Persistent Faith : Pastor Tony Samuels

So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened. - Luke 11:9-10 (AMP)

To see the outcome of your faith, you will need to possess a vital ingredient, and that ingredient is persistence. Persistence means: to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition. When we take a stand of faith, we enter into a state of belief; this state of belief will be met with opposition to try to move you out of belief into doubting. Being persistent will give your faith what it needs to go through opposition. We must understand that our faith will be met with a challenge right in the middle; but if you plan for opposition, you won’t be surprised by it.

To walk in persistent faith, you must settle some things within yourself. First, settle that God is good all the time, and He wants nothing but the best for your life. Second, you must settle that God never changes. The weather may change, and people may change, but God never changes. Once you settle this within yourself, you must not change no matter what life throws at you.

Being persistent in faith is not about changing God; it’s about ensuring that we don’t change. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:58 (AMP): Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. Notice, Paul said to be steadfast and immovable. The word steadfast means: fixed in direction; steadily directed; firm in purpose; resolute.

You see, your faith is not only a position; it is a direction. The enemy knows that in order to change your direction, he has to attack your faith. So once your faith gives you a direction, don’t break it until you arrive at the destination that you saw in the Spirit. Paul then says to be immovable; this means: incapable of being moved from one’s purpose, opinion, etc.; steadfast; unyielding.

Walking out your faith will affect every area of your life. It will affect the very core of your being. It will challenge you to go where you have never gone before. It will break the very limitations off of your heart and mind. It will take you where you never thought was possible. The key is not to yield to anything but the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. As you are persistent, you will activate the power of God in your life. There is no power in quitting, but the power will show up when you refuse to quit.

Look at Philippians 4:13 (AMP): I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] Notice, it said you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. As you walk with God, there is inner strength that comes from Him to your spirit. I can’t explain it, but I know it shows up when you make that decision to see your faith through.

Hebrews 10:38 says, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” We are all believing for something, corporately and individually. I’ve come to tell you don’t give up; be persistent, and you will arrive at that desired outcome. Be Persistent!!!