*** This was shared at the TERC meeting of Friday April 27th, 2007 ***

We're going to be talking on the issue of faith for a while, until we've learned all we need to know on it. I pray as we dig deeper into the word, our faith will be strengthened in God- Amen.
Hebrews 11 is the model chapter on faith and verse 1 defines faith as, "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Why is faith important?

1. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6)
2. Everything we do without faith is sin (Romans 14:23)

Some examples, amongst many, of people who walked by faith include:

** Moses' parents who hid him for 3 months, despite the fact that they were going against the king's decree that he should be put to death (Heb. 11:23, Exo. 2: 1 & 2). They could see with their "faith eyes" that Moses was going to be great in future.

** David, the little shepherd boy, in slaying Goliath, the Philistine giant soldier, with just a sling and stones. But the thing here is that he went to fight against Goliath in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel (I Sam. 17)

** Abraham, in sacrificing his only son Isaac (Gen. 22, Heb. 11:17, James 2:21)

** The 3 Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, activated their faith that even if they were thrown into the blazing furnace, the God they served was able to deliver them from it, hear this, "But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Classic act of faith! (Dan. 3: 19 - end).
To show u how hot the fire was, the soldiers putting them in were burned to death from the intense heat of the flames (v. 23). If u read further down to the end of the story, u'd realize that the 3 of them were bound when thrown into the fire, but when the king looked he saw 4 people unbound and unharmed and this pagan king even realized that the 4th person didn't look normal, but looked like "a son of the gods." (v. 25). Right there and then, the King's mentality changed and he went through a 360 degrees total transformation, and started calling them servants of the most high God, singing praises to the one true God, and he didn't just stop there, he even abolished his former decree and made a new one. Today, i pray that as u activate ur faith in that seemingly impossible situation, God will come through for you and a new decree will be made by the King himself on ur behalf in Jesus' name -Amen.

Like the Hebrew boys, by activating ur faith, u are ministering to the people around you, even Kings. Just imagine if the boys were crying and begging the king? They would've just spoiled the work God was about to do in the life of the king.

Faith, together with prayer, is another weapon we can use in fighting the devil (Eph. 6:16). Paul urges Timothy to fight the good fight by holding on to his faith and a good conscience, so he does not shipwreck his faith as others have done (1 Timothy 1:17 - 20). By pressing on and fighting the good fight of faith, we're going to get to our desired destination. Our mind is so limited to the extent that if we begin thinking with our human mind and walking by sight, we'll fall by the wayside and limit God's blessings in our lives. When u let circumstances and situations around you choke ur faith, and things begin to go haywire, then u start blaming God and every other person but urself. LEARN TO TRUST GOD by activating ur faith in him.

How much faith must i have?

God has given each and everyone of us a certain level/ amount of faith. You just need faith as small as a mustard seed to move mountains, to uproot trees and plant them into the sea (Mth 17:20. Luke 17:6). Don't compare yourself to others, in other words, know ur level. Don't say because Cherub has the faith to run her car on an empty gas tank, i'll also try it. Listen up now, u'll just be stranded for no reason. Just as each person is expected to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, i'd say we should do the same with our faith.

Before u begin to ask for mountain-moving faith, first activate the little you have. U can begin with very basic things. I'm hungry and i want Chinese food, but i don't have the money for it, but i'm trusting by faith in God that i'll eat Chinese food for lunch. It works, trust me.

Sorry about the lateness of this post but I trust it will minister to those with questions about God's promises for their lives and for those that need reassurance that though it may tarry, God's word will never return to Him void (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Many times when we are faced with compounding situations that never seem to cease, we start to question the promises God has made in His word. We wonder why things are so difficult and why of all people, we are constantly the victims. The word of the season is to remain focused on the promise of God for your life and in His word. In order to expound on this we shared based the story of Elijah and Elisha. The reading can be found in 2 Kings 2: 1-18. (you'll need to read the passage)

Here are a few things that stand out in that passage

1. Elisha was persistent : On four occasions, Elijah asked Elisha to remain behind (in the city of Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and Jordan) and on those four occasions, Elisha refused. Elisha understood the season and the time. He knew Elijah's time on earth was almost over and any minute from that time he could depart.
Note: If God has made you a promise, it's important you pray for the revelation of time. Without the revelation of time, it will be tough for you to know when and how to prepare for the manifestation of God's promise for you. That revelation gives you the clarity of mind to know that regardless of what situations may come your way, the harder they are, they make for a greater and sweeter victory. Notice that the boxing fights that command the highest premiums are those people expect to be the toughest fight. So when situations come your way, Smile and remain confident that your victory is coming. I am yet to see a tunnel without light at the end.

2. The fifty men of the sons of prophets: On each occasion Elijah told Elisha to remain behind in one city or the other, he was not alone but accompanied by 50 men of the sons of prophets. These men knew the time had come for Elijah to depart. They continually mocked Elisha in every city.
Note: You would expect that the sons of prophets would have known better than to stand back and taunt Elisha. More than likely these were people that were brought up understanding the precepts of God and more than likely had heard of or even witnessed great men of God that had walked the earth before Elijah. You would expect them to chase after Elijah to seek blessing but they stood at a distance. Don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise about what God's promises pertaining to your lives are. Along the way people (friends, colleagues even family) will mock you as you wait upon God's promises for your life. They'll come to you with compelling arguments and suggestions on how to get results here and now. These days people miss out on God's promises for their lives because of the RIGHT NOW mentality. They want answers NOW, they want action NOW. Each time I watch Nigerian movies, I always find it amusing when you see for example a couple looking for the gift of the womb (a child) and after believing in God for the longest, there is always that notorious friend or family member that would profess to know a medicine man that can bring about a quick resolution to their desire. Have you noticed how even after the couple eventually have their baby the issues that come with the baby and the conditions? My people after you've prayed and done all that the Lord requires of you and you see no resolution, STAND!

3. Elisha's request: Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted and Elisha answered " Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me".
Note: Elisha could have asked for anything and everything. He could have pulled a long list of items. He could have asked to be rich beyond imagination, asked to be a ruler e.t.c but he asked for something that would be of service to the people. This reminds me of the story of Solomon also...clearly you see a certain similarity in their requests.....Solomon asked God for a gift that would allow him serve his people better but with all that came other blessings that I bet he hadn't imagined. In James 4:3 the bible says "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts". It's important to understand the value of your request and understand that you've been placed in this world to serve. Through your service, you obtain a reward. When I think about the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, it leaves me in awe of the God we serve. (John 13:1-20)

4. The whirlwind: After Elisha had made his request known to Elijah, Elijah responded " You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." As they talked, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it, and cried out "My father, my father the chariot of Israel and its horsemen".
Note: So in order to get a true understanding of what Elisha had to go through in order to obtain his request, I decided to check out the meaning of "Whirlwind" -A rapidly rotating, generally vertical column of air, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout.
In order for Elisha's request to come to past, He had to have his eyes open to see Elijah rise through the Whirlwind...Think of that for a second... if a whirlwind came your way, more than likely with the dust particles that would accompany that whirlwind, your immediate action would be to either take cover or shut your eyes but Elisha kept his eyes open. I see the dust particles as situations, trials, tribulations we may face as we wait for the fulfillment of God's promises for our lives. You should welcome those particles and stand firm, knowing that at the end of the day when the dust finally settles that victory will be yours. So when challenges come your way, rather than crying and throwing a pity party, return to the Lord and remind him of His words....I am yet to see the righteous forsaken or beg for bread. If he fed the Israelites as they travelled for 40 years through the wilderness, realize that your request is nothing to him.

I know this message is for someone out there who is almost losing hope...asking why me? what have I done to deserve this? Where is this God they've told me about? Our God is not a sleep...the bible says that he neither slumbers nor sleep and today I declare that in your situation, God will awaken all dead bones as it pertains to you.