Champions of Faith

A champion is one who has proved himself victorious, has overcome opponents repeatedly. I seek to illustrate that any outward victory has been won inwardly before any battle. I have studied the 11th chapter of Hebrews and have picked to focus on one of these "champions of faith" Abraham.

The 11th chapter begins by telling us the seen (the visible) is a product of the unseen (invisible), everything that we see was initially conceived in the mind (unseen) of its maker before it became reality (seen). A champion sees himself victorious before he engages into battle.

"The greatest battles in life are fought daily in the silent chambers of the soul," to be a victor you have to see yourself a victor, speak like a victor and listen to what only focuses on your victory. God made a promise to Abram that he would make him a great nation and all the peoples of the earth will be blessed through him, but the first thing he said to him was to leave his kindred, his country and father's household.

SO THEN FAITH COMETH BY HEARING....Romans 10:17
God asked him to leave his kindred so as to change what he listened to and whom he associated with. His ability to believe was affected by what he heard , there is power in the words that we speak to people that are close to us. If i constantly call my son a failure that word will have root in him and eventually affect his future negatively, while if i constantly praise him this has a positive effect. Choose carefully what and who you listen to.

God repeatedly speaks to Abraham concerning his promise to him (read genesis 12-21), hearing the same promise of greatness over and over so that his faith begins to grow

People you hang around with affect you, Bad company company corrupts good character (1Corinthians 15:33). Be careful of the company you keep. losers hang out with losers, champions hang out with champions. Can 2 walk together unless they be agreed Amos 3:3. God asked Abram to leave his family so that He (God) could affect who he listened to and associated with. Choose carefully who you associate with

THE EYE IS THE LAMP OF THE BODY, IF YOUR EYES ARE GOOD, YOUR WHOLE BODY WILL BE FULL LIGHT   Matthew 6:22

God also wanted to affect what Abram saw too, he called him out of his tent and asked him to "LOOK up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them ... so shall be your offspring (Genesis 15:5). So every night Abram saw the stars he was reminded of the promise and during the day he saw the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:16)  he remembered the promise. what you focus on manifests itself outwardly. Choose  carefully what you watch and see.

BEHOLD, WE PUT BITS IN THE HORSES MOUTH, THAT THEY MAY OBEY US, AND WE TURN THEIR WHOLE BODY  James 3:3

God changed his name from Abram to Abraham  (father of many) and his wifes name Sarai  to Sarah (Princess), so every time he had to introduce himself he declared himself the father of many. Romans 10:9 declares that if you confess with your MOUTH... and believe in your heart......, you will be saved. The mere speaking of something does not make it true, but confession is a product of the heart, output a consequence of input. .. from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34) Choose you confessions carefully

As a victor you have to be very selective of what you SEE, HEAR, SAY and WHO you hang around with after all Matthew tells us that the father who sees you secret (unseen) will reward you openly (seen)

BE THAT CHAMPION!!!