Believe God. Don't just believe in God

Faith has always been an important topic in our walk with Christ. And if I were to ask you, as a believer, "What is faith?," it would not be uncommon for you to respond, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." After all, that is the biblically correct answer to that question, is isn't it?

Many believe that faith is the activity of believing in God. However, I have found that while many in the Body of Christ believe in God, not so many believe God.

Believing in God says, "I believe that there is a God and I believe that He exists."

Believing in God says, "I believe that God is almighty. I believe that He can do anything but fail. And I also believe that there is none like Him."

Sounds good, doesn't it?

That's believing in God.

However, believing God is not about what's said. It's about what's done.

Believing God is viewed, not heard. I hear what you're saying, but I know where you really are by what I see you doing. This is believing God.

Believing in God is a mental agreement that He is indeed THE spiritual entity, the man upstairs, the Holy Father.

Believing God is evidenced by action that is caused by understanding that He is who He is, and that action is based and founded on faith in God's word.

How much action is going on in your life? Are you just sitting around waiting for God to move while He's actually waiting for you to get up and move?

One of the dangers in the church world is what I call "spectator faith." Many would rather watch a good testimony than to be one.

But the great thing about a "blessed man," according to the word of God, is this: "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

The "blessed man" (or woman) believes God to the degree that it causes him/her to get up, and on the foundation of their faith in God, do something, build something, start something, create something, be successful!

Remember, whatever a blessed man or woman does -- it prospers!

Pastor James C. Williams III
Tabernacle of Faith Church
Toledo, Ohio

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!

Speaking of Lakewood Church, check out the following video. It's Israel and New Breed performing "Again I Say Rejoice" at Lakewood. I tell ya: This Christian band is almost as hot as the fire that was shut up in Jeremiah's bones!

Despise not the day of small things

Lakewood Church of Houston, Texas, held its first service on Mother's Day, 1959, in an abandoned feed store.

It was led by Pastor John Osteen until 1999 when his son, Joel, took on the leadership of the congregation shortly after his father's death.

Since 1959, the non-denominational church has grown to over 30,000 members, requiring a move to a facility the size of the colossal Compaq Center, where the Houston Rockets use to play.

At capacity, the renovated facility seats 16,000 people with parking for 8,000 vehicles.

Its multiple weekly services are broadcast to a television audience of more than 7 million people.

When you look at our "growing" congregation, what do you see?

Since "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1), we pray that you see Tabernacle of Faith Church through the eyes of faith.

We pray that you see our church filled to overflowing with thousands and thousands of believers and seekers and making a world of difference through worldwide outreach ministries.

It's the will of God that we grow numerically as well as spiritually (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:47; 4:4; 9:31; 16:5).

Therefore, we believe it, we see it, and we receive it...by faith!

Lakewood Church, 2005