Sleeping Faith

(On October 8, 2007) I had night vision last night and saw the Lord looking at me as I was up late one night 3 months ago talking to Dr. Robinson.  I saw my spirit confident, sure, and determined.  I woke up from that dream and realized that my faith was still sleeping. 

Where have I been the past month?  My life has been caught up in a whirlwind of busyness.  My spirit man has been covered by the concerns of this world. The Holy Spirit whisphered to me, Romans 1:16.  When I read it, I realized that the point the Lord was tryin to make to me: “The righteous shall live by faith.”  I recognized immediately that I have been living in fear the past 2 months.  Fear in my relationships, fear in my health, fear in my actions.  Fear had overcome me.  In fighting for my dream, I have come to realize that fear is the dominant force working against you.  Seeing the dream or vision is the easy part.  It is walking it out that is difficult.  It seems that when God gives you a dream, there exists invisible handcuffs called fear, anxiety, mental issues, and lack of experience that we have to overcome in order to fulfill our dream.

However, there is a sleeping faith that we must call out of rest.  It is very simple.  Open your eyes to how God sees you.  In my dream, I saw myself as God sees me.  He sees me as a confident, sure, bold, and ambitious soldier.  Simply, you have to flood your eye gates with images of your prophetic image (see previous post). 

James 1:22-24″Be doers of the word and not hears only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

This passage in James so eloquently describes what we often do.  God will speak His word (Logos or A divine expression i.e. Christ) to us telling us who He has called us to be. He shows us who we are in the mirror of faith.  Then, we turn away and not live out who He has called us to be as if the image was virtual and not real.  This is the same mirror described in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For we see in a mirror dimly, then face to face.”  The greek definition of mirror (glass) implies to gaze intently for inspection or to see the purpose of.  Do you really see the purpose of God when you look in the mirror? Do you remember that purpose when you turn away from the mirror?  Here’s what I do when I get a case of sleeping faith or spiritual amnesia: I look in the mirror and say what God sees until I see it myself. 

“I am Dr. James Christopher Ford.” I am a preacher, teacher, and motivational speaker for Jesus Christ.”  I am an entrepreneur.  I see opportunities all around me.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am strong.  I am healthy. I am intelligent.  I am wise. I am a great husband. I am a loving father.  I am a good son.  I am a good brother.  I am good friend.  I am a millionaire.  I am wealthy.  I expect good things and good things expect me.  I am blessed and highly favored of the Lord. ” 

I think you get the picture (pun intended).  I get excited everytime I speak those things (as though the were).  I pray this alarms your faith to wake up to He says you are.

 Keep fighting for your dream.

The Manifestation of Faith

 “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!”  Sounds of discouragement muffled the cry.  Then above a wall of resistance came an even greater shout, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus, now engulfed by the determined sound wave of passion, stopped.  Then, He commanded, “Call him.”  Hearing the call, the blind, homeless, dirty-rag-adorned man crawled as an infant child toward his Father.  He threw off the soiled rags that covered his bruised and hardened knees.  As he stood, the stained cloak which covered his back fell to the ground. There blind Bartimaeus heard the question that would answer his prayers, “Son, what may I do for you?” He answered Jesus, “That I may see.” In the moment that Jesus decreed, “Go, your faith has healed you,” the darkness that Bartimaeus had known his entire life became foreign to him as his eyes enjoyed light for the first time.  (Mark 10:46-52 paraphrased)         

Oftentimes, faulty mentalities cover the object of our faith.  When God calls us to be, do, or have anything, we are bombarded with discouraging thoughts, “factual-ized” truth, and suffocating fear that stagnate us.  If we are not careful, we will build an altar of accusations, a pulpit of plights, and a church of consternation.  We become blind in your faith much like blind Bartimaeus.  In spite of this challenge, how does one manifest faith or receive what they are praying for?   

In short, faith is manifested via the R.A.G. principle.  

R-Remove and RenewLike Bartimaeus, you have to remove your attention from nay-sayers, distracting relationships, and destructive mentalities (Hebrews 12:1). Bartimaeus ignored the crowd, focused his attention on Jesus, and removed his cloak.  This is accomplished by renewing your mind through praying, studying and reciting scriptures relevant to your situation, and getting around people whom have obtained what you desire (Romans 12:2).  In doing so, you claim the object of your faith in your spirit.  You cannot have anything unless you have first claimed it in your spirit.   

A-Acquire and AssessBartimaeus had acquired knowledge about Jesus prior to his pursuit thereof.  Renewing your mind is necessary, but not sufficient.  You must acquire wisdom and information about that which you are pursuing.  This can be done via books, experts, or experiences.   It is not enough to just believe God for a house, spouse, or a new job, because faith without works is dead; but rather, you must study real estate, talk to married couples or review how you obtained your current job.  Then, you can assess (“count the cost”) the acquisition of that which you are praying for.    

G-Go and GrabThe final step in manifesting your faith is to go and grab.  During this phase, faith becomes a verb.  The Greek word for faith is a verb!  You have to pursue the object of your faith.  Jesus told Bartimaeus to go!  Do you realize that an abundant life comes to us through risk-taking, and even moving when everything is not perfect?  Bartimaeus could not see when he was crying out to Jesus.  And, Bartimaeus could not see when he through off his cloak as he stood before Jesus.  However, when he moved, he grabbed his sight.  God will supply the faith to go and the faith to grab.  Recall that Elisha received the double portion of Elijah’s anointing when he grabbed Elijah’s mantle.  

In closing, remember that God delights in giving his children what they desire in their heart(Pslam 37:4;Psalm84:11).  So what’s keeping your from manifesting your faith?   Is there a cloak of insecurity, ignorance, or inactivity keeping you from manifesting your faith?  Is it the excuse of time, not enough money, or placement?  Use the R.A.G. that God has supplied you to wipe away fear, to clean your mind, and to take hold of your faith.      

Hello Again

Dear Dream Warriors,

 It has been a minute.  So much has been happening.  In trying to manifest my dream of inspiring the world, I have discovered the reality of my humanity.  There is only 24 hours in a day. And the finishing of a Ph.D. requires so much time and effort. 

October was a very challenging month. It seemed like I spent the entire month fighting.  Admittedly, I felt like giving up on all my dreams.  It seemed that the external pressure began to exceed my internal pressure to succeed.  I broke down only to discover that God is multiplying me.  The way that the Lord invokes the power of the ressurrection amazes everytime.  I have fellowshipped with His sufferings.  I have let my dream die for a moment.  But, now I see clearer now.   I see the glory that awaits at the end of this process.  

 In my next post, I will share a revelation that came during this past month, “The Manifestation of Faith.”

 Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep fighting for your dream!

Love,

J. Chris