Don’t Change the Formula: Trusting God’s Wisdom in Every Challenge: Trusting God’s Wisdom in Every Challenge

By Dean A. Brown

God's ways and methods are always going to bring us into His provision and protection. But we have to apply the Lord's ways and follow His formula for our lives. In his book, Don't Change the Formula: Trusting God's Wisdom in Every Challenge,

Pastor Dean A. Brown offers readers insight into the advantages gained by staying with God's Word in difficult situations. With his straightforward approach and practical illustrations, Pastor Brown unlocks the biblical keys to success and guides us into a new understanding of being a doer of God's Word. Don't Change the Formula is a book that will help you gain spiritual soundness as you follow God's plan for your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781716140396

Book preview

Don’t Change the Formula: Trusting God’s Wisdom in Every Challenge

ISBN-13: 978-1-716-14039-6

Copyright © 2021 by Dean A. Brown

Published by Faith 2 Fe Publishing,

PO Box 242692, Little Rock, AR

www.publishyourfaith.com

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked AMPC are taken from the AMPLIFIED BIBLE (AMPC): Scripture taken from the AMPLIFIED® BIBLE, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation Used by Permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any other form (i.e., electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or any other means), except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the author.

INTRODUCTION

I do not have the words to express how captivated I was with this topic, Don’t Change the Formula, when I started meditating on it some years ago. Reading the stories recorded in the Bible, which shared great triumphs, followed later by significant failures, made me take a close look at myself. I had to ask the question, Am I doing things God’s way? This is a significant question. However, I soon realized that I also had to ask, "Am I consistently doing things God’s way?"

Life is not without its challenges. Some are so overwhelming that it is easy, even in desperation, for us to turn to God, seeking His help. Other times, the greater challenge comes when we think we have the experience, knowledge, resources, or wisdom to handle situations on our own. If we pay close attention to the Scriptures, we will see that even in those battles, God still has a way He desires for us to operate. He has the ability to map a path to victory and fulfillment in every situation, even if the way He does it is above our understanding.

What will we do when we think we can take on situations without God’s guidance? What will we do when what God tells us to do goes against all that makes sense to us? It’s in those times when we will know for sure if we trust His formula.

In writing this book, I desired to share not only the principle but also share the ways in which we can apply and live out the truths shared. It is my hope that as you read through this book, you will grow in your faith and willingness to follow and trust God’s instructions and wisdom without wavering.

Chapter 1: God’s Formula Always Works

GOD HAS A WAY OF DOING THINGS. The longer I have served Him, the more I’ve come to understand that. This truth is one that I hope to help you to discover as you move through the pages of this book. As a believer, you must get to the place where you are willingly and purposefully obedient to God no matter how little your senses may understand His directives for your life.

God is a God of purpose. Whether that statement is new to you or not, it is very true, nonetheless. However, He is also a God without limitation, which means God knows not only what He wants to be done but also how to get it done. As such, we must learn to trust Him for both His plan and purpose, as well as for guidance to their fulfillment in our lives.

ROMANS 11:33

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

* * *

ISAIAH 55:8-9

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

When you read the word formula in the title of this chapter, don’t define it as you would in everyday, natural terminology. For our study’s purpose, the word formula simply refers to the instructions God has given you personally, either through His Word or by the inspiration and leading of the Holy Spirit. Recognize that God, in His divine  sovereignty, can  lead  you in specific ways at specific times. In addition, there are patterns in Scripture that are very significant and require our attention and obedience. There are some ways that God has established that are not subject to change.

Truth is greater than true. As a young believer, I came to a full realization of this while studying the Word. I read John 8:31-32, Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ The word truth stood out to me, and I began to speak to the Lord about it. I asked Him, What is the difference between true and truth?

Immediately I heard these words in my spirit. Things that are true are subject to change, but a truth is a principle that God has established that even He, Himself cannot change.

I often illustrate it this way. During the day, you and I will look out of our windows. It is bright, and everything can be clearly seen. At night, we look out that same window, and it is dark. Yet what we see each time is true. What’s the reason? The cycle of the earth moves from day to night, and each is true every time the transition takes place.

Truth, however, isn’t subject to change. Night or day, God is still God. Night or day, God is still the Healer and Provider. Night or day, Jesus is still the Lord and the Savior of the world.

Things that are merely true are subject to change by the truth of God’s Word. No matter what you are dealing with, the Word of God has the power and the ability to bring transformation.

This is why having an understanding of your rights, privileges, and position in Christ is very important. These truths will establish your heart, especially when the devil tries to make you believe that God favors others over you.

You must know that Christ did a finished work. He didn’t just start something; He finished it. You and I are equally walking in the benefits of that completed work.

The enemy is going to fight us every step of the way. That is why you must remember this: The Word of God is a standard by which we operate in all things. The Word of God is God’s revealed truth.

I am going to share three different Bible stories as the foundation of this teaching. I want us to investigate each one of these stories to help us understand this concept.

2 KINGS 20:1-3

1. In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’

2. Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying,

3. Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

The Bible didn’t just say that Isaiah made the statements. Instead, the Bible indicates that Isaiah said, Thus says the Lord.... In other words, Isaiah is saying, The Lord sent me to tell you that if everything stays the way it is now, you will die and not live.

I realize we live in a time when people don’t believe that God can send what you may consider to be a negative word. But this was truth being spoken to Hezekiah. God was telling him the outcome of his current situation.

We can learn from this passage that there are decrees of God that can be changed. Hezekiah did something that caused God to turn and change the outcome. The outcome of a circumstance is subject to change.

In essence, Hezekiah was saying, Lord, You just said this sickness is unto death and that I am going to die. The only Person Who can change that is You. Hezekiah shut out everything else as he turned his face to the wall.

Everyone has peripheral vision. Hezekiah wanted to be focused on God, so he did what he needed to do to be focused.

Responding Correctly

Let me ask you a question. When you hear what the outcome of a certain thing will be, and that outcome is something that brings you no joy, what do you do? Consider the instructions of the Lord in 2 Chronicles 7:14. God was speaking to the people of Israel who had not been walking in the light of His truth.

2 CHRONICLES 7:14

14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

There are important principles in this text to be examined. What does it mean to humble yourself? It can include the activity of fasting, among other things. It is a drawing back from yourself and turning to God.

PSALM 35:13

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.

The term fasting has become almost like a curse word to some in various denominational settings. As a result, many people seldom practice the type of fasting where they withdraw themselves from certain things for the Lord’s purpose, even when they are planning things in the church.

I understand entertainment and realize that people need fellowship. But unfortunately, we live in a time when everything is planned around the recreational life of believers. It seems that few are willing to sacrifice anything for their spiritual well-being. Some pastors are very strict about church services. They are detailed and locked into a certain time frame. For example, their services may be planned to last one hour and fifteen minutes—no matter what.

At the same time, some of the same pastors have their season tickets to the NFL to watch their favorite team play football, and nothing is going to stop them. They are going to make it to the game every Sunday after church. They will spend three or four hours in the stadium, jumping up and down and screaming over some men in tights who are throwing and kicking a ball around. The Holy Ghost can’t move in the church service because the pastor would be late for the game.

Faith to Turn the Circumstance

I once asked the Lord, Why is it that we see so many believers prayed for to be healed, and yet they die? I believe He opened my eyes to the fact that too many believers live their lives depending on the preacher’s faith. Sometimes their actions and their lifestyles are not consistent with the agreement of faith. Even if the preacher prays for them in faith, they are inconsistent. There is no true agreement because they are not spiritually connected. They are not doing anything to turn their circumstance.

I have spoken to too many people who were devastated because of a doctor’s report. They placed their faith in what the doctor said and lived from that moment in total submission and agreement with what the doctor said. That is faith in the doctor and his word. They will rehearse the doctor’s report to people over and over and over again and give no thought to God’s truth and His ability to change their physical circumstance.

Hezekiah turned to the wall. Psalm 69:10 says, When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting…. There may come a time in your life like there was in Hezekiah’s when you would have to turn yourself to the wall to change things in your life.

I believe in and practice the prayer of agreement. I believe in having people pray for you. But there will come the point in your life where you will have to humble yourself, pray, and seek God’s face if you are going to see a circumstance changed. Not your pastor, not your prayer group, not the prayer minister on the phone, but you will have to pray!

Hezekiah Turned Toward the Wall

2 KINGS 20:4-10

4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

5 Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.

6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.’"

7 Then Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. So they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, What is the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord the third day?

9 Then Isaiah said, This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing which He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees?

10 And Hezekiah answered, It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no, but let the shadow go backward ten degrees.

Sometimes people say that all words from God must come to pass. But prayer changed this! What Isaiah had said to Hezekiah was one hundred percent a word from God, but prayer changed the outcome. Hezekiah’s faith and prayer caused God to change the end result to the one Hezekiah desired.

You and I can have the same thing happen in the circumstances we face. If a desperate prayer of faith can change the outcome God had declared, how much more will it change the situations we face