Introduction
As we wrap up our teaching in this Activating Faith series, let’s continue looking at becoming a grower of faith – because that’s so important if you want to have an abundant life in every way possible.
The WORD says the just shall live by faith. What the world calls “making a living”, or drawing a pay cheque, is actually your source of seed. God wants you to use this money to sow into the kingdom of God. Second Corinthians 9:9-11 tells us that our Father ministers seed to us:
(“As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the Sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.”)
As our Father blesses us in our jobs etc., and as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, these things – seed, bread and multiplying of our seed – are added to us. But faith continues to play a part. All of this is developed by the force of faith. That’s what we do – we grow faith.
Without faith, we, just like the world, are left to live on just the seed, or from pay cheque to pay cheque. That has never been the will of God for His family. We’re to live on the harvest of that seed – the seed that the Father multiplies by the power of His riches in glory.
At our last study, I shared form Mark 4 the order for becoming a grower of faith, according to Jesus. Again, these steps are:
- The Seed
- Rest (in faith)
- The Blade (first evidence the seed is growing)
- The Ear
- The Full Corn in the Ear (Don’t pick it green!)
- Harvest
Let’s talk more about time of the seed. This is the most vulnerable time because there’s no natural evidence the seed is growing. This is when faith is all you have to know that your breakthrough will come. But remember two keys you’ve learned: 1. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by The WORD of our Father, and 2. Faith works by love.
Keep your focus on your seed. Read what The WORD has to say about your situation and believe it. Commit Scripture to memory by quoting it aloud over and over and over, and by saying every time, “I choose to believe The WORD of God. I’m a believer. I have faith.”
Control your mind with the verses you’re standing on: “I’m a believer. I choose what to believe and what not to believe, and I believe my Father’s WORD, in Jesus’ Name!” Then, rest on it in your spirit.
During this time “see” yourself with it. Let your dream machine go to work. Bathe your imagination with the scriptures the Holy Spirit has given you for your breakthrough. Imagine yourself in the middle of your dream.
Somewhere along the way, the dream will begin to take faith upon itself. You’ll notice yourself beginning to expect your breakthrough to come to pass. That’s when the dream becomes HOPE!
“And now abide (or lives) faith, HOPE, love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Remember, the kind of hope I’m talking about is not the same thing as a wish. A wish is the world’s idea of hope. Bible hope is intense expectation that it’s coming to pass, now.
Begin acting and talking as though your victory has already come to pass because in the spirit, it has. By this time, your faith is transferring what has already come to pass into now because in the spirit world, it has come to pass and it is passing over into the natural world where you need it.
When fear tries to rise up, remember Jairus in Luke 8. (While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” vv49-50) DON’T LET FEAR IN! BELIEVE ONLY!
In this illustration by Jesus:
“Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32)
Jesus promised that your faith would grow up and become greater. Your faith is that mustard seed and as it is applied, it will grow. Believe Him. It will.
Then, get out of yourself. This is so important! Jesus has a perfect plan that is glorious and superabundant, and it has your name on it. But the only way to get into it is by faith, which works by love.
Begin helping someone else receive. Take what you’ve learned in this study beyond yourself. Support someone else’s dream. Don’t wait until you can start big. Start right where you are. Small beginnings are giant blessings when mixed with faith and love. If God is in it, then that’s big.
Go back over Mark 4:14-32 and Luke 17:1-10. Meditate on each verse again and again. Your faith will explode into action…and that’s living an abundant life!
Questions:
What does it mean for your income to be your “source of seed”? How does that differ from your harvest?
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What is the growth process of your faith for abundance?
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What is the evidence your seed is growing?
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What other lessons have you taken from this study?
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