I’ve been prophesying that many of you are going to come out of this pandemic better than the way you went in. I personally believe that people are going to start receiving supernatural wealth transfers. The Bible states that the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. It is at times like this, that these wealth transfers take place. However, the only way that you’re going to come out better than the way you went in, is Faith in God. You’re not going to come out better, if you don’t start believing for God to do the impossible in your life. Unbelief will cause you to miss out on what God is trying to do in your life. With that being said, I wanted to talk about faith today. I want to help you to build your faith and teach you how to release your faith for results. So, let’s start with defining what Faith is.  

 

 

So, What is Faith?

 

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is (or is defined as) the substance of things hoped for, (it is) the evidence of things not seen.

 

Substance (hoop-os'-tas-is) - a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively):--confidence. In other words, Faith is the bridge between Hope and the manifestation of what you’re hoping for. 

 

Evidence (el'-eng-khos) - Proof, conviction. The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. In other words, Faith is the proof (or evidence) that what you’re hoping for is possible. 

 

From this scripture, we see that the true purpose of faith is to provide substance (or support) and evidence (or proof) to the thing that we're hoping for. Hope is defined as joyful expectation.  It means to anticipate, usually with pleasure.  Hope is so important, because without it, we begin to die.  The reason why most people commit suicide is because they've lost hope.  They've given up on life.  Once that happens the desire to live will begin to flee.  We should always be expecting better in life.  We serve an amazing God and He is always willing to bless and prosper His people.  If you will walk upright before Him, there is nothing that He will withhold from you.  Our greatest hope is the promise of heaven and external life with our God, but we should have hope for a better life, while we’re here on earth. 

 

The issue or problem with hope is that it is not tangible.  Hope is like a dream. It can't be touched or handled.  It does not have any substance or proof in and of itself.  Hope is extreme important, however, because it helps us to activate our faith.  You see, without hope faith can't work.  But without faith, your hope is useless, because faith gives substance and proof to your hope. In other words, it gives you a reason to believe that what you're hoping for is possible.  Faith provides you with confidence and assurance.  It provides support and evidence that what you're hoping for is achievable, even if it seems impossible. 

 

 

How do we get Faith?

 

Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

Biblically speaking, you can not say that you have faith, unless you have a word from God.  You may say, "I'm believing to be healed". My question to you would be, "What has God said concerning healing you?".  If you tell me that you don't know, you don't have faith, you just have hope. But, if you ever want your hope to become a reality and faith to come alive, you need to know what God says (in the bible) concerning the healing of your body. When God speaks to you, through His word, faith will come alive in your life and a miracle will begin to happen.   

 

 

What do I do with this Faith? You must speak it and act on it.

 

Speak it....

 

Romans‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭(AMP‬‬) - As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed. [Gen. 17:5.]”

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In this scripture, God gives us an excellent example of how we, as Christians, are supposed to release our faith.  He spoke of something that was nonexistent as if it already existed.  He said that He had already (past tense) made Abraham a father of many nations, while he and Sarah were still (both) unable to have children.  You see, God speaks of future events, with as much certainty as if they had already occurred. That is the truest expression of faith. As imitators of our Heavenly Father, this is how we are to release our faith as well.  We are to speak as if the "money were already in the bank".  

 

 

Act on it....

 

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say,  Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified,  and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

Faith is an action word.  Before your faith can produce results, there must be corresponding acts of obedience to the word.  Faith will always lead you to do something.  Because the word of God works on a conditional bases.  He will ask you to do something (as a seed) and He will respond to your obedience in harvest form.