Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith...the substance of things hoped for. Faith...the things that expect to receive from God. Faith...the essence of all outward manifestations of what has yet to be revealed. "Now faith"...the evidence of things not seen. Faith...the proof that we have only by believing. Faith...the indication of God’s truths and promises revealed by His Word. Faith...the evidence...the outward signs that God will reveal in the spiritual realm to those who believe on Him. I’m talking about "Now faith." Is that alright?
Has there ever been a time in your life where everything around you seemed to be falling apart...tearing at the seam? Have you ever felt as if you were troubled on every side? Well, I stopped by to encourage you. I want you to know that you have the God-given ability to call those things that are not as though they were.
Oftentimes, I have said that if you look at the storm, you will surely see the rain. Allow me to explain. If you look at your situation, you may not be able to see what God has in store for you. If you look at your circumstances, you may not be able to see beyond the trials and tribulations. This is why we are admonished to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). And, I’m here to tell you that "eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). Glory to God!
The elders of the Church had no problem believing what they could not see. In fact, they realized that the little that they did have, had come by faith. They realized that the little progress they had made had come by faith. They knew that they had come too far to turn around. They also knew that God had not failed them in the past, and surely...surely...surely...He would not fail them now. They found themselves in the midst of their troubles singing, "We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His holy Word; He never fail me, yet; Oh-- can’t turn around; we’ve come this far by faith."
Today, we are faced with destruction all around us. The media portrays violence now like never before. There are children killing children in the schools. There are random acts of violence in every region of the world. Why are you telling us all of this, preacher? You know I’m glad you asked!
I don’t tell you this just to make you aware of moral degradation of society; but rather, I want you to realize that it’s time for "Now faith." It’s time for us to stop holding on to a religion that’s based on our parents’ faith; it’s time for "Now faith." It’s time for us to forget those things that are behind, and reach forth unto those things that are before and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. It’s time for "Now faith", a faith that’s rooted and grounded in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It’s time for a faith that understands and believes in the infallibility of the Word of God. It’s time out for cheap grace and hanging on to "mama’s coattail." We can’t continue to get by on what "mama ’nem" told us about the Lord. We have to have a right "Now faith!" Oh-- Say, "Amen" somebody!
If we fail to have a "Now faith," you can rest assured that the devil will bring some today troubles. If we fail to have a "Now faith," you can best believe that there’s a new storm, named "slew foot," that will head your way. But, glory be to God that "Now faith" is not -- and can’t be -- too late.
"Now faith" moves us beyond old ways of thinking. "Now faith" allows us to believe God is able to do what He chooses to do, when He chooses to do it, how He chooses. It’s that same "Now faith" that says, forget what happened yesterday, and it’s that same "Now faith" that says, don’t worry about tomorrow. Hallelujah! I’m talking about "Now faith." "Amen," somebody.
When the devil reminds you of your past, tell him, "Now faith."
When someone tries to disqualify or discredit the Bible truths, tell them, "Now faith."
When you can’t figure out how to pay your bills, stop and say, "Now faith."
When the enemy comes in like a flood, "Now faith" can lead you to believe that God will raise up a standard against him.
When trouble seems more than you can bear, "Now faith" says "count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations" (James 1:2).
When everyone and everything tends to come up against you, "Now faith" says, "no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17).
Tell the devil, you may have attacked; "Now faith..."
Tell your troubles, you may have come for a season; "Now faith..."
Tell your storms, you have blown some fierce winds my way and caused disruption; "Now faith..."
Tell your mountain, you may have delayed my progress; "Now faith!"
Men and women of God, I stopped by to tell you believe the report of the Lord. The devil may have told you what happened the last time somebody tried what you are about to do; that ole rascal may have tried to threaten you about what would happen if you tried it. I stand in agreement with you believing that you can put your foot on his neck, look down at him and say, "Now faith!" Even though I don’t see it, glory to God, I believe it, and believing is seeing.
Lord, we thank You for giving us all a measure of faith. Lord God, You told us that if we would have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed -- just a little faith -- we could speak to our situations...we could speak to our troubles...we can speak to the devil and tell them and him, "Be thou removed!" Hallelujah! We thank You. Lord, increase our faith and restore us to a level of "Now faith." So Lord Jesus, we will be able to say boldly, "I have kept the faith." We believe it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
You can be saved by grace through faith!
