Posted by Gary on April 7, 2006

As I used to think about faith I would look at Hebrews 11:1, now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen, and think, ok, faith is substance, faith is evidence, but what is it? What does it look like?

Then I read Mark 11:24, Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

As I was considering this whole concept it hit me. Faith is. Both, FAITH is, and faith IS. When you are standing in faith for something and someone says “I thought you were believing for healing, why are you still sick?” you can say “my faith is the evidence.”

I know it’s a hard concept and one you have to get personal revelation on. I have been thinking about this for years. Maybe I’m just thick headed.

Here is another way it works:
You can put money in the offering or you can sow a seed.
You can say something nice to someone or you can speak life into their soul.
You can speak words into the air or you can pray the prayer of faith.

The difference is when we add our Faith.

Darlene Zschech once said “the faith journey is not cross your fingers and hope for the best. It is real, the fullness of Christ locked into us that we can use.” You see faith is not the shallow “hope” something good will happen. Faith is being fully convinced and persuaded of a thing. No doubt.

James 1:6-7
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;

You must settle in your heart that the very DNA of God is generosity and faithfulness and that he wants you to have good things. Romans 8:32

Mark 11:23
I assure you that you can say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart.

In my mind it all comes back to two things. II Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:2 I’ll let you look those up and think about those two things for awhile.

Thank you again for your consideration. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Posted by Gary on March 15, 2006

I know I promised something else but we were talking about this today and I thought it would be good to post it:

Jesus talked about 2 ages: this present evil age (Gal 1:4) which is the kingdom of satan and the age to come (Mt 12:32, Mk 10:30), Paul talked about “the powers of the age to come (Heb 6:5) which is the kingdom of God. Theologians call it the now and the not yet. The two ages are separated by “the day of the Lord” (Joel 2:1-2, Acts 2:20) when Jesus returns.

Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is here (Mt 3:2) talking about himself. Every time someone is healed or raised from the dead or any miracle it is a piece of eternity where there will be no sickness or tears. We are living in the now, Mt 3:2, and the not yet Mt 12:32).

All I was saying is if you think about it eternity is not that far away. It is one second from right now. So when we pray by faith we are bringing eternity into the now (Mt 6:10).

It is a matter of the prayer of faith. Faith sees, faith speaks, faith acts, faith stands, faith gives praise, and faith rests. We have to settle things in our hearts. We can’t be tossed by every wind and wave (James 1:6-7) we have to come boldly by faith to the thrown of grace (Heb 4:16). Having a picture of eternity and what it means to live in the now and the not yet helps faith to see; which is the beginning of the whole process.

I would love to hear your thoughts.
Gary

Posted by Gary on December 28, 2004

Living in the “Promised Land” is about possessing.

“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from
now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the
LORD your God is giving you for your own.'” Joshua 1:11

Now if you know this story you know that they didn’t just stroll in and set up tents and start receiving the harvest and the fruit. They had to conquer, press in, trust God, and live like possessors not guests.

When we made our move to Colorado Springs we had to conquer, press in, trust God, and live like possessors not guests. We will continue to live like this.

We know that we are exactly where we should be right now. God is so good and his provision has been, is, and will continue to be amazing! We are confident that seeing our dreams come true is through serving the local church and that is what we have been doing and will continue to do as long as we have breath. We know that this is always God’s will.

Stay planted in your church. That is how you will find the perfect will of God for your life.