If you are fearful or troubled, feeling like, or talking like, you have little faith, let’s talk about the steps to move into faith.  Below are some things that helped me cultivate my seed of faith as I shared on a recent “This Is That: Makin’ It Plain” Facebook Live.

You can catch the video replay on this YouTube link, or you can read excerpts of the transcript posted further below.

Hebrews 11:1-3 …33-34,

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Abel, Enoch, Noah and little further Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab the prostitute,

Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets,  who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,  quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

A key verse in the midst of this hall of fame of faith is for you and me too… Hebrews 11 v.6, And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Some things that helped me cultivate my seed of faith

• Word of God–Rom 10: 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Hear the gospel, hear a testimony that edifies the Lord–faith is planted.  But the difference from the beginning to dwelling and abiding =  ***Have to cultivate your soil–parable of the sower***.   Parable of the Sower (sometimes called the Parable of the Soils) is found in the three of the gospels in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15. The parable was given in  Matthew 13:3b-9 then explained in v. 19, A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”… Parable explained (v. 19-23): When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  Then the Lord talks about the weeds–enemy comes and sows. There are also other Scriptures that talk about “breaking up your fallow ground”–Jeremiah 4:3, Hosea 10:12. So bottom line–you can’t just go to church, watch whatever, do whatever, as it impacts the seed sown.
• Don’t live by the world’s standards and bring every thought captive. 2 Corinthians 10: 2, I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
• Pray–2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NKJV), When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
• Watch your attitude and your emotions. John 16: 3, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
• Worship–the Lord inhabits the praises of His people–Psalm 22.
• Ask Jesus to baptize you with Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit teaches, comforts, guides, empowers, HELPs! Fruit of spirit–Galatians 5: 22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Embrace the gifts of the Spirit– especially prophecy (dreams, visions, impressions)–1 Corinthians 14:39. Holy Spirit is our guarantee–those led by Spirit, sons–Romans 8:14.
• Don’t be impatient. Habakkuk 2: 2-4,  And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”
• Don’t be high minded, be accountable, find a support system and alignment. Romans 12: 3 (ESV), For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  (NKJV)–The Value of a Friend–Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Amos 3:3 (NKJV), Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
• Serve the Lord’s purposes–Isaiah 61, pray for healing, deliverance, teach someone else what you know–remember the widow with Elisha (2 Kings 4)–what’s in your house–a little oil–go to your neighbors and ask for some jars and pour your oil into it. So see how your neighbor is doing.  “Exercise” your faith–do what word says even if you are not feeling it–spiritual leaders and sound accountability partners are key.  Romans 12:1-2,  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
• Let the Lord heal you —-Recommend Chuck’s message Healer is here; TRUST the Lord, He is good!

Change your habits

• Change your schedule
• Make time with the Lord a habit– get an accountability partner
• Ask Holy Spirit to help you
• Read the Word, read it out loud; there are bible app reading plans available
• Hang around people of faith
• Bring every thought captive
• War against demonic influences–cut off some media sources that are not healthy
• Troubled, got some tares in with your wheat–pluck them out
• Guard your tongue
• Trust the LORD–can’t really get there without Holy Spirit–remember Peter. The same Peter who denied Jesus is the same Peter that stood before thousands on the Day of Pentecost and preached a fiery message.