritual, set their minds on spiritual things. See how things constantly bring us back to our thinking. Listen, we can’t live spiritual without living by faith.

Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Remember, Faith is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. We walk by faith, not by sight. We live by believing not by seeing.

1 Timothy 6:12,NKJV- Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called...

Could the good fight of faith God tells us to fight actually be us fighting to defend something God has already blessed us with as opposed to fighting to get something from Him?

Romans 8 tells us that we are already more than conquerors. And as heirs to the throne of Heaven, we’re called to conquer anything that tries to exalt itself against the knowledge of God.

According to the power that’s at work within us.

This is why Jesus made statements like,”If you can believe, all things are possible for you,” "Whatever you ask for believing, you'll receive it."

Fight the good fight of faith. MSG says, run hard and fast in our faith, seize the life you were called to.

Listen to God's Words from the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 46,
I am GOD, the only God, incomparable and irreplaceable.
From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be.
Assuring you, I’m with you. Assuring you I’ll do exactly what I set out to do.
I’ve said it, and I’ll most certainly do it. I’ve planned it, so it’s as good as done.