Faith sees the future as a moment of God's action seamlessly being woven into the present. Faith is a past tense thing. Faith is believing that God is going to catch you up to where He eventually has you.
But really, faith is trust! Faith and trust go hand in hand. Trust overcomes fear and insecurity. Trust acknowledges our Heavenly Father's goodness in all things. Trust allows the Comforter to do one of His many jobs and comfort us! Below is an excerpt on this subject by Smith Wigglesworth:
"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. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:23, 24)
These are days when we need to have our faith strengthened, when we need to know God. God has designed that the just shall live by faith. Any man can be changed by faith, no matter how he may be fettered. I know that God's word is sufficient. One word from Him can change a nation. His word is from everlasting to everlasting. It is through the entrance of this everlasting Word, this incorruptible seed, that we are born again, and come into this wonderful salvation. Man cannot live by bread alone, but must live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. This is the food of faith. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
Everywhere men are trying to discredit the Bible and take from it all the miraculous. One preacher says, "Well, you know, Jesus arranged beforehand to have that colt tied where it was, and for the men to say just what they did." I tell you God can arrange everything without going near. He can plan for you, and when He plans for you, all is peace. All things are possible if you will believe.
Showing posts with label Trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trust. Show all posts
Monday, February 15, 2016
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Peace I Give to You
"Peace I leaue with you, my peace I geue vnto you. Not as the world geueth, geue I vnto you. Let not youre hertes be greued, nether feare." ~Yahshua (John 14:27)
Jesus has given you peace. But have you received it? Have you accepted His peace into your reality? Did you feel peaceful reading this almost unreadable 1540 'Great Bible' Miles Coverdale edition? You certainly can. All it takes is a little faith.
Yahweh wants us to have peace like a river, peace like the ocean, peace like He has. He wants you to have peace all the time. He wants you to have so much peace it's impossible.
God was speaking to me about this today. His truth is that there has not, is not, and will not been a valid reason to lose peace. Nothing is so important as to make you break the faith (Romans 11:20). That's really what the loss of peace implies -- it's a temporary loss of belief. The two go hand in hand. God is bigger than your problems!
Peace is also tied in with patience. Peace recognizes and rest in the truth that Yahweh is not slow in keeping His promises (2 Peter 3:9). The battle is His (2 Chron. 20:15), and when it comes, you'll win with Him. Belief is peace.
Jesus has given you peace. But have you received it? Have you accepted His peace into your reality? Did you feel peaceful reading this almost unreadable 1540 'Great Bible' Miles Coverdale edition? You certainly can. All it takes is a little faith.
Yahweh wants us to have peace like a river, peace like the ocean, peace like He has. He wants you to have peace all the time. He wants you to have so much peace it's impossible.
God was speaking to me about this today. His truth is that there has not, is not, and will not been a valid reason to lose peace. Nothing is so important as to make you break the faith (Romans 11:20). That's really what the loss of peace implies -- it's a temporary loss of belief. The two go hand in hand. God is bigger than your problems!
Peace is also tied in with patience. Peace recognizes and rest in the truth that Yahweh is not slow in keeping His promises (2 Peter 3:9). The battle is His (2 Chron. 20:15), and when it comes, you'll win with Him. Belief is peace.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
On Keeping the Sabbath: A Restful Life
"So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of Yahweh. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as Yahweh did from His..." ~Hebrews 4:11
The Holy Book says that there is a rest that remains. What is this? It's something different than the Old Testament's Sabbath Day commandments. It's something that rendered the Old obsolete. It's a Rest that transcends practical judgement, because God wants to have our hearts (2 Cor. 5:16). Rest is a state of being that remains.
Why did God rest from His works? Because Jesus was telling the truth when He cried out on the cross: "IT IS FINISHED" (John 19:30). And If God is still resting, content with the fulfillment of His Redeeming plan, then we should follow His example and rest too!
"...Let us make every effort, therefore, to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience." ~Hebrews 4:12
Entering God's rest, truly, constantly and unconditionally keeping it, may take a lot of effort. It may take a lot of faith. But what are we, that we could have "a lot" of anything? What are we, that Yahweh is mindful of us (Psalms 8:4)? Remember that it's His Work that gets us there, and not our own. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Our only work, our "every effort", should only be made concerning our belief. That's the work that God expects, demands from us. Are we really believing? Hopefully so --cause that's all that Yahshua wants (John 6:29). Everything else will flow out from that -- the rest is up to you. Faith + trust = Rest.
Now, I'm not contradicting my previous post on the Sabbath. The commandment has been good, and it continues to be good (Romans 7:12). Keeping a physical Sabbath may well just be an intermediate tool; a way to ensure that we are doing everything that day with intention and joy. It might serve as a wonderful stepping stone that helps you grasp the spiritual symbolism involved. The Sabbath provokes internal inspection...are we doing things out of obligation, or are we seeing our time as being redeemed by God? Don't be enslaved by your own business (Gal. 5:1). That's not God's best for you. I think observing a Sabbath that excludes any compulsive act (2 Cor. 9:7) is a great idea.
The next question is...On what day? Should you observe Saturday, Sunday, the Jewish lunar calendar, or the lunar-solar calendar? There are fringe groups out there who would claim that their approach to all this is the only way. Who cares? Paul called such topics "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1).
Like I said, there remains a Sabbath that transcends physicality. God wants you to be so thankful for every moment, that even the hardest work you do is still purely Rest. He wants you to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He wants you to carry such a heavy awareness of Him that any of your own efforts are blotted out by His monumental Light.
It's OK to be blinded by love. Yahweh wants us to take our eyes off ourselves so we can enjoy Heavenly, blissful rest.
The Holy Book says that there is a rest that remains. What is this? It's something different than the Old Testament's Sabbath Day commandments. It's something that rendered the Old obsolete. It's a Rest that transcends practical judgement, because God wants to have our hearts (2 Cor. 5:16). Rest is a state of being that remains.
Why did God rest from His works? Because Jesus was telling the truth when He cried out on the cross: "IT IS FINISHED" (John 19:30). And If God is still resting, content with the fulfillment of His Redeeming plan, then we should follow His example and rest too!
"...Let us make every effort, therefore, to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience." ~Hebrews 4:12
Entering God's rest, truly, constantly and unconditionally keeping it, may take a lot of effort. It may take a lot of faith. But what are we, that we could have "a lot" of anything? What are we, that Yahweh is mindful of us (Psalms 8:4)? Remember that it's His Work that gets us there, and not our own. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Our only work, our "every effort", should only be made concerning our belief. That's the work that God expects, demands from us. Are we really believing? Hopefully so --cause that's all that Yahshua wants (John 6:29). Everything else will flow out from that -- the rest is up to you. Faith + trust = Rest.
Now, I'm not contradicting my previous post on the Sabbath. The commandment has been good, and it continues to be good (Romans 7:12). Keeping a physical Sabbath may well just be an intermediate tool; a way to ensure that we are doing everything that day with intention and joy. It might serve as a wonderful stepping stone that helps you grasp the spiritual symbolism involved. The Sabbath provokes internal inspection...are we doing things out of obligation, or are we seeing our time as being redeemed by God? Don't be enslaved by your own business (Gal. 5:1). That's not God's best for you. I think observing a Sabbath that excludes any compulsive act (2 Cor. 9:7) is a great idea.
The next question is...On what day? Should you observe Saturday, Sunday, the Jewish lunar calendar, or the lunar-solar calendar? There are fringe groups out there who would claim that their approach to all this is the only way. Who cares? Paul called such topics "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1).
Like I said, there remains a Sabbath that transcends physicality. God wants you to be so thankful for every moment, that even the hardest work you do is still purely Rest. He wants you to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He wants you to carry such a heavy awareness of Him that any of your own efforts are blotted out by His monumental Light.
It's OK to be blinded by love. Yahweh wants us to take our eyes off ourselves so we can enjoy Heavenly, blissful rest.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Hope!!!
Commit thy way unto Yahweh; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
~Psalm 37:5
Hope always leads to trust and rest. In order to have such hope, you need to commit your paths, your plans, and even your predictions to God. There's a comfort in knowing it's out of your own hands. It's comforting to know that the preeminent changes can only be accomplished by God. It's comforting to know that it's not up to you!
Hope isn't complacency. But it is contentment. And contentment in itself is gain (1 Tim. 6:6) -- another thing to hope for!
Hope is not a reason to sit around all day, just "waiting on the Lord". Hope is a reason to have confidence in yourself! Confidence in yourself -- in Christ (Phil. 4:13). Remember in Psalm 37 that Yahweh will bring your way to pass. Your way, yes, if it's already been committed! In Christ, you are capable and pure.
Hope makes us bold (2 Cor. 3:12), it inspires us to act, it inspires us to pray and to contend. Spiritual warfare is only done from a point of rest. Work should only be done in trust. Hope won't let you get weary!
Hope can seem foolish to the world. It may inspire the appearance of short-term memory loss (Philippians 3:13). Hope can be illogical, unconventional, and stubborn. Hope doesn't look at the facts.
The mystery of Christianity is this: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Ultimately, hope comes from the longing for Christ in you.
~Psalm 37:5
Hope always leads to trust and rest. In order to have such hope, you need to commit your paths, your plans, and even your predictions to God. There's a comfort in knowing it's out of your own hands. It's comforting to know that the preeminent changes can only be accomplished by God. It's comforting to know that it's not up to you!
Hope isn't complacency. But it is contentment. And contentment in itself is gain (1 Tim. 6:6) -- another thing to hope for!
Hope is not a reason to sit around all day, just "waiting on the Lord". Hope is a reason to have confidence in yourself! Confidence in yourself -- in Christ (Phil. 4:13). Remember in Psalm 37 that Yahweh will bring your way to pass. Your way, yes, if it's already been committed! In Christ, you are capable and pure.
Hope makes us bold (2 Cor. 3:12), it inspires us to act, it inspires us to pray and to contend. Spiritual warfare is only done from a point of rest. Work should only be done in trust. Hope won't let you get weary!
Hope can seem foolish to the world. It may inspire the appearance of short-term memory loss (Philippians 3:13). Hope can be illogical, unconventional, and stubborn. Hope doesn't look at the facts.
The mystery of Christianity is this: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Ultimately, hope comes from the longing for Christ in you.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Video Journal: God's Faith in Kids!
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14
Recently God has been at work (well, I guess He's always been at work...) among kids. We've been blessed to see several healing miracles in the last week, all because parents, children, and friends decided to come together and simply trust God. All it takes is a little faith! Jesus provided the substance for our healing some time ago....
"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger."
Psalm 8:2
Monday, May 4, 2015
Snapshot: The God of Peace
Yesterday morning, the Lord specifically lead me to pray for Vanessa's peace. And that got me thinking about the connection between peace, patience, and prayer.
Since we belong to God, we can have His peace always with us. It can be unconditional! That's what Jesus is referring to when He describes His gift--it's not given with conditions, as the world would give. Even then, however, we have a choice. We are given the option to let ourselves be troubled, and we are given the option to give way to fear.
"Now may the God who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus..." Romans 15:5 AMP
Peace begins with a prayer, and so does patience. If we have peace, it will probably lead us to do many things more slowly than we have done them in the past. Peace will lead us to humility and trust. Peace will lead us to patience. If we have patience, then we will be content to let God's will--His plan, His purposes, His surprises--just flow into our future.
If we have been given His peace leading onto patience, we won't be presumptuous. We won't rush into things too fast. We won't become anxious when the next surprise comes. Instead, we will be pushed at the Spirit's pace into the future with peace like a river (Isaiah 48:18). We will take time to be still and wait on the Lord (Psalms 37:7). We will listen to others with humility, love, and godly discernment. And we will bear such good fruit!
"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.…" James 1:19-1:20
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
Since we belong to God, we can have His peace always with us. It can be unconditional! That's what Jesus is referring to when He describes His gift--it's not given with conditions, as the world would give. Even then, however, we have a choice. We are given the option to let ourselves be troubled, and we are given the option to give way to fear.
"Now may the God who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus..." Romans 15:5 AMP
Peace begins with a prayer, and so does patience. If we have peace, it will probably lead us to do many things more slowly than we have done them in the past. Peace will lead us to humility and trust. Peace will lead us to patience. If we have patience, then we will be content to let God's will--His plan, His purposes, His surprises--just flow into our future.
If we have been given His peace leading onto patience, we won't be presumptuous. We won't rush into things too fast. We won't become anxious when the next surprise comes. Instead, we will be pushed at the Spirit's pace into the future with peace like a river (Isaiah 48:18). We will take time to be still and wait on the Lord (Psalms 37:7). We will listen to others with humility, love, and godly discernment. And we will bear such good fruit!
"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.…" James 1:19-1:20
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Asking or Commanding?
**Note: This post refers mostly to how we should approach praying for others--especially if they are in need of healing, miracles, deliverance, or release from opposing spirits. These instances are the main times when we should command. Asking God for something is not wrong of sinful if it is done in faith. We should all ask God for things everyday! But there is a definite time to accept the power of God and tailor our prayers in accordance with the fullness of His will.**
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
John 11:38-44
We need to realize that Jesus is our Master and Lord, as well as our role model. The works He did, we can do, too. And so it follows that the ways He walked in, we should walk in, also. We should talk like He talked, pray like He prayed, and think like He thought--all on the way to loving like He loved. So let's look at how He prayed, and aspire to do the same!
HOW DID JESUS PRAY?
We can learn through the Word that most of Jesus' prayers for miracles were short and to the point. Jesus did not repeatedly ask or beg the Father to move His hand. He simply spoke out of assurance and commanded the change. In the instance with Lazarus above, Jesus says one of His most interesting prayers. He actually prayed more than a couple sentences for this miracle, but not for His sake or for the Father's! He only did so for the sake of the understanding of those listening! He didn't say a long prayer just to go on and on. He never incorporated cop-outs into His prayers. Whenever Jesus prayed, His words were only a means to an end--that end being a manifestation of the Father's will. And that manifestation always came quickly!
ASK OR COMMAND?
So let's say we are in a situation where someone needs and is seeking a healing from the Lord. What do we say? What do we ask God for? Many times, people make the mistake of begging and begging God for something, something that He is much more eager to do than they are! People sometimes ask God for something--they ask Him to carry out a promise--as if God otherwise was not so into keeping His promises. I feel God wants us to command His true will, rather than ask Him if He might consider changing a situation that has been caused by the enemy.
COMMAND WITH EXPECTATION
We need to trust God enough to be in tune with Him. And then we can be in tune with Him enough to command! We command the will of God out of a place of knowing the will of God. We need to pray with enough faith and enough passion that the end of our prayer is the best part--because that's when we can see that the faithfulness of God has achieved the desired effect! That's how praying should be. We should know that just a few of our words is enough for God, in His goodness, to completely change things.
COMMAND IN THE SPIRIT, NOT THE FLESH
Now, there is a danger in our commanding if it is done in the flesh. Commanding away an affliction in Jesus' name is much, much different than trying to order God around. We need to stay in the Spirit to avoid presumption and pride. We need to be in the Spirit and operating in Christ's love whenever we pray and command on His behalf.
COMMAND UNDER THE APPROVAL OF GOD
So the solution to praying correctly is to pray in the Spirit--driven and under the influence of God's will. Realize that if we are in the Spirit, we may still ask God for the healing. We just ask Him before any corporate prayer begins--we ask Him on our own time, so that we can command when the time to see the manifestation comes. We may ask God beforehand, or we may just have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. The important thing about commanding anything is this: we need to be driven and guided by God up until the point of prayer.
COMMAND WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S GOODNESS
When we command by the Spirit, guided by His love, that's when we become fully convinced of God's goodness. That's when we realize what we're up against--and it's not God! We realize that what we are commanding out is opposed to God. And we realize that His will is nothing other than a completed overcoming. We can realize victory, because Jesus has already won the victory. We can realize God's passion and longing for us to triumph. Most of all, when we're in the Spirit, we are so assured that God's will is healing and not sickness, joy and not depression, purity and not pain. We don't need to ask Him if things are any different! And we don't need to ask out of doubt, because God's truth comes in and moves us to decisive action. God wants to take us to a place of being moved to accomplish His true and perfect will.
"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."
Romans 12:2
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
John 11:38-44
We need to realize that Jesus is our Master and Lord, as well as our role model. The works He did, we can do, too. And so it follows that the ways He walked in, we should walk in, also. We should talk like He talked, pray like He prayed, and think like He thought--all on the way to loving like He loved. So let's look at how He prayed, and aspire to do the same!
HOW DID JESUS PRAY?
We can learn through the Word that most of Jesus' prayers for miracles were short and to the point. Jesus did not repeatedly ask or beg the Father to move His hand. He simply spoke out of assurance and commanded the change. In the instance with Lazarus above, Jesus says one of His most interesting prayers. He actually prayed more than a couple sentences for this miracle, but not for His sake or for the Father's! He only did so for the sake of the understanding of those listening! He didn't say a long prayer just to go on and on. He never incorporated cop-outs into His prayers. Whenever Jesus prayed, His words were only a means to an end--that end being a manifestation of the Father's will. And that manifestation always came quickly!
ASK OR COMMAND?
So let's say we are in a situation where someone needs and is seeking a healing from the Lord. What do we say? What do we ask God for? Many times, people make the mistake of begging and begging God for something, something that He is much more eager to do than they are! People sometimes ask God for something--they ask Him to carry out a promise--as if God otherwise was not so into keeping His promises. I feel God wants us to command His true will, rather than ask Him if He might consider changing a situation that has been caused by the enemy.
COMMAND WITH EXPECTATION
We need to trust God enough to be in tune with Him. And then we can be in tune with Him enough to command! We command the will of God out of a place of knowing the will of God. We need to pray with enough faith and enough passion that the end of our prayer is the best part--because that's when we can see that the faithfulness of God has achieved the desired effect! That's how praying should be. We should know that just a few of our words is enough for God, in His goodness, to completely change things.
COMMAND IN THE SPIRIT, NOT THE FLESH
Now, there is a danger in our commanding if it is done in the flesh. Commanding away an affliction in Jesus' name is much, much different than trying to order God around. We need to stay in the Spirit to avoid presumption and pride. We need to be in the Spirit and operating in Christ's love whenever we pray and command on His behalf.
COMMAND UNDER THE APPROVAL OF GOD
So the solution to praying correctly is to pray in the Spirit--driven and under the influence of God's will. Realize that if we are in the Spirit, we may still ask God for the healing. We just ask Him before any corporate prayer begins--we ask Him on our own time, so that we can command when the time to see the manifestation comes. We may ask God beforehand, or we may just have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. The important thing about commanding anything is this: we need to be driven and guided by God up until the point of prayer.
COMMAND WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S GOODNESS
When we command by the Spirit, guided by His love, that's when we become fully convinced of God's goodness. That's when we realize what we're up against--and it's not God! We realize that what we are commanding out is opposed to God. And we realize that His will is nothing other than a completed overcoming. We can realize victory, because Jesus has already won the victory. We can realize God's passion and longing for us to triumph. Most of all, when we're in the Spirit, we are so assured that God's will is healing and not sickness, joy and not depression, purity and not pain. We don't need to ask Him if things are any different! And we don't need to ask out of doubt, because God's truth comes in and moves us to decisive action. God wants to take us to a place of being moved to accomplish His true and perfect will.
"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."
Romans 12:2
Friday, March 27, 2015
Word: Convert All Things to Trust
About a week ago the Lord spoke to me some words of encouragement. He said,
"Today is a day to convert all things to trust."
And He went on with some reassurance in other areas...but I was still convicted by the wording of that first sentence. Trust! He was saying that every characteristic should be drained of itself and transformed into a trusting in Him. Every anxious emotion should be converted into a hope in the Lord.
"Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24
Now I couldn't do this. I can't convert all things into trust. But the Lord can! And He wants to. So let's let Him--let's take from Him courage and hope. God wants to alleviate us from every unbelieving thing. He wants us to break out of every layer of fear and timidity and abide in Him.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
2 Timothy 1:7
He has given us a Spirit that personifies Christ's love. He has given us His Holy Spirit, which drives out fear (John 4:18). God has given us a Spirit that works all things for our good (Romans 8:28)--a Spirit that converts all things into trust.
"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."
Psalm 62:8
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Word: Trust Leads to Freedom
"I am taking you to a new level of freedom. Yes, I am giving you liberty and freedom in the Spirit, because I trust you, because you belong to me"
We belong to Him. And when we walk in that, that's why He trusts us! And that's why He gives us life to the fullest where we can be free and liberated from sin. Praise God for freedom. Praise Him for liberty, and praise Him for the law that His Spirit lives by. Praise Him that He gives trust to those whom He first entrusted with His Holy Spirit. And finally, praise God that we belong to Him! He is so intent on showing us that. He is so pleased when we realize all that He's done for us. Every promise in the Word has been given to us. And every word He's given will come to pass.
"And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you."
Galatians 3:29
A little later yesterday, I went into the garage from outside just in time to hear Christian radio for a minute or so. And They were describing how Jesus reveals His secrets to those He trusts. Although the world does not know or recognize Him, they said, He has taken us in and entrusted us with Himself. He spoke in parables so often, but to His own, He occasionally revealed more.
I was so thankful to hear this little segment of radio...and then it was time for me to head back outside. God's timing was so perfect! It perfectly confirmed the word from earlier that morning -- "...because I trust you..." And I realized that because He trusts me, that's why He's going to be revealing more to me! This is something I've been praying for recently--that God would reveal more unknowable knowledge to me, more prophetic insight, more deep things. And that morning, He had comforted me in saying that He trusted me. After you have the trust, only then can Jesus reveal the secrets. Awesome!
"I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."
Isaiah 45:3
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Hope For The Future, Part Three: Godly Idealism
God is an idealist:
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act
unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
This is what love does, and since God is love (1 John 4:8), this is what God does. God hopes all things. God wins in the end, so why shouldn't He hope all things? His victory is assured, and ours can be, too. And if we will rise with Him, why shouldn't we also be filled with hope?
"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he
has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance."
Ephesians 1:18 MSG
God's Word says that His people are destined for a rich and glorious inheritance. And we can walk in a measure of that glory now, and then move on to fullness. There is nothing more hope-inspiring than that!
God has so many promises for those who love Him. He has so many blessings stored up for those who live by His Spirit. He has so many good things to give. He is waiting to bless you! Not that you have not been blessed yet, but there is always more to God. He is for us unsearchable riches. (Ephesians 3:8) He is to us incomprehensible love. (Romans 11:33) It's time to get a fresh anointing. It's time to walk in our blessings. It's time to live life to the fullest. It's time for Christ in us to shine through. It's time to yield to the Father's unending hope.
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory"
Colossians 1:27
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act
unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
This is what love does, and since God is love (1 John 4:8), this is what God does. God hopes all things. God wins in the end, so why shouldn't He hope all things? His victory is assured, and ours can be, too. And if we will rise with Him, why shouldn't we also be filled with hope?
"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he
has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance."
Ephesians 1:18 MSG
God's Word says that His people are destined for a rich and glorious inheritance. And we can walk in a measure of that glory now, and then move on to fullness. There is nothing more hope-inspiring than that!
God has so many promises for those who love Him. He has so many blessings stored up for those who live by His Spirit. He has so many good things to give. He is waiting to bless you! Not that you have not been blessed yet, but there is always more to God. He is for us unsearchable riches. (Ephesians 3:8) He is to us incomprehensible love. (Romans 11:33) It's time to get a fresh anointing. It's time to walk in our blessings. It's time to live life to the fullest. It's time for Christ in us to shine through. It's time to yield to the Father's unending hope.
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory"
Colossians 1:27
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Hope For The Future, Part Two: Confidence in Prayer
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14
And again,
"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:14
CONFIDENCE IN HIS PROMISES
These verses should give us so much confidence in prayer. If we believe them, then they will! Can we become bolder and more decisive in our prayers? We can, if we make God's Word a reality in our lives. We are free to make bold petitions and ask big questions. We are free to pray big prayers. Can't God do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask? (Ephesians 3:20) He can, and He will, if we pray in faith.
Praying for someone else is so exciting when you know the work has already been done. If I believe Jesus when He said, "It is finished", then I'll believe that He has also already overcome every single work of the devil. Praying for someone else is so easy sometimes, because I can realize that God loves that person even more than I do. I know that Jesus will overcome the enemy's work in their lives--He just lets me say the words. I know that the hard work has been finished by another. And because of that, I know that He will choose to show His glory.
Praying for myself is great, too. The results are effective and often immediate. If I ask for wisdom for God, I am destined to receive it. That's what the Word says, and if I believe it, then I will allow God to manifest it. Just look at the promises below:
"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:8
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
Lord, give us wisdom. Lord, give us faith. Lord, make us pure. Lord, give us more love. Lord, please touch our families. Lord, please give an opportunity today.
OK, so God will do all those things. Praise Jesus! He made things so simple. We can always take heart (John 16:33) and have confidence in Him. We can put all of our trust into His heart.
CONDITIONS TO MEET
There are conditions to meet, however, before we can know that God will listen to our prayers. I could try to explain this, but instead, I think we should all meditate on the scriptures below. These are the conditions, and these are the results of disobedience:
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear" Isaiah 59:2
"We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will."
John 9:31
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3
These warnings have been written so that we might know the benefits of obedience to God. The closer we are to God, the close He will be to our prayers. We need to be close. We need to be pure, godly, and obedient--that's when God will listen. That's when He will listen and intercede with us. That's when we can be confident! We have been given in the Holy Spirit a purity that causes Him to respond to our every prayer and petition.
Prayer changes things, after God has changed you. Prayer moves things, after God has moved you. And there comes a time when God gives freedom in prayer. There comes a time when, as a friend of God, we can cause Him to change His mind (this is in the Word--look at Jeremiah 42, esp. 42:10). We can know that our prayers move the hand of God.
"If the Holy Ghost doesn't move me, then I move the Holy Ghost."
Smith Wigglesworth said this. Many people refused it, or thought it was unscriptural. It probably seemed to be a prideful statement--maybe Smith Wigglesworth thought he was God.
But in reality, Wigglesworth was just a really close friend. And he knew that persistence gets things done. He knew that faith in God to carry out His Word always pays off. He knew that God's promises do not ever fail--if you stand on them, if you make them your life. We need to know what Jesus says--"If you ask for anything in My Name, so I will do it." We need to make Jesus our best friend. We need His love and His conviction resting upon us. That's when we trust Him. That's when we have boldness. And this is the way that we can have confidence in prayer.
And again,
"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:14
CONFIDENCE IN HIS PROMISES
These verses should give us so much confidence in prayer. If we believe them, then they will! Can we become bolder and more decisive in our prayers? We can, if we make God's Word a reality in our lives. We are free to make bold petitions and ask big questions. We are free to pray big prayers. Can't God do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask? (Ephesians 3:20) He can, and He will, if we pray in faith.
Praying for someone else is so exciting when you know the work has already been done. If I believe Jesus when He said, "It is finished", then I'll believe that He has also already overcome every single work of the devil. Praying for someone else is so easy sometimes, because I can realize that God loves that person even more than I do. I know that Jesus will overcome the enemy's work in their lives--He just lets me say the words. I know that the hard work has been finished by another. And because of that, I know that He will choose to show His glory.
Praying for myself is great, too. The results are effective and often immediate. If I ask for wisdom for God, I am destined to receive it. That's what the Word says, and if I believe it, then I will allow God to manifest it. Just look at the promises below:
"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:8
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
Lord, give us wisdom. Lord, give us faith. Lord, make us pure. Lord, give us more love. Lord, please touch our families. Lord, please give an opportunity today.
OK, so God will do all those things. Praise Jesus! He made things so simple. We can always take heart (John 16:33) and have confidence in Him. We can put all of our trust into His heart.
CONDITIONS TO MEET
There are conditions to meet, however, before we can know that God will listen to our prayers. I could try to explain this, but instead, I think we should all meditate on the scriptures below. These are the conditions, and these are the results of disobedience:
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear" Isaiah 59:2
"We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will."
John 9:31
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3
These warnings have been written so that we might know the benefits of obedience to God. The closer we are to God, the close He will be to our prayers. We need to be close. We need to be pure, godly, and obedient--that's when God will listen. That's when He will listen and intercede with us. That's when we can be confident! We have been given in the Holy Spirit a purity that causes Him to respond to our every prayer and petition.
Prayer changes things, after God has changed you. Prayer moves things, after God has moved you. And there comes a time when God gives freedom in prayer. There comes a time when, as a friend of God, we can cause Him to change His mind (this is in the Word--look at Jeremiah 42, esp. 42:10). We can know that our prayers move the hand of God.
"If the Holy Ghost doesn't move me, then I move the Holy Ghost."
Smith Wigglesworth said this. Many people refused it, or thought it was unscriptural. It probably seemed to be a prideful statement--maybe Smith Wigglesworth thought he was God.
But in reality, Wigglesworth was just a really close friend. And he knew that persistence gets things done. He knew that faith in God to carry out His Word always pays off. He knew that God's promises do not ever fail--if you stand on them, if you make them your life. We need to know what Jesus says--"If you ask for anything in My Name, so I will do it." We need to make Jesus our best friend. We need His love and His conviction resting upon us. That's when we trust Him. That's when we have boldness. And this is the way that we can have confidence in prayer.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Hope For The Future, Part One: Godly Confidence
"You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways. When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence, And the humble person He will save.
He will deliver one who is not innocent, And he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands." Job 22:28-30
Love hopes all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). Even when we are cast down, we can be still have hope. We can be strong and hope in the Lord (Psalms 31:24). And hope is what makes us confident IN GOD. Hope is what allows us to expect good things of Him and good things of the life He's given.
That is godly confidence. If we are in His Love, we can love the idea of our future. We can love the idea of a new day tomorrow. We can look at every new opportunity and every new day with godly confidence. We can be confident that God will save every part of our lives as we take on humility.
We may get cast down--Job did. But let's put our hope in His faithfulness! We may enter into a trial, and then God comes in and allows our words to change our reality. He allows us to come up before His throne with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). He allows us to ask Him, be led by Him, and then speak what He speaks and want what He wants. He allows us to speak the future into existence. He will partner with us in the future, and His light will shine on our ways.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:5
Paul was full of godly confidence. So was King David. Confidence is knowing that God has saved us, protected us, and perfected us. Confidence is trusting God's Word. And His Word says that He will perfect that which concerns us (Psalm 138:8) That's something to hope in! That's something to be confident about. Confidence comes from knowing that prayer changes things--once again, that God allows our words of faith and humility to move His hand. Confidence is knowing what Jesus did for us, the fullness of eternal life that He attained on our behalf.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Most of of all, confidence is knowing the character of God. He is gracious. He is forgiving. He is faithful to hear us. He has wonderful plans for us. He is so full of love!
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14
He will deliver one who is not innocent, And he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands." Job 22:28-30
Love hopes all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). Even when we are cast down, we can be still have hope. We can be strong and hope in the Lord (Psalms 31:24). And hope is what makes us confident IN GOD. Hope is what allows us to expect good things of Him and good things of the life He's given.
That is godly confidence. If we are in His Love, we can love the idea of our future. We can love the idea of a new day tomorrow. We can look at every new opportunity and every new day with godly confidence. We can be confident that God will save every part of our lives as we take on humility.
We may get cast down--Job did. But let's put our hope in His faithfulness! We may enter into a trial, and then God comes in and allows our words to change our reality. He allows us to come up before His throne with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). He allows us to ask Him, be led by Him, and then speak what He speaks and want what He wants. He allows us to speak the future into existence. He will partner with us in the future, and His light will shine on our ways.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:5
Paul was full of godly confidence. So was King David. Confidence is knowing that God has saved us, protected us, and perfected us. Confidence is trusting God's Word. And His Word says that He will perfect that which concerns us (Psalm 138:8) That's something to hope in! That's something to be confident about. Confidence comes from knowing that prayer changes things--once again, that God allows our words of faith and humility to move His hand. Confidence is knowing what Jesus did for us, the fullness of eternal life that He attained on our behalf.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Most of of all, confidence is knowing the character of God. He is gracious. He is forgiving. He is faithful to hear us. He has wonderful plans for us. He is so full of love!
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14
Friday, February 27, 2015
Snapshot: Clinging to God
This morning I saw a vision that made me understand the importance of clinging to God. When turbulence or testing comes, clinging to God is the best thing we can do. And every morning, when we need a new dispensation of grace, we will receive it if we wait and cling to Him. Clinging to the Lord is when we grow strong. That's why God allows a sifting--so we can hold on tightly, anchor ourselves in truth, and then go on to a greater strength.
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:31- 32
If we will cling to the Lord, then our faith will not fail. If we cling to Him, we will not desire to turn back. This is what's necessary to overcome any problems. That's what's necessary to gain spiritual strength.
God should be our go-to in every situation--we need to always go to Him first. And more than that, we need to realize that He wants to come to us. He is our ever present help (Psalms 46:1). He is always with us. If we realize this, then let's also realize that clinging to Him is our ever present solution.
"For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:7-8
He has been our help, and He will be our help. He's upheld us in the past, and He will continue to uphold us now. What comfort! We can go through a trial knowing that if we suffer, we can also reign with Him. We can turn back, have our faith renewed, and go on to new heights with the Lord. The more tightly we try to hold on to Him, the more He'll let us do the same. Let's allow Him to take us from strength to strength.
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:31- 32
If we will cling to the Lord, then our faith will not fail. If we cling to Him, we will not desire to turn back. This is what's necessary to overcome any problems. That's what's necessary to gain spiritual strength.
God should be our go-to in every situation--we need to always go to Him first. And more than that, we need to realize that He wants to come to us. He is our ever present help (Psalms 46:1). He is always with us. If we realize this, then let's also realize that clinging to Him is our ever present solution.
"For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:7-8
He has been our help, and He will be our help. He's upheld us in the past, and He will continue to uphold us now. What comfort! We can go through a trial knowing that if we suffer, we can also reign with Him. We can turn back, have our faith renewed, and go on to new heights with the Lord. The more tightly we try to hold on to Him, the more He'll let us do the same. Let's allow Him to take us from strength to strength.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Snapshot: From Turbulence to Trust
Sometimes the Lord allows us to go through turbulent things in order to test us. He does this while making for us an opportunity to overcome. He does this with the intent of building our faith, and building our trust.
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
In this world, we will have trouble. We will encounter turbulent times--God will not spare us from all of them. It's true that He is our protection, that He has set a hedge around us (Job 1:10), that He has assigned His angels to us (Psalms 91:11)--but there are times when He takes that wall down and exposes us to some troubling things. Once again, He does this so that we can grow in the faith! He does this to develop our trust.
"And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" Matthew 8:24-27
Trouble will come, and waves of turbulence will come. The enemy's waves and breakers will try to wash over us. But Jesus will always be with us, though He may not rebuke the storm initially. He may wait for us to call on Him. He waits for us to call on Him and be saved. We can call on Him, and use His authority to calm the seas. In the end, He will save us up out of all our troubles (Psalm 34:19), but in the meantime, there may be a trial or two to endure.
I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.” This is what the Lord says—He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters... Isaiah 43:15-16
God never says there will not be waves. In fact, there will be a sea of chaos, doubt, confusion, etc, that includes many waves. But God wants us to accept this, and then accept who He is. He is the One who makes a way through the sea, the one who paves a smooth path through the storm! He is the One who exposes us to turbulence, so He can turn it into trust. In Him, we can keep our peace regardless of our circumstances.
"For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name." Psalm 33:21
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
In this world, we will have trouble. We will encounter turbulent times--God will not spare us from all of them. It's true that He is our protection, that He has set a hedge around us (Job 1:10), that He has assigned His angels to us (Psalms 91:11)--but there are times when He takes that wall down and exposes us to some troubling things. Once again, He does this so that we can grow in the faith! He does this to develop our trust.
"And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" Matthew 8:24-27
Trouble will come, and waves of turbulence will come. The enemy's waves and breakers will try to wash over us. But Jesus will always be with us, though He may not rebuke the storm initially. He may wait for us to call on Him. He waits for us to call on Him and be saved. We can call on Him, and use His authority to calm the seas. In the end, He will save us up out of all our troubles (Psalm 34:19), but in the meantime, there may be a trial or two to endure.
I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.” This is what the Lord says—He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters... Isaiah 43:15-16
God never says there will not be waves. In fact, there will be a sea of chaos, doubt, confusion, etc, that includes many waves. But God wants us to accept this, and then accept who He is. He is the One who makes a way through the sea, the one who paves a smooth path through the storm! He is the One who exposes us to turbulence, so He can turn it into trust. In Him, we can keep our peace regardless of our circumstances.
"For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name." Psalm 33:21
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Snapshot: Liberty in Giving
As I mentioned in our 1st Street Ministry Update, Vanessa and I went back to Grace Church last Sunday. Grace has been a big part of our walk together, and it was so nice to see friends and mentors again. When they took up the offering, the Lord showed me that there was liberty in giving. He actually showed me the statue of liberty, with purses hung around it's upraised arm. I understood that giving in tithes and offerings is a display of liberty. It's a testament to it--to our freedom in the Lord. God can be creative sometimes.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:10
Now in general we shouldn't test God. If there is an area where reckless faith is permissible, though, it's in the area of giving. God wants us to show Him what He means to us. He, in turn, wants to show us that our trust will be rewarded. He wants us to trust that He is able--able to take care of us, protect us, bless us, even reward us. He can be trusted even to give us liberty and freedom.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17
If we are in the Spirit, walking in it, living in it, full of it, then we will experience freedom. Freedom, not to concede to the flesh or to sin (Galatians 5:16), but to give ourselves away. We can boldly, maybe even recklessly, give ourselves to God. We can give away our bodies, our careers, our finances, and our families as thanks offerings to God (Psalms 50:23). We can lay everything up for God to have.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship" Romans 12:1
We need to give everything we have to God. We need to spiritually give it all to Him, Any area that is not His is in danger of being used by the enemy. Anything we withhold will get in God's way and to an extent limit how we are used for Him. Anything we don't hand over will only be a snare for us (Exodus 23:33). There is freedom in sacrifice. There is freedom in giving. There is liberty in devoting our possessions to the Lord.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:10
Now in general we shouldn't test God. If there is an area where reckless faith is permissible, though, it's in the area of giving. God wants us to show Him what He means to us. He, in turn, wants to show us that our trust will be rewarded. He wants us to trust that He is able--able to take care of us, protect us, bless us, even reward us. He can be trusted even to give us liberty and freedom.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17
If we are in the Spirit, walking in it, living in it, full of it, then we will experience freedom. Freedom, not to concede to the flesh or to sin (Galatians 5:16), but to give ourselves away. We can boldly, maybe even recklessly, give ourselves to God. We can give away our bodies, our careers, our finances, and our families as thanks offerings to God (Psalms 50:23). We can lay everything up for God to have.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship" Romans 12:1
We need to give everything we have to God. We need to spiritually give it all to Him, Any area that is not His is in danger of being used by the enemy. Anything we withhold will get in God's way and to an extent limit how we are used for Him. Anything we don't hand over will only be a snare for us (Exodus 23:33). There is freedom in sacrifice. There is freedom in giving. There is liberty in devoting our possessions to the Lord.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Snapshot: Humbled
Humility was a theme last week. God was putting me through some hardship spiritually and I was wondering why. So He led me to Psalm 44. This passage reminds me of Job in some senses, where God appeared to let down His people.
When we are set back, we cannot give up. When we go through that valley, we shouldn't fear any evil. When we are humbled, we need to accept it. Despite our situation, God wants us to know that our redeemer lives (Job 19:25) . We need to know that God is who He says He is...faithful, patient and totally in control. And so loving! We need to come out of trials more humble than we were before them. We need to understand that He is good enough to work all things together for our good.
Confirmed: On the same day as I read Psalm 44, there were confirming comments on a new post on the Quickened Word. Here they are. It amazes me how God speaks similar things to His children. So synchronized, so timely. And our Lord wants all of us to "see in part"!
Confirmed: Here is another faith builder from the Quickened Word, this one from today. It is God's arm that fights for us, and must fight for us, or else we cannot live in His Victory. See psalm 44 above for more on that. The better way to live is in humility! If we are humble before Him, He will always lift us up. He lifts us up and gives us His might to live victorious. God doesn't want His children falling short because they don't have knowledge of who He is and what He's done (Hosea 4:6). He wants us to use the power and name that called us and justified us in the first place. God's righteous right hand has lifted us up, and His Word has given us power and authority.
Let's know that God disciplines those He loves. Let's respond with a Spirit of humility and trust. Only then can we walk by the power of His arm. Only then can we help the body. Only then can we be a "strong and mighty" warrior for Him (Judges 6:12).
When we are set back, we cannot give up. When we go through that valley, we shouldn't fear any evil. When we are humbled, we need to accept it. Despite our situation, God wants us to know that our redeemer lives (Job 19:25) . We need to know that God is who He says He is...faithful, patient and totally in control. And so loving! We need to come out of trials more humble than we were before them. We need to understand that He is good enough to work all things together for our good.
Confirmed: On the same day as I read Psalm 44, there were confirming comments on a new post on the Quickened Word. Here they are. It amazes me how God speaks similar things to His children. So synchronized, so timely. And our Lord wants all of us to "see in part"!
Confirmed: Here is another faith builder from the Quickened Word, this one from today. It is God's arm that fights for us, and must fight for us, or else we cannot live in His Victory. See psalm 44 above for more on that. The better way to live is in humility! If we are humble before Him, He will always lift us up. He lifts us up and gives us His might to live victorious. God doesn't want His children falling short because they don't have knowledge of who He is and what He's done (Hosea 4:6). He wants us to use the power and name that called us and justified us in the first place. God's righteous right hand has lifted us up, and His Word has given us power and authority.
Let's know that God disciplines those He loves. Let's respond with a Spirit of humility and trust. Only then can we walk by the power of His arm. Only then can we help the body. Only then can we be a "strong and mighty" warrior for Him (Judges 6:12).
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Snapshot: Unstuck
In church last week I saw the word, "Unstuck" written in a vision. I felt an increase in His presence being poured into the church after that. But we had to want it first! This happened partway through worship.
Through this small experience I became more aware of the spiritual warfare that attempts to get between us and God. In this case, there was a stoppage in place that we were allowed to break through. Keep in mind there is a lot of spirituality between God and ourselves. There is violence that interferes with us receiving the Kingdom of Heaven, and the violent take His Kingdom by force (Matthew 11:12).
Our confidence is important here. When we press in to God we need to know and take courage in His ability to allow a breakthrough. We need to be hopeful that He will give the Victory and send His Kingdom down to earth. Those who hope in Him will not be disappointed. (Isaiah 49:23). So we hope in Him, and He meets us where we are. Without faith, we cannot please God, nor can we be sure of His presence.
But when we have faith, we come into alignment with God. We come into alignment with the light, and we join in battle with Him and His angels. We can use the sword of His Spirit to cut through any interferences that Satan would try to give us. This is exactly what happened in Church. Glory broke through, and the oil of His Spirit was poured out.
Confirmed: A few days later I was listening to Christian radio. They were talking about a new Christian book called, "Unstuck". It's about forgetting past failures and trusting God for a brighter future. It's about stepping out of spiritual darkness and walking into a new season of trust in God. There are references to Elijah's cave experience.
So God is continually breaking through and giving of Himself. And we often misuse this. We don't always live in the Kingdom. But let's step out of our past. Let's forget what's behind so that our guilt does not keep us from pressing on towards the prize (Philippians 3:13). Let's allow His presence and His VOICE to come down to us and change us. Let's then walk into that new season and cling to Him so that we do not return to past mistakes.
Let's be clothed with His might. He is counseling us to buy from Him clean garments (Revelation 3:18) He wants to live within His Presence, where the wells of the Spirit are not delayed or blocked up. He wants us to become more than conquerors and enter a place of abiding where we do not get stuck. Let's seek Him to get "unstuck" right now. And if God has done deliverance already, then let's cling to that and continue intimately walking with Him.
Through this small experience I became more aware of the spiritual warfare that attempts to get between us and God. In this case, there was a stoppage in place that we were allowed to break through. Keep in mind there is a lot of spirituality between God and ourselves. There is violence that interferes with us receiving the Kingdom of Heaven, and the violent take His Kingdom by force (Matthew 11:12).
Our confidence is important here. When we press in to God we need to know and take courage in His ability to allow a breakthrough. We need to be hopeful that He will give the Victory and send His Kingdom down to earth. Those who hope in Him will not be disappointed. (Isaiah 49:23). So we hope in Him, and He meets us where we are. Without faith, we cannot please God, nor can we be sure of His presence.
But when we have faith, we come into alignment with God. We come into alignment with the light, and we join in battle with Him and His angels. We can use the sword of His Spirit to cut through any interferences that Satan would try to give us. This is exactly what happened in Church. Glory broke through, and the oil of His Spirit was poured out.
Confirmed: A few days later I was listening to Christian radio. They were talking about a new Christian book called, "Unstuck". It's about forgetting past failures and trusting God for a brighter future. It's about stepping out of spiritual darkness and walking into a new season of trust in God. There are references to Elijah's cave experience.
So God is continually breaking through and giving of Himself. And we often misuse this. We don't always live in the Kingdom. But let's step out of our past. Let's forget what's behind so that our guilt does not keep us from pressing on towards the prize (Philippians 3:13). Let's allow His presence and His VOICE to come down to us and change us. Let's then walk into that new season and cling to Him so that we do not return to past mistakes.
Let's be clothed with His might. He is counseling us to buy from Him clean garments (Revelation 3:18) He wants to live within His Presence, where the wells of the Spirit are not delayed or blocked up. He wants us to become more than conquerors and enter a place of abiding where we do not get stuck. Let's seek Him to get "unstuck" right now. And if God has done deliverance already, then let's cling to that and continue intimately walking with Him.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Do not Fear the Lies of the enemy
Do not fear, for Jesus has redeemed us! (Isaiah 43:1) Let's be redeemed and have our minds renewed to the life our savior gives us. We can reign victorious over doubts and fears of our past. God is good, and He is not willing that any should perish. God is good, and He has made the light of His salvation shine upon us.
The devil is always lying to God's children. He instills a mistrust in God, lies about God's personality, and tells us we've fallen too far. He isn't fair; he's called the lawless one for good reason. I've found that we can know what's not The Truth if we identify thoughts and emotions that are sent in by the devil.
Often the enemy tries to make us believe we are beyond repair. If he has his way, he will make us think we are on our way to death. He tells lies and is the father of lies. He's also clever. Believers need to rise up behind the Word and fear not. We have spiritual weapons at our disposal, and these weapons are mighty for the pulling down of satan's illusions (2 Corinthians 10:4).
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" Psalm 23:4
We walk through the valley of the shadow of death. This is not the valley of death, or else the verse would be worded as such. We walk along a path of God's truth and Satan's illusion. As believers, we belong to the One who overcame death! As a result, for us death is yet another lie of the enemy.
So, we walk along a valley where death impresses itself around us, but does not tangibly touch us. Glory to God for keeping us safe. We don't need to despise evil, we just need to identify it and rest in God to conquer. We can rest knowing the power of God goes before us. We can be comforted by the rode and the staff, by the Great Comforter, and we can have all our fears taken away. Praise Him, for the hedge of protection He's surrounded us with!
Confirmed: After I typed this, Vanessa opened the Word randomly to Isaiah 45:2. "...I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountain. I will smash down gates of bronze..."
Praise God for additional insights! From Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 45, we can see that God levels our mountains and has us walk through valleys instead. He smashes down "gates of bronze" and every high thing that points to itself(2 Corinthians 10:5). The path is made level for us! However, Satan will make us think we are on the wrong path, and tries to deter us with illusions that point to death. Wow. Thank you Lord for discernment and your faithfulness to protect.
The devil is always lying to God's children. He instills a mistrust in God, lies about God's personality, and tells us we've fallen too far. He isn't fair; he's called the lawless one for good reason. I've found that we can know what's not The Truth if we identify thoughts and emotions that are sent in by the devil.
Often the enemy tries to make us believe we are beyond repair. If he has his way, he will make us think we are on our way to death. He tells lies and is the father of lies. He's also clever. Believers need to rise up behind the Word and fear not. We have spiritual weapons at our disposal, and these weapons are mighty for the pulling down of satan's illusions (2 Corinthians 10:4).
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" Psalm 23:4
We walk through the valley of the shadow of death. This is not the valley of death, or else the verse would be worded as such. We walk along a path of God's truth and Satan's illusion. As believers, we belong to the One who overcame death! As a result, for us death is yet another lie of the enemy.
So, we walk along a valley where death impresses itself around us, but does not tangibly touch us. Glory to God for keeping us safe. We don't need to despise evil, we just need to identify it and rest in God to conquer. We can rest knowing the power of God goes before us. We can be comforted by the rode and the staff, by the Great Comforter, and we can have all our fears taken away. Praise Him, for the hedge of protection He's surrounded us with!
Confirmed: After I typed this, Vanessa opened the Word randomly to Isaiah 45:2. "...I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountain. I will smash down gates of bronze..."
Praise God for additional insights! From Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 45, we can see that God levels our mountains and has us walk through valleys instead. He smashes down "gates of bronze" and every high thing that points to itself(2 Corinthians 10:5). The path is made level for us! However, Satan will make us think we are on the wrong path, and tries to deter us with illusions that point to death. Wow. Thank you Lord for discernment and your faithfulness to protect.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Synchronicity: God's Voice Confirmed
Often God speaks through synchronistic events. What is synchronicity? I'll define it as two or more "random" events that happen in close sequence and produce a tangible meaning. The Lord is outside of time, and often brings events together in the same moment in order to tell us something. These "coincidences" happen for a reason, in order to direct our thoughts or actions towards our God. In this post, I'll discuss two areas where synchronistic events can help us.
Synchronicity as a Personal Sign
"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength." Isaiah 58:11
As we walk in God's will, He places events onto our path so that we can know and stay in the truth. Sometimes He provides so many confirmations that it gets overwhelming. Being wrapped up in God's faithful care is a good problem to have! God often moves these things into place just after they've been on our mind. How often have you been thinking and praying about something, only for God to answer with a series of uncanny events just after? These events are not random, nor just coincidence. They are the act of an all-powerful God who is Lord of both big things and small. They are navigational commands designed for us personally, by the One who created us. God cares about all aspects of us, no matter how insignificant they may seem to others.
In the Word we are instructed to not worry about "...what you will eat or drink". Instead of worrying, we ought to seek God! The command to "not worry" implies that God has a better way. The antidote for worry is trust and insight. Personally, God has instructed me through big things and small. I say this not to brag, but to show the intimacy and Love of God. He gives us clear instructions to erase our worldly burdens, not add to them. He's given me clear direction in so many areas, including the following:
-How to pray
-When to talk, and when not to
-How long I should sleep
-What to eat
-When to say, "yes" to an opportunity, and when not to. For example, what Church to attend
...And many more. And these navigational commands are usually synchronistic. For example, if I've been asking God about prayer, He'll direct me to the Lord's prayer in scripture, I'll talk to a member of Church group about the connection between faith and prayer, and I'll get a devotional email about the importance of prayer in a believer's life. If God's been speaking to me about the importance of worshiping through music, I'll hear my favorite Godly song, then get on Facebook and see an athletic add called, "Singing all the way to Victory". Prophetic Words are very often confirmed by future synchronistic events. I've taken to calling these events confirmations or signs, because they confirm God's Word or His promptings.
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you the sign..." Isaiah 7:14
Synchronicity Through Others
When in community with other believers, God aligns hearts and minds to bring up similar topics. He uses synchronicity to uplift the body of believers. He brings the thoughts of many together to highlight a particular message. The early Christians worshiped God with "...one mind together..." They shared all these things, even their simple gratitude for food, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is just the same today if we can stay in step with what God's doing.
I'll give an example of this, too. This kind of synchronicity usually involves bringing the same thoughts to remembrance, amid different individuals, at the same time. These thoughts can be spiritual or mundane, but their repetition is often by God's design. Today I was thinking about the humbling experiences the Lord has brought me through. He's taught me meekness and humility in ways that haven't always been pleasant. For one, I realized that for my whole life, I've had a strong dislike for people reading things I write. I've enjoyed writing, but the thought of others reading it used to leave me embarrassed and uneasy. I have not had much interest in getting attention for the things I write.
So I realized God has allowed this, so that my motives now, with this blog, can stay pure. After all, I can't afford to write this blog for myself. I want to please God with this, and I don't want my rewards to be burnt up. So I can see that God intended for me to have this attitude towards public writing, so that I wouldn't become prideful through it in the future. Anyways, I was thinking about this while doing some yardwork today..and pondered the pride that some Christians develop through their use by God. Afterwards, I was talking with my wife and she said that she was thinking about my humility yesterday morning. She knew that God had done the internal work for this, and recognized the harm that pride would do to our relationships with God and with each other.
I've seen more impressive synchronistic events happen via aligned thoughts, but this instance is one of the more recent ones I could think of. More on synchronicity to come in future posts.
"...then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and one of mind." Phillippians 2:2
Synchronicity as a Personal Sign
"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength." Isaiah 58:11
As we walk in God's will, He places events onto our path so that we can know and stay in the truth. Sometimes He provides so many confirmations that it gets overwhelming. Being wrapped up in God's faithful care is a good problem to have! God often moves these things into place just after they've been on our mind. How often have you been thinking and praying about something, only for God to answer with a series of uncanny events just after? These events are not random, nor just coincidence. They are the act of an all-powerful God who is Lord of both big things and small. They are navigational commands designed for us personally, by the One who created us. God cares about all aspects of us, no matter how insignificant they may seem to others.
In the Word we are instructed to not worry about "...what you will eat or drink". Instead of worrying, we ought to seek God! The command to "not worry" implies that God has a better way. The antidote for worry is trust and insight. Personally, God has instructed me through big things and small. I say this not to brag, but to show the intimacy and Love of God. He gives us clear instructions to erase our worldly burdens, not add to them. He's given me clear direction in so many areas, including the following:
-How to pray
-When to talk, and when not to
-How long I should sleep
-What to eat
-When to say, "yes" to an opportunity, and when not to. For example, what Church to attend
...And many more. And these navigational commands are usually synchronistic. For example, if I've been asking God about prayer, He'll direct me to the Lord's prayer in scripture, I'll talk to a member of Church group about the connection between faith and prayer, and I'll get a devotional email about the importance of prayer in a believer's life. If God's been speaking to me about the importance of worshiping through music, I'll hear my favorite Godly song, then get on Facebook and see an athletic add called, "Singing all the way to Victory". Prophetic Words are very often confirmed by future synchronistic events. I've taken to calling these events confirmations or signs, because they confirm God's Word or His promptings.
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you the sign..." Isaiah 7:14
Synchronicity Through Others
When in community with other believers, God aligns hearts and minds to bring up similar topics. He uses synchronicity to uplift the body of believers. He brings the thoughts of many together to highlight a particular message. The early Christians worshiped God with "...one mind together..." They shared all these things, even their simple gratitude for food, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is just the same today if we can stay in step with what God's doing.
I'll give an example of this, too. This kind of synchronicity usually involves bringing the same thoughts to remembrance, amid different individuals, at the same time. These thoughts can be spiritual or mundane, but their repetition is often by God's design. Today I was thinking about the humbling experiences the Lord has brought me through. He's taught me meekness and humility in ways that haven't always been pleasant. For one, I realized that for my whole life, I've had a strong dislike for people reading things I write. I've enjoyed writing, but the thought of others reading it used to leave me embarrassed and uneasy. I have not had much interest in getting attention for the things I write.
So I realized God has allowed this, so that my motives now, with this blog, can stay pure. After all, I can't afford to write this blog for myself. I want to please God with this, and I don't want my rewards to be burnt up. So I can see that God intended for me to have this attitude towards public writing, so that I wouldn't become prideful through it in the future. Anyways, I was thinking about this while doing some yardwork today..and pondered the pride that some Christians develop through their use by God. Afterwards, I was talking with my wife and she said that she was thinking about my humility yesterday morning. She knew that God had done the internal work for this, and recognized the harm that pride would do to our relationships with God and with each other.
I've seen more impressive synchronistic events happen via aligned thoughts, but this instance is one of the more recent ones I could think of. More on synchronicity to come in future posts.
"...then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and one of mind." Phillippians 2:2
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Food and Faith
This is post three of three on food. In this article I'll describe how I feel about food, faith, and trusting God. I'd like to provide a biblical view on how we should approach the links between food, disease and health in light of the promises God has given us.
Flaws in Our Food System
Like I mentioned in the previous two posts on food, today's food system is contaminated with all sorts of toxic substances. So many of the additives and preservatives in our foods have been linked to cancer, hyperactivity, etc. Even fruits and vegetables are not safe (from a worldly point of view)! So what are we as Christians to do? Well, I am definitely not against buying organic and unprocessed foods. In fact, I think that is usually a good idea. But many people don't have money to do this. Even if they did, I believe there are better ways to spend your money.
Respect Conviction
I don't want to get too generalized here. One of the amazing things about God is that He knows our quirks and differences. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, God's commands to one person regarding food may be different than the next person's. If God convicts someone that they need to be eating organic food, who am I to argue? I do not want to be so prideful as to undermine someone else's convictions. Paul talks about this concept at length in the book of Romans.
"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God." Romans 14:1-6
Convictions from the Holy Spirit are more important than my opinions about food. But we need to separate our own feelings from the Word of God. Remember, "we have not been given a spirit of fear". Instead, we have been given a Spirit of self-discipline that always holds fast to the Word! So trust your convictions, only if they come into agreement from God!
Faith is Greater than Food
A permanent solution to our physical health is not found in food. Eating organic, taking natural vitamins, and other things are good but not critical. They should definitely not be the focus. Food does not make us clean or unclean. Jesus said this!
"It's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth." Matthew 15:11
"I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean." Romans 14:14
We see that Paul had enough faith to accept the unconditional nature of the promises of God. He knew that God could and would keep his health regardless of his diet. However, Paul also operated out of love enough to respect the convictions of less mature believers. This is important! We need to act lovingly, and not with harsh judgement. You see, sometimes God limits Himself for us as to not overwhelm us. His Spirit seeks to build our faith, not turn us away. Paul knew this an respected others accordingly.
"If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died." Romans 14:20
So mature Christians need to know the supernatural power of God to keep us. This power is greater than food. But they also need to respect the work (or work in progress) that the Lord has done in other believers. Who are we to judge their spiritual progress?
Now I want to show you a better way. One more time, though, some things are not worth bringing to others if they become a stumbling block. Faith is greater than food, but Love is greater than faith.
"The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves." Romans 14:22
Instructions to Mature Believers
The solution, then, is to eat "whatever is set before us" out of faith. If you do not buy organic produce, glory to God! Let's rejoice all the more, as His "power is made perfect in weakness". Let's look to the Word to see where faith in God can take us. Keep in mind that faith is not a license to do anything.
"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial"
With that being said, though, often faith can be built through hard situations. As long as we behold Jesus, and not the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, our faith can be built. Anyways, here are two examples:
We can drink HCFS-laden soda: "...they will drink deadly poison, and it will not hurt them at all."
We can eat poptarts: "I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself."
Faith in the fullness of the promises of God allow us to eat without fear. Eating in pure faith will never result in sickness or disease. In faith we can eat to the Glory of God, and testify to His healing power and not the benefits of this or that food!
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Trust Him, Don't Test Him
Keep in mind, though, that "not everything is beneficial". We cannot abuse God's word by making it a license to gratify the flesh. God's grace is not to be tested; "God cannot be mocked".
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Romans 6:2
The Holy Spirit will never lead us to test God, so let's walk in the Spirit. This way, we will not be tempted to "gratify the desires of the flesh" It takes discernment to know when our eating is acceptable, or when it is turning into fear or food idolatry. Food is not of critical importance, this is a matter of the heart! We can eat wrongly eat salad if we idolize it, and we can be justified and honor the Lord while eating ice cream.
"...Whatever is not of faith is sin" Romans 14:23
There comes a time when our eating may no longer glorify God's gift of faith to us. I don't know that anybody advocates purposely eating lead or washing their hands with acid. Obviously that's very extreme, but for many people, even a little junk food is a stumbling block for their faith. Everybody needs to draw a line somewhere, not according to the wisdom of the world or their own fear, but according to the measure of faith given them. And if we want more faith, let's ask for more, and receive it, so that God may be glorified!
"For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" Romans 14:17
Flaws in Our Food System
Like I mentioned in the previous two posts on food, today's food system is contaminated with all sorts of toxic substances. So many of the additives and preservatives in our foods have been linked to cancer, hyperactivity, etc. Even fruits and vegetables are not safe (from a worldly point of view)! So what are we as Christians to do? Well, I am definitely not against buying organic and unprocessed foods. In fact, I think that is usually a good idea. But many people don't have money to do this. Even if they did, I believe there are better ways to spend your money.
Respect Conviction
I don't want to get too generalized here. One of the amazing things about God is that He knows our quirks and differences. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, God's commands to one person regarding food may be different than the next person's. If God convicts someone that they need to be eating organic food, who am I to argue? I do not want to be so prideful as to undermine someone else's convictions. Paul talks about this concept at length in the book of Romans.
"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God." Romans 14:1-6
Convictions from the Holy Spirit are more important than my opinions about food. But we need to separate our own feelings from the Word of God. Remember, "we have not been given a spirit of fear". Instead, we have been given a Spirit of self-discipline that always holds fast to the Word! So trust your convictions, only if they come into agreement from God!
Faith is Greater than Food
A permanent solution to our physical health is not found in food. Eating organic, taking natural vitamins, and other things are good but not critical. They should definitely not be the focus. Food does not make us clean or unclean. Jesus said this!
"It's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth." Matthew 15:11
"I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean." Romans 14:14
We see that Paul had enough faith to accept the unconditional nature of the promises of God. He knew that God could and would keep his health regardless of his diet. However, Paul also operated out of love enough to respect the convictions of less mature believers. This is important! We need to act lovingly, and not with harsh judgement. You see, sometimes God limits Himself for us as to not overwhelm us. His Spirit seeks to build our faith, not turn us away. Paul knew this an respected others accordingly.
"If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died." Romans 14:20
So mature Christians need to know the supernatural power of God to keep us. This power is greater than food. But they also need to respect the work (or work in progress) that the Lord has done in other believers. Who are we to judge their spiritual progress?
Now I want to show you a better way. One more time, though, some things are not worth bringing to others if they become a stumbling block. Faith is greater than food, but Love is greater than faith.
"The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves." Romans 14:22
Instructions to Mature Believers
The solution, then, is to eat "whatever is set before us" out of faith. If you do not buy organic produce, glory to God! Let's rejoice all the more, as His "power is made perfect in weakness". Let's look to the Word to see where faith in God can take us. Keep in mind that faith is not a license to do anything.
"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial"
With that being said, though, often faith can be built through hard situations. As long as we behold Jesus, and not the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, our faith can be built. Anyways, here are two examples:
We can drink HCFS-laden soda: "...they will drink deadly poison, and it will not hurt them at all."
We can eat poptarts: "I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself."
Faith in the fullness of the promises of God allow us to eat without fear. Eating in pure faith will never result in sickness or disease. In faith we can eat to the Glory of God, and testify to His healing power and not the benefits of this or that food!
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Trust Him, Don't Test Him
Keep in mind, though, that "not everything is beneficial". We cannot abuse God's word by making it a license to gratify the flesh. God's grace is not to be tested; "God cannot be mocked".
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Romans 6:2
The Holy Spirit will never lead us to test God, so let's walk in the Spirit. This way, we will not be tempted to "gratify the desires of the flesh" It takes discernment to know when our eating is acceptable, or when it is turning into fear or food idolatry. Food is not of critical importance, this is a matter of the heart! We can eat wrongly eat salad if we idolize it, and we can be justified and honor the Lord while eating ice cream.
"...Whatever is not of faith is sin" Romans 14:23
There comes a time when our eating may no longer glorify God's gift of faith to us. I don't know that anybody advocates purposely eating lead or washing their hands with acid. Obviously that's very extreme, but for many people, even a little junk food is a stumbling block for their faith. Everybody needs to draw a line somewhere, not according to the wisdom of the world or their own fear, but according to the measure of faith given them. And if we want more faith, let's ask for more, and receive it, so that God may be glorified!
"For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" Romans 14:17
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