Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Walking By Faith Day By Day!

I've been sharing my testimony lately so I thought this would be an appropriate time to share how I walk by faith on a day to day basis. As we all know some days are easier, and some days are very difficult. Here are some of the "treasures" God has taught me on my journey of faith ...

1. Don't underestimate the POWER of prayer!
James 5:16 "... the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!"

What does that mean? The passionate prayer of a godly person is powerful and is effective! Need I say more? PRAY!

2. Don't underestimate the POWER of worship!
John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: And they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth!"

Continually day and night praise is ever in my heart and on my lips. I play worship and praise music all day long. I sing and worship while I do my housework and sewing. I have found that NOTHING on earth breaks through negative thoughts and doubt like worship. Most important ... when you don't feel like worshiping, DO IT! Worship breaks the force of the enemy! It is a secret weapon God gave his people, USE IT!! Paul and Silas worshiped in prison and were set free. Joshua and the Israelites worshiped and conquered the city of Jericho. I overcame fear when I began to worship!

3. Don't underestimate the POWER of the word of God!
Psalms 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"

The word of God shall direct my steps and guide my way! The bible is the world's most unhidden secret weapon. We live in a day and age where nearly everyone has access to a bible. It's more accessible now then ever before. But sadly it is the most overlooked and under read book as well. It is full of God's secrets, God's plans, God's promises, God's love, God's hope ... need I go on? Open it! Read it! His truth's will enlighten and encourage you. When you are having a hard time reading, KEEP READING! Some days I have to read chapter after chapter. It feels like nothing is penetrating, but it is! Read stories about situations you are facing. If you need a healing, find scriptures on healing. If you are having trouble with submission, read scriptures about submission. God talks to his people through his word! A great bible resource is E-Sword! A free electronic bible for your computer with concordance, study and dictionary, and much much more! Write down your favorite scriptures and post them where you will see them. On the fridge, in the bathroom, by your computer, in front of the kitchen sink. Everywhere you look you will be reminded of God's promises!

4. Submit to God, resist the devil, and he WILL flee!
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!"

You must yield yourself to God's will and be obedient to his word. Once you submit to God you are automatically resisting the devil. He no longer has influence or control of your thoughts and actions. If I know I am not doing everything in my power to submit to God, I find where the area is I am having difficulty in and pray about it and make a conscious decision to fight my flesh and change my ways. If I am still having a battle with the enemy and I know I am doing everything in my power to be obedient, I tell the devil that I am a child of God and command him to take up his weapons and flee, then I praise God for my deliverance. We do have authority through Jesus Christ to command the enemy to leave, but I do not spend much time on this. If you spend your time praising God and being obedient to him then you will feel the joy and peace that you need to conquer your battle! 1 John 4:4 says "..greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world." If Christ is in you, you have nothing to fear from the enemy! If you have not yet submitted to God, I encourage you to do so! He is only a prayer away! Ephesians 6:11-18 is about putting on the armour of God.

5. Do not allow any negativity to enter your mind!
Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things!"

It was amazing to me when I finally conquered this battle how much joy was missing in my life, and how much easier my battles seemed to be afterwards. Negativity will rob you faster then any force on earth. It comes from friends, family, neighbors, saints, children, doctors. Even our own minds can deceive us with negativity and rob our victory. When negativity tries to creep it's way into my life I recognize it as soon as possible for what it is and talk back to it. Yes, sometimes I have to physically speak it out loud! "I am healed! I am delivered! God is in control of my life! Everything is going to be OK! I do love my husband! My body is made whole! I am not in pain! I feel great! I will have a baby! God will provide my finances!" I preach to myself all the good things God is doing in my life and speak by faith the things that I haven't seen yet. Remember "death and life are in the power of the tongue" Proverbs 18:21 I choose to speak life!

6. Live like your prayers are already answered!
Romans 4:17 "... calleth those things which be not, as though they really were"

We have been married for 15 years but so far no positive pregnancy test. Everyday I thank God for healing me and I rub my stomach! I thank God for my baby! I even named my baby! If someone asks if I am pregnant I say "I could be, I've been doing my part, the rest is up to God!" My nieces and nephews ask when our baby is going to come so I say "Some babies take longer to grow!" I don't EVER say I have infertility or I am not pregnant! That is negativity! I only speak faith! YES! It does matter the words you use! Choose wisely! I tell everybody that God has healed me and we are going to have a baby soon! Most people, family included, roll their eyes and feel pity for me. It doesn't matter to me if anybody else believes in my miracle or not, I believe! I also "prepare" for the baby! Read how I "prepare for rain" HERE! You can also read how I stood by faith when I was diagnosed with Cancer HERE!


7. BELIEVE!
Luke 17:19 "And he (Jesus) said unto them. Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole"
I suppose this probably should have been first! LOL You MUST believe that God can do it! Questioning whether he can, doubting if he will, saying that he won't will stop God from doing it! James 1:6-8 "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like the wave of the sea driven in the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways!" Once you ask, stand stead fast that God can and will do it! If you do waver, repent and ask God to forgive you, then start again! It's never to late to believe!


These are some of the lessons I have learned that help me walk by faith day by day! I hope you are encouraged to live by faith! I would love to hear how you encourage yourself to walk by faith!

I linked up today with:

Encourage One Another
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5 comments:

  1. Wonderful points, Sarah! Thank you for being such an encouragement!

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  2. Sarah, These points are tried and TRUE! Thanks for reminding me of 2 (Phil. 4: 8 and #6-living like it is already done)! I am thankful and Glad in heart that you can to be with us for the 'EOA' link-up! I pray you will come back and share again next week...there is much you have to give and there is such hunger out there. Bless you!

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  3. Thank You Jaqueline that's very sweet! God delights in the praise of his people!

    Sarah

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  4. This has brought tears to my eyes... I know the Lord meant for me to come across this page. Thank you for sharing your testimony. What a blessing! :)

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  5. His word is so powerful! He is my strength!! I'm so glad to have you here Tabitha! I look forward to getting to know you!

    Many blessings!
    Sarah

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I'm so excited to have you visit Treasures of Faith! I hope you are encouraged and inspired by what you read! Thank you for taking the time to comment! I love reading what you have to say! We are here to encourage each other so please keep your comments kind! Have a blessed day! ~Sarah