Developing Faith

I have always enjoyed the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. What a turn around of an impossible situation. What is especially impressive is the absolute peace that Daniel carried in his soul. The only way he could walk in peace was through his absolute faith that God would take care of Him, no matter what would happen.

Daniel walked with confidence into that immediate crisis because he had a foundation of faith building. For years he spent time with God, praying openly three times a day and walking in obedience. He had exercised his faith so that his spiritual muscles were in shape at that critical point in time. Our faith is developed a day, an hour at a time. Steve Backland says those convictions that develop our faith are time with God and His Word, fellowship and worship, serving in ministry, financial giving, speaking God’s promises, prioritizing our family, having strong accountability relationships, and putting ourselves in places where God’ power can touch lives and the lives of others. Strong faith is slowly built , one day at a time and is available when we need it most.

Who do I believe I am?

The stuff that hits home the most as I go through this journey is that your faith is not contingent upon how hard or how desperately you pray and petition before the Lord. It is upon these two things: knowing God's promises for you and then living from of a place of those promises; confidently. Who do you believe you are?
"The battle is first in us and then in our circumstances." I believe you're more effective with your child-like faith then trying to examine and figure everything out. (Something I'm about to learn a lot about!) 'You can do anything, God!' 'I can do what You say I can do!' 'I replace lies with the promises of God!' 'I trust that You are good!'
As we sing in some of our favorite songs of worship, "You make all things work together for my good." And "I am royalty, I have destiny, I have been set free, I'm gonna shake history." (Be watching for more powerful songs of declaring.)
That is declaring faith, no matter the circumstance. That is living from a place of knowing who you are. That is the stuff that just ruins the devil's day against you...

So, today is Day 8 . . . and I was going to post for Day 7 . . . which is a great illustration for ME of the topic for Day 7!

I have tended to always side with Martha in the Mary/Martha dilemma . . . stuff NEEDS to be done . . . ON TIME! I LIKE doing stuff . . . what's so wrong with that!?

But I'm finding as I've been on this crazy cancer year, that I can't DO all the stuff I want to do when I want to do it, and that I've depended on the doing of it to define who I am and give value to myself (whether it actually affects others in that way or not). I do get some praise for doing "stuff"... so it must make me worth something, right? And that must make God happy, right??? It sometimes takes me a really long time to learn! The opening verse of Galatians 3 . . . "Oh you foolish Galatians! After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" . . . so speaks to me!

I so needed the reminder that it's the grace of God that gives meaning to anything that I do - and the "doing" doesn't bring me that grace... just take the gift!!! I can't earn it . . . and that's hard to swallow in a value system that connects what I do with what I'm worth. I'm worth God's grace BEFORE I do all that stuff . . . and . . . and . . . and that's ALL. Just stop and relax in that wonderful truth.

If you think you're going to lose, you probably will

Father's day included some family Wii games, a nap, ignoring chores and finally a card game around the dinner table. The older children knew the game, the younger ones were learning how to play for the first time. As we finished the first round of play one of our little ones began to tear up.

"I'm going to lose, I know it."

With a red face and watery eyes our child continued to play, but with full assurance that loss was inevitable.

Holly began to teach a principle that guides our life. "Child, if you believe you'll lose, you probably will. Keep going and believe you can win. Declare you can win."

With laughter, coaxing, and even a bit of strong prodding our child continued to play.

An hour later the scene was completely different. The child who was losing was BEAMING. With confidence each round was played with a childish yet prevailing strategy. As the game came to a close, Ahna was the victor.

When I read today's devotion, Day #6, I thought about how often I sink into unbelief before I even put in the effort required to win? How often unbelief become my strategy instead of a confident expectation that victory is near. But I also recognize those things are changing. They have changed. I am changed.

I enjoyed today's practical devotion.
1. I can. Phil. 4:13
2. There is a way. 1 Cor. 10:13
3. I've prayed. James 5:16
4. God will finish what he started. Phil. 1:6
5. It will be okay. Rom. 8:28

May God's promises assist you as you wage war in your mind against lies about the future.

How is the 40 Day journey going?

We're completing the first week of our journey (7 more to go)!

What does it look like for you....are you doing it individually, as a couple, as a family?

If you don't already have a google account, you can create one (it's free) and then post your comments here. Encourage your friends to do the same!

Want more faith? Get close to Jesus.

Faith is not about my efforts. It's about me knowing the character of my God. It is birthed in the place of intimacy with Him.

Quote from Day #4 reading:

"Our intimacy and relationship with Him will have a direct correlation to our level of faith; not because it 'earns' us more authority, but because it gives something for our faith to stand on."

I want to be like Mary, and choose the best part....sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Declaring the things that aren't as though they ARE!

I was challenged today to speak life into dead areas in my life and my circumstances. I want to be like Ezekiel...speaking life to dry bones and prophesying to the wind....and seeing things change!

Declare: "I prophesy daily over my circumstances, my future, and over the dry areas of my life".

Romans 4:17 "And God who gives life to the dead and calls those things that are not as though they are".

Laughing

I liked the declaration taken from Psalm 2:4, Laugh at the enemies of the anointed one.