God, throughout the scriptures, spoke through anointed men to convey the message, that those whom have been justified must live by faith. It is paramount that we become strong in faith, because we are living in days which will test the very fabric of our belief system.
In Hebrews 11:6 we find written these words, "But without faith it is impossible to please him." If you conduct an extensive word study on the word "please" you'll discover to please someone you'll have to be in agreement with them. So let's paraphrase that verse. But without faith it is impossible to line your life up in agreement with God. Therefore, in order to tap into the rich resources God has for every believer, your life must be in agreement with His. The success of your Christian walk and relationship with God is predicated by the level of your faith. Moreover, faith is the foundation of your Christian experience.
The word "faith" is properly defined by the Greek word pistis. Pistis is defined as firm persuasion, or to persuade, a conviction based upon hearing. It implies knowledge of, assent to, and confidence in divine truths, and revelations of the Word of God. The scripture proclaims "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."( Romans 10:17). The problem is most people take the word "hearing" literality. However, it's not speaking of hearing with your physical ears, but hearing within your spirit being.
The only way the word is going to produce faith in the life of a believer is that the word must become a living rhema within the soul of man, thus producing a life changing experience. Simply, the engrafted word becomes alive and real in the heart of the hearer, and he or she will begin to act according to the Word of God applying biblical principles to their daily life. This transformation of life will also change the quality of their life. The level of your faith is contingent upon the amount of the living word engrafted within your inner man.
So how does one's faith grow? I quoted earlier from Romans 10:17, "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Looking at the seed principle, mostly everything is the product of a seed. Man, animals, plants and even fruit has its origin from a seed. Jesus said "the sower sows the word."( Mark 4:14). In Luke 8:11 Jesus told us that "the seed is the Word of God." When a pastor or teacher ministers the word, he or she is sowing seed. The seed of the word is trying to penetrate the soul of man. Once the (word) breaches the soul it will either give birth to a living word (rhema), or it will be aborted.
According to Luke 8:12-14 Jesus said, "that being an indifferent hearer, the cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and being not rooted in Christ" would cause the seed of the word to become aborted. However, if the seed of the word is birthed within the soul, a living word (rhema) is born. This living word will influence the spirit of man prompting a visible outward illustration of Christ and the faith walk. The just shall live by his faith.
The Bible speaks of various levels of faith ranging from a measure, to the God kind of faith. The stronger you are in faith will determine how victorious you will be in your spiritual life. Is your faith strong enough to go the distance?
By
Pastor Kenneth Polk
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Keep Growing
Every new Christian faces obstacles. And of course, every older Christian faces obstacles as well. These difficulties never go away. There never comes a moment when you reach some spiritual plateau. There is NEVER a time when you don't need to grow in the Lord. In fact, the moment you relax your grip or try to put your Christian experience into cruise control or rest on your laurels, that will be the beginning of your downfall.
The Christian life is one of constant growth, constant learning, and constant transformation. While the conversion process is instantaneous, becoming more like Jesus takes a lifetime. I don't have anything better in which to invest my life than that. Do you?
Yet some people say, "Oh, I tried the whole Christianity thing. It didn't work for me." But my question is did they do their part? There are many things the Bible tells us we should do as a result of truly being converted.
For example, did they begin to study and memorize Scripture? The Bible tells us that we should hide God's word in our hearts (see Deuteronomy 11:18; Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16). Did they make time to be a regular part of a body of believers by becoming actively and consistently involved in a church? Did they turn from all known sin? Did they get baptized? Did they develop a prayer life? Did they attempt to keep the commandments of God? The Bible says, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
New Christian or old, the way we face obstacles is to keep moving forward and to keep on growing.
By
Greg Laurie
The Christian life is one of constant growth, constant learning, and constant transformation. While the conversion process is instantaneous, becoming more like Jesus takes a lifetime. I don't have anything better in which to invest my life than that. Do you?
Yet some people say, "Oh, I tried the whole Christianity thing. It didn't work for me." But my question is did they do their part? There are many things the Bible tells us we should do as a result of truly being converted.
For example, did they begin to study and memorize Scripture? The Bible tells us that we should hide God's word in our hearts (see Deuteronomy 11:18; Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16). Did they make time to be a regular part of a body of believers by becoming actively and consistently involved in a church? Did they turn from all known sin? Did they get baptized? Did they develop a prayer life? Did they attempt to keep the commandments of God? The Bible says, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
New Christian or old, the way we face obstacles is to keep moving forward and to keep on growing.
By
Greg Laurie
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The What-if Syndrome
Generally, I consider myself a person of great faith but recently after doing some self reflection I realized my faith may not be quite as strong as I thought. In fact I actually have what I have coined as the “what-if syndrome.”
It seems I ask God a lot of questions about the things I believe He calls me to do.
What if I fail?
What if they don’t listen?
What if it doesn’t work out according to my plan?
What if this...?
What if that …?
All of my “what ifs” cause a delay in my obedience which is in fact disobedience.
When God says move, my faith needs to activate and cause me to move immediately. If God says I am healed, I should embrace that and walk in my healing. If God says, start that business, I should trust that the provisions to make that happen will come.
Whatever He speaks is already done. Yet, many times I try to analyze the situation and control every step of the process. However, my Christian experience reminds me that we are never in control; it’s all in God’s hand.
So why do we continue to stress, worry, fret, etc over our situations? It’s time to let it go and give it completely to God. Trust and believe and walk in faith knowing He always has us covered.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
To me, both of those statements say the exact same thing and both of them require me (and you) to get rid of the “what-if” syndrome.
Do you realize how much we could accomplish if we REALLY operated in faith? Fear would have to flee and peace would overcome us – no matter what our physical eyes saw in front of us.
My “what ifs” have held me back long enough … I’m ready to cover my eyes and just walk wherever God tells me to go. Won’t you join me? We’ve tried to do it without faith, let’s try something new for a change. Let’s truly activate our faith and apply it to EVERY situation in our lives. I guarantee the outcome will be completely different. We have nothing to lose, and EVERYTHING to gain.
By
Tanya James
It seems I ask God a lot of questions about the things I believe He calls me to do.
What if I fail?
What if they don’t listen?
What if it doesn’t work out according to my plan?
What if this...?
What if that …?
All of my “what ifs” cause a delay in my obedience which is in fact disobedience.
When God says move, my faith needs to activate and cause me to move immediately. If God says I am healed, I should embrace that and walk in my healing. If God says, start that business, I should trust that the provisions to make that happen will come.
Whatever He speaks is already done. Yet, many times I try to analyze the situation and control every step of the process. However, my Christian experience reminds me that we are never in control; it’s all in God’s hand.
So why do we continue to stress, worry, fret, etc over our situations? It’s time to let it go and give it completely to God. Trust and believe and walk in faith knowing He always has us covered.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
To me, both of those statements say the exact same thing and both of them require me (and you) to get rid of the “what-if” syndrome.
Do you realize how much we could accomplish if we REALLY operated in faith? Fear would have to flee and peace would overcome us – no matter what our physical eyes saw in front of us.
My “what ifs” have held me back long enough … I’m ready to cover my eyes and just walk wherever God tells me to go. Won’t you join me? We’ve tried to do it without faith, let’s try something new for a change. Let’s truly activate our faith and apply it to EVERY situation in our lives. I guarantee the outcome will be completely different. We have nothing to lose, and EVERYTHING to gain.
By
Tanya James
Monday, January 24, 2011
Insights Into Aging
Aging well requires that you stay flexible. The Bible says: “Clouds always bring rain; trees always stay wherever they fall. If you worry about the weather and don’t plant seeds, you won’t harvest a crop “ (Ecc 11:3-4 CEV). Certain things are inevitable in life. Clouds bring the rain. Trees fall in a storm. Like the weather, circumstances arise that you can’t control. Hazard-free living is a myth; every undertaking entails risk. “If you dig a pit, you might fall in; if you break a down a wall, a snake might bite you. You could even get hurt by…chopping a log” (Ecc 10:8-9 CEV). You say, “At my age, I play it safe and take no chances.” Avoiding risk guarantees missing what God has for you just ahead.
So how can you enjoy the final years of your life? Don’t avoid—adjust, adapt, advance. But be practical; pace yourself! What if things take longer to do than when you were younger? Yes, your energy level may require more frequent breaks, but your advanced years allow you more time and less hurry than your frantic past. Slow down; embrace this opportunity to accomplish things you’ve never attempted. In his eighties, Rubinstein amazed audiences with his piano playing skills. Gladstone became Britain’s prime minister for the fourth time in his eighties. John Wesley preached every day at eighty-eight. Moses led Israel at 120. Caleb led his troops against an army of giants at eighty, and won. Two-thirds of the world’s greatest works of art were accomplished by people over sixty-five. Don’t let a little rain, a falling tree or a possible risk stop you.
from
Newlifeoakwood.org
So how can you enjoy the final years of your life? Don’t avoid—adjust, adapt, advance. But be practical; pace yourself! What if things take longer to do than when you were younger? Yes, your energy level may require more frequent breaks, but your advanced years allow you more time and less hurry than your frantic past. Slow down; embrace this opportunity to accomplish things you’ve never attempted. In his eighties, Rubinstein amazed audiences with his piano playing skills. Gladstone became Britain’s prime minister for the fourth time in his eighties. John Wesley preached every day at eighty-eight. Moses led Israel at 120. Caleb led his troops against an army of giants at eighty, and won. Two-thirds of the world’s greatest works of art were accomplished by people over sixty-five. Don’t let a little rain, a falling tree or a possible risk stop you.
from
Newlifeoakwood.org
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Are You Spiritual?
What does it mean to be a spiritual person? If you ask the average American you'll get a potpourri of answers: some would say it means going to church, others chanting a mantra, while still others would define spirituality as a warm, fuzzy feeling. But God's Word describes spirituality as belief in the one true God. The overflow of this belief is a life governed by the Holy Spirit. If we walk in the Spirit it will be evident to the world around us because we produce spiritual fruit.
Spiritual fruit demonstrates spiritual life. But how do we produce fruit in our lives? Jesus said "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). We can only bear fruit by abiding in Christ.
Abide means to maintain living communion or keep close contact with, as with a close friend. Jesus tells us that we must abide in Him, keeping close communion with Him by talking with Him, listening to Him, and seeking Him. Spiritual fruit in our lives is the overflow of that intimate relationship.
The Bible encourages us to produce fruit that indicates that we are attached to Jesus Christ, the vine: people coming to Christ, holy living, giving to others of our time and resources, doing good works, and praising. The fruits of the Spirit all reflect the character of Jesus Christ: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Don't you want to reflect those characteristics to the world?
Living spiritually is more than being involved in spiritual ideas or having a vague belief in a universal spirit. It's even more than being involved in spiritual activity. It is a commitment to the Holy Spirit's leading. Don't be confused by the many spiritual ideologies that are prevalent in our culture. Instead, purpose to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus by abiding in Him and producing fruit that will last.
By
Skip Heitzig
Spiritual fruit demonstrates spiritual life. But how do we produce fruit in our lives? Jesus said "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). We can only bear fruit by abiding in Christ.
Abide means to maintain living communion or keep close contact with, as with a close friend. Jesus tells us that we must abide in Him, keeping close communion with Him by talking with Him, listening to Him, and seeking Him. Spiritual fruit in our lives is the overflow of that intimate relationship.
The Bible encourages us to produce fruit that indicates that we are attached to Jesus Christ, the vine: people coming to Christ, holy living, giving to others of our time and resources, doing good works, and praising. The fruits of the Spirit all reflect the character of Jesus Christ: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Don't you want to reflect those characteristics to the world?
Living spiritually is more than being involved in spiritual ideas or having a vague belief in a universal spirit. It's even more than being involved in spiritual activity. It is a commitment to the Holy Spirit's leading. Don't be confused by the many spiritual ideologies that are prevalent in our culture. Instead, purpose to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus by abiding in Him and producing fruit that will last.
By
Skip Heitzig
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