heavenly light
Wednesday 30 June 2010
My Mother's Hands
July 1, 2010
My Mother's Hands
T. Suzanne Eller
"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Devotion:
She held out the soft white blanket scalloped in pink ribbon. "I'm not sure I want to give it to her," my mom said. The stitches were a bit looser than my mother's past handiwork, but I could see love in every crocheted inch.
I held her hands in my own. Her once slender fingers were bent and swollen at the joints. I imagined her holding the crochet needles and weaving the yarn in and out for hours, days, until the blanket was complete. It is an heirloom for her first great-grandchild, one created with pain and love.
I think I take my mother's hands for granted. They have caressed my cheek. They have made me wear a coat (even when I protested that I was a mother of three grown children). They have dialed the cell phone she loves, and hates, so she could talk to "her Suzie." Her hands have penned cards that showed up in my mailbox saying "I love you."
There's an old 70s song that says, "Time keeps on slipping, slipping, into the future." There is truth in those lyrics. I see the passage of time in my mother's hands. I also see it as moments pass into hours and then into days in a whirl. Life is always busy, like this month when the white board on the refrigerator lists church events, speaking engagements, dentist visits, showers and weddings and graduations, as well as other details like pay the bills, mow the lawn, clean the house.
Recently I realized that my mother was moving further down on that list. A week passed. A month flew by. The phone calls came. "Hey, Suz, just calling to say I miss you."
One day I received an e-mail from a friend. Her mom was sick. For the next few weeks I prayed, reading every update. One night I read the e-mail from my beautiful friend that expressed her love for her ailing mom, and prayer for strength to say goodbye. Suddenly it hit me how little time I actually devoted to my mother. I held the e-mail and wept. The next day I made a date with my mom. She was like a girl; she laughed on the phone as we made plans.
I pray that I have many more opportunities to hang out with my mom, but more than that I pray that I don't take her for granted.
Life most likely won't slow down. But as I devote time to worthwhile endeavors, I don't want to forget that in the grand scheme of things, holding my mother's hands is one of the most priceless investments I'll ever make.
Dear Father, thank You for my loved ones. Life gets so hectic, and sometimes it's hard to slow down long enough to show them how much I care. Please help me to slow down and recognize what is of little value so that I can invest in people with immense value. In Your precious Name, Amen.
My Mother's Hands
T. Suzanne Eller
"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Devotion:
She held out the soft white blanket scalloped in pink ribbon. "I'm not sure I want to give it to her," my mom said. The stitches were a bit looser than my mother's past handiwork, but I could see love in every crocheted inch.
I held her hands in my own. Her once slender fingers were bent and swollen at the joints. I imagined her holding the crochet needles and weaving the yarn in and out for hours, days, until the blanket was complete. It is an heirloom for her first great-grandchild, one created with pain and love.
I think I take my mother's hands for granted. They have caressed my cheek. They have made me wear a coat (even when I protested that I was a mother of three grown children). They have dialed the cell phone she loves, and hates, so she could talk to "her Suzie." Her hands have penned cards that showed up in my mailbox saying "I love you."
There's an old 70s song that says, "Time keeps on slipping, slipping, into the future." There is truth in those lyrics. I see the passage of time in my mother's hands. I also see it as moments pass into hours and then into days in a whirl. Life is always busy, like this month when the white board on the refrigerator lists church events, speaking engagements, dentist visits, showers and weddings and graduations, as well as other details like pay the bills, mow the lawn, clean the house.
Recently I realized that my mother was moving further down on that list. A week passed. A month flew by. The phone calls came. "Hey, Suz, just calling to say I miss you."
One day I received an e-mail from a friend. Her mom was sick. For the next few weeks I prayed, reading every update. One night I read the e-mail from my beautiful friend that expressed her love for her ailing mom, and prayer for strength to say goodbye. Suddenly it hit me how little time I actually devoted to my mother. I held the e-mail and wept. The next day I made a date with my mom. She was like a girl; she laughed on the phone as we made plans.
I pray that I have many more opportunities to hang out with my mom, but more than that I pray that I don't take her for granted.
Life most likely won't slow down. But as I devote time to worthwhile endeavors, I don't want to forget that in the grand scheme of things, holding my mother's hands is one of the most priceless investments I'll ever make.
Dear Father, thank You for my loved ones. Life gets so hectic, and sometimes it's hard to slow down long enough to show them how much I care. Please help me to slow down and recognize what is of little value so that I can invest in people with immense value. In Your precious Name, Amen.
It's Your Time
It's Your Time
"The vision is yet for an appointed time…"
(Habakkuk 2:3, NKJ)
God has planted seeds of greatness on the inside of you. He has predestined that those things in your heart come to pass. You may have had more than your share of unfair things happen in your life. You probably have plenty of reasons to just settle where you are. But understand, the depth of your past is an indication of the height of your future. In other words, if you've been through a lot of negative things in the past, it just means that your future is bigger and brighter and greater than you can even imagine. It's your time to step out and embrace all that God has for you!
Are there dreams and promises that you've let go of? Are there things that God has placed in your heart that you've given up on? Today is the day to give your dreams a new beginning. Today is the day to allow faith to rise in your heart. Remember, what's happened to you is not nearly as important as what's happened in you. Today, you are stronger and wiser than ever before. It's your time and your season to move forward into the destiny that God has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for the destiny that You have deposited into my heart. I choose to stand in faith knowing that You are working behind the scenes. Give me strength and wisdom to follow Your leading so that I can embrace all that You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"The vision is yet for an appointed time…"
(Habakkuk 2:3, NKJ)
God has planted seeds of greatness on the inside of you. He has predestined that those things in your heart come to pass. You may have had more than your share of unfair things happen in your life. You probably have plenty of reasons to just settle where you are. But understand, the depth of your past is an indication of the height of your future. In other words, if you've been through a lot of negative things in the past, it just means that your future is bigger and brighter and greater than you can even imagine. It's your time to step out and embrace all that God has for you!
Are there dreams and promises that you've let go of? Are there things that God has placed in your heart that you've given up on? Today is the day to give your dreams a new beginning. Today is the day to allow faith to rise in your heart. Remember, what's happened to you is not nearly as important as what's happened in you. Today, you are stronger and wiser than ever before. It's your time and your season to move forward into the destiny that God has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for the destiny that You have deposited into my heart. I choose to stand in faith knowing that You are working behind the scenes. Give me strength and wisdom to follow Your leading so that I can embrace all that You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Is God Disciplining You?
‘The Lord disciplines those he loves...’ Hebrews 12:6 NIV
Is God Disciplining You?
God’s correction is not rejection. His disapproval of your actions is not disapproval of you. To grow spiritually you must understand that sometimes He will discipline you. During those times you must hold firmly to the truth that He loves you, otherwise you’ll keep trying to change yourself in an attempt to earn His love. The problem with that is, you already have it, and you just don’t know it! Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38–39). So: 1) How does God discipline us? ‘Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love…I tell their faults…convict and convince…reprove and chasten…’ (Revelation 3:19 AMP). Note the words ‘I tell their faults.’ God will let you know when you’re out of line. 2) Why does God discipline us? ‘As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how, but God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful! ‘…But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way’ (Hebrews 12:7–11 NLT).
Is God Disciplining You?
God’s correction is not rejection. His disapproval of your actions is not disapproval of you. To grow spiritually you must understand that sometimes He will discipline you. During those times you must hold firmly to the truth that He loves you, otherwise you’ll keep trying to change yourself in an attempt to earn His love. The problem with that is, you already have it, and you just don’t know it! Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38–39). So: 1) How does God discipline us? ‘Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love…I tell their faults…convict and convince…reprove and chasten…’ (Revelation 3:19 AMP). Note the words ‘I tell their faults.’ God will let you know when you’re out of line. 2) Why does God discipline us? ‘As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how, but God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful! ‘…But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way’ (Hebrews 12:7–11 NLT).
IMITATING OTHERS Thursday - July 1, 2010
IMITATING OTHERS Thursday - July 1, 2010
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6
In September 2008, William Hall from California won an impersonator contest on German television. He imitated singer Michael Jackson.
The contest aired over 12 episodes and featured the best national and international imitators of famous stars such as Elvis, ABBA, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson. The contestants competed for the crown of becoming the king of tribute acts worldwide and winning more than $25,000. The viewers voted the winner.
William became interested in music at the age of three. He learned to play the keyboard, bass and drums. He studied art, business and music composition and production in college.
It isn’t just German television viewers who appreciate Hall’s imitation of Jackson. He has done some touring to enthusiastic crowds in the United States.
As Christians, we are to look to Jesus Christ and imitate the Lord and mature Christians so we can grow in our faith. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the example mature Christians have shown you and seek to be more like Jesus Christ in all that you do.
“Imitate Christ, who is supremely perfect and supremely holy, and you will never ere.” – John of the Cross
God’s Word: “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:16
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6
In September 2008, William Hall from California won an impersonator contest on German television. He imitated singer Michael Jackson.
The contest aired over 12 episodes and featured the best national and international imitators of famous stars such as Elvis, ABBA, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson. The contestants competed for the crown of becoming the king of tribute acts worldwide and winning more than $25,000. The viewers voted the winner.
William became interested in music at the age of three. He learned to play the keyboard, bass and drums. He studied art, business and music composition and production in college.
It isn’t just German television viewers who appreciate Hall’s imitation of Jackson. He has done some touring to enthusiastic crowds in the United States.
As Christians, we are to look to Jesus Christ and imitate the Lord and mature Christians so we can grow in our faith. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the example mature Christians have shown you and seek to be more like Jesus Christ in all that you do.
“Imitate Christ, who is supremely perfect and supremely holy, and you will never ere.” – John of the Cross
God’s Word: “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:16
Heavenly Occupation
Heavenly Occupation
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Revelation 21:7
Recommended Reading
Genesis 1:26-31
Everyone who uses the Internet has mistakenly believed erroneous information received in an unsolicited email. Such false information gets forwarded from user to user until, after years or even months, it attains the status of "urban legend"--a fictitious body of information accepted as truth. There are even websites dedicated to identifying urban legends--separating fact from fiction.
Urban legends aren't only on the Internet--they exist in Christendom as well, or at least among those who have a faulty understanding of the faith. One of the myths is about heaven--that it will be boring; that the redeemed will float around in white robes, perch on clouds, and play harps for eternity. That whole idea is wrong. While the Bible doesn't say exactly what the daily activities in heaven will be, we know that they will be characterized by Adam's and Eve's short life in Eden: activity, responsibility, accountability, and productivity.
Heaven is not a vacation resort. It is where redeemed human beings will manifest the potential and destiny for which they were created--to the glory of God.
Wisdom opens the eyes both to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness of earth.
J. A. Motye
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Revelation 21:7
Recommended Reading
Genesis 1:26-31
Everyone who uses the Internet has mistakenly believed erroneous information received in an unsolicited email. Such false information gets forwarded from user to user until, after years or even months, it attains the status of "urban legend"--a fictitious body of information accepted as truth. There are even websites dedicated to identifying urban legends--separating fact from fiction.
Urban legends aren't only on the Internet--they exist in Christendom as well, or at least among those who have a faulty understanding of the faith. One of the myths is about heaven--that it will be boring; that the redeemed will float around in white robes, perch on clouds, and play harps for eternity. That whole idea is wrong. While the Bible doesn't say exactly what the daily activities in heaven will be, we know that they will be characterized by Adam's and Eve's short life in Eden: activity, responsibility, accountability, and productivity.
Heaven is not a vacation resort. It is where redeemed human beings will manifest the potential and destiny for which they were created--to the glory of God.
Wisdom opens the eyes both to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness of earth.
J. A. Motye
Setup for a Comeback
Setup for a Comeback
"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again"
(Proverbs 24:16a, NIV)
Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you got some bad news concerning your health, or maybe a relationship didn't work out. That was a setback. It's easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we're going to see God's best, we have to have a "bounce-back" mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don't stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it's a setup for a comeback!
Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you'll move forward into the victory He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do. I choose to trust and rely on You knowing that Your plans are for my good. I know my best days are ahead of me and look ahead to the blessings You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen
"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again"
(Proverbs 24:16a, NIV)
Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you got some bad news concerning your health, or maybe a relationship didn't work out. That was a setback. It's easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we're going to see God's best, we have to have a "bounce-back" mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don't stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it's a setup for a comeback!
Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you'll move forward into the victory He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do. I choose to trust and rely on You knowing that Your plans are for my good. I know my best days are ahead of me and look ahead to the blessings You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Tuesday 29 June 2010
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS Wednesday - June 30, 2010
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS Wednesday - June 30, 2010
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
On 5 March 2009, two Christian women in Iran, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, were arrested. They have been participating in religious gatherings and handing out Bibles.
During the next few months, they were repeatedly interrogated and locked in solitary confinement. They refused to recant their faith in Christ, even though it meant they could have gone free.
In August 2009, they were charged with apostasy and propagation of the Christian faith.
The charges being heard at the general court include propagation of the Christian faith and apostasy.
During vigorous questioning, the prosecutor asked them if they had any regrets about becoming Christians. "We have no regrets," they responded.
The prosecutor also demanded that they renounce their faith. However, they stood firm and refused: "We will not deny our faith."
After 259 days, the two women were freed and they left Iran. Sam Yeghnazar, founder of Elam Ministries, told the freed women that: “their example had encouraged countless people around the world.” He added, [they] “have shown exceptional courage, daring to tell an Islamic judge that they would never deny their faith in Christ.”
No matter what situation you find yourself, be strong in the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus Christ that when our faith is tested, we can be strong in Him.
“Courage is not measured by the fear you never feel, but by the fear you manage to overcome.” – John Eddison
God’s Word: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
On 5 March 2009, two Christian women in Iran, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, were arrested. They have been participating in religious gatherings and handing out Bibles.
During the next few months, they were repeatedly interrogated and locked in solitary confinement. They refused to recant their faith in Christ, even though it meant they could have gone free.
In August 2009, they were charged with apostasy and propagation of the Christian faith.
The charges being heard at the general court include propagation of the Christian faith and apostasy.
During vigorous questioning, the prosecutor asked them if they had any regrets about becoming Christians. "We have no regrets," they responded.
The prosecutor also demanded that they renounce their faith. However, they stood firm and refused: "We will not deny our faith."
After 259 days, the two women were freed and they left Iran. Sam Yeghnazar, founder of Elam Ministries, told the freed women that: “their example had encouraged countless people around the world.” He added, [they] “have shown exceptional courage, daring to tell an Islamic judge that they would never deny their faith in Christ.”
No matter what situation you find yourself, be strong in the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus Christ that when our faith is tested, we can be strong in Him.
“Courage is not measured by the fear you never feel, but by the fear you manage to overcome.” – John Eddison
God’s Word: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
In Church-But Lonely
In Church-But Lonely
...No man cared for my soul. Psalm 142:4
People come to church looking for ligh and warmth! They want to know we care. Good preaching and music may bring them in, but relationships that nurture will keep them coming back. You can feel lonely in a crowd, even one that preaches love and has a 'greet your neighbour' moment in every service. If we kept 10 percent of those who came through our church doors we'd be in constant growth mode. You say, 'Well, the Bible teaches that if a man would have friends, he must show himself to be friendly.' True, but people bring with them the wounds of their past, the struggles of their present, and the unspoken anxieties of their future. What they want to know is, 'Will you love me as I am, even if I don't fit your mould and change as quickly as you'd like me to?' Often our rigid structure keeps that from happening. Pastor, if your greatest concern on Monday is 'how many people did we have in church yesterday?' check your heart. You may be more concerned with your own image than meeting people's needs. Jesus told His disciples, '...I have called you friends...' (John 15:15). Many people are shy, distrusting, and relationally impaired. Our mandate is to make 'friends' out of them, not just bench warmers and financial contributors. The Scripture says, 'Bear one another's burdens...' (Galatians 6:2 NKJV), because a burden shared is a burden lightened. Many of those who come to church aren't looking for profound answers, they just want to feel cared for. When that happens they open up to God's love and miracles take place.
...No man cared for my soul. Psalm 142:4
People come to church looking for ligh and warmth! They want to know we care. Good preaching and music may bring them in, but relationships that nurture will keep them coming back. You can feel lonely in a crowd, even one that preaches love and has a 'greet your neighbour' moment in every service. If we kept 10 percent of those who came through our church doors we'd be in constant growth mode. You say, 'Well, the Bible teaches that if a man would have friends, he must show himself to be friendly.' True, but people bring with them the wounds of their past, the struggles of their present, and the unspoken anxieties of their future. What they want to know is, 'Will you love me as I am, even if I don't fit your mould and change as quickly as you'd like me to?' Often our rigid structure keeps that from happening. Pastor, if your greatest concern on Monday is 'how many people did we have in church yesterday?' check your heart. You may be more concerned with your own image than meeting people's needs. Jesus told His disciples, '...I have called you friends...' (John 15:15). Many people are shy, distrusting, and relationally impaired. Our mandate is to make 'friends' out of them, not just bench warmers and financial contributors. The Scripture says, 'Bear one another's burdens...' (Galatians 6:2 NKJV), because a burden shared is a burden lightened. Many of those who come to church aren't looking for profound answers, they just want to feel cared for. When that happens they open up to God's love and miracles take place.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS Wednesday - June 30, 2010
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS Wednesday - June 30, 2010
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
On 5 March 2009, two Christian women in Iran, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, were arrested. They have been participating in religious gatherings and handing out Bibles.
During the next few months, they were repeatedly interrogated and locked in solitary confinement. They refused to recant their faith in Christ, even though it meant they could have gone free.
In August 2009, they were charged with apostasy and propagation of the Christian faith.
The charges being heard at the general court include propagation of the Christian faith and apostasy.
During vigorous questioning, the prosecutor asked them if they had any regrets about becoming Christians. "We have no regrets," they responded.
The prosecutor also demanded that they renounce their faith. However, they stood firm and refused: "We will not deny our faith."
After 259 days, the two women were freed and they left Iran. Sam Yeghnazar, founder of Elam Ministries, told the freed women that: “their example had encouraged countless people around the world.” He added, [they] “have shown exceptional courage, daring to tell an Islamic judge that they would never deny their faith in Christ.”
No matter what situation you find yourself, be strong in the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus Christ that when our faith is tested, we can be strong in Him.
“Courage is not measured by the fear you never feel, but by the fear you manage to overcome.” – John Eddison
God’s Word: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
On 5 March 2009, two Christian women in Iran, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, were arrested. They have been participating in religious gatherings and handing out Bibles.
During the next few months, they were repeatedly interrogated and locked in solitary confinement. They refused to recant their faith in Christ, even though it meant they could have gone free.
In August 2009, they were charged with apostasy and propagation of the Christian faith.
The charges being heard at the general court include propagation of the Christian faith and apostasy.
During vigorous questioning, the prosecutor asked them if they had any regrets about becoming Christians. "We have no regrets," they responded.
The prosecutor also demanded that they renounce their faith. However, they stood firm and refused: "We will not deny our faith."
After 259 days, the two women were freed and they left Iran. Sam Yeghnazar, founder of Elam Ministries, told the freed women that: “their example had encouraged countless people around the world.” He added, [they] “have shown exceptional courage, daring to tell an Islamic judge that they would never deny their faith in Christ.”
No matter what situation you find yourself, be strong in the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus Christ that when our faith is tested, we can be strong in Him.
“Courage is not measured by the fear you never feel, but by the fear you manage to overcome.” – John Eddison
God’s Word: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
The Race that is Set Before Us ..By John Gill(Editor's note: The following commentary on Hebrews 12:1 is taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bib
The Race that is Set Before Us
John Gill
Editor's note: The following commentary on Hebrews 12:1 is taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible.
Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about…/em>
As the Israelites were encompassed with the pillar of cloud, or with the clouds of glory in the wilderness, as the Jews say; (See Gill on 1 Corinthians 10:1), to which there may be an allusion, here, since it follows, with so great a cloud of witnesses;
or "martyrs", as the Old Testament saints, the instances of whose faith and patience are produced in the preceding chapter: these, some of them, were martyrs in the sense in which that word is commonly used; they suffered in the cause, and for the sake of true religion; and they all bore a noble testimony of God, and for him; and they received a testimony from him; and will be hereafter witnesses for, or against us, to whom they are examples of the above graces: and these may be compared to a "cloud", for the comfortable and reviving doctrines which they dropped; and for their refreshing examples in the heat of persecution; and for their guidance and direction in the ways of God; and more especially for their number, being like a thick cloud, and so many, that they compass about on every side, and are instructive every way. Hence the following things are inferred and urged, let us lay aside every weight;
or burden; every sin, which is a weight and burden to a sensible sinner, and is an hinderance in running the Christian race; not only indwelling sin, but every actual transgression, and therefore to be laid aside; as a burden, it should be laid on Christ; as a sin, it should be abstained from, and put off, with respect to the former conversation: also worldly cares, riches, and honours, when immoderately pursued, are a weight depressing the mind to the earth, and a great hinderance in the work and service of God, and therefore to be laid aside; not that they are to be entirely rejected, and not cared for and used, but the heart should not be set upon them, or be over anxious about them: likewise the rites and ceremonies of Moses's law were a weight and burden, a yoke of bondage, and an intolerable one, and with which many believing Jews were entangled and pressed, and which were a great hinderance in the performance of evangelical worship; wherefore the exhortation to these Hebrews, to lay them aside, was very proper and pertinent, since they were useless and incommodious, and there had been a disannulling of them by Christ, because of their weakness and unprofitableness. Some observe, that the word here used signifies a tumour or swelling; and so may design the tumour of pride and vain glory, in outward privileges, and in a man's own righteousness, to which the Hebrews were much inclined; and which appears in an unwillingness to stoop to the cross, and bear afflictions for the sake of the Gospel; all which is a great enemy to powerful godliness, and therefore should be brought down, and laid aside. The Arabic version renders it, "every weight of luxury": all luxurious living, being prejudicial to real religion: and the sin which doth so easily beset us;
the Arabic version renders it, "easy to be committed"; meaning either the corruption of nature in general, which is always present, and puts upon doing evil, and hinders all the good it can; or rather some particular sin, as what is commonly called a man's constitution sin, or what he is most inclined to, and is most easily drawn into the commission of; or it may be the sin of unbelief is intended, that being opposite to the grace of faith, the apostle had been commending, in the preceding chapter, and he here exhorts to; and is a sin which easily insinuates itself, and prevails, and that sometimes under the notion of a virtue, as if it would be immodest, or presumptuous to believe; the arguments for it are apt to be readily and quickly embraced; but as every weight, so every sin may be designed: some reference may be had to (Lamentations 1:14) where the church says, that her transgressions were "wreathed", (wgrtvy) , "wreathed themselves", or wrapped themselves about her. The allusion seems to be to runners in a race, who throw off everything that encumbers, drop whatsoever is ponderous and weighty, run in light garments, and lay aside long ones, which entangle and hinder in running, as appears from the next clause, or inference. And let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
The stadium, or race plot, in which the Christian race is run, is this world; the prize run for is the heavenly glory; the mark to direct in it, is Christ; many are the runners, yet none but the overcomers have the prize; which being held by Christ, is given to them: this race is "set before" the saints; that is, by God; the way in which they are to run is marked out by him in his word; the troubles they shall meet with in it are appointed for them by him, in his counsels and purposes; the mark to direct them is set before them in the Gospel, even Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, whom they are to look unto; the length of their race is fixed for them, or how far, and how long they shall run; and the prize is determined for them, and will be given them, and which is held out for their encouragement, to have respect unt and it becomes all the saints, and belongs to each, and everyone of them, to "run" this race; which includes both doing and suffering for Christ; it is a motion forward, a pressing towards the mark for the prize, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another; and to it swiftness and agility are necessary; and when it is performed aright, it is with readiness, willingness, and cheerfulness: it requires strength and courage, and a removal of all impediments, and should be done "with patience"; which is very necessary, because of the many exercises in the way; and because of the length of the race; and on account of the prize to be enjoyed, which is very desirable: the examples of the saints, and especially Christ, the forerunner, should move and animate unto it.
Article taken from the commentary, John Gill's Exposition of the Bible (public domain)
He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. The New Testament commentary can be found in its entirety here on Christianity.com
John Gill
Editor's note: The following commentary on Hebrews 12:1 is taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible.
Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about…/em>
As the Israelites were encompassed with the pillar of cloud, or with the clouds of glory in the wilderness, as the Jews say; (See Gill on 1 Corinthians 10:1), to which there may be an allusion, here, since it follows, with so great a cloud of witnesses;
or "martyrs", as the Old Testament saints, the instances of whose faith and patience are produced in the preceding chapter: these, some of them, were martyrs in the sense in which that word is commonly used; they suffered in the cause, and for the sake of true religion; and they all bore a noble testimony of God, and for him; and they received a testimony from him; and will be hereafter witnesses for, or against us, to whom they are examples of the above graces: and these may be compared to a "cloud", for the comfortable and reviving doctrines which they dropped; and for their refreshing examples in the heat of persecution; and for their guidance and direction in the ways of God; and more especially for their number, being like a thick cloud, and so many, that they compass about on every side, and are instructive every way. Hence the following things are inferred and urged, let us lay aside every weight;
or burden; every sin, which is a weight and burden to a sensible sinner, and is an hinderance in running the Christian race; not only indwelling sin, but every actual transgression, and therefore to be laid aside; as a burden, it should be laid on Christ; as a sin, it should be abstained from, and put off, with respect to the former conversation: also worldly cares, riches, and honours, when immoderately pursued, are a weight depressing the mind to the earth, and a great hinderance in the work and service of God, and therefore to be laid aside; not that they are to be entirely rejected, and not cared for and used, but the heart should not be set upon them, or be over anxious about them: likewise the rites and ceremonies of Moses's law were a weight and burden, a yoke of bondage, and an intolerable one, and with which many believing Jews were entangled and pressed, and which were a great hinderance in the performance of evangelical worship; wherefore the exhortation to these Hebrews, to lay them aside, was very proper and pertinent, since they were useless and incommodious, and there had been a disannulling of them by Christ, because of their weakness and unprofitableness. Some observe, that the word here used signifies a tumour or swelling; and so may design the tumour of pride and vain glory, in outward privileges, and in a man's own righteousness, to which the Hebrews were much inclined; and which appears in an unwillingness to stoop to the cross, and bear afflictions for the sake of the Gospel; all which is a great enemy to powerful godliness, and therefore should be brought down, and laid aside. The Arabic version renders it, "every weight of luxury": all luxurious living, being prejudicial to real religion: and the sin which doth so easily beset us;
the Arabic version renders it, "easy to be committed"; meaning either the corruption of nature in general, which is always present, and puts upon doing evil, and hinders all the good it can; or rather some particular sin, as what is commonly called a man's constitution sin, or what he is most inclined to, and is most easily drawn into the commission of; or it may be the sin of unbelief is intended, that being opposite to the grace of faith, the apostle had been commending, in the preceding chapter, and he here exhorts to; and is a sin which easily insinuates itself, and prevails, and that sometimes under the notion of a virtue, as if it would be immodest, or presumptuous to believe; the arguments for it are apt to be readily and quickly embraced; but as every weight, so every sin may be designed: some reference may be had to (Lamentations 1:14) where the church says, that her transgressions were "wreathed", (wgrtvy) , "wreathed themselves", or wrapped themselves about her. The allusion seems to be to runners in a race, who throw off everything that encumbers, drop whatsoever is ponderous and weighty, run in light garments, and lay aside long ones, which entangle and hinder in running, as appears from the next clause, or inference. And let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
The stadium, or race plot, in which the Christian race is run, is this world; the prize run for is the heavenly glory; the mark to direct in it, is Christ; many are the runners, yet none but the overcomers have the prize; which being held by Christ, is given to them: this race is "set before" the saints; that is, by God; the way in which they are to run is marked out by him in his word; the troubles they shall meet with in it are appointed for them by him, in his counsels and purposes; the mark to direct them is set before them in the Gospel, even Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, whom they are to look unto; the length of their race is fixed for them, or how far, and how long they shall run; and the prize is determined for them, and will be given them, and which is held out for their encouragement, to have respect unt and it becomes all the saints, and belongs to each, and everyone of them, to "run" this race; which includes both doing and suffering for Christ; it is a motion forward, a pressing towards the mark for the prize, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another; and to it swiftness and agility are necessary; and when it is performed aright, it is with readiness, willingness, and cheerfulness: it requires strength and courage, and a removal of all impediments, and should be done "with patience"; which is very necessary, because of the many exercises in the way; and because of the length of the race; and on account of the prize to be enjoyed, which is very desirable: the examples of the saints, and especially Christ, the forerunner, should move and animate unto it.
Article taken from the commentary, John Gill's Exposition of the Bible (public domain)
He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. The New Testament commentary can be found in its entirety here on Christianity.com
Brochure of Heaven
Brochure of Heaven
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven... into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4
Recommended Reading
John 14:1-6
The apostle Paul was caught into heaven where he saw glorious things, but he wasn't allowed to describe them. Perhaps that was because he was the apostle of salvation, a man with one message--we are saved by grace through faith. Later, however, John was also caught into heaven and he, too, saw God's Paradise, the New Jerusalem. Aren't you glad he was allowed to tell what he saw and heard? To John was given the privilege of closing God's Book with a two-chapter travel brochure of New Jerusalem.
He described the descent of this capital city from a distance, then up close. He gave us its measurements in human terms. He described the walls, gates, foundations, and streets. He went inside and saw the throne in the City's center, from which flowed a river, a golden boulevard, and the verdant Tree of Life Park.
Do you have your place reserved in God's City? Our reservations are held under the name of Jesus, and He alone is our ticket there. Make sure your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
The best moment of a Christian's life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven.
Charles Spurgeon
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven... into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4
Recommended Reading
John 14:1-6
The apostle Paul was caught into heaven where he saw glorious things, but he wasn't allowed to describe them. Perhaps that was because he was the apostle of salvation, a man with one message--we are saved by grace through faith. Later, however, John was also caught into heaven and he, too, saw God's Paradise, the New Jerusalem. Aren't you glad he was allowed to tell what he saw and heard? To John was given the privilege of closing God's Book with a two-chapter travel brochure of New Jerusalem.
He described the descent of this capital city from a distance, then up close. He gave us its measurements in human terms. He described the walls, gates, foundations, and streets. He went inside and saw the throne in the City's center, from which flowed a river, a golden boulevard, and the verdant Tree of Life Park.
Do you have your place reserved in God's City? Our reservations are held under the name of Jesus, and He alone is our ticket there. Make sure your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
The best moment of a Christian's life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven.
Charles Spurgeon
Overcoming Disappointments
Overcoming Disappointments
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past"
(Isaiah 43:18, NIV)
The Bible tells us that every person, no matter how much faith they have or how good they are, will face disappointments. It may be something simple like not getting the promotion you hoped for, or not closing a business deal you worked so hard on. Maybe you didn't qualify for a house you really wanted, or maybe something more serious happened like a relationship not working out, the death of a loved one, or some kind of illness in your body. Whatever it may be, the reality is that we're all going to suffer some setbacks. I believe one of the main keys to overcoming disappointments is learning to let go of the past.
If you feel "stuck" today, you may want to examine what you're holding on to. Be willing let go of past disappointments by choosing forgiveness. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? Release it to God. Do you need to forgive yourself? Do you need to receive God's forgiveness? Make the choice today to forgive. Let go of the past so you can overcome disappointments and experience the bright future God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, search my heart and mind today. Show me any area where I may be holding on to the past. Help me to receive Your forgiveness so that I can extend forgiveness to others and move forward in the wonderful plan You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past"
(Isaiah 43:18, NIV)
The Bible tells us that every person, no matter how much faith they have or how good they are, will face disappointments. It may be something simple like not getting the promotion you hoped for, or not closing a business deal you worked so hard on. Maybe you didn't qualify for a house you really wanted, or maybe something more serious happened like a relationship not working out, the death of a loved one, or some kind of illness in your body. Whatever it may be, the reality is that we're all going to suffer some setbacks. I believe one of the main keys to overcoming disappointments is learning to let go of the past.
If you feel "stuck" today, you may want to examine what you're holding on to. Be willing let go of past disappointments by choosing forgiveness. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? Release it to God. Do you need to forgive yourself? Do you need to receive God's forgiveness? Make the choice today to forgive. Let go of the past so you can overcome disappointments and experience the bright future God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, search my heart and mind today. Show me any area where I may be holding on to the past. Help me to receive Your forgiveness so that I can extend forgiveness to others and move forward in the wonderful plan You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Monday 28 June 2010
ENGLAND:Mutiny and misery: the inside story of a failed campaign
It was, on reflection, a peculiarly English inquisition. There we were, standing in a cheap marquee in Bloemfontein, our heroes having been embarrassed again on the World Cup stage, and, in turn, we asked one of the leading managers in world football, in a variety of ways, whether he planned to resign. It was an unedifying scene, one that was made the more absurd by the inescapable sound of vuvuzela horns being blown outside and the noise of a drunken Englishman repeatedly slurring the line “Are we Scotland in disguise?”
But when you know that Fabio Capello will not offer detailed post-match analysis or engage in a debate about where English football is going wrong — and, crucially, when you know that his job, rightly or wrongly, is suddenly on the line after a crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Germany — what else, really, is there to ask him?
How did it come to this? How, having arrived in South Africa less than four weeks ago with such high hopes, had Capello diminished to the extent where he looked almost as fallible and impotent as Graham Taylor, Kevin Keegan, Steve McClaren and his other inglorious predecessors?
The “impossible job”, as Taylor called it, seems to do for them all in the end, but never quite so spectacularly and so quickly as it seems to have done for Capello, whose authority has weakened as the most miserable, abject and forgettable of England World Cup campaigns unfolded around him.
There was something sad about Capello from the moment he walked into the media tent in Bloemfontein on Sunday night, initially having to wait in the wings as Joachim Löw, the Germany coach, talked his audience through his tactical masterclass.
Löw did not mean to sound triumphalist, but, as he explained how he had made plans to neutralise the threat of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and how Mesut Özil and Thomas Müller had exploited the wide-open spaces behind them in midfield, you were struck, not for the first time in recent weeks, that Capello’s tenure was unravelling before your eyes.
For those of us in the England press pack who would back Capello to stay on — and we seem to be in a minority of about 40 per cent — sadder still was the sight of him yesterday afternoon, back at the England training camp near Rustenburg.
He looked drained. Unusually, his impeccably groomed hair was haywire. And as he told a small group of newspaper journalists, gathered around a table, that he had been told to wait two weeks while the FA’s board weighs up whether it wants him to continue as England manager, it felt alarmingly like it could be the end.
London, September 10, 2009 It is the morning after the night before and the sun is shining gloriously over Hyde Park. The nation is heady with expectation and optimism after England secured their place in the World Cup finals with a resounding 5-1 win over Croatia at Wembley.
Capello sits in an upstairs function room at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, exuding an air of total authority as he lays out his plans for the summer ahead. We nod sagely as he emphasises the importance of his players’ fitness at the end of the season and approvingly as he says, with reference to the dreaded presence of their WAGs, that “we are there to play, not for a holiday”.
At one point he is asked for the secret of his success. He hesitates before settling on “the relationship with the players. I respect them and they respect me. This is very important.”
London, May 10, 2010 The venue is the London Stock Exchange. The invitation states that Capello is making himself available to the media for the launch of a sports science project.
It is an unexpected opportunity on the day that he is settling on his 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup, which he will announce at Wembley the next day, and so we show up, perhaps in the hope of guidance on the fitness of Gareth Barry, with little or no interest in whatever project he is endorsing.
What transpires is not on the same scale as the contrasting public-relations fiascos that ultimately did for Glenn Hoddle or Sven-Göran Eriksson, but the “Capello Index” was a stupid cash-in that had us, for almost the first time, wondering about his judgment.
Endorsing a player-ranking system, on the face of it, is not a bad thing. But this one, which would rate the performance of every player in every game at the World Cup within two hours of the final whistle, and which also had uncomfortable links with several gambling sites, looks ill-advised. His employers at the FA tell him as much and, after a furore in the newspapers, he drops it — irked at having to do so.
Somewhere, in the midst of the crisis meetings over the Capello Index, the Italian has to produce a World Cup squad. It is an uncharacteristically frenzied process. He settles on Ledley King, the injury-plagued Tottenham Hotspur captain, as cover for Rio Ferdinand, the injury-plagued Manchester United captain, and at one point a call goes out to Paul Scholes, who is asked whether he fancies coming out of international retirement after a six-year absence. Taken aback by the lateness of the call, less than 24 hours before the squad is to be named, Scholes asks to sleep on the idea. In the morning, the answer comes back as a “no”.
At one point in the evening, Capello crosses Barry off his list, having been told that the Manchester City midfield player will not recover from injury in time. Instead he turns to Owen Hargreaves, who has played one minute of competitive football since September 2008.
At a League Managers Association dinner that night, he is told the full grim details of Hargreaves’s knee problems by Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager. Suddenly, Barry is back on the list of 30, even if his prospects appear bleak.
Graz, May 29, 2010 England’s players are reaching the end of their pre-tournament training camp in Irdning, in the Austrian Alps. Capello is sitting at a table with some journalists when he is asked about Inter Milan’s reported interest in appointing him in succession to José Mourinho. He suggests that this is a source of concern because, having planned to remove a get-out clause from his contract, which would allow him and his employers 14 days to terminate the deal at the end of the World Cup, he has seen his future slip off the agenda after the untimely resignation of Lord Triesman as the FA’s independent chairman.
The next day, after two own goals give England an ill-deserved 2-1 win over Japan in a friendly match, the FA — an organisation without a chairman or a chief executive — trumpets its intention to resolve Capello’s future before the team depart for South Africa three days later. It sounds like an unnecessary distraction as Capello is whittling his squad down to 23. In the end, they agree the new deal a matter of hours before they take off — without Theo Walcott, who is the most surprising of the seven players to miss the final cut.
Rustenburg, June 12, 2010 Capello is standing in a media tent, trying to explain the catastrophic Robert Green error that, along with some errant finishing and sloppy midfield play, has cost England two points as they draw their opening game against the United States.
It is put to him that his indecision over his choice of goalkeepers — and his unwillingness to communicate that decision, when it is finally made, until two hours before kick-off — was a factor in Green’s mistake. “No,” he says pointedly. “This is my style.”
This style has been a source of agitation among the three goalkeepers, particularly David James, who feels that he is getting the cold shoulder from Capello and his staff. There have been whispers of tension since the squad flew to Austria, and they are getting louder.
There is dissatisfaction about the intensity of the training, which some players feel is having an adverse effect on their fitness. Capello intervenes after John Terry expresses his unhappiness with an exercise ordered by Massimo Neri, the fitness coach. Terry walks off the training pitch, insisting on having treatment.
It is, say a succession of text messages from within the perimeter fence of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, “really tense”.
Cape Town, June 18, 2010 The weather is warm enough in Cape Town for England supporters to mill happily around the bars on the waterfront. They are expectant of an easy victory over Algeria to give England’s campaign some momentum and the news that James has been called up in place of Green is welcomed by most. But for those of us following the team, fresh concerns have been raised by Wayne Rooney’s appearance in front of the media.
The Manchester United striker starts with an honest appraisal when he says that we saw only “glimpses” of his best form against the US. But the most stark response comes when he is asked if he is enjoying himself. “Sometimes,” he replies, before offering a rundown of his daily routine which sounds, intentionally or not, like that of a convict: “Breakfast, train, lunch, bed, dinner, bed.”
Capello has taken the players on a squad safari and allowed them out to play golf several times, but even one of those trips to Sun City has caused bother for Rooney. Photographers snap him urinating on the course, which is hardly a crime, but the possibility of the pictures appearing in the newspapers agitates the FA and the player’s representatives. Back in the camp, Rooney is struggling with the spare time on his hands and the lack of physical conditioning that is hampering his performance.
Hearing of mounting frustration, Ferguson breaks off from his holiday in America to ring the player. “Relax and enjoy it,” Ferguson says. But the match against Algeria turns into a dire night for Rooney and England.
Forced to watch a goalless draw in which England struggle to string three passes together, the supporters do well to restrain their boos until moments from the final whistle, when another shot by Lampard sails high and wide. But Rooney responds furiously as he walks off, mouthing into a television camera. “Nice to see your own fans booing you,” he snarls. “If that’s what loyal support is, for f***’s sake.”
Moments later, as the players are changing in silence, a fan in a red England away shirt wanders through the dressing-room door. “I’m Pavlos and I actually need the toilet,” Pavlos Joseph tells a startled David Beckham, before deciding to take the opportunity to offload the frustrations of millions back home.
“I thought, ‘What the heck. I’m in the England dressing room. Why not say something?’ I looked David straight in the eye and said, ‘David, we’ve spent a lot of money getting here. This is a disgrace. What are you going to do about it?’ ”
What Capello does is talk repeatedly after the game about the “fear” in his players. He talks about it rather a lot for a man whose job is to banish anxiety. “This is not the England that I know,” he says, damning the performance. “I didn’t see any spirit of the team in this game.”
The players’ response, specifically Terry’s, is to approach Franco Baldini, Capello’s assistant, in the hotel after the match to ask if the players can have a beer to unwind. This is not a normal request in a regime that bans butter and tomato ketchup, but Capello accedes in the hope that it gives his squad some release.
June 20, Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus Where once there was tension, now there is serious agitation. As well as dissatisfaction with the manager, there are growing whispers of factions emerging within the camp.
Two days after the Algeria game, back at the Bafokeng Sports Campus, Terry rocks up for a press conference and the first thing he says is that he is “here on behalf of the players”. The second thing he says is that we are “fully behind the manager”. And the third thing he says, without the slightest encouragement, is that he intends to voice his displeasure at a team meeting that night, suggesting that Capello might have to “change his ways” and that “if it upsets him or any other player, so what?”
Guess what. It infuriated Capello, who would call Terry’s comments “a big mistake”. It also angered a lot of those players on whose behalf Terry purported to be talking — and by no means only Gerrard, the captain. Some within the camp view it as an attack not only on Capello’s authority, but a bid by Terry to reassert his role as the team’s leader, having been stripped of the captaincy in February after revelations about his personal life.
Terry is described by a team-mate as “s***-stirring” and being “bitter” towards Capello over the captaincy.
The purported mutiny does not get off the ground — Terry is talked out of it by team-mates and coaching staff alike — but it is not a happy ship. Terry apologises to the nine players that he named as having joined him in clearing the air over the post-match beer. Not all had done so. Terry feels that players such as Gerrard should have supported him in challenging Capello’s judgment. But with Capello unwilling to listen to Terry’s complaints about matters on and off the pitch, the tensions fester. Instead of discussing changes, including a five-man midfield behind Rooney to improve the possession and passing so lacking against Algeria, everything is left unsaid.
Port Elizabeth, June 23, 2010 Relief. Faced with the threat of elimination, England at last come good — or at least good enough to beat Slovenia 1-0. The goal is set up by James Milner and scored by Jermain Defoe, the players brought into the starting line-up by Capello. For all the talk of unhappiness with the 4-4-2 system, it is, on the whole, a decent team performance.
Terry leads his team-mates in forming a huddle at the final whistle, celebrating their place in the knockout stages, but a last-ditch goal by Landon Donovan against Algeria confirms the United States as group winners. For England, having finished second, the route looks daunting, with Germany their opponents in the round of 16 and, beyond that, probably Argentina.
Bloemfontein, June 27, 2010 The comeback is shortlived. The wretched truth is writ large on the scoreboard: Germany 4, England 1. Capello’s ageing team have been annihilated by the youthful exuberance of Özil and Müller, the energy of Bastian Schweinsteiger and the clinical finishing of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
There is a caveat, with Lampard having been unfairly denied a legitimate goal at 2-1 down, but England have been outfought, out-thought and outclassed by a younger team. No one, apart from Capello, dwells on the assistant referee’s mistake.
It is England’s worst result at a World Cup. The back four have produced a performance of stunning ineptitude. Lampard merits sympathy in an attacking sense, but he, Gerrard and Barry offered the defence no protection. And Rooney looks like a young man for whom the 2010 World Cup, like that in Germany four years earlier, will be looked back upon as a nightmare.
Rooney, at 24, is young enough to think that, one day, he might do himself justice on the world stage, but Gerrard, Lampard and others, the wrong side of 30, cannot say the same. It feels like the end of a team who promised much but have delivered nothing when it mattered. It is the most experienced squad England have sent to a World Cup, but they have performed like terrified novices.
Earlier in the tournament, after the draw with Algeria, Capello had talked of them playing with “fear”. To that, add recklessness and indiscipline.
It is a very English failure. If anything, it seemed to be a throwback to the McClaren era, even if some players were eager to let it be known that the fault lay with Capello, with a lack of pre-match drilling at odds with his previous attention to detail, and with man-management that veered from the unbearably intense to the bizarre offers of eve-of-match beers. Yet, whatever the regime, it seems to come back to a truth that England are never as good as they think they are.
So why are we standing here asking Capello whether he has a future as England manager? Why are we acting as if he is the problem in all of this, as if turning to Roy Hodgson (bound for Liverpool), Harry Redknapp (due in court this year on a charge of tax evasion) or anyone else is going to make things any better?
And why is the FA telling Capello that he must wait 14 days to learn if he can continue as England manager, even though four weeks ago it did away with the escape clause, so convinced was the governing body of his qualities?
Fine, sack Capello if you like. He has made mistakes — some small, some big — and, looking at him yesterday, you were left to wonder whether, at 64, he would have the energy for the rebuilding job ahead.
But show us a manager who has not been diminished by the “impossible job”. Only months or even weeks ago, Capello was being lauded as the man who was proving that phrase to be a fallacy. Now he waits to find out if he will be dismissed by an organisation for which one senior FA official spoke during these turbulent past weeks and said: “If Fabio Capello cannot turn England into winners, who on earth can?”
But when you know that Fabio Capello will not offer detailed post-match analysis or engage in a debate about where English football is going wrong — and, crucially, when you know that his job, rightly or wrongly, is suddenly on the line after a crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Germany — what else, really, is there to ask him?
How did it come to this? How, having arrived in South Africa less than four weeks ago with such high hopes, had Capello diminished to the extent where he looked almost as fallible and impotent as Graham Taylor, Kevin Keegan, Steve McClaren and his other inglorious predecessors?
The “impossible job”, as Taylor called it, seems to do for them all in the end, but never quite so spectacularly and so quickly as it seems to have done for Capello, whose authority has weakened as the most miserable, abject and forgettable of England World Cup campaigns unfolded around him.
There was something sad about Capello from the moment he walked into the media tent in Bloemfontein on Sunday night, initially having to wait in the wings as Joachim Löw, the Germany coach, talked his audience through his tactical masterclass.
Löw did not mean to sound triumphalist, but, as he explained how he had made plans to neutralise the threat of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and how Mesut Özil and Thomas Müller had exploited the wide-open spaces behind them in midfield, you were struck, not for the first time in recent weeks, that Capello’s tenure was unravelling before your eyes.
For those of us in the England press pack who would back Capello to stay on — and we seem to be in a minority of about 40 per cent — sadder still was the sight of him yesterday afternoon, back at the England training camp near Rustenburg.
He looked drained. Unusually, his impeccably groomed hair was haywire. And as he told a small group of newspaper journalists, gathered around a table, that he had been told to wait two weeks while the FA’s board weighs up whether it wants him to continue as England manager, it felt alarmingly like it could be the end.
London, September 10, 2009 It is the morning after the night before and the sun is shining gloriously over Hyde Park. The nation is heady with expectation and optimism after England secured their place in the World Cup finals with a resounding 5-1 win over Croatia at Wembley.
Capello sits in an upstairs function room at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, exuding an air of total authority as he lays out his plans for the summer ahead. We nod sagely as he emphasises the importance of his players’ fitness at the end of the season and approvingly as he says, with reference to the dreaded presence of their WAGs, that “we are there to play, not for a holiday”.
At one point he is asked for the secret of his success. He hesitates before settling on “the relationship with the players. I respect them and they respect me. This is very important.”
London, May 10, 2010 The venue is the London Stock Exchange. The invitation states that Capello is making himself available to the media for the launch of a sports science project.
It is an unexpected opportunity on the day that he is settling on his 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup, which he will announce at Wembley the next day, and so we show up, perhaps in the hope of guidance on the fitness of Gareth Barry, with little or no interest in whatever project he is endorsing.
What transpires is not on the same scale as the contrasting public-relations fiascos that ultimately did for Glenn Hoddle or Sven-Göran Eriksson, but the “Capello Index” was a stupid cash-in that had us, for almost the first time, wondering about his judgment.
Endorsing a player-ranking system, on the face of it, is not a bad thing. But this one, which would rate the performance of every player in every game at the World Cup within two hours of the final whistle, and which also had uncomfortable links with several gambling sites, looks ill-advised. His employers at the FA tell him as much and, after a furore in the newspapers, he drops it — irked at having to do so.
Somewhere, in the midst of the crisis meetings over the Capello Index, the Italian has to produce a World Cup squad. It is an uncharacteristically frenzied process. He settles on Ledley King, the injury-plagued Tottenham Hotspur captain, as cover for Rio Ferdinand, the injury-plagued Manchester United captain, and at one point a call goes out to Paul Scholes, who is asked whether he fancies coming out of international retirement after a six-year absence. Taken aback by the lateness of the call, less than 24 hours before the squad is to be named, Scholes asks to sleep on the idea. In the morning, the answer comes back as a “no”.
At one point in the evening, Capello crosses Barry off his list, having been told that the Manchester City midfield player will not recover from injury in time. Instead he turns to Owen Hargreaves, who has played one minute of competitive football since September 2008.
At a League Managers Association dinner that night, he is told the full grim details of Hargreaves’s knee problems by Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager. Suddenly, Barry is back on the list of 30, even if his prospects appear bleak.
Graz, May 29, 2010 England’s players are reaching the end of their pre-tournament training camp in Irdning, in the Austrian Alps. Capello is sitting at a table with some journalists when he is asked about Inter Milan’s reported interest in appointing him in succession to José Mourinho. He suggests that this is a source of concern because, having planned to remove a get-out clause from his contract, which would allow him and his employers 14 days to terminate the deal at the end of the World Cup, he has seen his future slip off the agenda after the untimely resignation of Lord Triesman as the FA’s independent chairman.
The next day, after two own goals give England an ill-deserved 2-1 win over Japan in a friendly match, the FA — an organisation without a chairman or a chief executive — trumpets its intention to resolve Capello’s future before the team depart for South Africa three days later. It sounds like an unnecessary distraction as Capello is whittling his squad down to 23. In the end, they agree the new deal a matter of hours before they take off — without Theo Walcott, who is the most surprising of the seven players to miss the final cut.
Rustenburg, June 12, 2010 Capello is standing in a media tent, trying to explain the catastrophic Robert Green error that, along with some errant finishing and sloppy midfield play, has cost England two points as they draw their opening game against the United States.
It is put to him that his indecision over his choice of goalkeepers — and his unwillingness to communicate that decision, when it is finally made, until two hours before kick-off — was a factor in Green’s mistake. “No,” he says pointedly. “This is my style.”
This style has been a source of agitation among the three goalkeepers, particularly David James, who feels that he is getting the cold shoulder from Capello and his staff. There have been whispers of tension since the squad flew to Austria, and they are getting louder.
There is dissatisfaction about the intensity of the training, which some players feel is having an adverse effect on their fitness. Capello intervenes after John Terry expresses his unhappiness with an exercise ordered by Massimo Neri, the fitness coach. Terry walks off the training pitch, insisting on having treatment.
It is, say a succession of text messages from within the perimeter fence of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, “really tense”.
Cape Town, June 18, 2010 The weather is warm enough in Cape Town for England supporters to mill happily around the bars on the waterfront. They are expectant of an easy victory over Algeria to give England’s campaign some momentum and the news that James has been called up in place of Green is welcomed by most. But for those of us following the team, fresh concerns have been raised by Wayne Rooney’s appearance in front of the media.
The Manchester United striker starts with an honest appraisal when he says that we saw only “glimpses” of his best form against the US. But the most stark response comes when he is asked if he is enjoying himself. “Sometimes,” he replies, before offering a rundown of his daily routine which sounds, intentionally or not, like that of a convict: “Breakfast, train, lunch, bed, dinner, bed.”
Capello has taken the players on a squad safari and allowed them out to play golf several times, but even one of those trips to Sun City has caused bother for Rooney. Photographers snap him urinating on the course, which is hardly a crime, but the possibility of the pictures appearing in the newspapers agitates the FA and the player’s representatives. Back in the camp, Rooney is struggling with the spare time on his hands and the lack of physical conditioning that is hampering his performance.
Hearing of mounting frustration, Ferguson breaks off from his holiday in America to ring the player. “Relax and enjoy it,” Ferguson says. But the match against Algeria turns into a dire night for Rooney and England.
Forced to watch a goalless draw in which England struggle to string three passes together, the supporters do well to restrain their boos until moments from the final whistle, when another shot by Lampard sails high and wide. But Rooney responds furiously as he walks off, mouthing into a television camera. “Nice to see your own fans booing you,” he snarls. “If that’s what loyal support is, for f***’s sake.”
Moments later, as the players are changing in silence, a fan in a red England away shirt wanders through the dressing-room door. “I’m Pavlos and I actually need the toilet,” Pavlos Joseph tells a startled David Beckham, before deciding to take the opportunity to offload the frustrations of millions back home.
“I thought, ‘What the heck. I’m in the England dressing room. Why not say something?’ I looked David straight in the eye and said, ‘David, we’ve spent a lot of money getting here. This is a disgrace. What are you going to do about it?’ ”
What Capello does is talk repeatedly after the game about the “fear” in his players. He talks about it rather a lot for a man whose job is to banish anxiety. “This is not the England that I know,” he says, damning the performance. “I didn’t see any spirit of the team in this game.”
The players’ response, specifically Terry’s, is to approach Franco Baldini, Capello’s assistant, in the hotel after the match to ask if the players can have a beer to unwind. This is not a normal request in a regime that bans butter and tomato ketchup, but Capello accedes in the hope that it gives his squad some release.
June 20, Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus Where once there was tension, now there is serious agitation. As well as dissatisfaction with the manager, there are growing whispers of factions emerging within the camp.
Two days after the Algeria game, back at the Bafokeng Sports Campus, Terry rocks up for a press conference and the first thing he says is that he is “here on behalf of the players”. The second thing he says is that we are “fully behind the manager”. And the third thing he says, without the slightest encouragement, is that he intends to voice his displeasure at a team meeting that night, suggesting that Capello might have to “change his ways” and that “if it upsets him or any other player, so what?”
Guess what. It infuriated Capello, who would call Terry’s comments “a big mistake”. It also angered a lot of those players on whose behalf Terry purported to be talking — and by no means only Gerrard, the captain. Some within the camp view it as an attack not only on Capello’s authority, but a bid by Terry to reassert his role as the team’s leader, having been stripped of the captaincy in February after revelations about his personal life.
Terry is described by a team-mate as “s***-stirring” and being “bitter” towards Capello over the captaincy.
The purported mutiny does not get off the ground — Terry is talked out of it by team-mates and coaching staff alike — but it is not a happy ship. Terry apologises to the nine players that he named as having joined him in clearing the air over the post-match beer. Not all had done so. Terry feels that players such as Gerrard should have supported him in challenging Capello’s judgment. But with Capello unwilling to listen to Terry’s complaints about matters on and off the pitch, the tensions fester. Instead of discussing changes, including a five-man midfield behind Rooney to improve the possession and passing so lacking against Algeria, everything is left unsaid.
Port Elizabeth, June 23, 2010 Relief. Faced with the threat of elimination, England at last come good — or at least good enough to beat Slovenia 1-0. The goal is set up by James Milner and scored by Jermain Defoe, the players brought into the starting line-up by Capello. For all the talk of unhappiness with the 4-4-2 system, it is, on the whole, a decent team performance.
Terry leads his team-mates in forming a huddle at the final whistle, celebrating their place in the knockout stages, but a last-ditch goal by Landon Donovan against Algeria confirms the United States as group winners. For England, having finished second, the route looks daunting, with Germany their opponents in the round of 16 and, beyond that, probably Argentina.
Bloemfontein, June 27, 2010 The comeback is shortlived. The wretched truth is writ large on the scoreboard: Germany 4, England 1. Capello’s ageing team have been annihilated by the youthful exuberance of Özil and Müller, the energy of Bastian Schweinsteiger and the clinical finishing of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
There is a caveat, with Lampard having been unfairly denied a legitimate goal at 2-1 down, but England have been outfought, out-thought and outclassed by a younger team. No one, apart from Capello, dwells on the assistant referee’s mistake.
It is England’s worst result at a World Cup. The back four have produced a performance of stunning ineptitude. Lampard merits sympathy in an attacking sense, but he, Gerrard and Barry offered the defence no protection. And Rooney looks like a young man for whom the 2010 World Cup, like that in Germany four years earlier, will be looked back upon as a nightmare.
Rooney, at 24, is young enough to think that, one day, he might do himself justice on the world stage, but Gerrard, Lampard and others, the wrong side of 30, cannot say the same. It feels like the end of a team who promised much but have delivered nothing when it mattered. It is the most experienced squad England have sent to a World Cup, but they have performed like terrified novices.
Earlier in the tournament, after the draw with Algeria, Capello had talked of them playing with “fear”. To that, add recklessness and indiscipline.
It is a very English failure. If anything, it seemed to be a throwback to the McClaren era, even if some players were eager to let it be known that the fault lay with Capello, with a lack of pre-match drilling at odds with his previous attention to detail, and with man-management that veered from the unbearably intense to the bizarre offers of eve-of-match beers. Yet, whatever the regime, it seems to come back to a truth that England are never as good as they think they are.
So why are we standing here asking Capello whether he has a future as England manager? Why are we acting as if he is the problem in all of this, as if turning to Roy Hodgson (bound for Liverpool), Harry Redknapp (due in court this year on a charge of tax evasion) or anyone else is going to make things any better?
And why is the FA telling Capello that he must wait 14 days to learn if he can continue as England manager, even though four weeks ago it did away with the escape clause, so convinced was the governing body of his qualities?
Fine, sack Capello if you like. He has made mistakes — some small, some big — and, looking at him yesterday, you were left to wonder whether, at 64, he would have the energy for the rebuilding job ahead.
But show us a manager who has not been diminished by the “impossible job”. Only months or even weeks ago, Capello was being lauded as the man who was proving that phrase to be a fallacy. Now he waits to find out if he will be dismissed by an organisation for which one senior FA official spoke during these turbulent past weeks and said: “If Fabio Capello cannot turn England into winners, who on earth can?”
CHOOSE LIFE Tuesday – June 29, 2010
CHOOSE LIFE Tuesday – June 29, 2010
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” – Deuteronomy 30:19
Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, "Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready." When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you," the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned right then and there," Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own decisions, someone else will."
Every day we are confronted with choices. It is not wise to let others choose for us, especially in eternal matters. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His sacrifice and choose to follow Him in all that you do.
“Nature gives man corn but he must grind it. God gives man a will but he must make the right choices.” – Fulton J. Sheen
God’s Word: “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” – Deuteronomy 30:19
Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, "Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready." When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you," the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned right then and there," Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own decisions, someone else will."
Every day we are confronted with choices. It is not wise to let others choose for us, especially in eternal matters. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His sacrifice and choose to follow Him in all that you do.
“Nature gives man corn but he must grind it. God gives man a will but he must make the right choices.” – Fulton J. Sheen
God’s Word: “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15
Character
Character
"Anyone who listens...and follows...is...like a person who builds a house on solid rock." Matthew 7:24
John Ruskin said, 'The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.' It's said that when Michael Eisner, head of the Disney Corporation, had plans drawn up for a house, one wall was so thin it almost buckled under its own weight. Another software billionaire's house had pine siding that rotted before the house was even completed. So, were they just too busy to notice? Architects say that people find construction details boring; they'd rather spend their money on glitzy stuff. Yet it's the foundation that determines the strength, stability, and ultimately the value of the house. Are you putting all your efforts into maintaining an image while neglecting foundational things such as your attitude, your integrity and your God-given purpose? Jesus said, '"These words I speak...are foundational...work [them] into your life...like a smart carpenter who built...on solid rock...nothing moved that house,,,"' (Matthew 7:24-25 TM). Houses built on sand are quick, cheap and easy; they provide temporary comfort and instant gratification. Building on rock is hard; it takes time, effort, foresight and perseverance-but the results are worth it. If you're not sure what kind of house you're building, watch what happens when the storm hits! A house built on rock will withstand the same storm that levels those built on sand. Simply stated, there are no shortcuts. Character is the result of commitment, consistency, and building according to the principles of God's Word. When you make these things the foundation of your life you'll make it through any storm.
"Anyone who listens...and follows...is...like a person who builds a house on solid rock." Matthew 7:24
John Ruskin said, 'The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.' It's said that when Michael Eisner, head of the Disney Corporation, had plans drawn up for a house, one wall was so thin it almost buckled under its own weight. Another software billionaire's house had pine siding that rotted before the house was even completed. So, were they just too busy to notice? Architects say that people find construction details boring; they'd rather spend their money on glitzy stuff. Yet it's the foundation that determines the strength, stability, and ultimately the value of the house. Are you putting all your efforts into maintaining an image while neglecting foundational things such as your attitude, your integrity and your God-given purpose? Jesus said, '"These words I speak...are foundational...work [them] into your life...like a smart carpenter who built...on solid rock...nothing moved that house,,,"' (Matthew 7:24-25 TM). Houses built on sand are quick, cheap and easy; they provide temporary comfort and instant gratification. Building on rock is hard; it takes time, effort, foresight and perseverance-but the results are worth it. If you're not sure what kind of house you're building, watch what happens when the storm hits! A house built on rock will withstand the same storm that levels those built on sand. Simply stated, there are no shortcuts. Character is the result of commitment, consistency, and building according to the principles of God's Word. When you make these things the foundation of your life you'll make it through any storm.
The Real Utopia
The Real Utopia
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Recommended Reading
Isaiah 65:17-25
In 1516, the English statesman, Sir Thomas More, wrote a book called Of the Best State of a Republic, and of the New Island Utopia. It described a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean where existed a perfect world--socially, politically, and economically. Since then, the idea of "utopia" has become entrenched in Western thought.
Unfortunately, many people equate "utopia" with the biblical heaven--a fictional place. But nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible definitely describes a perfect place--no tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain--but it is not fictional! It is as real, from the perspective of our five senses, as the life we are now living but without the effects of sin. When we think of it that way--a place we can touch and feel--it changes our perspective on the world we now live in, a world where pain is all too real. The heavens and earth we experience today are nothing like the new heavens and new earth God has planned (2 Peter 3:13).
Are you ready? Live your life today in light of the life that is to come.
The nearer to heaven in hopes, the farther from earth in desires.
William Gurnall
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Recommended Reading
Isaiah 65:17-25
In 1516, the English statesman, Sir Thomas More, wrote a book called Of the Best State of a Republic, and of the New Island Utopia. It described a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean where existed a perfect world--socially, politically, and economically. Since then, the idea of "utopia" has become entrenched in Western thought.
Unfortunately, many people equate "utopia" with the biblical heaven--a fictional place. But nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible definitely describes a perfect place--no tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain--but it is not fictional! It is as real, from the perspective of our five senses, as the life we are now living but without the effects of sin. When we think of it that way--a place we can touch and feel--it changes our perspective on the world we now live in, a world where pain is all too real. The heavens and earth we experience today are nothing like the new heavens and new earth God has planned (2 Peter 3:13).
Are you ready? Live your life today in light of the life that is to come.
The nearer to heaven in hopes, the farther from earth in desires.
William Gurnall
Do not look back
Do not look back
REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE. LUKE 17:32
When the Sunday school teacher told her class, 'Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt,' one child responded, 'That is nothin'! My mum was driving home yesterday, and she looked back and turned into a telephone pole!' Lot's wife only appears briefly in one scripture, so why did Jesus tell us to remember her? Two reasons: 1) she invested her life in something that had no future. John writes, 'This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever' (I John 2:17 NLT). God tried to get Lot's wife out of Sodom, but she couldn't get Sodom out of her. When she thought of what she was leaving, she looked back and turned into a lifeless monument. When God says it is time to move, do not hesitate! Do not become like those who once walked with Him, witnessed on the job, stood out as shining lights in their communities, but now have turned cold and unresponsive 2) your decisions have consequences. If Lot's wife had kept moving forward she'd have been there to protect her daughters when they got to the cave. Instead they became victims of abuse and incest. Before you lose your children, poison your marriage, and tear up your life by refusing to break with your past, 'remember Lot's wife.' She did not make it to safety, but she did make it into scripture long enough to warn us about three things: a) complacency b) involvement with the wrong things c) a divided heart!
REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE. LUKE 17:32
When the Sunday school teacher told her class, 'Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt,' one child responded, 'That is nothin'! My mum was driving home yesterday, and she looked back and turned into a telephone pole!' Lot's wife only appears briefly in one scripture, so why did Jesus tell us to remember her? Two reasons: 1) she invested her life in something that had no future. John writes, 'This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever' (I John 2:17 NLT). God tried to get Lot's wife out of Sodom, but she couldn't get Sodom out of her. When she thought of what she was leaving, she looked back and turned into a lifeless monument. When God says it is time to move, do not hesitate! Do not become like those who once walked with Him, witnessed on the job, stood out as shining lights in their communities, but now have turned cold and unresponsive 2) your decisions have consequences. If Lot's wife had kept moving forward she'd have been there to protect her daughters when they got to the cave. Instead they became victims of abuse and incest. Before you lose your children, poison your marriage, and tear up your life by refusing to break with your past, 'remember Lot's wife.' She did not make it to safety, but she did make it into scripture long enough to warn us about three things: a) complacency b) involvement with the wrong things c) a divided heart!
Sunday 27 June 2010
Brighter Days Ahead
Brighter Days Ahead
"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day"
(Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
Are you facing a situation that seems dark today? As a believer, God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek His truth and righteousness in every situation. What is righteousness? Righteousness is simply being in right standing with God. Being in right standing with God is about submitting your life to Him. It's about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis. As you seek Him, the light of God's Word will guide you in every decision you have to make.
No matter what you may be facing today, take time to ask the Lord to shine His light on you. Ask Him to confirm His plan for you. As you continue pursuing His truth and righteousness, as you continue to make His Word a priority in your life, you will experience more of His blessings. You'll see those brighter days as you move forward in the good plan He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. I desire to be in right standing with You. Show me Your ways and teach me to walk righteously before You. Shine Your light in my heart and give me strength to pursue the path You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day"
(Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
Are you facing a situation that seems dark today? As a believer, God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek His truth and righteousness in every situation. What is righteousness? Righteousness is simply being in right standing with God. Being in right standing with God is about submitting your life to Him. It's about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis. As you seek Him, the light of God's Word will guide you in every decision you have to make.
No matter what you may be facing today, take time to ask the Lord to shine His light on you. Ask Him to confirm His plan for you. As you continue pursuing His truth and righteousness, as you continue to make His Word a priority in your life, you will experience more of His blessings. You'll see those brighter days as you move forward in the good plan He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. I desire to be in right standing with You. Show me Your ways and teach me to walk righteously before You. Shine Your light in my heart and give me strength to pursue the path You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
BE A FAITHFUL GIVER Monday – June 28, 2010
BE A FAITHFUL GIVER Monday – June 28, 2010
“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” – Deuteronomy 16:17
Mary Crowley, who founded Home Interiors and Gifts, had a deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ. Early in life, she had very little materially. Meals consisted of cereal and milk. She did not have an automobile. But, she and her two children walked faithfully every Sunday to the services at the First Baptist Church of Dallas. Members of the congregation often picked them up and gave them a ride to church when they encountered them along the way. All the while, in those years, she faithfully tithed her meager income to the Lord. In time, her home decorating talents and business mind resulted in exceeding wealth.
When prosperity came she continued her faithful stewardship. She wore around her neck two small gold shovels. One was larger than the other. When people inquired about their meaning she would answer, “The little shovel is mine. I can shovel it out. The big one is God’s. He shovels it in ten times faster.”
The Lord is faithful in giving to us, but are we faithful in giving? Today in prayer, praise the Lord for all that He has given you and seek to be a cheerful giver to His work.
“God loves a cheerful giver. He who gives cheerfully, gives better. The best way to show our gratitude to God and to our neighbor is to accept their gifts with joy. Joy is a net of love in which souls can be caught. We impatiently await God's paradise, but we have in our hands the power to be in paradise right here and now. Being happy with God means this: to love as He loves, to help as He helps, to give as He gives, to serve as He serves.” – Mother Teresa
God’s Word: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” – Deuteronomy 16:17
Mary Crowley, who founded Home Interiors and Gifts, had a deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ. Early in life, she had very little materially. Meals consisted of cereal and milk. She did not have an automobile. But, she and her two children walked faithfully every Sunday to the services at the First Baptist Church of Dallas. Members of the congregation often picked them up and gave them a ride to church when they encountered them along the way. All the while, in those years, she faithfully tithed her meager income to the Lord. In time, her home decorating talents and business mind resulted in exceeding wealth.
When prosperity came she continued her faithful stewardship. She wore around her neck two small gold shovels. One was larger than the other. When people inquired about their meaning she would answer, “The little shovel is mine. I can shovel it out. The big one is God’s. He shovels it in ten times faster.”
The Lord is faithful in giving to us, but are we faithful in giving? Today in prayer, praise the Lord for all that He has given you and seek to be a cheerful giver to His work.
“God loves a cheerful giver. He who gives cheerfully, gives better. The best way to show our gratitude to God and to our neighbor is to accept their gifts with joy. Joy is a net of love in which souls can be caught. We impatiently await God's paradise, but we have in our hands the power to be in paradise right here and now. Being happy with God means this: to love as He loves, to help as He helps, to give as He gives, to serve as He serves.” – Mother Teresa
God’s Word: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Saturday 26 June 2010
Fliers, Runners, Walkers
Fliers, Runners, Walkers
...They will soar...They will run...They will walk... Isaiah 40:31
Watchman Nee wrote a best-selling book entitled The Normal Christian Life. Why such a title? Because only when you understand what's 'normal' in Christian living, will you be able to recognise which season you're in, evaluate your circumstances accurately, and adjust. At one point Paul raises a man from the dead; at another point he writes, 'We despaired even of life...' (2 Corinthians 1:8). The Bible says, 'Elijah was a man just like us...' (James 5:17 NIV). Yet one day he is calling down fire from heaven, the next day he is suicidal and in the depth of depression. Now, you can't use this as an excuse for spiritual lethargy, but you must be discerning. Faith doesn't exempt us from life's seasons; it just enables us to go through them victoriously. So: 1) If you're a flier: If you're being blessed by God and experiencing success beyond your natural abilities, enjoy it. But always remember, your ability to fly comes from God-not you. Forget that, and down you'll go! 2) If you're a runner: Thank God you're still in the race. Don't compare yourself with high fliers or you'll get discouraged, and don't compare yourself with walkers or you'll become proud. Just keep running and your time will come. 3) If you're a walker: Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Some days pain, discouragement and fatigue make it impossible to fly high or run; all you can do is walk without fainting, and even that's hard. No problem; give yourself permission to be where you are. Walking counts with God. When it's the best you can do, it's enough!
...They will soar...They will run...They will walk... Isaiah 40:31
Watchman Nee wrote a best-selling book entitled The Normal Christian Life. Why such a title? Because only when you understand what's 'normal' in Christian living, will you be able to recognise which season you're in, evaluate your circumstances accurately, and adjust. At one point Paul raises a man from the dead; at another point he writes, 'We despaired even of life...' (2 Corinthians 1:8). The Bible says, 'Elijah was a man just like us...' (James 5:17 NIV). Yet one day he is calling down fire from heaven, the next day he is suicidal and in the depth of depression. Now, you can't use this as an excuse for spiritual lethargy, but you must be discerning. Faith doesn't exempt us from life's seasons; it just enables us to go through them victoriously. So: 1) If you're a flier: If you're being blessed by God and experiencing success beyond your natural abilities, enjoy it. But always remember, your ability to fly comes from God-not you. Forget that, and down you'll go! 2) If you're a runner: Thank God you're still in the race. Don't compare yourself with high fliers or you'll get discouraged, and don't compare yourself with walkers or you'll become proud. Just keep running and your time will come. 3) If you're a walker: Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Some days pain, discouragement and fatigue make it impossible to fly high or run; all you can do is walk without fainting, and even that's hard. No problem; give yourself permission to be where you are. Walking counts with God. When it's the best you can do, it's enough!
Expect Your Miracle Today!
Expect Your Miracle Today
How wonderful would it be to start your day with joy and end it with great success? The Spirit of the Lord led me to start this wonderful daily spiritual vitamin (Prayer of the Day), He promised that this will touch and change many lives and situations for the better as you commit your day to the hands of God that knows the beginning and ending of everyday.
I promise you in the name of the Lord that you'll experience the power of God, great deliverance and move of the Holy Spirit in your life as you join us to say this prayer every morning before you start your day. If by any reason you don't want to receive this email anymore, just click on unsubscribe, we'll be very sad to remove your name from our list but we'll continue to pray for you. Enjoy the blessings of God from heaven above. Thanks.
How wonderful would it be to start your day with joy and end it with great success? The Spirit of the Lord led me to start this wonderful daily spiritual vitamin (Prayer of the Day), He promised that this will touch and change many lives and situations for the better as you commit your day to the hands of God that knows the beginning and ending of everyday.
I promise you in the name of the Lord that you'll experience the power of God, great deliverance and move of the Holy Spirit in your life as you join us to say this prayer every morning before you start your day. If by any reason you don't want to receive this email anymore, just click on unsubscribe, we'll be very sad to remove your name from our list but we'll continue to pray for you. Enjoy the blessings of God from heaven above. Thanks.
Direct Communication: Circumstances
Direct Communication: Circumstances
After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
Acts 16:7
Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:12-19
Multiple times in a day things happen that influence or change our plans. Yet how many times do we say, "Thank you, Lord. I trust that this change is from You." How often should we say that? Is every single circumstance, large or small, a message from God?
When the apostle Paul and his coworkers were intent on going in one direction in their missionary journey, they were stopped. We don't know how they were stopped; we only know that Luke attributed the circumstance to the Holy Spirit's intervention. Writing in hindsight, Luke realized they were stopped from going to Mysia so they could go into Macedonia (Acts 16:8-10). If we really believe God is sovereign, that He has ordained our days (Psalm 139:16), then a strong case can be made for circumstances being signposts from God: either a new direction, a new correction, or a lesson in patience, submission, or seeking God's will.
At the very least, we know God is guiding us toward at least one goal in every circumstance, good or bad: conformity to Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
The Holy Spirit loves so to arrange men's circumstances that they are brought within the sphere of God's influence.
Maurice A. P. Wood
After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
Acts 16:7
Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:12-19
Multiple times in a day things happen that influence or change our plans. Yet how many times do we say, "Thank you, Lord. I trust that this change is from You." How often should we say that? Is every single circumstance, large or small, a message from God?
When the apostle Paul and his coworkers were intent on going in one direction in their missionary journey, they were stopped. We don't know how they were stopped; we only know that Luke attributed the circumstance to the Holy Spirit's intervention. Writing in hindsight, Luke realized they were stopped from going to Mysia so they could go into Macedonia (Acts 16:8-10). If we really believe God is sovereign, that He has ordained our days (Psalm 139:16), then a strong case can be made for circumstances being signposts from God: either a new direction, a new correction, or a lesson in patience, submission, or seeking God's will.
At the very least, we know God is guiding us toward at least one goal in every circumstance, good or bad: conformity to Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
The Holy Spirit loves so to arrange men's circumstances that they are brought within the sphere of God's influence.
Maurice A. P. Wood
Friday 25 June 2010
Tragedy As US-Based Nigerian Kids Drown In Neigbour’s Swimming Pool-------www.ngrguardiannews.com/
Tragedy As US-Based Nigerian Kids Drown In Neigbour’s Swimming Pool
SATURDAY, 26 JUNE 2010 00:00 FROM LAOLU AKANDE, NEW YORK NEWS - NATIONAL
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ON the eve of father’s day in America, tragedy struck in the family of a Nigerian couple in Jacksonville, in the State of Florida, when their two young children drowned and died in the swimming pool of a next door neighbour.
According to sources close to the family and local U.S. media reports, Gerard Chinonso Ibeagwa {6} and his three year old sister Blessing Chinonyesen, were found dead by the neighbours inside the pool last week Saturday under circumstances now being described as “mysterious and intriguing.”
The next door home-owner who found them dead in the pool just returned from work when the gruesome discovery was made.
The parents of the two Nigerian children Mr. and Mrs Mark-Anthony Ibeagwa reportedly did not have any other children and were said to have waited some time before they gave birth to the young siblings, whose death is now raising questions in Florida. Investigation by the State government’s Children and Families Department has begun to know where the parents were when their children got to the neighbour’s backyard swimming pool.
The six-year old Gerard was said to have just completed Kindergarten and was headed for elementary school, having attained the required age of six. Gerard and his sister Blessing are to be buried today Saturday at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
A press statement circulated by US-based Nigerians close to the family stated that “on the eve of Father’s Day, Saturday, June 19, 2010, two innocent children at the prime of their lives aged six and three years old drowned in a neighbor’s swimming pool under mysteriously and intriguing circumstances in Jacksonville, Florida. At the time of their accidental death, Gerard Ibeagwa and his sister Blessing Ibeagwa were the only children of their parents, Mr & Mrs. Markanthony Okey Ibeagwa originally from Nigeria.”
Local news reports reported that the town’s Sheriff’s Office said the residents in neighbour’s house came home “a little after 10 p.m. Saturday to find the children, a six-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl, unresponsive in their pool. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department took the children to the hospital where they were declared dead.”
Another local news report said the children’s mother collapsed Sunday morning and was taken to a hospital but returned later in the day. Neighbours were quoted as saying they didn’t see the children outside by themselves.
“Just when they were going in and out with their parents,” one neighbour said. “I never saw them out wandering the streets or anything.”
According to a spokesman for the Florida State Department of Children and Families, John Harrell, the agency is investigating the case. “We want to see if there was any neglect there,” Harrell was quoted by a local newspaper.
Harrell said there were no other children at the house. He said investigators are trying to determine if the children had been left alone and if so, for how long. However the press statement distributed by friends and family of the affected Nigerian family said: “This is a very unfortunate, highly emotional and extraordinarily sad event in the history of Nigerians in the United States of America. Accordingly, such an extraordinary event will require an extraordinary response from all of us as a people.”
The statement urged Nigerians and others “to voluntarily donate towards the burial and funeral expenses of Gerard and Blessing Ibeagwa of blessed memory.” Funds from such donations would also be used, according to the press statement, to “assist the distraught and grieving parents on the complex legal challenges ahead.
The statement listed two Nigerian men, Dan Okenu and Prince Ike Muogbo, who circulated the statement, as contact persons.
SATURDAY, 26 JUNE 2010 00:00 FROM LAOLU AKANDE, NEW YORK NEWS - NATIONAL
User Rating: / 0
PoorBest
ON the eve of father’s day in America, tragedy struck in the family of a Nigerian couple in Jacksonville, in the State of Florida, when their two young children drowned and died in the swimming pool of a next door neighbour.
According to sources close to the family and local U.S. media reports, Gerard Chinonso Ibeagwa {6} and his three year old sister Blessing Chinonyesen, were found dead by the neighbours inside the pool last week Saturday under circumstances now being described as “mysterious and intriguing.”
The next door home-owner who found them dead in the pool just returned from work when the gruesome discovery was made.
The parents of the two Nigerian children Mr. and Mrs Mark-Anthony Ibeagwa reportedly did not have any other children and were said to have waited some time before they gave birth to the young siblings, whose death is now raising questions in Florida. Investigation by the State government’s Children and Families Department has begun to know where the parents were when their children got to the neighbour’s backyard swimming pool.
The six-year old Gerard was said to have just completed Kindergarten and was headed for elementary school, having attained the required age of six. Gerard and his sister Blessing are to be buried today Saturday at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
A press statement circulated by US-based Nigerians close to the family stated that “on the eve of Father’s Day, Saturday, June 19, 2010, two innocent children at the prime of their lives aged six and three years old drowned in a neighbor’s swimming pool under mysteriously and intriguing circumstances in Jacksonville, Florida. At the time of their accidental death, Gerard Ibeagwa and his sister Blessing Ibeagwa were the only children of their parents, Mr & Mrs. Markanthony Okey Ibeagwa originally from Nigeria.”
Local news reports reported that the town’s Sheriff’s Office said the residents in neighbour’s house came home “a little after 10 p.m. Saturday to find the children, a six-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl, unresponsive in their pool. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department took the children to the hospital where they were declared dead.”
Another local news report said the children’s mother collapsed Sunday morning and was taken to a hospital but returned later in the day. Neighbours were quoted as saying they didn’t see the children outside by themselves.
“Just when they were going in and out with their parents,” one neighbour said. “I never saw them out wandering the streets or anything.”
According to a spokesman for the Florida State Department of Children and Families, John Harrell, the agency is investigating the case. “We want to see if there was any neglect there,” Harrell was quoted by a local newspaper.
Harrell said there were no other children at the house. He said investigators are trying to determine if the children had been left alone and if so, for how long. However the press statement distributed by friends and family of the affected Nigerian family said: “This is a very unfortunate, highly emotional and extraordinarily sad event in the history of Nigerians in the United States of America. Accordingly, such an extraordinary event will require an extraordinary response from all of us as a people.”
The statement urged Nigerians and others “to voluntarily donate towards the burial and funeral expenses of Gerard and Blessing Ibeagwa of blessed memory.” Funds from such donations would also be used, according to the press statement, to “assist the distraught and grieving parents on the complex legal challenges ahead.
The statement listed two Nigerian men, Dan Okenu and Prince Ike Muogbo, who circulated the statement, as contact persons.
A Sense of Awe
A Sense of Awe
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things... Isaiah 40:26
GK Chesterton wrote: 'The world is not lacking in wonders, but in a sense of wonder.' It's said that if the earth were as small as the moon its gravitation wouldn't sustain our needs. On the other hand, if it were as large as Jupiter its extreme gravitation would make human movement almost impossible. If we were as close to the sun as Venus the heat would be unbearable; if we were as far away as Mars every region would experience snow and ice nightly. If the oceans were half their size we'd get only 25 percent of our present rainfall; if they were one-eighth larger, annual precipitation would increase 400 percent, turning the earth into a vast uninhabitable swamp. Water solidifies at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But if the oceans were subject to that law, the amount of thawing in the polar regions wouldn't balance out and we'd all end up encased in ice. To prevent this, God put salt in the sea to alter its freezing point. How's that for a day's work? The Psalmist wrote: 'How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all...I will sing praise to my God as long as I live' (Psalm 104:24-33 NIV). If God's workmanship wouldn't make you praise Him and want to know Him better, what would? John Stott said: 'Our greatest claim to nobility is our created capacity to know God, to be in personal relationship with Him, to love Him and to worship Him. Indeed, we are most truly human when we are on our knees before our creator.'
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things... Isaiah 40:26
GK Chesterton wrote: 'The world is not lacking in wonders, but in a sense of wonder.' It's said that if the earth were as small as the moon its gravitation wouldn't sustain our needs. On the other hand, if it were as large as Jupiter its extreme gravitation would make human movement almost impossible. If we were as close to the sun as Venus the heat would be unbearable; if we were as far away as Mars every region would experience snow and ice nightly. If the oceans were half their size we'd get only 25 percent of our present rainfall; if they were one-eighth larger, annual precipitation would increase 400 percent, turning the earth into a vast uninhabitable swamp. Water solidifies at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But if the oceans were subject to that law, the amount of thawing in the polar regions wouldn't balance out and we'd all end up encased in ice. To prevent this, God put salt in the sea to alter its freezing point. How's that for a day's work? The Psalmist wrote: 'How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all...I will sing praise to my God as long as I live' (Psalm 104:24-33 NIV). If God's workmanship wouldn't make you praise Him and want to know Him better, what would? John Stott said: 'Our greatest claim to nobility is our created capacity to know God, to be in personal relationship with Him, to love Him and to worship Him. Indeed, we are most truly human when we are on our knees before our creator.'
The Saddest Words
The Saddest Words
And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
Matthew 7:23
Recommended Reading
Revelation 20:11-15
Suppose you had been living on a piece of property for twenty years and you decided to sell. When it was time to have an updated survey of the property prepared, the surveyor gave you bad news: You are not the registered owner of your property! Somehow, your name was never entered in the county's book of deeds and registrations. You know you own the property but the county registrar does not.
The absence of a name in a deed book can usually be remedied with supporting documentation. But there is one book of names that, once it is opened by God, cannot be changed. And that is the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). In that book are the names of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. For Jesus to say, "I never knew you; depart from Me" will be the saddest words anyone could ever hear. The only thing that could be as bad would be for a Christian to hear those words spoken to a person he had the opportunity to influence toward a decision for Christ. What will Jesus say to such a person?
If you know someone to whom Jesus will one day say, "I never knew you," tell that person how to avoid that sad day.
Every single believer is a God-ordained agent of evangelism.
R. B. Kuiper
And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
Matthew 7:23
Recommended Reading
Revelation 20:11-15
Suppose you had been living on a piece of property for twenty years and you decided to sell. When it was time to have an updated survey of the property prepared, the surveyor gave you bad news: You are not the registered owner of your property! Somehow, your name was never entered in the county's book of deeds and registrations. You know you own the property but the county registrar does not.
The absence of a name in a deed book can usually be remedied with supporting documentation. But there is one book of names that, once it is opened by God, cannot be changed. And that is the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). In that book are the names of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. For Jesus to say, "I never knew you; depart from Me" will be the saddest words anyone could ever hear. The only thing that could be as bad would be for a Christian to hear those words spoken to a person he had the opportunity to influence toward a decision for Christ. What will Jesus say to such a person?
If you know someone to whom Jesus will one day say, "I never knew you," tell that person how to avoid that sad day.
Every single believer is a God-ordained agent of evangelism.
R. B. Kuiper
Thursday 24 June 2010
His Plans are Greater
His Plans are Greater
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts"
(Isaiah 55:9, NIV)
Have you been praying and standing on God's Word for something and you haven't seen the results yet?
The scripture says in John 11 verse 6, "When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days." One translation says, "He sat down." Don't you know that was the opposite response that Lazarus' family was looking for? "Jesus, don't sit down when we need You the most." In other words, "God, don't sit down when my finances are this low." "Don't sit down when my problems are this big." But in the end, God not only healed Lazarus, He raised him from the dead!
Your mind may be telling you it's over, it's too late, it's never going to happen. No, you've got to know there is a reason for the delay. God is planning something greater. You're thinking of a healing. He is thinking of a resurrection. You may be thinking how can I just survive, but God is thinking how you can thrive. Remember, His ways are higher than your ways, and you can trust that He is going to amaze you with His goodness in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, today I choose to trust in You. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I release all of my cares and concerns to You knowing that You have a greater plan in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts"
(Isaiah 55:9, NIV)
Have you been praying and standing on God's Word for something and you haven't seen the results yet?
The scripture says in John 11 verse 6, "When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days." One translation says, "He sat down." Don't you know that was the opposite response that Lazarus' family was looking for? "Jesus, don't sit down when we need You the most." In other words, "God, don't sit down when my finances are this low." "Don't sit down when my problems are this big." But in the end, God not only healed Lazarus, He raised him from the dead!
Your mind may be telling you it's over, it's too late, it's never going to happen. No, you've got to know there is a reason for the delay. God is planning something greater. You're thinking of a healing. He is thinking of a resurrection. You may be thinking how can I just survive, but God is thinking how you can thrive. Remember, His ways are higher than your ways, and you can trust that He is going to amaze you with His goodness in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, today I choose to trust in You. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I release all of my cares and concerns to You knowing that You have a greater plan in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen
OH, HOW I LOVE JESUS Friday – June 25, 2010
OH, HOW I LOVE JESUS Friday – June 25, 2010
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
Frederick Whitfield was born in 1829 at Threapwood, Shropshire, England. He was the son of a minister. Frederick also went on to study for the ministry and was ordained in the Church of England.
In 1855, while he was a student at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Whitfield was inspired to pen a hymn. In a few days, he wrote: “There is a Name I love to hear.”
In less than ten years after its first printing, the hymn began to appear in hymnals in America.
Churches on the western frontier and rural churches in the eastern states usually only had one copy of a songbook, and it contained only the words. The preacher or song leader would give the tune and then would "line out" the hymn by reading ahead line-by-line as the congregation sang the hymn. Somewhere along the way, an unknown song leader changed the chorus. Whitfield had written:
“O, how I love the Saviour's name
O, how I love the Saviour's name
O, how I love the Saviour's name
The sweetest name on earth”
But the song leader wrote:
“Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!”
Jesus did first love us. We are to love the Lord with all of our heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Today in prayer, praise the Lord and love Him with all of your heart.
“O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me.”
– Unknown song leader
God’s Word: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:37
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
Frederick Whitfield was born in 1829 at Threapwood, Shropshire, England. He was the son of a minister. Frederick also went on to study for the ministry and was ordained in the Church of England.
In 1855, while he was a student at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Whitfield was inspired to pen a hymn. In a few days, he wrote: “There is a Name I love to hear.”
In less than ten years after its first printing, the hymn began to appear in hymnals in America.
Churches on the western frontier and rural churches in the eastern states usually only had one copy of a songbook, and it contained only the words. The preacher or song leader would give the tune and then would "line out" the hymn by reading ahead line-by-line as the congregation sang the hymn. Somewhere along the way, an unknown song leader changed the chorus. Whitfield had written:
“O, how I love the Saviour's name
O, how I love the Saviour's name
O, how I love the Saviour's name
The sweetest name on earth”
But the song leader wrote:
“Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!”
Jesus did first love us. We are to love the Lord with all of our heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Today in prayer, praise the Lord and love Him with all of your heart.
“O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me.”
– Unknown song leader
God’s Word: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:37
Who Are You Accountable To?
Who Are You Accountable To?
Two are better than one... Ecclesiates 4:9
On February 26, 1995, Barings, the oldest bank in Britain, announced it was going into bankruptcy after losing almost a billion dollars. In late 1994 the chief trader at Barings' Singapore office began betting big on Japan's Nikkei market. Then disaster struck. An earthquake hit Japan and on January 23, 1995, the Nikkei plunged more than 1,000 points, and Barings lost big money. But instead of cutting his losses the Barings' Singapore trader doubled his investment, betting that the Nikkei would rebound. But it didn't. Barings' London office put up nearly a billion dollars to support its falling position on the Singapore investments. Finally Barings ran out of capital and declared bankruptcy. So here's the question: how could a twenty-eight-year-old trader in Singapore lose nearly a billion dollars and ruin a 233-year-old bank? According to TIME magazine, the problem was lack of accountability: 'London allowed [the Singapore trader] to take control of both the trading desk and the back room settlement operation in Singapore. It is a mix that can be-and in this case was-toxic. A trader keeping his own books is like a schoolboy grading his own tests. The temptation to cheat can be overwhelming, particularly if the stakes are high enough.' Ever wonder why Jesus sent His disciples out in twos instead of solo? Because flanked with the right person we have support, encouragement and-protection. Protection from what? Ourselves! If you're serious about walking in victory, accountability is a step you must be willing to take. So, who are you accountable to?
Two are better than one... Ecclesiates 4:9
On February 26, 1995, Barings, the oldest bank in Britain, announced it was going into bankruptcy after losing almost a billion dollars. In late 1994 the chief trader at Barings' Singapore office began betting big on Japan's Nikkei market. Then disaster struck. An earthquake hit Japan and on January 23, 1995, the Nikkei plunged more than 1,000 points, and Barings lost big money. But instead of cutting his losses the Barings' Singapore trader doubled his investment, betting that the Nikkei would rebound. But it didn't. Barings' London office put up nearly a billion dollars to support its falling position on the Singapore investments. Finally Barings ran out of capital and declared bankruptcy. So here's the question: how could a twenty-eight-year-old trader in Singapore lose nearly a billion dollars and ruin a 233-year-old bank? According to TIME magazine, the problem was lack of accountability: 'London allowed [the Singapore trader] to take control of both the trading desk and the back room settlement operation in Singapore. It is a mix that can be-and in this case was-toxic. A trader keeping his own books is like a schoolboy grading his own tests. The temptation to cheat can be overwhelming, particularly if the stakes are high enough.' Ever wonder why Jesus sent His disciples out in twos instead of solo? Because flanked with the right person we have support, encouragement and-protection. Protection from what? Ourselves! If you're serious about walking in victory, accountability is a step you must be willing to take. So, who are you accountable to?
Making the Port of Heaven
Making the Port of Heaven
Prepare to meet your God, O Israel.
Amos 4:12
Recommended Reading
Luke 13:1-5
The steamship London sank off the Land's End in the English Channel on January 11, 1866, amid a terrible storm. Only one lifeboat was launched before the great ship sank, and only three passengers survived. Among the dead was Daniel Draper, a Wesleyan Methodist preacher. In the hours before the ship was lost, he reportedly went from person to person, evangelizing the passengers and crew, and he led virtually the whole ship to faith in Christ. The last words anyone heard him utter were these: "Those of you who are not converted, now is the time; not a moment to be lost, for in a few minutes we shall all be in the presence of the Judge."
Our world is in a storm, and many are sinking in life's alarms. Revelation 20 vividly describes the coming judgment at the Great White Throne of God at the end of history. If you don't know Christ as Savior, there's not a moment to be lost. Prepare to meet God by confessing Christ as Lord of your life today.
The captain tells us there is no hope; that we must all perish. But I tell you there is hope, hope for all. Although we must die, and shall never again see land, we may all make the port of heaven. Daniel Draper, aboard the London
Prepare to meet your God, O Israel.
Amos 4:12
Recommended Reading
Luke 13:1-5
The steamship London sank off the Land's End in the English Channel on January 11, 1866, amid a terrible storm. Only one lifeboat was launched before the great ship sank, and only three passengers survived. Among the dead was Daniel Draper, a Wesleyan Methodist preacher. In the hours before the ship was lost, he reportedly went from person to person, evangelizing the passengers and crew, and he led virtually the whole ship to faith in Christ. The last words anyone heard him utter were these: "Those of you who are not converted, now is the time; not a moment to be lost, for in a few minutes we shall all be in the presence of the Judge."
Our world is in a storm, and many are sinking in life's alarms. Revelation 20 vividly describes the coming judgment at the Great White Throne of God at the end of history. If you don't know Christ as Savior, there's not a moment to be lost. Prepare to meet God by confessing Christ as Lord of your life today.
The captain tells us there is no hope; that we must all perish. But I tell you there is hope, hope for all. Although we must die, and shall never again see land, we may all make the port of heaven. Daniel Draper, aboard the London
Make Time
Make Time
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us"
(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)
It's interesting that many of the miracles Jesus performed weren't planned or scheduled. Oftentimes, they happened when He was interrupted.
Walking down the street, a blind man hollered out, "Jesus! Have mercy! Come over and heal me!" Jesus didn't say, "Don't you know I'm the Son of God? I'm important. I've got a lot to do." No, Jesus stopped what He was doing, went out of His way, and healed the man. Jesus was willing to be inconvenienced to help other people in need.
We have to remember that as believers, we are the hands and feet of Jesus in the earth. We are His ambassadors. We may have a lot on our "to do" lists, but we have to be willing to make time for the people God has placed in our lives. That means not only your friends and family, but people you encounter on a daily basis. Today, keep your heart and mind open because God wants to do something in and through you when you choose to make time for Him.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I commit myself wholeheartedly to Your service. Thank You for choosing me and equipping me to be a blessing to the people around me. Use me for Your glory as I set my love and attention on You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us"
(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)
It's interesting that many of the miracles Jesus performed weren't planned or scheduled. Oftentimes, they happened when He was interrupted.
Walking down the street, a blind man hollered out, "Jesus! Have mercy! Come over and heal me!" Jesus didn't say, "Don't you know I'm the Son of God? I'm important. I've got a lot to do." No, Jesus stopped what He was doing, went out of His way, and healed the man. Jesus was willing to be inconvenienced to help other people in need.
We have to remember that as believers, we are the hands and feet of Jesus in the earth. We are His ambassadors. We may have a lot on our "to do" lists, but we have to be willing to make time for the people God has placed in our lives. That means not only your friends and family, but people you encounter on a daily basis. Today, keep your heart and mind open because God wants to do something in and through you when you choose to make time for Him.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I commit myself wholeheartedly to Your service. Thank You for choosing me and equipping me to be a blessing to the people around me. Use me for Your glory as I set my love and attention on You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
REMEMBERING TO DO GOOD Thursday – June 24, 2010
REMEMBERING TO DO GOOD Thursday – June 24, 2010
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” – Deuteronomy 4:9
Idina Menzel is an American actress, singer and songwriter. She is best known for her role of Elphaba in the musical “Wicked”.
In 2003, Idina starred in the original Broadway cast of “Wicked.” The following year, she won the a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Idina left the show in 2005, but reprised her role in 2006 in the London production.
One of the signature songs of the show is called “For Good.” It was a song Idina had sung more than 1000 times during those performances.
But in July 2008, Idina was singing it before an audience in Nashville, Tennessee when her mind went blank. Three times she needed the audience prompt her in remembering the words. Finally, Idina had to rely on her audience to finish “For Good.”
The Lord desires us to remember His words, to take them to heart, and do everything for good. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His Word and seek to remember and apply all of His Word for good.
“The tumult and the shouting dies, The captains and the kings depart; Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, A humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet Lest we forget,--lest we forget.” – Rudyard Kipling
God’s Word: “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” – Psalm 78:7
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” – Deuteronomy 4:9
Idina Menzel is an American actress, singer and songwriter. She is best known for her role of Elphaba in the musical “Wicked”.
In 2003, Idina starred in the original Broadway cast of “Wicked.” The following year, she won the a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Idina left the show in 2005, but reprised her role in 2006 in the London production.
One of the signature songs of the show is called “For Good.” It was a song Idina had sung more than 1000 times during those performances.
But in July 2008, Idina was singing it before an audience in Nashville, Tennessee when her mind went blank. Three times she needed the audience prompt her in remembering the words. Finally, Idina had to rely on her audience to finish “For Good.”
The Lord desires us to remember His words, to take them to heart, and do everything for good. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His Word and seek to remember and apply all of His Word for good.
“The tumult and the shouting dies, The captains and the kings depart; Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, A humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet Lest we forget,--lest we forget.” – Rudyard Kipling
God’s Word: “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” – Psalm 78:7
Learn to Laugh
Learn to Laugh
...A cheerful heart is good medicine... Proverbs 17:22
If you're constantly negative in your outlook, something's wrong. 'There is...a time to laugh...' (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 NKJV). You say, 'Right now I can't find anything to laugh about.' Then observe how the Psalmist opens Psalms 124, 125, and 126: '...If the Lord had not been on our side...they would have swallowed us alive...' (Ps 124:1-3 NIV). 'Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken...' (Psalm 125:1 NIV). 'When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion...Our mouths were filled with laughter...Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them'' (Psalm 126:1-3 NIV). When you can rejoice in the midst of trouble, people want to know what your secret is. And you can always find a reason to rejoice when you remember Who is on your side. Doctors have confirmed what the Bible teaches: Laughter de-stresses you and strengthens your immune system: A cheerful heart is good medicine'; plus, a positive attitude will bring you favour and cooperation. When you keep adding to the heat and confusion of a crisis, people lose respect for your ability to handle things under pressure. But, if you stay cool and maintain your sense of humour when things are falling apart, they'll show their appreciation in better work and increased loyalty. Sure, some problems are serious, but you gain nothing by dwelling on the bleak side. Put the problem into God's hands and watch the results! Job said, 'He will...fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy' (Job 8:21 NRS). Now, if he could say that, surely you can!
...A cheerful heart is good medicine... Proverbs 17:22
If you're constantly negative in your outlook, something's wrong. 'There is...a time to laugh...' (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 NKJV). You say, 'Right now I can't find anything to laugh about.' Then observe how the Psalmist opens Psalms 124, 125, and 126: '...If the Lord had not been on our side...they would have swallowed us alive...' (Ps 124:1-3 NIV). 'Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken...' (Psalm 125:1 NIV). 'When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion...Our mouths were filled with laughter...Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them'' (Psalm 126:1-3 NIV). When you can rejoice in the midst of trouble, people want to know what your secret is. And you can always find a reason to rejoice when you remember Who is on your side. Doctors have confirmed what the Bible teaches: Laughter de-stresses you and strengthens your immune system: A cheerful heart is good medicine'; plus, a positive attitude will bring you favour and cooperation. When you keep adding to the heat and confusion of a crisis, people lose respect for your ability to handle things under pressure. But, if you stay cool and maintain your sense of humour when things are falling apart, they'll show their appreciation in better work and increased loyalty. Sure, some problems are serious, but you gain nothing by dwelling on the bleak side. Put the problem into God's hands and watch the results! Job said, 'He will...fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy' (Job 8:21 NRS). Now, if he could say that, surely you can!
Wednesday 23 June 2010
Paper Cuts
Paper Cuts
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Recommended Reading
2 Cor. 4:16-18
Imagine that your friend called you and complained, "My business card was drawn out of a fish bowl at the convention and I've won an all-expense paid trip to Paris, but I suffered a paper cut when I opened the envelope announcing the prize. I'm very upset."
You'd say, "Why be upset? A little paper cut isn't worth considering, compared to the excitement of a trip to Paris."
That's the argument God makes in Romans 8:18. Granted, our trials and troubles in life are often more than paper cuts. But our coming trip to New Jerusalem and the glories to follow are a lot greater than any trip to Paris. The apostle Paul, who wrote these words, had been shipwrecked, flogged, bound in stocks, beaten with rods, chained, stoned, and treated like a dog. Yet he said his sufferings weren't worth comparing with coming glory.
Whatever we're going through today, we can live in Romans 8:18. For our light and momentary affliction is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
One second of glory will outweigh a lifetime of suffering.
Arthur W. Pink
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Recommended Reading
2 Cor. 4:16-18
Imagine that your friend called you and complained, "My business card was drawn out of a fish bowl at the convention and I've won an all-expense paid trip to Paris, but I suffered a paper cut when I opened the envelope announcing the prize. I'm very upset."
You'd say, "Why be upset? A little paper cut isn't worth considering, compared to the excitement of a trip to Paris."
That's the argument God makes in Romans 8:18. Granted, our trials and troubles in life are often more than paper cuts. But our coming trip to New Jerusalem and the glories to follow are a lot greater than any trip to Paris. The apostle Paul, who wrote these words, had been shipwrecked, flogged, bound in stocks, beaten with rods, chained, stoned, and treated like a dog. Yet he said his sufferings weren't worth comparing with coming glory.
Whatever we're going through today, we can live in Romans 8:18. For our light and momentary affliction is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
One second of glory will outweigh a lifetime of suffering.
Arthur W. Pink
Tuesday 22 June 2010
He is Strong in You
He is Strong in You
"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…"
(Romans 8:26, NLT)
Do you ever get focused on what you consider to be a disadvantage or weakness in your life? Maybe there's something about yourself that you don't like physically. You may have even been through an unfair situation: a divorce, a bad business deal, or a bad break.
We all have things that can feel like disadvantages, things that make it harder on us. But just because you have a "disadvantage," just because you've been through a tough time doesn't mean you're supposed to sit back and settle where you are. No, God still has something great for you to do! He wants to show Himself strong in and through you. The Holy Spirit wants to help you during those times when you feel weak. If you will stay in faith and not get negative toward yourself or your future, then God can take what you think is a liability and turn it into an asset. What you think is a disadvantage God will turn around to be an advantage so you can move forward into the abundant life He has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I give You all that I am. I invite You into the weak places in my life so that You can turn them into strengths. Thank You for working in my life and filling me with faith and expectancy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…"
(Romans 8:26, NLT)
Do you ever get focused on what you consider to be a disadvantage or weakness in your life? Maybe there's something about yourself that you don't like physically. You may have even been through an unfair situation: a divorce, a bad business deal, or a bad break.
We all have things that can feel like disadvantages, things that make it harder on us. But just because you have a "disadvantage," just because you've been through a tough time doesn't mean you're supposed to sit back and settle where you are. No, God still has something great for you to do! He wants to show Himself strong in and through you. The Holy Spirit wants to help you during those times when you feel weak. If you will stay in faith and not get negative toward yourself or your future, then God can take what you think is a liability and turn it into an asset. What you think is a disadvantage God will turn around to be an advantage so you can move forward into the abundant life He has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I give You all that I am. I invite You into the weak places in my life so that You can turn them into strengths. Thank You for working in my life and filling me with faith and expectancy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
GOD DOES NOT LIE Wednesday – June 23, 2010
GOD DOES NOT LIE Wednesday – June 23, 2010
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19
René Descartes was a French mathematician and philosopher who lived in the early seventeenth century. He is best remembered as the father of analytical geometry, the bridge between algebra and geometry.
In his book, the Fourth Meditations, Descartes discusses “Truth and Falsity.” He wrote:
“To begin with, I recognize that it is impossible that God should ever deceive me. For in every case of trickery or deception some imperfection is to be found; and although the ability to deceive appears to be an indication of cleverness or power, the will to deceive is undoubtedly evidence of malice or weakness, and so cannot apply to God.
Next, I know by experience that there is in me a faculty of judgment which, like everything else which is in me, I certainly received from God. And since God does not wish to deceive me, he surely did not give me the kind of faculty which would ever enable me to go wrong while using it correctly.”
Lying is a sin, it is weakness that cannot stand with the truth. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He does not lie and in Christ, we see all the fullness of truth.
“Lying is the acme of evil.” – Victor Hugo
God’s Word: “‘Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.’” – Leviticus 19:11
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19
René Descartes was a French mathematician and philosopher who lived in the early seventeenth century. He is best remembered as the father of analytical geometry, the bridge between algebra and geometry.
In his book, the Fourth Meditations, Descartes discusses “Truth and Falsity.” He wrote:
“To begin with, I recognize that it is impossible that God should ever deceive me. For in every case of trickery or deception some imperfection is to be found; and although the ability to deceive appears to be an indication of cleverness or power, the will to deceive is undoubtedly evidence of malice or weakness, and so cannot apply to God.
Next, I know by experience that there is in me a faculty of judgment which, like everything else which is in me, I certainly received from God. And since God does not wish to deceive me, he surely did not give me the kind of faculty which would ever enable me to go wrong while using it correctly.”
Lying is a sin, it is weakness that cannot stand with the truth. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He does not lie and in Christ, we see all the fullness of truth.
“Lying is the acme of evil.” – Victor Hugo
God’s Word: “‘Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.’” – Leviticus 19:11
How's Your Prayer Life?
How's Your Prayer Life?
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray... Psalm 55:17
In 1965 experts predicted that in twenty years we'd all be working a twenty-two-hour week and retire by age forty because computers would do most of the work. So what did the experts overlook? Appetites! The more we have the more we want. In this vicious cycle, the first casualty is our time with God! So, how's your prayer life? Before you answer, read these words from some great servants of God: DL Moody: 'If you have so much business to attend to that you have no time to pray, depend upon it, you have more business on hand than God ever intended you should have.' Jill Briscoe: 'The management of time is the management of self; therefore, if you manage time with God, He will begin to manage you.' Helmut Thielicke: 'The Word of God is demanding. It demands a stretch of time in our day; even though it be a very modest one; in which He is our only companion...God will not put up with being fobbed off with prayers in telegram style and cut short like a troublesome visitor for whom we open the door just a crack to get rid of him as quickly as possible.' AW Tozer: 'Now, as always, God discloses Himself to babes and hides himself in thick darkness from the wise and the prudent. We must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few). We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candour of childhood. If we do this, without a doubt God will quickly respond.'
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray... Psalm 55:17
In 1965 experts predicted that in twenty years we'd all be working a twenty-two-hour week and retire by age forty because computers would do most of the work. So what did the experts overlook? Appetites! The more we have the more we want. In this vicious cycle, the first casualty is our time with God! So, how's your prayer life? Before you answer, read these words from some great servants of God: DL Moody: 'If you have so much business to attend to that you have no time to pray, depend upon it, you have more business on hand than God ever intended you should have.' Jill Briscoe: 'The management of time is the management of self; therefore, if you manage time with God, He will begin to manage you.' Helmut Thielicke: 'The Word of God is demanding. It demands a stretch of time in our day; even though it be a very modest one; in which He is our only companion...God will not put up with being fobbed off with prayers in telegram style and cut short like a troublesome visitor for whom we open the door just a crack to get rid of him as quickly as possible.' AW Tozer: 'Now, as always, God discloses Himself to babes and hides himself in thick darkness from the wise and the prudent. We must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few). We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candour of childhood. If we do this, without a doubt God will quickly respond.'
The Millennium
The Millennium
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4
Recommended Reading
Isaiah 11:6-10
Several years ago during the Y2-K hysteria, some people wondered if the world was about to end because of the turning of the calendar. We were entering a new millennium, a once-in-a-thousand-years occurrence.
The Bible teaches that a future millennium will highlight the reign of Christ for one thousand years. During this time, Satan will be bound and the world will enjoy a time of tranquility that defies history. The millennial reign of Christ is necessary to reward the people of God, to respond to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray that God's kingdom would come, to redeem the creation, and to fulfill all the promises made to Israel throughout the unfolding prophecies of the Old Testament. It will be a time of peace, prosperity, purity, perpetual health, and personal joy.
Perhaps you don't understand all the aspects of the coming Millennium, but here's the key thought--and it should encourage us every day: "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).
Lord, grant it!
The Bible says we can have kingdom joy now as Christ is made the king of our life. And someday we will have it perfectly in the millennium when the joy of the Lord will be on the face of all.
Dr. David Jeremiah
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4
Recommended Reading
Isaiah 11:6-10
Several years ago during the Y2-K hysteria, some people wondered if the world was about to end because of the turning of the calendar. We were entering a new millennium, a once-in-a-thousand-years occurrence.
The Bible teaches that a future millennium will highlight the reign of Christ for one thousand years. During this time, Satan will be bound and the world will enjoy a time of tranquility that defies history. The millennial reign of Christ is necessary to reward the people of God, to respond to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray that God's kingdom would come, to redeem the creation, and to fulfill all the promises made to Israel throughout the unfolding prophecies of the Old Testament. It will be a time of peace, prosperity, purity, perpetual health, and personal joy.
Perhaps you don't understand all the aspects of the coming Millennium, but here's the key thought--and it should encourage us every day: "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).
Lord, grant it!
The Bible says we can have kingdom joy now as Christ is made the king of our life. And someday we will have it perfectly in the millennium when the joy of the Lord will be on the face of all.
Dr. David Jeremiah
Divine Interruptions
Divine Interruptions
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight"
(Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
We all have times when our plans don't work out. We get delayed, interrupted, and inconvenienced. It's easy to get frustrated and fight against everything that doesn't go our way. But I've learned that every interruption is not bad. Every closed door doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. Every delay doesn't mean you're not where you're supposed to be. There is something I call a divine interruption where God, on purpose, will delay us to protect us from an accident. On purpose, He will close a door because it's not His best. Sometimes, God will allow us to be inconvenienced so we can help someone else in need. We have to be willing to press through difficulty so we can be at the right place at the right time.
The next time you're interrupted, delayed, or inconvenienced, don't start thinking, "This is a pain. This is getting me off schedule." No, get a new perspective. Look for what God wants to do because it could be divine interruption or divine protection. Trust Him today because He is directing your steps.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me. I surrender every area of my mind, will, and emotions to You. Use me for Your glory today and teach me to discern Your ways. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight"
(Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
We all have times when our plans don't work out. We get delayed, interrupted, and inconvenienced. It's easy to get frustrated and fight against everything that doesn't go our way. But I've learned that every interruption is not bad. Every closed door doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. Every delay doesn't mean you're not where you're supposed to be. There is something I call a divine interruption where God, on purpose, will delay us to protect us from an accident. On purpose, He will close a door because it's not His best. Sometimes, God will allow us to be inconvenienced so we can help someone else in need. We have to be willing to press through difficulty so we can be at the right place at the right time.
The next time you're interrupted, delayed, or inconvenienced, don't start thinking, "This is a pain. This is getting me off schedule." No, get a new perspective. Look for what God wants to do because it could be divine interruption or divine protection. Trust Him today because He is directing your steps.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me. I surrender every area of my mind, will, and emotions to You. Use me for Your glory today and teach me to discern Your ways. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Monday 21 June 2010
BE PATIENT Tuesday – June 22, 2010
BE PATIENT Tuesday – June 22, 2010
"They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way” – Numbers 21:4
In 1989, the world was shocked by the damage of the Exxon Valdez. The tanker leaked 10.8 million gallons into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. One person who decided to do something was actor Kevin Costner. Kevin’s brother Dan was a scientist and the two purchased a company called Ocean Therapy Solutions in 1995.
For the next 15 years, the Costners developed an oil water separator that could extract 210,000 gallons of oil a day from water.
The company built 32 oil separating machines that are sophisticated centrifuge devices. But there was little interest from both industry and the government. The Exxon Valdez was becoming history in many people’s minds. However, Kevin and Dan knew their patience would one day be recognized.
Then in June 2010, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, British Petroleum asked the Costners to deploy their 32 oil separating machines. After years of preparation, Kevin said of his product: “I just am really happy that this has come to the light of day. I'm very sad about why it is, but this is why it was developed, and like anything that we all face as a group, we face it together.”
Patience is never easy, but it is necessary. Today in prayer, give any impatience you may have to Christ and know that through patience He is making you more like Him.
“It is in attempting to reach the top at a single leap that so much misery is caused in the world.” – John Bradley
God’s Word: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8
"They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way” – Numbers 21:4
In 1989, the world was shocked by the damage of the Exxon Valdez. The tanker leaked 10.8 million gallons into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. One person who decided to do something was actor Kevin Costner. Kevin’s brother Dan was a scientist and the two purchased a company called Ocean Therapy Solutions in 1995.
For the next 15 years, the Costners developed an oil water separator that could extract 210,000 gallons of oil a day from water.
The company built 32 oil separating machines that are sophisticated centrifuge devices. But there was little interest from both industry and the government. The Exxon Valdez was becoming history in many people’s minds. However, Kevin and Dan knew their patience would one day be recognized.
Then in June 2010, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, British Petroleum asked the Costners to deploy their 32 oil separating machines. After years of preparation, Kevin said of his product: “I just am really happy that this has come to the light of day. I'm very sad about why it is, but this is why it was developed, and like anything that we all face as a group, we face it together.”
Patience is never easy, but it is necessary. Today in prayer, give any impatience you may have to Christ and know that through patience He is making you more like Him.
“It is in attempting to reach the top at a single leap that so much misery is caused in the world.” – John Bradley
God’s Word: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8
You Need Discernment
You Need Discernment
...Those who...have their senses exercised to discern... Hebrews 5:14
The Bible says that those who are spiritually mature 'have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.' Notice, it doesn't say they use their head; it says they exercise their sense of discernment. The word 'exercise' means to train like a bodybuilder developing muscle. To discern correctly, you must: 1) spend time meditating on the Scriptures 2) harmonize what you think God's telling you with what He says in His Word 3) observe and obey the conditions that go with His promises. The Scripture, 'Who by constant use have trained themselves' (NIV), means you must practice, be willing to learn from your mistakes, and grow in this area. When it comes to knowing what's good for you and what's not, your Spirit is like an inner compass; it can guide you correctly when your head doesn't know which way to go. Some things that you have dismissed as a hunch or an intuition were actually God's Spirit trying to convey the answer to you. But you kept rejecting it because it didn't sound 'reasonable.' It takes faith to operate in this realm. You'll never have real discernment as long as you are ruled by reasoning. Reasoning is a product of your head; discernment is a product of your Spirit. Your head doesn't comprehend spiritual things. So when your Spirit brings forth discernment and your head starts arguing about it, you never make progress. '...The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit...' (1 Corinthians 2:14). God says, '...What I have planned, that will I do...' (Isaiah 46:11 NIV). God has a plan for your life. To follow it, you need discernment!
...Those who...have their senses exercised to discern... Hebrews 5:14
The Bible says that those who are spiritually mature 'have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.' Notice, it doesn't say they use their head; it says they exercise their sense of discernment. The word 'exercise' means to train like a bodybuilder developing muscle. To discern correctly, you must: 1) spend time meditating on the Scriptures 2) harmonize what you think God's telling you with what He says in His Word 3) observe and obey the conditions that go with His promises. The Scripture, 'Who by constant use have trained themselves' (NIV), means you must practice, be willing to learn from your mistakes, and grow in this area. When it comes to knowing what's good for you and what's not, your Spirit is like an inner compass; it can guide you correctly when your head doesn't know which way to go. Some things that you have dismissed as a hunch or an intuition were actually God's Spirit trying to convey the answer to you. But you kept rejecting it because it didn't sound 'reasonable.' It takes faith to operate in this realm. You'll never have real discernment as long as you are ruled by reasoning. Reasoning is a product of your head; discernment is a product of your Spirit. Your head doesn't comprehend spiritual things. So when your Spirit brings forth discernment and your head starts arguing about it, you never make progress. '...The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit...' (1 Corinthians 2:14). God says, '...What I have planned, that will I do...' (Isaiah 46:11 NIV). God has a plan for your life. To follow it, you need discernment!
Bible Verses on Faith
Bible Verses on Faith
his article will serve as a followup to our first article on faith titled, “Introduction to Faith.” In that first article, I gave you some of the basics of what faith is, how it can either grow or wane on the inside of you, and how to keep your faith levels from dipping too low with the Lord once any kind of adversity starts to come knocking on your door.
In this article, I want to take you right into the heart of this subject matter by giving you all of the main verses from the Bible on faith so you can fully understand what faith is all about, and what a very important part it plays in your own personal relationship with the Lord. I cannot emphasize enough the extreme power that are on these verses.
Faith is your lifeline to the Lord. Lose your faith in the Lord, and you will lose all contact with Him. The very last verse I have listed at the bottom of this article is one of the most bone-chilling verses in all of the Bible. This verse gives the analogy of the branch and tree, and we as the branch of the tree can be cut off from the tree, which is Jesus, if we ever lose our faith in Him. This is a perfect description as to what can happen to someone in the spiritual realm if they should ever lose their faith in the Lord.
As we have said before, throw all of the temper tantrums you want, wrestle with God over certain issues you are really struggling with – but do not ever lose your faith in the Lord and quit and walk off of His playing field.
Many of these verses are extreme, and I mean extreme. As I go through all of them under the appropriate captions below, I will highlight and point out key words and key phrases so you can really grasp what the Lord is trying to tell you with some of these very intense verses.
This is one of the most important topics you will ever study on in your own personal walk with the Lord. Really meditate on the knowledge and revelation that are in these verses – and make sure that you always keep your faith fully intact with the Lord and do not ever be tempted to want to lose your faith in Him and with what He is doing with your life.
Now I will break all of these verses down under 13 captions below so you can see exactly what the Lord is trying to show you with all of the different verses on faith. Again, these verses, and the knowledge and revelation that is in each one of them, are major, foundational verses that have to become an actual part of your own personal walk with the Lord. Burn many of these verses into your memory banks, as these kinds of powerful verses is what will get you through some of the tougher types of storm clouds that can come your way in this life.
1. What Faith Is
The very first thing you will need to know is exactly what faith is – and one major power verse alone will give you that perfect definition. Here is the very first foundational verse you must have underneath your belt on the topic of faith. It would also be my strong recommendation that you commit this verse to full memorization.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
The first word to key in on is the word “substance,” – that “faith is the substance” of things hoped for. Some believe that the word “substance” should be interpreted literally. If that assumption is correct, then this means that faith is a “spiritual substance” that is literally on the inside of each one of us.
However, other Bible scholars do not agree with this interpretation. Their reasoning is based off of the Greek word for “substance.” The Greek word for “substance” is the word “hypostasis,” and this word means the following:
“A setting under or support (foundation), assurance, confidence, confident expectation, an assured impression and a mental realizing.”
Some other good definitions on what faith is from some of the different Bible Dictionaries and Commentaries are the following:
The assurance of things hoped for
A belief or confident attitude toward God
Conviction, trust, belief, reliance, and a trustworthiness towards God
But whether faith is a spiritual substance on the inside of you, or more of a mental quality that operates more in your mind and possibly your heart, it has the ability to grow on the inside of you as will be shown in the next set of verses.
2. How Faith Comes To Us
These next three verses should also be committed to full memorization, as they will all set the stage as to exactly how God has the faith game set up with all of us.
Even though these verses are very short one-liners, do not let that fool you. When you put these three verses together like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle, the revelation will come through loud and clear. Here they are, one right after the other:
“… as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith …” (Romans 12:3)
“… because your faith grows exceedingly.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
a) You first have to look at these verses in the above chronological order as they are being presented. The very first verse sets the entire stage on what faith is all about with the Lord. This very first verse will tell you that God Himself will give each person a certain “measure of faith.”
Why would God want to give each person a certain measure of faith? The main reason being is that you cannot get saved in the Lord without a certain measure of faith operating in you, as the Bible tells us that we are saved by grace through our “faith” in Jesus. So God has no other alternative but to give each person a certain measure of faith, otherwise we would never be able to get saved through His Son Jesus.
b) The next verse will now add more revelation to this first verse. This second verse will now tell us that not only do we all get a certain measure of faith to start off with from the Lord, but this faith is now capable of actually growing on the inside of us.
I remember when I first saw these two verses strung together, the very first analogy that came to my mind was the scale of 1-10, with 1 being the least amount of faith you could have in the Lord, and 10 being the most amount of faith you could have in the Lord. I then saw on that scale how our faith could not only grow over the years in the Lord, but also how it could dip or decrease if you got hit with a real nasty storm cloud, and you then start to question God as to whether or not He can actually help you handle this type of heavier storm cloud.
It is very easy to have high levels of faith in the Lord when everything is going good and great, but let someone face a heaver type of storm cloud, and all of a sudden their high levels of faith in the Lord could take a major nosedive, as they then start yelling at God as to how He could have allowed this kind of heavy storm cloud to come into their life in the first place. This is why the apostle Paul says we have to fight the good fight of faith. Sometimes we have to “fight” to keep our faith levels up in the Lord, especially when we are going through very trying circumstances in our own personal life.
c) But now to the third verse. With the first two verses telling us that we have all been given a certain measure of faith by the Lord, and that this faith is now actually capable of growing on the inside of us, this next verse will now tell us exactly how we can get that faith to start growing on the inside of us.
Bottom line – faith “comes’ by hearing the Word of God. And what does the Bible mean by “hearing” the Word of God? “Hearing” the Word of God means that you are reading the Bible for yourself, trying to understand and assimilate it all as best as you can. If you will be willing to spend some good, regular, quality time in reading the Bible and trying to understand it as best as you can with the help of the Holy Spirit, then your faith levels will start to grow and increase on the inside of you. Why?
Because you are now starting to “believe” what you are reading about the Lord from His Word. You are now finding out who God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit really are. And not only are you getting to more more about Them as far as Their actual personality qualities, but you are also getting to see how They interacted with the human race, and how much They really do love and care for all of us. Once you start to see how much God really does love and care for all of the people He has dealt with in the past in the Bible, then you will see and realize that He will care just as much for you, since the Bible tells us that He is no respecter of persons.
As a result of this new kind of spiritual knowledge entering into your mind and spirit, your faith in the Lord will start to increase, especially when you start reading of the powerful miracles that God did for people back in both the OT and NT. And if God can heal and supernaturally help people back then, then He can still do the exact same thing for all of us in this day and age, since the Bible tells us that God cannot and will not change, and that He is the same today as He was yesterday. This means the God of the Bible is the same God in this day and age, and what you have read about Him from the past in the Bible will also apply to all of us in this current day and age.
However, if you do not continue to stay in the Bible to increase your knowledge levels about the Lord, then your faith can actually stop growing in Him. In other words, it can stagnate, like someone turning off a light switch.
I believe it is the Holy Spirit Himself who will cause your faith levels to increase with God over time. All of a sudden your faith has just gone from a 3 to a 4. And then further on down the road, your faith has just gone from a 4 to a 5. As I will show you below, the Bible tells us that we can go from “faith to faith” and “strength to strength,” which again, are two more good verses showing us that our faith levels in the Lord can actually increase over time.
But the Holy Spirit will not cause your faith levels to increase over time with the Lord unless you first do your part, and your first part is to get into the Word on some kind of regular basis and try to acquire as much knowledge as you possibly can about the Lord. The key is knowledge.
The Bible tells us that God wants us to “grow” in His “knowledge” and grace. And if you will be willing to grow in the knowledge of God through the study of Scripture, then the Holy Spirit Himself will start to supernaturally move to increase your faith levels in the Lord over time. But He first needs something to work with and that something is knowledge. The Holy Spirit will not do this kind of work for you free of charge. You have to be willing to show God that you mean serious business with Him, and that You want to learn all you can about Him and all of His ways by studying the Bible.
Do your part by trying to learn as much about God as you possibly can by studying the Bible, and then the Holy Spirit will do His part and He will then start to gradually increase your faith levels in the Lord over time. And then once your faith levels start to increase over time with the Lord, then God will be able to do greater and mightier things either for you or through you to help other people out.
You can sum all of this up in one simple little statement – as you grow in the knowledge of God through your study of the Bible, then your faith will start to grow right along with it. But stop growing in the knowledge of God and your faith will stop growing right along with it. I believe there is a direct correlation between these two. Greater increase in knowledge will lead to a greater increase in faith.
3. We Are Saved by Grace Through Faith
As I said above, the number one reason God has to give each person a certain measure of faith is so they can get saved through the blood of His Son Jesus. Here are 2 very good verses showing us that we are saved by grace through our “faith” in Jesus.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)
Notice three key phrases – that we are “saved through FAITH,” that we have been “justified by FAITH,” and that we “have access by FAITH into this grace.”
This is why God has to give each person a certain measure of faith, for without it, none of us would be able to get saved in the Lord.
4. Faith Without Works is Dead
This next verse is a major power verse, and I mean a major power verse. Though we can only be saved by grace through our faith in Jesus, and works has absolutely nothing to do with us being able to receive our eternal salvation in Jesus, this still does not take works out of our walk with the Lord.
This next verse will tell us in no uncertain terms that our faith in the Lord has to be backed up with good works, and if it is not, then our faith will be considered “dead” in the eyes of God. In other words, faith without works is dead. Here is the verse:
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead … Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? … You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:17-26)
This verse is flat out telling us that we can have high levels of faith in the Lord, but if we do not back up that strong faith with some type of good works for Him, then our faith will be considered dead in His eyes.
Look what it says about Abraham. Abraham obviously had great faith in the Lord, but he still had to back up that great faith with good works. When Abraham was willing to put his one and only son Isaac on altar to sacrifice him because God was asking him to do this for Him, Abraham had to show God that he was now willing to put his faith into major action with Him. If Abraham would not have done this, his faith would have been considered dead in the eyes of God, since he would not have been willing to back up his faith in the Lord with a specific type of action and work.
Faith all by itself with the Lord will not get the job done. You have to be willing to put your faith into major action with the Lord, and the only way you can do this is by being willing to do specific types of works for Him down here in this life.
The last line of the above verse really sums all of this up very nicely. It says that just as the body would be dead without the spirit, so our faith without any type of works to back it up will also be considered dead in the eyes of the Lord.
Once you get saved through your faith in Jesus, God will now expect you to come and “work” for Him. He now has a perfect plan and destiny all set up for your life. And in that perfect plan and destiny for your life will be all of the “good works” you will be doing for the Lord. And if you are willing to do these types of good works for the Lord, then your faith will not be considered dead in His eyes, but fully alive, and He will then appropriately reward you for those good works once you enter into heaven to be with Him for all of eternity.
5. Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed Will Move Mountains
The next thing you will need to grab a hold of with the Lord is that you do not have to have great or large amounts of faith to get the show going with Him. On a scale of 1-10, you do not need your faith up in the 8-10 levels to get Him to move in your life.
As these next two powerful verses will tell you, all you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to get God to become very active in your life. And everyone has at least a mustard seed size of faith, since God has to give each person a certain measure of faith to get the ball rolling with Him.
The mustard seed is supposed to be one of the smallest, if not the smallest of all of the seeds – and yet Jesus is telling us in the following verses that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, then we will be able to move mountains in Him when we have too. This is an extremely powerful revelation being given to us by the Lord.
What I believe God is trying to tell us is that though He will give each person a certain measure of faith to start out with, for most of us, that certain measure will be probably be on the lower end of the scale. In other words, it might only be faith in the 1-3 category. But over time, that faith can start to increase on the inside of you as you read and study the Bible for yourself.
But even though you might have low levels of faith in the Lord to start out with, do not let that discourage you or set you back, as all you need is a very small amount of faith in Him to get the show going with Him. In other words, God will take whatever small amount of faith you may have in Him, and from there, He will then start to work in your life to build it up in the specific directions that He will want it to go in.
All God needs is your full consent and a little bit of faith mixed in with it to get it all going with Him. And these next two verses will spell all of that out for you. Here are two extremely powerful verses giving all of us this revelation from the Lord.
So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6)
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast him out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:19-20)
So the next time you feel that your faith is not strong enough or high enough in the Lord, remember what these two verses are telling you. If you have been hit by a very nasty storm cloud and you feel that your faith levels might have been knocked down from a “6″ to a “4″, do not let that bother you. God will still continue to work with that “4″ level of faith – and then once you see God start to actually deliver you from this bad storm could, then your faith levels will raise back up into that “6″ level again.
6. Faith to Faith – Strength to Strength
These next two verses are going to be the ones where it tells us that we can go from “faith to faith” and from “strength to strength” in our walk with the Lord. When this first verse will tell you that you can go to “faith to faith,” I believe it is telling us that we can go from one level of faith to the next level of faith. And again, I go back to the scale of 1-10 to try and understand this principle.
And I then believe this second verse will perfectly hook up to this first verse where it tells us that we can actually go from one level of strength to the next level of strength with the Lord – which means we can actually get stronger in our both our faith levels and our strength levels in the Lord.
One time I felt the Lord give me a direct word on all of this years ago. This little one-liner came out of the blue one day.
He said to me, “You’re only as strong as your faith.” And when He said “faith,” He was talking about my faith in Him, not my faith in my faith.
I knew then what He was trying to tell me – that the stronger and higher my faith levels would become in Him, the stronger person I would then become in Him. And the reason for that is because once you know that God has you fully covered and fully taken care of, you will then become much more confident and much more relaxed in your walk with the Lord. And once your confidence levels to start to increase in the Lord, then your strength levels will follow right along with it.
As you will see in some of the other verses below, if nothing is impossible with God, then nothing will impossible for you in your walk with God, since you now have higher levels of faith in Him as compared to the lower levels of faith you had when you first started to walk with Him.
Again, here are these two powerful verses giving us this specific revelation:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “the just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage … They go from strength to strength.” (Psalm 84:5-7)
So not only does God give each person a certain measure of faith to start out with, but this faith is actually capable of growing and increasing in Him, where you can then start to get to the point of where you are starting to go from faith to faith and strength to strength in your own personal walk with Him. This is extremely powerful stuff!!
7. We Walk By Faith – Not By Sight
These next five verses are now going to add some more meat to all of the above revelation. These next set of verses are going to tell us that we walk in this life by our faith in the Lord, not by our sight or by our other senses. Here they are, and then I will point out some of the key phrases you will really need to hone in on.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
“But the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
“Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38)
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
a) The very first verse says it all when it says we walk by faith and not by sight. In other words, we walk by our faith in the Lord and we do what He tells us to do in this life. We do not walk by our sight, our wisdom, or what the world is trying to tell us is the right thing to do.
Example – say you have just lost your job. The economy is in a bad recession. Almost 20% of people are now unemployed. This is where you will now have to put this verse into major action. If you depend on what you “see” with how bad the economy is right now, you will then start to get very upset and discouraged, and from there, you will then start to doubt that even God Himself will be able to overcome this hurdle for you and lead you to the next new job He will want you to have.
What you are now doing is depending on what you are seeing with your natural eye. What you are seeing with your natural eye is a 20% unemployment rate, and the chances are very poor on you getting a new job anytime soon. However, this is where you have to back off with what you are seeing with your natural eye and then start to try and see all of this through the eyes of God.
If nothing is impossible with God, then this means that God can obviously bring your next new job to you very quickly. You now have to put all of your faith and trust in God, not putting your faith in what you are seeing with your natural eye and your natural mind.
b) The next two verses then further drive this point home in that the just shall live by their faith in God, once more emphasizing the point that our faith has to be directly in God, not with what we are seeing in the natural realm with our natural eyes.
And then notice an additional little phrase that God puts in the 3rd verse above, where He says that if a person starts to pull back from Him, that His soul will have no pleasure in him. And if God is no longer going to have any more pleasure with you, then you are now going to be in big trouble with Him. Once you enter into a true faith walk with the Lord, you can never pull back, draw back, or bail out on Him. If you do, the consequences could be extreme and severe, as will be shown to you in some of the additional verses that will be listed at the end of this article.
Bottom line – once you have fully surrendered your entire being and your entire life into the Lord’s hands for His full direction and handling, from this point on you have to live this life as a life of faith directly in the Lord – not a life of faith in yourself, your parents, your best friends, or any part of this world.
God is now your Lord and Master and all of your faith now has to be directly in Him. And the sooner you can learn this principle and get it worked into your own personal walk with the Lord, the better your life is going to be in the Lord.
8. Do Not Doubt or Waver in Your Faith
These next 6 verses are now going to really turn up the heat on this topic. Now that you know that God wants you to totally walk this life out with a very strong faith in Him, these next 6 verses are going to add one more very intense warning to all of this. Here they are, and then I will again point out several key phrases to really grab a hold of.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8)
“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” (James 2:1)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:21-22)
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast in to the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:23-24)
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)
a) The very first verse is an absolute classic on this next topic. Once you enter into a true, faith walk with the Lord, the next thing you will want to concentrate on is to not let your faith ever start to waver on you or let any kind of doubt start to creep in on you.
As I said at the top of this article, it is very easy to have high levels of faith in the Lord when everything is going good and great – but let any kind of a vicious storm cloud come knocking on your door, and all of a sudden your high levels of faith in the Lord can actually start to waver and drop on you. And then notice what this verse says if that should ever happen to you – that you will then become like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind, and from there, you will become a double-minded man who will become unstable in all of his ways.
The reason you will become unstable in all of your ways is because you will have lost direct contact with the one Person who could get you through this vicious storm cloud in the first place, and that one Person is the Lord Himself. That is why you can never lose your faith in the Lord, or let it start to waver and drop on you. If you do, you will then become like a ping-pong ball, constantly going back and forth between your faith in God, and your faith in yourself and with what you are seeing with your own natural eyes. This is why you always have to keep your eyes on Jesus, especially when you are having to face a heavier type of storm cloud.
If you jump to the very last verse, this is exactly what happened with Peter when he started to walk on water with Jesus. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was just fine and he had no problems in being able to walk on that water. But as soon as he takes his eyes off of Jesus and puts them on the boisterous winds all around him, that is when he starts to sink. And from there, Jesus tells him that he is of little faith and why did he start to doubt to begin with.
b) The second verse then adds more to this when it tells us that we should not hold our faith in the Lord with any kind of partiality. The word “partiality” means “favoritism, tendency to favor unfairly, bias.”
These first two verses alone are telling us that God wants all of our faith to be totally in Him and then once we do that, not to let our faith start to waver or let any kind of doubt start to creep in. I have learned over the years that it is much easier to keep my faith up in the Lord and let Him work out any personal problems I may encounter instead of getting all bent out of shape.
c) Verses 4 and 5 are once more Jesus telling us that we can remove mountains if we have enough faith in Him and do not doubt. In the verses above on Jesus telling us that we can move mountains if we have faith the size of a mustard seed – now He is adding one other factor into all of this – and that one other factor is to have a type of faith in Him that will not waver. And once you start to let any type of doubt creep in, then your faith will start to waver and drop on you.
You can really tell by how all of these verses are being worded, that not only does God want all of us to have a very strong type of faith in Him, but He wants this faith to be the type that will not waver or drop on Him.
9. All Things Are Possible to Him Who Believes
These next 6 verses are going to be the ones you will really have to ground on and believe on once you start to face any kind of serious adversity in your life. No matter how hopeless things may start to appear to you in the natural, you have to believe what these next set of verses are trying to tell you. If you can do that, then God will move to solve your dilemma and He will then get you through the trial with a victory.
These next set of verses will tell you the following:
All things are possible to him who believes
With God all things are possible
For with God nothing will be impossible
The things which are impossible with men are possible with God
Just chew and meditate on those four, short, one-liners. They are all a real mouthful. Notice God says that “all things” are possible to those who will believe in Him – and if all things are possible with God, then that will also include Him being able to handle any type of storm cloud that may have just come into your life.
The above 4 phrases should be committed to full memorization so you do not ever forget how powerful our God really is. If our God is all-powerful, then there will be absolutely nothing that He cannot handle on our behalf. And these next 6 verses are going tell us exactly that! Here are these additional verses showing us how powerful our God really is:
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:36)
“With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
These are the types of verses that will really help increase your faith in the Lord. Once you fully understand that God is all-powerful and that there is absolutely nothing that He cannot do, then you will be able to put all of your faith and trust in Him because you will realize there is no one else you can do this with in your life. You cannot do it with yourself, your parents, or your best friends. Only God is all-perfect and all-powerful, and He thus is the only One you can put all of your faith and trust in.
10. God Will Test Your Faith Levels From Time to Time
As we have pointed out to you in our article, “Trials and Tribulations – The Testing of Your Faith,” from time to time, God will arrange for circumstances to occur in your personal life where He will purposely test your faith levels in Him. And when He does start to do this with you, it is very important that you take these faith tests very seriously and do your best to pass them so you can be kept on the divine path and destiny that He already has set up for you and your life.
Once again, here are two of these key verses that will show you that from time to time God will personally test your faith levels in Him.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuiness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ … receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6-9)
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
For those of you who want a real good, detailed article on why God will allow trials and tribulations to occur with all of us in this life, it would be our strong recommendation that you read the above article, as we cover all of the different angles on this part of our walk with the Lord.
11. Acts of Strong Faith From the Bible
So you can see how big of a thing it is that you try to get your faith operating at these higher levels with the Lord, here are 11 major power verses from the Bible giving you specific examples of people who did have these higher levels of faith in the Lord and what happened to them as a result.
As you will see in all of these examples, God will be able to do greater and mightier things either for you or through you to help other people out if you will just believe that He can do these types of heavier things for you.
Really study and meditate on these next set of verses, as they are all showing you what can happen to a person if they will just fully believe on the Lord with no doubting or wavering on their end. Here they are:
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people … And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.” (Acts 6:8-10)
“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong … Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16)
And when He came into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. (Matthew 9:28-30)
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:28)
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment; for she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 9:21-22)
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done to you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:13)
And Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And immediately He received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. (Mark 10:51-52)
“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me … So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” (Daniel 6:22-23)
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household … By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going … By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son …” (Hebrews 11:7-17)
“… and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Hebrews 11:32-34)
Notice how many times Jesus would ask someone if they had enough faith to believe that He could heal them. And then once they said they had enough faith in Him to do this, then Jesus would immediately heal them. He then goes as far as to tell them that what got them healed was their faith, even though it was really the Holy Spirit Himself who actually healed them. But it was the person’s faith and belief in Jesus that got the Holy Spirit to move on them to do the actual healing.
Again, your faith is your lifeline to the Lord, and in that lifeline God can manifest His healing power to you if you would ever need it in this life.
The last two verses show you how many of these great men of God did what they did because they had these higher levels of faith in the Lord. The last verse is another major power verse in that it starts out with the wording, “who through faith,” and from there, it spells out exactly what many of these great men of God ended up doing for Him – and it was all done as a result of their strong faith in the Lord.
This is why it is extremely important for each and every Christian to try and increase their faith levels in the Lord over time. If you do, then God will be able to use you in mightier and stronger ways just like He did with many of the great men and women of the Bible.
12. Be Faithful Until Death
These next set of verses are now going to add some real serious revelation to all of the above verses. These verses will flat out tell you that once you enter in on a true faith walk with the Lord, then there will be no bailing out on the Lord – ever! This has be a faith walk to your last dying breath. In other words, it has to be a faith to the death.
As one of the verses below will tell you, you have to be willing to be “faithful until death.”
Notice these 4 key phrases as you are studying these next set of verses:
Be faithful until death
Fight the good fight of faith
Continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast
Stand fast in the faith – be brave, be strong
These 4 key phrases should also be committed to full memorization so you never forget how important of a thing it really is that you be faithful until death with the Lord, and that once you start it up with Him, that you continue in it, always remaining grounded and steadfast in it. These 4 key phrases are real boosters for your actual faith, as they are adding in some more strong revelation as to what God is looking for in this type of faith walk with Him.
Here are 12 very powerful verses showing us the extreme importance that once we start up this faith walk with the Lord, that we continue in it to the day we die. And also notice some of the incredible benefits and blessings we will receive from the Lord if we can stay true, loyal and faithful to Him for the long run.
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer … Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
“… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith …” (Hebrews 12:2)
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called …” (1 Timothy 6:12)
“If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast …” (Colossians 1:23)
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
“For the Lord preserves the faithful …” (Psalm 31:23)
“Therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35)
“… but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” ((Hebrews 3:6)
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.” (Revelation 2:26)
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:10-12)
As we have shown you in our article titled, “Rewards in Heaven,” God will be rewarding us up in heaven according to all of our good labors down here on this earth. And if you can keep your personal faith levels up in the Lord during your entire lifetime, then you will fully complete all of your divine assignments for Him, and from there, you will then be appropriately and highly rewarded once you enter into heaven.
13. Do Not Ever Lose Your Faith in the Lord
These last set of verses are now going to drive home one more major point. And that one major point is – that we never, ever lose our faith in the Lord, and then bail out on Him and with what He wants to do with our lives. As the last set of verses showed you, this has to be a faith walk to the death.
The very last verse below has some very specific wording in there that is just bone-chilling to read. This last verse is using the vine and the branch analogy, with us being the branches and Jesus being the vine.
This last verse tells us that if we ever lose our faith in the Lord, that we as the branches could then be totally cut off from the Lord. And you know what happens to a branch once it falls off from the tree. It will then fall straight to the ground, and from there, it will wither and die.
The branch of a tree cannot live if it is not connected to the trunk of that tree. And in the same way, we cannot live in the Lord unless we stay fully connected to the vine, which is Jesus. And what keeps us fully connected to Jesus like the branch is with the vine? It is our faith in Him. This is why I call our faith in the Lord our “lifeline” to Him, for without it, we will never be able to connect to the Lord.
This last verse specifically uses the wording that because of their “unbelief,” they were broken off, just like the branch of a tree breaking off from the tree. The second last verse then adds more bone-chilling revelation to all of this when it tells us that God will be calling any type of unbelief in Him and any kind of departing from Him an “evil heart.”
In other words, if you ever lose your faith and belief in the Lord, and from there, start to depart from Him, God will see this as an evil type of heart and from there, you will then be cut off from Him just like a branch can be cut off from the tree.
You cannot get any more of a serious warning than what is in these last two verses. This is why each and very Christian has got to get it settled in their minds and their hearts, that once they start on this true, faith walk with the Lord, that they never, ever change their minds and attempt to pull away from the Lord. If they do, I would not even want to try and fathom what the consequences could be with the way these last two verses are being worded.
Here are these last set of verses:
“And He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:58)
“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19)
“… but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest …” (Hebrews 4:2-3)
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” (Hebrews 3:12-14)
You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you will also be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:19-23)
Notice in the very first verse that Jesus Himself could not do many miracles in His own home town as a result of their “unbelief.” What this tells you is that if you want God and Jesus to do any type of supernatural miracles for you in this life, then you have to start believing and having faith that They can do these types of heavier works for you. You saw how many times in one of the above captions how often Jesus would ask those who needed a healing from Him if they had enough faith and belief in Him that He could actually heal them.
The third verse above is another real classic. It tells us that you have to mix your faith in with the Word. If you do not, then the Word will have no effect on you and your life. You have to believe what the Bible is telling you before anything will start to happen with the Lord.
The Word of God will give you the knowledge of God for your life, but if you do not mix in some level of faith with the knowledge that the Word is trying to give to you, then nothing is ever going to happen in your life with the Lord.
CONCLUSION
When you put all of these verses together on faith, you can see very clearly what the Lord is trying to show all of us. If you ever find yourself having to go through any kind of real adversity in this life, and you then start to feel your faith levels in the Lord start to shake a bit, and from there, some doubt starts to creep in, sit down with this article in hand and study very carefully all of these specific verses on faith.
These verses will be your lifesaver if you ever find yourself having to face a trial that is on the heavier side. Remember who we serve and who we are connected too in this life. We are not connected to the world, our friends, or our parents. We are directly connected to God Almighty Himself, and within His being is maximum power to be able to handle any type of extreme situation that could ever come our way in this life. And if God has maximum power, then He will be able to easily handle any type of heavier storm cloud that may attempt to come against you in this life.
Again, stand on the verses in the 9th caption above, where these verses are telling us that with God, all things are possible – and with God, nothing will be impossible. These two statements all by themselves are showing us how powerful and awesome our God really is.
And to be able to make this kind of a direct connection to the Lord will only require one simple little thing from you, and that one simple little thing is that you be willing to have some measure of faith in this great and awesome God of ours. Your faith direct to God is the lifeline that will get you plugged into Him. Faith is what connects the branch to the vine when the Bible uses the analogy to show how we are directly connected to Jesus.
We as the branches connected to Jesus are able to directly connect to Him just like a branch is to a tree trunk. And what is connecting us direct to Jesus is simply our faith and belief in Him. Keep your faith up and alive in the Lord and you will stay forever “branched into Jesus” for all of eternity.
Get it settled in your mind and your spirit that you will forever keep your faith in the Lord fully intact and fully alive – and that you will never, ever let it waver on you or cause you to want to pull away from Him. If you do, you see what the last set of verses are trying to tell you.
If you ever start to lose your faith in the Lord and you then start to pull back on Him for any extended length of time, you could end up disconnecting from Him just like a branch can get fully disconnected from a tree. And just like a natural branch will wither and die once it is fully disconnected from the tree, in the same way you could lose everything and literally die in the Lord if you ever fully disconnect from Him.
Your faith is your one and only connection to the Lord down here on this earth
Your faith in the Lord is what will keep God moving and working on your behalf
Your faith in the Lord is what will get God to fight some of your battles for you
Your faith in the Lord is what will move mountains out of your way in this life
Your faith in the Lord is what will lead you to your divine destiny in the Lord
Your faith in the Lord is what will get God to lead you to the person He will want you to marry in this life
Your faith in the Lord is what will get God to release His anointing on your life so you can then become very good at whatever He will be calling you to do for Him in this life
Your faith in the Lord is what will release His healing power into any situation where you may need it
Your faith in the Lord is what will get you through every single storm cloud you will ever have to face in this life
As you can see, I could literally go on and on with these types of examples. Over and over again, Jesus Himself would ask many of the people that He wanted to heal if they first had enough faith and belief in Him that He could actually heal them. And then once they said they did, then Jesus would immediately move in to heal them.
I will leave you with one last thought on all of these extremely powerful verses from our Bible on the subject of faith.
You only have one of two options you can take in this life. You can either put all of your faith, trust and belief in the Lord and then fully follow Him to your last dying breath – or you can put all of your faith in either yourself, your parents, your best friends, or the world in general.
With God being the only One who is all-perfect and all-powerful, I do not think it takes a rocket scientist to see who you should be following in this life and who you should be putting all of your faith and trust in.
We have another article in our site that will perfectly match up with what is in this article. The title of this other article is, “Trusting in the Lord,” and it is in the Psychological Issues section of our site.
Bottom line – let it go, decide that you will fully trust God from this moment on – and from there, make sure that you keep your faith levels fully intact with the Lord, no matter what life, hell or the devil may try and throw your way to knock you off course.
Stay fully faithful to the Lord to your last dying breath – and the Lord will stay fully faithful to you to the day you depart from this life and enter into heaven to be with Him for all of eternity.
his article will serve as a followup to our first article on faith titled, “Introduction to Faith.” In that first article, I gave you some of the basics of what faith is, how it can either grow or wane on the inside of you, and how to keep your faith levels from dipping too low with the Lord once any kind of adversity starts to come knocking on your door.
In this article, I want to take you right into the heart of this subject matter by giving you all of the main verses from the Bible on faith so you can fully understand what faith is all about, and what a very important part it plays in your own personal relationship with the Lord. I cannot emphasize enough the extreme power that are on these verses.
Faith is your lifeline to the Lord. Lose your faith in the Lord, and you will lose all contact with Him. The very last verse I have listed at the bottom of this article is one of the most bone-chilling verses in all of the Bible. This verse gives the analogy of the branch and tree, and we as the branch of the tree can be cut off from the tree, which is Jesus, if we ever lose our faith in Him. This is a perfect description as to what can happen to someone in the spiritual realm if they should ever lose their faith in the Lord.
As we have said before, throw all of the temper tantrums you want, wrestle with God over certain issues you are really struggling with – but do not ever lose your faith in the Lord and quit and walk off of His playing field.
Many of these verses are extreme, and I mean extreme. As I go through all of them under the appropriate captions below, I will highlight and point out key words and key phrases so you can really grasp what the Lord is trying to tell you with some of these very intense verses.
This is one of the most important topics you will ever study on in your own personal walk with the Lord. Really meditate on the knowledge and revelation that are in these verses – and make sure that you always keep your faith fully intact with the Lord and do not ever be tempted to want to lose your faith in Him and with what He is doing with your life.
Now I will break all of these verses down under 13 captions below so you can see exactly what the Lord is trying to show you with all of the different verses on faith. Again, these verses, and the knowledge and revelation that is in each one of them, are major, foundational verses that have to become an actual part of your own personal walk with the Lord. Burn many of these verses into your memory banks, as these kinds of powerful verses is what will get you through some of the tougher types of storm clouds that can come your way in this life.
1. What Faith Is
The very first thing you will need to know is exactly what faith is – and one major power verse alone will give you that perfect definition. Here is the very first foundational verse you must have underneath your belt on the topic of faith. It would also be my strong recommendation that you commit this verse to full memorization.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
The first word to key in on is the word “substance,” – that “faith is the substance” of things hoped for. Some believe that the word “substance” should be interpreted literally. If that assumption is correct, then this means that faith is a “spiritual substance” that is literally on the inside of each one of us.
However, other Bible scholars do not agree with this interpretation. Their reasoning is based off of the Greek word for “substance.” The Greek word for “substance” is the word “hypostasis,” and this word means the following:
“A setting under or support (foundation), assurance, confidence, confident expectation, an assured impression and a mental realizing.”
Some other good definitions on what faith is from some of the different Bible Dictionaries and Commentaries are the following:
The assurance of things hoped for
A belief or confident attitude toward God
Conviction, trust, belief, reliance, and a trustworthiness towards God
But whether faith is a spiritual substance on the inside of you, or more of a mental quality that operates more in your mind and possibly your heart, it has the ability to grow on the inside of you as will be shown in the next set of verses.
2. How Faith Comes To Us
These next three verses should also be committed to full memorization, as they will all set the stage as to exactly how God has the faith game set up with all of us.
Even though these verses are very short one-liners, do not let that fool you. When you put these three verses together like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle, the revelation will come through loud and clear. Here they are, one right after the other:
“… as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith …” (Romans 12:3)
“… because your faith grows exceedingly.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
a) You first have to look at these verses in the above chronological order as they are being presented. The very first verse sets the entire stage on what faith is all about with the Lord. This very first verse will tell you that God Himself will give each person a certain “measure of faith.”
Why would God want to give each person a certain measure of faith? The main reason being is that you cannot get saved in the Lord without a certain measure of faith operating in you, as the Bible tells us that we are saved by grace through our “faith” in Jesus. So God has no other alternative but to give each person a certain measure of faith, otherwise we would never be able to get saved through His Son Jesus.
b) The next verse will now add more revelation to this first verse. This second verse will now tell us that not only do we all get a certain measure of faith to start off with from the Lord, but this faith is now capable of actually growing on the inside of us.
I remember when I first saw these two verses strung together, the very first analogy that came to my mind was the scale of 1-10, with 1 being the least amount of faith you could have in the Lord, and 10 being the most amount of faith you could have in the Lord. I then saw on that scale how our faith could not only grow over the years in the Lord, but also how it could dip or decrease if you got hit with a real nasty storm cloud, and you then start to question God as to whether or not He can actually help you handle this type of heavier storm cloud.
It is very easy to have high levels of faith in the Lord when everything is going good and great, but let someone face a heaver type of storm cloud, and all of a sudden their high levels of faith in the Lord could take a major nosedive, as they then start yelling at God as to how He could have allowed this kind of heavy storm cloud to come into their life in the first place. This is why the apostle Paul says we have to fight the good fight of faith. Sometimes we have to “fight” to keep our faith levels up in the Lord, especially when we are going through very trying circumstances in our own personal life.
c) But now to the third verse. With the first two verses telling us that we have all been given a certain measure of faith by the Lord, and that this faith is now actually capable of growing on the inside of us, this next verse will now tell us exactly how we can get that faith to start growing on the inside of us.
Bottom line – faith “comes’ by hearing the Word of God. And what does the Bible mean by “hearing” the Word of God? “Hearing” the Word of God means that you are reading the Bible for yourself, trying to understand and assimilate it all as best as you can. If you will be willing to spend some good, regular, quality time in reading the Bible and trying to understand it as best as you can with the help of the Holy Spirit, then your faith levels will start to grow and increase on the inside of you. Why?
Because you are now starting to “believe” what you are reading about the Lord from His Word. You are now finding out who God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit really are. And not only are you getting to more more about Them as far as Their actual personality qualities, but you are also getting to see how They interacted with the human race, and how much They really do love and care for all of us. Once you start to see how much God really does love and care for all of the people He has dealt with in the past in the Bible, then you will see and realize that He will care just as much for you, since the Bible tells us that He is no respecter of persons.
As a result of this new kind of spiritual knowledge entering into your mind and spirit, your faith in the Lord will start to increase, especially when you start reading of the powerful miracles that God did for people back in both the OT and NT. And if God can heal and supernaturally help people back then, then He can still do the exact same thing for all of us in this day and age, since the Bible tells us that God cannot and will not change, and that He is the same today as He was yesterday. This means the God of the Bible is the same God in this day and age, and what you have read about Him from the past in the Bible will also apply to all of us in this current day and age.
However, if you do not continue to stay in the Bible to increase your knowledge levels about the Lord, then your faith can actually stop growing in Him. In other words, it can stagnate, like someone turning off a light switch.
I believe it is the Holy Spirit Himself who will cause your faith levels to increase with God over time. All of a sudden your faith has just gone from a 3 to a 4. And then further on down the road, your faith has just gone from a 4 to a 5. As I will show you below, the Bible tells us that we can go from “faith to faith” and “strength to strength,” which again, are two more good verses showing us that our faith levels in the Lord can actually increase over time.
But the Holy Spirit will not cause your faith levels to increase over time with the Lord unless you first do your part, and your first part is to get into the Word on some kind of regular basis and try to acquire as much knowledge as you possibly can about the Lord. The key is knowledge.
The Bible tells us that God wants us to “grow” in His “knowledge” and grace. And if you will be willing to grow in the knowledge of God through the study of Scripture, then the Holy Spirit Himself will start to supernaturally move to increase your faith levels in the Lord over time. But He first needs something to work with and that something is knowledge. The Holy Spirit will not do this kind of work for you free of charge. You have to be willing to show God that you mean serious business with Him, and that You want to learn all you can about Him and all of His ways by studying the Bible.
Do your part by trying to learn as much about God as you possibly can by studying the Bible, and then the Holy Spirit will do His part and He will then start to gradually increase your faith levels in the Lord over time. And then once your faith levels start to increase over time with the Lord, then God will be able to do greater and mightier things either for you or through you to help other people out.
You can sum all of this up in one simple little statement – as you grow in the knowledge of God through your study of the Bible, then your faith will start to grow right along with it. But stop growing in the knowledge of God and your faith will stop growing right along with it. I believe there is a direct correlation between these two. Greater increase in knowledge will lead to a greater increase in faith.
3. We Are Saved by Grace Through Faith
As I said above, the number one reason God has to give each person a certain measure of faith is so they can get saved through the blood of His Son Jesus. Here are 2 very good verses showing us that we are saved by grace through our “faith” in Jesus.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)
Notice three key phrases – that we are “saved through FAITH,” that we have been “justified by FAITH,” and that we “have access by FAITH into this grace.”
This is why God has to give each person a certain measure of faith, for without it, none of us would be able to get saved in the Lord.
4. Faith Without Works is Dead
This next verse is a major power verse, and I mean a major power verse. Though we can only be saved by grace through our faith in Jesus, and works has absolutely nothing to do with us being able to receive our eternal salvation in Jesus, this still does not take works out of our walk with the Lord.
This next verse will tell us in no uncertain terms that our faith in the Lord has to be backed up with good works, and if it is not, then our faith will be considered “dead” in the eyes of God. In other words, faith without works is dead. Here is the verse:
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead … Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? … You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:17-26)
This verse is flat out telling us that we can have high levels of faith in the Lord, but if we do not back up that strong faith with some type of good works for Him, then our faith will be considered dead in His eyes.
Look what it says about Abraham. Abraham obviously had great faith in the Lord, but he still had to back up that great faith with good works. When Abraham was willing to put his one and only son Isaac on altar to sacrifice him because God was asking him to do this for Him, Abraham had to show God that he was now willing to put his faith into major action with Him. If Abraham would not have done this, his faith would have been considered dead in the eyes of God, since he would not have been willing to back up his faith in the Lord with a specific type of action and work.
Faith all by itself with the Lord will not get the job done. You have to be willing to put your faith into major action with the Lord, and the only way you can do this is by being willing to do specific types of works for Him down here in this life.
The last line of the above verse really sums all of this up very nicely. It says that just as the body would be dead without the spirit, so our faith without any type of works to back it up will also be considered dead in the eyes of the Lord.
Once you get saved through your faith in Jesus, God will now expect you to come and “work” for Him. He now has a perfect plan and destiny all set up for your life. And in that perfect plan and destiny for your life will be all of the “good works” you will be doing for the Lord. And if you are willing to do these types of good works for the Lord, then your faith will not be considered dead in His eyes, but fully alive, and He will then appropriately reward you for those good works once you enter into heaven to be with Him for all of eternity.
5. Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed Will Move Mountains
The next thing you will need to grab a hold of with the Lord is that you do not have to have great or large amounts of faith to get the show going with Him. On a scale of 1-10, you do not need your faith up in the 8-10 levels to get Him to move in your life.
As these next two powerful verses will tell you, all you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to get God to become very active in your life. And everyone has at least a mustard seed size of faith, since God has to give each person a certain measure of faith to get the ball rolling with Him.
The mustard seed is supposed to be one of the smallest, if not the smallest of all of the seeds – and yet Jesus is telling us in the following verses that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, then we will be able to move mountains in Him when we have too. This is an extremely powerful revelation being given to us by the Lord.
What I believe God is trying to tell us is that though He will give each person a certain measure of faith to start out with, for most of us, that certain measure will be probably be on the lower end of the scale. In other words, it might only be faith in the 1-3 category. But over time, that faith can start to increase on the inside of you as you read and study the Bible for yourself.
But even though you might have low levels of faith in the Lord to start out with, do not let that discourage you or set you back, as all you need is a very small amount of faith in Him to get the show going with Him. In other words, God will take whatever small amount of faith you may have in Him, and from there, He will then start to work in your life to build it up in the specific directions that He will want it to go in.
All God needs is your full consent and a little bit of faith mixed in with it to get it all going with Him. And these next two verses will spell all of that out for you. Here are two extremely powerful verses giving all of us this revelation from the Lord.
So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6)
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast him out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:19-20)
So the next time you feel that your faith is not strong enough or high enough in the Lord, remember what these two verses are telling you. If you have been hit by a very nasty storm cloud and you feel that your faith levels might have been knocked down from a “6″ to a “4″, do not let that bother you. God will still continue to work with that “4″ level of faith – and then once you see God start to actually deliver you from this bad storm could, then your faith levels will raise back up into that “6″ level again.
6. Faith to Faith – Strength to Strength
These next two verses are going to be the ones where it tells us that we can go from “faith to faith” and from “strength to strength” in our walk with the Lord. When this first verse will tell you that you can go to “faith to faith,” I believe it is telling us that we can go from one level of faith to the next level of faith. And again, I go back to the scale of 1-10 to try and understand this principle.
And I then believe this second verse will perfectly hook up to this first verse where it tells us that we can actually go from one level of strength to the next level of strength with the Lord – which means we can actually get stronger in our both our faith levels and our strength levels in the Lord.
One time I felt the Lord give me a direct word on all of this years ago. This little one-liner came out of the blue one day.
He said to me, “You’re only as strong as your faith.” And when He said “faith,” He was talking about my faith in Him, not my faith in my faith.
I knew then what He was trying to tell me – that the stronger and higher my faith levels would become in Him, the stronger person I would then become in Him. And the reason for that is because once you know that God has you fully covered and fully taken care of, you will then become much more confident and much more relaxed in your walk with the Lord. And once your confidence levels to start to increase in the Lord, then your strength levels will follow right along with it.
As you will see in some of the other verses below, if nothing is impossible with God, then nothing will impossible for you in your walk with God, since you now have higher levels of faith in Him as compared to the lower levels of faith you had when you first started to walk with Him.
Again, here are these two powerful verses giving us this specific revelation:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “the just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage … They go from strength to strength.” (Psalm 84:5-7)
So not only does God give each person a certain measure of faith to start out with, but this faith is actually capable of growing and increasing in Him, where you can then start to get to the point of where you are starting to go from faith to faith and strength to strength in your own personal walk with Him. This is extremely powerful stuff!!
7. We Walk By Faith – Not By Sight
These next five verses are now going to add some more meat to all of the above revelation. These next set of verses are going to tell us that we walk in this life by our faith in the Lord, not by our sight or by our other senses. Here they are, and then I will point out some of the key phrases you will really need to hone in on.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
“But the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
“Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38)
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
a) The very first verse says it all when it says we walk by faith and not by sight. In other words, we walk by our faith in the Lord and we do what He tells us to do in this life. We do not walk by our sight, our wisdom, or what the world is trying to tell us is the right thing to do.
Example – say you have just lost your job. The economy is in a bad recession. Almost 20% of people are now unemployed. This is where you will now have to put this verse into major action. If you depend on what you “see” with how bad the economy is right now, you will then start to get very upset and discouraged, and from there, you will then start to doubt that even God Himself will be able to overcome this hurdle for you and lead you to the next new job He will want you to have.
What you are now doing is depending on what you are seeing with your natural eye. What you are seeing with your natural eye is a 20% unemployment rate, and the chances are very poor on you getting a new job anytime soon. However, this is where you have to back off with what you are seeing with your natural eye and then start to try and see all of this through the eyes of God.
If nothing is impossible with God, then this means that God can obviously bring your next new job to you very quickly. You now have to put all of your faith and trust in God, not putting your faith in what you are seeing with your natural eye and your natural mind.
b) The next two verses then further drive this point home in that the just shall live by their faith in God, once more emphasizing the point that our faith has to be directly in God, not with what we are seeing in the natural realm with our natural eyes.
And then notice an additional little phrase that God puts in the 3rd verse above, where He says that if a person starts to pull back from Him, that His soul will have no pleasure in him. And if God is no longer going to have any more pleasure with you, then you are now going to be in big trouble with Him. Once you enter into a true faith walk with the Lord, you can never pull back, draw back, or bail out on Him. If you do, the consequences could be extreme and severe, as will be shown to you in some of the additional verses that will be listed at the end of this article.
Bottom line – once you have fully surrendered your entire being and your entire life into the Lord’s hands for His full direction and handling, from this point on you have to live this life as a life of faith directly in the Lord – not a life of faith in yourself, your parents, your best friends, or any part of this world.
God is now your Lord and Master and all of your faith now has to be directly in Him. And the sooner you can learn this principle and get it worked into your own personal walk with the Lord, the better your life is going to be in the Lord.
8. Do Not Doubt or Waver in Your Faith
These next 6 verses are now going to really turn up the heat on this topic. Now that you know that God wants you to totally walk this life out with a very strong faith in Him, these next 6 verses are going to add one more very intense warning to all of this. Here they are, and then I will again point out several key phrases to really grab a hold of.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8)
“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” (James 2:1)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:21-22)
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast in to the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:23-24)
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)
a) The very first verse is an absolute classic on this next topic. Once you enter into a true, faith walk with the Lord, the next thing you will want to concentrate on is to not let your faith ever start to waver on you or let any kind of doubt start to creep in on you.
As I said at the top of this article, it is very easy to have high levels of faith in the Lord when everything is going good and great – but let any kind of a vicious storm cloud come knocking on your door, and all of a sudden your high levels of faith in the Lord can actually start to waver and drop on you. And then notice what this verse says if that should ever happen to you – that you will then become like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind, and from there, you will become a double-minded man who will become unstable in all of his ways.
The reason you will become unstable in all of your ways is because you will have lost direct contact with the one Person who could get you through this vicious storm cloud in the first place, and that one Person is the Lord Himself. That is why you can never lose your faith in the Lord, or let it start to waver and drop on you. If you do, you will then become like a ping-pong ball, constantly going back and forth between your faith in God, and your faith in yourself and with what you are seeing with your own natural eyes. This is why you always have to keep your eyes on Jesus, especially when you are having to face a heavier type of storm cloud.
If you jump to the very last verse, this is exactly what happened with Peter when he started to walk on water with Jesus. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was just fine and he had no problems in being able to walk on that water. But as soon as he takes his eyes off of Jesus and puts them on the boisterous winds all around him, that is when he starts to sink. And from there, Jesus tells him that he is of little faith and why did he start to doubt to begin with.
b) The second verse then adds more to this when it tells us that we should not hold our faith in the Lord with any kind of partiality. The word “partiality” means “favoritism, tendency to favor unfairly, bias.”
These first two verses alone are telling us that God wants all of our faith to be totally in Him and then once we do that, not to let our faith start to waver or let any kind of doubt start to creep in. I have learned over the years that it is much easier to keep my faith up in the Lord and let Him work out any personal problems I may encounter instead of getting all bent out of shape.
c) Verses 4 and 5 are once more Jesus telling us that we can remove mountains if we have enough faith in Him and do not doubt. In the verses above on Jesus telling us that we can move mountains if we have faith the size of a mustard seed – now He is adding one other factor into all of this – and that one other factor is to have a type of faith in Him that will not waver. And once you start to let any type of doubt creep in, then your faith will start to waver and drop on you.
You can really tell by how all of these verses are being worded, that not only does God want all of us to have a very strong type of faith in Him, but He wants this faith to be the type that will not waver or drop on Him.
9. All Things Are Possible to Him Who Believes
These next 6 verses are going to be the ones you will really have to ground on and believe on once you start to face any kind of serious adversity in your life. No matter how hopeless things may start to appear to you in the natural, you have to believe what these next set of verses are trying to tell you. If you can do that, then God will move to solve your dilemma and He will then get you through the trial with a victory.
These next set of verses will tell you the following:
All things are possible to him who believes
With God all things are possible
For with God nothing will be impossible
The things which are impossible with men are possible with God
Just chew and meditate on those four, short, one-liners. They are all a real mouthful. Notice God says that “all things” are possible to those who will believe in Him – and if all things are possible with God, then that will also include Him being able to handle any type of storm cloud that may have just come into your life.
The above 4 phrases should be committed to full memorization so you do not ever forget how powerful our God really is. If our God is all-powerful, then there will be absolutely nothing that He cannot handle on our behalf. And these next 6 verses are going tell us exactly that! Here are these additional verses showing us how powerful our God really is:
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:36)
“With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
These are the types of verses that will really help increase your faith in the Lord. Once you fully understand that God is all-powerful and that there is absolutely nothing that He cannot do, then you will be able to put all of your faith and trust in Him because you will realize there is no one else you can do this with in your life. You cannot do it with yourself, your parents, or your best friends. Only God is all-perfect and all-powerful, and He thus is the only One you can put all of your faith and trust in.
10. God Will Test Your Faith Levels From Time to Time
As we have pointed out to you in our article, “Trials and Tribulations – The Testing of Your Faith,” from time to time, God will arrange for circumstances to occur in your personal life where He will purposely test your faith levels in Him. And when He does start to do this with you, it is very important that you take these faith tests very seriously and do your best to pass them so you can be kept on the divine path and destiny that He already has set up for you and your life.
Once again, here are two of these key verses that will show you that from time to time God will personally test your faith levels in Him.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuiness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ … receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6-9)
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
For those of you who want a real good, detailed article on why God will allow trials and tribulations to occur with all of us in this life, it would be our strong recommendation that you read the above article, as we cover all of the different angles on this part of our walk with the Lord.
11. Acts of Strong Faith From the Bible
So you can see how big of a thing it is that you try to get your faith operating at these higher levels with the Lord, here are 11 major power verses from the Bible giving you specific examples of people who did have these higher levels of faith in the Lord and what happened to them as a result.
As you will see in all of these examples, God will be able to do greater and mightier things either for you or through you to help other people out if you will just believe that He can do these types of heavier things for you.
Really study and meditate on these next set of verses, as they are all showing you what can happen to a person if they will just fully believe on the Lord with no doubting or wavering on their end. Here they are:
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people … And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.” (Acts 6:8-10)
“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong … Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16)
And when He came into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. (Matthew 9:28-30)
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:28)
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment; for she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 9:21-22)
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done to you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:13)
And Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And immediately He received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. (Mark 10:51-52)
“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me … So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” (Daniel 6:22-23)
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household … By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going … By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son …” (Hebrews 11:7-17)
“… and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Hebrews 11:32-34)
Notice how many times Jesus would ask someone if they had enough faith to believe that He could heal them. And then once they said they had enough faith in Him to do this, then Jesus would immediately heal them. He then goes as far as to tell them that what got them healed was their faith, even though it was really the Holy Spirit Himself who actually healed them. But it was the person’s faith and belief in Jesus that got the Holy Spirit to move on them to do the actual healing.
Again, your faith is your lifeline to the Lord, and in that lifeline God can manifest His healing power to you if you would ever need it in this life.
The last two verses show you how many of these great men of God did what they did because they had these higher levels of faith in the Lord. The last verse is another major power verse in that it starts out with the wording, “who through faith,” and from there, it spells out exactly what many of these great men of God ended up doing for Him – and it was all done as a result of their strong faith in the Lord.
This is why it is extremely important for each and every Christian to try and increase their faith levels in the Lord over time. If you do, then God will be able to use you in mightier and stronger ways just like He did with many of the great men and women of the Bible.
12. Be Faithful Until Death
These next set of verses are now going to add some real serious revelation to all of the above verses. These verses will flat out tell you that once you enter in on a true faith walk with the Lord, then there will be no bailing out on the Lord – ever! This has be a faith walk to your last dying breath. In other words, it has to be a faith to the death.
As one of the verses below will tell you, you have to be willing to be “faithful until death.”
Notice these 4 key phrases as you are studying these next set of verses:
Be faithful until death
Fight the good fight of faith
Continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast
Stand fast in the faith – be brave, be strong
These 4 key phrases should also be committed to full memorization so you never forget how important of a thing it really is that you be faithful until death with the Lord, and that once you start it up with Him, that you continue in it, always remaining grounded and steadfast in it. These 4 key phrases are real boosters for your actual faith, as they are adding in some more strong revelation as to what God is looking for in this type of faith walk with Him.
Here are 12 very powerful verses showing us the extreme importance that once we start up this faith walk with the Lord, that we continue in it to the day we die. And also notice some of the incredible benefits and blessings we will receive from the Lord if we can stay true, loyal and faithful to Him for the long run.
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer … Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
“… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith …” (Hebrews 12:2)
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called …” (1 Timothy 6:12)
“If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast …” (Colossians 1:23)
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
“For the Lord preserves the faithful …” (Psalm 31:23)
“Therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35)
“… but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” ((Hebrews 3:6)
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.” (Revelation 2:26)
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:10-12)
As we have shown you in our article titled, “Rewards in Heaven,” God will be rewarding us up in heaven according to all of our good labors down here on this earth. And if you can keep your personal faith levels up in the Lord during your entire lifetime, then you will fully complete all of your divine assignments for Him, and from there, you will then be appropriately and highly rewarded once you enter into heaven.
13. Do Not Ever Lose Your Faith in the Lord
These last set of verses are now going to drive home one more major point. And that one major point is – that we never, ever lose our faith in the Lord, and then bail out on Him and with what He wants to do with our lives. As the last set of verses showed you, this has to be a faith walk to the death.
The very last verse below has some very specific wording in there that is just bone-chilling to read. This last verse is using the vine and the branch analogy, with us being the branches and Jesus being the vine.
This last verse tells us that if we ever lose our faith in the Lord, that we as the branches could then be totally cut off from the Lord. And you know what happens to a branch once it falls off from the tree. It will then fall straight to the ground, and from there, it will wither and die.
The branch of a tree cannot live if it is not connected to the trunk of that tree. And in the same way, we cannot live in the Lord unless we stay fully connected to the vine, which is Jesus. And what keeps us fully connected to Jesus like the branch is with the vine? It is our faith in Him. This is why I call our faith in the Lord our “lifeline” to Him, for without it, we will never be able to connect to the Lord.
This last verse specifically uses the wording that because of their “unbelief,” they were broken off, just like the branch of a tree breaking off from the tree. The second last verse then adds more bone-chilling revelation to all of this when it tells us that God will be calling any type of unbelief in Him and any kind of departing from Him an “evil heart.”
In other words, if you ever lose your faith and belief in the Lord, and from there, start to depart from Him, God will see this as an evil type of heart and from there, you will then be cut off from Him just like a branch can be cut off from the tree.
You cannot get any more of a serious warning than what is in these last two verses. This is why each and very Christian has got to get it settled in their minds and their hearts, that once they start on this true, faith walk with the Lord, that they never, ever change their minds and attempt to pull away from the Lord. If they do, I would not even want to try and fathom what the consequences could be with the way these last two verses are being worded.
Here are these last set of verses:
“And He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:58)
“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19)
“… but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest …” (Hebrews 4:2-3)
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” (Hebrews 3:12-14)
You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you will also be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:19-23)
Notice in the very first verse that Jesus Himself could not do many miracles in His own home town as a result of their “unbelief.” What this tells you is that if you want God and Jesus to do any type of supernatural miracles for you in this life, then you have to start believing and having faith that They can do these types of heavier works for you. You saw how many times in one of the above captions how often Jesus would ask those who needed a healing from Him if they had enough faith and belief in Him that He could actually heal them.
The third verse above is another real classic. It tells us that you have to mix your faith in with the Word. If you do not, then the Word will have no effect on you and your life. You have to believe what the Bible is telling you before anything will start to happen with the Lord.
The Word of God will give you the knowledge of God for your life, but if you do not mix in some level of faith with the knowledge that the Word is trying to give to you, then nothing is ever going to happen in your life with the Lord.
CONCLUSION
When you put all of these verses together on faith, you can see very clearly what the Lord is trying to show all of us. If you ever find yourself having to go through any kind of real adversity in this life, and you then start to feel your faith levels in the Lord start to shake a bit, and from there, some doubt starts to creep in, sit down with this article in hand and study very carefully all of these specific verses on faith.
These verses will be your lifesaver if you ever find yourself having to face a trial that is on the heavier side. Remember who we serve and who we are connected too in this life. We are not connected to the world, our friends, or our parents. We are directly connected to God Almighty Himself, and within His being is maximum power to be able to handle any type of extreme situation that could ever come our way in this life. And if God has maximum power, then He will be able to easily handle any type of heavier storm cloud that may attempt to come against you in this life.
Again, stand on the verses in the 9th caption above, where these verses are telling us that with God, all things are possible – and with God, nothing will be impossible. These two statements all by themselves are showing us how powerful and awesome our God really is.
And to be able to make this kind of a direct connection to the Lord will only require one simple little thing from you, and that one simple little thing is that you be willing to have some measure of faith in this great and awesome God of ours. Your faith direct to God is the lifeline that will get you plugged into Him. Faith is what connects the branch to the vine when the Bible uses the analogy to show how we are directly connected to Jesus.
We as the branches connected to Jesus are able to directly connect to Him just like a branch is to a tree trunk. And what is connecting us direct to Jesus is simply our faith and belief in Him. Keep your faith up and alive in the Lord and you will stay forever “branched into Jesus” for all of eternity.
Get it settled in your mind and your spirit that you will forever keep your faith in the Lord fully intact and fully alive – and that you will never, ever let it waver on you or cause you to want to pull away from Him. If you do, you see what the last set of verses are trying to tell you.
If you ever start to lose your faith in the Lord and you then start to pull back on Him for any extended length of time, you could end up disconnecting from Him just like a branch can get fully disconnected from a tree. And just like a natural branch will wither and die once it is fully disconnected from the tree, in the same way you could lose everything and literally die in the Lord if you ever fully disconnect from Him.
Your faith is your one and only connection to the Lord down here on this earth
Your faith in the Lord is what will keep God moving and working on your behalf
Your faith in the Lord is what will get God to fight some of your battles for you
Your faith in the Lord is what will move mountains out of your way in this life
Your faith in the Lord is what will lead you to your divine destiny in the Lord
Your faith in the Lord is what will get God to lead you to the person He will want you to marry in this life
Your faith in the Lord is what will get God to release His anointing on your life so you can then become very good at whatever He will be calling you to do for Him in this life
Your faith in the Lord is what will release His healing power into any situation where you may need it
Your faith in the Lord is what will get you through every single storm cloud you will ever have to face in this life
As you can see, I could literally go on and on with these types of examples. Over and over again, Jesus Himself would ask many of the people that He wanted to heal if they first had enough faith and belief in Him that He could actually heal them. And then once they said they did, then Jesus would immediately move in to heal them.
I will leave you with one last thought on all of these extremely powerful verses from our Bible on the subject of faith.
You only have one of two options you can take in this life. You can either put all of your faith, trust and belief in the Lord and then fully follow Him to your last dying breath – or you can put all of your faith in either yourself, your parents, your best friends, or the world in general.
With God being the only One who is all-perfect and all-powerful, I do not think it takes a rocket scientist to see who you should be following in this life and who you should be putting all of your faith and trust in.
We have another article in our site that will perfectly match up with what is in this article. The title of this other article is, “Trusting in the Lord,” and it is in the Psychological Issues section of our site.
Bottom line – let it go, decide that you will fully trust God from this moment on – and from there, make sure that you keep your faith levels fully intact with the Lord, no matter what life, hell or the devil may try and throw your way to knock you off course.
Stay fully faithful to the Lord to your last dying breath – and the Lord will stay fully faithful to you to the day you depart from this life and enter into heaven to be with Him for all of eternity.
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