HCC Monthly Harvest Seed
Mark 9:20-23 - They brought the boy to Him. When the [demonic] spirit saw Him, immediately it threw the boy into a convulsion, and falling to the ground he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he answered, “Since childhood. The demon has often thrown him both into fire and into water, intending to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!”
“All things are possible to him who believes.”
That is faith.
~ Faith is not about how much you believe. Faith is about believing that the one you believe in is…believable.
1Thessalonians 5:24 - He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Every family, every home, every church has an atmosphere about it.
The Atmosphere is a culture of beliefs, values, attitudes, behaviors, and principles. They can be spoken or unspoken but everyone can feel them and most people over time understand them.
An atmosphere of faith is something that you develop and live by intentionally.
Strategic faith is an atmosphere of trusting in God for everything.
It is a position of expectancy that the believes God will do awesome and mighty things. That He is a God who loves us and answers our prayers.
Strategic Faith expects God to do what He said He would do. It expects to see God move in power and to do supernatural things as the ordinary course of life.
Strategic faith is hope and confidence in God.
Strategic faith responds to life and approaches life with optimism because it believes that God is working all things out for our Good.
~ Helen Keller (A Christians who was both deaf and blind) – Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
Someone said that faith is like electricity. You can’t see it but you can definitely feel it and you know the light and power that it is able to produce.
~ C.S. Lewis – Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods.
Strategic faith is an atmosphere that desires to please God above all else to such an extent that it results is a lifestyle of radical obedience.
Strategic faith means that you have made trusting God an intentional, deliberate and necessary first part of your life.
Strategic is a choice and a plan.
Our faith is only as great as the God that we believe in.
This means that we intentionally live in such a way that we know God is great and we believe that God is Good.
How big is your God?
~ A little boy was asked, “How many gods are there in the world? “One God,” he replied. “How do you know that?” said the skeptic. “Because there is only room for One. Since heaven and earth can’t contain Him, how can anyone else fit?”
You can trust a big God!
Choosing the strategy of trusting a God who is over all and the creator of all and who is the most powerful of all creates an atmosphere of victorious living.
I love the saying that we are living From a position of victory, not for a victory!
God has already won! WE are already victorious! – Because of this fear doesn’t stand a chance!
Because of this we don’t view ourselves as underdogs or victims – We know that we are Overcomers and MORE than Conquers in Christ Jesus.
People and churches that knows this live a life that believes the Word of God.
They Know…
I can do all things through Christ!
If God is for us, who can be against us!
Nothing, Absolutely nothing – is impossible with God! – With God all things are Possible!
An atmosphere of faith has moved past questioning those things and intentionally moved into the realm of living those truths.
The early church had this type of atmosphere.
When they gathered to pray the Holy Spirit showed up in power. They expected and saw that people were saved. Miracles happened – they were not out of the ordinary occurrences they were everyday experiences.
Restoration happened in people’s lives. – Forgiveness abounded and God restored people’s health and peace. There were many that went jumping and leaping and praising God. Even enemies of the church had dramatic encounters with God that transformed them. – The Apostle Paul is just one story.
There was an abundant supply. – There was such unity among the people of God that when there were needs everyone contributed so that those needs were met. These things don’t just happen they are a strategic choice to let God be God!
We are in our year of Koinonia. When we have FELLOWSHSHIP with the Holy Spirit an atmosphere of faith is inevitable.
When we choose to trust God for everything, we know that anything and all things are possible. There will be times God says – “NO”. There will be times that He tells us to wait. There will be times that He changes our plans. While those things shake people. It will not rattle those who have strategically chosen faith as their default position in life. A life that desires to completely live a life that is pleasing to God and a life the radically trusts Him in everything.
This month we are looking at living life strategically. Intentionally. May the Lord bless you and your family.
Know that you are deeply loved. -
Pastor Marvin and Dawn
Image by PayPal.me/FelixMittermeier from Pixabay