The Bible says that God is able to do abundantly beyond what we ask or think. If I think I have four thousand new believers in my church, I would start praying for seven thousand. I don’t want to limit my faith; I don’t want to restrict it. You need to know what your purpose is and act on it. Do everything you can for the fulfillment of your purpose, give everything you have for it, and use all your potential.

No one can be powerful and strong until they have learned to walk, move, and live by faith. It is only by faith that you can overcome the trials of life. The Bible says:

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16

There are arrows aimed at you every day. If you serve God, the arrows of the wicked will continually attack your flesh, your mind, your family, and your ministry. But by faith, you can remain happy and joyful despite all this. Because it is written:

“Take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephesians 6:16).

It is only by faith, and not by prayer and fasting, that you can quench all the fiery darts of Satan. Fasting and prayer must work together to strengthen your faith, which puts you above circumstances.

The man God will use must be filled with faith. All those who had done something for God had done it by faith. All the generals of God became what they are today by faith. All these men of God on whom His favor/grace rests, and whose lives are described for us in the Bible, achieved their heroic exploits by faith.

“It is by faith that Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come.” Hebrews 11:20

Faith should go ahead of your prayer. Faith should precede the result you expect. That’s what Isaac did. He knew by faith that something would happen when he blessed Jacob and Esau. By faith, he had blessed the future. Your faith must create for you the plans for your future, your ministry, and your life. Your faith must go ahead of your life by five or ten years.

Your faith must build your life and the future for you. By faith, you can scrutinize the future.

“It is by faith that Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. It is by faith that Joseph, dying, mentioned the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave orders regarding his bones.” Hebrews 11:21-22

It is by faith that Joseph saw the Israelites coming out of Egypt. What do you see with the eyes of faith? I ask myself the same question. Faith sees the future. When you can see the future through the spirit of faith, it will be easier for you to resist temporary contradictions and opposition.

“It is by faith that Moses, at his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” Hebrews 11:23-24

Moses had believed that God would deliver him from those who pursued him, even though he was afraid of death.

“Choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin…” Hebrews 11:25

Faith will allow you to go through temporary difficulties and know that tomorrow will be better than today. By faith, you can endure suffering, deprivation, dishonor, and shame because the eyes of faith will be fixed on a bright and wonderful future that God has prepared for you.

“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward. By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:26-27

Faith sees unprecedented things. By faith, I see how my own personal life, my ministry, my family will be in the future. I am not limited by today. I solve today’s problems today, but I live for tomorrow, looking at the future with the eyes of faith.

“By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.” Hebrews 11:27-28

This text is an excerpt from the book “The Man God Will Use” written by Sunday Adelaja.