Believing is not just declaring what we are believing for, but taking it further into acting what we are hoping to manifest and see AT HIS WORD.

I was praying and seeking the Lord for my next year’s conference to attend.  I had two in mind.  One is near and inexpensive but the other one is far that costs much more.  If I would look at the limitation of my financial capacity, there is no way I would opt for the more expensive one, BUT there was something in me that said, “if you’ll go for the nearer one, you wouldn’t be exercising your faith because you are able in and of your ability.”

As days went by, it was just resonating at the back of my mind until one day, I got a call from someone who asked me to agree with her in prayer and so I did.  A week later, she called me up again praising God and thanking me that all is well with her.  When I invited her to come with me to this more expensive conference, she just said, “I don’t think I will go but I will pay for your registration fee.”  Oh wow!  Just like that!  But then again, considering that I still need a lot for my airfare, accommodation and pocket money, I didn’t move.

Then the words of Bill Johnson echoed within me.  He said, “Most Christians, closed heavens are between their ears.”  Hmmm … our limitations indeed come in the way we think and perceive things but our RENEWED minds think differently.  It thinks without limits.  It sees an impossibility as an opportunity for God to show up.  Our believing and expectation for Him to move on our behalf becomes a landing strip for Him to manifest Himself and when He shows up, He shows off.  When we look at a mountain so big, then we see our God small.  But when we look at God so great and mighty, then our mountains become level ground with shouts of GRACE! GRACE! GRACE! (Zechariah 4:7)

And so, I waited and waited and waited, until one day it dawned on me one of the reasons why I had to go to this conference.  In reality, the conference is for me to receive, but He opened my eyes to see that the main reason why I had to fly halfway across the globe is for me to carry His presence to touch someone whom He unveiled my eyes to see.  He gave His dream TO me to let it flow THROUGH me.  Then I remembered what He revealed to me a few days ago that His treasures are His people.  We are the apple of His eye, His treasured possession and the object of His affection.   (Check When God Speaks )

The very moment He lifted the veil from my eyes to see His purpose, JOY came rushing like a river in my heart.  I became excited every time I think of going.  The JOY of the Lord became my strength that in spite of what I physically see in my bank account, my perception suddenly turned a 180 degrees.  When the light of His purpose pierced in and broke through, it made me unstoppable that eradicated what was impossible.

Then I realized, unless I will make a decision to go, nothing will move.  You see, even in our everyday lives, if we don’t have an intentional destination, we won’t even think of leaving our houses.  There is no ship that leaves a port without a destination.  No flight will do the same.  There has to be a corresponding action that will demonstrate what we are believing for.

I love the story of a paralytic man.  Mind you, in the story, it didn’t mention that it was him who really wanted to pursue Jesus, but it was His friends whose faith was anchored to the truth that Jesus heals.  They pressed in to where Jesus was but when they could not find a way how they might bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling  into the midst before Jesus.  When JESUS SAW their faith (Matthew 5:20 NKJV), a powerful encounter began for the power of the Lord was present to heal.

AT HIS WORD, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” IMMEDIATELY he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorying God.” (Luke 5:24-25), the paralytic man responded even without thinking if his faith was activated.  He just did what Jesus spoke making His word made flesh and manifested.

What is He saying to us today?  Let us be like David who was a diligent seeker.  “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.”  (Psalm 27:4 NIV)  Are we hearing what He is saying?  Are we taking it further and farther, acting what we are hearing?

Truly, when we hear His voice, harden not our hearts.  When Abraham heard God to offer  Isaac, he ROSE EARLY IN THE MORNING and obeyed.  When Jesus said to Peter “COME!”, he didn’t think twice.  He got out of the boat and walked on water.  Awesome encounters indeed await those who act at His word.

And so, learning from all these, I checked on the flights and found a very good deal which was almost 50% from the regular price.  Yes, with joy in my heart, I booked myself to go and the battle in my mind of whether to go or not, ceased.  Then, I moved on to the next step, registration for the conference.  Then, unto my next destination to another country which the favor of God met me with a fully sponsored fare.

Taking the first step by faith will always take us farther and further.  Faith can be seen by our actions.  Faith is a SUBSTANCE of things hoped for.  Faith without works is dead.  It is a kind of faith that is securely and firmly based and anchored in the truth that with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

“As for me, in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.  By Your favor, O Lord, You have established me as a strong mountain.” (Psalm 30:6-7 Amp)

Prayer:  Father, thank You for Your grace that enables us to take a step of faith AT YOUR WORD.  Truly apart from You, we are nothing, but with You, we are unstoppable.  Thank You, Jesus, for withholding nothing, not even Yourself from us.  You came that we may HAVE and ENJOY life, in abundance to the full, till it overflows.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for revealing to us the power of Your Word, breaking through our minds that our every thought be captive into the obedience of Christ allowing and empowering us to explore and experience impossibilities made possible.  Amen.