THE ULTIMATE TEST OF FAITH

Faith expresses itself in several ways. In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and that not of yourselves, it is the Gift of God.” Thus SAVING FAITH is when you hear the Gospel and act in faith by confessing your sins and accepting the Gift of Salvation - JESUS - and enjoying a special relationship with your Heavenly Father. So FAITH is the basis for your salvation (1 Peter 1:23). In Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, “your faith has saved you.” To continue in FAITH you need to start reading the Word of God, and meditate on it day and night, for FAITH cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The spirit of man is the perfect environment for you to sow the Word of God into your life. This will indeed produce FAITH to move mountains. Beloved, God knows the giant issues that you are facing right now and Satan’s fiery arrows, but Paul advises you in Ephesians 6:16, “Above all take the shield of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” The fearful disturbing thoughts that you will hear is, “Where is God now, when you need Him the most?” and “Where will you be tomorrow?” “Just give up, for your prayers aren’t getting through.” The other day while I was praying, the thought came to me, “Stop praying.” For a moment I thought, “Yes, perhaps I should.” Then suddenly I realized that the Holy Spirit would not say something like that to me, and I realized it was demon forces trying to prohibit me from continuing to pray. The battle you are going through now is taking place in the supernatural. Psalms 11:2 - “Behold, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.” At one time I was going through a situation which seemed impossible to be delivered from. However, I would say to my wife, “We are on the brink of a breakthrough.” Then things would get worse, but I would continue to confess, “We are on the brink of a breakthrough.” And the breakthrough did come and I give God all the glory! Read 2 Samuel 5:17-25 and see how David defeated the Philis-tines. Verse 20: “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me,” like a breakthrough of water! Are you needing a breakthrough in your life at this moment? Remember, FAITH does not have to see before it believes. The Bible’s definition of FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus spoke by FAITH, with assurance, in Matthew 12:40: “So the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” And the same Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you (Romans 8:11). And He is able to raise you up from any situation you may find yourself. The ultimate test of faith is to have absolute confidence and convic-tion in God. Mark 11:22 - “‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered.” Jesus has not changed. He is the same today, yesterday and forevermore, for God is FAITH-FUL, and God is looking for FAITHFUL people. So speak to the mountains in your life! God is bigger than all your problems or your enemies, and no matter what situation you are in, God is able to do the impossible and bring you out of all your afflictions. In 1 Peter 1:3-9 we read that our afflictions are only for a short season. What a wonderful promise! The ultimate test of faith is to keep on believing that God has never failed to keep the promises we find in His Word. So turn to God’s Word, and live by His promises, all the while believing that He will give you a breakthrough! 2 Corinthians 1:20 - “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him the ‘Amen’ is spoken.” GLORY TO GOD! While I was praying on 30 May 2009, the Holy Spirit gave me Word: “If God be for you, who can be against you?” Today the Lord is saying to you: “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous hand.”