Three Seasons Community Church– 2-4-07

Faith is seeing from God's perspective. If you don’t understand the process, you’ll get discouraged when problems arise. You’ll wonder, "Why is this happening to me?" But if you understand and cooperate with what God is doing - in your life and with your faith - you'll develop great strength. It's like stretching a muscle to make it stronger.

God gives you a dream: an idea, goal, or ambition. Every great accomplishment first begins as a God-given dream in someone’s mind.

"God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." Eph. 3:20 (LB)

A dream is worthless until you decide to do something about it. For every ten dreamers, there’s only one decision-maker. This is the moment of truth where you decide to invest your time, money, energy, and reputation - and to let go of security. If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat!

James 1:6-8 (CEV) But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. [7-8] If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all.

James 1:23-25 (GW) If someone listens to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, [24] studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. [25] However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say.

What does waiting teach us?

There is ALWAYS a time lapse before your dream becomes reality. God uses this waiting period to teach you to trust Him. Remember: a delay is not a denial. Maturity is understanding the difference between "no" and "not yet."

Habakkuk 2:3 (Living) But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!

Now the problems start popping up. The two most common types: critics and circumstances. Don’t worry! It’s all a part of God’s plan.

"At the present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident - it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold, and gold, as you know, even though it is ultimately perishable, must be purified by fire." 1 Pet. 1:6-7 (Ph)

Your situation will deteriorate from difficult to IMPOSSIBLE! You'll find yourself backed into a corner; you reach the end of your rope. The situation looks hopeless. Congratulations! You're on the edge of a miracle. Trust God.

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!!! If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

"At that time we were completely overwhelmed … in fact we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet, we now believe we had this sense of impending disaster so that we might learn to trust - not in ourselves - but in God who can raise the dead." 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (Ph)

God brings us to edge to vividly demonstrate to us what HE and only He can do!

God provides a supernatural answer. Miraculously, things fall into place! God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections so you can see His greatness.

Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT) May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. [3] Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up.

James 1:2-4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. [3] For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

Philippians 1:19 (NLT) For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance.

"I expect the Lord to deliver me once again so I will see his goodness to me …." Ps. 27:13

How have you seen these phases unfolding in your life?

When it comes to faith– which phase are you in?

What is God telling you to do before moving to the next phase?

DON’T GIVE UP!! Understanding these phases will help you endure or persevere! You never know how close you are to deliverance!