Grace will supply whatever faith will call for. God told Paul in 2Corinthians 12:9 (Amplified), "But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in (your) weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me."
Having misunderstood this scripture for years, we missed what transpired between God and Paul. We've thought for years that God was testing and trying Paul because of his ministry. When, indeed, it was God Who gave him the ministry. Because of the revelation of the new covenant that only Paul had at that time, the enemy dispatched a spirit (a messenger of satan) to buffet and harass him wherever he tried to preach. When Paul first began teaching this message of the new birth, no one had ever heard of such a thing. The Jews believed that God's covenant was only for them and the gentiles served their own gods.
Paul was preaching about One God, for all men, with no more sacrifice, no more Temple, no more ritual. He preached that now, by Jesus, even death had been conquered. Satan had only one man to deal with at this time because only Paul had this revelation. If satan could kill Paul, or at least shut him up, then satan could still prevent the people from receiving heir freedom from him. 1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) says, "But, rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden from the human understanding and now revealed to us by God (that wisdom) which God devised and deceived before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence)." Verse 8 says, "None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory."
Satan's been trying to cover up his foolish mistakes for two thousand years. He's still working to prevent people from seeing the light of the glory of the gospel. 2Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) says, "But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden (only) to those who are spiritually dying and veiled (only) to those who are lost." Verse 4 goes on, "For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds (that they should not discern the truth), preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah) Who is the Image and Likeness of God."
Grace and truth came through Jesus. John 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ." This truth and grace were to deliver all mankind and stop the Law of sin and death forever in all who would believe. Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says that, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilt of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit of Life." Verse 2 goes on, "For the Law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and of death."
Satan had his hands full trying to stop Paul from ever getting this message out. We've mistaken what God told Paul about the troubles he was enduring trying to preach this revelation. Why in the world would God show Paul this new revelation, charge him with preaching it and then do everything He could to stop Paul? What Paul was trying to do (the very same thing we try to do today) was take this mission from God and do it by his own strength. "Therefore," Paul said, "I will glory in my weaknesses. I am glad when my own abilities fail because when I finally realize I cannot do this from my own strength, then God's grace and ability is made perfect and shows up to dedliver me."
We've been short changed when hearing the gospel for quite awhile now because "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says that, "Then, if satan can still hinder the preaching of the truth and grace, how can we put faith in what we don't hear?" We have heard a portion of the gospel, but we haven't heard all the "glad tidings" for years.
Romans 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Verse 17 continues, "For in the Gospel, a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from FAITH and leading to FAITH that grouses to more FAITH) As it is written, the man who through FAITH is just and upright shall live and shall live by FAITH."
According to these scriptures, there's a growing faith that comes from the understanding of what salvation really is. In Romans 1:16 (Amplified), we read that "this gospel is the power of God unto salvation." What is salvation? According to the Strong's Concordance, in the Greek text of the Word [34982-4902], the word "salvation" means "to save, i.e. to protect (lit. or fig.) heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole." [#4985] "salvation" means "the body (as a sound whole) used in a very wide application (lit. or fig.) bodily, body, slave." In [#4984] "salvation" means "corporeal or physical bodily." [#4986] "salvation" means "of a safe father, Sopatrus as Sopater." [#4990] from [#4991] "salvation" means "a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ: Savior." [#4991] "salvation" means "rescue or safety (phys. or mor.) deliver, health, salvation, save, saving." [#4992] "salvation" means same as [#4991] "as proper noun, defender or (by implication) defense: Salvation."
So you see, the word "salvation" that Paul spoke of means more than just going to heaven when we die. It means healing, wholeness, soundness, safety, strength, protection, deliverance bodily and morally. This salvation was and is the very presence of "Christ in us, our hope of glory." We have mostly thought salvation meant we were forgiven and could now go to heaven when we leave here. This is very much true. But what Paul discovered was the even here, in this present age, God is still God and His grace, favor and power could work not only when we did the job, but even work better when we couldn't do the job. And, he found out that when human effort failed, then God's strength would take over and we could walk in the very power of this salvation in the supernatural.
Paul was saying that when we're weak ( physically and naturally), God's strength isn't diminished, but enhanced. So now, I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. To reach into this salvation from faith to faith and from glory to glory like the Word says is to learn to know Him. Philippians 4:13 (Amplified) says that, "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; (I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)."
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Lesson 15 FAITH
Romans 3:26-27 (Amplified) says that, "To declare, as to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has (true) faith in Jesus." Verse 27 says, "Then what becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely) on what principle? (on the principle) of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith."
Romans 1:5 (Amplified) tells us, "It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and (our) apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations."
We find in these scriptures, as well as many others, that our righteousness and justification is based on our faith in Jesus. We are told in Romans 1:5 (Amplified) that we are to "promote obedience to the faith." This is a message many in the book of Galatians had forgotten and they drifted back into works and Law. Galatians 3:3 (Amplified) asks, "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so sill? Having begun (your new life spiritually) with the (Holy) Spirit, are you now reaching perfection (by dependence) on the flesh?"
These were people Paul had led to the Lord by preaching grace and now were trying to walk back under the Law. By doing good deeds and operating in rituals and ceremonies. Galatians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "And all who depend on the Law (who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals) are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the scriptures, cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the book of the Law and to practice them." In the same book, Galatians 5:4 (Amplified), we read, "If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ; You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing)."
This isn't a position that any Christian would ever knowingly put himself under. Many times we find ourselves trying to merit favor by spending more time in prayer or reading the Word. We should spend time in prayer and reading the Word, but not to obtain favor with God, but to learn of His grace. When we do these things (thinking He will hear you), we have unknowingly placed ourselves into a position of works instead of grace.
Our tithes, offerings or even our call into ministry don't give us any more influence with God. Only our faith in what Jesus did will do that. God hears your prayers because of Jesus' right standing with Him and your right standing with Jesus. We have not right standing with God apart from Jesus. He is our righteousness and only faith in Him can bring us to the throne of grace. Did you notice that it's the throne of grace and not Law or good deeds?
When we become obedient to the faith, as Paul taught, we set ourselves in a position for God's blessing and favor. When we try obtaining it in any other way, we have fallen from grace and must depend on our own righteousness (which we do not have). Under the Law, there was a curse that declared we must fulfill it all or else. Under grace, we find that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse. Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) tells us that, "Christ has purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures) cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
You might say, "I don't live by the Law and it's rituals, I'm saved by grace." Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For it is by fee grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing) (it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God." This is exactly what Paul was speaking about when he wrote the Galatians. They didn't necessarily go back to sacrificing animals, but they did begin depending upon some of the Law concerning foods they ate, days they observed and things they "touched not" or handled not at certain times."
As Christians today, we have our own ideas of what we observe (even if we don't call it the Law). If think that if we do bad, then God will give us bad and if we do good, then God will give us good. I don't want my walk with God to be based on my own righteousness. I want my walk with God to be based on my faith in Jesus. My righteousness (if I ever had any) can fail, but Jesus, Who is my righteousness can never fail. Even at my best, I am wrong, but Jesus is always the same.
My walk with God is based on my faith in Christ Jesus. Does this mean that it makes no difference what I do? No! But what I do doesn't change Who Jesus is. As I learn and grow in Him, the things I used to do will begin to fall away and His life will begin to overtake my life. We grow from His presence and our knowledge of His presence in us, by the Holy Spirit. 2Corinthians 5:7 (Amplified) says, "For we walk by faith (we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things with trust and fervor; Thus we walk) not by sight or appearance."
We continue walking with God based on whether we are still imperfect or not. And, we walk comparing ourselves to others in order to justify ourselves. This is still walking by Law and not extending grace unto others.
The same grace that forgave me and helped me grow into maturity will also help those who are in the same struggle. The reason we read the Word, isn't to make brownie points with God, but to learn more about Jesus. 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
We read the Word to learn and to become what Jesus is. Only faith in His Word to change us, can change us. Only as we see Him revealed through the Word, can we be changed into that image. As we see Him is how we serve Him. As we see what He has done to set us free, we can begin walking in that freedom because "Whomsoever the Son sets free, is free indeed." As we grow in the knowledge of Jesus and what He has really done on our behalf, we walk in different degrees of freedom.
We have all received the same degree of grace and favor, but some of us have learned more about what we really have in Jesus than others have. The more we learn, the more liberty we have. Jesus did more than forgive our sin. He restored us back to the fullness of God's grace and blessing. This is exactly what Paul spoke about, "being transfigured into His very Own Image" in 2Corinthians 3:18. Only the Holy Spirit, by HIs Word, can do this...BY FAITH.
Romans 1:5 (Amplified) tells us, "It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and (our) apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations."
We find in these scriptures, as well as many others, that our righteousness and justification is based on our faith in Jesus. We are told in Romans 1:5 (Amplified) that we are to "promote obedience to the faith." This is a message many in the book of Galatians had forgotten and they drifted back into works and Law. Galatians 3:3 (Amplified) asks, "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so sill? Having begun (your new life spiritually) with the (Holy) Spirit, are you now reaching perfection (by dependence) on the flesh?"
These were people Paul had led to the Lord by preaching grace and now were trying to walk back under the Law. By doing good deeds and operating in rituals and ceremonies. Galatians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "And all who depend on the Law (who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals) are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the scriptures, cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the book of the Law and to practice them." In the same book, Galatians 5:4 (Amplified), we read, "If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ; You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing)."
This isn't a position that any Christian would ever knowingly put himself under. Many times we find ourselves trying to merit favor by spending more time in prayer or reading the Word. We should spend time in prayer and reading the Word, but not to obtain favor with God, but to learn of His grace. When we do these things (thinking He will hear you), we have unknowingly placed ourselves into a position of works instead of grace.
Our tithes, offerings or even our call into ministry don't give us any more influence with God. Only our faith in what Jesus did will do that. God hears your prayers because of Jesus' right standing with Him and your right standing with Jesus. We have not right standing with God apart from Jesus. He is our righteousness and only faith in Him can bring us to the throne of grace. Did you notice that it's the throne of grace and not Law or good deeds?
When we become obedient to the faith, as Paul taught, we set ourselves in a position for God's blessing and favor. When we try obtaining it in any other way, we have fallen from grace and must depend on our own righteousness (which we do not have). Under the Law, there was a curse that declared we must fulfill it all or else. Under grace, we find that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse. Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) tells us that, "Christ has purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures) cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
You might say, "I don't live by the Law and it's rituals, I'm saved by grace." Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For it is by fee grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing) (it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God." This is exactly what Paul was speaking about when he wrote the Galatians. They didn't necessarily go back to sacrificing animals, but they did begin depending upon some of the Law concerning foods they ate, days they observed and things they "touched not" or handled not at certain times."
As Christians today, we have our own ideas of what we observe (even if we don't call it the Law). If think that if we do bad, then God will give us bad and if we do good, then God will give us good. I don't want my walk with God to be based on my own righteousness. I want my walk with God to be based on my faith in Jesus. My righteousness (if I ever had any) can fail, but Jesus, Who is my righteousness can never fail. Even at my best, I am wrong, but Jesus is always the same.
My walk with God is based on my faith in Christ Jesus. Does this mean that it makes no difference what I do? No! But what I do doesn't change Who Jesus is. As I learn and grow in Him, the things I used to do will begin to fall away and His life will begin to overtake my life. We grow from His presence and our knowledge of His presence in us, by the Holy Spirit. 2Corinthians 5:7 (Amplified) says, "For we walk by faith (we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things with trust and fervor; Thus we walk) not by sight or appearance."
We continue walking with God based on whether we are still imperfect or not. And, we walk comparing ourselves to others in order to justify ourselves. This is still walking by Law and not extending grace unto others.
The same grace that forgave me and helped me grow into maturity will also help those who are in the same struggle. The reason we read the Word, isn't to make brownie points with God, but to learn more about Jesus. 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
We read the Word to learn and to become what Jesus is. Only faith in His Word to change us, can change us. Only as we see Him revealed through the Word, can we be changed into that image. As we see Him is how we serve Him. As we see what He has done to set us free, we can begin walking in that freedom because "Whomsoever the Son sets free, is free indeed." As we grow in the knowledge of Jesus and what He has really done on our behalf, we walk in different degrees of freedom.
We have all received the same degree of grace and favor, but some of us have learned more about what we really have in Jesus than others have. The more we learn, the more liberty we have. Jesus did more than forgive our sin. He restored us back to the fullness of God's grace and blessing. This is exactly what Paul spoke about, "being transfigured into His very Own Image" in 2Corinthians 3:18. Only the Holy Spirit, by HIs Word, can do this...BY FAITH.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Lesson 14 FAITH
Things of the new covenant must be received by faith. There's no way we, as Christians, can ever hope to fulfill what the Word says about us and by any other means. We see in the Word who the Father says we are and that through Jesus we are righteous, justified, sinless, healed, whole, blessed, overcomers, heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ and many other things.
In this carnal state and mind, we can't begin to accept all of the things we have become in Him. Only by faith can we hope to enter into these truths. Hebrews 11:1 says that, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. It is the evidence of things not seen." Our faith in the Word and the sacrifice of Jesus, is where all of the promise lies in waiting for us to receive.
The only evidence we have for our walk with God is our faith in His Word. None of us were present at the cross. None of us witnessed His resurrection and none of us watched Him ascend to the Father. Even those who did see Jesus on the cross, couldn't see the curse of the Law overtake His Spirit. They couldn't see Him become sin and they couldn't know that His stripes brought our healing.
Even those who were there didn't know what had happened. They had to find out by studying God's Word and praying in the Upper room. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people in Acts 2:16, Peter stood and spoke from the Word of God saying, "But (instead) this is (the beginning of) what was spoken through the prophet Joel." This had to be received only by faith in God's Word concerning this promise. In 1Corinthians 15:6 (Amplified) we see, "Then later He showed Himself to more than five hundred brethren at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep (in death)."
These men who had seen Jesus, went about preaching what they had seen, but still only some of the would believe or put faith in what was told them. This precious gift of faith that has been given by grace, is the insight and divine reflection of Jesus Himself. The gift and the giver have become One. In Acts 20:32 (Amplified) the Apostle Paul, preparing to leave Ephesus and head to Jerusalem, made this statement to the people, "And now(brethren) I commit you to God (I deposit you in His charge entrusting you to His protection and care) And I commend you to the Words of His grace (to the commandments and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor) It is able to build you up and give you (your rightful) inheritance among all God's set apart ones (those consecrated, purified and transformer of soul)."
According to this scripture and the prayers of Paul, the Word of His grace and our faith in this Word, would build us up and give us (by faith) our rightful inheritance from God the Father. 2Corinthians 3:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Now the Lord is The Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
Few of us in the Body of Christ have dared to put our faith in this scripture to be fulfilled here in this realm. Most would say that we can be like Jesus when we get to heaven. Because this scripture must be accepted by faith (there's no other way to do it), we need to begin changing now into His Image. The time for signs and wonders to be revealed through the Church has come unto the earth. Jesus needs to be seen by the world, through His Body, the Church.
Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all of its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere." God is waiting for a people who will , by faith, begin walking in this realm of the Spirit. God has always had a remnant of people who would dare to reach out farther. He could always raise up a Moses or a Gideon or a Joshua or a Caleb who would dare believe Him. Hebrews 4:2 (Amplified) says, "For indeed we have had the glad tidings (Gospel of God) proclaimed to us just as truly as they (the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them) but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality of God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness) by those who heard it. Neither were they united in faith with the ones (Joshua and Caleb) who heard (and did believe)."
The promise of victory, liberty, land, prosperity and all the blessings of God's promise awaited His people on the other side of the Jordan River. But, their fear of the giants was stronger than their faith in their God. Only those who "see Him as He is," high and lifted up and in all power and authority ever dare believe the whole of the promise.
Faith looks beyond our flesh and shortcomings. And, faith sees that Jesus overcame all of that. The devil wants us to see ourselves, but the Word tells us to "Look unto Jesus." We need to get us off our minds and allow the Mind of Christ to function is us.
In this carnal state and mind, we can't begin to accept all of the things we have become in Him. Only by faith can we hope to enter into these truths. Hebrews 11:1 says that, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. It is the evidence of things not seen." Our faith in the Word and the sacrifice of Jesus, is where all of the promise lies in waiting for us to receive.
The only evidence we have for our walk with God is our faith in His Word. None of us were present at the cross. None of us witnessed His resurrection and none of us watched Him ascend to the Father. Even those who did see Jesus on the cross, couldn't see the curse of the Law overtake His Spirit. They couldn't see Him become sin and they couldn't know that His stripes brought our healing.
Even those who were there didn't know what had happened. They had to find out by studying God's Word and praying in the Upper room. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people in Acts 2:16, Peter stood and spoke from the Word of God saying, "But (instead) this is (the beginning of) what was spoken through the prophet Joel." This had to be received only by faith in God's Word concerning this promise. In 1Corinthians 15:6 (Amplified) we see, "Then later He showed Himself to more than five hundred brethren at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep (in death)."
These men who had seen Jesus, went about preaching what they had seen, but still only some of the would believe or put faith in what was told them. This precious gift of faith that has been given by grace, is the insight and divine reflection of Jesus Himself. The gift and the giver have become One. In Acts 20:32 (Amplified) the Apostle Paul, preparing to leave Ephesus and head to Jerusalem, made this statement to the people, "And now(brethren) I commit you to God (I deposit you in His charge entrusting you to His protection and care) And I commend you to the Words of His grace (to the commandments and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor) It is able to build you up and give you (your rightful) inheritance among all God's set apart ones (those consecrated, purified and transformer of soul)."
According to this scripture and the prayers of Paul, the Word of His grace and our faith in this Word, would build us up and give us (by faith) our rightful inheritance from God the Father. 2Corinthians 3:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Now the Lord is The Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
Few of us in the Body of Christ have dared to put our faith in this scripture to be fulfilled here in this realm. Most would say that we can be like Jesus when we get to heaven. Because this scripture must be accepted by faith (there's no other way to do it), we need to begin changing now into His Image. The time for signs and wonders to be revealed through the Church has come unto the earth. Jesus needs to be seen by the world, through His Body, the Church.
Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) says, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all of its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere." God is waiting for a people who will , by faith, begin walking in this realm of the Spirit. God has always had a remnant of people who would dare to reach out farther. He could always raise up a Moses or a Gideon or a Joshua or a Caleb who would dare believe Him. Hebrews 4:2 (Amplified) says, "For indeed we have had the glad tidings (Gospel of God) proclaimed to us just as truly as they (the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them) but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality of God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness) by those who heard it. Neither were they united in faith with the ones (Joshua and Caleb) who heard (and did believe)."
The promise of victory, liberty, land, prosperity and all the blessings of God's promise awaited His people on the other side of the Jordan River. But, their fear of the giants was stronger than their faith in their God. Only those who "see Him as He is," high and lifted up and in all power and authority ever dare believe the whole of the promise.
Faith looks beyond our flesh and shortcomings. And, faith sees that Jesus overcame all of that. The devil wants us to see ourselves, but the Word tells us to "Look unto Jesus." We need to get us off our minds and allow the Mind of Christ to function is us.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Lesson 13 FAITH
Misplaced faith is faith in any other thing than Jesus. He is the source of our faith and the answer to what our faith can produce. With His faith, He created all that is seen and that which is not seen. John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says that, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word was God (Himself)." Verse 2 says, "He was present originally with God." Verse 3 goes on, "All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
In Matthew 8:6-10 (Amplified), "A centurion (a Roman) (this was not a covenant man, but a gentile and an enemy) said, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pain." Verse 7 ,"And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him." Verse 8 says, "But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured." Verse 9 goes on, "For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go and he goes, and to another, come and he comes; and to my slave, do this, and he does it." Verse 10 says, "When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him (who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living, and if need be, in dying also); I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel."
In Luke 10:1-20 (Amplified), Jesus had appointed seventy men to head out ahead of Him declaring His way. They were under orders to carry no purse or provisions of their own, but to bless and stay in the homes of those who would receive them. In Verses 8-9 Jesus tells them that, "Whenever you go into a town and they receive you and welcome you, eat what is set before you; And heal the sick in it and say to them, The Kingdom of God has come close to you." Verse 17 says, "And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!" Verse 18-19 say, "And He said to them, I saw satan falling like a lightning (flash) from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you." Verse 20 say, "Nevertheless; do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven."
The centurion recognized that Jesus was in and under the authority to the Father. By understanding this authority, the centurion was able to put his faith in Jesus. He never said one way or the other whether he believed Jesus was the Messiah, but he understood that Jesus walked in authority. On the same token, the seventy, realizing and submitting to Jesus' authority, went out (only on the authority of His name) healing the sick, blessing the people and casting out demons.
Since we know that these things happened (because the Word says so), we understand that healing, blessing and deliverance are important parts of the gospel. The faith that these men and the centurion had in Jesus, was based in faith of the authority of His name.
Perhaps, if we had this kind of faith in Jesus' name, we would see more miracles in the world today. For some reason, we have explained away this part of His ministry in these last days. These men weren't even born again men. They didn't have the luxury of being able to read the epistles like we have. They didn't know about the new covenant or the power of Jesus' resurrection and His position at God's right hand. All they knew to do was put their faith into His authority.
What is the extent of Jesus' authority now, under this new covenant? Does Jesus' name have less authority in the life of the believer or more? Why is it that we have excluded all the works pertaining to His power when it comes to healing and deliverance today? I know that the most important thing to me, is to be born again. But, what about those who aren't born again who are sick, oppressed or even controlled or driven by unclean spirits? How many do we have who need to see and just believe in His authority and His name?
In Matthew 14:10-14 (Amplified), "He (Herod) sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and His head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother." Verse 12-13 say, "And John's disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it; they followed Him (by land) on foot from the towns." Verse 14 says, "When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cared for their sick."
This Love of God, even when Jesus was distressed by John's death, still healed and set free those who had needs. This is the part of our faith today, that I wish to address. We have exercised our faith for being born again. We've exercised our faith for bigger churches and ministries, but have we really set our faith in His name for setting the captives free?
I don't believe all the people who are born again will walk in this power of authority of Jesus' name, but I'm believing that some will dare to step out in faith and walk in the rest of this gospel of grace. We've had men like Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, William Branon (and many more such men and women through the years) walk in this , but this part of the gospel seems to be lost by many today.
It does well to remember, that it's not you, but the Father in you Who does the works. The same Father Who was in Jesus, is the the Father Who is in you. We, too, are men and women under authority. All we have to do is believe. Surely, we can have as much faith as the seventy who weren't even born again.
In Matthew 8:6-10 (Amplified), "A centurion (a Roman) (this was not a covenant man, but a gentile and an enemy) said, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pain." Verse 7 ,"And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him." Verse 8 says, "But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured." Verse 9 goes on, "For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go and he goes, and to another, come and he comes; and to my slave, do this, and he does it." Verse 10 says, "When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him (who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living, and if need be, in dying also); I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel."
In Luke 10:1-20 (Amplified), Jesus had appointed seventy men to head out ahead of Him declaring His way. They were under orders to carry no purse or provisions of their own, but to bless and stay in the homes of those who would receive them. In Verses 8-9 Jesus tells them that, "Whenever you go into a town and they receive you and welcome you, eat what is set before you; And heal the sick in it and say to them, The Kingdom of God has come close to you." Verse 17 says, "And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!" Verse 18-19 say, "And He said to them, I saw satan falling like a lightning (flash) from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you." Verse 20 say, "Nevertheless; do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven."
The centurion recognized that Jesus was in and under the authority to the Father. By understanding this authority, the centurion was able to put his faith in Jesus. He never said one way or the other whether he believed Jesus was the Messiah, but he understood that Jesus walked in authority. On the same token, the seventy, realizing and submitting to Jesus' authority, went out (only on the authority of His name) healing the sick, blessing the people and casting out demons.
Since we know that these things happened (because the Word says so), we understand that healing, blessing and deliverance are important parts of the gospel. The faith that these men and the centurion had in Jesus, was based in faith of the authority of His name.
Perhaps, if we had this kind of faith in Jesus' name, we would see more miracles in the world today. For some reason, we have explained away this part of His ministry in these last days. These men weren't even born again men. They didn't have the luxury of being able to read the epistles like we have. They didn't know about the new covenant or the power of Jesus' resurrection and His position at God's right hand. All they knew to do was put their faith into His authority.
What is the extent of Jesus' authority now, under this new covenant? Does Jesus' name have less authority in the life of the believer or more? Why is it that we have excluded all the works pertaining to His power when it comes to healing and deliverance today? I know that the most important thing to me, is to be born again. But, what about those who aren't born again who are sick, oppressed or even controlled or driven by unclean spirits? How many do we have who need to see and just believe in His authority and His name?
In Matthew 14:10-14 (Amplified), "He (Herod) sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and His head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother." Verse 12-13 say, "And John's disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it; they followed Him (by land) on foot from the towns." Verse 14 says, "When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cared for their sick."
This Love of God, even when Jesus was distressed by John's death, still healed and set free those who had needs. This is the part of our faith today, that I wish to address. We have exercised our faith for being born again. We've exercised our faith for bigger churches and ministries, but have we really set our faith in His name for setting the captives free?
I don't believe all the people who are born again will walk in this power of authority of Jesus' name, but I'm believing that some will dare to step out in faith and walk in the rest of this gospel of grace. We've had men like Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, William Branon (and many more such men and women through the years) walk in this , but this part of the gospel seems to be lost by many today.
It does well to remember, that it's not you, but the Father in you Who does the works. The same Father Who was in Jesus, is the the Father Who is in you. We, too, are men and women under authority. All we have to do is believe. Surely, we can have as much faith as the seventy who weren't even born again.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Lesson 12 FAITH
Our covenant of faith is one that will bring us into a full knowledge of Jesus in His present day ministry. Only by faith can we ever hope to know Him as He is now. We read in 1John 4:17 (Amplified) that, "In this (union and communion with Him) love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is so are we in this world."
Only by faith can we ever hope to come to the realization of this scripture. 2Corinthians 3:16-18 (Amplified) says, "Whenever a person turns (in repentance) to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away." Verse 17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face, (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
This is a degree of faith that few Christians have ever sought after in our walk. For most of us, we never have been taught about becoming as He is. Romans 9:31-32 (Amplified) says, "Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law (for the security) of righteousness (right standing with God) actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law." Verse 32 goes on, "For what reason? Because (they pursued it) not through faith, relying (instead) on the merit of their works (they did not depend on faith but on what they could do) they have stumbled over the stumbling stone."
Only by faith and not by the works of man-made creeds can we ever hope to be changed from glory to glory in His Image. How can we ever hope to be great enough in what we do to become like Him without the Spirit of the Lord to show us Who He really is? For most of us, His Image is limited to the Man we see in the gospels. We've had very limited insight into Who He is now. According to 1John 4:17 , "As He is, so are we now, in this world." If we can't see Him in faith through the Word and by the Holy Spirit, then we can never be changed (now) into that Image?
For most of our lives, we've had or been taught that it would an act of pride to ever say or try to be "as He is." And, that only pride could ever say that we're actually righteous or pure. Only faith can take us into this realm of the face of Jesus. If we're ever to step into this place with the Father, then it has to be by faith. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says that, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Any other way of approaching this transfiguration would come by the good works and merits of men.
Every Christian has hopefully read the Word and knows what the scriptures have to say who we are now. But, unless the Holy Spirit reveals the whole truth of the scriptures, they are just pretty words. In most Christian circles, it would be almost blasphemous to say that you're like Jesus as it was for Jesus to say that He was like God in His day.
In Colossians 3:1-2 (Amplified) we read, "If then you have been raised with Christ (to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead) aim at and seek the (rich, eternal treasures) that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Verse 2 goes on, "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things) not on the things that are on the earth." This scripture doesn't mean we're to only think about going to heaven when we leave here or be limited to only what power we have in ourselves. Your new ability and authority and resources are now unlimited in Him and where He now is now at the right hand of God.
If we keep our minds on Him and where He is now, then we are unlimited in whatever we need to do. Once we put these truths in proper perspective we can understand what Jesus meant when He gave us the "power of attorney" to use His name. Mathew 28:18 (Amplified) says, "Jesus approached and breaking the silence, said to them (and unto us), All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." In Mark 16:15-18 (Amplified) we read where, "He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race)." Verse 16 says, "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in, and relies on the gospel and Him who it set forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death) but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to, and trust in, and rely on the gospel and Him who it sets forth) will be condemned." Verse 17-18 say, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents; and (even) if they drink anything deadly; it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Only by faith can these things be accomplished in the life of the believer. Only by faith can we be transfigured into this new image of the resurrected Lord we serve. Only by keeping our minds set on the things above can we see Him as He is now. This is the image that we're to be changed into. We're to go from glory to glory by faith into the freedom of the Holy Spirit. The doctrines and creeds of man will never dare to step into this arena. Only having faith in what God's Word tells us will transport us into this realm.
The only way we'll ever come into this place with the Father is with the "God kind of faith." When we begin to approach this new life in Christ and to be changed into His Image by faith, the old things of the world will fall away to the new Image of Christ in you.
Only by faith can we ever hope to come to the realization of this scripture. 2Corinthians 3:16-18 (Amplified) says, "Whenever a person turns (in repentance) to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away." Verse 17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)." Verse 18 goes on, "And all of us, as with unveiled face, (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
This is a degree of faith that few Christians have ever sought after in our walk. For most of us, we never have been taught about becoming as He is. Romans 9:31-32 (Amplified) says, "Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law (for the security) of righteousness (right standing with God) actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law." Verse 32 goes on, "For what reason? Because (they pursued it) not through faith, relying (instead) on the merit of their works (they did not depend on faith but on what they could do) they have stumbled over the stumbling stone."
Only by faith and not by the works of man-made creeds can we ever hope to be changed from glory to glory in His Image. How can we ever hope to be great enough in what we do to become like Him without the Spirit of the Lord to show us Who He really is? For most of us, His Image is limited to the Man we see in the gospels. We've had very limited insight into Who He is now. According to 1John 4:17 , "As He is, so are we now, in this world." If we can't see Him in faith through the Word and by the Holy Spirit, then we can never be changed (now) into that Image?
For most of our lives, we've had or been taught that it would an act of pride to ever say or try to be "as He is." And, that only pride could ever say that we're actually righteous or pure. Only faith can take us into this realm of the face of Jesus. If we're ever to step into this place with the Father, then it has to be by faith. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says that, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Any other way of approaching this transfiguration would come by the good works and merits of men.
Every Christian has hopefully read the Word and knows what the scriptures have to say who we are now. But, unless the Holy Spirit reveals the whole truth of the scriptures, they are just pretty words. In most Christian circles, it would be almost blasphemous to say that you're like Jesus as it was for Jesus to say that He was like God in His day.
In Colossians 3:1-2 (Amplified) we read, "If then you have been raised with Christ (to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead) aim at and seek the (rich, eternal treasures) that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Verse 2 goes on, "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things) not on the things that are on the earth." This scripture doesn't mean we're to only think about going to heaven when we leave here or be limited to only what power we have in ourselves. Your new ability and authority and resources are now unlimited in Him and where He now is now at the right hand of God.
If we keep our minds on Him and where He is now, then we are unlimited in whatever we need to do. Once we put these truths in proper perspective we can understand what Jesus meant when He gave us the "power of attorney" to use His name. Mathew 28:18 (Amplified) says, "Jesus approached and breaking the silence, said to them (and unto us), All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." In Mark 16:15-18 (Amplified) we read where, "He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race)." Verse 16 says, "He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in, and relies on the gospel and Him who it set forth) and is baptized will be saved (from the penalty of eternal death) but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to, and trust in, and rely on the gospel and Him who it sets forth) will be condemned." Verse 17-18 say, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents; and (even) if they drink anything deadly; it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Only by faith can these things be accomplished in the life of the believer. Only by faith can we be transfigured into this new image of the resurrected Lord we serve. Only by keeping our minds set on the things above can we see Him as He is now. This is the image that we're to be changed into. We're to go from glory to glory by faith into the freedom of the Holy Spirit. The doctrines and creeds of man will never dare to step into this arena. Only having faith in what God's Word tells us will transport us into this realm.
The only way we'll ever come into this place with the Father is with the "God kind of faith." When we begin to approach this new life in Christ and to be changed into His Image by faith, the old things of the world will fall away to the new Image of Christ in you.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Lesson 11 FAITH
Most of us are well taught by God's Word that we've received forgiveness for our sins by faith. Even this took a long time in coming for many of us because we didn't fully understand what happened to us when we received Jesus. When the old thoughts and the old habits didn't instantly go away, many of us questioned our experience with Jesus. As we began to attend church and fellowship with other believers, we progressed in our faith and came to grips with the truth of the Word and finally were at peace with our salvation.
We didn't understand Romans 10:17 that told us, "Faith comes by hearing God's Word." The more we heard God's Word on forgiveness, the more we were assured we are really saved. For some, though, even now the past haunts us and makes us feel though salvation didn't do the entire job. We keep searching for ways to make ourselves feel "more saved." We think that if we read more or pray more or do other things, then we'll be more acceptable to the Father. This is misplaced faith. We should read the Word and we should pray, but Jesus is What (Who) has made us acceptable to the Father.
When someone begins teaching about healing or tongues or even about the laying on of hands, we run into the same things we did when we first were saved. Sometimes we try reaching out in our faith to receive something and it eludes us because we were never taught about it. We struggle with our faith in other realms like we did with our forgiveness when we first believed. In Romans 1:17 (Amplified) Paul said, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
According to this scripture, faith is a journey and a growing lifestyle. As we walk with the Father through the Word, the Holy Spirit reveals more and more truth to us concerning our salvation. Each and every thing He shows us is a new step into faith. Even when we try walking in faith in certain areas of our lives, the trials of our faith are greater than the faith itself.
In every aspect of our lives, there's a trial the enemy brings to discourage and dismay us so we'll give up before the seed has a chance to grow. Even the devil knows that it's easier to dig up an acorn than an Oak tree. If he can destroy our faith in other areas of the Word before it bears fruit, then we will get discouraged and quit.
The faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) is the same measure of faith that got us saved. This seed of faith in God's Word brought about the miracle of the new birth in us. This faith brought us out of sin and death into life and blessing. This same faith cleansed us from sin, made us righteous in Christ and simultaneously made us children of the Most High God. It's taken many of us years to receive by faith that we really are righteous (in right standing) with God because of Jesus.
This is the growing process of our faith. Jesus said that faith is like a small mustard seed that will produce great things if it's sown in the soil of our hearts. Mark 4:31_32 (Amplified) tells us that, "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth." Verse 32 continues, "Yet after it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts our large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade."
This seed (your faith) will produce your salvation and will put out other branches (or begin to expand our knowledge of Jesus) and begin to encompass other things in our new life that Jesus did in His sacrifice for us. Paul was saying in Romans 1:17 the same thing Jesus said in Mark 4:31-32 (Amplified) that the Gospel or Good News keeps revealing by faith, other things in our covenant until it branches out to become the greatest of all the garden herbs. He said it doesn't take more faith, but simply invest the measure of faith we were given.
In Mark 4 (Amplified) (this should be required reading for every believer every day), a simple example of faith is given by the One Who is faith. If anyone should know how faith works, then it would be Jesus. If any of us have ever planted a garden, then this illustration should be simple. I prepare the soil. I plant the seed. Then, I watched, watered, and waited for the crop to come up. Initially, the seed comes up as a sprout and not the fruit. I care for it, weed it and don't allow the weeds to choke the seed like Mark 4:19 says, "Don't allow the things of the world or discouragement stop your care of this sprout."
When it first comes into our lives, it doesn't look like healing because it's just a sprout. In Mark 4:26-29 (Amplified) Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground." Verse 27-28 says, "Then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases he knows not how the earth produces (acting) by itself-first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." Verse 29 says, "But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth (the reapers) and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready."
This is a simple illustration of exactly how God's Word works on behalf of those who will receive it in their hearts. We might ask, "How does it work?" The same way a kernel of sweet corn works in your garden. You simply receive the Word in your heart, water is with prayer and then stand in your faith.
Once you planted the sweet corn, you no longer see it, but by faith you believe this one kernel of corn will produce a stalk, ear on the stalk and corn on the ears. All of this is done by faith in the seed or kernel of corn. You still don't understand how one seed can do all of that, but your faith is so simple (because you have exercised our faith in these things) that you fully expect a harvest.
There's no person in his right mind who would pick the sprout and try to eat it because it's still an unfinished harvest. We must be patient and give it time to mature. This is the wisdom of God brought to such simplicity that even a country boy (like me) can understand it. We all understand the seed principle of gardening (whether it's a backyard garden or a couple thousand acres of wheat). The principles is always the same.
No one would expect to sow one seed and have a harvest of only one seed. The reason for planting one seed is to bring increase. This seed of faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 is sown, increases to more faith which increases to more faith in other areas of the covenant and promise of God in His Word. This faith is the key to everything God has promised by the SEED He sowed into the earth when He sent Jesus.
This seed of faith is enough that when sown will bring forth a harvest of healing, peace, joy and whatever the Word has said it will produce. Mark 4:27 (Amplified) says, "He knows now how it will produce." You and I still don't know how a kernel of corn does what it does, but we have faith to believe that it will.
Jesus, Who is called The Word, knows exactly how things work and what it takes to produce. He is the Wisdom of God and created all things. If He wanted to confuse us, then it wouldn't take a whole lot of time to do. When God said, "In the beginning God," I'm confused already. Jesus is the very Wisdom of God and brought this wisdom down to a level we can understand. Don't complicate it with theology and religion. Just sow this faith in His Word (like we did the seed of the Word for our forgiveness) in our hearts and it will do exactly like He said. Give it time to come into maturity and don't keep digging up the seed by unbelief to see if it's growing. If we keep digging it up, then it will never produce. Simply trust the seed to do what it was made to do.
We didn't understand Romans 10:17 that told us, "Faith comes by hearing God's Word." The more we heard God's Word on forgiveness, the more we were assured we are really saved. For some, though, even now the past haunts us and makes us feel though salvation didn't do the entire job. We keep searching for ways to make ourselves feel "more saved." We think that if we read more or pray more or do other things, then we'll be more acceptable to the Father. This is misplaced faith. We should read the Word and we should pray, but Jesus is What (Who) has made us acceptable to the Father.
When someone begins teaching about healing or tongues or even about the laying on of hands, we run into the same things we did when we first were saved. Sometimes we try reaching out in our faith to receive something and it eludes us because we were never taught about it. We struggle with our faith in other realms like we did with our forgiveness when we first believed. In Romans 1:17 (Amplified) Paul said, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
According to this scripture, faith is a journey and a growing lifestyle. As we walk with the Father through the Word, the Holy Spirit reveals more and more truth to us concerning our salvation. Each and every thing He shows us is a new step into faith. Even when we try walking in faith in certain areas of our lives, the trials of our faith are greater than the faith itself.
In every aspect of our lives, there's a trial the enemy brings to discourage and dismay us so we'll give up before the seed has a chance to grow. Even the devil knows that it's easier to dig up an acorn than an Oak tree. If he can destroy our faith in other areas of the Word before it bears fruit, then we will get discouraged and quit.
The faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) is the same measure of faith that got us saved. This seed of faith in God's Word brought about the miracle of the new birth in us. This faith brought us out of sin and death into life and blessing. This same faith cleansed us from sin, made us righteous in Christ and simultaneously made us children of the Most High God. It's taken many of us years to receive by faith that we really are righteous (in right standing) with God because of Jesus.
This is the growing process of our faith. Jesus said that faith is like a small mustard seed that will produce great things if it's sown in the soil of our hearts. Mark 4:31_32 (Amplified) tells us that, "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth." Verse 32 continues, "Yet after it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts our large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade."
This seed (your faith) will produce your salvation and will put out other branches (or begin to expand our knowledge of Jesus) and begin to encompass other things in our new life that Jesus did in His sacrifice for us. Paul was saying in Romans 1:17 the same thing Jesus said in Mark 4:31-32 (Amplified) that the Gospel or Good News keeps revealing by faith, other things in our covenant until it branches out to become the greatest of all the garden herbs. He said it doesn't take more faith, but simply invest the measure of faith we were given.
In Mark 4 (Amplified) (this should be required reading for every believer every day), a simple example of faith is given by the One Who is faith. If anyone should know how faith works, then it would be Jesus. If any of us have ever planted a garden, then this illustration should be simple. I prepare the soil. I plant the seed. Then, I watched, watered, and waited for the crop to come up. Initially, the seed comes up as a sprout and not the fruit. I care for it, weed it and don't allow the weeds to choke the seed like Mark 4:19 says, "Don't allow the things of the world or discouragement stop your care of this sprout."
When it first comes into our lives, it doesn't look like healing because it's just a sprout. In Mark 4:26-29 (Amplified) Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground." Verse 27-28 says, "Then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases he knows not how the earth produces (acting) by itself-first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." Verse 29 says, "But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth (the reapers) and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready."
This is a simple illustration of exactly how God's Word works on behalf of those who will receive it in their hearts. We might ask, "How does it work?" The same way a kernel of sweet corn works in your garden. You simply receive the Word in your heart, water is with prayer and then stand in your faith.
Once you planted the sweet corn, you no longer see it, but by faith you believe this one kernel of corn will produce a stalk, ear on the stalk and corn on the ears. All of this is done by faith in the seed or kernel of corn. You still don't understand how one seed can do all of that, but your faith is so simple (because you have exercised our faith in these things) that you fully expect a harvest.
There's no person in his right mind who would pick the sprout and try to eat it because it's still an unfinished harvest. We must be patient and give it time to mature. This is the wisdom of God brought to such simplicity that even a country boy (like me) can understand it. We all understand the seed principle of gardening (whether it's a backyard garden or a couple thousand acres of wheat). The principles is always the same.
No one would expect to sow one seed and have a harvest of only one seed. The reason for planting one seed is to bring increase. This seed of faith Paul spoke of in Romans 1:17 is sown, increases to more faith which increases to more faith in other areas of the covenant and promise of God in His Word. This faith is the key to everything God has promised by the SEED He sowed into the earth when He sent Jesus.
This seed of faith is enough that when sown will bring forth a harvest of healing, peace, joy and whatever the Word has said it will produce. Mark 4:27 (Amplified) says, "He knows now how it will produce." You and I still don't know how a kernel of corn does what it does, but we have faith to believe that it will.
Jesus, Who is called The Word, knows exactly how things work and what it takes to produce. He is the Wisdom of God and created all things. If He wanted to confuse us, then it wouldn't take a whole lot of time to do. When God said, "In the beginning God," I'm confused already. Jesus is the very Wisdom of God and brought this wisdom down to a level we can understand. Don't complicate it with theology and religion. Just sow this faith in His Word (like we did the seed of the Word for our forgiveness) in our hearts and it will do exactly like He said. Give it time to come into maturity and don't keep digging up the seed by unbelief to see if it's growing. If we keep digging it up, then it will never produce. Simply trust the seed to do what it was made to do.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Lesson 10 FAITH
Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)."
The kind of faith that God requires is that which is totally dependent upon what He has declared in His Word. It isn't based (as it was for Jesus' disciples) on what they could see, feel, touch or receive by the senses. When Jesus' disciples walked with Him, it was a walk they had not by faith, but by the senses. Jesus was always confronting them about their faith. Even now, the Church wants to be led by the senses more than by faith.
We judge things of this world by our five senses more than by faith. It's still a realm we don't understand. We read the scriptures and we understand what the words mean, but we don't receive them as real. Very little has been ministered in the spirit realm. We've mostly tried walking in the realm of the soul or feelings. We mostly walk according to our emotions than our spirits.
Mostly, we walk in what was ministered in the old covenant. Because we don't teach or minister very much in the spirit realm, our spirits have suffered a lack of life in the Word. Many of our sermons have been directed at the soulish or emotional side of man and only holds power for a short while. We tried preaching fear into the people in order to prevent sin from occurring in their lives. We tried holding them in a bondage by this fear so they wouldn't return to the world. We tried about everything we knew, but most of it failed.
In the Church, we found that sin was still a problem and emotions change. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the (Holy) Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit) then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)." We've spent so much time fighting the flesh that we,ve neglected what the Word said to do. The Holy Spirit said that if we would learn to be led by Him, then we wouldn't always be fighting the flesh.
I can attend A.A. meetings all of my life and I can stay sober; but, it's always a fight. Thank God I can stay sober, but I'm still not free. I find myself always in the fight. I am still an alcoholic...I'm just not drinking. If I, by faith, will receive what the Holy Spirit reveals to me, then I can become free altogether. The harder I try to remain sober, the more my mind is centered on the drinking. Every day is a new battle.
People have become somewhat upset with what I minister because I they think I don't preach enough about sin. Most people know how to sin without teachings on it. Most of us in the Church need to be taught on righteousness and not on sin.
Faith is believing in what Jesus did for me, so that I don't spend my whole life trying to make up for it by my own efforts. 1Corinthians 11:26 (Amplified) says that, "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until He comes (again)." Jesus said we're to "do this in remembrance of Me." The only way we can receive this Bread and Wine with any power in it, is by faith.
There is no healing, forgiveness, life, strength, power, peace or fellowship in a piece of bread or a cup of wine (or juice). These things only come from the faith in what they represent to God. When we do this at the communion table, what are we to bring to remembrance? As you partake of the Bread, do you remember it represents His Body and that by His stripes you are healed by faith in His sacrifice?
Is this "Table of the Lord" a place of faith or emotion? Do you do this by just feeling sorry for Jesus or by remembering, by faith, why He did it? Under the Law, when they remembered their lamb they remembered they were free.
1Corinthians 11:30 (Amplified) says, "That (careless and un worthy participation) is the reason many of you are weak and sickly and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death."
Did you ever wonder what it is we're to judge ourselves of? Some would say that we're to judge ourselves of sin. Well, if you've been living in sin, this is part of what you judge. If you are truly a new creature in Christ, then you've already been forgiven of yous sin, so it really shouldn't be something that needs judged. For goodness sake, if you have been in sin, then repent and get out of it.
I believe that because Paul said that many of us are sick and weak and have even died prematurely, that we are to judge ourselves in is that (when we bring Him to remembrance) we remember that by faith Jesus took my sin , my sickness, my righteousness and His very life into myself by faith in my Perfect Lamb.
I wonder how many of us really understand that by faith, this is the cup of healing and blessing and life. I've ministered this Cup of Covenant to many who were sick and or dying and then watched the power of the Blood and Body brings wholeness to them. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "this is the faith that pleases God." This is the rewards He spoke of we receive when we seek Him out by faith.
The kind of faith that God requires is that which is totally dependent upon what He has declared in His Word. It isn't based (as it was for Jesus' disciples) on what they could see, feel, touch or receive by the senses. When Jesus' disciples walked with Him, it was a walk they had not by faith, but by the senses. Jesus was always confronting them about their faith. Even now, the Church wants to be led by the senses more than by faith.
We judge things of this world by our five senses more than by faith. It's still a realm we don't understand. We read the scriptures and we understand what the words mean, but we don't receive them as real. Very little has been ministered in the spirit realm. We've mostly tried walking in the realm of the soul or feelings. We mostly walk according to our emotions than our spirits.
Mostly, we walk in what was ministered in the old covenant. Because we don't teach or minister very much in the spirit realm, our spirits have suffered a lack of life in the Word. Many of our sermons have been directed at the soulish or emotional side of man and only holds power for a short while. We tried preaching fear into the people in order to prevent sin from occurring in their lives. We tried holding them in a bondage by this fear so they wouldn't return to the world. We tried about everything we knew, but most of it failed.
In the Church, we found that sin was still a problem and emotions change. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the (Holy) Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit) then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)." We've spent so much time fighting the flesh that we,ve neglected what the Word said to do. The Holy Spirit said that if we would learn to be led by Him, then we wouldn't always be fighting the flesh.
I can attend A.A. meetings all of my life and I can stay sober; but, it's always a fight. Thank God I can stay sober, but I'm still not free. I find myself always in the fight. I am still an alcoholic...I'm just not drinking. If I, by faith, will receive what the Holy Spirit reveals to me, then I can become free altogether. The harder I try to remain sober, the more my mind is centered on the drinking. Every day is a new battle.
People have become somewhat upset with what I minister because I they think I don't preach enough about sin. Most people know how to sin without teachings on it. Most of us in the Church need to be taught on righteousness and not on sin.
Faith is believing in what Jesus did for me, so that I don't spend my whole life trying to make up for it by my own efforts. 1Corinthians 11:26 (Amplified) says that, "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until He comes (again)." Jesus said we're to "do this in remembrance of Me." The only way we can receive this Bread and Wine with any power in it, is by faith.
There is no healing, forgiveness, life, strength, power, peace or fellowship in a piece of bread or a cup of wine (or juice). These things only come from the faith in what they represent to God. When we do this at the communion table, what are we to bring to remembrance? As you partake of the Bread, do you remember it represents His Body and that by His stripes you are healed by faith in His sacrifice?
Is this "Table of the Lord" a place of faith or emotion? Do you do this by just feeling sorry for Jesus or by remembering, by faith, why He did it? Under the Law, when they remembered their lamb they remembered they were free.
1Corinthians 11:30 (Amplified) says, "That (careless and un worthy participation) is the reason many of you are weak and sickly and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death."
Did you ever wonder what it is we're to judge ourselves of? Some would say that we're to judge ourselves of sin. Well, if you've been living in sin, this is part of what you judge. If you are truly a new creature in Christ, then you've already been forgiven of yous sin, so it really shouldn't be something that needs judged. For goodness sake, if you have been in sin, then repent and get out of it.
I believe that because Paul said that many of us are sick and weak and have even died prematurely, that we are to judge ourselves in is that (when we bring Him to remembrance) we remember that by faith Jesus took my sin , my sickness, my righteousness and His very life into myself by faith in my Perfect Lamb.
I wonder how many of us really understand that by faith, this is the cup of healing and blessing and life. I've ministered this Cup of Covenant to many who were sick and or dying and then watched the power of the Blood and Body brings wholeness to them. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "this is the faith that pleases God." This is the rewards He spoke of we receive when we seek Him out by faith.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Lesson 9 FAITH
What is this elusive thing called faith that has kept the Body of Christ separated and at odds with one another? And, why do we seem to have such difference of opinions over it? Some say we don't need to believe God for certain things now in this new covenant. Some say that such things as healing, tongues and prosperity have passed away. Some have even claimed that these things are for when we get to heaven. Then, they say, we'll be healed and made whole.
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says that, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)." According to this scripture, if Jesus ever did any of these things at all, then He still does. We read from 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) about asking according to God's will and being heard and having our petitions met by faith in Him.
I don't believe that a lack of sincerity or even faith in Jesus has stopped the power of God in the Church today. I believe that it's been a matter of misplaced faith. This misplaced faith has been a sincere act on behalf of the Church in these last days. The biggest hindrance to faith is a lack of understanding about what God's will is for His children today.
No Christian who is sincere about his walk with God wants to be out of His will. We don't want to ask for things that may not be God's will for us, so we pray such prayers of total unbelief as "Lord, if it be Thy will." This is a sincere prayer because we want God's will to be done, but it's a prayer of doubt because we don't have faith it will ever happen.
We decided that if it happens, then it was God's will and if it didn't happen, then it wasn't God's will. If this is true, then there really wouldn't be any need to pray at all. Whatever He wanted to do, He was going to do anyway, so why pray in the first place? Mostly, we've been in a place of total darkness when it comes to the will of God. As long as we don't know what God's will is, we can never pray in any faith or power.
Mostly, we've been taught in one some way or another, that we can't know the will of God. But, that's not true. 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified) says, "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." Verse 2 goes on, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs) but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude) so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
If we really knew that what we were praying for was God's will, then we would have total faith in what we prayed. We allow our prayer life to be led more by man's teachings than in what the Word has taught. Man has taught us not to ask God for anything that wasn't His will for us to have. Do you honestly believe that God would give you something that wasn't His will for your life? Luke 11:11-13 (Amplified) says, "What Father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if hew asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?" Verse 12 says, "Or if he asks for an egg, will instead give him a scorpion?" Verse 13 says, "If you then, evil as you are, know to give good gifts (gifts that are to their advantage) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him?"
In Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) we read, "Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures), Cursed is everyone Who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
This blessing was to be the Holy Spirit of God Himself, Who would now with all of His mercy, favor, might, wisdom and righteousness, live in us and bless us with every promise God ever made to Abraham through Jesus. If you will read Galatians 3:16 (Amplified), then you'll find God made this promise to Abraham through and for Jesus. Now, you and I, by faith, have become heirs together with Him. Therefore, every promise made to and for Jesus is true for those who are saved.
Once we discover the truth about who we really are in Christ, we find out that God's will in and for Him is God's will in and for you. Jesus knew what God's will was for man and therefore could walk and pray in the fullest confidence that God would hear Him and provide whatever it was that He would ask. When Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified), he simply said that if we would allow the Word of God to direct our thinking instead of the world, then we would know what God's will is for us.
If you knew it was God's will to heal; I mean you really knew it, then would it change your faith in how you pray? We have an understanding of God's will for certain areas of our lives and we walk in boldness for it. We know from John 3:16 that God's will is "that all should be saved, and none should perish." And, because we know that salvation is God's will for mankind, we pray the "sinner's prayer" with some of the vilest of humanity fully expecting God to save them. We'll pray this prayer in prison, in drug dens, and anywhere else with perfect faith in it, because we know we're praying according to God's will. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) tells us that, "We have confidence He has heard us, and we know we have the petitions that we ask of Him."
Wouldn't it be a marvelous thing for the Church to search the scriptures for themselves concerning God's will in other areas of our covenant? Wouldn't it be an astounding thing to have as much faith in our Father when it came to praying for the sick as when we were praying for the lost?
The problem's never been one of faith. We believe our God can do anything. It's been a problem of knowing will God do it and not can He do it. You cannot release faith (true faith) without knowing that this is what the Father really wants. Faith and doubt can't mix any more than oil and water can. Romans 10:17 says that faith in God comes by hearing God's Word. Faith in anything comes by the same way.
You'll put faith in and believe in anything that you hear long enough. All of the religions of the world have preached the same religion until the people believe it. Why do you suppose that it's a criminal offense to preach Jesus ion a Muslim nation? Because, faith in God, comes by hearing God's Word.
If we preach anything else, even in our churches, then the people will begin to release their faith in what they've heard. And, it's very difficult to get them to believe the truth of the Word, even when they hear it. Many people throughout the years believed that speaking in tongues is of the devil. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing. Many believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased and were only for the early apostles. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing.
It's Biblical truth that's been perverted to take us from the truth instead of into the truth. It has made the Church impotent and without power. Jesus said in Mark 4:24 (Amplified), concerning the parable of the sower. He said, "'Be careful what you are hearing, the measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear.'"
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says that, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)." According to this scripture, if Jesus ever did any of these things at all, then He still does. We read from 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) about asking according to God's will and being heard and having our petitions met by faith in Him.
I don't believe that a lack of sincerity or even faith in Jesus has stopped the power of God in the Church today. I believe that it's been a matter of misplaced faith. This misplaced faith has been a sincere act on behalf of the Church in these last days. The biggest hindrance to faith is a lack of understanding about what God's will is for His children today.
No Christian who is sincere about his walk with God wants to be out of His will. We don't want to ask for things that may not be God's will for us, so we pray such prayers of total unbelief as "Lord, if it be Thy will." This is a sincere prayer because we want God's will to be done, but it's a prayer of doubt because we don't have faith it will ever happen.
We decided that if it happens, then it was God's will and if it didn't happen, then it wasn't God's will. If this is true, then there really wouldn't be any need to pray at all. Whatever He wanted to do, He was going to do anyway, so why pray in the first place? Mostly, we've been in a place of total darkness when it comes to the will of God. As long as we don't know what God's will is, we can never pray in any faith or power.
Mostly, we've been taught in one some way or another, that we can't know the will of God. But, that's not true. 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified) says, "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." Verse 2 goes on, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs) but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude) so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
If we really knew that what we were praying for was God's will, then we would have total faith in what we prayed. We allow our prayer life to be led more by man's teachings than in what the Word has taught. Man has taught us not to ask God for anything that wasn't His will for us to have. Do you honestly believe that God would give you something that wasn't His will for your life? Luke 11:11-13 (Amplified) says, "What Father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if hew asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?" Verse 12 says, "Or if he asks for an egg, will instead give him a scorpion?" Verse 13 says, "If you then, evil as you are, know to give good gifts (gifts that are to their advantage) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him?"
In Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) we read, "Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures), Cursed is everyone Who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
This blessing was to be the Holy Spirit of God Himself, Who would now with all of His mercy, favor, might, wisdom and righteousness, live in us and bless us with every promise God ever made to Abraham through Jesus. If you will read Galatians 3:16 (Amplified), then you'll find God made this promise to Abraham through and for Jesus. Now, you and I, by faith, have become heirs together with Him. Therefore, every promise made to and for Jesus is true for those who are saved.
Once we discover the truth about who we really are in Christ, we find out that God's will in and for Him is God's will in and for you. Jesus knew what God's will was for man and therefore could walk and pray in the fullest confidence that God would hear Him and provide whatever it was that He would ask. When Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified), he simply said that if we would allow the Word of God to direct our thinking instead of the world, then we would know what God's will is for us.
If you knew it was God's will to heal; I mean you really knew it, then would it change your faith in how you pray? We have an understanding of God's will for certain areas of our lives and we walk in boldness for it. We know from John 3:16 that God's will is "that all should be saved, and none should perish." And, because we know that salvation is God's will for mankind, we pray the "sinner's prayer" with some of the vilest of humanity fully expecting God to save them. We'll pray this prayer in prison, in drug dens, and anywhere else with perfect faith in it, because we know we're praying according to God's will. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) tells us that, "We have confidence He has heard us, and we know we have the petitions that we ask of Him."
Wouldn't it be a marvelous thing for the Church to search the scriptures for themselves concerning God's will in other areas of our covenant? Wouldn't it be an astounding thing to have as much faith in our Father when it came to praying for the sick as when we were praying for the lost?
The problem's never been one of faith. We believe our God can do anything. It's been a problem of knowing will God do it and not can He do it. You cannot release faith (true faith) without knowing that this is what the Father really wants. Faith and doubt can't mix any more than oil and water can. Romans 10:17 says that faith in God comes by hearing God's Word. Faith in anything comes by the same way.
You'll put faith in and believe in anything that you hear long enough. All of the religions of the world have preached the same religion until the people believe it. Why do you suppose that it's a criminal offense to preach Jesus ion a Muslim nation? Because, faith in God, comes by hearing God's Word.
If we preach anything else, even in our churches, then the people will begin to release their faith in what they've heard. And, it's very difficult to get them to believe the truth of the Word, even when they hear it. Many people throughout the years believed that speaking in tongues is of the devil. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing. Many believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased and were only for the early apostles. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing.
It's Biblical truth that's been perverted to take us from the truth instead of into the truth. It has made the Church impotent and without power. Jesus said in Mark 4:24 (Amplified), concerning the parable of the sower. He said, "'Be careful what you are hearing, the measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear.'"
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Lesson 8 FAITH
Hebrews 11:11(Amplified) says that, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
Under the Law, the things hoped for were things that the senses could see. Men walked in the faith of visual sacrifice and offerings that they could realize in the sense realm. Now, faith in what God says is without the visual signs is where we walk in grace. We, the new covenant people, are required to walk by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus over two thousand years ago.
The great Apostle Paul never spoke to us in the epistles like Jesus spoke to the people under the Law. Jesus asked them "where is your faith?" Paul was speaking to people who have already received the salvation of Jesus in this new covenant, by faith. We cannot even by saved without faith in Jesus under this new covenant. Now, everything in this new covenant requires faith in our covenant sacrifice...Jesus.
Now,we realize that we, as the new covenant people, already have faith so faith isn't really a problem. What has been the problem with the Church today is not a faith problem, but a revelation problem. Anyone who believes God must surely know that if He is God (and He is), then there's nothing He cannot do. Do, it's not a matter of believing God can do it, but it's a matter of wondering will He do it.
The biggest problem in the Church of the Lord Jesus is not knowing what God's will is. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) says, "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him; (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His Own plan) He listens to and hears us." Verse 15 goes on, "And if (since) we (positively) know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know (with settled and absolute knowledge) that we have (granted us as our present possessions) the requests made of Him."
This has been a stumbling block to our faith for many years in the Church. We have had a lack of faith in His willingness to do certain things in our lives. We've somehow removed Jesus from the human factor in our lives. Hebrews 4:15-16 (Amplified) says, "For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation. But One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are; yet without sin." Verse 16 goes on, "Let us then (fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners) that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help), coming just when we need it."
Also, in Hebrews 3:14 (Amplified) we read, "For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us. If only we hold our first newborn confidence and our original assured expectation (in virtue of which we are believers) firm and unshaken to the end."
The "first newborn confidence" that we had in Jesus was far different from what most of us have today. Many of us have replaced "Who we know, for what we know." We've allowed tradition to replace personal relationship with Jesus. What we have allowed to creep into our lives, is a new and misplaced faith. It's not a lack of faith or an absence of faith, but it's simply misplaced faith.
The whole of Christianity is a relationship with God as Father through Jesus. It's not a change in tradition or a new religion or doctrine, but a relationship with Him. This is the subtlety of the serpent to draw us away into our own way of doing for ourselves instead of relying on faith in God. With this faith in our own traditions, we once again, make the Word of God to no effect. Mark 7:8 (Amplified) says that, "You disregard and give up and ask and depart from you the commandments of God and cling to the traditions of men (keeping it carefully and faithfully)."
We've placed our faith much more in traditions than in the Word. In so doing, we've cut short the truth of our new covenant. Each believer has an obligation to seek our God on his own. It's great that we have teachers and preachers in the Body of Christ, but they were never intended by God to take His place in our lives. It isn't the teacher's place in High School to make a way for you in the world. It's the teacher's place to show you how to make your own way.
Nothing in the Church can be more important than the individual relationship with Jesus. Revelations 2:4 (Amplified) says, "I have this (one charge to make) against you; that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first (you have deserted Me, your first love)." Do you remember how simple it was when you were first saved to receive from the Father? That's because all you knew was Him. You didn't have tradition, doctrine and the religious teachings that told us God doesn't do these things anymore.
Am I telling you not to go to church? Am I telling you not to learn the Word of God? Am I telling you that only one person has the truth? No, to all these things. What I am telling you is that nothing takes the place of your own relationship with Jesus. Never replace Jesus with doctrine and never replace fellowship with Jesus for fellowship with people.
1John 2:27 (Amplified) says, "But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides (permanently) in you (so) then you have no need that anyone should instruct you, But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) His (being rooted in Him, knit to Him) just as (His) anointing has taught you (to do)."
This scripture doesn't mean that you're to be a "Lone Ranger" Christian, but that the Holy Spirit Who dwells in you will help you to know what is true and what is not. We're to be led by the Holy Spirit and by the Word. The only way to know God's will is to know Jesus on a personal basis. Jesus was and is the perfect will of God.
Keep you faith on track with Who Jesus is and your faith will work like it did before. Everything the Father has granted us in this new covenant must be received by faith. No tradition, doctrine or religion can give it to you. Only faith by the Father can. Our righteousness, our justification, our forgiveness of sin, our sonship relationship, our healing, our deliverance, our peace of mind, our conscience being free from sin and the past and our final place with the Father when we leave here are through faith.
If we misplace our faith for doctrines or other man-made traditions, then it doesn't mean God doesn't do things anymore. But, it can mean that we may fail to receive them. Many of us in the Church have become frustrated and sometimes bitter or angry with God over things that didin't come out the way we wanted. Mostly, it was because we didn't know any better or were taught wrong and simply missed the will of God.
Faith always works. It worked when you asked for salvation and it works for everything else. By misplacing our faith, we come to a place of not being able to trust God. It's hard having someone that you can't trust. Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus; neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love."
When we don't understand what God's will is, we keep off balance with our faith. If we're afraid to trust Him, then we are also afraid to submit to or give ourselves over to Him completely. If I can't trust Him, then I can't completely walk in love with Him. According to Galatians 5:6 (Amplified), "my faith must be activated by love."
1John 4:18 (Amplified) tells us, "There is no fear in love (dread does not exist) but full grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment and (so) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love (is not yet grown into loves complete perfection)."
The only way to know this love is to personally know Jesus. No doctrine, tradition or message can teach you this. A message about Jesus can introduce you to Him, but learning to know Him is your responsibility. The more you know Him, the more you trust Him. The more you trust Him, the stronger your faith becomes by the perfecting of love. There's nothing wrong with our faith, but only what we put faith in. Place your faith in Jesus as the completion of everything you will ever need. If you want to know what God's will is, then learn to watch and know Jesus like Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) teaches.
Under the Law, the things hoped for were things that the senses could see. Men walked in the faith of visual sacrifice and offerings that they could realize in the sense realm. Now, faith in what God says is without the visual signs is where we walk in grace. We, the new covenant people, are required to walk by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus over two thousand years ago.
The great Apostle Paul never spoke to us in the epistles like Jesus spoke to the people under the Law. Jesus asked them "where is your faith?" Paul was speaking to people who have already received the salvation of Jesus in this new covenant, by faith. We cannot even by saved without faith in Jesus under this new covenant. Now, everything in this new covenant requires faith in our covenant sacrifice...Jesus.
Now,we realize that we, as the new covenant people, already have faith so faith isn't really a problem. What has been the problem with the Church today is not a faith problem, but a revelation problem. Anyone who believes God must surely know that if He is God (and He is), then there's nothing He cannot do. Do, it's not a matter of believing God can do it, but it's a matter of wondering will He do it.
The biggest problem in the Church of the Lord Jesus is not knowing what God's will is. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) says, "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him; (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His Own plan) He listens to and hears us." Verse 15 goes on, "And if (since) we (positively) know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know (with settled and absolute knowledge) that we have (granted us as our present possessions) the requests made of Him."
This has been a stumbling block to our faith for many years in the Church. We have had a lack of faith in His willingness to do certain things in our lives. We've somehow removed Jesus from the human factor in our lives. Hebrews 4:15-16 (Amplified) says, "For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation. But One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are; yet without sin." Verse 16 goes on, "Let us then (fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners) that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help), coming just when we need it."
Also, in Hebrews 3:14 (Amplified) we read, "For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us. If only we hold our first newborn confidence and our original assured expectation (in virtue of which we are believers) firm and unshaken to the end."
The "first newborn confidence" that we had in Jesus was far different from what most of us have today. Many of us have replaced "Who we know, for what we know." We've allowed tradition to replace personal relationship with Jesus. What we have allowed to creep into our lives, is a new and misplaced faith. It's not a lack of faith or an absence of faith, but it's simply misplaced faith.
The whole of Christianity is a relationship with God as Father through Jesus. It's not a change in tradition or a new religion or doctrine, but a relationship with Him. This is the subtlety of the serpent to draw us away into our own way of doing for ourselves instead of relying on faith in God. With this faith in our own traditions, we once again, make the Word of God to no effect. Mark 7:8 (Amplified) says that, "You disregard and give up and ask and depart from you the commandments of God and cling to the traditions of men (keeping it carefully and faithfully)."
We've placed our faith much more in traditions than in the Word. In so doing, we've cut short the truth of our new covenant. Each believer has an obligation to seek our God on his own. It's great that we have teachers and preachers in the Body of Christ, but they were never intended by God to take His place in our lives. It isn't the teacher's place in High School to make a way for you in the world. It's the teacher's place to show you how to make your own way.
Nothing in the Church can be more important than the individual relationship with Jesus. Revelations 2:4 (Amplified) says, "I have this (one charge to make) against you; that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first (you have deserted Me, your first love)." Do you remember how simple it was when you were first saved to receive from the Father? That's because all you knew was Him. You didn't have tradition, doctrine and the religious teachings that told us God doesn't do these things anymore.
Am I telling you not to go to church? Am I telling you not to learn the Word of God? Am I telling you that only one person has the truth? No, to all these things. What I am telling you is that nothing takes the place of your own relationship with Jesus. Never replace Jesus with doctrine and never replace fellowship with Jesus for fellowship with people.
1John 2:27 (Amplified) says, "But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides (permanently) in you (so) then you have no need that anyone should instruct you, But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) His (being rooted in Him, knit to Him) just as (His) anointing has taught you (to do)."
This scripture doesn't mean that you're to be a "Lone Ranger" Christian, but that the Holy Spirit Who dwells in you will help you to know what is true and what is not. We're to be led by the Holy Spirit and by the Word. The only way to know God's will is to know Jesus on a personal basis. Jesus was and is the perfect will of God.
Keep you faith on track with Who Jesus is and your faith will work like it did before. Everything the Father has granted us in this new covenant must be received by faith. No tradition, doctrine or religion can give it to you. Only faith by the Father can. Our righteousness, our justification, our forgiveness of sin, our sonship relationship, our healing, our deliverance, our peace of mind, our conscience being free from sin and the past and our final place with the Father when we leave here are through faith.
If we misplace our faith for doctrines or other man-made traditions, then it doesn't mean God doesn't do things anymore. But, it can mean that we may fail to receive them. Many of us in the Church have become frustrated and sometimes bitter or angry with God over things that didin't come out the way we wanted. Mostly, it was because we didn't know any better or were taught wrong and simply missed the will of God.
Faith always works. It worked when you asked for salvation and it works for everything else. By misplacing our faith, we come to a place of not being able to trust God. It's hard having someone that you can't trust. Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus; neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love."
When we don't understand what God's will is, we keep off balance with our faith. If we're afraid to trust Him, then we are also afraid to submit to or give ourselves over to Him completely. If I can't trust Him, then I can't completely walk in love with Him. According to Galatians 5:6 (Amplified), "my faith must be activated by love."
1John 4:18 (Amplified) tells us, "There is no fear in love (dread does not exist) but full grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment and (so) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love (is not yet grown into loves complete perfection)."
The only way to know this love is to personally know Jesus. No doctrine, tradition or message can teach you this. A message about Jesus can introduce you to Him, but learning to know Him is your responsibility. The more you know Him, the more you trust Him. The more you trust Him, the stronger your faith becomes by the perfecting of love. There's nothing wrong with our faith, but only what we put faith in. Place your faith in Jesus as the completion of everything you will ever need. If you want to know what God's will is, then learn to watch and know Jesus like Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) teaches.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Lesson 7 FAITH
We've believed that somehow the things of God had to be more complicated than what we were reading in God's Word. God went to great lengths to make His Word simple. The carnal mind tried to make it seems spooky and mystical, but Jesus said it was simple enough that a child could understand it.
If you present a child with a flower pot and a packet of seeds and show him how to plant it, then they will, in child like faith, put the seed in the soil. They will eagerly and expectantly watch for the seed to bring forth the sprout, then the plant and then the flower and fruit of the seed. They don't question how, why or if, they simply believe.
Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says that, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of the things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
The Spirit says that "Now faith is the assurance of things we hope for." It's no longer the Law, the sacrifices, the works of the flesh; but faith. It didn't say we can't have what we hope for, it just says that ,now, faith is how we appropriate them.
We don't have to be put out of the camp if we have an issue of blood and wait for cleansing. We can walk clean before God, by faith in Jesus, as still being clean and sow the seeds of faith for our healing. As we take the seed of His Word from Isaiah 53:1-12 (Amplified) we can , by faith, sow this seed in our heart and expect it to produce what it says.
When you plant a garden, you buy a packet of seed with the picture of the fruit or vegetable on the front of the packet. It's not the fruit, but only a picture of it. By faith, you plant the seed and expect it to produce what the picture has promised. The same is true of God's Word. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says that you, by faith, have a picture of what the results are. You see that "by Jesus' stripes you are healed." You don't see the healing, you only see the promise. He said that "the Word is the proof of what we don't see." We don't see the vegetable, we only see a picture of it. But, if we will plant the seed in good soil, then the proof is in the seed.
We sometimes try reaping the harvest without sowing the seed. We've failed to understand that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for" and we still try receiving the harvest by works instead of faith. You must first plant a seed to get a harvest. Even God demonstrated this when Jesus became the seed that produced a family of children to the Father. God, by faith in His Own Word and confidence it wouldn't return to Him void, sent Jesus to bring sons unto glory. Hebrews 2:10 (Amplified) says that, "For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (to the divine nature) that He, for whose sake and by whom all things has their existence in bringing many sons into glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest) through suffering."
Jesus had to have faith in what God's Word said about Him when He went to the cross. The only things Jesus had to hold onto was the Word. Psalm 16:8-10 (Amplified) says, "I have set the Lord continually before Me; because He is at My right hand, I shall not be moved." Verse 9 goes on, "Therefore My heart is glad and My glory (My inner self) rejoices; My body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety." Verse 10 says, "For You shall not abandon Me in sheol (the place of the dead) neither will You suffer Your Holy One to see corruption."
We sometimes forget that Jesus had to walk with the Father by faith in His Word just like we do. The only proof that Jesus would see the fruit of the Word of His promise was by faith in God and His Word. What Jesus was about do on the cross was something that had never been done before...even by God.
You and I are the proof of His resurrection. The world still staggers at the thought of a man becoming sin, dying and being raised up in our place of justification and making us righteous through this one act of faith and obedience. Even the Church still struggles with the full truth of what really happened at Calvary. We cannot get the whole, awful truth of the depth of what Jesus did. We keep trying to make it pretty and obtainable to our senses.
The awful truth is that Jesus, by faith in His Father's Word, gave Himself over into the hands of God's greatest enemy and was willing to do whatever was asked of Him for us. Isaiah 52:14 (Amplified) says that, "(For many the servant of God became and object of horror; many were astonished at Him) His face and His whole appearance were marred more than any man's, and His form beyond that of the sons of men, but just as many were astonished at Him."
According to this scripture, Jesus didn't even look like a man any longer as He hung on the cross. And, even more awful than this, was the fact that Jesus had to be separated from the Father and God would have to turn His back on His Own Son as He became sin an cursed for us. We see this by faith and must receive it as truth.
If God's Word is seed, then we have to look at the seed as proof of the harvest. We can't see the harvest without planting the seed first.
If you present a child with a flower pot and a packet of seeds and show him how to plant it, then they will, in child like faith, put the seed in the soil. They will eagerly and expectantly watch for the seed to bring forth the sprout, then the plant and then the flower and fruit of the seed. They don't question how, why or if, they simply believe.
Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says that, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of the things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
The Spirit says that "Now faith is the assurance of things we hope for." It's no longer the Law, the sacrifices, the works of the flesh; but faith. It didn't say we can't have what we hope for, it just says that ,now, faith is how we appropriate them.
We don't have to be put out of the camp if we have an issue of blood and wait for cleansing. We can walk clean before God, by faith in Jesus, as still being clean and sow the seeds of faith for our healing. As we take the seed of His Word from Isaiah 53:1-12 (Amplified) we can , by faith, sow this seed in our heart and expect it to produce what it says.
When you plant a garden, you buy a packet of seed with the picture of the fruit or vegetable on the front of the packet. It's not the fruit, but only a picture of it. By faith, you plant the seed and expect it to produce what the picture has promised. The same is true of God's Word. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says that you, by faith, have a picture of what the results are. You see that "by Jesus' stripes you are healed." You don't see the healing, you only see the promise. He said that "the Word is the proof of what we don't see." We don't see the vegetable, we only see a picture of it. But, if we will plant the seed in good soil, then the proof is in the seed.
We sometimes try reaping the harvest without sowing the seed. We've failed to understand that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for" and we still try receiving the harvest by works instead of faith. You must first plant a seed to get a harvest. Even God demonstrated this when Jesus became the seed that produced a family of children to the Father. God, by faith in His Own Word and confidence it wouldn't return to Him void, sent Jesus to bring sons unto glory. Hebrews 2:10 (Amplified) says that, "For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (to the divine nature) that He, for whose sake and by whom all things has their existence in bringing many sons into glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest) through suffering."
Jesus had to have faith in what God's Word said about Him when He went to the cross. The only things Jesus had to hold onto was the Word. Psalm 16:8-10 (Amplified) says, "I have set the Lord continually before Me; because He is at My right hand, I shall not be moved." Verse 9 goes on, "Therefore My heart is glad and My glory (My inner self) rejoices; My body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety." Verse 10 says, "For You shall not abandon Me in sheol (the place of the dead) neither will You suffer Your Holy One to see corruption."
We sometimes forget that Jesus had to walk with the Father by faith in His Word just like we do. The only proof that Jesus would see the fruit of the Word of His promise was by faith in God and His Word. What Jesus was about do on the cross was something that had never been done before...even by God.
You and I are the proof of His resurrection. The world still staggers at the thought of a man becoming sin, dying and being raised up in our place of justification and making us righteous through this one act of faith and obedience. Even the Church still struggles with the full truth of what really happened at Calvary. We cannot get the whole, awful truth of the depth of what Jesus did. We keep trying to make it pretty and obtainable to our senses.
The awful truth is that Jesus, by faith in His Father's Word, gave Himself over into the hands of God's greatest enemy and was willing to do whatever was asked of Him for us. Isaiah 52:14 (Amplified) says that, "(For many the servant of God became and object of horror; many were astonished at Him) His face and His whole appearance were marred more than any man's, and His form beyond that of the sons of men, but just as many were astonished at Him."
According to this scripture, Jesus didn't even look like a man any longer as He hung on the cross. And, even more awful than this, was the fact that Jesus had to be separated from the Father and God would have to turn His back on His Own Son as He became sin an cursed for us. We see this by faith and must receive it as truth.
If God's Word is seed, then we have to look at the seed as proof of the harvest. We can't see the harvest without planting the seed first.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Lesson 6 FAITH
We've learned from Romans 10:17 (Amplified) that faith in God comes by hearing the Word of God (or what Jesus preached concerning God). We'll never be able to put faith in what God wants to do until we discover what that is. We are called to know what God's will for our lives is by reading His Word. God's Word is His will. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) says, "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him; (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His Own plan) He listens to and hears us." Verse 15 goes on, "And if (since) we (positively) know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know (with settles and absolute knowledge) that we have (granted us as our present possessions) the requests made of Him."
The Apostle John made those statements by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in order to give us faith to pray and to have faith in what we pray. We've been taught to pray the simple kind of prayer of,"Lord, if this be your will.". This isn't what the scriptures say. John said that we're to have assurance that we have the Father's ear because we know what His will is. Because we've never had faith in understanding what God's will is, we've lacked faith in our prayer life. We've been taught that "you never know what God will do," but that isn't what the Word says about it.
When we discussed the watermelon seed and the mustard seed, we learned you must have faith the seed will produce what it says. Isaiah 55:11 (Amplified) says, "So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void (without producing any effect, useless) but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
Just like the mustard seed will bring forth the large plant or the watermelon seed will bring forth fruit, so will the seed (Word) of God if we will have faith in its purpose. Every farmer must have faith in what is inside the seed in order to ever produce a crop. When you observe the watermelon seed, you don't see the watermelon, but only the seed. When you sow the seed you must have faith that it will produce the harvest. You'll only sow the seed if you have faith in the seed.
This is the simple message that Jesus conferred to His disciples. Everything you desire to harvest is in the seed. Although you cannot see the harvest yet, have faith in the seed. If you already have the harvest, then you wouldn't need the seed. If you don't have faith to sow the seed, then you'll never receive a harvest. When you have faith to sow the seed (the Word), it brings forth more than one seed. How foolish would it be to till the ground, spend the time and effort, put all the labor in your field and sow only one seed, just to have it produce only one seed in return? In the same way, when you take the Word of God (the seed) in faith and by faith, you understand that whatever you're believing for in your harvest is in the seed.
We are faith people. We operate in faith all the time. We just don't apply what we know into the realm of God from which it came in the first place. It seems like when it comes to God, our faith must be a different and we complicate it with religion. Keep your faith simple like Jesus said to do.
We don't have a problem believing that a kernel of corn will produce corn. We don't have a problem believing that a watermelon seed will produce watermelons. This is the simplicity of faith. It works! Why then, do we have a problem believing that God's Word (or this seed) will produce what He said it would produce. 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says that, "You have been regenerated (born again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." He said the seed that produced a family of God was the seed or sperm of God was the Word of God.
Jesus Himself said as much in John 12:24 (Amplified), "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains (just by itself, alone); But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest."
Jesus was speaking by faith in the seed (which is Himself) that by His dying (being planted as a seed), He would become the source of a Harvest of family to the Father. At the time Jesus spoke this, He was called "the only begotten Son." In Romans 8:29 (Amplified) we read, "For those whom He fore knew (of whom He was aware and loved beforehand) He also destined from the beginning (fore ordaining them-John 3:16) to be molded into the Image of His Son (and share inwardly His likeness) that He might become the firstborn among many brethren."
This seed, Jesus, the Word of God, was sown into the earth, died and brought forth unto God (the Husbandman in John 15:1) a harvest (or family) just like the first seed. Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) says that, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit (assuring us) that we are children of God." Verse 17 goes on, "And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (sharing His inheritance with Him) only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory."
This One seed, Jesus, produced a harvest unto God. Every seed produces after kind is the law of Genesis 1:12 (Amplified). We know that that law works in the natural world, but it's also a spiritual law! You would never plant an apple seed and expect and orange tree to grow. An acorn can never produce anything but an oak tree. Corn always produces corn, wheat always produces wheat. The Son of God "the Seed," always produces children of God.
I can plant the same kind of watermelon seed and I will always reap the same kind of watermelon. They're not the same watermelon, but they're the same kind of watermelon. When Jesus became the firstborn of many brethren, I became like Him. I am not Him, but I am like Him. I am not The Son of God, but I am a son of God. This also is a faith seed. If we can believe or have faith in every seed produces after its kind, then we have to believe by faith that the incorruptible seed (the Word of God) produces the same kind of produce every time like1Peter 1:23 says.
Once we receive by faith, the truth of God's Word, then it becomes easier to sow into the soil of our heart (spirit) the seed by faith for healing, joy, strength, hope, long suffering, this is the fruit of the Spirit. All of the things that are fruit, have a seed (or promise of the Word) that can be sown and harvested in the life of the child of God to His praise and glory.
The Apostle John made those statements by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in order to give us faith to pray and to have faith in what we pray. We've been taught to pray the simple kind of prayer of,"Lord, if this be your will.". This isn't what the scriptures say. John said that we're to have assurance that we have the Father's ear because we know what His will is. Because we've never had faith in understanding what God's will is, we've lacked faith in our prayer life. We've been taught that "you never know what God will do," but that isn't what the Word says about it.
When we discussed the watermelon seed and the mustard seed, we learned you must have faith the seed will produce what it says. Isaiah 55:11 (Amplified) says, "So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void (without producing any effect, useless) but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
Just like the mustard seed will bring forth the large plant or the watermelon seed will bring forth fruit, so will the seed (Word) of God if we will have faith in its purpose. Every farmer must have faith in what is inside the seed in order to ever produce a crop. When you observe the watermelon seed, you don't see the watermelon, but only the seed. When you sow the seed you must have faith that it will produce the harvest. You'll only sow the seed if you have faith in the seed.
This is the simple message that Jesus conferred to His disciples. Everything you desire to harvest is in the seed. Although you cannot see the harvest yet, have faith in the seed. If you already have the harvest, then you wouldn't need the seed. If you don't have faith to sow the seed, then you'll never receive a harvest. When you have faith to sow the seed (the Word), it brings forth more than one seed. How foolish would it be to till the ground, spend the time and effort, put all the labor in your field and sow only one seed, just to have it produce only one seed in return? In the same way, when you take the Word of God (the seed) in faith and by faith, you understand that whatever you're believing for in your harvest is in the seed.
We are faith people. We operate in faith all the time. We just don't apply what we know into the realm of God from which it came in the first place. It seems like when it comes to God, our faith must be a different and we complicate it with religion. Keep your faith simple like Jesus said to do.
We don't have a problem believing that a kernel of corn will produce corn. We don't have a problem believing that a watermelon seed will produce watermelons. This is the simplicity of faith. It works! Why then, do we have a problem believing that God's Word (or this seed) will produce what He said it would produce. 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says that, "You have been regenerated (born again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." He said the seed that produced a family of God was the seed or sperm of God was the Word of God.
Jesus Himself said as much in John 12:24 (Amplified), "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains (just by itself, alone); But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest."
Jesus was speaking by faith in the seed (which is Himself) that by His dying (being planted as a seed), He would become the source of a Harvest of family to the Father. At the time Jesus spoke this, He was called "the only begotten Son." In Romans 8:29 (Amplified) we read, "For those whom He fore knew (of whom He was aware and loved beforehand) He also destined from the beginning (fore ordaining them-John 3:16) to be molded into the Image of His Son (and share inwardly His likeness) that He might become the firstborn among many brethren."
This seed, Jesus, the Word of God, was sown into the earth, died and brought forth unto God (the Husbandman in John 15:1) a harvest (or family) just like the first seed. Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) says that, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit (assuring us) that we are children of God." Verse 17 goes on, "And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (sharing His inheritance with Him) only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory."
This One seed, Jesus, produced a harvest unto God. Every seed produces after kind is the law of Genesis 1:12 (Amplified). We know that that law works in the natural world, but it's also a spiritual law! You would never plant an apple seed and expect and orange tree to grow. An acorn can never produce anything but an oak tree. Corn always produces corn, wheat always produces wheat. The Son of God "the Seed," always produces children of God.
I can plant the same kind of watermelon seed and I will always reap the same kind of watermelon. They're not the same watermelon, but they're the same kind of watermelon. When Jesus became the firstborn of many brethren, I became like Him. I am not Him, but I am like Him. I am not The Son of God, but I am a son of God. This also is a faith seed. If we can believe or have faith in every seed produces after its kind, then we have to believe by faith that the incorruptible seed (the Word of God) produces the same kind of produce every time like1Peter 1:23 says.
Once we receive by faith, the truth of God's Word, then it becomes easier to sow into the soil of our heart (spirit) the seed by faith for healing, joy, strength, hope, long suffering, this is the fruit of the Spirit. All of the things that are fruit, have a seed (or promise of the Word) that can be sown and harvested in the life of the child of God to His praise and glory.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Lesson 5 FAITH
This thing called faith, that we all are seeking after, is another thing we've been deceived in. First of all , it isn't something we have to seek after; we already have it. Faith is already in our spirit for the saved and unsaved alike according to Romans 12:3 which says, "God has dealt to every man, the measure of faith."
So, faith isn't something we need to believe God for, but what we need to learn how to grow it into maturity. In Mark 11:22 (Amplified) we read, "And Jesus, replying, said to them, have faith in God (constantly)." If they didn't have faith, then Jesus would never have told them to have faith in God.
It's not that we weren't given "the measure of faith," but we haven't placed our faith in the right thing. In Luke 17:5-6 (Amplified), the apostles asked for the same thing from Jesus that we're still asking for today. The fulfillment of this request is still the same as it was then. Verse 5 says, "And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith." Verse 6 continues, "And the Lord said, If you had faith (trust, confidence in God) even (so small) like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obdy you."
In Mark 4 (Amplified), Jesus gave a discourse on the Word of God using the parable of the sower. He declares that the seed is the Word of God and that the soil is the heart (or spirit) of man. Jesus declared that the amount of harvest is dependent on the hearer to produce. In Verses 31-32 of this same parable, Jesus repeated what He said in Luke 17 (Amplified) when His disciples asked Him to increase their faith. In Mark 4: 31 He said that, "The Kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth." Verse 32 says, "Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade."
So, the answer to increasing our faith is it comes by the seed, Word, that you hear. Jesus said that it doesn't take any more than what He's already given. Romans 12:3 tells us that it isn't how much faith you have, but what you do with it. Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "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."
So, every Word of God is a seed of faith and even a small amount sown into a heart of sincerity will produce a large amount of results. When they ask to increase their faith, Jesus simply says to "use what you have and it will produce more." I can take one watermelon seed and plant it, water it, and care for it and it will produce a vine. The vine will produce 4-5 watermelons and each one will have 100-150 seeds which will each produce one more vine. So, the question isn't how much faith we have and how to increase it, but how do we invest our faith.
We shared from Romans 1:17 (Amplified) how the Word or heavenly seed is the source of increase in our faith. More Word; more faith. Each portion of our salvation through Jesus has a different fruit, but all grow in the same soil of the heart. Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith, For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith and this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God" What is the gift of God? the grace or the faith? Both are gifts of God.
Once you've sown the seed of faith for this grace, it brings forth salvation. What of those who never sow this "mustard seed faith" in their hearts? Even though the grace has been granted to save them, the seed of faith into that grace doesn't produce. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says that "both springing from faith and leading to faith." Salvation came by your faith in this gospel of grace, but will lead to more faith about your salvation if we will sow it and take care of it in our hearts.
Now that the seed of faith in God's grace has brought forth salvation, do we want being led into more revelation by faith into what the gift of salvation is? Does it just mean that we're forgiven and are going to heaven? Or, is there more involved in this free gift of grace?
This watermelon seed of faith has now produced a vine. Jesus said in John 15:1-2 (Amplified) that "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser." Verse 2 says, "Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit (that stops bearing) He cuts away (trims off, takes away) And He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." Verse 5 says that, "You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the Word which I have given you (the teachings I have discussed with you)."
Jesus said that the seed of faith you have heard and sown in your heart will produce fruit to the glory of the Father. He said that this vine and branch will work together by faith to produce more and better fruit. Jesus also said that the "pruning and cleansing" will be done by His Word and and teachings and not by sickness, disease, hard times or God rebuking you. Remember how Romans 10:17 (Amplified) said, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and pruning comes by listenign to the Word and correction thereby."
Still, the Holy Spirit goes on to says in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) that, "(Disclosed by the way of faith), the mustard seed is spreading branched that arouses more faith." The seed is the increase of your faith, "has brought forth the mustard plant (or herb) now it has grown from the seed, to the plant. And, by way of faith, it has reached out to others (birds of the air) or people of need and brings forth shade and comfort to others (the fruit is to His glory and praise).
Now, this watermelon seed has not only produced a watermelon vine, but has produced fruit. The watermelon vine my faith has hoped for in Hebrews 11:1 has brought forth fruit that pleasing to the Father like in Hebrews 11:6. Not only has it brought salvation to me by the seed of the Word in my heart, but it has brought salvation to others. By the seeds of faith that came from the fruit (the watermelon). This is the increase of faith that Jesus' disciples asked about inLuke 17:5-6.
We now know how to increase our faith... by continually hearing God's Word. Notice that Romans 10:17 (Amplified) didn't say that faith comes by heard, but by "hearing." This is time spent with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is time listening to revelation about our salvation by God's Word. Just as small seed of faith sown into a good soil (or a hearing heart), will continue to grow and produce not just enough for ourselves, bu enough for many others as well.
So, faith isn't something we need to believe God for, but what we need to learn how to grow it into maturity. In Mark 11:22 (Amplified) we read, "And Jesus, replying, said to them, have faith in God (constantly)." If they didn't have faith, then Jesus would never have told them to have faith in God.
It's not that we weren't given "the measure of faith," but we haven't placed our faith in the right thing. In Luke 17:5-6 (Amplified), the apostles asked for the same thing from Jesus that we're still asking for today. The fulfillment of this request is still the same as it was then. Verse 5 says, "And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith." Verse 6 continues, "And the Lord said, If you had faith (trust, confidence in God) even (so small) like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obdy you."
In Mark 4 (Amplified), Jesus gave a discourse on the Word of God using the parable of the sower. He declares that the seed is the Word of God and that the soil is the heart (or spirit) of man. Jesus declared that the amount of harvest is dependent on the hearer to produce. In Verses 31-32 of this same parable, Jesus repeated what He said in Luke 17 (Amplified) when His disciples asked Him to increase their faith. In Mark 4: 31 He said that, "The Kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth." Verse 32 says, "Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade."
So, the answer to increasing our faith is it comes by the seed, Word, that you hear. Jesus said that it doesn't take any more than what He's already given. Romans 12:3 tells us that it isn't how much faith you have, but what you do with it. Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "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."
So, every Word of God is a seed of faith and even a small amount sown into a heart of sincerity will produce a large amount of results. When they ask to increase their faith, Jesus simply says to "use what you have and it will produce more." I can take one watermelon seed and plant it, water it, and care for it and it will produce a vine. The vine will produce 4-5 watermelons and each one will have 100-150 seeds which will each produce one more vine. So, the question isn't how much faith we have and how to increase it, but how do we invest our faith.
We shared from Romans 1:17 (Amplified) how the Word or heavenly seed is the source of increase in our faith. More Word; more faith. Each portion of our salvation through Jesus has a different fruit, but all grow in the same soil of the heart. Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith, For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith and this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God" What is the gift of God? the grace or the faith? Both are gifts of God.
Once you've sown the seed of faith for this grace, it brings forth salvation. What of those who never sow this "mustard seed faith" in their hearts? Even though the grace has been granted to save them, the seed of faith into that grace doesn't produce. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says that "both springing from faith and leading to faith." Salvation came by your faith in this gospel of grace, but will lead to more faith about your salvation if we will sow it and take care of it in our hearts.
Now that the seed of faith in God's grace has brought forth salvation, do we want being led into more revelation by faith into what the gift of salvation is? Does it just mean that we're forgiven and are going to heaven? Or, is there more involved in this free gift of grace?
This watermelon seed of faith has now produced a vine. Jesus said in John 15:1-2 (Amplified) that "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser." Verse 2 says, "Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit (that stops bearing) He cuts away (trims off, takes away) And He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." Verse 5 says that, "You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the Word which I have given you (the teachings I have discussed with you)."
Jesus said that the seed of faith you have heard and sown in your heart will produce fruit to the glory of the Father. He said that this vine and branch will work together by faith to produce more and better fruit. Jesus also said that the "pruning and cleansing" will be done by His Word and and teachings and not by sickness, disease, hard times or God rebuking you. Remember how Romans 10:17 (Amplified) said, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and pruning comes by listenign to the Word and correction thereby."
Still, the Holy Spirit goes on to says in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) that, "(Disclosed by the way of faith), the mustard seed is spreading branched that arouses more faith." The seed is the increase of your faith, "has brought forth the mustard plant (or herb) now it has grown from the seed, to the plant. And, by way of faith, it has reached out to others (birds of the air) or people of need and brings forth shade and comfort to others (the fruit is to His glory and praise).
Now, this watermelon seed has not only produced a watermelon vine, but has produced fruit. The watermelon vine my faith has hoped for in Hebrews 11:1 has brought forth fruit that pleasing to the Father like in Hebrews 11:6. Not only has it brought salvation to me by the seed of the Word in my heart, but it has brought salvation to others. By the seeds of faith that came from the fruit (the watermelon). This is the increase of faith that Jesus' disciples asked about inLuke 17:5-6.
We now know how to increase our faith... by continually hearing God's Word. Notice that Romans 10:17 (Amplified) didn't say that faith comes by heard, but by "hearing." This is time spent with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is time listening to revelation about our salvation by God's Word. Just as small seed of faith sown into a good soil (or a hearing heart), will continue to grow and produce not just enough for ourselves, bu enough for many others as well.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Lesson 4 FAITH
Throughout the old covenant, God was spoke of a new covenant He'd make with His people. In the book of Habakkuk 2:4 (Amplified), we read, "Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the (rigidly) just and the (uncompromisingly) righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness."
This is one of the scriptures the Lord used to show how even though a man might live by the Law, his pride in keeping it could not make his soul right within him. He could walk in pride by keeping the Law and because of that, could conclude he had earned God's blessing. Even though he could consider himself right before God, still didn't receive him as righteous. Romans 3:10 (Amplified) says that, "As it is written, none is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one."
So, even under the Law, men still fell short of the prescribed righteousness that God demanded and sought after. There needed to be a new covenant that would set men right with God. Because man couldn't remove the sin of his life by just covering them, there had to be a new sacrifice that would remove them completely. Man could never remove sin, but only cover it by the blood of goats and bulls. Now, this new covenant God established wouldn't be something men could glory in by their own works and their obedience to the Law, but a new covenant of obedience to faith. Romans 1:5 (Amplified) says that, "It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and (our) apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nation."
This obedience to faith is one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the entire new covenant. Romans 3:26-27 (Amplified) says, "It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has (true) faith in Jesus." Verse 27 says, "What then becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely). On what principle? (On the principle) of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith."
Now, under the obedience to the faith, no one can boast about his good works, but only boast on Jesus and God's grace. Being obedient to this faith keeps us in the place where only His righteousness is seen and approved.
Faith is the only way to receive what God's doing now in the earth. By being obedient to this faith, we're in the position with our Father to receive everything that grace was given for. As we understand this obedience to faith, we can see that everything in our new covenant is founded on faith. Grace has already provided everything we will ever need in this life on earth, but it all must be received through and by faith.
Everything God has promised by Jesus has already been accomplished at His resurrection. When Isaiah 53 and 54 (Amplified) spoke of our healing and righteousness in chapter 54 he spoke of our peace and how all these things were accomplished on our behalf. We can't be good enough to deserve them and we can't do anything to earn these things. If this could happen, then we'd still be walking in our own righteousness and not that which God ascribes.
In order to actually receive the benefits of the sacrifice, we must be in obedience to faith. How else can we ever expect to be good enough to deserve them any other way? We exercised our faith when we dared believe that Jesus died for us, but we haven't gone on as the Word said in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) which says, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith). As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
We, as Christian people, have somehow not allowed our faith to lead us deeper in our faith. We haven't allowed our faith to arouse us to more faith. We let our faith stop at the forgiveness of sin (and even we question that) and going to heaven, but we stumble at being obedient to this faith for the rest of our covenant. We stumble over our own works or lack thereof, to receive the rest of our covenant of grace. Trying to receive from God, anything that isn't of faith, wouldn't be grace but good works. That's why Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him, For whosoever comes to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (God)."
This scripture reinforces what Romans 1:17 (Amplified) about going from faith, leading to more faith, that arouses to more faith. The reward we receive by this seeking God out is by faith in the fullness of His promise. God is not rewarding us for simply seeking Him out because that would once again be by works. The reward He is speaking of is that as our faith reveals more of the finished work of Jesus, we are rewarded by accepting by faith, what was already there.
When man used to prospect for gold, the reward of a gold strike came by much seeking and diligence. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."
His way of doing and being right is righteousness through Jesus. Now, as you continue seeking after His kingdom by faith, all of these other things will be given besides.
All these things must received by faith in the same way we received our forgiveness by faith. All of the things even "the gentiles seek after," will be given to those who will continue by faith," to go on into the fullness of His grace. When Jesus said this, He didn't say that if we earned this part of the covenant or if we deserved it, then we'd receive these things. He said that "if only we'd seek it our by faith in His grace, then we'd receive.
This is one of the scriptures the Lord used to show how even though a man might live by the Law, his pride in keeping it could not make his soul right within him. He could walk in pride by keeping the Law and because of that, could conclude he had earned God's blessing. Even though he could consider himself right before God, still didn't receive him as righteous. Romans 3:10 (Amplified) says that, "As it is written, none is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one."
So, even under the Law, men still fell short of the prescribed righteousness that God demanded and sought after. There needed to be a new covenant that would set men right with God. Because man couldn't remove the sin of his life by just covering them, there had to be a new sacrifice that would remove them completely. Man could never remove sin, but only cover it by the blood of goats and bulls. Now, this new covenant God established wouldn't be something men could glory in by their own works and their obedience to the Law, but a new covenant of obedience to faith. Romans 1:5 (Amplified) says that, "It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and (our) apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nation."
This obedience to faith is one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the entire new covenant. Romans 3:26-27 (Amplified) says, "It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has (true) faith in Jesus." Verse 27 says, "What then becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely). On what principle? (On the principle) of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith."
Now, under the obedience to the faith, no one can boast about his good works, but only boast on Jesus and God's grace. Being obedient to this faith keeps us in the place where only His righteousness is seen and approved.
Faith is the only way to receive what God's doing now in the earth. By being obedient to this faith, we're in the position with our Father to receive everything that grace was given for. As we understand this obedience to faith, we can see that everything in our new covenant is founded on faith. Grace has already provided everything we will ever need in this life on earth, but it all must be received through and by faith.
Everything God has promised by Jesus has already been accomplished at His resurrection. When Isaiah 53 and 54 (Amplified) spoke of our healing and righteousness in chapter 54 he spoke of our peace and how all these things were accomplished on our behalf. We can't be good enough to deserve them and we can't do anything to earn these things. If this could happen, then we'd still be walking in our own righteousness and not that which God ascribes.
In order to actually receive the benefits of the sacrifice, we must be in obedience to faith. How else can we ever expect to be good enough to deserve them any other way? We exercised our faith when we dared believe that Jesus died for us, but we haven't gone on as the Word said in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) which says, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith). As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
We, as Christian people, have somehow not allowed our faith to lead us deeper in our faith. We haven't allowed our faith to arouse us to more faith. We let our faith stop at the forgiveness of sin (and even we question that) and going to heaven, but we stumble at being obedient to this faith for the rest of our covenant. We stumble over our own works or lack thereof, to receive the rest of our covenant of grace. Trying to receive from God, anything that isn't of faith, wouldn't be grace but good works. That's why Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him, For whosoever comes to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (God)."
This scripture reinforces what Romans 1:17 (Amplified) about going from faith, leading to more faith, that arouses to more faith. The reward we receive by this seeking God out is by faith in the fullness of His promise. God is not rewarding us for simply seeking Him out because that would once again be by works. The reward He is speaking of is that as our faith reveals more of the finished work of Jesus, we are rewarded by accepting by faith, what was already there.
When man used to prospect for gold, the reward of a gold strike came by much seeking and diligence. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."
His way of doing and being right is righteousness through Jesus. Now, as you continue seeking after His kingdom by faith, all of these other things will be given besides.
All these things must received by faith in the same way we received our forgiveness by faith. All of the things even "the gentiles seek after," will be given to those who will continue by faith," to go on into the fullness of His grace. When Jesus said this, He didn't say that if we earned this part of the covenant or if we deserved it, then we'd receive these things. He said that "if only we'd seek it our by faith in His grace, then we'd receive.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Lesson 3 FAITH
Faith may be the most misunderstood topic in the entire New Testament. Because of man's idea of how to be right with God, we still try pleasing Him by works. We try with a carnal, unrenewed mind walking in the Law. We no longer observe the ritual of the Law, but we continue trying to please God by the deeds of the flesh. We have loaded people down with guilt and condemnation for years. We've put such rules as poverty, forbidding to marry and many more upon God's people.
By observing the deeds of the flesh, we've ignored the righteousness of faith. Yet, today in the Church, we have those who oppose the teachings of the new covenant. We've had and still have, those who stand against the Word on poverty, healing, the gifts of the Spirit and the promise of righteousness. These aren't people who don't love God, but people who have no understanding of faith.
When the "renewal of the faith" word came back into the Church in the early 1970's, many went beyond the true word of faith. Still, it was because they had no clear understanding. In Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) we read that, "The beginning of wisdom is; get wisdom (skillful and Godly wisdom) for skillful and Godly wisdom is the principal thing and with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension and interpretation)."
We, in the Church,have dismissed the teaching of faith and have stayed as old wine skins in the same traditions that we've always walked in. We still operated in the traditions man made to please God like dressing a certain way, wearing our hair a certain way, not wearing jewelry and make-up and others.
Because the people wished to be pleasing to God and to be right with Him, we subjected ourselves to these laws of man. We read in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) that "faith is the substance of things hoped for." In the Church, the people's hope was to be pleasing and right with God. The motive was right, but the process was wrong. Since God judges the heart and the motive, He was able to receive the people who had by faith accepted Jesus, but still walked by sight.
The Word of God is wisdom! When you read His Word, it is wisdom. We wrap it in leather, we emboss is with gold leaf and treat it as sacred (which it is), but we still have no understanding of it. With all of our getting, we're to get understanding.
Without the leadership of the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the word of wisdom. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the life giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it) the words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and life." Verse 64 goes on, "But (still) some of you fail to believe and trust and have Faith."
Many different things have been taught by many different people in the body of Christ for many different motives. Some have been taught to keep the people dependent upon the minister instead of the Lord. The true Word is taught in order to bring each individual person into a relationship with the Father. And it's taught so each and every person in the Church knows how to pray and hear from God on his or her own.
Faith is the only way you can reach, fellowship, receive and be pleasing to God under our new covenant. "Without faith it is impossible to please God according to Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified). The reason it's impossible to pleas Him without faith is because works will exclude the finished work of Jesus and the accepted sacrifice of God and put salvation into the works of man again. Only faith in the finished work of Jesus is pleasing and acceptable to our Father.
In the covenant of grace that we're now under, faith is the most important thing. We read in Ephesians 2:8 that we are "saved by grace, through faith." The grace has been given by God, but must be received by man through faith. Without faith in what God has done through Jesus, man will still be lost. We cannot reach God by any other means. Grace has been given for the forgiveness of sin, for right standing with God, for our justification, for our healing, for our redemption, for deliverance from the curse of the Law, for the blessing of Abraham to come upon us and for our adoption into the family of God becoming joint-heirs with Jesus, Himself. Grace has provided all these things and many more through Jesus. Everyone of these things must be appropriated by faith. Romans 8:32 (Amplified) says, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith). As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
This scripture (from the Amplified version) helps us see that in the same we receive Jesus by faith, the unfolding (by understanding) of the whole gospel or Good News and everything else in the covenant is received, by faith. When we receive Jesus by faith, we find that this same faith is the way we receive everything that He did for us.
There's no other way to receive what God has done for us in Jesus other than by faith. We keep thinking that things aren't working because we must be doing something wrong or we aren't praying enough or we're not walking in love. All of the things in our covenant come by our faith in our Sacrifice Lamb. It isn't based on our good works, but in our faith in the Lamb Who was offered and accepted by God on our behalf. When the Sacrifice was accepted, you were accepted. When Jesus was accepted as our Lamb, grace was extended to every man, woman and child who will receive, by faith, what God's sacrifice has done.
In Romans 3:27 (Amplified) we read, "What then becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled our entirely) on what principle)? On the principle of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith."
So, you see that everything in our new covenant of grace has already been given and provided for all things. There's nothing left for the believer to do to have all the blessing overcome and be poured out on him, than to by faith, let God be God. We don't seem to understand that faith must be extended into every part of our walk with Him. It already is ours through Jesus, but it must be accepted (like salvation is to all the world) and received by faith. Even the free gift of salvation doesn't profit the lost unless they will accept it by faith.
By observing the deeds of the flesh, we've ignored the righteousness of faith. Yet, today in the Church, we have those who oppose the teachings of the new covenant. We've had and still have, those who stand against the Word on poverty, healing, the gifts of the Spirit and the promise of righteousness. These aren't people who don't love God, but people who have no understanding of faith.
When the "renewal of the faith" word came back into the Church in the early 1970's, many went beyond the true word of faith. Still, it was because they had no clear understanding. In Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) we read that, "The beginning of wisdom is; get wisdom (skillful and Godly wisdom) for skillful and Godly wisdom is the principal thing and with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension and interpretation)."
We, in the Church,have dismissed the teaching of faith and have stayed as old wine skins in the same traditions that we've always walked in. We still operated in the traditions man made to please God like dressing a certain way, wearing our hair a certain way, not wearing jewelry and make-up and others.
Because the people wished to be pleasing to God and to be right with Him, we subjected ourselves to these laws of man. We read in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) that "faith is the substance of things hoped for." In the Church, the people's hope was to be pleasing and right with God. The motive was right, but the process was wrong. Since God judges the heart and the motive, He was able to receive the people who had by faith accepted Jesus, but still walked by sight.
The Word of God is wisdom! When you read His Word, it is wisdom. We wrap it in leather, we emboss is with gold leaf and treat it as sacred (which it is), but we still have no understanding of it. With all of our getting, we're to get understanding.
Without the leadership of the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the word of wisdom. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the life giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it) the words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and life." Verse 64 goes on, "But (still) some of you fail to believe and trust and have Faith."
Many different things have been taught by many different people in the body of Christ for many different motives. Some have been taught to keep the people dependent upon the minister instead of the Lord. The true Word is taught in order to bring each individual person into a relationship with the Father. And it's taught so each and every person in the Church knows how to pray and hear from God on his or her own.
Faith is the only way you can reach, fellowship, receive and be pleasing to God under our new covenant. "Without faith it is impossible to please God according to Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified). The reason it's impossible to pleas Him without faith is because works will exclude the finished work of Jesus and the accepted sacrifice of God and put salvation into the works of man again. Only faith in the finished work of Jesus is pleasing and acceptable to our Father.
In the covenant of grace that we're now under, faith is the most important thing. We read in Ephesians 2:8 that we are "saved by grace, through faith." The grace has been given by God, but must be received by man through faith. Without faith in what God has done through Jesus, man will still be lost. We cannot reach God by any other means. Grace has been given for the forgiveness of sin, for right standing with God, for our justification, for our healing, for our redemption, for deliverance from the curse of the Law, for the blessing of Abraham to come upon us and for our adoption into the family of God becoming joint-heirs with Jesus, Himself. Grace has provided all these things and many more through Jesus. Everyone of these things must be appropriated by faith. Romans 8:32 (Amplified) says, "For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith). As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
This scripture (from the Amplified version) helps us see that in the same we receive Jesus by faith, the unfolding (by understanding) of the whole gospel or Good News and everything else in the covenant is received, by faith. When we receive Jesus by faith, we find that this same faith is the way we receive everything that He did for us.
There's no other way to receive what God has done for us in Jesus other than by faith. We keep thinking that things aren't working because we must be doing something wrong or we aren't praying enough or we're not walking in love. All of the things in our covenant come by our faith in our Sacrifice Lamb. It isn't based on our good works, but in our faith in the Lamb Who was offered and accepted by God on our behalf. When the Sacrifice was accepted, you were accepted. When Jesus was accepted as our Lamb, grace was extended to every man, woman and child who will receive, by faith, what God's sacrifice has done.
In Romans 3:27 (Amplified) we read, "What then becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled our entirely) on what principle)? On the principle of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith."
So, you see that everything in our new covenant of grace has already been given and provided for all things. There's nothing left for the believer to do to have all the blessing overcome and be poured out on him, than to by faith, let God be God. We don't seem to understand that faith must be extended into every part of our walk with Him. It already is ours through Jesus, but it must be accepted (like salvation is to all the world) and received by faith. Even the free gift of salvation doesn't profit the lost unless they will accept it by faith.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)