WINNING KEYS PART 5

Sing.

Adonai we worship you.

IN THIS SERIES.

1. Recognise purpose in problems
2. Remember His past mercies.
3. Realise that it is common.
4. Renew your strength
5. Release your faith.

KEY FIVE

RELEASE YOUR FAITH

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV[17] Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- [18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. [19] The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Galatians 3:11 NKJV[11] But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

The prophet Habakkuk said in spite of the adverse situation and circumstances confronting him, he will rejoice and joy in the God of his salvation. He maintained his confidence, belief and trust in God that he will soon be riding over his adversaries.

That is the kind of faith that can launch a man into the realm of the supernatural.

When you speak like that to the kingdom of darkness, they tremble and scatter.

Listen to David:

Psalm 118:8-12 NKJV[8] It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. [9] It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes. [10] All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. [11] They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. [12] They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

David released his faith to confront his overwhelming situation. He did not keep quiet, accept defeat or give up in the face of stronger adversaries. Instead, he confessed his faith in God to help him destroy the enemies. God loves those who have faith in Him.

Above is also the story of modern day Israel. In many modern wars against Israel, we saw many nations surrounding them but they defeated and overcame them all.

FAITH SIMPLY MEANS TRUST.
WHEN JESUS SAID IN MARK 11:22. HAVE FAITH IN GOD, HE WAS SIMPLY SAYING TRUST GOD.

EVERYBODY HAS FAITH OR TRUST, IT ONLY DEPENDS ON WHO YOU HANG YOUR FAITH ON.

WHEN YOU BOARD A PLANE, THE PLANE TAKES OFF AND YOU SLEEP OFF, IS IT NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAITH OR TRUST IN THE PILOT….

Romans 12:3. …God has given everyone a measure of faith.

FAITH FOR TROUBLED TIMES

We live in troubled times and who and what we have faith in will determine out survival.

Psalm 20:7 NKJV[7] Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV[6] But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Troubled times are like giant obstacles confronting us. They can be daunting and overwhelming.

Today, the enemy is firing the arrows of fear at people and nations.

Today, many have died of the pandemic and many are sick. So  many are afraid of falling sick.

Today, many have lost their jobs while many are not certain they will keep theirs.

In London 117,000 people began to claim unemployment benefit between March and April.

Today many are confused and the government is not helping matters because those in governments are humans too.

Isaiah 31:3 NKJV[3] Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit.

Today, GP surgeries that people go to for medical consultation are saying don’t come, just phone this and that number if you have this and that problem.

Today we are fighting an invisible enemy that we don’t really have any physical weapon to confront. But glory be to God, we have a sure spiritual weapon that gives sure victory over this enemy.

2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV[4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

THE FAITH OF DAVID.

The strategy David used to defeat his Goliath was to release words of faith against this stubborn pursuer. It worked! It will work for you too in Jesus name.

1. FAITH SPEAKS

1 Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV[45] Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. [47] Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

David had already painted the picture of the fallen Goliath while the latter was still standing tall. David sent out invitation cards to the fowls of the air and the wild beasts of the earth to come and eat ‘Goliath head pepper soup’. David called those things that be not as though they were already. He was releasing his faith.

Jesus, our Lord said:
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them Mark 11:22-24 (KJV)

2. FAITH DOSNT JUST SPEAK, FAITH ACTS.

Faith is acting out your expectation without considering your limitations.

1 Samuel 17:48-49 NKJV[48] So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. [49] Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

Mark 5:28 NKJV[28] For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

Mark 10:50 NKJV[50] And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

THESE ARE CALLED STEPS OF FAITH.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF ACTS OF FAITH

1. Laying of hands.
2. Anointing with oil.
3. Using the mantle.
4. Doing something you couldn’t do before following prayers. Stretching the hands you couldn’t stretch before. Jumping etc.
5. Making a request, an application as a step of faith.
6. Buying clothes for your unborn baby in expectation of fruitfulness.
7. Taking steps to make the application, the phone call etc.
8. Dressing up for an interview you have not been invited for.

TESTIMONY.  THE WOMAN IN GERMANY WHO CARRIED SUITCASE FILLED WITH BABY CLOTHES AROUND FOR YEARS. SHE GAVE BIRTH AFTER 29 YEARS OF BARRENNESS. .

Faith is the currency of heaven. If you spend it, you will have plenty of divine goods.

3. FAITH SEES THE INVISIBLE AND BELIEVE IT.

Faith is calling those things that are not as though they were.

Heb.11:1 says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.

It is the unwavering and unflinching belief and trust in God. Where there is faith, there is no fear and no doubt.

99% of those who came to Jesus for healing heard him say: “Thy faith had made thee whole” and they were indeed healed.
Matt.9:22; 15:28; Mark 10:52; Luke 17:19.

Mark 11:24 NKJV[24] Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

While Saul and others were full of fear at the sight of Goliath, David was full of faith.

Steve Maraboli said: “Your fear is 100% dependent on you for its survival”.

RIGHT NOW SOMEONE IS AFRAID OF DEATH. I BIND THAT SPIRIT AND CAST IT OUT NOW in the name of Jesus.

Mother Teresa said:

“God will never, never, never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him. He will always look after us. So we must cleave to Jesus. Our whole life must simply be woven into Jesus”.

FAITH AND FAVOUR.

Wherever faith is, favour always shows up.

Gen. 22. By faith, Abraham obeyed God and was willing to offer Isaac; the favour of eternal blessing was his reward.

Esther 5. By faith Esther approached the king uninvited and contrary to the law and custom of the land, she obtained favour and her desires were granted.

Neh. 2. By faith Nehemiah prayed and took steps to make a near impossible request from the king, he obtained favour and the king granted him more than he needed.

Ruth 3. Ruth approached Boaz’s field by faith, she obtained favour as her reward.

Mark 5. By faith, the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus’ garment; favour located and healed her.

Mark. 10. By faith Blind Bartmeaus cried to Jesus when forces around him tried to silence him; he obtained his miracle as grace and mercy stood still in his favour.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOUR FAITH WORK FOR YOU OR HOW GOD HONOURS OUR FAITH.

1. Righteousness. Right standing with God. 1Kings 17:1.

2. Pure heart. Not bitter, unforgiving heart. Not a heart filled with sins and iniquity. Ps.34:18.

3. A thankful heart and ever grateful lips. Luke 17:15-17.
Luke 17:19 NKJV[19] And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

God saw his thankfulness as an act of faith that works.

4. Positive attitude and confessions.  2Kings 4:23, 26. It is well.

5. Be saturated with the word of God. Rom.10:17.

6. Pray believingly, pray persistently, pray perseveringly, pray without ceasing.  James 5:15; Luke 18:1; 1Thes.5:17.

7. Trust God without wavering.

8. Demonstrate your agreement with God’s word by acting on it.

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV[23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

9. Call those things that are not as though they were and rejoice in the Lord that you have them already.  Rom. 4:17

PRAYERS.

Pray the following prayers aloud now:

Father forgive me for doubting your words and flouting your commandments.

I confess that Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world; therefore, I shall not be put to shame in the name of Jesus.

No evil shall befall my family and no plague shall come near us in the name of Jesus.

O Lord that stills the storm, still every storm raging around me in Jesus’ name.

O Lord, I receive the grace to live in total obedience to God. Therefore I shall eat the good of the land in the name of Jesus.

Every conquered enemy seeking reinforcement against me, you are a liar; be silenced forever in the name of Jesus.

Every power assigned to turn my jubilation to humiliation, die by fire in the name of Jesus.

When Pharaoh was buried alive, he never rose again, let every stubborn power assigned against my progress be buried alive in the name of Jesus.

O Lord, the Prince of peace, decree peace to every troublesome situation in my life in the name of Jesus.

Every council of hell summoned to truncate my testimony, scatter by fire in the name of Jesus.

Every leakage of my virtue, be sealed by the blood of Jesus.

Father, where men say there is no way for me to breakthrough, make a way for me there in the name of Jesus.

As the Lord lives, I shall live my days in pleasure not pressure and my years in prosperity, not poverty in the name of Jesus.

I thank You Father for making my feet strong like hind’s feet and for giving me wings to soar above the mountains in the name of Jesus.

JOB 14:7. There is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, it will sprout again.

I speak the word of faith to your life that your harassed health will sprout again, your failing finances will sprout again, your busted business will sprout again, your jangled joy will sprout again, your ruined relationship will sprout again, your poor prayer life will sprout again, your distorted destiny will sprout again, your postponed promotion will sprout again and your delayed delivery will sprout again in the name of the FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT in the name of Jesus.