ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I have a huge rubber band, and we discuss the flexibility and stretch that the rubber band has.
1. The rubber band has a potential to stretch beyond where it is.
2. At some point the stretch has limitations. The rubber will not stretch any more, it will break.
3. If the rubber band had feelings ---? What might it say as it is stretched?
4. The rubber band has a comfort zone?
5. If the rubber band is not used and stretched from time to time it will dry rot and loose it’s elasticity.
I. AT BEST LIFE IS A TESTING ZONE. YOU SAY YOU HAVE FAITH? THERE WILL BE A TESTING PROCESS THAT WILL REVEAL IF YOU HAVE FAITH OR IF YOU ARE PRESUMPTIOUS OR A DOUBTER? AT TIMES IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEPERATE FEELINGS AND FAITH.
Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
A. Your emotions can play serious games with your head and your faith?
B. Emotions can distort facts and cause fear to run away wildly.
Life is more than just facts! Life is how we handle the facts that run through our minds.
C. One day David was so touched by God that David said:
GOD IS EVERYWHERE! I have been in the lowest cave and God was there.
I have known the high mountain and God was there.
Within a few days DAVID’S EMOTIONS WERE PLAYING WITH HIS MIND AND SPIRIT! David said: WHERE ARE YOU GOD? God did you leave me? God are you hiding from me?
WHAT CHANGED? DID GOD CHANGE? Never!
DAVID’S EMOTIONS WERE PLAYING GAMES WITH HIS HEART!
God was still there, just David’s battles became hot and heavy.
D. While teaching school I would have a few students that would learn, then their ATTIUDE OF SO WHAT would limit what they could do with the power of the information they just learned.
II. ALWAYS REMEMBER FAITH HONORS GOD AND HIS WORD.
BY THE SAME TOKEN GOD HONORS ALL FAITH.
A. THERE SEEMS TO GROW A NEGATIVE CROWD THAT SPIES OUT THE LAND AND SAYS WE CAN’T DO IT!!!
Numbers 13:31 But the men that went up with him said,
We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
B. Years ago I was facing major throat surgery. I had prayed for healing and healing never came. Our family doctor told me surgery was the only option.
I prayed and went to the surgeon and he ordered the surgery immediately. The church gathered around me and prayed and we set the date.
C. I was OK with the surgery and had little fear until one of the men at church knocked on my door late the night before the surgery. The man was nervous and talked for a while, then he said: LET ME GET TO THE POINT WHY I AM HERE, I HAVE TALKED TO MY INSURANCE MAN AND HE CAN WRITE A POLICY TONIGHT THAT WILL BE IN EFFECT BEFORE THE SURGERY TOMORROW?
I thanked my brother. I informed him I had life insurance in tack.
With tears in his eyes, he hugged me and left.
D. AFTER HE LEFT I GOT TO THINKING ABOUT INSURANCE, MY LITTLE FAMILY, AND DEATH. WOW, I GOT SO HEAVY I COULDN’T GO TO SLEEP.
What if I die? What about my wife and kids? Who will pay the bills? Where will my wife move? Who will she re-marry? Who will my kids’ step-dad be? Will he take care of my sons? Will my sons remember me?
Should I call my Mom and Dad? I don’t have a will written? Should I get up and write the will? Will the will be legal? Do I have enough insurance?
Should I call my friend in the Lord and have him write me another policy?
Who will be elected the next pastor of the church? Will they be a good pastor?
Will they be a hireling? Maybe I shouldn’t have this surgery? I the doctor a quack? What if there is infection in the operating room? What if I get
infection and it is one of those that will not respond to antibodies? What if the anesthetist was not licensed? What if he does not get me to sleep all the way?
What if they leave a sponge inside me? What if I stop breathing and they put me on a respirator? What if I am brain dead? I don’t have a living will?
What if they realize I am an organ donor and because I am brain dead the doctor reaps my organs too soon?
The WHAT IF’S WERE DROWNING ME...
E. Now, that was 25 years ago... I made it. I raised my sons. I have played music with my grandsons.
F. ALL THE DOUBT AND FEAR CAME BY ASKING ME DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
IF NOT, WE WILL GET YOU SOME TONIGHT.
My friend did not mean to LAUNCH ME IN FEAR AND DOUBT?
He did not launch me --- I LAUNCHED MY SELF? FEAR GRABBED MY HEART!
III. THERE ARE TWO REPORTS! BOTH REPORTS ARE PROPHETIC AND TRUE! WHAT DO WE DO WHEN DOUBT REIGNS?
NEGATIVE REPORTS CAN INFLUENCE OTHERS AND LIMIT WHAT GOD CAN DO!
A. WE HAVE COME TO THIS POINT WITH A PROMISE FROM A LIMITLESS GOD...
Will we FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM?
Will we STAND FIRM ON THE PROMISE?
B. GOD’S PEOPLE MUST NEVER MEASURE THEIR FAITH BY THE SIZE OF THE GIANTS THAT MOCK US!
Unbelief and doubt always bring SORROW and TEARS.
When UNBELIEF REIGNS in God’s camp while it is in the VALLEY, God’s people are crawling on their bellies and the GIANTS BEFORE US ENLARGE THEMSELF.
Numbers 14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in
the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
C. Both ANALYZIST OF THE PROBLEM BECOME PROPHETIC.
Those that said: WE CAN’T DO IT ... spoke truth, after 40 years of desert they died not receiving the PROMISE.
D. THE POSITIVE CROWD THAT SAID WITH GOD WE CAN DO IT CLAIMED THEIR MOUNTAIN AND IT BECAME AN INHERITANCE TO THOSE THAT FOLLOWED.
Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
E. MY DEAR FRIEND, BOTH REPORTS WILL ALWAYS BE BEFORE THE CHURCH!
The negative report will grow before your heart!
There also grows a POSITIVE REPORT --- YES, WE ARE ABLE TO DO WHATSOEVER GOD ASKS ---- !!!
F. You, my friend must FOCUS and CONTROL your heart to see beyond the PROBLEM, and accept GOD HAS A PROMISE!
WILL WE SEE GOD AS GOD?
Will we focus on people and go around JUDGING people skills?
G. CAN YOU SEE GOD’S ABILITIY ABOVE YOUR LIMITATIONS?
God is faithful --- the REPORT OF FAITH must ever reach beyond HUMAN LIMITATIONS and KNOW THAT GOD CAN, DIVINE ABILITY!
H. IT IS ALL UP TO YOU AND YOUR TRUST AND FAITH?
CAN YOU SEE: YOU DEFINE THE OUTCOME?
Numbers 14:29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old
and upward, which have murmured against me,
30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the
son of Nun.
IV. SEEMS ALL SPIRITUAL THINGS CAN REDUCE TO ONE AREA:
ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH!
A. WHAT IS FAITH?
One kid defined faith: FAITH IS BELIEVING WHAT YOU KNOW AIN’T SO...
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
B. HOW DO WE GET FAITH?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
C. FAITH MUST BECOME PERSONAL, IT IS UP TO YOU!
WHAT YOU TAKE OWNERSHIP OF --- ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH!
Matthew 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
D. Faith must become more than what you know.
Faith is more than a mental or emotional state.
Faith is LOYAL --- sincere intentions ---
complete trust ---
Faith is a firm belief for which there is no proof...
Faith is trusting God without doubt, reserve, fear or question ...
V. ANSWER A DEEP QUESTION?
IS YOUR FAITH CONTROLLED BY FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, FEAR OR CIRCUMSTANCES?
Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
A. DO WE ALLOW:
1. FEAR
2. DOUBT
3. SIGHT
4. EMOTIONS
5. PAST FAILURES
6. NEGATIVE REPORTS
TO DICTATE TO OUR FAITH?
B. What if the Preacher? The Church? Or God depended on my faith?
VI. FAITH WILL ALWAYS GIVE BIRTH TO VISION, VENTURE, AND VICTORY!
NO PROBLEM BEFORE ME IS GREATER THAN THE GOD BEHIND ME!
A. Faith climbs stairs that LOVE built.
B. Faith looks out WINDOWS that HOPE OPENED...
C. ACCORDING TO AN OLD MAN’S FAITH HE CLAIMED AN INHERITANCE THAT IS STILL RECORDED BY CALEB’S SEED.
His eyes were still bright, his steps not slowed, his VISION STILL FOCUSED...
Joshua 14:12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.
D. THE NEGATIVE CROWD WAS COLD DUST IN THE GROUND.
VII. SOMETIMES OUR GOD TAKES THE FEAR OF FALLING AND GROWS IT BY FAITH INTO THE LOVE OF FLYING AND SOARING ABOVE THE STORMS! FAITH BECOMES A BATTLE!
A. THE BATTLE OF OUR FAITH HAS AN AVERAGE DISTANCE OF 18 INCHES... THE DISTANCE FROM YOUR BRAIN TO YOUR HEART!
1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
B. DO WE KNOW THE POWER OF FAITH?
1. FAITH FINDS FOOD AND WATER DURING DROUGHTS AND FAMINES... DOUBT IS SELF-FEEDING AND GROWS WEAKER AS IT STARVES AND DIES...
2. FAITH LAUGHS AT THE GIANT’S SHAKING SPEAR...
DOUBT CRIES AT A SHADOW AND A SHAKING SPEAR ...
3. DOUBT SAYS CAN’T YOU SEE HOW BIG MY PROBLEMS ARE?
FAITH SAYS: LOOK AT MY FAITHFUL AND MIGHTY GOD ...
I SERVE A GOD THAT TEARS DOWN STRONG HOLDS...
4. DOUBT GRUMBLES, MURMURS, COMPLAINS, JUDGES AND IS
A FAULT FINDER OF THE SAINTS. DOUBT IS FERTILIZER FOR A CRITICAL SPIRIT. DOUBT ALLOWS THOSE WITH A CRITICAL
NEGATIVE SPIRIT DICTATE TO THEIR EMOTIONS?
FAITH IS FULL OF JOY AND LAUGHS DURING THE DARK NIGHT.
FAITH KNOWS JOY IS COMING IN THE MORNING ...
5. DOUBT IS ANGRY, BITTER, LONG-TONGUED WHISPERS IN THE CORNER, STAYS FULL OF OFFENSES.
FAITH JUDGES NO ONE AND NEVER SUCCUMBS TO OFFENSE.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
6. WORRY, DREAD, FEAR AND ANXIETY KILL FAITH.
AS FAITH BEGINS ANIETY AND WORRY DIE!
7. DOUBT HAS MANY WEAKLINGS AND QUITTERS.
FAITH GRABS THE WORD AND RUNS TOWARD THE MOCKING GIANT!
VIII. IT IS ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH...
THERE COMES AN ARTIC BLAST OF CYNICISM, FEAR AND DOUBT... TRYING TO FREEZE THE WORD AND WORKS OF GOD...
A. By faith and the Lord’s help we bring about LIFE-CHANGING HOPE AND HEALING AND WHOLENESS.
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
B. OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH --- ACCORDING TO OUR FAITH ---
C. FEAR KNOCKS ON THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY,
FAITH ALLOWS GOD TO ANSWER THE DOOR...
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
D. IT IS ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH...
THERE COMES AN ARTIC BLAST OF CYNICISM, FEAR AND DOUBT...
TRYING TO FREEZE THE WORD AND WORKS OF GOD...
FAITH KNOWS THE SON CAME UP ON THE THIRD DAY...
IT MAY BE FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY IS COMING... SON DAY IS HERE...
E. FAITH HEARD "I CAN’T!" GRABBED THE AXE AND CUT OFF THE T... CAN’T IS I CAN!!!
F. FAITH KNOWS THERE IS A DIVINE APPOINTMENT, GOD IS MOVING ACCORDING TO HIS TIME, AND FAITH IS GAINING STRENGTH EACH
DAY.
G. If Faith can’t see it yet, HOPE KNOWS IT IS IN GOD’S UNSEEN HAND.
H. FAITH and WORKS TEAM UP like a BIRD and it’s WINGS ...
WE WERE CALLED TO FLY...
I. FAITH MAKES ALL TODAY’S DISCORDS TOMORROW’S HARMONIES.
IX. AS THE SPRING COMES AND THE BLOSSOMS COME FORTH,
WE KNOW HERE COMES THE BLOSSOM, THEN COMES THE FRUIT...
SO FAITH PUSHES GOOD WORKS ---- GOOD WORKS BRING
ETERNAL FRUIT!
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
A. IF YOUR ENEMY OR FOE BRINGS YOU CLOSER TO GOD,
HE IS YOUR FRIEND.
B. Without faith you are a walking corpse.
Biting and devouring one another.
C. Weaknesses of attitude and spirit become weaknesses of character and habitual negativism.
Faith will mend all woes, troubles, doubts, fears, worries ...
CONCLUSION:
GOD HAS BROUGHT YOU TO THIS, SO HE CAN BRING YOU THROUGH IT. Never doubt in darkness what God speaks in the light.
IN GOD’S WILL IS YOUR PEACE!
God bring us a change of heart! A change of will! A change of ACTION!
May God help us to ARISE and HEAD TOWARD THE FATHER!
COULD VICTORY AND DELIVERANCE BE ACCORDING to YOUR FAITH!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Help me? Join my team? Pass this on to another?
