The power of the local church is real. That’s why the enemy has been working overtime to shut down churches all over the world. What’s the devil so afraid of, anyway? He’s afraid of believers in Jesus who put their faith in God. When we rise up in faith, united as one Body of believers, we can defeat any attack the devil brings—on personal, corporate, national and global levels.
The enemy knows the power of the force of faith, and when the Church of Jesus Christ learns to walk by faith and not by sight, we become dangerous to him. The Church is the one place in this world that equips believers with the kind of faith that can move mountains and defeat the enemy every time.
Right now, God is using the local church to awaken the faith of believers and send them out into their callings armed with fresh anointing. If you’re ready to be used in the great awakening of our time and walk-in unprecedented victory, the local church is where you need to be.
Six Ways to Awaken Your Faith Through the Power of the Local Church.
1.Get to Church More Often.
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” –Psalm 122:1
Can you say, like the psalmist, that you are glad to go to church?
A great awakening is already stirring, and it’s taking place in the local church and other faith-filled gatherings. So, if you want to be part of it and awaken your faith for greater things to come, the key is going to get to church more often.
That’s where you’re going to hear the Word of God to build your faith, and it’s where you will see the glory of God poured out in greater measure than the world has ever seen. Signs, wonders and miracles follow the Word preached! That means if you normally attend occasionally, now is the time to become a consistent, regular attender of church. If you already go every Sunday, why not add a Wednesday Bible to the mix? Or attend special prayer meetings and faith events?
Determine today that you want to walk in greater levels of faith, and you don’t want to miss a thing God does through the power of the local church! If you are not committed to any church its my prayer you will prayerfully seek God to order your steps to the right Church.
2.Take Notes in Church.
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” –Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV)
Not everyone is a note taker, but here’s the deal, if you want to see a change in your faith and your life, it first starts with a change in you. Taking notes in church may not seem like a big deal, but research shows note taking accomplishes more than just listening. For example, taking notes does the following:
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Keeps you engaged
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Prevents distractions
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Increases retention
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Helps link important ideas together.
The Bible also tells us to write down the vision so that the one who reads it may run toward it. The most amazing thing about taking notes in church is what happens….later. You’ll find when you take notes and review them afterward, even more fresh revelation will come, so you can run in faith toward your victory. So, grab a notebook and pen, and awaken your faith by engaging more at church through taking notes.
3.Prepare Your Heart for Church.
“Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you.” –2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV)
Rushing out the door, or frustrations in getting family members ready can start your church experience on the wrong foot. Instead, prepare your heart for church by seeking the Lord the night before and by giving yourself plenty of time to get ready. Purpose to get to church early.
On the way there, play worship music to get your heart in a posture of worship and praise before you even arrive. Pray for your pastors and that what God wants to communicate to His people will be well-received. You’ll awaken your faith when you ensure that you have eyes to see and ears to hear.
4.Forgive Before You Arrive.
“When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” –Mark 11:25 (NIV).
This verse is clear. To receive from God, you must be in a right spirit, one that is completely free of unforgiveness. To awaken your faith to victory through the power of the local church, make a decision to forgive anyone and everyone before you go to receive.
There’s a whole lot of people who do not even go to church because they are offended at what the pastor or this or that church member said. In fact, many have vowed to never step foot inside a church again because of their experiences at church with imperfect people. They refuse to forgive. Don’t let that be you! Let’s face it, forgiveness can be required regularly and even daily but holding onto anger or hurt isn’t worth missing out on everything God has in store for you. If it happened yesterday or 10 years ago, whatever it is, forgive! Do it by faith. Then watch as your faith is awakened to new levels of power through the local church.
5.Be a Humble Listener in Church.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” –James 4:10
A teachable spirit is the only kind that will receive the benefits of impartation. God designed the local church to edify and unite believers—to build our faith for evangelism and an all-around victorious life. But if you show up out of duty or with the attitude that you’re going to judge what is said from the pulpit, you’ll walk away with nothing and your life will not only go unimproved, but it will be hindered.
On the other hand, when you decide to be a humble listener in church, that is a heart that is pleasing to God. You’ll find yourself receiving supernatural revelation for every area of your life. The pastor will seem to be talking directly to you. You’ll go home with your faith soaring and some definite points of action that could very well catapult you into what you’ve been praying for.
6.Apply What You Learn Throughout the Week.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” –James 1:22 (NIV)
The quickest way to awaken your faith is to find the areas of the Word of God where you may not be fully obedient, and make a course correction. Obedience is a breakthrough force.
The local church will help you to become a doer of the Word of God, not only a hearer. But the only way to do this is to apply what you learn at church throughout the week, in every area of your life. If you do not, this scripture says you are only deceiving yourself, and you won’t be walking by faith. Article by Gloria Copeland.
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