The Decision to Live by Faith: Learning the Language God Understands
"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" (Hebrews 11:6).
Today's decision is this: I will live by faith. In fact, after the message about decisions, this should have been the very first one. Faith is the language God understands, and He is pleased by faith.
You know what the astrologer and your neighbor say. But if you don't know what God says, you will never understand the language of faith or walk in it. If you are anxious all the time, it means you don't believe. Someone can decide today, "I will not spend my life restless and worried like a pauper. I will live by faith."
How Faith Found Me
My encounter with the Lord was raw and powerful. I was newly married, and there were troubles and misunderstandings. I was at my in-laws' home in Chhattisgarh, and they took me to meet a man. He was an Orthodox Christian, but he was born again and gifted.
We stood together at a bakery counter. I was broken inside. He spoke one line, exactly the way my father speaks. He did not know me or my father. That was enough. I knew God was real and was showing me He was interested in my life. He struck the table and said, "Now the Lord Jesus is between you and me." In a few seconds I saw my whole life before my eyes like a screen opening. I had tears in my eyes. I said, "I wish I had not lived like this." I did not know the gospel. I did not know Jesus died so that I could live. He laid his hand on my head and prayed. That was it. I was changed, healed and delivered, standing at that counter.
A week later I called him and said, "I have to tell everyone." He said, "Not yet. First understand. Get a Bible and start reading." So I read the Word day and night like a madman, and the more I read, the more the Lord spoke to me.
Even today my trust is in Jesus Christ alone. My good works cannot save me. "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). That does not mean I want to do evil. I want to do good, but my faith is in Him.
A Trip I Could Not Afford
Within a few months I was leading a fellowship. One day I saw a healing crusade on TV with huge crowds and thought, "I wish I could serve the Lord like that." Two days later, in a Christian chat room, I started talking with a man from Nigeria. He had been a scammer, but the Lord saved him, and that day, tempted to go back, he opened the chat instead of his mail. I called him, and he turned out to be a prophet.
He invited me to Nigeria to preach. I had no money and had never preached the gospel. My whole family was against me. It was the most difficult trip of my life. I had three invitations, and all three were canceled. One of the men had invited me only to get money. While we prayed, the prophet said, "The third man is a fraud, but the Spirit of God has caught him. He will come soon." He came running and said, "We will do a crusade in our city."
We held the crusade. There was police firing, and I was taken to the police station three times. I came back half my size after 21 days. For a long time afterward I would wake at night afraid I was still in Nigeria. But when I preached the gospel, many people were saved. Most of what I teach in ministry I learned on that first trip.
If I had not gone, I would not be here today. That is the language of faith.
Faith Is a Way of Life
Believing in the Lord means believing everything He says. We don't walk by salary, tithe or business. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Walking by faith means what God has said becomes the reality of my life.
The Old Testament keeps telling one story. Israel did not believe. God made them rich overnight, brought them out of Egypt with miracles and destroyed Pharaoh's army before their eyes. Then in the wilderness they cried, "What will we eat? What will we drink?" They did not go hungry, their sandals did not wear out, and still they did not trust Him. If you cannot trust Him in the wilderness, you will not enter your Canaan. There is no lottery in the kingdom.
But their father Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief" (Romans 4:20). God said, "At the time appointed I will return unto thee... and Sarah shall have a son" (Genesis 18:14). And the son was born.
Know What God Has Said
"God is not a man, that he should lie" (Numbers 23:19). Man may promise and die tomorrow. God will do what He said. At this stage of my life I am not anxious about anything.
If you don't know what God has said, your faith is hollow. Self-confidence, positive thinking and motivation do not carry you. When you are wounded and remember, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17), you rise again. Whenever God speaks, Satan comes to plant doubt, just as he came after heaven said, "This is my beloved Son." Jesus answered him every time, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4). Paul said, "I know whom I have believed" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Speak to the Dry Bones
God asked Ezekiel, "Son of man, can these bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3). The bones were very dry. Your life may be in bad shape right now. But if those bones will live, your situation is temporary, not permanent, and you will behave differently. God told him to prophesy, and as he spoke, there was a shaking and bone came to bone. When you speak the language of faith, needs are met and doors open.
At the Red Sea, Moses said, "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13). The next thing we read is God saying, "Wherefore criest thou unto me?" (Exodus 14:15). Speak what God has said, and then act on it.
Make up your mind: "I will not be like this faithless generation. In the end the victory is mine in the Lord."
Go Deeper: I Have Decided
Living with unshakable faith is one of the five decisions at the heart of the book. This Decision series is drawn from my book I Have Decided (Hindi: मैंने निर्णय लिया है). Anchored in Daniel 1:8, it leads you into five life-changing decisions: to get serious with God, become a vessel of value, invest your life in Him, live with unshakable faith, and serve Him wholeheartedly.
English eBook (Kindle): I Have Decided on Amazon
Hindi eBook (Kindle): मैंने निर्णय लिया है on Amazon
English paperback: I Have Decided on rdmglobal.org
Hindi paperback: मैंने निर्णय लिया है on rdmglobal.org
The Decision Series
Part 1: Why Decisions Matter: Every Choice Is a Verdict on Your Life
Part 2: How to Make Right Decisions: Nine Keys From God's Word
Part 3: Serious With God and Serious for God: The Decision Daniel Made
Part 4: Invest Your Life in God: Your Life Is Worth More Than Money
Part 5: The Decision to Become Valuable: Don't Live a Worthless Life
Part 6: The Decision to Live in Peace: Receiving God's Shalom
Part 7: The Decision to Live by Faith: Learning the Language God Understands (you are here)
Part 8: Created on Purpose: The Decision to Live an Intentional Life
Part 9: The Decision to Serve God: Let My People Go That They May Serve Me
Previous: Part 6: Live in Peace
More Teaching Series
The Mystery of Open and Closed Doors: Start with Part 1: The Stealer of Joy
Marriage in the Lord Series: Start with Part 1: Marry Only in the Lord
The Lordship Series: Start with Part 1: Is Jesus Your Lord or Only Your Savior?
Declarations
I live by faith, not by sight.
My trust is in Jesus Christ alone, not in my works.
God is not a man that He should lie. What He said, He will do.
I know whom I have believed.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
My situation is temporary. God's Word is permanent.
In the end, the victory is mine in the Lord.
Stay Connected & Grow Deeper
Watch the full message: Part 7 of the Decision series on YouTube. Please note that the message is preached in Hindi.
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