Fletcher Faith Ministries

*"Go...and teach all nations..." Matthew 28:19*

ARE YOU EXPECTING?

By Rev. Kenneth A. Fletcher

This month, I believe the Lord would have me to zero in on a particular verse of scripture that is often misunderstood. As you read this issue, be careful not to look at what is said through traditional colored glasses which could cause you to miss the truth that is being given. Read with your heart. You will be blessed!

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We have read this verse many times thinking that this is the definition of faith or what faith is. It is not! Hebrews 11:1 is not showing us what faith IS, but what faith DOES!

Let's look at this verse a little closer. "Now faith is the substance...." The word "substance," found in the Strong's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, is defined, "that which lies under." So, here we see the word "substance" actually means, "basis: ground: or foundation."

A good example illustrating the function of a foundation is the construction of a house. The foundation of the house is the part that lies under the structure. It is the basis on which the remainder of the house is built! The foundation DOES SOMETHING very important. It holds and supports the rest of the building. Likewise, your faith, or belief in God's Word functions as the foundation upon which you build your entire life!

To get a clearer understanding of this phrase in Hebrews 11:1, we could read it this way; "Now faith is the foundation of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

The next word I want you to examine is the word, "hope." "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for..." We, here in America, have twisted the meaning of the word hope. Many times we say the word "hope" to mean, "wish." For instance, we may say, "I hope that the weather will be nice today." What we actually mean is: "I wish or desire, that the weather will be nice today."

When the Bible speaks of "hope," it is actually talking about a quality that is firm and stable. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament words reveals that the word "hope" means, "favorable and confident expectation." It goes on to say that "hope" has to do with the unseen, the future, and the happy anticipation of good.

Friend, real Bible hope means: confident expectation. I want you to get this fact firmly in your heart, not just in your mind. When you are believing God's Word, you have a confident expectation that IT WILL COME TO PASS in your life. Not maybe, but, FOR SURE! Let me say it again this way; if you are in faith, you are expecting! If your not expecting, you're not in faith!

Now, let's look at Hebrews 11:1 again with the proper Bible definitions of the words "substance" and "hope" inserted. "Now faith is the foundation of things confidently expected, the evidence of things not seen." This is what faith DOES. A believer confidently expect results based upon his foundation of faith in God's forever settled Word!

I remember, during my first year at Bible school, Yolanda and I were experiencing some great difficulties financially. I was expecting the financial problems to continue and not change! I was down emotionally and getting depressed as I thought about the circumstances that faced us.

I was driving my school bus one day, on the way to pick up the students from school when, all of a sudden, I realized that I was in stark unbelief about our situation. I was not believing God's Word concerning our finances and, as a result, I was expecting things not to change or maybe even to get worse. I realized, that day in my bus, I did not believe that God was big enough to fulfill His Word concerning financial provision for our family. Because of my unbelief, I had no expectation of God's Word manifesting in our lives.

Awakening to the fact that I was in unbelief, I immediately repented to God and asked Him to forgive me. I shook myself, (spiritually speaking) and got right back on the Word where I belonged. I began to say out loud, "My God is greater than these circumstances! I'm not going to go under - I am going over the top, in Jesus' Name!" As I quoted the Word concerning our finances, I started expecting things to change. Praise God!

I want you to notice, as we go further into this wonderful verse of scripture, the word, "evidence." "...the evidence of things not seen." It is easier to understand the meaning of this word since it is commonly used in our judicial system when one is being tried in a court of law for a crime.

According to Strong's New Testament Greek Dictionary, and Webster's Dictionary, "evidence" means, "something that furnishes proof." Evidence is proof of something. A person who is being tried in a court of law cannot be convicted of the charges against him unless there is PROOF, SOLID EVIDENCE, presented that he actually did a certain crime.

"Now faith is the foundation of things confidently expected, the proof of things not seen." Our faith in the written Word of God is what furnishes solid proof in the unseen realm of the spirit. We have solid evidence in which to base our expectation. The integrity of God stands behind His every Word. He has said that NONE of His Words would return to Him without producing what He sent them to do. (Isaiah 55:11)

How can you believe for something that you can't see in the natural realm? Through the solid proof of our faith in the Word of God, who is not capable of formulating a lie. God clearly tells us in His Word what we can expect to come to pass when we believe. For example, He tells us in Romans 10:9-10 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. We can expect the promised results when we meet the conditions that God has set forth in His Word!

You must expect to be saved when you act upon His Word concerning salvation. You can tell what God will do! You can know what to expect! He tells you in advance what will happen when you believe. If you are not expecting His Word to come to pass in your life, then you do not really believe what he has said. Faith, BELIEVES NOW. Hope, CONFIDENTLY EXPECTS the manifestation of faith to take place.

Are you expecting? This is a good way to really check up on your faith. You have to be absolutely honest with yourself to locate where you are. You see dear friend, your expectation of the future must be built upon the foundation of your faith in God's Word. If it is not, then you will be swayed by the sense realm, circumstances, and the devil's deceptions.

God has given you the basis, the ground, the foundation, for your foundation. He has given you His very Word to build upon.

Are you expecting your healing to manifest? Are you expecting the finances to come in? Are you expecting favor at your job, business, or other personal dealings? Are you expecting guidance from the Holy Ghost about your life's direction? Are you expecting success in the affairs of life? Are you expecting your loved ones to be saved? Are you expecting God to use you to witness to the lost? Are you expecting.....?

Maybe you are realizing, as you examine yourself today, that you are in unbelief concerning your situation as I was. You can change that right now. I am so glad to tell you today, you can get right back on the Word of God. You can expect the promises of God to come to pass in your life when you place your faith, which is your foundation, on the solid rock of His Word!

Dear friend, It is my prayer today that you have gained new insight concerning what your faith does. May your life never be the same again as you apply these truths. In next month's issue of THE ROAD OF FAITH, I will be dealing with what your faith IS! Be blessed! K. F.

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