1. The first stage a newly born believer experiences is an ordinary garden-variety type faith. "May be it will happen, maybe it won't. I'm not getting my hopes up just in case" (Titus 1:4; Matthew 13:4). Without hope and the expectation of your desires manifestation, faith has no purpose, therefore faith cannot work and a seed cannot grow.

Its like scattering seed and some fall along the path, but the seed is short lived, for the birds quickly devour them. Many fall away upon this stage, but perseverance, staying in the Word, will cause your faith to go beyond and onto the next step.

2. "One (mans faith permits him to) believe he may eat anything, while a weaker one (limits his) eating to vegetables" (Romans 14:1). The second stage you will enter into is a weak faith in which you will set limitations on your expectations, and on what God can and cannot do. Its like scattering seed upon rocky ground where the soil is sparse. The seeds spring up before they root, because they had no debt of soil. (Matthew 13:5).

3. Jesus speaks of little faith. Those who are timid and afraid. The third stage is the if stage; if it rains on my parade, then what! I think I'll stay home where its safe. If I were bold and courageous enough to speak in front of a crowd, then I could fulfill my desires. If I put my faith in God and He lets me down, then what? Its probably too good to be true, so I think I'll pass. This is the stage that knocks faith out, but if you stay in the Word, God will show you how to remove the ifs, maybes and buts, and you'll progressively move onto the fourth stage.

4. The fourth stage is the fleeting stage where we listen to God's Words and get excited. We welcome the promises into our heart with joy, but the first sign of trouble we terminate the relationship and go on our own (Luke 8:13). These seeds fall among the thorns, and the thistles grew pressing together and suffocated them (Mark 4:7). This wishy-washy, unsuitable, redoubtable type of faith chokes the roots and smothers the promises of God.

5. Next, we come into the intellectual stage. Upon this fifth stage we accept the Word, but our faith is not strong enough to receive. Here we discover the principals of reality in reason alone, and become preoccupied at the process of thought at the expense of our goal. We thrive on superior reasoning power. But faith and the Word does not come by head power, but by heart power. The Word must be received into the Spirit, without deliberation. You cannot think it into being, we must hope and expect it into being, which can be achieved only by exercising the Word.

With proper application the seed can absorb into the spirit, take root and grow exceedingly. Without being devoted to the cause the seed will root, but decay in the ground. "So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)" (James 2:17).

6. Once you surpass the fifth stage your faith will become active, for you will have conformed to God's will in thought and deed. This sixth step is the operating stage. You have discovered that if you don't cooperate with God, satan will attack your plans and devour them. You will have wisdom and begin doing exactly what He says. This act of obedience will cause your faith to develop into a mighty living force that knows no defeat. "Your faith was completed and reached its supreme _expression (when you implemented it) by (good) works" (James 2:22).

7. Upon the seventh stage you will have obtained a powerful faith, where "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly, questioning) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God" (Romans 4:20).

You will reject all defeat, for your faith will be nonnegotiable. You'll not take no for an answer. Devils will be rebuked and demons will be cast down in the Name of Jesus. Now you are receiving extraordinary blessings and astonishing miracles from God.

8. On this stage comes the promise, "Great is your faith, be it done for you as you wish" (Matthew 15:28). Great faith moves God into answering extraordinary prayers. Upon this stage you will believe undeniably in the promises, knowing whatever you hope for will be done...Amen...so be it. You will know Who your Father is, and what He is capable of doing. You have become submissive and willing to prostrate yourself in worship, honor and thanksgiving. You have surrendered your life to Him, and He is working magnificently within.

9. As the ninth stage unfolds you will love God with all your heart, and your faith will be genuine, heartfelt and unaffected. You will be void pretense and worship God with a pure conscious, in spirit and unqualified faith. This stage is where words are few and the heart speaks in a powerful silence. You will look to God and instantly He will answer, for now you relate in Spirit where words are no longer necessary. You will receive whatever you desire without asking, because now the Spirit is one.

10. Alas, the last stage! The sacred and divine faith of God. Here you have connected with the Glory, where unity resides, for you have accepted your part in the crucifixion with Christ. Now you know, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20).

You have devoted yourself entirely to God in soul, body and mind and He is working within at His utmost capacity. This is the Holy Spirit resurrection power of faith, where you shall go with Jesus and communicate directly with heaven. Upon this final and last sacred stage, the seed of Abraham, Who is Jesus Christ our Lord, has grafted Himself to you for the exhaustive joining of the Body. Now you will excel in everything you do, for you have found heaven here on earth.

When you courageously challenge every act of faith your seed will grow at exceeding speed. Do not get discouraged upon any stage because this is a developmental process that must be mastered one day, one step at a time. Upon each act of faith power will be delivered, which will in turn give you the energy and incentive to proceed. When quitting is no longer an option, faith will take control and you'll begin living life to its fullest. Because God is good! Amen!

Chapter 1.

Index