2) How to use our faith for healing
Faith is like a tree. General faith is the trunk of this tree and every
branch represents the various areas of faith that we have developed. We can have
faith in God's provisions and not have faith in God's ability to heal.
Everything that we will ever do and be is based on faith. We need faith to be
saved as well as to stand in the office we are called to. We also need faith for
moving in the gifts, to preach, to cast out demons, to listen to God and do His
will. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Our tree may be small
and
sparsely branched or large and heavily branched. The condition of our faith is
totally up to us. If we are weak in faith it is our fault and we alone bear the
responsibility. Those who are authorities in the church will be judged for their
spiritual lack and the lies that they teach but we alone are responsible for our
welfare. We can grow far beyond the local "authorities." We can know
God better and have more anointing then any in our community. The only thing
that holds us back is our own desires and the commitment we have toward God.
Before we can use our faith, we need to know how to acquire and develop it.
It was already stated that, ROM 10:17 faith comes from hearing, and hearing
by the word of Christ. We must not think that there are other ways to
acquire faith or we will be wasting time chasing lies. This hearing of the word
is not limited to our own reading and studying but includes listening to
anointed teachers and preachers. Which ever way we chose to start, we need to
understand that eventually it will depend upon our own study and reading.
Jesus' parable about the sower and the seed is intended to explain what we
need to know about growing in faith, that is why Jesus said, MAR 4:13 ...
"Do you not understand this parable? And how will you understand all the
parables? The word of God is likened to a seed that has ability to produce
valuable results if it comes to maturity. These results are produced over time
and demands nurturing and tending if it is to succeed. If we are casual about
God's word then we will surely produce nothing but weeds. When approaching the
word of God we must have a heart that is open to believing and obeying what is
found in it. We must embrace it and determine to live according to it. Just like
in the parable, if we do not understand the word we have no chance to bear fruit
but only an expectation that the seed will die before being planted. If we
understand the principle that is being put forward then we need to stand on that
principle not only when it is convenient but especially when it is inconvenient.
It is through these times of testing that actually teach us the principles of
faith and how to stand believing in God's word. It is never easy to suffer
through hardship but the outcome is worth every minute. The devil will give us
an easy way out of the trial, even as he
offered one to Jesus when He fasted for
forty days wandering in the desert. Don't be fooled into accepting relief from
the trial by taking an easier avenue, satan is probably behind it. If we go through the trial and are
victorious we will have gained greater authority over satan, the world and the
flesh.
The next thing that we are confronted with is enduring the cares of the
world. While growing to this point we have had to directly fight the devil head
to head, now we have to just endure through constant battles and the barrage of
worldliness that never ends. Endurance is the word for this season. We can
either stand or regress to a less desirable place, it is up to us. While rapid
growth seemed to identify the previous stage, growth in this stage is slow and
steady. Time is the instrument for testing in this arena. How long are you
willing to endure? Will you abandon the process as too hard? Like a tomato plant
that has grown quickly to its general height, time for increasing stem and
branch thickness is at hand. Without increasing the plants durability it will
surely be damaged when the fruit begins to develop. The growing fruit puts
incredible pressure upon the frame. Fortunately the fruit's growth is slow,
giving the plant time to adjust to the increasing weight.
You may ask what did this have to do with faith? Faith is that which causes
us to grow and mature. Our growth (the maturing process) can not be separated
from our faith for they are dependant upon one another. Those who are critical
of faith people do not know the truth of the word. They will be invigorated if
they are not stopped by their pride from listening to what God has taught these
men of faith. We must continue to accept new seeds of God's word so that we will
have a continual harvest. Faith comes by hearing God's word.
The process of the sower and the seed shows us the route that we must follow
in order to be fruitful. The process might begin by just trusting God for our
provisions. At this time various trials designed to either stop us or cause us
to grow in faith are put into motion. These trials can manifest themselves as;
losing a job, a financial problem, unexpected bills, loss of a lease or even
homelessness. If we set our determination to grow then we will begin to
understand just how faith secures 
blessings. These trials may not end quickly
but we are expected to grow through them. We will be faced with either believing
that God will provide our needs or we will manipulate, lie, cheat or steal in
order to provide what we need. If we trust in God by refusing to yield to the
problems but believing that God will provide our needs, we will be on the road
to increased faith. We will see God provide everything that we need though not
the way we may think He should provide it. As God shows Himself faithful to our
steps of faith, the principles of faith become evident. The more we grow the
wiser we become. It will come to a point where we are able to transfer the
principles that we know to any area of life. Some may say, " I am not in
need of healing so why should I care?" The time to grow in faith is not
when you need it but before you need it. If we prepare for the future, the
future will be more certain. If we fail to prepare we may end up dying
prematurely. You can't buy life insurance after you are dead nor health
insurance after you are diagnosed with a serious disease. Fortunately it is
never to late to begin standing in faith and believing God for divine healing.
Steps to take in order to be healed
