If you have an attitude of faith, then you are continually looking upward for guidance. You’ll keep your eyes on Jesus. Practically, how do you keep your eyes on Jesus? Through fellowship with Him. Simply by praying and keeping your heart open to Him on a daily basis. (Not just on a Sunday basis – a daily basis!)
If you keep yourself aware of the presence of God, then you’ll be more in tune with His prompting and you’ll be more confident taking action! You’ll be walking the same path many of the most successful people of God throughout the ages have walked. You’ll be walking by faith!
That is why I have a really hard time understanding people who say they don’t believe in “that faith stuff.” The Scripture says plainly enough, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).
So if faith pleases God then what does lack of faith do? Well, I guess there is only one thing it can do – it displeases God. Now that’s strong, I know. But what many people who disregard faith are really saying is that they don’t believe in pleasing God. And, to me, that simply means that if they are flatly refusing to please God, then they are living in disobedience to His Word. Whew! Strong, huh?
I believe that there is a reason for people vocally attacking faith. Of course, the devil is blinding their eyes to the truth because he doesn’t want them to use the force of faith. But I want you to understand why Christians who don’t use their faith always seem to be the ones who attack those of us who do. The reason is simple but true: they aren’t comfortable in the presence of God.
There, I’ve said it! Whenever I say this in a church meeting, people get real quiet. And they should. Contemplating what you are doing within your own life is good. Checking yourself to see if you have attacked or ignored faith is good. It’s the only way you’ll ever even notice what you’re really doing.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Jesse Duplantis, minister of the Gospel, motivational speaker, television personality, and best-selling author, has been in full-time ministry since 1976 and is the founder of Jesse Duplantis Ministries, located in the Greater New Orleans area of south Louisiana in the United States of America. With over four decades of sharing his unique blend of humor and faith around the world, generations of believers have been inspired by his messages and countless numbers have come to know Jesus Christ as Savior through his ministry.
Known for his unflinching, status-quo-breaking messages and humorous take on experiences in the life of the believer, Jesse continues to draw large audiences of believers through social media, television, and meetings held around the world. With speaking engagements booked years in advance, Jesse Duplantis continues to keep an intense traveling schedule, flying throughout the United States and the world preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With no booking agents pursuing meetings for him and no set fees imposed upon churches for speaking engagements, Jesse chooses his outreach meetings based on the same two criteria he always has: invitations that come in and prayer over each one. This uncommon way of scheduling in today’s world means Jesse’s many followers may find him speaking in some of the largest churches and venues in America and the world, as well as a great many small and growing congregations, too. No church is too big or small for the Holy Spirit, as he says.
Side by side with his wife Cathy Duplantis, the co-founder and chief of staff of Jesse Duplantis Ministries and the senior pastor of Covenant Church in Destrehan, Louisiana, Jesse continues to fulfill his life’s calling by daily taking up the Great Commission of Jesus Christ: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Through social media, television broadcasts, books, and other ministry products, as well as through many evangelistic meetings, the JDM website, the JDM app, and Voice of the Covenant magazine, Jesse Duplantis continues to see growth in his ministry and expand each year while maintaining his roots. Jesus is the center of his life. The salvation of lost people and the growth of believers is the purpose of his ministry. And for both he and his wife, every day is another day to “Reach People and Change Lives, One Soul at a Time.”