Strengthening Your Faith Through God's Promises
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I am excited to share a message that has been on my heart for a while. The title of today's message is "Faith in Your Faith." This is not an exhaustive study, but rather a starting point to help you in your faith walk. We often hear messages about faith and feel overwhelmed, not knowing how to apply them in our lives. But remember, you are a child of God, and He hears your faith.
Faith, at its core, is trust in God and taking Him at His word. The Greek word for faith, "pistis," encompasses conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and persuasion. It's the inward assurance and reliance on God and His promises. But how do we stand in faith when everything around us seems to be falling apart?
First, have faith in the seed of God's word that you have spoken. Just like a lawn needs proper care to grow and choke out weeds, our faith needs to be nourished with God's word to overcome the enemy's lies. Speak the word of God over your life and circumstances, and watch as your faith grows stronger.
Second, believing is seeing. Our imagination is a powerful tool that can either align with God's promises or the enemy's lies. Picture yourself as God sees you, not as the world or your circumstances dictate. Take every thought captive and replace it with God's truth.
Third, know what belongs to you. Just like Adon knew he was entitled to his soup at the restaurant, we must know the promises of God that are ours because our names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Jesus paid the price for us, and we need to claim what belongs to us.
Fourth, know your identity in Christ. Just as Jesus knew who He was and used the word to counter the enemy's temptations, we must find ourselves in the word of God. Our true identity is revealed through revelation knowledge, and it empowers us to stand firm against the enemy.
Finally, know God's character. He is true to His promises, and they are backed by Jesus' blood. Immerse yourself in the word of God, for it is alive and active. When you know who God is and what He says about you, you can stand on His promises with confidence.
### Key Takeaways
1. Have Faith in Your Seed: Just as a lawn needs proper care to grow and choke out weeds, our faith needs to be nourished with God's word to overcome the enemy's lies. Speak the word of God over your life and circumstances, and watch as your faith grows stronger. [12:48]
2. Believing is Seeing: Our imagination is a powerful tool that can either align with God's promises or the enemy's lies. Picture yourself as God sees you, not as the world or your circumstances dictate. Take every thought captive and replace it with God's truth. [19:16]
3. Know What Belongs to You: Just like Adon knew he was entitled to his soup at the restaurant, we must know the promises of God that are ours because our names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Jesus paid the price for us, and we need to claim what belongs to us. [31:08]
4. Know Your Identity in Christ: Just as Jesus knew who He was and used the word to counter the enemy's temptations, we must find ourselves in the word of God. Our true identity is revealed through revelation knowledge, and it empowers us to stand firm against the enemy. [40:22]
5. Know God's Character: He is true to His promises, and they are backed by Jesus' blood. Immerse yourself in the word of God, for it is alive and active. When you know who God is and what He says about you, you can stand on His promises with confidence. [48:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:31] - Introduction to Faith in Your Faith
[02:08] - Opening Prayer
[05:06] - Definition of Faith
[06:10] - Have Faith in Your Seed
[07:02] - Parable of the Lawn
[10:44] - Enemy's Lies and Weeds
[12:48] - Fertilizing Your Faith
[13:37] - Speaking the Word
[15:37] - Believing is Seeing
[17:09] - Power of Imagination
[19:16] - Taking Thoughts Captive
[20:54] - Visualizing God's Promises
[24:43] - Meditating on God's Word
[25:43] - Planning Around Issues
[26:19] - Know What Belongs to You
[31:08] - Your Name in the Book
[34:55] - Know Your Identity in Christ
[40:22] - Jesus' Temptation and Identity
[48:58] - Know God's Character
[50:13] - Immersing in the Word
[53:03] - Faith in Your Faith
[56:13] - Contend for Your Faith
[57:39] - Declaring God's Promises
[58:00] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Faith in Your Faith"
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 11:23-24 - "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
2. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
3. Philippians 4:6-9 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Mark 11:23-24 say about the power of faith and belief in prayer?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, what are the weapons of our warfare, and what are they capable of doing?
3. In Philippians 4:6-9, what are we instructed to do instead of being anxious, and what is the promised result?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "faith in your seed" relate to the parable of the lawn shared in the sermon? ([07:02])
2. What does it mean to "take every thought captive" as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, and how can this be applied to our daily lives? ([19:16])
3. How does knowing our identity in Christ, as discussed in the sermon, empower us to stand firm against the enemy's lies? ([40:22])
4. What role does understanding God's character play in strengthening our faith, according to the sermon? ([48:58])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by circumstances. How can you apply the principle of "having faith in your seed" to that situation? ([07:02])
2. What are some practical steps you can take to "take every thought captive" and align your imagination with God's promises? ([19:16])
3. Identify a promise of God that you need to claim in your life. How can you remind yourself of this promise daily? ([31:08])
4. How can you deepen your understanding of your identity in Christ this week? What specific actions can you take to immerse yourself in God's word? ([40:22])
5. Think of a situation where you doubted God's character or promises. How can you reinforce your faith in God's character and His promises moving forward? ([48:58])
6. How can you use your imagination to visualize God's promises for your life, as suggested in the sermon? ([19:16])
7. What specific scripture can you meditate on this week to strengthen your faith and combat the enemy's lies? ([24:43])
Devotional
Day 1: Nourishing Your Faith with God's Word
Faith, like a seed, requires proper nourishment to grow and overcome the lies of the enemy. Just as a lawn needs care to thrive and choke out weeds, our faith needs to be continually fed with the word of God. By speaking God's word over our lives and circumstances, we strengthen our faith and enable it to flourish. This process involves actively engaging with scripture, meditating on its truths, and allowing it to take root in our hearts. As we do this, we will see our faith grow stronger and more resilient against the challenges we face. [12:48]
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: What specific scripture can you speak over a challenging situation in your life today? How can you make a habit of nourishing your faith with God's word daily?
Day 2: Aligning Your Imagination with God's Promises
Our imagination is a powerful tool that can either align with God's promises or the enemy's lies. Believing is seeing, and it is crucial to picture ourselves as God sees us, not as the world or our circumstances dictate. By taking every thought captive and replacing it with God's truth, we can transform our mindset and align our imagination with His promises. This practice helps us to visualize and internalize the reality of God's word in our lives, leading to a stronger and more vibrant faith. [19:16]
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What negative thoughts or imaginations do you need to take captive today? How can you replace them with God's truth and promises?
Day 3: Claiming Your Inheritance in Christ
Knowing what belongs to us as children of God is essential for living a victorious Christian life. Just as Adon knew he was entitled to his soup at the restaurant, we must know the promises of God that are ours because our names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Jesus paid the price for us, and we need to claim what belongs to us. This involves understanding our spiritual inheritance and boldly standing on God's promises, confident that they are ours through Christ. [31:08]
Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV): "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: What promises of God do you need to claim in your life today? How can you remind yourself of your spiritual inheritance in Christ?
Day 4: Embracing Your Identity in Christ
Knowing our identity in Christ is crucial for standing firm against the enemy's temptations. Just as Jesus knew who He was and used the word to counter the enemy's attacks, we must find ourselves in the word of God. Our true identity is revealed through revelation knowledge, and it empowers us to stand firm and resist the enemy. By immersing ourselves in scripture and understanding who we are in Christ, we can confidently face any challenge and live out our God-given purpose. [40:22]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: How does knowing your identity in Christ change the way you face challenges? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of who you are in Him?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Character
Knowing God's character is foundational for having faith in His promises. He is true to His word, and His promises are backed by Jesus' blood. By immersing ourselves in the word of God, we come to know who He is and what He says about us. This knowledge gives us the confidence to stand on His promises, trusting that He will fulfill them. As we grow in our understanding of God's character, our faith becomes more robust, and we can face life's challenges with unwavering trust in Him. [48:58]
Numbers 23:19 (ESV): "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"
Reflection: How does knowing God's unchanging character strengthen your faith? What specific promise of God do you need to trust in today, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness?
Quotes
1. "Faith to me is trust. Like the, the, at the base level is trusting God, the father that he's in taking him at his word. Basically. He said it, I believe it and that settles it. And I know that that's kind of trite and it's all wrapped up in a cute little bow of like, Oh, that's such a cute saying, but you don't know what I'm feeling in my body. You don't know what's going on in me." [05:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You have to fertilize your faith. You have to get in the word and start speaking the word. You have to say, you know what? God supplies all my needs according to his riches and glory, according to his riches, not mine, not according to anything that I can do. Okay. Everything that he has done, everything that he can do according to his riches and glory, I am going to be all right. Our bills are paid. It's going to be taken care of. He's he, I have more faith in God to bring me over this than the enemy to drag me down." [12:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you believe, you see it in your spirit. You get an image of it on the inside of you. That image controls what you speak and what you do. You see it in your spirit. You see it in your spirit. You know it. You know that you know that you know. You don't know how you know, but you know. Once you reach that level of knowing, they can't beat it out of you with a baseball bat. It has gotten down on the inside of you. It has become a part of you. You have become one with God's word. That oneness is caused by faith." [17:09] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What you spend time picturing and imagining about yourself is where you're putting your faith. If you see yourself as any of those negative things that I've said, you're putting your faith in what you see, how you see yourself, versus how God sees you, and what God says about you. That's why Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10, 4 and 5, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." [18:23] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The facts might say that you feel this way, or that this is going on in your family, or that this is going on in your bank account, or whatever. But the truth is that God, he's healed you. He's provided for you. He loves you. He says that you are worthy. He says that you, he's made you righteousness. You are the righteousness of Christ. So reminding ourselves, and not only reminding ourselves, but picturing it." [20:54] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Know what belongs to you. Your names are in the book. And so the, the cool thing is Jesus knew that the foundation of the disciples faith needed to be in him, needed to be in Jesus and not in their actions. You know, he, he knew that they could cast out demons. He told them they would, but whenever they did it, they were so excited. And that's cool. I mean, be excited because that's awesome because that person got set free that they cast the demons out of, but Jesus is, is saying the bigger thing is you've been saved. You've been, your name is in the Lamb's book of life and because your name is in that book, all this other stuff. It's part and parcel of it. It's included in that package deal. It's a package deal." [31:08] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When you know who you are in Christ, you know how to respond when the enemy comes at you. You know how to tell him where to stick it, remind Satan of his identity. He's under your feet. He is defeated. Jesus took the keys from him and made a public spectacle of him and all his cronies. Colossians 2 15 says. 1 Colossians 2 15. know who you are in Christ, the enemy can't convince you otherwise." [40:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We have to know what he says about us. We have to get so immersed in him that we start to look like him and sound like him and act like him and develop his mannerisms. The enemy gets confused when you look like Jesus. He goes, oh, I can't touch them. They got Jesus all over them. That's, hmm, I can't tell the difference. Jesus. Jesus knew who he was and he knew what the word said. When Satan came at him in the wilderness, what did he say? It is written." [41:43] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We have to know him and his character and what his promises are. We have to establish who he is. If we don't, if we don't know with this, this one and the previous one kind of go together. If you don't know who you are, you don't know who he is, then how do you know what to stand on? How do you know what to speak, what to declare, what to envision, what to put faith in? If you don't know it, you know, the there's the scripture says that the truth shall set the truth will set you free. Well, actually it's, you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. You have to know what he says." [48:58] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Faith in your faith. Okay. This is where the title comes from. Comes by hearing yourself speak your faith. So when you base your faith on what God's word says, and you declare, what God's word says, then it builds your faith in what you actually believe. It goes from being up here. And this is where, I mean, this is where it starts. Head knowledge turns into heart knowledge. It drops down in there and it gets in there. And just like he said in the book earlier, once you realize that once you begin to see what God sees about you, what you, when you begin to envision what God says about you and is true, then it goes, they can't beat it out of you." [53:03] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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