How God Builds Your Faith
How Does God Build My Faith?
"Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "Let it happen, then, just as you believe!" Matthew 9:29 (TEV) "When things don't happen on our timetable, we tend to run ahead of God and create detours to make it happen. You may end up making the wrong decision." God takes our belief and he blesses us through it, and that makes life a great adventure. It is critical that we cooperate with God as he builds faith within us. Because of its importance, I want to review the six phases of faith we've studied over the past week. This will also let you see them all in one place.
Mark 9:23 (GN) “Everything is possible for the person who has faith.”
PHASE 1: DREAM
Do I have a dream planted in me by God? If you don't have a dream, start praying, "God give me your dream." If you can't write down the dream God has given you, you need to be praying. If you don't have a dream, you're not living, you're just existing. God placed you on this earth for a purpose.
• Dream should need God. Need faith. Not of faith is sin.
• God's will would not contradict with God's words.
“...God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” Eph. 3:20 (LB)
PHASE 2: DECISION
Do I need to make a faith-decision that will help that dream become a reality? Some of you have a dream from God, but you haven't made a decision to follow it. You're still on the fence. God's word for you is "Go for it!"
Some of you may need to make the decision to give your life to Christ.
Some of you may need to make the decision to join a church.
Some of you may need to make the decision to get involved in ministry.
Wake up and put into action
“You must believe and not doubt...a double-minded man is unstable in all he does.” James 1:6+8 (GN)
• To invest: time, money, reputation and energy.
• Let go security. Walk on water, should get out the boat.
PHASE 3: DELAY
(God says) “But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.” Hab 2:3a (LB)
What has caused my dream to be delayed? If your prayer hasn't been answered, that's okay. It just means you're in God's waiting room. Now is not the time to detour. When things don't happen on our timetable, we tend to run ahead of God and create detours to make it happen. You may end up making the wrong decision. Wait, wait, and wait for God to work his hand.
Delay is not the denial. Delay never destroys God's purpose in your life. God's waiting room is our training room.
You been hurry, but God's is not. God want to work on you.
• Noah waits 120 years for the rain.
• Abraham waits so long for a son.
• Joseph spends years in prison.
• Jesus waits 30 years to start on the ministry.
PHASE 4: DIFFICULTY
What difficulties have I faced waiting for the dream to be fulfilled? You are being tested, but it's not going to be the last time. You'll go through many, many tests in life. God says, "I know exactly what you're going through. I see it. I'm watching. Don't think I've forgotten you—I haven't." Noah has difficulty in building floating zoo.
“At the present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident - it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold.”
I Peter 1:6-7 (Ph)
PHASE 5: DEAD END
“At that time we were completely overwhelmed, the burden was more than we could bear, in fact we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet we now believe that we had this sense of impending disaster so that we might learn to trust, not in ourselves, but in God who can raise the dead!” II Cor. 1:8-9 (Ph)
Have I come to a dead end yet? Some of you are there ready to give up.
But the truth is—you're right where God wants you. You're getting prepared for deliverance. God's word for you is "Hang on! Keep on believing! Don't give up!" Learn to trust God in this stage. Abraham learns to trust God in old age as to have a son.
Do not give up in this stage, God will deliver.
PHASE 6: DELIVERANCE
“He has delivered ... and he will deliver us again!” 2 Cor. 1:10
“I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see his goodness to me...” Ps 27:13 (GN)
Do I expect and trust God to deliver me? "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29 NIV) God is faithful. What he tells us to do, he will do. But it doesn't happen overnight.
You go through the faith-phases of Dream, Decision, Delay, Difficulty, and Dead End . . . and then comes Deliverance.
Examples:
Noah (Gen 6-9); Joseph (Gen. 37-45); Abraham (Gen. 12-22); Moses (Ex. 2-15); Jesus (John 14-20); David (1 Sam. 16-32)
God’s Dream For Your Life
Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not hard you, plans to give you a hope and a future!”
How to Discover God’s Dream For You
1. Dedicate all my live to God
“...Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service ... Do not conform to the standards of this world, but let God transform you ... Then you will be able to know the will of God -- what is good ... pleasing ... and perfect.” Rom. 12:1-2 (GN)
“Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back ... and run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.”
Heb. 12:1 (LB)
Don't try to imitate the others.
2. Reserve time alone with God
(To Job) “Pause a moment and listen! Consider the wonderful things God does.”
Job 37:14 (GN)
Examples
- Abraham - Gen. 15:5
- Elijah - I Kings 19:11-12
- Jacob - Gen 32:24-29
- Nehemiah - Neh. 1:4
- Moses - Ex. 3:1-10
- Habakkuk - Hab 2:1-2
- Gideon - Judges 6:11-14
- Paul - Gal 1:17-18
- David - Ps. 5:3
- Jesus - Luke 5:16
Spend time alone just praying and reading the word of God.
3. Evaluate my ability
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us.” Eph. 2:10
“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other...” I Pet. 4:10 (LB)
“We are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us.” Rom 12:6 (GN)
We are unique and original. God also want us to be effective.
4. Associate with godly dreamer
“As iron sharpens iron, friend sharpens friend.” Prov. 27:17 (Knox)
“Bad friends ruin the noblest people.” I Cor. 15:33 (JB)
Spiritually is contagious. Choose friend with godly dreamer. Friend sharpened friend.
5. Make your dream public.
“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Heb. 11:1 (LB)
“David served God’s purpose in his generation, and then he died.” Acts. 13:36 (GN)
“I reckon on my own life worth nothing to me, in order that I may complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do...” Acts 20:24 (GN
Demonstrate faith -others will help you. -See it,stand it and stay it
3 Facts publicly speak on your dream
1) Get you started -Accountable to try
2) Attract people's support
3) Released God's power First phase of dream -faith
How To Make Wise Decision
God’s Dream for Your Life - Part 3
James 1:7-8 (GN) “A person... unable to make up his mind and undecided in all he does, must not think he will receive anything from the Lord.”
SIX STEPS
I. STEP ONE: PRAY FOR GUIDANCE
“A man is foolish to trust himself. But those who use God’s wisdom are safe.”
Pr. 28:26 (LB)
“The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make.”
Col 3:15 (GN)
Ask: What's does God's want?
II. STEP TWO: GET THE FACTS
“Every prudent man acts out of knowledge.”
Pr. 13:16
“It’s stupid to decide before knowing the facts!”
Pr. 18:13 (LB)
Ask: What do I need to know?
III. STEP THREE: ASK FOR ADVICE
“The more advice you get, the more likely you are to win.”
Pr. 24:6 (GN)
“Get good advice and you will succeed.”
Pr. 20:28 (GN)
Ask:
IV. STEP FOUR: CALCULATE THE COST
“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.”
Pr. 20:25
Luke 14:28-29
Ask: Is it worth it?
V. STEP FIVE: PREPARE FOR PROBLEM
Expect the best but prepare the problem
“A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them... The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences.”
Pr. 22:3 (LB)
Ask: What could go wrong? What will happen if it does?
VI. STEP SIX: FACE THE FEAR
God has always use imperfect people in imperfect situation to get his will done.
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done.”
Eccl. 11:4 (LB)
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Rom. 8:31
FOUR BASIC LIFE DECISIONS
That I commit myself...
- to Christ and a church family
- to the habits necessary for spiritual growth
- to using my God-given gifts and abilities in serving God and others
- to sharing Christ with others
(Eph. 2:19; Rom. 12:4-5; 2 Peter. 3:18; 1 Tim. 4:7; 1 Pet. 4:10;
1 Cor. 12:4-27; Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8)
Delayed By Design
God’s Dream for Your Life - Part 4
Exodus 13:17 “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them (directly) though that way was shorter. For God said, `If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt’.”“...God led you through the wilderness for forty years...testing you to find out how you would respond and if you would obey Him.” Deut. 8:2 (LB)
1) God use delay to prepare us
2) God use delay to test us
What To Do While Waiting?
1. DON’T BE AFRAID
Fears will prolong the delay. Keep you from moving Step out in faith.
“...They would not enter the land. They said... `We are afraid ... The people there are stronger and taller than we are...” Deut 1:26 + 28 (GN)
Instead: Focus on God's presence.
“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God, I will strengthen you and I will help you... and uphold you...” Isa 41:10 (LB)
2. DON’T FRET
“...On the way the people lost their patience and spoke against God and Moses. They complained...” Num 21:4-5 (GN)
“Impatience will get you into trouble.” Pr. 19:2 (GN)
You try to work it out yourself if you impatient.
Instead: Trust God’s timing.
“Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him to act ... Don’t fret and worry -- it only leads to harm.” Ps. 37:7-8 (LB)
Resting can active faith
“God has set the right time for everything.” Eccl. 3:11 (GN)
3. DON’T FAINT (Losing heart)
“All the Israelites grumbled against Moses... `If only we had died in Egypt! ... We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.’” Num. 14:2-4
We tense to idealize the past.
Instead: Be persistent and pray.
“Let us never grow tired of doing what’s right, for if we do not faint, we’ll reap a harvest at the right time.” Gal. 6-9 (Mof )
“You need to pray continually and not lose heart.” Lk. 18:1 (JB)
You will reap what you sow
4. DON’T FORGET
Tense to forget the dream, God's presence...
“They forgot the many times God showed them his love, and they rebelled ... at the Red Sea. But He saved them as He promised... But they quickly forgot again! They wouldn’t wait for God to act...” Ps. 106:7-8 (GN), 13 (LB)
Instead: Remember God's promises.
Whenever I face problem, I find the promises.
“I will bless the Lord and not forget the great things He does for me.”
Ps. 103:2 (LB)
“The Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises ...but He is being patient with you...”
2 Pet. 3:3-8 (JB)
“These things won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be full-filled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” Hab 2:3 (LB)
How To Deal With Difficulty
God’s Dream for Your Life - Part 5
John 16:33 (Jesus) “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(Paul) “In everything we do we show that we are God’s servants, by enduring troubles, hardships and difficulties with great patience.”
2 Cor 6:4 (GN)
How To Deal With Difficulty?
Acts 27
I. DETERMINE THE REASON
Ask: what's cause?
- yourself, other people, Devil , God.
“I tried to think this problem through but it was too difficult for me until I went into your Temple.”
Ps. 73:16-17 (GN)
We got to pray about to know what's causes.
Common Mistakes
We listen to bad advice
“... they followed the advice of the pilot...”
(vs. 11)
We follow the crowd
“the majority decided that we should sail...”
(vs. 12)
Everybody can be wrong
We rely on circumstances
“When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted...”
(vs. 13)
We should not go through every open door you see.
II. DETERMINE THE RESULT
Ask: what God want me to learn?
“These little troubles, which are temporary, are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward all out of proportion to our pain.” 2 Cor. 4:17 (Ph)
“We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials for we know ... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time...” Rom. 5:3-4 (LB)
III. DETERMINE THE RESPONSE
Ask: What God want me to react?
THE WRONG RESPONSE
“To Drift”
“... so we gave way to it and were driven along”
(vs 15)
“To Discard:
“... they began to throw the cargo overboard...”
(vs 18)
“To Despair”
“... we finally gave up all hope of being saved.”
(vs 20)
It is Never God's will to run from difficult situation
THE RIGHT RESPONSE
- Confess my part
Admit the problem
“A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” Pr. 28:13 (LB)
- Confront the problem
God want to bring us through the storm. Face it!!!
(vs. 34-40)
- Claim the promises
(vs. 22-25)
From Deadend to Deliverance
God’s Dream for Your Life - Part 6
Abraham’s Example of Faith
Phase 1: A DREAM (Age 75) Gen. 12:1-3
(God) “I will make you into a great nation...”
Phase 2: A DECISION Gen. 12:4
“So Abraham left as the Lord had told him to...”
Phase 3: DELAY (Age 86) Gen. 16:1
“But Sarah still had not borne any children...”
Phase 4: DIFFICULTY (Age 99) Gen. 17:18
“How can a son be born to a man my age?”
Phase 5: DEADEND Gen. 21:1-6, 22:1-12
“Take your only son, whom you love, and sacrifice him...”
Phase 6: DELIVERANCE! Gen. 22:12-14
(God) “Don’t hurt the boy...I’ve provided a lamb...”
What To Do When You Reach “Deadend”?
Romans 4:17-20
I. REMEMBER OF WHAT GOD CAN DO
“Abraham believed in God who gives life to the dead and who creates something out of nothing.”
(vs. 17 LB)
-Give life to a dead, marriage and even a dream
-Can create something out of nothing
Positive thinking is not faith.
Faith is put in God!
Thing out of control, we need faith.
“What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27
II. RELY ON WHAT GOD HAS SAID
“When hope was dead within him, Abraham went on hoping in faith... He relied on the word of God...”
vs. 18 (Ph)
Need bible, that's full of God's promises
“While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, so he offered his son Isaac...”
Heb. 11:17 (LB)
“Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled... he did become the father of many nations, exactly as
God had promised.”
vs. 18 (JB)
III. FACE THE FACTS WITH FAITH
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead... and Sarah’s womb was also
dead. Yet he didn’t waver with unbelief...”
vs. 19-20a
“We fix our eyes ... on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Cor. 4:8
Faith is facing the problem without discouragement.
IV. EXPECT GOD TO DELIVER ME
“But Abraham never doubted... he praised God for this blessing even before it happened. He was completely sure
that God was able to do anything He promised.”
vs. 20-21 (LB)
(Paul) “But this happened so we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead! He has delivered us
... He will deliver us ... (and) we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us ...”
2 Cor 1:9-10
3 Kinds of Deliverance
(1) Circumstantial
Changing circumstance
(2) Personal
Changing you, change your dream...
(3) Ultimate (Heaven)
No sorrow no pain in heaven!
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