Word released on October 6, 2021:
Romans 1:17 says that we go from faith to faith:
"For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, 'But the righteous shall live by faith.'"
Every new season God moves us into requires a new level of faith. As we progress in God, He will use life's challenges to stretch us. He is preparing us for greater responsibility, and the faith He requires from us today will be greater than what He required from us yesterday. We must progress and go from faith to even stronger faith.
Many Christians are satisfied with the status quo and have come to a place of stagnation. Remaining stationary in God is not an option, however. He wants to bring us to qualitatively new and greater levels of faith, which are necessary in order to accomplish the new assignments He has for us.
Principles of Faith
Here are some general principles of faith:
Trials don't produce faith; they produce patience (James 1:3). Revelation of God's Word and ways increases faith (Romans 10:17). The two together – faith and patience (endurance) – enable us to receive His promises (Hebrews 6:12).
We determine our level of faith, not God. He gives us a measure to begin with (Romans 12:3), but we must meditate on His Word, which includes speaking it (Joshua 1:8), in order to see it grow. The teaching which says that all we need is faith "the size of" a mustard seed in order to move a mountain is erroneous. Matthew 17:20 (ESV) says:
"He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'"
By the way, some translations say "faith the size of" a mustard seed, but this is inaccurate. It is their interpretation, not an accurate translation. We must have faith "like" (the Greek word hos, meaning "like" or "as") a mustard seed, which begins small but grows into a tree. "Growing faith" moves mountains, not mustard seed size faith.
Abraham and Sarah were commended because their faith grew:
"Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." (Romans 4:19-21 NASB) (Photo via Pxfuel)
The phrase "grew strong" is one Greek word (endunamoo) which means "to make strong, vigorous; to strengthen." It is easy to see the Greek root word "Dunamis" here (well known in Christian circles as the Greek word for power): "You shall receive power [Dunamis] after the Holy Ghost comes upon you..." (Acts 1:8, emphasis mine). Abraham's faith was strengthened (grew in power) as he considered God's promise.
Paul commended the Thessalonians for the way in which their faith grew.
"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater." (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NASB)
The phrase "increasing abundantly" is huperauxano, which means "to increase above ordinary degree." Abraham, Sarah and the Thessalonians would not have been commended for the growth of their faith if it had simply been a gift of God. He did not determine the level of their faith – they did. We work the process that increases faith. (I will teach on this in the near future.)
From Faith to Faith
My point in laboring this is to say that God wants to take us from faith to faith.
In my journey with the Lord over the years, His assignments have increased in scope and difficulty. My faith, however, has also increased. I recall, early in my Christian journey, feeling a bit overwhelmed when helping individuals who were walking through trying situations. I learned many valuable lessons during those times; and as my knowledge and faith grew, God increased the scope of my assignments to groups of people (families, staff, Bible school classes, a church, etc.).
However, the weight and challenge of the assignments shifted again in my life when God began turning my focus on nations. I had to move to an entirely new level of faith. It is one thing to pray for a person or small group of people; it is another thing entirely to be assigned a nation. It is one thing to deal with a demon; it is another thing to confront a principality.
The United States is obviously embedded in my heart now. Though I still feel some intimidation at times, I also know God wouldn't have given me the assignment had He not adequately prepared me – from faith to faith.
Several years ago, I found myself at a strategy meeting for the nation with several national leaders in the Body of Christ. During the meeting, Holy Spirit spoke very clearly to my heart: "Don't say anything; it is not your time." Though I felt insecure and embarrassed about my limited participation, I did sit quietly, saying very little. It was difficult, but very important. Had I not heeded His instruction, only God knows the damage I could have done and the messes I might have created with wrong input. Also, I had not yet developed enough humility to have handled a national voice. It would have produced pride in me.
A few years later, while ministering in a national conference, I heard that same small voice speak clearly: "Be bold, son; this is your hour." I spoke with great anointing and power (His, not mine) and moved into another level of ministry. It was a divine shift.
I'm sure you have your own stories of how God has challenged your faith to grow. It's important that we learn from these lessons and see our faith progress and strengthen. God gives us opportunities to advance and fortify our faith, but it's up to us to work the process that increases our faith. (Photo via Unsplash)
God Is Giving Us a Kairos Time in America
God is changing the time and season in America, giving us a kairos (opportune) time. In order for us to take advantage of this opportunity and see it result in a fullness of time (pleroo), we will need increased revelation and an increased level of faith. This is why I say some things over and over on these posts, because saying what God says increases and releases our faith (Romans 10:9, 17). This is actually the meaning of the biblical word for confession; homologeo means "to agree with and say the same thing."
One of the statements I repeat is "America shall be saved." I also declare over and over that a great awakening, which will produce a great harvest, has begun. God has spoken these two things over and over through His prophets. We must declare them until they have produced a new and unshakable level of faith in us. This will enable us to cooperate with Him and lay hold of what He has promised.
Pray with Me:
Father, we are grateful to see many in the Body of Christ going to a new level of faith. They believe in Your promises. They believe You are a building an Ekklesia that the gates of Hell cannot overcome or overpower. They believe You are building a glorious Ekklesia. They believe You have given us the keys of Your Kingdom, that we can bind and loose, forbid and allow for You on the earth.
We are growing in this faith – going from faith to faith. We are also growing in revelation, enabling us to discern what needs to occur and the timing of Your plans. And as we stake our claim to this truth, we are determined to say what You say. You have said that America shall be saved. You have said that revival is here and coming. We agree with You. We will not agree with the media. We won't agree with dictatorships. We will not agree with lying governments. We will honor no contrary circumstances.
And we pray the prayer that Christ taught us to pray: Deliver us from evil. Do not let our enemies triumph over us. Give us victory; give us breakthrough. We ask this in faith and believe it will be done. We ask and declare this in Christ's all-powerful name. Amen.
Our Decree:
We decree that our faith in Christ and His plan is strong and will bring forth life in the earth.
(Portions of today's post were taken from Dutch Sheets' book God's Timing for Your Life. To watch the full word click here.)
Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Dutch Sheets
Dutch Sheets Ministries
Email:Â click here
Website:Â dutchsheets.org
Dutch Sheets is an internationally recognized author, gifted teacher, and conference speaker. He travels extensively, challenging believers for passionate prayer and societal reformation. Seeing America experience a sweeping revival and return to its Godly heritage is Dutch’s greatest passion. Dutch has written over 23 books, many of which have been translated into over 30 languages. His international bestseller, Intercessory Prayer, has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Dutch has pastored, taught in several colleges and seminaries, and served on the board of directors of numerous organizations. He is fondly known to many as Papa Dutch. Treasuring time spent with their family and grandchildren. Dutch and Ceci, his wife of 40 plus years, enjoy quiet walks in the woods, reading, and playing a little golf. They make their home in beautiful South Carolina.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Find us on:
* Facebook click here
* XAPiT click here
