The 
Phases of Faith
Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.
Sunday, May 2, 2004
6 Phases Bible Study Calendar
Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
Read your Bible more in 2004!
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for this Lord’s day! Thank You that Sunday is not just a day, but that it is a day when Christians all over the world gather to worship You as the God of hosts—of angel armies, because on a particular Sunday so long ago, Jesus conquered sin and death once and for all when He arose from death, after defeating sin on the cross! I praise You that You cared so much for us that You sent Jesus into the world to rescue us from sin! I praise You that You were willing to give Yourself so that we may have life full and abundant now, and forever! I praise You simply because You alone are God, and are worthy of our worship and praise. I pray that You will fill me and our worship with Your Holy spirit today. I pray that our thoughts, words and actions will glorify You and bring You honor. I pray that my worship will continue throughout the week, that each day when I wake up my first action will be to praise and thank You for who You are and what You do, and that the spirit of praise and thanksgiving will remain with me and in me throughout the day. Glorify Yourself in my life today and always. This I pray in Jesus’ name, and for the sake of His coming kingdom. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)
God says, “These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! (Living Bible Scriptures © Copyright 1976 by Tyndale House Publishers. Used with Permission.)
Reflecting on God's Word
What is one thing you are waiting for eagerly in your life right now?
What is your attitude when you are in times of waiting or delay?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What do we find out about how God carries out dreams or visions from today’s Scripture? (2:3)
What attitude are we to have when the delays come in the fulfillment of our dreams and visions? (2:3)
When will God fulfill the dreams and visions He gives us? (2:3)
Understanding God's Purpose
What does today’s Scripture teach us about God’s purpose for us regarding dreams and visions?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What one action does today’s Scripture call you to take right now?
Thoughts...Dreams, Decisions and DELAYS...
This week we reflect on the third of six phases of faith—the DELAY. Once God gives us a dream or vision, and we make the decision to act on that dream, there is ALWAYS a delay or delays. This gives us the opportunity to develop trust in God. It builds perseverance in our lives, which the apostle Paul tells us builds character (See Romans, chapter 5). In today’s Scripture God PROMISES that when the vision or dream is given it will NOT happen right away. God anticipants our response to His delay in fulfilling the dream or vision. He knows that when we have to wait we get impatient. He knows that we are drawn to despair. He knows that we will start to down. But God exhorts us when the delay comes not to allow any of these responses to overcome our TRUST in Him. God is ALWAYS faithful. God is ALWAYS on time—He is never early and He is never late. In fact, God is so predictable when it comes to fulfilling dreams, that He assures us if He has given us the dream, we can count on it.
What dreams or visions has God placed on your heart and mind right now? For our life together at New Life Christian Ministries, God has placed the dream of sharing the new life of Jesus Christ with the world—one person at a time. It is a God-sized dream? There’s no way that we can see it become a reality in our own effort or power. Thus, we must wait on God. When it seems that He is slow, remember God is never late! He will provide the courage, the love, the resources—whatever is necessary to fulfill His dream among us. Our task is to use the delay as a time of building our faith “muscles.” We must exercise faith in Him, by trusting, by obeying, by praying, by living with Him in charge of our lives 24/7. As we do that the dream WILL become a reality. How do we know? Because God NEVER fails to honor the faith/trust of His people!