“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. [2] This is what the ancients were commended for. [3] By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV84
WOMEN’S DAY IS ON MAY 6, 2022!
Following Jesus means living the life of Jesus (Mark 1:14-16) and doing even “greater things” (John 14:12-14) – which is utterly impossible, except through the Power of the Holy Spirit, where God makes “all things possible” (Matthew 19:26) Any hope of victory requires Jesus-level faith! What are you expecting from God that you have never seen before? What have you been afraid to ask for every day in Faith? How certain are you that it will happen? The ability of your life to move the heart of God with your faith is directly proportional to how much God will do in your life. How much of this world you are able to “win for Jesus” will depend on the answer to these questions! Three dynamics that are vital to change are
1.) A Decision to Immediately Repent of Unbelief: I believe we have underestimated the biggest thing Satan has stolen from us, through isolating all of us for two years of Pandemic – our saving faith. In James 2:14, the brother of Jesus describes a faith that both saves us and keeps us saved saying, “What good is it, my brothers if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” James goes further in verses 17, 20-24, and 26 to say, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead….do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his FAITH WAS MADE COMPLETE by what he DID. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone…As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” When he says that Abraham’s faith was “made complete,” the Greek word for Complete means “perfect.” This means that while our life is not perfect, our faith must be complete and coincide with appropriate actions for the faith we profess. That is the only faith that can save us and keep us saved! We know James also says, in chapter 4, verse 17, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” Wow, if our professed faith does not result in us doing that “good we know we ought to do,” we must go beyond the need to grow and confess our need to repent of our lack of “saving faith!” Revelation 21:8 lists unbelief as a sin that will condemn us in the second death! Let’s radically repent of faithlessness blaze a trail to victory!
2.) Dramatic Action (Walking By Faith) Demonstrating a New Conviction (A conviction is a belief in an idea or concept that conquers ALL other ideas – which mean nothing makes us go back on that belief) Many have asked why I keep preaching on being fruitful. Among many other scriptures, John 15-8 and 16 teaches us that we are actually chosen to multiply ourselves by bearing fruit that lasts. It’s time for you to DO something RADICAL to “make your faith complete.” Invite more people than you’ve ever invited, find someone of a different race and culture and make that person into a disciple of Jesus, fast in a way you’ve never fasted, take pressure on the leaders of larger Bible Talks and learn to lead a Bible Talk, duplicate yourself and talent into others who will share the load of the ways you serve. There is nothing that can stop the Spirit of our God so, “..stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV84
AFTER YEARS OF FAITH, PRAYER, AND WORK, DARA TEAMER BAPTIZED HER MOTHER AFTER THE CHICAGO MIDWEEK SERVICE!!
3.) A Determination to Live By Faith on a Daily Basis as Never Before: Jesus says “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples…You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” What blows my mind is that he is not telling us to try or suggesting we bear fruit. He is saying, if you are truly walking with me in a way that is obedient to my teachings, you are going to bear fruit. If you are not bearing fruits, you are not following me the way I calling you to live. You are displaying faith, but it’s “dead faith.” If it has been months or a year or more since you have been fruitful. I call upon you to repent and take the “dramatic action to have the best “Power Times” with the Lord and make it your first Priority to “Seek First His Kingdom and Righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) by having a “New Conviction” to live an evangelistic lifestyle that effectively bears fruit that lasts! If you decide to have the faith to have this conviction, we will all “prove ourselves to be His Disciples,” by ALL bearing Fruit that lasts!”
In Romans 4:16, Abraham is used to illustrate that faith is more important than facts. By faith, God will do amazing things in spite of the facts. The “cutting edge” of Discipleship is not a place, but a mindset, a heart of faith! Do not feel bad, a lack of faith is everybody’s struggle. We must become convicted that it is sin, then get a conviction that causes us to repent, and walk-in faith in a Radical way. Faith through obedience to His commands was Jesus’ primary focus in Discipling. It MUST be the same with us. I am convinced unbelief is Satan’s primary tool for spiritual destruction.
The righteous will live by faith. That means daily challenges must be met with Victorious Faith History bears a legend from the days of Alexander the Great. When Alexander’s army landed their ships on an enemy shore, the first command to come from the general’s mouth shocked the troops. “Burn our ships!”
Imagine yourself in hostile territory, destroying your only means of escape. But the future emperor had an explanation for his command: “When we have won we will depart in the vessels of our enemy.” And they did. Their leader’s faith in victory insured against defeat and removed the temptation of having an easy way out. There could be no retreat. There could be no failure. Their very lives depended on victory.
In the midst of this world’s trouble, Jesus promises us victory. Our leader cries in confidence, for He “overcame the world. But, then He commands us in John 14:12 to, “Do what I have been doing.”. But to follow Him into eternity, we must burn our ships of comfort. Revelation 3:17 warns Christians of the danger of railing back into the luxury of indifference. Victory rests not in the hands of the mediocre – who seeks comfortability – but to the willing Disciple who puts goes “knee-deep” in the trenches of evangelism, prayer and sacrifice – burning our ships of fatigue. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul compares our lives in Christ with Athletes striving to win the Spiritual Super Bowl – the Olympic Gold medal – making it to Heaven. Athletes walk to the victor’s stand in weary strides, wearing exhausted smiles that give them the strength to stand proud for their teams or Countries. So, will the saints enter eternal life–Ieaving a tiring battle to inherit life everlasting with the Father. That’s why heaven is called the Land of Rest. Jesus’ word cry out to you and I today, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Our victory is promised, but to achieve it we must believe enough to reject any temptation which pulls us back to the failure of retreat. Let’s Claim and Declare Victory in Jesus!
Ron Harding, Lead Evangelist
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