Change Your Hope To Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

Many years ago during a time of adversity I was praying for God to fix my situation when the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Not audibly, but clearly nevertheless. He said "Gerald, I've already done everything I'm ever going to do for you". I said "wha wha wha what????." He said, "I said ... I've already done everything I'm ever going to for you through my Word. I'm not going to add any more promises to my Word, and Jesus isn't come back and get crucified all over again. It's already all been done, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus. Now it's time for you to receive my promises by faith. Quit hoping I'll do something and receive what I've already done for you by faith."

That word form the Lord changed the way I approached the Word of God and it also changed the way I prayed. The way I used to pray was I'd ask God to do something for me and I was hoping He would. I knew that He could, but I wasn't sure that he would. So I hoped He'd say yes.

That's when I learned the difference between faith and hope. When most people pray, they are hoping God will answer their prayers. Hoping is future tense. Here's the difference ... faith takes. It receives right now, present tense.

At the time when the Holy Spirit was sharing this revelation with me, my back was up against the wall with a financial shortfall. The Holy Spirit took me to Hebrews 11:1 to make His point.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

It says ...

- faith is the assurance
- faith is the title deed
- faith is the confirmation
- faith is divinely guaranteed

The Holy Spirit continued to teach me that when I use my faith to receive a biblical promise, I have God's assurance it is done. God has given me His title deed, that is ownership of what I received by faith. My faith is the confirmation. It's guaranteed by God Himself.

Now at the time I had a huge financial shortfall, and so I prayed according to a biblical promise, that way I knew I was praying according to His will. So then Holy Spirit told me, "see now you have what you've received by faith." I said "I do? Well you could have fooled me. I'm just as broke as I was ten seconds ago before received my financial breakthrough by faith."

He said, "Son, you've asked and received by faith, now you have ownership, but you are going to have to trust Me for the how and when of delivery-manifestation." At that moment faith started to make sense. When I pray and receive according to a biblical promise, I have what I asked for because I already know God's answer to every biblical promise is yes. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

I don't serve a God who might, I serve a God who will. I'm not hoping He will. I have what He promised by Faith. No one hopes for what they already have. Think of it this way, when I go to Amazon to buy something, first I search to see if they have what I need. If they do, I make the purchase with my card. It's mine, yet I don't have delivery of it. Amazon gives me a delivery date.

Now, when I have a need I go search the Bible to see what the Word of God says about my situation. Everything has already been paid for by the blood of Jesus. I only have to use my faith to take it. But ... unlike amazon God doesn't have prime, we don't get a date of delivery or manifestation, we have to by-faith, trust God for His how and when.

When I am waiting on the Lord for His delivery, I'm not doubting whether He said yes or no. His Word says yes. So I can't get into doubt. Satan will come along and put all sorts of doubt thoughts in your mind. But he's a liar. So don't get into doubt. And don't confuse your feelings with your faith. Your faith is what you believe. What you are standing on. Feelings are just emotions that react your present circumstances.

James 1:6-7 NIV - But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Stay in faith. You don't receive anything from God through hope. You receive by faith. Do you see the difference between believing and doubting and between faith and hope?

And after you receive by faith, begin to thank God for what is done. Praise will elevate your faith and accelerate the delivery.

Fear not. Believe only. Get ready.
Gerald