The Final Authority
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4)
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free
John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
2. It judges our thoughts and intentions.
In the Beginning
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Note: The Word existed, without any beginning. He was when all things began to be, whatsoever had a beginning.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Note: All things were made by him, and not as an instrument.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Note: Darkness is the absence of light. As a metaphor, it is also the lack of knowledge (ignorance). It is also associated with mystery and with unknown things.
Joh 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Joh 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Note: From a literary standpoint, one could delete verses 6 through 8 from the first 14 verses, and the passage would read seamlessly. So, why the interruption? Why the abrupt insertion of the reference to John the Baptist? Why not finish the discourse about the second member of the Trinity, and then introduce John? By writing the passage in this way, the evangelist is communicating to the reader from the outset that God’s way of making Christ known is through human witnesses. God’s way of introducing light to the darkness is through human agency.
Note: The emphasis is not on John ‘the Baptist’, but on John ‘the witness’.
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Note: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: Joh. 1.12 therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Note: Jews or Gentiles; that believe on his name - That is, on him. The moment they believe, they are sons; and because they are sons, God sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Note: We became the sons of God, not of blood - Not by descent from Abraham, nor by the will of the flesh - By natural generation, nor by the will of man - Adopting them, but of God - By his Spirit.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Note: The Word is still being made flesh - IN YOU.
Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22-23).
So many believers think of the fruit of the spirit as little more than a passive list of pleasant qualities that can help improve their personalities. But they're far greater than that! They're pure spiritual power.
Love is so powerful, the scripture says, that it never fails. Patience is so powerful it cannot be stopped. No matter what the circumstances, it will not quit. Temperance is so powerful it can master all the unruly desires of your flesh.
The fruit of the spirit are not weak; they're strong. So strong all the demons of hell can't stop them. So strong that if you'll let them flow out of you, they'll correct the problems in your life.
They'll keep you steadfast when all the people around you are falling down. They'll keep you on your feet when governments fail and when the storms of life come.
We are living in dangerous days. There's only one way you can make it through in victory. You must begin to release those powerful fruit of the spirit God has placed inside you. Believe me, if you're born again, they are there. Learn to yield to them and as 2 Peter 1:10 promised, you shall never fall!
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-10
GOD FEAR 3
Fearing God is "the conscious awareness that God is watching everything and evaluating everything I think, say and do." God sees all. He knows all. He's evaluating all.
Now that does one of two things in your heart right now. That either strikes incredible confidence: Yes, Lord I'm a clean vessel. Thank You Lord that You, by Your grace, are making me whole. That You, by Your grace, are making me Christlike.
Or it makes you feel very uncomfortable-guilty. You might be able to fool others, but you can't snow God. He knows what your attitude is, deep down inside you.
Have you ever noticed how people begin to obey the law when they spot a policeman driving down the freeway? Speed demons suddenly lose their heavy feet and spend a few miles driving at the speed limit-until the policeman is no longer in sight.
God is much bigger and has more authority than any policeman with a radar gun. He knows exactly what you're thinking right now, and whether Christianity for you is just a spare tire or an iron lung. He knows what your real values and attitudes are.
On one hand, God's divine authority and presence in my life is a terrifying thing. But it is also liberating. We are created, after all, for this moment-by-moment relationship with God. When you have a clean conscience, you are able to enjoy His love and freedom.
Remember, you're never alone. God is watching and waiting to spend time with you. Practice His presence moment by moment in your life.
GOD FEAR 2
Jeremiah 32:38-40 And they shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good, and for the good of their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.
Here we see that God wants to do us good, and promises He will not turn away from us. But He also does not want us to turn away from Him. Let's look at a few reasons why:
First, the fear of God is the fountain of life for the believer. Proverbs 22:4 says the fear of God, along with humility, leads us to wealth and honor and life. And Psalm 111:10 says that it gives us skill in life and provides wisdom. A healthy respect and fear of God is the key to life.
Second, the fear of God builds faithfulness in the believer. That passage in Jeremiah tells me that the fear of God has been riveted into our souls by the Holy Spirit to keep us faithful. The true test of a man or woman is not what you do when everyone is looking. The real test of a man or woman is what you would do if you knew no one would find out.
Fearing God means I practice His presence in my life daily-nothing is hidden from Him. He sees everything. He knows everything. I can't hide in the darkness and sin. I can't sneak away from His all-seeing eyes or omnipotent mind. And, yes, that does keep me faithful.
GOD FEAR 1
The fear of God is reverential awe and respect for Him. It is a heart-felt conviction that He is not only loving and personal, but holy and just.
Proverbs 14:27 says, "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death" (NIV).
Where there is no fear of God, there is no fear of divine punishment, of incurring divine wrath. I look at the headlines in our newspapers today and lament that our nation has lost its fear of God and divine punishment.
The fear of God is the foundation for developing a godly character. I believe the leadership crisis we are facing today in America is really a crisis of character. There never has been a time in our history when we had perfect leaders. But the difference today is that many "leaders" deny there is anyone to whom they are accountable.
The result: Arrogance, being above the law and outright deceit all mark many of our political, civic and spiritual leaders. All of this is because men no longer fear God, and they are convinced they can get away with most anything. If we aren't accountable for our lives to God then why be accountable to our fellow man for our actions today?
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
Trouble Don't Last Always
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1).
When trouble comes your way, thank God that you can go to His wonderful Word. It doesn't matter what the situation is, God's Word holds true in every situation, and God is there to send your troubles to flight when you trust Him.
Now the word "trouble" here means stirred up or agitated. Don't allow situations to stir you up and agitate you. Trusting in God is the key to not allowing your heart to be agitated and stirred up.
Take a look at verses 26-27 in John chapter four: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in (Jesus) my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (KJV).
Jesus has given you His peace. That means that His peace is available and you can tap into it. You can be sure that His peace is well able to calm your fears. That peace is supernatural and is able to bring you to a place of quietness and assurance of God's love for you and protection for your life.
Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
TAKE MY SON
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.
They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.
They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war.
He was very courageous anddied in battle while rescuing another soldier.
The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock
at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in
his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom
your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to
safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He
often talked about you and your love for art."The young man held out this
package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son
would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son,
painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier
had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so
drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the
picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.
It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time
visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son
before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great
auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited
over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one
for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer
pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of
the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence.
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see
the famous paintings. Skip this one."
But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this
painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this
painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real
bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll
take the son? "
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was
the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the
painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."
"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of
the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their
collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD
for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on
with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is
over."
"What about the paintings?"
"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was
told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to
reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be
auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire
estate, including the paintings.
"The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much
like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll
take the son?" Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
Spirit Walk
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (
Conscience - is the voice of the human spirit.
Reason - is the voice of the soul, or the mind.
Feeling - is the voice of the body, or the flesh.
The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our reasoning. The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our feelings. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits.
I’m very careful about using the word "feeling." When we sense the Presence of God in a service, people often say, "I felt it." But we really don't feel it physically so much as we sense it spiritually.
So I am careful to differentiate between the two, because people slip into the feeling realm so easily. Then, when they feel good, they say, "Glory to God! Hallelujah! I'm saved! I'm filled with the Spirit! Everything is fine!"
But when they feel bad, they get a long face and they say, "I've lost it all. I don't feel like I did, so I must be backslidden."
If we go by feelings, we'll get into trouble. That's why so many Christians are up and down, in and out (yo-yo Christians.) They don't walk by their spirits. They don't walk in faith. They go by their feelings.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Faces of PRIDE
Self-defeating Pride -The pride that keeps us from doing better when we are doing well can also keep us from changing when we are in trouble. On a good day, we don’t feel a need to change. When trouble comes, we don’t want people to think we’re changing our ways just because we’re in trouble.
Wounded Pride - The pride that prompts us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think can also fill us with self-contempt when we don’t live up to our own expectations.
Fearful Pride - The ego that causes us to be overly competitive on some occasions can also keep us from trying at all in other situations. Sometimes pride makes us willing to win at the expense of others. Sometimes it causes us to avoid the embarrassment of possible failure.
Uninhibited Pride - The pride that causes us to be meticulous with our appearance can also cause us not to care what others think of us.
Self-deceiving Pride - The pride that causes us to call attention to other people’s mistakes can lead us to believe we don’t have any reason to be critical of ourselves.
Procrastinating Pride - The arrogance that causes us to think we can change anytime we want can keep us from ever changing at all.
Uncaring Pride - The conceit that allows us to be preoccupied with our own problems can also help us to be oblivious to the pain of others.
Sulking Pride - The pride that keeps us from asking others for help can also cause us to sulk when others are not “there for us.”
Self-berating Pride - The pride that keeps us from admitting we’re wrong can also lead to self-berating behavior that helps us avoid being corrected by others.
Pious Pride - The pride that causes us to be prayerless in our personal life can also prompt us to pray with crowd-pleasing eloquence in public settings.
Slacker Pride - The self-sufficiency that drives workaholics to try to make themselves indispensable can also cause a lazy person to assume that he can be a slacker without consequences.
Tearful Pride - The conceit that causes us to disregard the feelings of others can also cause us to use tears to play on the emotions of others when we want something.
Quiet Pride - The self-interest that causes us to parade our success can also prompt us not to admit our failures.
The Principle Thing
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Pro 4:7)
Knowledge - is acquired through the learning process. knowledge is: "right knowing."
Wisdom - is the ability to apply this knowledge through experience, without having to think about what you are doing. Wisdom is: "right doing."
Understanding - is the knowledge of why to apply wisdom. Understanding is: "right reason."
?????????????
What's the meaning of life? After studying and analyzing life, Solomon, known as the wisest man who ever lived, wrote: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12: 13). “Jesus said: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
How can I get the wisdom I need? Solomon said to go to the Source: “For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). James agrees: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1: 5).
Why do people fight with each other? “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet... You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3).
Why is the world in such a mess? The great theologian and missionary Paul answers this question: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. They claimed to be wise, but they became fools” (Rom 1: 21-22). “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred... jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition...drunkenness, orgies, and the like” (Gal. 5: 19-21).
Love – Bible Definition
1 Cor 13:4 - 7
Love suffereth long. Endures slights and wrongs patiently and long, and returns a kindly spirit. It is "slow to anger" (Psalm 103:8). Christ, "when he was reviled, reviled not again" (1 Peter 2:23). "The fruit of the Spirit is long-suffering"
I Am Friend Of God
What is a friend? Who is my friend?
We often group the people with whom we have a loose association and the people with whom we are endeared together as friends. But, Greek texts and some literal English translations of the Bible differentiate between the two: philo (friend); hetairos (comrade, associate, companion, partner).
Philos (which is translated friend) was originally an adjective denoting loved, dear, or friendly and later became used as a noun (Vines). A friend is one for whom we have affection (phile). We often express this type of friendly affection as "feeling" or "sentiment" - e.g., those for whom we have feelings. Therefore a friend (philos) is one whom we love (phile); hence, a friend is one whom we do good toward from an affectionate conviction.
Hours before His arrest, Jesus taught His apostles concerning love and friends. In John 15:13-15 Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
In respect to Jesus, He is my friend because He loved me and died for me. In this sense, Jesus is everyone's friend although many people have not reciprocated His friendship. So we learn here that friendship is not always a two-way street - we can be someone's friend without them reciprocating our friendship.
Jesus said to the apostles earlier in this discourse: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15). Now He tells them that they are His friends if they do whatever He commands them (Jn. 15:14). Today, the people who love Jesus and are keeping His commands are His friends. These are the people who have reciprocated Jesus' friendship and are no longer servants (Jn. 14:15; Gal. 4:7).
Abraham serves as an example of God's friend. James said: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the alter? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God" (Ja. 2:21-23).
You and I are either friends of God or friends of the world. We cannot be friends of both. James said: "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (Ja. 4:4). We either love the world or God. We are either friends of the world or friends of God. Jesus said: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24).
In the truest sense of the word, we must be careful as to whom we claim as friends. And we must teach our children to differentiate between true friends and those who are actually associates.
To be God's friend and Jesus' friend we must keep their commandments. Politicians are famous for litmus tests. Here is a Scriptural litmus test: Am I being a friend of God? And for other individuals whom I consider my friend I should ask: Are they a friend of God?
Now this question is worthy of your consideration: Are you a friend of God? If you are God's friend, an eternal home in heaven is waiting for you. But if you are not a friend of God, . . .
The 7 "I AM"s
In the book of John, Christ gave 7 analogies of Himself -- "I am .....". By studying these "roles", we try to understand the nature of Christ, so that we can better imitate Him.
1. John 6:35 "...I am the bread of life...."
The characteristics of bread: portable, perishable and filling. Without food, we will be weak. Similarly, without eating the word of God, our spirits will be weak and we will be easily overcome by Satan. But he who believes in Christ will never go hungry and thirsty. (John 6:35). Note that in Matthew 4:4, Jesus quotes that "man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Deut. 8:3)"
2. John 8:12 "...I am the light of the world...."
The function of a light is to light up the way so that we can see. Jesus light shows our sins, so that we know that we are sinful and will repent and receive salvation. He promises that if we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12).
3. John 10:9 "...I am the gate..."
A gate is an entry to another place. It protects people who are inside the gate by preventing outsiders from stealing in. Those who believe in Christ have entered the gate and will be saved. Those outside the gate will be "stolen by thieves".
4. John 10:11, 14 "I am the good shepherd ...."
A good shepherd leads the sheep, protects them from the thieves and wolves. He knows the voice of his sheep, his sheep knows him and he knows his sheep (v.14). When a sheep is missing, he will go and find it (Luke 15:4). He is even willing to lay down his life for his sheep. In contrast, when disaster strikes, a hired hand abandons his sheep and runs away.
5. John 11:25 "...I am the resurrection and the life..."
Those who believe in Christ will never die, but be resurrected.
6. John 14:6 "...I am the way and the truth and the life ...."
Truth -- constant, does not change. Just like God's nature.
Way -- The only way to get to God is through Christ, i.e. believe in Him.
7. John 15:1 "I am the true vine ..."
A gardener will trim branches that do not bear fruit. Branches grow from the vine, they need the nutrients from the vine to live and grow. Jesus is the true vine, and we are branches. When He is in us, we will bear much fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
I believe in CHRISTMAS
I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.
I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.
I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.
I believe in the one whom the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.
I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible.
I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother’s arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love as its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God’s love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of GOd.
I confess my everlasting need of God: the need for forgiveness for our selfishness and greed; the need for new life for empty souls; the need for love for hearts grown cold.
I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.
The Faith Connection
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2).
It is so important to develop your faith. Why? Because faith is what connects you to the blessings of God. It's the force that gives those blessings substance in your life (Hebrews 11:1). And besides that, it pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).
It's faith that reaches into the realm of the spirit, grasps the promise of God and brings forth a tangible, physical fulfillment of that promise. It brings spiritual blessings. It brings that financial blessing you need, or the healing for your body. It brings action or manifestation in this earth.
Romans 5:2 says we have access by faith into the grace (favor) of God. Therefore, if you want grace for the new birth, you must receive it by faith. If you want God's grace in your finances or any other area of your life, you must get it by faith.
I like to think of it this way: When you believe the Word of God, you open the window to your life and give God the opportunity to move there. Oddly enough, that bothers some people. They can't understand why God needs an opportunity. After all, He is God. Can't He do anything He wants?
Yes, He can. And He wants to respond to our faith. You see, He is not like the devil. He doesn't force Himself on you. He waits for you to give Him an opening by believing His Word. When you believe His Word, and make your stand, even in the midst of the most impossible situations, God moves in on your situation.
Speak the Word: "Jesus has given me access by faith into the grace by which I stand. I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." (Rom. 5:2)
The Definition Of Faith
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Faith Is Substance
Faith is the "substance" of things we hope for. The word "substance" comes from the Greek word, "hupostasis", that means "a setting under or support"...in other words, a foundation. Faith is the foundation of those things that we hope for...the support on which we build all our ambitions, dreams and life's goals. Without faith to believe that everything will turn out OK we are certain of an unhappy, insecure and unsuccessful life. But with faith, all things are possible to him who believes.
Millions of people are hoping for eternal life...and their foundation for that hope is the faith they have in God's mercy and eternal plan of salvation through His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Any spiritual hope, or foundation of faith, must be built on a solid rock of truth. Faith in any other salvation than what the One true God has provided is a faith built on sinking sand. There is one opportunity in life to prepare for the next life. Life is too short and death is too certain for our faith to be grounded on any other hope than the solid and credible foundation of truth as revealed in God's word.
Faith Is Evidence
Faith also is the "evidence" of things not seen. From the Greek word "elegchos", which means proof or conviction, we have our English word "evidence".
This is a word that most modern day people understand, as it is used in our legal system and our scientific communities. We are a people who demands documented evidence as the credible source of our belief systems. Unfortunately, that demand is often abused and sidetracked. For instance, our educational process has totally sidetracked the evidence of "evolution" while it teaches this theory to our children in public schools as a real science...although there is no credible documentation to prove it as fact.
But when it comes to spiritual matters, only those who have truly searched the truth of God and His word for themselves, appreciate that the evidence is unquestionable and without challenge. There is no legitimate argument against the existence of God or against the truth of the Bible, His word.
The "evidence" of things not seen is found in the reality of God, in the reality of His word, in the reality of pure human experiences throughout the ages...and the reality of those all around us that continually support everything God has spoken and promised in His word.
We may not be able to see God with our physical eyes, but we who have a personal relationship with Him know very well that life without Him is not an option.
23rd Psalm:
The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!
I shall not want
That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters
That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
That's Guidance!
For His name sake
That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
That's Testing!
I will fear no evil
That's Protection!
For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil
That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over
That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
That's Security!
Forever
That's Eternity!
My Commitment as a Christian
(Written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house.)
I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!
