By Reverend Don Boucher
STEPS TOWARD VICTORIOUS F.A.I.T.H.
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Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the
evidence of things not seen.
F. Facilitates
A. Accentuates
I. Initiates
T. Tested
H. Heaven Directed
The acronym above sets a context for understanding faith that I would
like to share with you today. When each of us think about building
our faith we often think about it in the context of what God has called
us to do. It is very “me” directed. I believe that the Lord is calling us
in this hour to have a “we” directed faith. Pastors are building
churches with congregational members without challenging them to
become “Laborers in the Harvest.” Saints are seeking God for a
mission without an understanding that they must first facilitate a
vision. Luke 16:12 states, “And if ye have not been faithful in that
which is another man’s who shall give you that which is your own.”
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word Facilitate in the
following manner, “to make easier” and in its context “from a skill or
aptitude.” The Lord has blessed each of us with gifts and talents. He
is willing to add and subtract from those talents based on our
stewardship. Matthew 25:28 tells us that the Lord took the one talent
away from the wicked and lazy man and gave it to the one who had
ten. The Lord did this because the one with ten facilitated Gods vision
for increase. If we are going to grow in faith we must be faithful in
facilitating another person dream first. Part of that certainly should be
related to the local church. In addition we can support evangelist and
radio and television ministries, pro-life out reach centers. The
opportunities are endless. The causes we support should be faith
based but not necessarily religions. The support of a Christian
businessperson is the facilitation of another persons dream.
The word Accentuate means to “add a distinctive quality.” Women
know all about this. They may have a pretty dress but they add
jewelry to accentuate the beauty of it. In a like manner we are to be
Salt and Light to those around us. Especially, to those who have been
commissioned by the Lord to do great things in his name. The giving
of “who you are” to a ministry “adds that distinctive favor.” If your
favor is not appreciated then find where you belong. I love hot
pepper, but not in my ice cream. I have heard it said, that we should
“go where we are celebrated not where we are tolerated.” God has a
place for each of us. Jesus could do no great miracles in Nazareth
because He was not celebrated there, he was not received, they did not
accentuate, or facilitate, what the Lord wanted to do in their town.
Matthew 10:14-15 “And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your
words when ye depart out of that house or city shake off the dust of
your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land
of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that city.
The failure of Chorazin and Bethsaida to recognize the miracles that
the Lord was doing for them lead to their Judgment as well Matthew
11:21. They did not add a distinctive quality to the Lord’s work; they
did not receive to beautiful dress He was offering them. Many are
called but few are chosen, and the one who failed to put on the
wedding garment was cast out with weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the Lord says “well done good and faithful servant” for many
He will be referring to the work of support, (facilitation and
accentuation) of other ministries. Are you supportive of the work of
the Lord in your generation?
Initiate: “To introduce to a new field.” Paul said in Romans 15:20
“Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel not where Christ was
named, lest I should build upon another mans foundation.” Paul was
truly an Apostle; an Apostle is one who initiates new work by leading
and enabling of the Holy Spirit. Apostles in this generation are often
raised up by the Lord, after they have Facilitated and Accentuated,
another man’s ministry. It is at that time the Lord gives them “their
own” work. They have proved themselves faithful. These new works
can be in any realm, business, education, social services and of course
the church.
The process of the birthing of a new work can take many years. A
dream delayed is not a dream refused. God often tests us with another’
s work. The process of initiating a new work can be and is often
slow. But the Lord tells us “not to despise small beginnings.” Our
ministry taught two and three people in our Bible school until He
released thousands to be taught in Africa. He was testing our
steadfastness and commitment to Him. He may call us to initiate
something out of obedience, but ultimately, the Lord is the builder of
any enterprise that He calls one of His saints to start.
Tested. “A procedure to critically evaluate”We are tested in three
ways, we are tested by the Son, Self and by Satan. First the Son tests
us by giving us the direction in the first place “build and arc” “go to a
land I will show you” “go to Pharaoh and tell him to let My people go”
“walk around Jericho seven times” “go into all the world and preach
the Gospel” “baptize, and teach the nations my commands.” These
were all directions given by the Son to His sheep. His sheep heard His
voice and obeyed Him, even when the results were fatal. Hebrews 11:
37
Secondarily, we will be tested by ourselves, the rich man could not
follow Jesus because of his many possessions, others could not follow
because they owned land, had family obligations, or loved food more
then the service to the Lord. We are each called to pick up our cross
and follow him. Our faith will inform us “His burden is easy His yoke
is light.”
Satin will test us. He will tempt us, attack us, and try to destroy us.
“Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.” We will be
tempted by the Lust of the Eye, Lust of the Flesh and Pride of Life.
For men that often means Gold, Girls and Glory, but we are able to
overcome him by the “blood of the lamb and the word of our
testimony.” Jesus said, “fear not for I have overcome the world.” He
said that He is going to prepare a place for us. Our citizenship is not
on earth it is in heaven. We are passing through as ambassadors
bringing the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5 Heavenly: A state of place of happiness; The Bible
teaches that Heaven is a place and that our labor on Earth will be
tested there. 1 Corinthians 3, tells us that the Lord is going to test each
Christians work. It will be either, Gold, Silver, and Precious stones, or
it is going to be Wood, Hay and Stubble. What will determine that is
how we labored on Earth. Did we work for rewards here to “be seen
by men” then “we have our reward.” Did we pray in secret, give in
secret and fast in secret? Did we lay up treasure in heave where
thieves can’t steal, rust can’t decay it, and moths can’t eat it. Did we
build a bank account and retire and say all is well? Did the Lord call
us a fool and tell us that we will need to give an account of our souls?
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but losses his
own soul.
Let us have a F.A.I.T.H. that Facilitates God’s dreams, Accentuates
the vision of his leaders, Initiates new works in His name. Let us have
F.A.I.T.H. that is tested by fire, and always looks to Heaven where
the Author and Finisher of our F.A.I.T.H. sits at the right hand of the
Father and is interceding on our behalf.
evidence of things not seen.
F. Facilitates
A. Accentuates
I. Initiates
T. Tested
H. Heaven Directed
The acronym above sets a context for understanding faith that I would
like to share with you today. When each of us think about building
our faith we often think about it in the context of what God has called
us to do. It is very “me” directed. I believe that the Lord is calling us
in this hour to have a “we” directed faith. Pastors are building
churches with congregational members without challenging them to
become “Laborers in the Harvest.” Saints are seeking God for a
mission without an understanding that they must first facilitate a
vision. Luke 16:12 states, “And if ye have not been faithful in that
which is another man’s who shall give you that which is your own.”
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word Facilitate in the
following manner, “to make easier” and in its context “from a skill or
aptitude.” The Lord has blessed each of us with gifts and talents. He
is willing to add and subtract from those talents based on our
stewardship. Matthew 25:28 tells us that the Lord took the one talent
away from the wicked and lazy man and gave it to the one who had
ten. The Lord did this because the one with ten facilitated Gods vision
for increase. If we are going to grow in faith we must be faithful in
facilitating another person dream first. Part of that certainly should be
related to the local church. In addition we can support evangelist and
radio and television ministries, pro-life out reach centers. The
opportunities are endless. The causes we support should be faith
based but not necessarily religions. The support of a Christian
businessperson is the facilitation of another persons dream.
The word Accentuate means to “add a distinctive quality.” Women
know all about this. They may have a pretty dress but they add
jewelry to accentuate the beauty of it. In a like manner we are to be
Salt and Light to those around us. Especially, to those who have been
commissioned by the Lord to do great things in his name. The giving
of “who you are” to a ministry “adds that distinctive favor.” If your
favor is not appreciated then find where you belong. I love hot
pepper, but not in my ice cream. I have heard it said, that we should
“go where we are celebrated not where we are tolerated.” God has a
place for each of us. Jesus could do no great miracles in Nazareth
because He was not celebrated there, he was not received, they did not
accentuate, or facilitate, what the Lord wanted to do in their town.
Matthew 10:14-15 “And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your
words when ye depart out of that house or city shake off the dust of
your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land
of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that city.
The failure of Chorazin and Bethsaida to recognize the miracles that
the Lord was doing for them lead to their Judgment as well Matthew
11:21. They did not add a distinctive quality to the Lord’s work; they
did not receive to beautiful dress He was offering them. Many are
called but few are chosen, and the one who failed to put on the
wedding garment was cast out with weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the Lord says “well done good and faithful servant” for many
He will be referring to the work of support, (facilitation and
accentuation) of other ministries. Are you supportive of the work of
the Lord in your generation?
Initiate: “To introduce to a new field.” Paul said in Romans 15:20
“Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel not where Christ was
named, lest I should build upon another mans foundation.” Paul was
truly an Apostle; an Apostle is one who initiates new work by leading
and enabling of the Holy Spirit. Apostles in this generation are often
raised up by the Lord, after they have Facilitated and Accentuated,
another man’s ministry. It is at that time the Lord gives them “their
own” work. They have proved themselves faithful. These new works
can be in any realm, business, education, social services and of course
the church.
The process of the birthing of a new work can take many years. A
dream delayed is not a dream refused. God often tests us with another’
s work. The process of initiating a new work can be and is often
slow. But the Lord tells us “not to despise small beginnings.” Our
ministry taught two and three people in our Bible school until He
released thousands to be taught in Africa. He was testing our
steadfastness and commitment to Him. He may call us to initiate
something out of obedience, but ultimately, the Lord is the builder of
any enterprise that He calls one of His saints to start.
Tested. “A procedure to critically evaluate”We are tested in three
ways, we are tested by the Son, Self and by Satan. First the Son tests
us by giving us the direction in the first place “build and arc” “go to a
land I will show you” “go to Pharaoh and tell him to let My people go”
“walk around Jericho seven times” “go into all the world and preach
the Gospel” “baptize, and teach the nations my commands.” These
were all directions given by the Son to His sheep. His sheep heard His
voice and obeyed Him, even when the results were fatal. Hebrews 11:
37
Secondarily, we will be tested by ourselves, the rich man could not
follow Jesus because of his many possessions, others could not follow
because they owned land, had family obligations, or loved food more
then the service to the Lord. We are each called to pick up our cross
and follow him. Our faith will inform us “His burden is easy His yoke
is light.”
Satin will test us. He will tempt us, attack us, and try to destroy us.
“Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.” We will be
tempted by the Lust of the Eye, Lust of the Flesh and Pride of Life.
For men that often means Gold, Girls and Glory, but we are able to
overcome him by the “blood of the lamb and the word of our
testimony.” Jesus said, “fear not for I have overcome the world.” He
said that He is going to prepare a place for us. Our citizenship is not
on earth it is in heaven. We are passing through as ambassadors
bringing the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5 Heavenly: A state of place of happiness; The Bible
teaches that Heaven is a place and that our labor on Earth will be
tested there. 1 Corinthians 3, tells us that the Lord is going to test each
Christians work. It will be either, Gold, Silver, and Precious stones, or
it is going to be Wood, Hay and Stubble. What will determine that is
how we labored on Earth. Did we work for rewards here to “be seen
by men” then “we have our reward.” Did we pray in secret, give in
secret and fast in secret? Did we lay up treasure in heave where
thieves can’t steal, rust can’t decay it, and moths can’t eat it. Did we
build a bank account and retire and say all is well? Did the Lord call
us a fool and tell us that we will need to give an account of our souls?
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but losses his
own soul.
Let us have a F.A.I.T.H. that Facilitates God’s dreams, Accentuates
the vision of his leaders, Initiates new works in His name. Let us have
F.A.I.T.H. that is tested by fire, and always looks to Heaven where
the Author and Finisher of our F.A.I.T.H. sits at the right hand of the
Father and is interceding on our behalf.
© Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2006