We understand the opposite of faith is fear.
Without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God said if only we have faith the size of a mustard seed (one of the smallest seed) we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
To each believer God has given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Our responsibility is to cultivate that faith. To do otherwise can put us in great peril. On that final day we will be judged not by our sins but what we did with the faith God implanted in our hearts.
Revelations 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (KJV).
The words fearful and unbelieving have an interesting meaning in the original Greek language. The words assume the person has knowledge and understanding; therefore, he or she is responsible for their actions. Deilós describes a person who loses their "moral gumption (fortitude)" that is needed to follow the Lord while ápistos is a person who is not faithful because he or she is not unpersuaded (Bible Hub, Strong's Concordance).
There are moments in our Christian walk that we can recall the Holy Spirit speaking so strongly that if we were not to hear and heed it may result in something disastrous. Other times He has corrected our ways but out of mercy does not treat us according to the wrong we have done. The danger for many believers is always listening but rarely taking action to what He has commanded.
In these last days the corrupt thinking endangering even the church is what Peter warned, "They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (NIV).
Likewise, recall the foolish virgins who were left outside the wedding feast because in their sleepy and light attitude thought that by knowledge (empty lamps) of their relationship with the groom was sufficient to get them inside. But they were not filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. If we refuse and resist Him we run the risk of an empty life. A life unprepared at His coming when we will be demanded of our faithfulness and the exercise of our faith to the talents given us.
Beloved, we have this smallest window in our lifetime to embrace God fully with no reservations. It matters now and when we will stand before Him on that day. May our cry grow stronger to live a fully persuaded life.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (Romans 8:38, KJV).
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Silence
Silence is another language that God uses to get our attention.
Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed or the words don't flow in prayer, I'll sit quietly waiting on God. Most inevitably the Lord will break the silence and speak directly to the heart.
Silence is uncomfortable. The subconscious part of the mind seems to awaken. Thoughts bubble up when there is no noise to drown out that inner voice. I'm not speaking of practicing some form of free or guided mediation by letting your thoughts lead (or mislead) you.
Rather in the silence there is a turning toward remembering the good things the Lord has done and will be doing. Psalms 1:2 says, "but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night." (NIV).
Mediation on God's word invites Him to speak order to our chaos and restore a love for His word.
Only when we are quiet does His thoughts and desires are heard. Psalms 46:10 instructs us, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV).
The word still is raphah in Hebrew which means to relax or sink down. Recall one of the names of God is Jehovah Rapha. The God who heals (Exodus 15:26). When those internal noises and distractions stop the tension and stress it brings will desist. In the wake of a holy hush, we will then experience healing for our troubled minds and hearts.
David learned that in silence His peace is experienced. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.(Psalms 131:2 NASB).
Draw strength from Him in this clamorous and tumultuous age. Rather than go to pieces be overwhelmed by His peace!
Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed or the words don't flow in prayer, I'll sit quietly waiting on God. Most inevitably the Lord will break the silence and speak directly to the heart.
Silence is uncomfortable. The subconscious part of the mind seems to awaken. Thoughts bubble up when there is no noise to drown out that inner voice. I'm not speaking of practicing some form of free or guided mediation by letting your thoughts lead (or mislead) you.
Rather in the silence there is a turning toward remembering the good things the Lord has done and will be doing. Psalms 1:2 says, "but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night." (NIV).
Mediation on God's word invites Him to speak order to our chaos and restore a love for His word.
Only when we are quiet does His thoughts and desires are heard. Psalms 46:10 instructs us, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV).
The word still is raphah in Hebrew which means to relax or sink down. Recall one of the names of God is Jehovah Rapha. The God who heals (Exodus 15:26). When those internal noises and distractions stop the tension and stress it brings will desist. In the wake of a holy hush, we will then experience healing for our troubled minds and hearts.
David learned that in silence His peace is experienced. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.(Psalms 131:2 NASB).
Draw strength from Him in this clamorous and tumultuous age. Rather than go to pieces be overwhelmed by His peace!
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Oil And Wine
Oil represents the anointing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Wine has medicinal properties and it can describe the power of God's Spirit to be bold without human inhibitions. On the day of Pentecost the disciples were accused of being drunk when they spoke courageously in other languages.
Jesus speaking of the good Samaritan who helped a man after he was attacked by robbers said, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:34 NIV).
And that my friend is a remedy not only from the brokenness inflicted on us by the world but when our hearts grow stone cold. God knows how to massage a heart to life again with equal measure of wine and oil.
How does He restore a broken and harden heart? Because oil and wine require it to be crushed to produce the desired liquid. Likewise it says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV). The Father's heart was crushed when His only Son was marred beyond recognition. He sweat drops of blood like wine and water flowed from His pierced side.
We are left with a choice that when the Holy Spirit presses us that we don't resist His touch.
He wants to extract the poison of anger or bitterness and fill our hearts afresh. And even yesterdays spiritual leftovers that may have soured for sitting too long (much like manna that turns wormy). Oil can turn rancid if exposed too long to oxygen and wine can become moldy and become vinegar.
Our hearts must be open to Him daily so He can flush out (as it were) our spiritual immune system and keep us running well with His fresh oil and wine. Similarly, a car can break down with out a regular oil change and ever so often a good radiator flush.
Ask God to bring your heart to life if you are cold to the things of God. Sit for a while in His presence and He will ask you a simple question. Your response to Him matters for a heart to be softened by His anointing and power or just become more crusty and cold.
All you have to say in your deadness is yes to the Resurrection and Life. He will do the rest.
Jesus speaking of the good Samaritan who helped a man after he was attacked by robbers said, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:34 NIV).
And that my friend is a remedy not only from the brokenness inflicted on us by the world but when our hearts grow stone cold. God knows how to massage a heart to life again with equal measure of wine and oil.
How does He restore a broken and harden heart? Because oil and wine require it to be crushed to produce the desired liquid. Likewise it says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV). The Father's heart was crushed when His only Son was marred beyond recognition. He sweat drops of blood like wine and water flowed from His pierced side.
We are left with a choice that when the Holy Spirit presses us that we don't resist His touch.
He wants to extract the poison of anger or bitterness and fill our hearts afresh. And even yesterdays spiritual leftovers that may have soured for sitting too long (much like manna that turns wormy). Oil can turn rancid if exposed too long to oxygen and wine can become moldy and become vinegar.
Our hearts must be open to Him daily so He can flush out (as it were) our spiritual immune system and keep us running well with His fresh oil and wine. Similarly, a car can break down with out a regular oil change and ever so often a good radiator flush.
Ask God to bring your heart to life if you are cold to the things of God. Sit for a while in His presence and He will ask you a simple question. Your response to Him matters for a heart to be softened by His anointing and power or just become more crusty and cold.
All you have to say in your deadness is yes to the Resurrection and Life. He will do the rest.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Acquired Strength In Weakness
Hebrews 14:12 says, "...quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength (italics mine); and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." (NIV).
The word strength in Greek is dunamoó which means might, power and marvelous works (Strong's Concordance). This same Greek word is used for our English word dynamite.
Explosive power.
And so God knows how to turn our weakness into an explosive show of power of strength.
That is why the weak, the diminished or the overtaken are more of threat to Satan's kingdom than the arrogant, self-assured and strong. We have the example of Samson who was a lust driven man. At the end of his life he took out more enemies than he did during his entire 20 years as a judge over Israel.
Let's be cleared we are not liberty to use weakness as means to excuse responsibility or believe God somehow understands (or closes one eye) at our sinful behavior. As I've learned from personal experience, God will take corrective measures. Sometimes like Samson it can be as severe as losing your life to save the soul from eternal separation.
What turns our weakness into a show of strength? His mercy. The same mercy having already executed the penalty of death on His Son gives us the necessary assurance that we can approach His throne with confidence in our times of weakness. Rather than give into weakness we are encouraged to "... come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (KJV).
The more we are transparent to God (who sees everything) about our failures and weakness we give no strength to darkness. Rather allow His light to search the depths of the mind and heart. Allow Him to question your motives and intents. Be truthful. Some of us are not quite ready to let go of some pleasurable sins despite the knowledge of how destructive and shameful it makes one feel. Often God will direct us to resources of strength. A brother or sister to pray an encouraging word. Or He may give practical instructions like getting out of certain place or to move in a different direction.
Remember we move from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7). Weakness turned to strength only leads to greater strength while in turn the Enemy grows weaker having no foothold in our lives.
The word strength in Greek is dunamoó which means might, power and marvelous works (Strong's Concordance). This same Greek word is used for our English word dynamite.
Explosive power.
And so God knows how to turn our weakness into an explosive show of power of strength.
That is why the weak, the diminished or the overtaken are more of threat to Satan's kingdom than the arrogant, self-assured and strong. We have the example of Samson who was a lust driven man. At the end of his life he took out more enemies than he did during his entire 20 years as a judge over Israel.
Let's be cleared we are not liberty to use weakness as means to excuse responsibility or believe God somehow understands (or closes one eye) at our sinful behavior. As I've learned from personal experience, God will take corrective measures. Sometimes like Samson it can be as severe as losing your life to save the soul from eternal separation.
What turns our weakness into a show of strength? His mercy. The same mercy having already executed the penalty of death on His Son gives us the necessary assurance that we can approach His throne with confidence in our times of weakness. Rather than give into weakness we are encouraged to "... come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (KJV).
The more we are transparent to God (who sees everything) about our failures and weakness we give no strength to darkness. Rather allow His light to search the depths of the mind and heart. Allow Him to question your motives and intents. Be truthful. Some of us are not quite ready to let go of some pleasurable sins despite the knowledge of how destructive and shameful it makes one feel. Often God will direct us to resources of strength. A brother or sister to pray an encouraging word. Or He may give practical instructions like getting out of certain place or to move in a different direction.
Remember we move from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7). Weakness turned to strength only leads to greater strength while in turn the Enemy grows weaker having no foothold in our lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)