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THE MEASURE OF FAITH

Scripture Study Reference #1

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)."

Key Application Point:  We each have a measure of faith!

    We all have been given a measure of faith. The ability or capacity to believe is within us as God has instilled a portion of faith (think of a glass partially filled with water) in each of us. This initial measure can be grown into an impacting force or allowed to be misdirected or die. We can believe in something, though for some it may be false. Even an atheist has a misdirected faith that there is no God. The Bible addresses this foolishness (Psalm 14:1), and later in this book the existence of God will be dealt with. We apply faith daily to situations without ever paying any real attention to it. Take the measure of faith given to you and use it to change the world around you.

Point to Ponder:  "You are as close to God now as you want to be." ? Leonard Ravenhill

Scripture Study Regerence #2

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 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 11:1-3)."

Key Applicaiton Point:  What Is faith?

    Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). God has made us in such a way that we have an innermost desire to know there is a God and identify with who He is. Isn't it incredible how children will so easily believe in Santa Claus - until the fateful day of discovering that Dad ate the cookies.  It is with this childlikeness that we must come to God and have full trust and assurance that He is who He is. Faith is a belief or ascent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence. In our case, it is what God has revealed!

    How can faith be turned into a substance? How can it result in things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen? These are good questions that need answers. We must take our thoughts and imaginations and bring the inherited promises we have as children of God into our mind. Begin to see and imagine how God heals, provides, and brings peace. The reality of God?s kingdom will manifest in your reality through faith.  The substance is what you have been hoping and seeking God for in your prayers.  This will be developed more in the basic building block discussing prayer and building the house of faith on the next few pages.

Point to Ponder:  Many of us have heard of the faith movement. What about the patience movement? It takes faith and patience working together to bring forth the promises of God.

    We must utilize the measure of faith given by God when training our present and future generations and instruct them how to apply it. We have an explosive potential within us. Either the world will instill its belief systems and negate the faith that God has put within each and every one of us, or we will take on the responsibility to use God's Word and build godlike faith in individuals. There is life and death in the words that we speak (Proverbs 18:21, 15:4). Since the Word of God is Spirit, Truth, and Life we must bring forth that which bears witness to what God has put within.

Point to Ponder:  Faith is taking Almighty God at His Word and asking no questions.

Scripture Study Reference #3

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)."

Key Applicaiton Point: The Word of God increases faith!

    So faith comes through hearing, and listening to the Word of God in particular. The seed of the Word incubates in the oven of faith and grows. Every time the Word of God is spoken, faith will rise and increase in that individual because of the way we were created. God's Word is the basis of all instruction, as the Holy Spirit will teach, lead, and guide us into truth. The Word of God always will have an effect upon those who hear (Isaiah 55:11). Even though one may reject it, the Word still has an effect. Given that man has a conscience, and the law was written on our hearts, the Word of God does bear witness with the inner man, even if he opposes the Gospel.

    How can you put the roof on a house if the walls are not constructed? How can you put the walls up if the foundation isn't properly laid?  Parents, church leaders, and Bible teachers must not assume that this is taking place. We need to go back and review how we are doing things. Presenting basic building blocks of the Christian faith and the foundational truths, which are essentially the principles and elementary teachings of Christ (Hebrews 6: 1-2), is where we must start.

Point to Ponder:  It has been said that there are three types of people in this world: those who are fearful, those who don't know enough to be fearful, and those who know their Bibles.

Scripture Study References #4

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)."

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5)."

"For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)."

Key Applicaiton Point: Your house of faith is under construction!

    Our faith and what we believe in is of utmost importance, as our destiny and where we will spend eternity depends on it. The choices we make and how we spend our lives depends on who and what we have faith in. Why are we living?  What is the purpose of our existence on this planet?  What is the real intent and motive of why we do what we do?  We are God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and are challenged to co-labor with God to build a spiritual house that will impact the world we live in.

Building the House of Faith

Pillars in the House of Faith
I.   THINK ---- MIND
II.  BELIEVE ---- HEART
III. CONFESS ---- MOUTH
IV. ACT ---- BODY

    Soon after I became a Christian, I was fortunate to be connected with one of the best Bible teachers and fathers of the faith I had ever encountered. His teaching on the "house of faith" greatly impacted my walk with the Lord. He instructed me through example to live by faith, and he planted seeds that would eventually lead me to fulfill my vision and destiny.

You Are a Spiritual House

    After you become born again, God is anxious to build an everlasting spiritual house within you. You are "His house" and "His temple." God will allow you to work together with Him so your spiritual house will be eternal and you can face any challenges that come your way. Within this spiritual house, God will cast vision and destiny so you will have the opportunity to live your life of fulfilling the purpose of God's kingdom that you have been called to. God chooses to do this through His Spirit and Word.

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)."

It Takes Faith to Build a Spiritual House

    God works with man "one by one" applying faith principles (2 Corinthians 5:7) and He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Galatians 3:26). So whether you are a man or woman, young or old, member of whichever race, we all have an opportunity to activate the measure of faith (Romans 12:3) God planted in each and every one of us. Faith is a force that is waiting to materialize.

    This measure of faith gives us the ability and capacity to accomplish great things. Since we are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26), we are a faith being.  Jesus said, "Have faith in God (Mark 11:22-23). " Yet man bases his faith on his five senses. It is a mentality that says, "I have to see it to believe it!" There is another dimension that exits that the eye cannot see. The whole world is held together by God's Word and power (Hebrews 1:2-3). The unseen world consists of subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules.  Everything consists of particles and energy. We are particle beings. The Spirit of God created all matter and is held together by that same Spirit.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:1-2)."

    Since God's Spirit controls all matter, it is the greater authority over the lesser authority. The world around us must yield to that greater authority. God's people, through faith, must learn to rule with the spirit the material world that is around them or it will become a problem. We must shift our awareness and align ourselves with the promises of God, and see how things ought to be. Do not allow your environment and circumstances to limit you! Learning to walk in the image and presence of God releases massive potential, where you will see the Goliaths of life falling down before you.

    When we become susceptible to doubt, it destroys our faith. "Faith" is in the present tense, as we serve a God who is on the move. Will you move with God in what He has planned for your life?  Your faith can be looked at as a "title deed," or can be referred to as purchasing power because of the work of the Cross. Faith takes hold of things you hope for (vision and destiny) and makes them a reality.

Point to Ponder:  Why don?t we doubt our doubts and believe God instead?

    God has given man authority on the earth to move the impossible, change circumstances, and create. We are allowed to work with God, as God anoints diligence, obedience, and preparation. As we walk on life?s path, God wants to co-create with us. He gives each of us permission to design things around desires that the Holy Spirit has placed in us. These desires are a force that attracts God?s favor and what He wants to do for you.

"Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established (Proverbs 24:3)."

STEP 1 - Every House Needs a Foundation

    The foundation of every house must be solid in order to build on it. Whether its a physical or spiritual house, the foundation must be adequately laid. The Bible clearly states that a house built on sand will end up destroyed when storms come.

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall (Matthew 7:24-27)."

    We each are a spiritual house (1 Corinthians 3:9-11). The individuals in our nation comprise a larger corporate house. The scripture declares we are lively stones that make up a larger spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). This spiritual house has a cornerstone and foundation. Our belief systems or foundation that has been laid will eventually determine a nation?s rise and fall. If America has a strong moral foundation (Jesus Christ) built on the principles of the Word of God, the people living in that nation will prosper and be free. If these moral foundations are destroyed than good people will suffer.

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do (Psalm 11:3)?"

    Every properly built house needs a foundation. How firm is the foundation of your spiritual house? For Christians, Jesus Christ is the only foundation that can be built upon that will last and withstand any storm. It is the only foundation that can bring salvation, deliverance from sin, healing, fulfilled vision and destiny, etc. The finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross is the perfect foundation.

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9-11)."



STEP 2 - The Cornerstone of the House of Faith

    What is a cornerstone? It is a key stone in the foundation, providing the essential and necessary strength upon which we must build. Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God, is that cornerstone (Acts 4:10-12). He contains everything God wants you to think and know, learn and understand, and speak and act on. So the foundation and cornerstone have been laid ? Jesus Christ. The Word of God is the cornerstone and it stands alone (John 4:23-24, John 8:32, John 17:17).

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (1 Peter 2:4-8)."

Are you ready to continue building your spiritual house of faith? Let's get started!

STEP 3 - The Thinking Pillar

Thought:  A thought is a collection of ideas on which the mind dwells upon. It is where the mind is directed to a subject or objects and stretches to it to form conceptions.

Imagination:  The power or faculty of the mind by which it conceives and forms ideas of things communicated to it by our five senses. It is to form ideas and representations in the mind by our will working on the materials of memory. It selects parts of different conceptions or objects from memory to form a whole more pleasing than has ever been presented in the ordinary course of nature. This same mind can also take the whole idea formed and make it terrible or awful as well.


    This pillar involves your thinking, thoughts, and imagination.  God never asked you to "kiss your brain goodbye" when you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  God said to let us reason together (Isaiah 1:18) and that His people perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).  God wants us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).  Every bit of God's Word is directed toward your intelligence so you can read, hear, listen, and converse with Him. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

    Your thoughts lead to your imagination, and this is the key to your reality!  What you imagine today you will receive tomorrow ?  if you believe!  Faith can play a part in receiving what you hope for.  The environment you are in will be drawn to the reality that is formed in your mind.  We have to shift our imagination into confidence in the Spirit of God and align with His promises.

    The book of Hebrews is known as the "hall of faith."  Individuals like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, and Samson were looking ahead to the promises of God and believed them. They saw the promises far off in their mind, were persuaded, assured, and embraced them!  Their minds were filled with their imagination of the promises of God, and that caused them to take a stand in what were sometimes very adverse circumstances.

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude ? innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:8-13)."

    We are God's sons and daughters.  Meditate on this until it becomes part of you!  We must build our thought process to where we can imagine what it would be like to be touched by the presence of God.  We have a better covenant today, with even better precious promises.

Point to Ponder: Your imagination has no concept of and does not exist in time. It says what if it could be true. This is the place where faith can become a substance if the imagination can engage God?s promises. The kingdom of God, which is out of time and available to us at all times, can change reality which is held in time. So bring into your imaginations the kingdom of God and His precious promises! If you have faith, believe, desire, and do not doubt in your heart your reality will change.

    As your mind is renewed and transformed, God has something to work with, and He will begin to release vision and destiny, or your assignment in life. God is after your eye and ear gates because He wants access to your mind and heart. God will bring perfect peace to your mind as you develop an intimate relationship with Him (Isaiah 26:3-4). He has given you a free will to think about good or evil things. You will become whatever you allow your mind to dwell on.

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7)."

    Your thoughts feed your imagination, which paints a picture (good or bad) in your mind of the manifestation and reality you are looking for.  An inner hope begins to develop that is a confident idea of what you expect to happen. In Genesis 6:5, we see the imaginations of men?s hearts were continually evil, so God destroyed the world.  These evil imaginations became a reality and God had to visit and intervene in their affairs.  The capacity is within us to think about good things and imagine life from God's perspective.  If we are to cast down evil imaginations why not lift up good ones instead?

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)."

Discoveries in Quantum Physics

    Quantum physics is the study of things so small that we cannot see them, yet everything we observe is made of these subatomic particles.  Recent discoveries in quantum physics are proving what the Bible already states. The area we occupy, or the atmosphere and field we exist in is impacted by our thoughts.  Research has proven emotional states are even transferable.  We exist in this five sense realm, yet fail to see the other dimensions we are part of (unseen world).  Your thoughts can make you well or sick, happy or depressed, and change your mood or attitude.  Your thoughts have the capacity to send out messages and affect the environment in which you live. One person can light up a room with joy or create an atmosphere of doom and gloom.  This can be done without saying anything. Words are energy and energy affects matter.  When you articulate how you feel and what you are thinking, it can be life or death to those around you. Have you ever thought of someone and all of a sudden they called on the phone?  There is an unseen world we need to better understand as there is a definite spiritual connection.

Point to Ponder: Thoughts and beliefs you carry produce energy around you. It affects the people you are around. You can feel love or anger in a person and the atmosphere changes.

    Research has shown how a visible force field of atoms seen by the naked eye can be changed by our thoughts.  When you spin an atom one way it will affect and cause others to spin in that same direction.  Atoms also have strings which are vibrating constantly.  Even a solid rock is vibrating.  If a group of individuals are praising God in one accord in one place, will heaven take notice?  Of course!

    Even the foods we consume have energy fields that are picked up by modern day instrumentation. Vegetables give off life, while other foods have little life in them (fast food burgers for example)! Everything is connected by force fields and we are able to impact them by faith.

Point to Ponder: When you have a purpose in life that is backed by burning desire, it creates a frequency that eliminates obstacles and draws the necessary resources to make it a reality.

    The field of quantum physics has also discovered that sound has weight and force. Jesus said to speak to the mountain and it shall be removed (Mark 11: 21-23). Faith-filled spoken words do have an affect. God spoke the world into existence as it was framed by His Word.  When your thoughts, internal convictions, and belief systems converge into a godly agreement, there is a force released that can bring the kingdom of God to earth.  Everything is connected in the universe, and this awesome God we serve knows when a sparrow falls to the ground, as well as every hair that is on your head.

    So how important is believing and having faith when you pray?  Our thoughts determine the state of our heart and internal convictions.  Jesus could perform few miracles in His home town because of unbelief in the people. We see here how important unbelief and faith is in regards to answered prayer.

"But Jesus said to them, ?A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.?  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief (Mark 6:4-6)."

    Scientific studies are indicating that your thoughts and what you say can cure cancer (epigenetics), as well as other afflictions.  It is also being discovered that various sounds can change the human genome, and impact our attitudes and emotions.  Harp music has been found to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.  Isn't it interesting that David played the harp to calm down King Saul when he faced an "anxiety attack" (1 Samuel 16:23).

    As we take a closer look at Luke 8:49-56, we see an account where a young girl died.  Jesus said to believe and all will be well.  He went to the girl, who was lying on a bed with three of His disciples and her parents. Jesus said she was not dead but sleeping, and the parents ridiculed Him. Then Jesus sent all of them out of the room and put His hand upon her and told her to arise, and she did. The parents were astonished.  Why did Jesus send them out of the room?  Did they lack faith?  Would they be a hindrance to what Christ was about to do?  I have to wonder how the atmosphere is affected by unbelief.  Is this the reason we do not see the manifestation of healing and wonder why?

Point to Ponder: Have you ever attended a game when a team was playing with great tenacity and confidence, where they knew they could not lose and emotions were running high? Their excitement gripped everyone present. What about a group of individuals who believe in God?s Word in a supercharged atmosphere of faith? When we come to this place, the supernatural --with accompanying signs and wonders ? will manifest.

    I hope you are seeing how creation is so interconnected.  Christians are members of one body and we affect each other.  Offenses, divisions, strife, unbelief, and doubt can affect those all around us.

"But now indeed there are many members, yet one body (1 Corinthians 12:20)."

"That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it (1 Corinthians 12:25-26)."

    Your physiological and emotional makeup sends out frequencies (speaking scientifically) that can impact your surrounding.  Fear is just as contagious as some disease causing virus or bacteria. What about unbelief and a lack of faith?  Do you see a correlation here?

    The challenges we face are those inner voices and that internal dialogue from within that oppose what God?s Word says. There must be an internal conviction that God?s Word and promises are true. Mixed messages between your mind (thoughts) and what you believe in your heart produce mixed results. This is called double mindedness in God's Word (James 1:6-8)."

STEP 4 - The Believing Pillar

    Our belief system can be a hindrance or a launching pad into our destiny. This pillar consists of our heart, inner being, motives, intentions, ambitions, and emotions.  It is the file cabinet where we store everything - good or bad.

"Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matthew 15:17-19)."

    After you meditate and think about God's Word, you must have faith and believe in it.  As a son or daughter in Christ, you have inherited precious promises because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross.  All of our thinking must be converted into believing what God's Word declares and then settled in our heart. Believing in what God's Word proclaims will bring transformation and will further build the house of faith (Matthew 21:21-22).


"Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23)."

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:12-14)."

Point to Ponder:  One of the reasons people encounter difficulty in believing prayer can move a mountain in our life is that it sometimes takes a long time for things to manifest.  If you plant a seed in a garden do you dig it up each day to see if it has grown?

    What are the life passions that drive you?  What are your desires?  What is it you want and don't have?  Your passions and desires can be flesh or spirit! Identify them and you will begin to discover what foundation your belief system is built on.  Desire is what connects you to what God wants you to do. If sin can be conceived through desire (James 1:12-16), why not God's plans then?

Desire:  Emotion or excitement of the mind directed at the attainment or possession of an object from which sensual, intellectual, or spiritual gratification or pleasure is expected. It is a passion excited by the love of an object.

"My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue (Psalm 39:3)."

"And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God. 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 said shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he said. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:22-24)."

Point to ponder: The eye and ear gates to our heart must be guarded. Thinking can be shifted in small subtle, increments and you can come under the influence of another belief system or ideology that opposes the nature and character of God.

    In Luke 8:40-48, we see a woman who was healed of a blood disorder and Jesus commented it was her faith that made her whole. She came to Christ and touched His garment and knew that He had healing power. She totally believed and had no doubt. What about the Roman Centurion who believed in the authority that Christ had for his servant to be healed (Matthew 8:5-13)?  Jesus saw his great faith.  We must be convinced that what we are doing is walking by faith.  Allow the Word of God define who we are.  Do you walk by faith or by sight?  Let's continue on to build the House of Faith.

STEP 5 - The Confessing Pillar

    There is life and death in the power of your tongue (Proverbs18:21).  The words that you speak can bring health, encouragement, joy, and life to a person.  Studies have shown that any negative word spoken needs two to five positive words to negate the effects upon a person.  What you speak and declare, coupled with faith, can also determine the success of your walk with the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the effectiveness of your ministry for God.  It involves much more than quoting a Bible verse!


    There has to be an agreement with God?s Word and His truth that is in your heart. Your inner voices can speak at the same time and contradict the Bible promise given to you. Many of us have an ongoing war with strongholds of unbelief.  You may pray for someone to be healed, but voices inside are saying, "God doesn't heal," or "It must not be God's will for this person," or God wouldn't use me."

Point to Ponder: Principles of faith and confession that Jesus taught may seem to be nonsense to some. This worldly point of view does not operate in the laws of the kingdom of God. We are not of this world (John 17:16).

    We must instead speak are faith filled words that are in agreement with God's Word, where there is no doubt and unbelief.  Those inner voices must be quenched so the force of favor is released in you. As you speak, see things as they ought to be and not how they appear to be!  These internal voices, or scripting, come from the old unregenerate man and past personal history.  It is what we can refer to as the "old you," as opposed to the new creation you are called to be in Christ.   These voices have authority they break an agreement with God's Word.  They come against the very desires and hopes in your prayers.  These internal voices are beliefs and thoughts lodged in your heart as strongholds. They cause a double mindedness, where we receive nothing from God.

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8)."

    Can you remain optimistic through conflict and be content in all challenges that test your faith?  Out of the abundance of your heart you will speak life or death.  Can those internal voices be stilled?  You can have expectations or desires for the future, but if those internalized voices or intentions are not speaking the same, they will be an anchor and keep you from going anywhere.

Point to Ponder:  Your external and internal confession exposes whether you have faith or doubt!

    Confession is both inward and outward!  That constant inner dialogue that takes place in your mind must be reigned in.  This dialogue that comes out of our heart must not oppose what we should be doing.  What you say externally or internally can be either a hindrance to a higher calling you have, or an encouragement to seek new heights.  The lies must be dismantled, past personal history crucified on the cross, and the strongman bound in Jesus' name (Mathew 13:28-29).  The cleansing stream of God's grace and Word can make new any past challenge, difficulty, or struggle.

Point to Ponder: Studies done at a University in Minnesota have shown we think at a pace of 1500 words per minute of internal dialogue. Eighty percent is unconscionable. We do not realize or aware what we are speaking in our thoughts. Whatever dominates your mind?s focus will dominate you. So what you say to yourself is very powerful. Check on how you are feeling, or your present state of emotion. Jesus said when things are bad, look to Him. We have the capacity to change our thinking and internal confession patterns!

"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:37)."

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23)."

    God spoke the world into existence.  So again, begin to speak and see things as they will be and do not dwell on what is not.  Try to see the seed of vision that God has planted in you coming alive and bearing fruit. What farmer plants a field with seed and doesn?t have the expectancy of a great harvest!

    This is not a magical New Age formula but principles and rules of the Spirit that the church needs to grasp.  The pillars of the house are going up.  It all began with the foundation and the cornerstone. The thinking, believing, and confessing pillars were erected.  The last pillar is the acting pillar. Then the roof can be put on, which is your shield of faith.

STEP 6 - The Acting Pillar

    As God opens doors, you must go through them with His direction and guidance. It is most certainly a journey where challenges will abound.  As God speaks to you, you must listen and act on the directives He gives you.  We are running a race, walking by faith, and must be doers of the Word. In order for the water to part, or obtain answers to prayer, steps are taken in faith.  The key to this process is being certain that you truly heard from God.  This is where intimacy and a relationship with God come in. After you make the decision to act be sure all alternatives and other options are cut off.


    Many times people will act on self- originated plans that are not God?s wishes at all.  Ask the Lord for a confirmation and be patient.  Good works must follow our faith and this faith works by love (Galatians 5:6).

"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ?Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,? but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:14-18)."

    Faith always requires corresponding action.  Many times it can mean moving towards the unknown.  Will you step into the water before it parts?  Will you go into a land that is filled with enemies and take it for the purposes of God's kingdom?  Do you believe that God will go before you and act on your behalf?  Will you act in such a way that you know God has answered your prayers? Your inner desires will result in action if there is a passionate desperation.  It begins with the thoughts in your mind, beliefs in your heart, and what you speak with your mouth.  This congruency will manifest in answers to prayer and fulfilled destiny.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (James 1:22-25)."

    As you move forward in God's purposes, He will protect you and put a roof (shield) on your House of Faith, in which you will be able to stand against the fiery darts of the enemy. If God is for you, who can be against you?

STEP 7 - The Roof and Shield of Faith

    Every house needs a roof! A roof provides protection from all the outside elements if properly constructed. It makes you feel secure when a storm approaches. The roof on our "house of faith" is what we call the shield of faith.


    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 (Ephesians 6:13-16)."

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; (Psalm 28:7)."

    All the names of God and the inheritance we have in the cross because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ make up the roof in our "house of faith."  God is our peace, shepherd, provider, righteousness, healer, banner, and the One who is always there for us.  You are saved by faith, so bury this in your hearts.

THE NAMES OF GOD AND YOUR INHERITANCE IS YOUR COVERING

Point to Ponder:  "What greater rebellion, impiety, or insult to God can there be, than not to believe his promises." - Martin Luther

    You are an adopted child of God who has been given an inheritance!  These are the precious promises of God and what is represented in the name of Jesus.  When you pray and believe in His name these promises are yours!

Yahweh - The I AM, or the Self-existent One (Exodus 3:14, 15:2; Psalm 46:1, 68:4; Malachi 3:6).

Elohim - The all-powerful One (Genesis 1:1-3; Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 68; Mark 13:19).

Immanuel - God with us (Isaiah 7:14, 8:8-10; Matthew 1:23).

Jehovah-Rapha - The Lord who heals (Exodus 15:25-27; Psalm 103:3,147:3; 1 Peter 2:24).

Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord is my banner (Exodus 17:15-16; Isaiah 11:10-12; Ephesians 6:10-18).

Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord is my provider (Genesis 22:13-14; Psalm 23; Mark 10:45).

Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord is my peace (Numbers 6:22-27; Judge 6:22-24; Hebrews 13:20).

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-3; Isaiah 53:6; John 10:14-18).

Jehovah-Shammah - The Lord is there (Ezekiel 48:35; Psalm 46; Matthew 28:20).

Jehovah-Tsidkenu - The Lord our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5-6, 33:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jehovah-Mekkaddishkem - The Lord who sanctifies (Exodus 31:12-13; Hebrews 13:12).

Jehovah-Saboath - Lord of hosts and armies (1 Samuel 3:17, 45; Psalm 46:7; Romans 9:29).

Scripture Study Reference #5

"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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2: 8-10)."

Key Application Point: We are saved by faith!

    We must have faith in the One who came, died, and rose again to take away the sins of the world (I Corinthians 15: 1-4).  There is no other name given to mankind (Acts 4:12) whereby one can be saved ? His name is Jesus Christ.  The son of God, Jesus, said that He was the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way unto the Father in heaven except through Him (John 14:6).  It will take a confession of your mouth, and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and this faith will save you (Romans10:9-10).

    Again, God has put within people a measure of faith and we must utilize it to our advantage to bring people into the kingdom.  Seeds can be planted and not come to fruition until many years later.  Picture yourself with seeds and water spewing out of your mouth, and finding good ground to land on. That measure of faith can be activated by any seeking heart because of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Point to Ponder:  Many individuals believe that if they do enough good things it will negate the bad things they have done.  It is only by faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross and not by any good works you have done.

Other Reference Scriptures: Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 11:22-24; Acts 3:16; Romans 1:17, Romans 3:28 -31; 1 Corinthians 13:2; Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:22-26; James 1:6, James 2:14-18.