“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
One of the greatest healing evangelists I’ve ever known once said to me, “I don’t understand it. I have laid hands on more than 2 million people. I’ve seen miracles of every description. But I’m the last guy in the world to ever get healed.”
Just think, that evangelist had seen Jesus face to face more than once. His hand had been set on fire with the healing touch of God. But he couldn’t live on those experiences. He had to learn, just like you and I do, to walk one step at a time confessing, believing and standing on the Word of God.
“Well, maybe that’s true,” you say, “but I still think I would have more faith if Jesus would appear to me like He did to that evangelist.”
No, you wouldn’t. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Blessed means “empowered.” So, according to Jesus, you’ll have more power if you’ll believe before seeing a physical manifestation.
Why is that true? It’s because for you to believe something you don’t see with your physical eyes, you have to turn inward. You have to activate your spirit being. When you do that, the part of you that is like God rises up and gets stronger.
Am I saying you should avoid the spectacular manifestations and displays of God’s power that are occurring around us in these final days?
Absolutely not! Enjoy them to the fullest. Go to every meeting you possibly can. Be a part of the move of God. But don’t lay down your faith in the process.
Keep standing on the Word, first and foremost. The Word will work when the gifts are flowing and when they’re not. The Word will work in the daytime and in the dark. The Word will work for any man, woman or child who will put it to work. It is eternal, settled in heaven and earth forever.
Remember this: Faith – the everyday kind of faith you use for living – doesn’t come from moving in the gifts of the Spirit. It doesn’t come from seeing Jesus or having special visitations and experiences with God. It comes by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God.
Speak the Word: As I hear the Word of God, faith comes to me. (Rom. 10:17)
For Further Study: John 20:24-29
Daily Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 14-15; Hebrews 4
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka: Kenneth Copeland Ministries
For the last 50 years Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have been passionately teaching Christians all over the world how to apply the principles of faith found in God's WORD to their lives.
They have seven ministry offices around the world: United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Ukraine and Latin America. Their God-given directive is to preach and teach the uncompromised WORD of God on every available voice, which is being accomplished through a variety of channels, including our Believer's Voice of Victory TV and radio broadcasts, podcast and magazine; Believers' Conventions, Victory Campaigns and Living Victory meetings; published books, website, and social media channels, to name a few.
With the expansion of technology, they have more work to do now than ever. They are determined to let the world know Jesus is LORD, and they are not slowing down anytime soon!