Faith Training: Building your spiritual muscle

The Most powerful force

"Above all taking the shield of faith..."

Think of that- above all.

Faith is the most powerful force, because faith moves God.

FAITH moves GOD!

Faith also shields believers from the effects of the devil's attacks.

So like a baby just learning to stand and walk, God deliberately orchestrates events and circumstances to get us from "pulling up and holding on" faith to "effortless rolling from heel to toe" faith. It's strength training for the spirit.

Many times the faith we possess to pray a prayer, is not the faith we need to receive the answer. So God begins a process, equipping and increasing our faith to receive the very thing  for which we prayed . What we get in return is more than the desired thing, but "exceeding, abundantly beyond what we ask or think". 

 In other words- increased faith.

When we are beyond the "pull up and hold on" level of faith, then our arms are free to receive what we prayed for. And at that time we have bigger "faith muscles",  and we suddenly  realize the increased faith was the real gain. "Faith is better than the answer"- Lee Stoneking

This is the goal of "praying always with all prayer"  and "pray without ceasing" and men ought always to pray":

 1.Impacting, mountain moving faith
 2.and demon resisting faith

But wait, you may say, Jesus said if you have faith the size of a mustard seed I can, in effect, move mountains.
 Yes! but what of the bigger mountains? What of the more aggressive demonic spirit? They need next level faith.

And mustard seeds grow. They grow into crowning trees, that give off more seed, that will grow, and in turn bear more seed. Faith is not intended to remain. Un-growing faith is unused faith. What good is a seed that is never put in the ground and watered and cultivated until it bears more seed bearing trees?

So when you feel like your faith is being stretched thin, remember God is stretching you to strengthen you and increase your faith in Him. He knows the battles the enemy is cooking up, but " no weapon that is formed against you will prosper". Isaiah 54:17. Why?  He puts you through the "rigor" of faith training to enable you to withstand in the evil day. Ephesians 6:13.

Because Nothing is impossible to him that believes.
Imagine that. All things are possible through FAITH.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.- James 1:2-4