All things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23); All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26); This is the victory that overcomes the world-our faith (1 John 5:4); Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16); Fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12); But without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6); The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17); As you have believed, so let it be to you (Matthew 8:13); Daughter, your faith has made you well (Mark 5:34); Be it unto you according to your faith (Matthew 9:29).
The above references point to the importance of faith. And the key to faith is believing that right now (not some time in the future) I receive what the Father has promised me in the Word. Faith believes, says, and acts as though God’s Word is true right now! Hope is continually looking for the manifestation of an answer sometime in the future, while faith stands and acts as though the answer has come right now. So if I’m looking for a manifestation to prove an answer, then I’m still in hope and not faith, and I will not receive what God promised!
When you’re actually standing in real Bible faith, there is an inward excitement. That’s because you know that the Father has honored His Word to you, not because of any physical or circumstantial change, but simply because He said it! Joy is a byproduct of faith. Faith does not have the foreboding, gut wrenching thought that says, what if it doesn’t work? The only possibility that faith sees is the answer! When thoughts of doubt come, faith pushes them away and refuses to speak them. And in return faith speaks out loud what it believes to counteract the thought of doubt.
Faith calls those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). Faith looks beyond the seen and felt, and speaks what it believes. And faith also acts what it believes. In Romans 4, Abraham looked beyond his 100 year old body and beyond his wife’s 90 year old body. He looked beyond his present circumstances and chose to keep his attention fixed on God’s promise to him.
Abraham remained in faith in spite of the looming circumstances by praising God for honoring His Word. He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised (Romans 4:19-21- Amplified).
Abraham’s praise activated his faith and kept him from looking at the wrong thing. He just kept looking at God’s Word to him and praising God for doing what He said!
I have acted on the principles of faith for dozens of years now. I can say whole-heartedly that, regardless of what area of life you may be challenged in, faith will enable you to press through the challenge and win! I’ve faced financial pressures both personally and with ministry things, and began to believe I receive, and God has supplied the need time and time again. I have faced physical challenges of all shapes and sizes, and the pain seems unending, and the symptoms just would not let up. But when I chose to believe I receive, it took the pressure off by giving me a fortitude to press on and look at the word of God and not my symptoms, and thousands of times through these almost 43 years, healing has come.
Grueling circumstances that I have faced have yielded as I have chosen to believe I receive and thank God for His promises while nothing has changed and things seem to get worse. OVer and over again, God has shown Himself true to His word. And the key for me has been to believe that I receive while I am in the middle of unrelenting circumstances.
Act your faith today. Look beyond the present circumstance. Imitate the faith of Abraham and praise God for honoring His Word, even when nothing seems to be changing. Faith works! God honors His Word when really believed. All things are possible to you today. Don’t quit. Choose to look beyond your feelings and circumstances and believe you receive!