Grace: Favor for the Undeserving

Grace: Favor for the Undeserving

G.E.A.R. Framework: Makers of Disciple Makers

MAKERS OF

DISCIPLE MAKERS

oREACHING people and TURNING them to MATURE followers of CHRIST – Mathew 28:18-20

oDiscipleship Through Relationships

       oSouls -  Key result is new believers/people maturing in faith and service.

GROW in Christ

ENJOY His grace

ADDRESS Needs

  REPRODUCE Disciples

FDG Memory Verses

Faith Dynamics: MEMORY VERSES

Memorization Tips:

-          Write verse down,

-          Remember key words

-          Repeat loud on your own. Say the verse then reference or vice versa. 

-          Repeat in your mind. 

-          Recite to another person.

-          Pray and thank God for it,

Start working on the following verses that will be sorted according to the Faith Dynamics Topics.

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

John 14:23 “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 1:12 But to all who have received him - those who believe in his name - he has given the right to become God's children

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

2 Peter 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Colossians 1:13 – 14  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:   In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 2:8 - 9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

James 4:17  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that  is in you, than he that is in the world.

Isaiah 59:19  So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Isaiah 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Romans 8:37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 John 3:8b  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Mathew 28:18 - 20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mathew 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Mathew5: 16.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Psalms 66:18  If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalms 103:2-5  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalms 91:15  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Romans 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalms 118:17  I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

Mark 1:35  And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Luke 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Luke 1:37  For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

3 John 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Ecclesiastes 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Deuteronomy 8:18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Mark 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Luke 18:27  And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Numbers 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Also include passages such as:                       

Ten Commandments

Psalm 23

The Lord’s/Model prayer

FDG Spiritual Health Check List

Faith Dynamics Groups

Spiritual Health Check List

Expected outcomes of each of the Faith Dynamics topics:

Assurance of salvation and new identity

-          Discipline of meditating on new identity scriptures

-          Making choices in line with identity

-          Confidence in God in hard situations/times

Personal devotions

-          Set and utilize time for prayer

-          Word intake program/Reading & listening - specs

-          Growing confidence with all types of prayer

Word and Faith

-          Obeying the word

-          Casting cares on God

-          Meditating on word

-          Confessing word – song and speech

Fullness of the Holy Spirit

•         Praying in the Spirit

•         Listening and obeying his voice

•         Discovering and operating in spiritual gifts

Fellowship

•         Attending church meetings

•         Active participant

•         Knowing and connecting

Praise and Corporate prayer

-          Thankful attitude/prayer dominated by praise

-          Attends church prayer meetings

-          Meditate on who God is

Kingdom investment

-          Giving to God’s work and receiving from God

-          Understand value of giving tithes

-          Personal, business and career growth

Sharing Christ and involvement

-          Ready to share salvation testimony

-          Invite others to church

-          Helping at least three to grow in Christ

-          Keen to be trained for ministry

-          participating in church ministry opportunities

Koinonia, Fellowship of Believers

Fellowship With Fellow Believers

FELLOWSHIP is what believers do to/with one another  as an expression of Christ’s love. Fellowship (Koinonia) in the New Testament was understood to be sharing freely of the inner life and the love of God.  The believers shared such a deep love which attracted admiration from the world (Acts 20:20). Every believer needs other believers and is needed by other believers. You can not grow spiritually without other believers.

Starting point is our relationship with God

We will never know real fellowship apart from a true relationship with Jesus (1 John 1:3).   It is not based on having the same thinking, same ethnic group or same likes but on our relationship with Jesus. We share the same father, the same salvation and the same enemy and struggles. As we draw closer to Christ, we draw closer to one another (1 Corinthians 1:9; Psalm 119:63).

For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body...   ...Now you are the body of Christ, and members (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Our fellowship grows if it is cultivated. We cultivate our fellowship by:

1. Being in the word together (Acts 2:42; 3 John 1).  As we grow in the word we grow in love for one another.
2. Assembling together as believers (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42). Excuses not to fellowship are he devil’s way to destroy fellowship. Before he destroys, he isolates a believer. Fire burns better when logs are together. We benefit from Jesus’ presence. God manifests in special ways impossible when alone. Mathew 18:20.
3. Breaking of bread together and sharing meals (1 Cor 10:16; Acts 2:46). Jesus often fellowshipped in people’s houses (Luke 10:38; Mark 2:15). Visit each other.
4. Praying together. Those who pray together stay together (Acts 2:42). They did this  steadfastly. God honours corporate prayer (Mathew 18:19). They prayed  in one accord/unity/onness/harmony (Acts 1:14; Acts 4:24).  They also confessed sins one to another (Acts 5:16).
5. Giving to one another.  Giving is an expression of love that bonds fellowship (Acts 2:32, 44-45). Look for opportunities to give to each other (Phil 4:10-18).
6. Praise together (Psalm 22:3) . Make Jesus your common centre and focus.
7. Provoke one another to love (1 John 4:7). Be peace makers to one another.  Love unites.  The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  **1 Cor 1:10, Eph 4:3

Sin breaks fellowship with God and one another. 

Pride, lack of love, broken fellowship with God, unforgiveness, disharmony, etc (1 Cor 5:11. 2 Cor 6:14)

Benefits of belonging to a local church

           a)  You are spiritually fed and nurtured,

           b)  You can be accountable and accounted for,

           c)  There is a place for you to take part in the ministry,

d)   Your gifting is encouraged and given opportunity to develop.

(Be connected through Sunday Celebrations, Faith Life Cells, Specialised Ministry, Informal contacts and visits)

There are many positive One Anothers in the Bible, for example:

Mark 9:50  have peace one with another.

John 13:34 -35 That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: put no stumblingblock in your brother's way.

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, where one may edify another.

Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another

Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:14 And I am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are able also to admonish one another.

1Corinthians 4:6 that ye might learn in us not to be puffed up for one against another.

1Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?

1Corinthians 6:7 don’t go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong?

1Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

1Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; have the same care one for another.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren,; only use your liberty for an occasion to serve one another.

Galatians 5:15 don’t bite and devour one another, lest ye be consumed one of another.

Galatians 5:26  not provoking one another, not envying one another.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: .

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another 1Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and 1Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love:  ye yourselves are taught to love one another.

1Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Titus 3:3 dont live in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through sin.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another: and

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother,

James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: the judge standeth before the door.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

1Peter 1:22 see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

1Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards

1Peter 5:5 all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud,

1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleans us

1John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1John 3:23 And this is his commandment, to believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another,

1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God

1John 4:11-12 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

2John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Sharing Christ, Witnessing, Evangelism

HOW TO SHARE CHRIST

Mat 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Maturity in Christ includes embracing the call to be a partner with Jesus Christ in the mission for which he came (Luke 19:10). Every believer is commanded to participate in the work of the Lord by influencing and bringing people to Christ and helping them to grow in Him. Jesus commanded us to go/ step out in faith and share the gospel. It is a question of obedience (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Mathew 28:18-20). A going believer is a growing believer. A going church is a growing church.

Humanity without Christ is lost –‘And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them… And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.’ Revelation 20:11-15

God is so loving that he has made a way out for the lost (John 3:16; Romans 10:9). Evangelism is prayerfully sharing and showing Christ to non believers  and giving the opportunity to believe in Christ and join a Christian church community for ongoing discipleship.

The gospel is the power of God (Romans 1:14-16). The Gospel is the best treasure we have to share with others. It is the only good news (Galatians 1:8). He that wins souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).  Sharing Christ is a apart of our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:15).

What Sharing Christ Involves

• Praying (Air cover).  

You need to accept the priority and urgency of always asking for the blessing and knowledge of Christ to rest on people. Pray individually as well as corporately, for your relatives and people in your community. A list of specific people you are presenting before God until their salvation is helpful. Sharing Christ is about dependence on God who alone convicts and converts people (2 Corinthians 4:4). Its warfare, the enemy who blinds the sinner discourages the believer from sharing Christ.

•Building Relationships (A Bridge).

Build or retain some level of relationships/contacts with people who do not know Christ. Instead of breaking all of your past and non church relationships redefine them. Build bridges and create proximity spaces to show Christ’s love and power. Initiate programs were there is mutual interest with non believers – sport, etc .

Be relevant to people in your life by good works and life (Mathew 5:16). Address the felt needs of people. Help solve societal problems.  Assist practically. Even ‘small’ responses make a great difference.

Pray for the needs of non believers. Stand with them in  hard times. Your life is a powerful gospel tract. Believers have an attractive aroma that influences non believers (2 Corinthians 2:14).

The longer you live with people the more life witness counts and the less effective words become. The credibility of the witness is in the power of their trestimony.

Deliberately and wisely  invite no believers to a place where Christ is shown and shared. People come to church when personally invited.  Andrew is the one who invited Peter to Jesus. Jesus Christ has made an invitation to all of us to come (Mark 11: 28).

• Having a Message. (A Fishing Hook)

When you interact with non believers be prepared to answer questions about your faith, life style and good works. Be able to share the gospel simply and clearly when necessary.  You need the ability to communicate and demonstrate Christ in a language of your audience – be it  your generation, your profession, your family, etc

a) Simple Outline - Mastering a simple gospel message outline for use to lead someone to Christ helps in building confidence and enhancing clarity.

i) An example is:

- You are a sinner and the result of sin is death (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)

- You cannot save yourself even by church going or good works (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

- But God is just and loves you so much he gave Jesus (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)

- Christ died and is risen for you.(Acts 2:36-37. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2. Romans 10:9, 13)

- Turn from being a sinner and trust in Jesus as savior and Lord for forgiveness of sin. (Acts 2:39).

- Make a commitment. Now is the opportunity for you to decide. Today is the day for salvation. You may not have such an opportunity again (Revelation 3:20).

ii) Then -

- Lead them in a prayer to receive Christ.  E.g. like ‘Oh Lord be merciful to me a sinner. I turn to you from my sin. I turn my back to satan. I believe in you Jesus as my savior and Lord. Save me and set me free. I trust that you have saved me’.

- Congratulate them. Say what has happened and how to proceed.  Provide immediate help to the new believers.

- Pray for their needs. The message of Christ is good news to the poor. It addresses the wholistic needs of people. Salvation in Greek is sozo whose meaning includes – to save, to deliver, to protect, general well being, to make whole (spirit, soul and body). Demonstrate the love, power and gifts of Christ.

b) Share your salvation testimony - The testimony of how you became a Christian is a natural tool to use often. Acts 22 - Paul, John 4 - The Samaritan woman.  It covers three areas.

- What you were like before salvation

- How you got saved

- What you have been like since

c) Give literature/media –. You can also give  relevant tracts, books, tapes, radio, satellite, music, web links, etc that give an opportunity to introduce solutions in Christ.

•A Road Map (Growth Path)

Provide the next steps on the exciting adventure of walking with Christ. Set the new believer on a growth path among the shelter of a community of believers. The ultimate goal of evangelism is to make disciples of disciple makers.

Share with new believers about ‘Assurance of Salvation and immediate growth steps’ and some of their new identity and help them find a church where they will be discipled (John 1:12; 3:6; John 6 vs. 46 – 47).

LINK: http://wordoers.blogspot.com/2012/10/share-it-if-good-news.html

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Faith, Knowing God and His Word

Faith and Knowing God

1. The Christian life is lived by Faith (Hebrews 10:23);

Faith is to believe that God is what His word says and trust that he is faithful to do what he promised. Everything God does for humanity is out of Grace or unmerited favor.   Faith is man’s hand to receive God’s grace.  

• Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
• You face only one barrier – your capacity to believe (Mark 9:23);

• Anything not of faith is sin or of the flesh. (Romans 14:23; Heb.10:38; 2 Cor. 5:7)
• Our fight is a fight to grow and keep our faith. (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7)
• Faith is vital for answered prayer. (Mathew 21:22; Mark 11:22, 24)
• Repent and believe. Mark 1:15. There is no real faith without real repentance.
• Faith comes by hearing God’s word. (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 12:3 Joshua 1:8)

Walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Walking by sight includes making decisions based on just feelings, senses, sight, reasoning,  own understanding, people’s opinions, nature, circumstances, consequences, etc

2. Faith comes from Knowing God

Faith comes from knowing God.  The word of God brings the revelation knowledge of God for your situation (Rhema- Romans 10:17). The word of God gives faith, which is the substance/basis for hope (Hebrews 11:1; Jeremiah 9:23, 24; Daniel 11:32b

Faith is also a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 12:3).  You can ask from God the gift of faith.

a) God’s Attributes

God is trustworthy. Faith is as good as its object. God is able, willing, loving and does not change. These are some of His attributes.

• God is all knowing (Psalm 139:1-6; Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 4:13).
• God is every where (Hebrews 13:5; Psalms 139: 7-13)
• God is all powerful (Jeremiah 32:27; Luke 1:37; Psalms 121:2.)  ‘That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.’ 1 Cor. 2:5
• God owns everything. (Psalms 24:1; Haggai 2:8; Deut 8:18)
• God is good. (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalms 25:8)
• God does not lie. He is truth. (Number 23:19; Titus 1:2, 2 Cor 1:20; Rom 3:4)
• God is love. (John 3:16; 1 John 4:16)
• God is gracious and merciful. (Joel 2:13; Romans 5:8)
• God is faithful. Malachi 3:6. ‘Faithful is he that called you, who will also do it.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:24; Philippians 1:6; James 1:17; Hebrews 10:23)
• God keeps his covenant. ‘For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, says Jehovah that hath mercy on thee.’ (Isaiah 54:10)
• God gave his son. ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?’  (Romans 8:32)

b) God’s names and titles

Study on your own and share with someone else.

Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Raah, Jehovah Shamaah, Jeshua, El Shaddai, El Roi, Elohim

3. Faith Must Grow

You can grow your faith.

-          By filling your heart with God’s word. Faith grows (1 Thessalonians 1:3) by monitoring what you watch, hear, say, read, surround ourselves with, and expose ourselves to deliberately ensure you avoid what does not encourage faith. Meditate on God’s word (Joshua 1:8)

-          By focusing on God and always be thankful and full of praise (Acts 16:25-26)

-          By focusing on the things God has done for you in the past

-          By listening to testimonies of what God is doing for others. What God has done for others he will do for you.  Maintain interaction and fellowship with other believers..

-          By exercising it. Use it by thinking, confessing, obeying and acting on God’s word. Sow seeds of faith – actions, words, thoughts, giving, etc. Its not faith until its acted on.

-          Through testing (1 Peter 1:7). What has not been tested cannot be trusted.

-          By overcoming the enemies of faith - disobedience, fear, worry, doubt and anxiety ((Hebrews 4:2; Psalm 78:41).

4. Being Filled with God’s Word (Colossians 3:16)

God’s word is Spirit and life. John 6:63  It has power to transform lives to Christlikeness.  Hebrews 4:12 

It is able to build you up and give you the inheritance in Christ. Acts 20:32  It is spiritual food for your faith.( Mathew 4:4   1 Peter 2:2   Romans 10:17)

The following are ways to respond to God’s word that encourage faith.

a) Obey it.

• Following Jesus is obeying Him. John 15:4, 10-12. we abide in Christ by doing what he says. Luke 6:46 John 14:15 1 John 2:3
• Following Him is making Him first in our lives. Luke 14:26; Acts 5:29
• Following Him is surrendering all to Him in order for you to gain everything from Him. Luke 14:33; 14:27; 18:22
• You can not say you love him without obeying him John 14:21. Obedience comes from fully accepting the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This means accepting his right to direct and lead your life to accomplish God’s purpose. He is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. He is the King.
• The heart of the Great commission is ‘teaching believers to obey Jesus’ (Mathew 28:20).
• Not obeying God’s word leads to lack of fruit. (Mathew 13:3-23. Mathew 7:24)

b) Know and meditate on it.

• Meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8. Psalm 1:2, 3.  Colossians 3:16)
• You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free (John 8:32. Psalm 119:11.  Proverbs 4:23 2 Corinthians 10:4; Philippians 4:8).

c) Speak and sing it.

• The tongue has the power to determine outcomes in your life (Proverbs 18:21). Instead of saying I cant. I don’t have. I don’t have enough.  I don’t know. Etc talk about what the Bible says you have, you are, you can do, etc. About what you know. (Romans 4:17).
• You prosper by not letting the word depart from your mouth (Joshua 1:8).
• They overcame him by the blood and the word of their testimony. Our testimony is what God has done for us (Revelation 12:11)
• Speak the word to your situations they have ears (Zechariah 4:7  James 3:3-6).

d)  Share it. (2 Timothy 2:2.)

e) Pray it.

Thank God for his promises and for who the word says he is. Say God’s word in your prayers e.g. Nehemiah 1:8, 9

Exercise:

Read on your own Psalm 119 and 19:7-14

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa