Exercising Your Faith

The Word of God tells us, "...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3) Although not in the same measure, every believer has been given a measure of faith. God will take those who have believed for greater things to a higher level of faith. When we take the measure of faith that God has provided to the limit, He will take us to a higher level of releasing the supernatural. However, let us keep in mind that it is possible for us to lose our measure of faith, instead of obtaining a new leve1. This happens when believers choose to remain comfortable at a place where their faith is not challenged. Yet, if we are being good stewards of the measure of faith we have been given, then God will give us more. (Matthew 24:14-30)

What do we do with our measure of faith? We operate in and apply it to the sphere of influence we have been given by God, so that we can produce fruit for His glory. The Amplified Version of the Bible says,  "For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." (Romans 5:17) Notice that we reign as kings in life through Jesus Christ. Therefore, as a king has authority to rule, God has also given us a measure of rule that is equivalent to our particular spiritual authority and spiritual gifts.

In the spirit realm, everything operates according to measures of rule. Each person's faith is to be used effectively in relation to his own measure of rule. God has entrusted us with faith and spiritual
endowments. Jesus tells us, "For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) Therefore, if our measure of faith is sufficient to move mountains or destroy strongholds, then it stands to reason that our measure of rule will be proportionate to it. This is also why we must take our faith to its limit.  To take our faith to the limit we must understand that faith not only believes the impossible, but it feeds on the impossible.

When God gave each one of us a measure of faith, an appetite for the impossible should have been ignited in our spirits. However, if our faith is not exercised, then the desire and hunger for the impossible will eventually fizzle out or worse yet, it will be stolen by the enemy. Satan certainly does not want believers to operate in the kind of faith that moves mountains and he will do his best to discourage and deceive believers so their faith erodes. But, a believer who is full of God's supernatural faith is passionate about what does not seem possible within the natural realm, and his faith is fed when he confronts impossible situations, circumstances and or difficult trials. His faith grows because the revelation given by the Apostle James resonates in his heart, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

In a sense, impossible situations, circumstances and or difficult trials to ones faith is like resistance exercises to ones muscles. Resistance exercise is a form of exercise that forces your skeletal muscles to contract which leads to increases in muscular mass, strength, endurance and tone. So, it is  important for believers to grow their faith, which grows their ability in and through Christ to make the impossible, possible. The Apostle Paul was certainly a man whose faith grew through the numerous impossible situations, circumstances and or difficult trials that he faced. (2 Corinthians 11:22-28) so, when he said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13), he was actually saying, "I am powerfully equipped to do whatever God calls me to do through Christ who empowers me." We, like Paul can say the same, but is our faith growing? Do we realize the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and are we willing to step out and stand on God's Word regardless of what the situations, circumstances and or trials may be? May, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you...