Exercising faith is standing immovable on what God has said. The enemy comes to try everyone's ground - no one is special, no one is an exception. His primary goal is to get you to move, abort, or abandon your position on God's word. You will not receive from God if the enemy can move you off your ground. The game is, who will move first? - you or the enemy.

There is a courtroom in our heart where a gavel comes down and a verdict is rendered on what we believe is true and what we believe is false. We often blame God for our lack of trust and faith in what He has already said. When Peter slipped into the sea upon fearing the wind and waves, Jesus didn't pin the result on God. He said "Why did you doubt, ye of little faith?" May our hearts only be full of the reality of the truth!

Jesus said in Mark 9:23 "If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes."

Notice the qualification that Jesus gives for all things to be possible. He didn't say you had to be one of the original 12, or that you had to be especially chosen of God, that you had to know the right people, be in the ministry, be over a certain age, etc. - none of that. The qualification is "him that believes." Ultimately Jesus puts the responsibility of possibility on you and me. The Kingdom is already at hand, let's press into it!

We are called to a walk of faith, not a walk of sight. This means that we we won't respond to our sensory information the way most "normal" people do. We are called to step out into the unknown, to say things before we see them, and to believe God's Word above what our senses tell us.

John 14:12 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.

The peace that comes from your fellowship with God is the foundation for His leadership in your life. His voice is grown up in peace. Does the Holy Spirit have your ear? If peace abounds in you, so will the leadership that comes from the Spirit.

John 14:26-27 - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

In God's Kingdom, the way up is the way down. Exaltation doesn't come with dominion over others, but through increased levels of service to others. Jesus is our ultimate pattern for this. This doesn't mean we are called to be lead by need, but be obedient to His will and to represent His heart - what He loves we come to love, what He hates we come to hate, what moves Him should move us too.

It is the Holy Spirit's job to teach us, guide us and empower us - it's our job to follow and obey his direction. Co-laboring with the Holy Spirit requires each party play a role in accomplishing the Father's will. When the Holy Spirit reveals a direction to take, a stronghold to overcome, or a fear to face, what we do with that information determines the outcome.

1 Cor. 3:8-9 - ...every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God.