Taking a BOLD Step of Faith!

(2 Kings 5:14 CEV)  Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. Right away, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child’s.

This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by picking up where we left off in the story of Naaman.  As we know from yesterday’s message, Naaman allowed pride to set in and he got offended.  While he was in offense one of his servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it.  So why don’t you do what he said?  Go wash and be cured.”  The servant was right.  Naaman was prepared to give over 3 million dollars for his breakthrough and he came with an incredible expectation, but the spirit of offense almost made him miss out on his blessing.  The prophet had already given him a Word from the Lord.  What else could the prophet do?  Sure, what the prophet said made no sense, but that’s how it often is with God.  Divine instructions require faith.  God does not have to make sense, because God is spiritual, not sensual.  Faith requires you to operate without any sense-realm evidence (Heb 11:1 AMP).  So Naaman had a decision to make.  Would he humble himself and obey the Word the Lord spoken through the prophet or would he continue in pride and return home a leper?  This is important because it was Naaman’s decision.  God will not force you to be blessed, just like He does not force you to be cursed.  Your life – in many ways – is a grand sum total of your decisions.

Naaman made the right decision and chose to obey the Word of the Lord.  He walked down to the muddy Jordan River, waded out into the water, and dipped seven times.  Remember that God can do more with you once you get started.  Naaman would not have done this if he did not believe something was going to happen.  With his belief intact and his obedience in action, Naaman was supernaturally healed.  We are not sure when, but while he was performing what the Lord told him to do he was healed of an incurable disease.  Naaman had the audacity to believe that something virtually impossible was possible for him, so he was able to receive what he believed.  God renewed his skin to the point where it was like a baby’s.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things:

1.  Nothing is impossible for the person who believes (Mark 9:23).  If you can believe the unbelievable, you can receive the impossible.

2.  God’s instructions will not always make sense and oftentimes require us to take bold steps of faith, without any sense-realm evidence to support our actions.  God is a Spirit and does not necessarily communicate with us through our senses.

3.  Pride can keep you from your blessing, just like obedience can get you to it.

4.  The choice is yours.  If you choose to obey God you will be blessed.  If you choose to disobey you will miss out on the blessing.  Either way, God will honor your decision.

5.  God can do more with you once you get started.  Take your bold step of faith today.

Closing Confession:  Father, I am a believer and not a doubter.  I live by faith and not by fear or my feelings.  I have the audacity to believe what others call unbelievable.  I believe what some even call impossible.  I believe that You are able to do great things in my life and my belief unlocks Your possibilities for me.  I walk by faith and not by sight.  I do not allow the lack of sense-realm evidence to keep me from expecting my breakthrough.  I have high expectations and I believe they will become manifestations in my life.  I receive whatever You tell me to do and I take bold steps of faith to bring it to pass.  My life is shaped by my decisions and I decide to walk in belief, faith, and obedience.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper!