Introduction : The Bible says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. In other words, faith itself is not an answer, but it is being sure. Being sure means hupostasis in Greek. This is a compound word made from hupo, (which means setting under), and from histemi, (which means to sustain or hold). Faith can be interpreted as a saucer on which God´s answer is placed. If a saucer of faith is not prepared, we cannot put anything on it. Many people are in agony and say, "I´m a believer. Why hasn´t my dream come true?" To believe means that a saucer is prepared as a place to receive God´s answer. If a saucer is prepared, we need to wait for an answer from God. Whatever you ask for in prayer, you must have faith and wait. Then you will receive an answer in God´s time.


1. Faith is to stand on the Word
    1) Faith is not based on reasonable thinking (2Co 10:5)
    2) Faith is not a feeling in the heart (Pr 28:26)
    3) Faith does not rely on the senses (2Co 5:7)
    4) Faith does not follow circumstances (2Co 4:8, Ro 10:17)

2. Abraham´s faith
    1) The choice of visible things and faith (Ro 4:19)
    2) Doubt and faith
        (1) Faith with decision - faith that stands on the edge of a cliff (If I perish, I perish)
        (2) Confess with your lips and praise God
    3) Conviction of God´s power (Ro 4:17, Heb 11:18-19)
    4) The faith of God´s faithfulness (Ro 4:21-22; 1Sa 15:29)
    5) Expectation and waiting (Ro 4:18, Ps 130:5, 7)

3. How should we believe?
    1) We must know that faith itself is not an answer from God - faith is just like an
        invisible, solid foundation of a house. The solid foundation must be completed to build
        a house on it (Heb 11:1-3)
    2) We must stand firm on the Word of God
        (1) Have positive thinking through the Word of God (Heb 4:12, Pr 13:13)
        (2) Visualize and dream that the Word of God has been fulfilled
        (Eze 12:28, Isa 55:11)
        (3) Decide to believe (Dt 30:19-20)
        (4) Confess with your lips (Pr 6:2, 18:21, Mk 11:23)
        (5) Give thanks and praise (1Ki 8:56, Col 2:7)
    3) If you believe, wait
        (1) God will answer in His time in His way. If you have prepared a solid foundation for
             your house of faith, wait for God who will build the house for you (Nu 23:19)
        (2) Pray like this - I already believe your promise. Please do as I believe.
             (Mk 11:24, Mt 8:8, 13)
        (3) Do not despair or step back, but wait for God (Ps 40:1, Heb 10:38)


Conclusion : God is telling us, "It will be done just as you believed," but the time and way of doing this work is absolutely under the sovereignty of God. Just as Abraham believed against all hope, we should also believe, wait upon God, and not give up our dreams.