Faith Focus

September 06, 2025

Approach prayer with thanksgiving, confident that God always hears you.

Today, let's explore the transformative power of right believing. When circumstances seem impossible, our focus determines our outcome. Are you looking at your problems or God's promises? This meditation will help you shift your perspective and activate your faith for breakthrough.

Beyond Circumstances

Life often presents us with situations that appear hopeless. Like Joseph in prison, betrayed and forgotten, we may face disloyalty and challenges that test our resolve. Yet Joseph's story teaches us a profound truth: his focus remained unwavering on God's promises rather than his circumstances.

Christianity is not based on right living; it's based on right believing, and right believing produces right living.

This principle echoes throughout Scripture. When Abraham faced the impossibility of having a child at nearly 100 years old, Romans tells us:

Without becoming weak in faith, he considered his own body now as good as dead for producing children since he was about 100 years old, and he considered the deadness of Sarah's womb. - Romans 4:19

Abraham refused to let his physical limitations define his expectations. Instead, he anchored his faith in God's word. The Passion Translation beautifully captures this moment: "Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promises and expected God to fulfill it."

The Power of Perspective

Your faith shouldn't be determined by what you see, hear, or feel. Rather, it should be rooted in God's promises. Jesus demonstrated this principle powerfully when He raised Lazarus from the dead.

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Everyone around Him emphasized the hopelessness of the situation:

Martha said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Others questioned, "Could not this man who opened the blind man's eyes have kept this man from dying?"

Even when Jesus commanded the stone to be removed, Martha protested, "Lord, by this time there will be an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days."

Yet Jesus remained unmoved by these declarations of impossibility. Instead, He made a profound statement in John:

"Did I not say to you that if you believe in me, you will see the glory of God?" - John 11:40

Believing Determines Seeing

What you believe shapes what you experience. If you believe everything is hopeless, it becomes hopeless. If you believe no one loves you, that becomes your reality. But when you align your beliefs with God's word, you position yourself to witness His glory.

This principle applies to every area of life:

If you're praying for a larger home while complaining about your current one, you delay the process.

If you're seeking a promotion while grumbling about your present position, you hinder your advancement.

If you're believing for healing while focusing on what's wrong rather than being thankful for what's working, you impede your restoration.

The Thanksgiving Approach

Notice Jesus' approach to the seemingly impossible situation with Lazarus. He didn't begin with a desperate plea but with thanksgiving:

Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me and listen to me. - John 11:42

This attitude stands in stark contrast to how many approach prayer: "Lord, heal me! Can you hear me? Hello?" Jesus demonstrated complete confidence in His relationship with the Father, knowing He was always heard.

After this simple expression of gratitude and confidence, Jesus simply commanded,

"Lazarus, come out!" - John 11:43

And the impossible became reality as a man dead for four days emerged from the tomb.

Conclusion

Faith sees the future through the lens of God's promises rather than present circumstances. Like Joseph in prison, Abraham facing physical impossibility, and Jesus before a sealed tomb, we can choose to focus on what God can do rather than what appears impossible.

You can call forth your blessings healing, peace, provision, promotion knowing that God hears you. Focus on God's word rather than human limitations. Meditate on His promises, and they will manifest in your life.

Reflect on This

1. What situation in your life seems impossible right now, and how might shifting your focus from the problem to God's promises change your perspective?

2. How can you incorporate Jesus' attitude of thanksgiving before seeing the answer in your own prayer life?

Prayer

Father, I thank You that You always hear me. I declare that my faith is not based on what I see or feel but on Your unchanging word. I choose to focus on Your promises rather than my circumstances. I call forth healing, provision, and breakthrough in every area of my life. I believe that nothing is impossible with You, and I thank You that You're working even when I cannot see it. I stand in confidence, knowing that as I believe, I will see Your glory manifested in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Key Takeaways

• Faith should be based on God's promises, not on current circumstances or feelings.

• What you believe determines what you experience align your beliefs with God's word.

• Approach prayer with thanksgiving, confident that God always hears you.

• Like Abraham, refuse to consider the impossibilities; focus instead on God's faithfulness.

• You can call forth your blessings with confidence, knowing that God is working on your behalf.

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.