Proverbs 3:3-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Sometimes, our faith is all over the place because we fail to trust in the Lord. The scripture admonishes us to lean not to our own understanding (our natural way of doing things) but in ALL OUR WAYS submit to Him. In our submission, He will order our steps
Many find their faith all over the place in these days. Could it be that we have failed to truly trust in the Lord?
It is difficult to trust in something or someone when we lack knowledge of Him and His will.
Romans 12:2-3 tells us,
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This is how faith works:
- Your mind must be renewed
- This allows you to then see from God’s perspective
- You are then able to see beyond your natural perspective … beyond the obvious.
Faith begins with knowledge. Paul knew and understood this and that is the reason he constantly prayed that:
- the Lord would give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the KNOWLEDGE of Him (Eph. 1:17), and
- that we be filled with the KNOWLEDGE of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Faith begins with knowledge
- knowledge of Him
- knowledge of His will
This is not just head knowledge but knowledge that has become revelation. It is when you “know what you know”
When you don’t truly “know what you know”, you can’t resist the devil effectively.
- When he attacks your body, you must know without doubt that “by His stripes you are healed”
- When he attacks your finances, you must know that “my God shall supply all my needs”
- When any adverse situation arises, you must know that we serve an ever-present God who is the answer to every problem.
- When you know, you will never throw in the towel
You must know more about God than the thing coming before you.
- When you don’t, you will take man’s word over what God has said.
- When you don’t, fear will creep in. Fear is the product of ignorance
Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12, “I know Him whom I have believed”
We must know in WHOM we believe
Faith begins with a person … the Person of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to, “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”
Our faith must be focused on HIM, not the situation, not on a thing, but on HIM. It is only in Christ that the promises He has given are realized. Outside of Christ the promises only become possibilities
Many of us have more knowledge of things but little knowledge of God. We may have a lot of knowledge about God. We may know doctrine. But still know not know HIM.
Jesus did not teach doctrinal theology. He taught relational theology. Jesus’ purpose was always to restore man’s relationship with God. The reason we may not have seen the manifestation of much of what we say we believe is because we have put faith in things and what is happening around us more than in God. We must reclaim our faith. Release it from things and put it in God.
Matthew 6:33 tells us to,
seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these THINGS will be added to you.
- When we focus on HIM, the things will be attracted to us
- When we focus on things, they become your god.
Let us in this time of “social distancing”
- Renew our minds, and
- get to truly know HIM, the author and the finisher (perfecter) of our faith
Pastor Vanessa Battle – Kingdom Living Ministries
