All believers receive and actively use faith every day. Faith is like a muscle; as we exercise it, it grows stronger. On the flip side, walking in our own strength rather than by faith causes our faith muscle to atrophy. All Christians must possess and exercise faith to grow into fullness and maturity in Christ.

 

There are, however, some people who have been given the Holy Spirit gift of faith. These people see God’s will as if it is already an accomplished fact. Examples of people gifted with this type of faith abound in the Bible.

 

When God told Nehemiah to build a wall, everyone was against him. Though Nehemiah’s enemies tried to trick him and his own people doubted him, he continued to build the wall because he had faith in God.

 

Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, so when Moses spoke God’s command to let His people go, Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites again and again. Though it seemed impossible that Pharaoh would give way, Moses endured because he had faith in God’s sovereign will—faith that He would carry His people safely out of the land of slavery and into the Promised Land.

 

Joseph was given a dream from God that probably seemed impossible when he was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused by an immoral woman, and abandoned for years in an Egyptian dungeon. His dream survived because it was God-given and not his own plan for himself. He never doubted God’s ability to fulfill the dream given to him as a young man.

 

Though not everyone lives the extraordinary lives of these gifted believers, Christians today are still given the Holy Spirit gift of faith. What an encouragement their faith is to the body of Christ to press forward and triumph despite opposition and obstacles.

 

Prayer: God, help me to discern Your will for my life and to walk by faith every day. May I grow in faith as I trust Your Word, leaning not on my own understanding. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



Email Sign-up

Sign up for the TWR360 Newsletter

Access updates, news, Biblical teaching and inspirational messages from powerful Christian voices.

Thank you for signing up to receive updates from TWR360.

Required information missing

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy & Terms of Use apply.