Too many children of God don't know they have access to God's Throne Room of Grace and can receive Grace and mercy at their time of need, like Heb.4:16 says. Many don't know we have the privilege of accessing the Presence of our Heavenly Father, in order to fellowship, receive Revelation and gain understanding from Him.
Rom.5:2-5(Amp) says, "Through Him, Jesus, we also have our access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this Grace (state of God's favor) in which we firmly and safely stand. And let us rejoice and exalt in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the Glory of God. Moreover, let us also be full of joy now, let us exalt and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character, approved faith and tried integrity and character of this sort produces the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
Understanding the things happening in today's world requires faith in God's Word. We must hold fast to the Truth of God's Word. It's paramount that we stay in fellowship and have an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, so we can hear and recognize His Voice. We must know that when hardships and troubles come before us, that it's the enemy and not our Father who is bringing them. James writes about being "double-minded," in James1:8(Amp), saying, "For being as he is a man of two-minds, hesitating, dubious, irresolute; he is unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels and decides." If we are double-minded, then we won't be able to know who our enemy is and Whom our help comes from.
Many Christians believe that when troubles arise in their lives, that "God is testing them," instead of knowing the enemy is testing their faith and trying to cause them to give up their walk with God. If we don't know who is the cause of our troubles, then we are "double-minded and unstable and unreliable in everything we think, feel and decide." We must know the Father for ourselves, not just relying on the teachings and opinions of others. We must spend time in God's Word and in His Presence.
Most believers can quote Rom.10:17(Amp), but don't hold it in their hearts. Thus, Paul writes, "So faith comes by hearing what is told, and what is heard comes by the preaching of the Message that came from the lips of Christ, the Messiah Himself." One can't have faith to come into intimate fellowship and understanding with God, if he/she has never heard it preached. If we don't know God has invited us to be in His Presence at any time, then how can we know Him as "Father," and not just God.
Our Father is the Almighty God and he has Blessed us and made us His family, through the Life, death and Resurrection of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus. Surely, God would never deny our fellowship with Him after going to such lengths to return us to Himself. We need to spend quality time with Him in prayer, conversation, and fellowship. We have this open invitation to Him, through Jesus.
It's marvelous to know we're going to Heaven when we die, but it's even greater to know Him while we're here on earth. If we're double-minded, then we'll be uncertain we can know Him. Faith comes by hearing, so our faith will be strongest in what we choose to hear. It matters whether we choose to hear the Truth of God's Word or the world's lies, because that's where we will put our faith.
Go with me into God's Word concerning the "trials and tests" that come upon us in this world. Choose what you're hearing for your life, here in this world. Let's stop being double-minded and know where to stand in faith. Is.54:13-15(Amp) says, "All your spiritual children shall be disciples taught by the Lord and obedient to His will; and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (in conformity with God's will and order), you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me, Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
Notice the above scriptures says that "You are to be the one who establishes yourself in His Righteousness." This comes only be hearing and accepting the Word God speaks. We choose whether we will listen to God's Holy Spirit and receive His Gift of Righteousness in faith or put our faith in what others say. God has set forth an open door before us, according to Is.1:18-19(Amp), which says, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land."
Not long after being saved, the Lord called me to move to New York from Illinois. I left my home, my mom and siblings, my job and my roots, trusting that God will take care of my family and me. I gave up everything I knew, in order to obey His request. Nothing seemed to work for me and I was certainly not "eating the good of the land." I brought my frustration to the Lord and in my own justification, quoted the above scripture.
God's response to me was very simple. He said, "If you are willing and obedient, then you will eat the good of the land." He showed me how I had been obedient, but my will was against Him. He showed me how I was continually murmuring and complaining about the move, while looking back to my former home. God had looked at my heart and found me to be unwilling to be obedient to Him. I was like those in the Wilderness, whose continual complaints grieved and limited God. I have remained where God called me, through fellowship and an intimate relationship with Him. I've weathered many storms by faith in my relationship with Him, choosing not to be double-minded in His Wisdom and guidance. I choose to hear from God and not the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment