That you must have faith is not a suggestion but a commandment. Although there is no commandment, “thou must have faith,” but the implications are exceptionally strong. Let me explain something about faith. Faith replaces unbelief. If you do not have faith then you are filled with unbelief. Another thing you must understand is that unbelief is not the same as non-belief. With unbelief, you may believe in God but not believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. With non-belief, you do not believe that God is. Believers can be guilty of unbelief. That is why most believers fail to consistently have their prayers answered. When ever people received anything from Jesus, He almost always attributed it to their faith. The following are scriptures of Jesus healing the sick.

 Matthew 8:2-3 (Amplified Bible 2.And behold, a leper came up to Him and, prostrating himself, worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You are able to cleanse me by curing me. 3.And He reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed by being cured. And instantly his leprosy was cured and cleansed.

 If you will notice, the leper did not doubt Jesus ability but His willingness. Jesus immediately cleared up the man’s theology and announced, it is my will. Here is something else you need to know. Jesus was the will of God personified in the earth. If you want to know the will of God about a situation find out how Jesus handled it. Jesus handled every situation exactly like God wanted Him to handle it, no more, no less.

 In Matthew 8:5-13 a centurion (army officer) came to Jesus interceding for one of his servants. You can read the incident, I just want to show you what Jesus said about him.

 Matthew 8:10-13 (King James Version)10.When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 13.And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

 The centurion had such faith that Jesus was totally impressed with it. One of the few times Jesus commended someone for having great faith. Great faith is believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do and then acting like it is so. When you believe, and act on what you believe, great things take place.

 Matthew 9:2 + 6-7 (Amplified Bible)2.And behold, they brought to Him a man paralyzed and prostrated by illness, lying on a sleeping pad; and when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven and the penalty remitted.6.But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins and remit the penalty, He then said to the paralyzed man, Get up! Pick up your sleeping pad and go to your own house. 7.And he got up and went away to his own house.

 When Jesus saw their faith. Faith demands action. (James 2:14-20)

 Matthew 9:20-22 (King James Version) 20.And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21.For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22.But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

 Understand that this woman could have stayed home and never received anything from God, because faith without works is dead. She exercised her faith by going to find Jesus. In verse 21 she spoke her faith. “If I may but touch His garment I shall be made whole.”

 Matthew 9:27-29 (King James Version) 27.And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. 28.And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29.Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

 In Mark 5:35, Jairus has just received news that his daughter has died:

 Mark 5:36 (King James Version) 36.As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

 What if Jairus had reacted to the news like many of us would have? His daughter would never have been raised from the dead.

Let us look at how the Amplified Bible translates that verse.

 Mark 5:36 (Amplified Bible) 36.Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing.

Mark 5:36 (New Living Translation)  36 But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

 Mark 5:36 shows you the importance of faith and it also shows you the strength of faith. Had Jairus acted any other way except the way Jesus told him to act they would have had a funeral. His mind was probably going ninety miles an hour, but he knew that this is probably a good time to keep the mouth shut. The strength of his faith kept him believing even though in the natural it seemed all was lost. However, he had probably heard about the centurion; he had just seen a miracle take place with the woman that had the issue of blood; he had heard about the paralytic that was let down through the roof, how he got up and walked home; he had heard Jesus utter the words, “thy faith hath made thee whole, go in peace.” When all these things ran through his mind and he heard Jesus words, only believe, he had a knowing in his heart that this story was going to have a good ending.

 Mark 5:38-42 (Amplified Bible) 38.When they arrived at the house of the ruler of the synagogue, He looked [carefully and with understanding] at [the] tumult and the people weeping and wailing loudly. 39.And when He had gone in, He said to them, Why do you make an uproar and weep? The little girl is not dead but is sleeping. (faith words)40.And they laughed and jeered at Him. But He put them all out, and, taking the child’s father and mother and those who were with Him, He went in where the little girl was lying. 41.Gripping her [firmly] by the hand, He said to her, Talitha cumi–which translated is, Little girl, I say to you, arise [from the sleep of death]! 42.And instantly the girl got up and started walking around–for she was twelve years old. And they were utterly astonished and overcome with amazement.

 I have already answered this, but why was there no funeral? Because Jaius refused to let fear come in and destroy his faith. He knew that his only hope was to keep his eyes on Jesus and to keep his mouth shut. His faith was in God and in the words that Jesus said, “only believe.”

                   Faith of God

 There is a difference in, faith in God and the faith of God. Faith in God has to do with you receiving things from God. The faith of God has to do with you doing the works of God.

 Mark 11:22-24 (King James Version) 22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

 Whenever God wanted something He simply spoke what He wanted and it came to pass. It never occurred to God that what He said might not happen. Not only did it work for God, but according to Jesus, it suppose to work for us. That is the principle found in Mark 11:22&24. You speak, you believe, you receive and it happens. Let us look at a couple of other translations of those scriptures. In verse 22 instead of faith in God, it should be faith of God.

 Mark 11:22-24 (Young’s Literal Translation) 22.And Jesus answering saith to them, `Have faith of God; 23.for verily I say to you, that whoever may say to this mount, Be taken up, and be cast into the sea, and may not doubt in his heart, but may believe that the things that he saith do come to pass, it shall be to him whatever he may say. 24.Because of this I say to you, all whatever — praying — ye do ask, believe that ye receive, and it shall be to you.

Mark 11:22 (Wycliffe New Testament) 22 And Jesus answered and said to them, Have ye the faith of God;

Mark 11:22-24 (Amplified Bible) 22.And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. 23.Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. 24.For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

 Notice how the Amplified puts verse 24. Believe that what you have ask for is granted to you and you will get it. The faith of God believes, before anything is ever manifested. The faith of God never doubts. The one operating in the faith of God will always have faith in the name of Jesus. Let me explain it like this. The faith of God will cause you to act. Faith in that name will bring fulfillment to your action. Let me give some examples.

 The faith of God caused Peter to take the action needed in order to get the man lying by the gate beautiful in a position to receive his healing. It was faith in the name of Jesus that caused his healing to be manifested.

 Acts 3:6-8 (King James Version) 6.Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7.And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8.And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

 Acts 3:16 (King James Version) 16.And his name through faith in his name (Jesus) hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

 The faith of God makes one bold. The faith of God, causes one to do and say things that he wouldn’t ordinarily do. Faith in God receives what the faith of God has announced or proclaimed.

 Acts 14:8-10 (King James Version) 8.And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: 9.The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10.Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

 Paul was operating in the faith of God or you could call it the God kind of faith. The God kind of faith takes control. This is how it all came about at Lystra. Paul was preaching about the things that Jesus said an done. He was telling about the miracles that took place. He may have mentioned Jairus; he may have talked about the woman with the issue of blood; he may have been telling about his experience on the road to Damascus. As he talked he noticed this cripple sitting off to his right, and how he was earnestly taking in every word that was being said. There was something about this man that caused the Faith of God to rise up in Paul, and Paul shouted out boldly and commanded him to stand up. The faith of God rose up inside of Paul and caused him to act. Faith came alive in this man as he heard Paul speak of the things of God ( faith cometh by hearing ). He was already seeing himself healed. When Paul issued the command to stand up, the faith in the word of God took over and stood him on his feet.

 God is needing more people who are willing to act with the God kind of faith. The God kind of faith will cause you to abandon the fear of something not happening. The God kind of faith demands that you take control. The God kind of faith causes sickness and disease to flee at the name of Jesus. The God kind of faith subdues poverty and binds it, so that plenty can come in uncontested. The God kind of faith takes action. Faith in God or in the name of Jesus causes the results of that action to manifest. Understand this. Faith that refuses to be denied is called great faith.

I am going to say something that I want you to think about before getting mad at me or turning me off. As believers we are God’s responsibility but the earth and the things we allow on earth are our responsibility. We are God’s personal representatives in the earth with the power and authority to change things. If we fail to utilize what He has given us in order to rule, then it’s not His fault. As believers we are never at the mercy of this world’s system. We are suppose to operate under higher laws. The problem is there has been limited teaching, and in most cases no teaching at all about who you are in Christ Jesus.

You’ve heard the saying, I am just human. What is really being said is I am just a flesh, blood and bone person. Not! If you are a true believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, you are more than just human. You are a vessel of God filled with power to over-come all the things this world has to throw at you. If you do not use what He has given you then it’s not doing you any good.

Let’s look at some scripture.

Psalm 115:14-16 (King James Version) ¹⁴The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. ¹⁵Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. ¹⁶The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

1 John 5:4-5 (Amplified Bible) ⁴For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. ⁵Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?

I went to my trusty Strong’s concordance and looked up the word world as it is used in the scriptures above. Here is what I found.

World: Gr. = kosmos = world, earth, world system, whole universe; adornment. In some context the world is just simply the place where people live, in other context (especially in John), the world is a system opposed by God.

The Bible says that as believers we are victorious over the world. We are victorious because of who we are. It is not talking about just spiritual things. It is talking about walking in victory in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. We should be the ones setting the standard. Most believers are so caught up into the world’s system it is hard to tell them apart. Instead of us setting the standard, the standard is being set for us. What is a standard?

1. An accepted or approved example of something against which others are judged or measured.

We as believers do not have to accept the world’s standards as our own. God expects more of us. The world’s standards, no matter how noble, are set by our enemy the devil. It may seem good until he gets his hooks into you. He does not play fair. Again I say to you, we do not have to fall prey to him. We are more than conquerors in Christ. Look at what Jesus Said.

Luke 10:19 (Amplified Bible) ¹⁹Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Mark 16:17-18 (Amplified Bible)¹⁷And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; ¹⁸They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

The scripture above sets the standard of power we are to operate with. We operate exclusively according to the Word of God. If God says we can do it, then we can do it. If it is something we shouldn’t do then we don’t do it.

Acts 10:38 (Amplified Bible) ³⁸How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 10:38 shows us the standard that Jesus lived by. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. The standards He set up for the church is still to be observed and acted upon today. There has never been a change. We still have the obligation to do good and whenever the situation requires it, heal those who are harassed and oppressed by the devil. Things haven’t changed, the Word of God hasn’t changed, but we as a whole have changed the standard that Christ set for the church. I believe that God is calling us back to the ways of living that once set the church apart. We once were light in the midst of darkness. If you were born again or told people you were a Christian they respected you. When people in your neighborhood got sick they would come to you for prayer. It is our responsibility and obligation to God to lighten the area that He has guided us to. It is our responsibility to take back territory that the devil has stolen. The Bible says in ll Peter 1:3-4 that God has given us all things we need for life and godliness. There is nothing to prevent us from taking back from the devil everything that he has stolen, whether it’s our country, in our neighborhood, in our church or in our family. All it takes is an absolute commitment to the things of God. We are without excuse. I don’t know about you but I do not want to appear before God empty handed. If you are a born again believer there is always someone around you that needs your help. They are your responsibility. Do not make excuses unless you can back your excuse up with the Word of God.

The Bible says that the reason the Son of God was manifested was to destroy the works of the devil. When Jesus operated here on the earth He did so with a physical body. Because of that He was limited. However, He showed us by the things He did what He expected from us. He confessed He did only that which He heard from the Father. When Jesus returned to the Father He left a spiritual body that was to continue on unabated, doing the same things He did while in a physical body. For awhile it was so. We can see it in the lives of the Apostles and we can read about it in church history. Somewhere along the way we started substituting other things in the place of the power of God. However God has a fresh stirring going on in the church. We are moving into an awakening. God is going to have Himself a church. A light in darkness and a resting place in a weary land. God has a people (I have met some of them) who wants what He wants and are willing to make the sacrifice in order to be a part of this great move. Think about it. Are you willing to become a part of this fresh anointing and become one of those who are going about doing good and healing all who are oppressed of the devil. If you are willing the door is open. He said, “If you are willing AND obedient you shall eat the good of the land.” In other words, if you are willing the door is open but you must walk through it.

 Susan Smalley Ph.D in psychiatry and professor at U.C.L.A said “I once read that a word is like a living organism, capable of growing, changing, spreading, and influencing the world in many ways, directly and indirectly through others. I never thought about a word being ‘alive’ but then I thought of words spoken 3,000 years ago, written down and passed through many generations, and they seem quite alive when read or spoken today, having lived 3,000 years. As I ponder the power of the word to incite and divide, to calm and connect, or to create and effect change, I am ever more cautious in what I say and how I listen to the words around me.”

Nan S Russell,  international known author and conference speaker said, “Words create impressions, images and expectations. They build psychological connections. They influence how we think. Since thoughts determine actions, there’s a powerful connection between the words we use and the results we get. Poorly chosen words can kill enthusiasm, impact self-esteem, lower expectations and hold people back. Well chosen ones can motivate, offer hope, create vision, impact thinking and alter results. I learned in twenty years in management my words have power over my thoughts and actions. They also impact and influence people I speak them to. If you want to be winning at working, learn to harness your word power to work for, not against you; select words that create a visual of the desired outcome; and choose each word as if it mattered. You might be surprised how much it does. Want better results? Check your words.”

There are no neutral words. Most of man-kind does not understand that the words you speak consistently, are paving the road to a future that you have determined. The words that you speak consistently describe what is stored in your heart in abundance. What you have in your heart in abundance is what is going to come about in your life. It is a spiritual law. and start speaking to yourself words of victory. It does not matter what others think, nor what they say, you are responsible for your own life.

 In order to get what you want from life you need to give up the victim language and begin to speak words of victory. Speak words that will change the image that you have of yourself. Call yourself what God calls you. Let me give you an example. God called Abraham the father of many nations. In order for God to bring it to pass, He had to change Abraham’s name. When He changed Abraham’s name He got Abraham on the same page with Him.  Therefore every time Abraham introduced himself to some one he would say, “I am the father of many nations.”

 Your words build an image in your subconscious mind, of what you speak. I you speak words like nothing ever works out for me, guess what. You see yourself as a failure. Develop in your mind an image of seeing failure as a step to success. Do not be victimized by failure. Understand that failure is not failure until you quit.

 For instance, I have had people to tell me that I am too old to start something new. No I am not. I have made plans to live until I am 95, so I am starting a new chapter in my life. This is something I have learned. I do not judge things by how they look or by how I feel, I judge by what the Word of God says. Here is what the Word of God says about you and me.

 1. We do not have to be broke.

2. We do not have to be sick.

3. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

4. We are more than conquerors.

5. We have been set free by the law of life in Christ Jesus.

6. He came that we may have and enjoy life to the full till it overflows.

 If God says all these things about you why should you say any different? When you start saying about yourself what God has said about you an image will be formed in your mind of someone who is experiencing victory, even though you may not see it with the natural eye yet. Remember, you do not judge by what you see or feel, but by what the Word of God has said.

 I would be remiss if I failed in giving you some scripture that may ignite the fire that God desires to see burning with-in you. If you will take notice, God never speaks decrease to the believers. I heard someone call some of the scriptures, fill good scriptures. I thought, yes it makes me fill good every time I read God’s promises and speak them to myself.

 The following are some scriptures that God has said about the obedient believer.

 Job 36:11 NKJ, If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

 Proverbs 10:22 (Amplified Bible) The blessing of the Lord-it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].

 Proverbs 11:24-25(New King James)There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

 Romans 8:31-32 (Amplified Bible) What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things.

 Psalm 35:27(New King James) Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually “ Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the Prosperity of His servant.”

John 10:10 (Amplified Bible)¹⁰The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it^]overflows).

Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)¹⁰For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Concerning God’s children, His words are always about increase. Remember from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If what He says about you is in you heart abundantly that is what you will say about yourself.

3 John 1:2 (Amplified Bible) ²Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers

John 10:10 (Amplified Bible) ¹⁰The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible) ¹⁰For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

2 Corinthians 8:9 (New King James Version) ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich

To keep you from being troubled I went to the Greed dictionary and looked the word rich up, as it is used here in this verse. Let me give it as it is written in the dictionary.

Greek= (plouteo) to be or become wealthy; be increased with goods; to make wealthy or to make rich; wealth, money, possessions, abundance, riches, valuable bestowment.

 I could stop with just those scriptures alone and be convinced that god indeed wants me to prosper. It is a bad testimony to the goodness of God when you can’t meet your obligations.

Tradition teaches that poverty and Christianity are somehow tied together. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Word of God just simply does not bear that out. Let’s look at some more scripture. I particular want you to notice the disciples reaction to what Jesus said in the following scriptures. I have always heard sermons of how the rich man rejected Jesus because of his riches, but I have never heard sermons of how the disciples reacted to what He said. We need to be honest when using scripture.

Mark 10:17-27 (Amplified Bible) ¹⁷And as He was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, Teacher, [You are essentially and perfectly morally] good, what must I do to inherit eternal life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah's kingdom]?  ¹⁸And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me [essentially and perfectly morally] good? There is no on [essentially and perfectly morally] good–except God alone. ¹⁹You know the commandments: Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.^{)  20}And he replied to Him, Teacher, I have carefully guarded and observed all these and taken care not to violate them from my boyhood. ²¹And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and He said to him, You lack one thing; go and sell all you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come [and] accompany Me [^]walking the same road that I walk]. ²²At that saying the man’s countenance fell and was gloomy, and he went away grieved and sorrowing, for he was holding great possessions. ²³And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, With what difficulty will those who possess wealth and keep on holding it enter the kingdom of God!  ²⁴And the disciples were amazed and bewildered and perplexed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is for those who trust (place their confidence, their sense of safety) in riches to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. ²⁶And they were shocked and exceedingly astonished, and said to Him and to one another, Then who can be saved?²⁷Jesus glanced around at them and said, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.

Isn’t that a strange reaction from a group of men who are, in the eyes of most Christians practically beggars? No they weren’t! These were men of means, they were truly concerned. Now lets look at how Matthew puts it.

Matthew 19:23-25 (Amplified Bible)²³And Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you, it will be difficult for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go into the kingdom of heaven. ²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were utterly puzzled (astonished, bewildered), saying, Who then can be saved [from eternal death]?

Let me state it another way. That is a strange reply from men who are living on Barely Get-along Street. I say it again. These men were not just barely getting along. These men knew about the Abrahamic covenant and they lived it to the full. Look what the Bible says about Abraham.

                                                                                                                             Abraham

Abraham is our forefather so let’s see what the Lord told Abraham concerning his seed.

Genesis 17:7-9 (Amplified Bible) And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting, solemn pledge, to be a God to you and to your posterity after you. And I will give to you and to your posterity after you the land in which you are a stranger [going from place to place], all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said to Abraham, As for you, you shall therefore keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations

The following is what He told us in Galatians. Paul confirms that we are the seed of Abraham. What ever Abraham was blessed with, we are blessed with.

Galatians 3:7-9 (New King James) Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham

Galatians 3:13-14 (New King James) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:26-29 (New King James) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

What does the Bible say about Abraham?

Gen. 13:2 Abraham was very rich.

Gen. 24:34-35(New King James) So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and He has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.

Does that sound like a God that has anything against being wealthy?

Let’s continue to look at some more scripture.

Romans 8:31-32 (Amplified Bible) What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things.

Psalm 35:27(New King James) Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the Prosperity of His servant.”

Proverbs 10:22 (Amplified Bible) The blessing of the Lord-it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].

Job 36:11 (New King James) If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Proverbs 11:24-25(New King James)There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

Deuteronomy 8:18 (New King James) “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is today.

Psalm 112:1-3 (New King James) Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendents will be mighty on the earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endues forever.

Proverbs 13:22 (New King James) A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (New King James) Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Proverbs 3:13-16 (New King James) Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor.

Proverbs 22:4 ( Amplified Bible) The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 8:17-21 (New King James) I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes. Fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.

 With the scriptures you have just looked at, is there any indication that God doesn’t want you to have abundance. God knew and He knows that it takes wealth and riches to publish the Gospel. Poverty is a snare to anyone’s soul. Where there is poverty there is no peace. A person that is poverty stricken is only a shadow of what God intends for him to be, and cannot possibly be an example of the Kingdom of God. People that are hurting and down an out will not listen to a person that is in the same fix. (Read the next scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 9:14-16 NKJ, There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

I can tell you in no uncertain terms, if you are living in poverty you are definitely not operating in God’s best. According to the scripture above, people do not listen to the one that lives in poverty. I want you to think about it. Do you want someone telling you how to get ahead in life when he hasn’t been able to get ahead in his own life? Shouldn’t a person take his own advice first? Listen, I want you to check the scriptures and find me one person that was actively involved in ministry that was poor. All of Jesus’ disciples were business men. There were no poor shepherds out on the hillside, there were shepherds; business men. They were either in the sheep business or wool business. Folks let me tell you something. When you think about Christianity do not think about poverty. Poverty defies everything that is in place for the believer. 

  John 10:10 (Amplified Bible) ¹⁰The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

 Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible) ¹⁰For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

The real reason that most people do not receive is the absence of faith. Now I know that for me to say that may make you a little angry, but God’s Word doesn’t lie. It is impossible for God to lie or make a mistake. If God should appear in your church on Sunday morning and say, “My, isn’t this a fine Tuesday morning,” guess what? It is Tuesday.

The following scriptures confirm the unchangeableness of the Word of God.

 Psalm 138:1-2 (Amplified Bible) 1. I WILL confess and praise You [O God] with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praises to You. 2. I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!

 I do not understand why a person would want to change the Word of God to suit their unbelief. God’s word is God, you can’t change it. He can’t change it. It is forever settled.

 Numbers 23:19 (Amplified Bible)19. God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?

 Psalm 89:34 (Amplified Bible)34. My covenant will I not break or profane, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.

 1 Samuel 15:29 (Amplified Bible) 29. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie or repent; for He is not a man that He should repent.

 Isaiah 40:8 (Amplified Bible) 8. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

 Isaiah 55:11 (Amplified Bible) 11. So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

 Hebrews 6:18 (Amplified Bible) 18. This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us].

 Titus 1:2 (Amplified Bible) 2. [Resting] in the hope of eternal life, [life] which the ever truthful God, Who cannot deceive promised before the world or the ages of time began.

 What I am endeavoring to do is to help you see that whatever the Word says, that’s the way it is. God doesn’t say one thing and mean another. You may have different translations of the Bible but the scripture remains the same. We should never allow anything to take away from the integrity of the Word of God.

 Definitions of Integrity

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.

2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.

3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness

4. Integrity – an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting.

 Completeness= the state of being complete and entire; having everything that is needed.

 Faith in the Word of God is the bases of our receiving anything from God. If you don’t trust the Word of God to produce what it says, then you do not trust God. You need to understand that God and His Word are like the soul and spirit, they cannot be separated. The Living Word and Written Word are the same.

One of my favorite sayings is; If you want a word from God just open the Bible. When you do, you will be looking down the throat of God. Let me prove this to you from scripture.

 John 1:1-3 (King James Version)1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 John 1:14 (Amplified Bible)14. And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.

 I know it is difficult to understand, and you can’t understand without help from God, but Jesus was the spoken Word of God that took on flesh and became the living Word. He was completely the Word of God. When you looked at Jesus you were looking at God and at the same time the Word of God.

 Hebrews 4:12-13 (Amplified Bible) 12. For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. 13. And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.

 What I want you to do is look very careful at Hebrews 4: 12-13. In verse 12 it is talking or describing the Word that God speaks. In verse 13 it personifies the Word spoken in verse 12.

Jesus is the Word of God in every sense of the Word. Not only is He the Word of God but He is also the will of God personified. If you want to know what the will of God is, check up on Jesus. Not only is Jesus the Word of God and the Will of God but He is God. He is also the express image of God the Father.

It takes effort but you can understand the Godhead. You may not be able to explain it but you can understand it in your spirit.

 Hebrews 1:1-3 (Amplified Bible)1. IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,

2. [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. 3. He (Jesus) is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the [ out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,

 Colossians 1:15-17 (Amplified Bible)15. [Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation. 16. For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. 17. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).

 I mentioned that you cannot separate the Written Word from the Living Word; you also cannot separate the Godhead. Three persons: but one God. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost. When I am calling on God I am calling on the Godhead. Father, Son, Holy Ghost. When I call on the Father, I am calling on a particular person of the Godhead. If I ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, I am speaking of a particular person. When I say I want to receive Jesus as Lord of my life, I am speaking of a particular person. However let me get back to the subject of the integrity of God’s Word. Look at Psalm 119:89.

 Psalm 119:89 (Amplified Bible) 89. Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens].

 Is that forever future, or, forever like from the foundation of the world.

 Revelation 13:8 (Amplified Bible)8. And all the inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay him homage, everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice]from the foundation of the world.

 There is isn’t anything that happens upon this earth that God is unprepared for. The beginning and the end and all there is in the middle was seen by God and recorded in heaven before God ever said light be. God knew where you would be at this time in history and He knew where I would be. God has already been where you are and has already made a way for you. God does not change. He is the same now as He was before the foundations of the earth.

 Malachi 3:6 (New King James Version) For I am the LORD, I do not change;

God’s Word is forever settled from the foundation of the world. God is not going to change His Word for me or nobody else. If God’s Word says He will do it, then He will do it. If He doesn’t do it, it is because you didn’t approach Him in faith. God is no respecter of persons but He is a respecter of faith. The only way to move the hand of God in your behalf is through faith. As a matter of fact, check out the next scripture.

 Mark 6:4-6 (Amplified Bible)4. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor (deference, reverence) except in his [own] country and among [his] relatives and in his [own] house. 5. And He was not able to do even one work of power there, except that He laid His hands on a few sickly people [and] cured them. 6. And He marveled because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in Him). And He went about among the surrounding villages and continued teaching.

 Folks never doubt God’s Word. If something is not working for you check up on yourself. There is probably a blessing blocker working in your life or there is doubt. Faith always receives and God’s Word never changes.

                                    Faith Believes Then Receives

 Faith is the power source that reaches into the unseen and brings into existence that for which you believe God for. Faith believes that you have what God has promised even though there is no physical evidence. Although there is no physical evidence, your words must still agree with what you believe. Faith calls those things that are not as though they are. God said to Abraham, “I have made you a father of many nations” before Abraham became a father. He had no children and no prospect of having any. The following scriptures bear faith principles.

 Romans 4:13-21 (Amplified Bible)13. For the promise to Abraham or his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through [observing the commands of] the Law but through the righteousness of faith.14. If it is the adherents of the Law who are to be the heirs, then faith is made futile and empty of all meaning and the promise [of God] is made void (is annulled and has no power). 15. For the Law results in [divine] wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression [of it either]. 16. Therefore, [inheriting] the promise is the outcome of faith and depends [entirely] on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of grace (unmerited favor), to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants–not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is [thus] the father of us all. 17. 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.18. [For Abraham, human reason for] hope (expectation) being gone, hoped (expected) in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. 19. 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. 20. 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, 21. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.

 The scripture says that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. He did not walk around visiting his neighbors wandering just how God was going to do it. He believed God. God changed his name from Abram which means a high exalted father, to Abraham which means Father of a multitude. Every time Abraham introduced himself he called himself father of a multitude. He was in agreement with what God said. Faith always agrees with what God says. God said, “I have made you a father of many nations.”

 Genesis 17:1-5 (Amplified Bible)1. WHEN ABRAM was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete). 2. And I will make My covenant (solemn pledge) between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly. 3. Then Abram fell on his face, and God said to him, 4. As for Me, behold, My covenant (solemn pledge) is with you, and you shall be the father of many nations. 5. Nor shall your name any longer be Abram [high, exalted father]; but your name shall be Abraham [father of a multitude], for I have made you the father of many nations.

 Genesis 17:15-19 (Amplified Bible)15. and God said to Abraham, as for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai; but Sarah [Princess] her name shall be. 16. And I will bless her and give you a son also by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her. 17. Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son? 18. And [he] said to God, Oh, that Ishmael might live before You! 19. But God said, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed, and you shall call his name Isaac [laughter]; and I will establish My covenant or solemn pledge with him for an everlasting covenant and with his posterity after him.

 Just in case that you do not read with clarity and understanding let me help you. This will give you a bird’s eye view of what faith is. Remember that faith believes the impossible and waits in expectation for it to happen

While you are waiting, your words are in support of your faith. You talk like you are expecting it to come to pass. This separates the believers from the unbelievers and mental assenters.

 God came to Abraham when Abraham was ninety-nine years old. God told Abraham, I have made you a father of many nations. Notice the tense of what God said. In God’s mind it was already accomplished. Not only was He going to give Abraham a son but he was going to give him a son that came from Sarah. Sarah was ninety years old and had never been able to have children. If there were such a thing as justified unbelief this would have been a time for it; but look at what the Bible says in Romans 4:19-21.

 Romans 4:19-21 (King James Version) 19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21. And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

 Abraham operated in the kind of faith that receives the answer; the kind of faith that makes the impossible, possible. The kind of faith that calls those things that is not as though they are. This is what Jesus is saying in Mark 11:23-24.

 Mark 11:23-24 (Amplified Bible) 23. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! And does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place; it will be done for him. 24. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

 Mark 11:23-24 (King James Version) 23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

 When do you believe that you have the answer; when you pray. You do not need faith for what you already have. You do not need faith for what you are believing God for after it materializes. You need faith when there is no physical evidence that anything is happening. Hear what verse 24 is saying. Believe that you receive when you pray, and you shall have what you believe for. Believe that you have it now is the kind of faith that receives what it is after.

I want you to notice some things about Abraham that warrants close attention. The reason I bring it up is because this is the way we should operate. Abraham was not a Spirit filled Christian. He just simply believed God. He did not walk around wondering how God was going to do it. If anything, he was looking forward in anticipation of the day.

 Romans 4:19-21 (King James Version) 19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21. And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

 In verse 19 we see that Abraham didn’t start looking for all the reasons that what God said, wouldn’t work. In verse 20 he didn’t stagger in doubt and unbelief but stood in faith giving glory to God. I would imagine that for days he just walked around praising God. The thing that he desired all his life was going to take place. I believe that he went so far as to have a feast of thanksgiving unto the Lord. In verse 21 we see that Abraham was fully persuaded that God was able to do what He said. This means that Abraham didn’t go around wondering if it was really going to happen and if so how? I don’t believe for a minute that he was afraid to testify to others around him, that they were going to have a baby.

As believers, this is where God wants us. God desires to meet our every need, but as long as we stagger in unbelief, it’s not going to happen. However, the kind of faith that doesn’t stagger doesn’t just happen. Abraham didn’t get there in just one day. There was a process that he went through for a number of years to get him to this place in God.

Don’t forget that God knows the end from the beginning. God knew from the day He called Abraham out of Ur what He intended to do. So he started to develop Abraham into a man of great faith. God also timed it so that He could get all the glory. Not that Abraham would have tried to get the glory, but that all of his neighbors would see that the God of Abraham was a covenant keeping God and worthy to be worshiped.

If faith was something you could just walk into and perform, the Lord would not have told us it was a fight.  The reason it is called a good fight is because we win.  Now I want you to notice what He didn’t say.  He did not say He would fight it for you; He said for YOU to fight the good fight of faith, and for YOU to lay hold of eternal life.  To win this fight there is something that you must do.  With THAT said, I want us to see what faith IS.

Heb.11:1 KJ,  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 

Heb 11:1 NCV  “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for, and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.”

Heb.11:1  NLT  ” What is faith?  It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we do not see.”  

Heb. 11:1  AMP  ” Now faith is the assurance(the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].”

The word hoped or hope from the Greek is not the same word we use when we say something like, “I hope so.”  That is more of a wish.  Hope, or hoped from the Greek text means, to expect or to anticipate, usually, with pleasure.  My definition of faith is, “Now faith is the substance of things expected and anticipated with pleasure.” 

The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character; He IS who He says He IS.  The last point is believing in God’s promises; He WILL do what He says He WILL do.  When we believe that God will fulfill His promises, even tho we don’t see these promises materializing, we demonstrate faith. 

This is the life of faith; [When all the circumstances of our life present a negative picture in failure and loss, or when the natural reaction would be grief or complaint, this is the time to put faith in God and in His word.  Thus we can see through God's eyes to the final glorious outcome.  This brings worship and praise even before our circumstances have changed.  Determine to praise and  worship and thank God for His faithfulness, no matter how devastating the circumstances.  Look with the eye of FAITH at God's plan for the future.] ( Spirit-Filled Life Bible truth in action Hab.) 

Here are some things you should know about faith:

Faith always sees; Faith always knows; Faith is always now; Faith never quits.

We walk by faith not by sight:  11 Cor. 5:7

The just lives by faith. Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38

Whatever is not of faith is sin. Rom 14:23B Amp. “For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].” 

Without faith, you cannot please God.  Heb. 11:6 Amp. “But without faith it is impossible toplease and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exist and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].”

Here is something else you should know.  Faith, belief and believe are from the same Greek word.  Faith is the verb form, belief and believe is the noun.  At times they can be used interchangably. 

Doctor Jesse Henly a Bible teacher and Greek scholar, translates  Phil.4:13 like this. “I am almighty in the one who continually keeps pouring His power into me.”  Faith will bring you to that conviction.  Faith will enable you to see beyond what seems impossible and believe it to be possible even though it may seem illogical.  Phillip Yancey defines faith as ” Believing in advance in something that will only seem logical when seen in reverse. ”F.B. Meyer says ”Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God, but faith puts God between and us and our circumstances.” Whatever the circumstance, CHOOSE TO BELIEVE GOD.  The power to see something through the eyes of faith, is the beginning of seeing it in reality.

In closing, I would like to mention some of the enemies of faith.  

1. Ignorance – You cannot believe a promise until you hear it or find it.  Much unbelief arises out of the fact that most people have no idea what the Bible says.  The cure for this is study, meditation and consideration of the Word.

2. Unbelief – Unbelief, is not non-belief.  Unbelief is the sinful choice not to believe God.  It is usually motivated by pride, rebellion and ignorance.  The cure for this is therefore to humble oneself, change ones mind and choose to believe.  

3. Fear – Fear is a negative emotion based on the real expectation of bad things to come.  It is rooted in the lack of trust in God’s ability and willingness. If you develope your faith, fear will be taken care of. Fear and faith cannot co-exist with one another equally. One will always dominate the other. Fear has torment, faith brings peace. The choice is left up to you.

4. Cares of this world – This is when the cares become bigger than our ability to see the Word as the solution to the needs, or problems. We are always worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow.

1 Peter 5:7 Amp. “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you watchfully.”  

Faith is looking beyond ALL of these things and seeing the answer before it materializes.  When I see it in the Word, say it with my mouth, believe it in my heart, even though it is not manifested, this is FAITH. Faith believes because God says so, and confesses what God says. 

The idea of Mustard Seed Faith, has led many ministers to put a premium on Little Faith.  This is borderline heresy.  There are five scriptures in the entire Bible concerning mustard seed.  Two has to do with Faith as a mustard seed, and three tells us what to do with a mustard seed.  For those who do not want to take the time to look in your Bible to see what it says, I have written down the scriptures so you can see them.  I want you to study these out and see what they say.  Remember 1 Cor. 14:38, “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”  I do not want you to be ignorant.  Let me encourage you to develop all the scripture that pertains to any subject you are studying, so that there will be no contradictions and there is a flowing together of that subject.

Mattew 13:31-32  KJ, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed into a field:  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the braches thereof.”

Mattew 17:20 KJ, “Because of your unbelief: For verily I say unto you,  If you have Faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.” 

Mark 4:30-32 KJ, “Where-unto shall we liken the Kingdom of God?  Or with what comparison shall we compare it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, it is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”  

Luke 13:19 KJ, “Unto what is the Kingdom of God like?  And where-unto shall I resemble it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in its branches.”

Luke 17:6 KJ, “If you had Faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”

Notice there are two scriptures that say, ” If you had Faith as a grain of mustard seed, you would say.”  As a mustard seed, not the size of a mustard seed.  What do you do with a seed?  You plant it.  What happens when you  plant a seed?  Jesus says that it will grow.  The scripture says in Romans 12:3, The Lord has given you, the measure of Faith.  In other words, He has given you the seed of Faith, so you plant it, and it will grow.  You are not going to do any great exploits using the measure of Faith.  You are operating on the measure of Faith when you make Jesus the Lord of your life.  Once you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you begin to add to your Faith by attending a church that teaches how to live an overcomign life.  If your church teaches salvation all the time, you will become convinced that you’re saved,   but you won’t be convinced that you are healed.  You will always be operating in Little Faith. 

The Bible says, ” My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  (Hosea 4:6A)  What knowledge do they lack?  They lack the knowledge, that they have a covenant which promises them victory in every area of life.  They lack the knowledge, that they can have the Faith to receive everything that is promised in the Word of God.  They lack the knowledge that the more they commit to the Word of God, the greater their Faith will become.  They lack the knowledge, that it does matter what church they go to.  They lack the knowledge, that Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.  I can assure you of this, If you do not go to a church that teaches you Faith; How to get it , how to walk in it, and how to talk it, you will not be able to do it.  One thing you must understand, there is only one way to get Faith, The Bible says: 

Romans 10:17 KJ  “So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Romans 10:17 AMP.  “So Faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (The Messiah Himself).”

If you want to know what Jesus preached, go to Luke 4:18-19.  Also, read Acts 10:34-38.  Pay special attention to verses 37-38.  Peter is attesting to what Jesus preached.  When you hear messages preached along the lines of what Jesus preached, Faith cometh.  Do not be trapped by Mustard Seed Faith.  God wants you to develop GREAT FAITH.  Do not be deceived by tradition that all you need is Faith the size of a mustard seed.  You start with Mustard Seed Faith, and you plant it in the good ground of your heart, then you nurture it with the Word of God, and it will become GREAT  FAITH.