The Power of a Faith-Filled Perspective

Sometimes we need to get corrective glasses to see our circumstances like God sees them. 

We shouldn't see our world through doubt and worry, but though the lens of faith.   

Numbers 13:27-33 (ERV)

27 The men told Moses, “We went to the land where you sent us. 

It is a land filled with many good things! 

Here is some of the fruit that grows there. 

If your circumstances look bad, but God from His perspective says it's good.  

It is good like God says. 

28 But the people living there are very powerful. 

The cities are very large and strongly defended. 

We even saw some Anakites there.

29 The Amalekites live in the Negev. 

The Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. 

The Canaanites live near the sea and by the Jordan River.”

The people that are there are bigger than us the doubters said.

   

30 Caleb told the people near Moses to be quiet. 

Then Caleb said, “We should go up and take that land for ourselves. 

We can easily take that land.”

Caleb saw things differently. 

If God says that it's good.

Then, it is good.

If God says that we can take it, we can.

How come Caleb saw the same thing as the doubters, but saw it differently. 

Caleb believed God, and he wouldn't consider otherwise no matter what he saw.

  

The situation says you can't, but God says you can. 

You can if you'll believe Him.

31 But the men who had gone with him said, “We cannot fight those people!

They are much stronger than we are.”

The people of the land appeared to be stronger, but they were not.

(The doubter's kids were going to eventually whip those giants).

32 So those men gave a report that discouraged the people. 

They said, “The land we saw is full of strong people. 

They are strong enough to easily defeat anyone who goes there. 

The negative 10 spies began to share their negative world view about their situation with others. 

They didn't hold it to themselves.

Fear begins to exaggerate things. 

False

Evidence 

Appearing

Real

God is never surprised by what happens to you.

  

Jesus is Lord over everything including your circumstances. 

We have a God who still sits on the throne, and He is still Lord.

When God says something, you can build your life upon it.

Jesus was in a boat with his disciples.

Jesus was asleep in the water. 

His disciples woke him up.  

They said don't you care that we're about to die!

  

If God is in your boat, you aren't about to die!

I choose not to be like the 10 spies. 

Whose report will you believe?  

No weapon formed against you will proper. 

He didn't say that there would not be a weapon

.  

He did say that it wouldn't work.

  

3 We saw the giant Nephilim people there! 

(The descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim.) 

We felt like little grasshoppers. 

Yes, we were like grasshoppers to them!”

What if you began to see yourselves as God sees you? 

Not by your circumstances, but by your God. 

I (Harvey Carey) tried to commit suicide several times.  

I had to begin to change my view. 

See yourself not as a grasshopper, but as an over comer.  

But how do you do that?

Philippians 4:6-9 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 

We need to be a prayerful people.  

People can't help you.  

You need to speak to the maker of heaven and earth.

All prayer is is talking with God.  

Your heart is the posture.

  

You need a contrite, broken heart. 

An attitude of gratitude is what sets us free! 

I remember who I used to be before Jesus found me. 

  

You may not be what you want to be, but you aren't who you were. 

I (Harvey Carey) was in hospice on a machine. 

About halfway through the year, Jesus said to me get up and walk. 

I don't know how I got up, but I did.

   

I disconnected the tube and ate. 

I've been eating ever since. 

7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. 

His peace can do this far better than our human minds.

If you're not feared filled, you have a promise of peace. 

When you choose faith with prayers based upon God's promises, He will give you peace.

The situation doesn't change.

  

God changes you in the situation. 

The situation is going to be tough because this is life. 

God says that I have given you power over everything the Devil throws your way. 

8 Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. 

Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.

Think about God and His promises.  

Let me speak to the intellectual.  

When you praise God, you break through the barriers of doubt and worry into a faith filled perspective.  

If God hasn't done anything, don't give Him any praise.

Did he wake you up this morning?

Do you live under a roof or drive a car?

Give Him praise.

   

9 And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. 

And the God who gives peace will be with you.

Notes from Harvey Carey from Citadel of Faith Covenant Church as taught at Willowcreek Church!