Faith is Our Foundation – Steve Roeser
Is Faith a business plan? You wouldn’t think so, I know I didn’t think so. I had 30 years’ experience conducting business, preparing plans, and executing them profitably. My business plans were always detailed and spelled out every step to ensure success, including contingency plans. However, when God called me out of retirement to work for Him, He had a completely different business plan in mind. In God’s Kingdom, Faith can indeed be a business plan, God tells you what He wants from you, and then you need to have Faith that He will show you the path and that you will succeed. Does that mean to abandon everything you learned before that? No, He still uses our skills to accomplish His Plan, however, His Plan is revealed over time as you proceed toward the goal.
As we put together our organizations, we began to better understand Faith and its role in our mission. Faith means we “go bigger” and get outside our comfort zone, because God doesn’t set the same limitations that we do. We have partners in our endeavors that walked away from stable jobs and opportunities because they listened to God and had the desire to work for Him. This was done without having details on compensation, structure, or duties. We are blessed by many believers touched by God to become part of this team, again all based on Faith. So, what does this all really mean? Does it mean we can sit back and watch from the sidelines without a plan as God handles everything for us? Does it mean that when we set a plan in motion and we have faith in it, it will succeed? No, we need to act because faith requires action.
Now that we had set that Faith baseline, it became time to add details to the plan, making sure they are aligned with God’s will. He put us together to create the business plan He desires to harvest the gold and silver for His Kingdom. As we are moving forward, we are learning what Faith really means. Faith is complex, Faith has requirements, Faith takes work, and Faith delivers results. How do we know we will succeed? Here is what God tells us about Faith.
Faith Requires Hearing God
To start with you have to trust and have faith in Jesus, and believe what God is telling you. If God is calling you to a purpose, then He will provide what you need. However, you have to listen to God, you have to accept His call to you. So, the first step in Faith is seeking God.
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Faith Requires Petition
After we hear from God and we accept what He wants us to do, we need to ask for God’s wisdom, help and direction. God wants an active partnership with us, that means we need to do our part in asking for what we need to achieve our purpose.
1 John 5:14 – And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Mark 11:24 – Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Matthew 21:22 – And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
1 John 5:15 – And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Faith Requires Trusting and Believing
We are not going blindly along, and we are not going it alone, it goes back to listening and having faith that no matter what God has us do that day, it’s important to what He is doing in our lives. We need to trust what we are hearing from God. Then we need to truly believe that He will deliver what we need when we need it. We need to trust that each step God has us take is from Him and is important, no matter how much we can’t see the reasons.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Mark 9:23 – And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can? All things are possible for one who believes.”
Matthew 17:20 – He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Luke 1:37 – For nothing will be impossible with God.
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Faith Requires Us to Take Action
We also must act on what God is telling us or where he is leading us. We are not to sit by and expect Him to do it for us. That is not His promise. We are supposed to “Move our feet” and put forth the effort to achieve what God wants for us, the works he wants us to accomplish.
James 2:17 – So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14 – What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
James 2:26 – For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 2:20 – Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
James 2:18 – But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:21-22 – Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.
Faith Will Show Us the Way
As we move forward in our missions, we may not see what the next step is, our how it fits into our goal. But that is part of what God wants, He wants us to trust Him and do His will and part of that trust is moving without seeing.
2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
James 1:4 – And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Faith Tests Us and That Makes Us Stronger
Faith takes courage and perseverance, following the path God has set out for us even if we cannot see it. The more we can see, the less Faith it takes, and that’s not the point. God tests our Faith to make us stronger in our relationship with Him. It’s a partnership with God really, He wants to give us what we need, but He wants us to ask Him for blessings, and believe with all our heart that He will deliver.
James 1:3 – For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
1 Peter 1:7 – So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Doubt Destroys Faith and Separates us from God
On the flip side doubt is the enemy of faith, if we are faithful in trusting God but then we let our natural logical minds take over, then we are eroding or even destroying faith, and therefore we are not following God’s plan for us. We must always fight fear and doubt and murmurs from those that don’t see the goal. Doubt weakens the partnership and therefore we won’t see results because our relationship is broken. Doubt your doubt and believe what God promises.
James 1:6 – But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Mark 11:23 – Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
God is Faithful in His Promises
God has told us how he will be faithful to us and deliver what we need, If we believe, we trust and we act as He tells us to. Faith requires action, action requires listening, listening requires asking, asking requires believing, and combined we can see the fulfillment of God’s Promise.
Hebrews 11:7 – By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Hebrews 11:8 – By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Hebrews 11:29 – By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
Hebrews 11:30 – By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
Hebrews 11:17 – By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son.
1 John 5:15 – And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
In every one of these examples, God shows us that Faith is powerful, that Faith delivers, and Faith requires Action.
Faith in Action
So far, we explored our strategic plan for Southern Piedmont Kingdom Builders, a plan based on Faith, Faith that we are hearing from God, Faith that God is hearing our petitions, and Trust that we are doing what God has planned for us. We have accepted the vision and we have accepted the mission as being God’s will for us and this brings us to the key part of our partnership. Our part requires us to take action to realize the vision, including planning for the execution of the vision, being responsible stewards, and ensuring that we stay within God’s will. When we set up our company and the Foundation, we were led to focus on the charitable side as the main enterprise, and the operating company as the supporting entity. An Action Plan needed to be developed so we could deliver an abundance of resources to accomplish our mission. We must think through our actions, we need to make choices, we have to use our skills and we need an Action Plan. We need wisdom to develop a plan that is achievable, logical, ethical, sustainable, and aligned with God, prayerful reflection, and bringing our individual skills to bear. Faith takes Action, Action takes Wisdom and Wisdom comes from God. Does this seem contrary to having Faith and trusting God to deliver what we need? What does the bible say about plans, wisdom, and actions when we are being faithful?
Planning and Actions
If we are walking by Faith, is Faith alone enough to succeed in our mission? Doesn’t Faith replace logic and reason and planning? We have already seen biblical proof that Faith requires actions, and shouldn’t a wise man be thoughtful and considerate in planning those actions? God wants us to plan, he wants us to use our brains, he wants us to use the skills we developed over time, because knowledge is a gift from God. If you know in your heart what God wants from you, He will help you develop those plans. When we seek God’s counsel, our plans will succeed. Does this mean that our plans are perfect? No, but we still need to develop our plans, and act on them, and then let God correct and perfect our steps. God wants us committed to the vision and achieving the goal, but He is the one that knows the path.
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 – If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Wisdom is a Gift from God
The bible tells us that Wisdom is from God, Wisdom is precious, and that God wants us to learn and to use the knowledge we have developed ever since we were children. We know that if we touch a hot stove, we will feel pain and will be burned. Avoiding pain becomes second nature to us, it helps us correct our course and learn. Wisdom needs to be the basis of our plans and our actions, and we need to be open to hearing and learning as we go.
Proverbs 2:6 – For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 4:7 – The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
Proverbs 1:5 – Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.
Proverbs 4:5 – Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 8:11 – For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Ephesians 1:17 – That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.
1 Corinthians 1:24 – But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Asking God for Wisdom
We constantly absorb knowledge from the world around us and learn from experience, and from science. The way science is portrayed sometimes seems like its own religion, and that it is divorced from God. My view of science fits just fine into my religious views, simply that science is man’s attempt to explain natural order, systems, and relationships, all which God designed. So, science is not perfect, because man is not perfect, but it still is a tool, a gift of knowledge from God. We need to use everything God has provided when we are planning, and then take the next step, ask God for Wisdom in our planning, and to review our plans for refinement or replacement. If we ask God for guidance and counsel, He will give it to us.
Proverbs 9:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Proverbs 2:6 – For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:2 – Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.
Proverbs 4:7 – The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:5 – Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Proverbs 8:33 – Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
Proverbs 2:10 – For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Proverbs 2:7 – He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
The Promise of Wisdom
When we are open to learning and seeking guidance then we are pleasing God, since all Wisdom comes from Him. And if we accept this gift and apply it to our plans and actions, then we see God’s favor. It becomes hard to fail when we apply Wisdom with Faith, and when we listen and learn. God wants us to Take Action and He will be with us when we do.
Proverbs 3:13 – Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.
Proverbs 4:6 – Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
Proverbs 8:35 – For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 1:33 – But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
Proverbs 2:11 – Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 – For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
Can we Trust What we Hear?
The Bible is clear that we can trust Wisdom that God gives us. It says that if we are faithful, then we can test and approve what God’s will is for us. When you get clear instruction from God, you need to hold it and not let go. It takes Faith to Trust Wisdom.
James 3:17 – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Proverbs 4:13 – Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
Proverbs 2:2 – Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.
Proverbs 2:7 – He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
Wisdom Loves Company
God has put us together as a team to fulfill His Will. We have an unbelievable group that hears God, and follows instruction, and holds on to those instructions. Many times, it seems we are hearing polar opposite things from God, and later discover that both were true, and came together in ways we could not imagine. We are committed to listening and obeying and refining our direction as a group. This means that we have the absolute best tool for discernment. The bible tells us that when we work together for good, we need the counsel of many wise believers.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 15:22 – Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 13:20 – Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Our team have all been called by God to bring this vision to life. We hear God, we obey God and we all desire to please God. We have Faith, we seek Wisdom, and we are Taking Action. Our Team continues to grow and expand as God sends us more people to participate. Our Foundation is built on the continued participation of our Kingdom Builders from planning to discernment, to routing grants to Christians and Christian Organizations. God is protecting us from failure and from deviating from His Will. If God is leading you to join us, we joyfully welcome you to His Team.