Faith’s Catalyst As a belief in something produces a corresponding action (faith), hope and desire play a vital role in fueling that action. For instance, someone may believe that exercise improves health, but without a genuine desire to feel better, look better, or live longer, that belief may never translate into actual movement. If the person is indifferent about energy levels or physical well-being, the belief remains passive. But the stronger the desire to run with grandkids, hike a mountain, or simply get up without pain, the more likely the commitment to regular activity. That desire, however, is often sparked by seeing someone else’s transformation, hearing a doctor’s concern, or gaining insight into how the body works. Exposure to examples, teaching, and encouragement can be the catalyst that transforms belief into consistent, faith-driven action. As we become aware of God’s goodness in saving, delivering, healing, and providing, belief in this requires action to be received and lived. So, what produces the motivation to take the necessary actions? Without a desire for our promises in Christ, faith will never come to life in actions. Until a desire for salvation produces repentance and a confession of Jesus as Lord, belief in salvation will not produce salvation. Desire is a critical part of robust faith activation. However, any desires we come up with will not necessarily access the power of grace if they are apart from God’s goodness in His promises. Coming from coveting, lust, or evil passions, desires will produce actions in opposition to God’s provision and empty of His power. Where do the desires come from that will gain the mountain-moving power of God-faith? They come from time spent observing the examples of successes and failures in His Word and yielding to the Holy Spirit as our guide. The greater this desire’s development, the more unstoppable the actions of faith will be. Notes Faith’s elements: Belief – information Desire/Hope – expected benefit Action When things heard are hoped/desired they produce action while they’re still unseen. Hebrews 11:1 (AMPC) 1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Desire – Hope – Prayer: Faith’s Catalyst An expectation of fulfilled promise that drives faith’s action. Desire motivates the action of prayer. Mark 11:22-24 (KJV) 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Problem – whatever we desire or…. Asking is not effective for the selfish. James 4:3 (TPT) 3 And if you ask, you won’t receive it for you’re asking with corrupt motives, seeking only to fulfill your own selfish desires. Dishonoring corrupts God desires 1 Peter 3:7 (TLB) 7 You husbands must be careful of your wives, being thoughtful of their needs and honoring them as the weaker sex. Remember that you and your wife are partners in receiving God’s blessings, and if you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not get ready answers. How to develop and nurture faith’s God - desire Turn away from other desires Separate from corrupting influences Delight in God’s Presence/Word Exclusive intimacy with God and His Word Getting desires in line with God’s requires turning from ours. Isaiah 58:13-14 (NKJV) 13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, 14 Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Delighting in the Lord necessitates separation from other intimacy. Psalms 1:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. His desires are a gift for those who delight in Him. Psalms 37:4-5 (NKJV) 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Delighting requires exclusive intimacy John 15:7 (NLT) 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! With God-aligned desires, there is certainty of pre-dated provision. 1 John 5:14-15 (TPT) 14 Since we have this confidence, we can also have great boldness before him, for if we present any request agreeable to his will, he will hear us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we also know that we have obtained the requests we ask of him. Overview As a belief in something produces a corresponding action (faith), hope and desire play a vital role in fueling that action. A person may believe that exercise improves health—but without the desire to feel better or the hope for a healthier future, that belief may never translate into movement. Similarly, someone may believe in God’s power to save, heal, and provide—but unless they desire those promises, faith will not come alive through action. Just as exposure to examples, teaching, and encouragement helps develop natural desires, spiritual desires are cultivated through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Without a desire for the promises of Christ, faith will remain inactive. But desire that aligns with God’s goodness—not selfish passions—will activate faith and access grace-filled provision. Prayer: Father, I am so very grateful for the magnitude of Your goodness and Your incredible mercy, which makes it accessible to me. As I worship You now in Your holiness, affect my heart with Your desires. Cause it to hope and desire for those things You’ve provided in Your promises so that what I pray and declare activates the power of Your grace by faith. Declarations of Faith “My heart has been transformed by God’s desire to give me new life in Christ.” “Receiving this gift also gives me the opportunity to develop desires that align with His promises to me.” “I no longer fellowship with any influence or selfish way that corrupts His desires in me.” “Delighting in His presence within and His expressed thoughts from His Word, I secure desires that fuel my actions of faith.” “With ever-growing desire for God’s promises, I have great confidence and hope that they are already mine and accessible by faith.”