Faith On Trial - Part 1

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Photo Reference: http://crossroadstabernacle.blogspot.com/2011/04/faith-on-trialagain.html?m=1

Scriptures (biblegateway.com – KJV)

James 1:3-4: ³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

1 Peter 1:7: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Our faith is on trial! Do we REALLY believe God like we say we do? Our faith is on trial every single day we wake up! Not only is the world watching us, but the devil is watching us too. They are watching to see if we really are trusting God like we say we are; do we have faith in God! Before I go on with this teaching, let’s look at what Paul is saying about faith in Hebrews 11:1:

 “Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]” (biblegateway.com – Amplified Bible).

We see here that faith is the “assurance” (confirmation, the title deed) of the things we hope for, the “proof of things” we do not see, and the “conviction”(“fixed or firm belief; a state of being convinced” – dictionary.com) of their reality (the things we cannot see reality). Faith is perceiving that the thing we hoped for, has happened but it has not been revealed to our natural senses. We cannot have faith without hope; they go hand in hand.

Faith says, what we prayed for has happened in the Spiritual realm, although our nature senses, cannot see it – we have faith until God brings it into manifestation, in the natural realm – hold on to our faith, NO MATTER what it looks like!

When we do this, we are putting our faith to work – faith without works is dead (James 2:14-16). Examples: if the Doctor gives someone a bad report, and he or she knows that the Word says, “By Jesus stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24), that person will put his or her faith to work, by NOT accepting the Doctor’s report, but accept the Report of the Lord in   1 Peter 2:24. The person will take that Scripture, and war with it (fight the good fight of faith, using the Shield of Faith – which is a piece of the Armor of God), until Holy Spirit manifests the healing in his or her body. And no matter how it looks, keep believing God’s Word!

Another example would be, the person needs a financial miracle and prays to God for help. However, instead of paying his or her tithes, the person gives in to fear and does not pay tithes; this is NOT putting faith to work. Putting faith to work would be to take Philippians 4:19, which says, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” and war with it, using your Shield of Faith, to quench every fiery dart of the enemy, that tries to cause you fear/doubt; that tries to cause you not to believe God’s Word.

These are just two examples of the many things we pray about – find the Scriptures pertaining to your situation, and use your Shield of Faith to believe God for what you need; to put your faith to work for you. We must be more persistent in receiving what we pray for, than the devil is in causing us to fear/doubt, what God is saying! Remember, we (Saints of God), walk by faith and NOT by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)!

NOTE: I am NOT saying don’t go to the Doctor, stop taking medicine, or not pay your bills; you do according to YOUR faith and be led by Holy Spirit in ALL YOU do. My goal in this teaching is to encourage and remind you, that Jesus died so you could be sinless, whole, and  healed – have TOTAL VICTORY in EVERY area of your life (Isaiah 53).

Before we continue with this teaching, I want to include the link to my latest teaching, “Surrender ALL to God” which includes the links to the complete series about “The Whole Armor of God.” Studying the “The Whole Armor of God,” will help you understand God’s Armor. Always read and study the Word, or any other kind of teaching, with Holy Spirit’s help; ask Him to give you wisdom, knowledge, and complete understanding, about what you are studying - click here for the teachings.

 

Click here for PDF version of “Faith On Trial – Part 1”

 

God’s blessings to you all and your families!

In His Service,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks

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