"Do not
cast away your confidence,
which has
great reward."
Hebrews 10:35
_____________________________________________________________
Ambassadors for Christ,
How can we overcome all that is going on in the world during these perilous days? Pray and walk by faith!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4
FAITH
Faith can be a glorious subject with many different avenues to explore. It is the treasure of Heaven. But for this study, we will endeavor to keep it simple.
Faith: What is it?
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 1:3
FAITH BUDDIES
Faith has a companion, a requirement for completion. It is a spiritual substance called HOPE! It is not a product of the mental realm of just wishin' and hopin'.
Hope is produced in the spirit man, as a result of God’s promise. His Word is pregnant with life!
Without hope faith will fly around in a chaotic cloud without a goal, somewhat like a child’s balloon. When it is poked with a pin, it will fly around uncontrolled and then deflate! For faith to manifest it must see the end result. When you take a vacation trip in your car, you have to know where you are going to get there.
Hope is the blue print for faith.
Faith is a force that is made of things you hope for.
It’s personal.
Faith and hope begin with God’s promise written in His Word.
When the promise is believed and received into the good ground of the heart, faith and hope go to work to bring the manifestation into the natural five-sense earthly realm. But the promise was just as real when it was in the unseen realm of the spirit. After all, that’s the place we were born again from! And it is from this realm, our Headquarters, that “God is upholding all things with the word of His power.” See Hebrews 1:3.
All things includes everything on planet earth!
HOW TO RELEASE FAITH AND HOPE:
WORDS!
When God saw the earth without form and void covered in darkness He used faith-filled words, unseen substance, to produce what He wanted. Genesis 1:2 and Hebrews 11:3.
There’s Nothing Impossible with God!
The Deadness of Abram’s Body — The Deadness of Sarai’s Womb
When He wanted a family of faith, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means father of many nations, before he was a father of many nations. And also Sarai, at 99 years old, became Sarah, mother of nations! Genesis 17:5 & 16.
Can you imagine all of Abram’s 300 + servants being told to call him this new name?
“… Abraham who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
“who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” Romans 4:16-18
Abraham’s steps of faith: Romans 4:18-22
By faith Abraham and Sarah did not consider their aged bodies but believed the word God spoke to them, that they would conceive and give birth to a child. And so, Isaac, the child, born of faith, came forth into this natural realm.
Isaac being born was not only important to the Jews but also to us, The Church.
Why? Jesus' birth ... which was also a miracle!
See Romans Chapter 4 with Galatians Chapter 3 for further study.
THE MIRACLE OF THE NEW BIRTH:
Saved by grace through faith ... in the cross!
When God changed the names of Abram and Sarai, He was changing their identity.
When you and I were born again we received a new identity: The Church.
That’s why it is so important for each of us to renew our minds continually to the truth of who we are in Christ. It’s important to speak them out loud so the process of faith takes root in our hearts.
Read through the Who I Am in Christ Scriptures this week.
THE THIEF OF FAITH
Your faith will be challenged! Or we could say, the promise of God will be challenged.
When God told the Israelites coming out of Egypt to take the land of Canaan, 10 out of 12 spies said it could not be done, deflating the faith of an entire nation…that is except for Caleb and Joshua, who had a different spirit in them: the spirit of faith!
What was faith’s response to seeing the “giants?”
“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’ But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.’”
Numbers 13:30-31
And unbelief swept through the camp like a dark and vicious plague.
For indeed the gospel, the good news of God's promise, was preached to the Israelites, but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. See Hebrews 4:2
Except for Caleb and Joshua, God was angry with that generation and gave them what they said; they died in the wilderness without fulfilling God’s plan.
SHIPWRECKED FAITH
Ever felt your faith went upside down like a sinking ship?
“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck…”
1 Timothy 1:18-19
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
“… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1Timothy 6:11-12
Faith is the victory that overcomes anything in this world. Anything!
But, be ready for a challenge.
ARMOR OF GOD: The Shield of Faith!
The mighty shield of faith can extinguish all the fiery darts of the wicked one, but if The Church won’t use it, the enemy will gain access.
How did Jesus use the shield of faith against His adversary? Read Luke 4:1-13.
Someone said, “I’ve tried to use the shield and it’s not working. The enemy continues to harass me.”
If you are convinced it’s not working you’re on the road of unbelief.
Checklist
So how can we overcome all that is going on in the world around us without becoming weary? How can each of us fulfill our prayer assignment? How can this End-of-Days generation of God’s anointed ones preach the gospel and bring in the lost?
“…love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
“Stand therefore, having
And take the helmet of salvation,
Saints, the devil knows if you’re afraid of him.
God is in us and God is building His Church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against The Church!
We must be bold and courageous and use our armor and the keys of authority to bind and to loose. The Great Commission is not only to preach the gospel to the nations but to cast out demons and heal the sick! Mark 16:15-18
If you missed last week’s lesson, please scroll down and read it.
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
The Church
The Lost
Elected Leaders
In every city and every county!
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
How can we overcome all that is going on in the world during these perilous days? Pray and walk by faith!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4
FAITH
Faith can be a glorious subject with many different avenues to explore. It is the treasure of Heaven. But for this study, we will endeavor to keep it simple.
Faith: What is it?
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 1:3
- Faith is a spiritual gift given to you from God.
- Faith is spiritual substance.
- Faith is formed from its original source: God’s word.
- God’s word is faith substance.
- Your Bible is faith substance.
- Faith builds confidence.
- Faith is unseen, but very real, in the supernatural realm.
- Earth was framed by this unseen substance.
FAITH BUDDIES
Faith has a companion, a requirement for completion. It is a spiritual substance called HOPE! It is not a product of the mental realm of just wishin' and hopin'.
Hope is produced in the spirit man, as a result of God’s promise. His Word is pregnant with life!
Without hope faith will fly around in a chaotic cloud without a goal, somewhat like a child’s balloon. When it is poked with a pin, it will fly around uncontrolled and then deflate! For faith to manifest it must see the end result. When you take a vacation trip in your car, you have to know where you are going to get there.
Hope is the blue print for faith.
Faith is a force that is made of things you hope for.
It’s personal.
Faith and hope begin with God’s promise written in His Word.
When the promise is believed and received into the good ground of the heart, faith and hope go to work to bring the manifestation into the natural five-sense earthly realm. But the promise was just as real when it was in the unseen realm of the spirit. After all, that’s the place we were born again from! And it is from this realm, our Headquarters, that “God is upholding all things with the word of His power.” See Hebrews 1:3.
All things includes everything on planet earth!
HOW TO RELEASE FAITH AND HOPE:
WORDS!
When God saw the earth without form and void covered in darkness He used faith-filled words, unseen substance, to produce what He wanted. Genesis 1:2 and Hebrews 11:3.
There’s Nothing Impossible with God!
The Deadness of Abram’s Body — The Deadness of Sarai’s Womb
When He wanted a family of faith, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means father of many nations, before he was a father of many nations. And also Sarai, at 99 years old, became Sarah, mother of nations! Genesis 17:5 & 16.
Can you imagine all of Abram’s 300 + servants being told to call him this new name?
“… Abraham who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
“who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” Romans 4:16-18
Abraham’s steps of faith: Romans 4:18-22
- He hoped beyond human hope and reason.
- He believed and obeyed God.
- He did not consider his dead body or his wife’s dead womb.
- He didn’t flip flop back and forth in unbelief about God’s promise.
- He was strengthened in faith.
- How? Giving glory to God!
- Being fully convinced
- that what God had promised
- God was also able to perform!
By faith Abraham and Sarah did not consider their aged bodies but believed the word God spoke to them, that they would conceive and give birth to a child. And so, Isaac, the child, born of faith, came forth into this natural realm.
Isaac being born was not only important to the Jews but also to us, The Church.
Why? Jesus' birth ... which was also a miracle!
See Romans Chapter 4 with Galatians Chapter 3 for further study.
THE MIRACLE OF THE NEW BIRTH:
Saved by grace through faith ... in the cross!
When God changed the names of Abram and Sarai, He was changing their identity.
When you and I were born again we received a new identity: The Church.
That’s why it is so important for each of us to renew our minds continually to the truth of who we are in Christ. It’s important to speak them out loud so the process of faith takes root in our hearts.
Read through the Who I Am in Christ Scriptures this week.
THE THIEF OF FAITH
Your faith will be challenged! Or we could say, the promise of God will be challenged.
When God told the Israelites coming out of Egypt to take the land of Canaan, 10 out of 12 spies said it could not be done, deflating the faith of an entire nation…that is except for Caleb and Joshua, who had a different spirit in them: the spirit of faith!
What was faith’s response to seeing the “giants?”
“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’ But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.’”
Numbers 13:30-31
And unbelief swept through the camp like a dark and vicious plague.
For indeed the gospel, the good news of God's promise, was preached to the Israelites, but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. See Hebrews 4:2
Except for Caleb and Joshua, God was angry with that generation and gave them what they said; they died in the wilderness without fulfilling God’s plan.
SHIPWRECKED FAITH
Ever felt your faith went upside down like a sinking ship?
“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck…”
1 Timothy 1:18-19
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
“… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1Timothy 6:11-12
Faith is the victory that overcomes anything in this world. Anything!
But, be ready for a challenge.
ARMOR OF GOD: The Shield of Faith!
The mighty shield of faith can extinguish all the fiery darts of the wicked one, but if The Church won’t use it, the enemy will gain access.
How did Jesus use the shield of faith against His adversary? Read Luke 4:1-13.
Someone said, “I’ve tried to use the shield and it’s not working. The enemy continues to harass me.”
If you are convinced it’s not working you’re on the road of unbelief.
Checklist
- Check up on your love walk. Faith works through love. Galatians 5:6
- Check your heart to see if you are holding onto unforgiveness or have been prideful. Read James Chapter 4.
- Check what you’re listening to. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
So how can we overcome all that is going on in the world around us without becoming weary? How can each of us fulfill our prayer assignment? How can this End-of-Days generation of God’s anointed ones preach the gospel and bring in the lost?
“…love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
- against principalities,
- against powers,
- against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
- against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
“Stand therefore, having
- girded your waist with truth,
- having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
- and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
- above all, taking the shield of faith
- with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation,
- and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
- praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
- being watchful to this end
- with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:10-19
Saints, the devil knows if you’re afraid of him.
God is in us and God is building His Church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against The Church!
We must be bold and courageous and use our armor and the keys of authority to bind and to loose. The Great Commission is not only to preach the gospel to the nations but to cast out demons and heal the sick! Mark 16:15-18
If you missed last week’s lesson, please scroll down and read it.
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
The Church
The Lost
Elected Leaders
In every city and every county!
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org