If I were to ask you, how do you define faith? What would you say? When you consider the principle of faith, what does that look like for you? How have you incorporated faith into your daily lifestyle? I recently read this book entitled, The Growing Power of Faith by Roxanne Brant. It’s not a book filled with hundreds and hundreds of pages. As a matter of fact, eighty-one to be exact, but it’s filled with numerous teachings and examples of faith. The author states, “Faith is a force that we can build up in our lives. The amount of faith we have and how quickly or slowly it grows is up to us.” Our faith should be ever growing! I attended a service recently and the preacher stated, “The presence of doubt does not mean you do not have faith. Doubt never comes first. Belief comes first because you cannot doubt something you have never believed. However, when doubt shows up you must look past your reasons to quit and keep going.” Wow, that is powerful when you take time to really think about it.
Recently, I have been intentional by saying to the Lord, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Not only have I been saying it daily but repeating it several times throughout the day. For me, that is activating my faith. It’s not only an extension of hope, but also trust. I am by nature a go getter and I like to see results. However, when I think about living a lifestyle of faith, it means involving God in every area of my life. I am learning to speak, “Lord, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, before meetings, projects, conversations, speaking engagements, presentations, and in my quiet time. Personally, it is a faith reminder that only His will is what’s best for me.
At times, I think we gravitate so much on desiring favor, and walking in favor, that we miss the opportunity to build our faith. I am not in any way speaking against favor. I am a witness to the power of favor, as a matter of fact I am a witness to uncommon favor, but I can tell you that my prayers and focus became so consumed with desiring favor, that the substance of my faith was lacking. It was as if whatever I lacked in faith, I wanted favor to make up the difference. I just keep hearing the Holy Spirit tell me, “NOW FAITH!” Which means, a faith that speaks up for such a time as this.
I am telling you with everything within me, you can’t stop growing your faith. There is too much going on in your life, and mine, to keep faith in an inadequate state. The bible teaches us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). If faith is the substance of things hoped for, how can we Increase in our substance? We do that by bragging on God, by reflecting on our track record with God, and sharing our testimony about God’s love with others.
As we are asking of the Lord and desiring that He answer our prayer requests, our hope must be filled with substance, so that NOW FAITH can be cultivated for harvest! In this month, check your substance! Have you been doing more complaining lately? Have you given thanks in all things? Have you stopped your busy schedule and just got on your knees to express gratitude? I pray that as you abundantly increase in substance, there will be more testimonies regarding the evidence of NOW FAITH.
If you have a prayer partner, pray more regarding faith. Don’t let this year end and your faith is just sitting in que. You must be intentional. God is intentional about everything concerning us. NOW FAITH! Oh, let faith arise! I look forward hearing your testimonies.
Live life on the promise of IMPACT!
Min. Carenda Deonne
