"In business, companies talk frequently about market share. They all want a 100 percent share of the market. But how do they accomplish this? Competition is a major hurdle.
God has the same issue. A multitude of idols are competing with Him for a share of the market, and God wants a monopoly ... a 100 percent market share. He says, "Let all the people praise Me."
If everybody is praising the one true God, nobody else has any share of the market. That's what God is after for Himself, and that is why we are here. We are here to help God persuade the folks who are purchasing at the wrong market to go to the right market. We are here to help God meet His 100 percent." - Tony Evans
Isaiah 49:5-6
5 And now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength— 6 he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world . . .
—Matthew 24:14 (TLB)
"We are stewards of the Gospel. The power to proclaim the greatest news in heaven or on earth was not given to the angels. It was given to redeemed men. This was addressed to humble laymen. Some think that only ministers are to preach, but that is wrong. Every Christian is to be a witness; every follower of Christ is to preach the Gospel.
We can preach by sharing our experience with others. We can preach by exalting Christ in our daily lives. Sermons which are seen are often more effective than those which are heard. The truth is: the best sermons are both heard and seen. They are a sort of audiovisual testimony. We can also preach by giving to others, so they may preach. Missionary gifts, church offerings, and charitable contributions all speak eloquently of your unselfishness and Christian generosity.
In all these things, we are partners with God. We are helping by His grace to redeem the world. God needs our time, our talents, our witnessing, and our money, today more than at any other time in history. Become a full, working partner with God." - Billy Graham
This morning I felt called to share two sermons that I listened to this week that really had a strong impact on my thinking about my walk with Christ.
The first is by pastor Steve Smotherman of Legacy Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this clip Smotherman explains have it is the duty of the Church in this time of a global pandemic to remain firm in its mission to remain open and serve the people who really need it (which is everyone).
The second was actually preached by our son-in-law, pastor Steven Roberts of Journey Church in Pineville, Louisiana. He explains how the disciples missed out on experiencing a miracle by leaving Christ's side to search for food, choosing to serve their own needs over their mission to serve the Lord.
The true underlying message of both these sermons actually played out in real time just prior to our second service. I bumped into a friend of mine who I hadn't seen in a few weeks. When I greeted him and asked how he was doing, he replied that he wasn't doing well at all. He explained that his dear wife had recently passed and that he was doing his best to try and cope with the loss. I took the opportunity to talk with him and pray over him. I assured him that things were going to be okay, that God understood his pain and that He would heal his suffering.
This is how the message of both sermons came together in one instant. I wondered what would have happened if the church was closed last Sunday and my friend wouldn't have had a place to come to in his moment of need? I also wonder what would have happened if I had chosen to be selfish and walk past him when he obviously needed to hear God's message and to be prayed over?
It is of the utmost importance in this time of global chaos that churches stand firm in their mission and assume their essential function of serving people who need it. Likewise it is important as Christians to not act like the disciples and walk right past someone who needed their message to pursue their own selfish pursuits.
"Imagine it's your birthday. Your friend comes by and gives you a beautifully wrapped gift. When you open it, it's something you've always wanted! After the party, you walk your friend to the door and just before he leaves, he says, "Oh, by the way, here's the receipt. Your gift costs $500. I'll take cash or a check" Could you really call what you received a gift?
The same principle applies to salvation. You don't have to buy it. Salvation is a gift. It depends wholly on God's grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Jesus paid the costs in full for our salvation. Acts 4:12 says, ". . . there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven . . . by which we must be saved." - Tony Evans
Romans 10:9-13 New International Version
9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame."
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .
—Matthew 6:20
"Many young people are building their lives on the rock of materialism. I find across the country a deep economic discontent among people in every walk of life. People want more and more things. They forget that we are enjoying the highest standard of living the world has ever known. We still have poverty, and hundreds of agencies are trying to do something about it; but we are dissatisfied. We want more, more, more. But Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and money.” He said that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he possesses. Adolf Berle, in his study of power, points out that riches often make people solitary and lonely and, of course, afraid. Many times a rich man knows loneliness and fear, because when he makes wealth his god, it leaves him empty. You see, without God life loses its zest and purpose and meaning." - Billy Graham
The first thing I want you to see in this passage this morning is this woman struggled with this issue of blood for 12 years.
12 years is a long time! The number 12 has a significant meaning in the Bible… The number 12 typically means perfection or authority and often the number 12 is used in a context of government…
For instance, we see the 12 disciples; the 12 tribes of Israel, 12 spies who went to scout the promise land… In Revelation we read about the New Jerusalem, we see the number 12 repeatedly 12 gates, 12 angels, 12 foundations…all this points to perfection, ultimately coming under God’s authority and under God’s government.
The number 12 generally carries a positive meaning, However not so much in this passage. This woman bled for 12 years. This issue had authority over this woman! This issue governed every aspect of this woman’s life and how she lived! Because she was bleeding she would have been considered unclean, no one would have wanted contact with her. She was ostracized. She was pushed to the side. She was looked down on! You could say it was a perfect storm so to speak, a storm that controlled her life.
Maybe you’re here this morning and can relate to this woman… Maybe you’re coming up against something that is controlling your life… You feel like this thing that you’re coming up against has authority over you… You feel like you’re in the middle of a perfect storm… You feel like if it can God wrong it will…
I want to tell you this morning we serve the God who holds all authority… We serve the One who is Lord over the Storm! We serve the One who can speak and bring peace and silence to the storms raging in your lives. – We serve the God who holds all authority!
What’s Impossible with Man is Possible with God
This woman had an issue of blood for 12 years, it controlled her life and we read that she literally spent everything she had on doctors and instead of getting better she actually got worse!
Have you ever said “well it couldn’t get any worse”? Then you wish you wouldn’t have said that because now you realize it can get much worse! How many of you wish you could go back to a time when you said this is the worst, but now you look back and you’re like man I had it so good back then! – If only my life could be that good now!
V 26 The text said that this woman suffered a great deal under the hand of many doctors, and she spent all that she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse but here is where everything changed…V27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak…
You know sometimes our situations never get any better, and sometimes actually get worse, because we exhaust every other means, every other resource, and every other avenue but we refuse to surrender our problem to Jesus. I want to challenge you this morning, if you’ve tried going to the doctor for something health related and nothing has changed…why not go to Jesus?
If you’ve gone to marriage counseling and your marriage hasn’t gotten any better why not go to Jesus? If you’ve gone to rehabs but that addiction hasn’t gotten any better, why not go to Jesus? If you’ve tried infertility treatment and not of that is working, why not go to Jesus?
***Hear me this morning, I’m not saying we shouldn’t use the resources I’ve just mentioned…I think these things are gifts from God. What I am saying is why are we so quick to exhaust every resource and yet never look to Jesus for a miracle?
This woman tried everything she could, she spent everything she had on doctors and instead of getting better, she grew worse…
Man had ultimately failed this woman… Through the eyes of man, it seemed like an impossible situation… BUT, what is impossible with man, is possible with God!
So, when this woman heard about Jesus she said I’m going to bring my problems to Him!
Faith takes Hold of God’s Promises
Here is Jesus passing by…Jesus was actually on His way to perform another miracle. (Do you ever feel like Jesus is passing you by?)
This woman thought, if I can just touch the hem of His garment I’ll be healed. This thought is so important!
***You see in the Mosaic Law God instructed His people regarding the corners or the fringes of their garments. Jews were to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations…They were to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner…(Numbers 15:37-41)
This was to stand as a reminder that they were God’s chosen people and that they were called to keep God’s commandments. You could say that the corner of their garments symbolized who they were and what they stood for! These corners were a representation of their identity. Many scholars believe that Jesus, being a devout Jew, would have had these tassels on the corners of His clothes.
When the woman said if I can just touch the hem of His garment, I’ll be healed, she was likely talking about, if I can just touch the fringe…If I can just touch the tassel…
In other words, she was saying if I can just align myself with who this man says He is! If I Can Just align myself with what this man says He stands for. If I can just align with His identity, I’ll be healed!
It’s possible that as this woman made her way to Jesus, she could have been thinking, this is the One who was prophesied in Malachi 4:2 the One who would arise with Healing in His wings! As she reached forth in Faith, and aligned herself with Jesus, power left Jesus and this woman was healed!
So, it is with you and I today, If we – BY FAITH – begin to align ourselves with Jesus, With His Promises In the Word, with who He is, with His identity, with what He stands for, we can experience miracles today.
Faith Doesn’t Free us From the Fight
I love this scene, Jesus is literally being crushed by people…
Many people are bumping into Jesus, but no one is touching Him… In other words, no one is pulling on His virtue and power…I don’t think they truly understand who is in their midst.
But one woman…she makes contact and power leaves Jesus.
Jesus said, who touched me, the disciples are like what do you mean who touched you…look at this crowd!? Jesus, no, no…I felt power leave me…who touched me?
This woman literally had to fight her way through the crowd, she may have gotten stepped on, pushed around, I wonder at any point if she thought maybe this isn’t worth it. Getting to Jesus was no easy task…but when she finally touched Jesus, boom power left Him.
I want to tell you this morning, when you begin to believe and have faith for your Miracle, that doesn’t mean the fight is over, that means fight of faith is just beginning.
You will fight doubt/unbelief – You will fight naysayers. Your situation may get worse before it gets better/You will fight the lies of the enemy. But the fight of Faith says I may not see it; But I know God is at work! The fight of Faith says I may not understand it, but His ways are higher than my ways.
The Fight of Faith says I may have exhausted all my resources BUT God is able! The Fight of Faith says, what is impossible with man is NOT impossible with God! The fight of Faith says I believe God is who says He is, and I believe He will do what He says He will Do.
The fight of Faith says I know God is working this out for my good (Romans 8:28) The fight of Faith Trusts in God and in His Word. The fight of Faith says I know God is going to perform a miracle and remove this problem or perform a miracle for me to go through this problem!
Keep on pressing until you touch Jesus and experience His power!
At times like this I am reminded of the story of Chuck Johnson (Cross-Carrier Chuck) who in 1987 began a life-long journey to tell people about Jesus. After being baptized in San Jose, he made the decision to devote his life to service of the Lord by giving up all of his possessions and walking the roads and highways of this country carrying an eight foot replica of the cross. He spends everyday of his life walking and telling people about Jesus. He has no job, no money, yet the Lord provides for him. He is clothed, fed and sleeps most nights in hotels. How is this possible? True to His word God provides.
I woke up this morning with God urging me to share his story. I opened up my computer and plugged his name into Google to get some background information and that's when I learned he had died five years ago of a heart attack in South Carolina.
I was shocked.
I first heard about Chuck in the book "Weird U.S. The ODDyssey Continues" (by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman) in which his story was chronicled in a short article alongside other features about people who live their lives in a less than traditional fashion. I was inspired by both the man and his message. Chuck did something amazing by dropping his life, picking up a cross, and venturing out into the world with no more than a few bucks in his pocket and the love of Jesus in his heart.
Now that's bravery and more honestly that defines true faith in it's purest form.
Over his eleven year journey (yes, he walked around the country for eleven years) Chuck shared his faith with an unknown amount of people and became the subject of numerous newspaper articles and Youtube videos. Here is an except from a local Pittsburgh, Pa online feature:
A California native who has spent the past seven years carrying a 12-foot-long plastic cross around the country set off from Kittanning on Sunday morning with plans to walk west.
Charles Johnson, 45, a former railroad worker originally from Anaheim but now without a home, said he intended to start walking toward Ohio about 9 a.m. on Sunday along Route 422.
Carrying nothing but the cross and a backpack stuffed with essentials, Johnson said he began he began his journey seven years ago in Tijuana, Mexico, with plans to walk the country for 10 years sharing "stories of the cross."
"I'm trying to make it a 10-year walk for Jesus," he said. "God put it on my heart to do this fulltime for him."
He added: "The cross is just meant to be a reminder. I don't preach to people, I pray with people."
Johnson said he started his journey not long after God instructed him to go to Mexico and with only $55. He came out of Mexico with a cross, which he said cost $53 to construct.
I wish that I could have met Chuck and I am saddened by the knowledge that he is not out there, somewhere, spreading the word of God in his way. I however do take comfort in the fact that he lived his short life for Jesus and that he was called home to be with him.
Have you ever felt backed up against a wall with no way out? Although a situation like that is truly beyond what you can manage, it is not too big for God. In fact, if you could competently handle every difficulty that arose, then the credit would go to you and not to the Lord. Impossible circumstances teach us an important lesson: to depend on Him and not on ourselves.
Gideon was a reluctant warrior who felt inadequate for the task God called him to do: to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression (Judg. 6:14-16). But in obedience, he had rallied 32,000 men to fight against the enemy. However, the Lord then whittled the army down to just three hundred men. Humanly speaking, it would be impossible to defeat the enemy forces with so few. But that was precisely God’s point: He alone would achieve the victory and receive the glory.
When the odds are not in your favor, that doesn’t mean God has abandoned you. Stand your ground and keep your eyes on Him. Trust your heavenly Father, and you’ll be amazed at what He will achieve. Then glorify Him, giving thanks for His faithfulness.
"Most people are fascinated by magic tricks, which are simply fantastic illusions. What God is able to do and anything He purposes to accomplish in His Kingdom are never illusions. And how He answers our prayers is no illusion. When God's people commit to faithful prayer, the world will see God's power.
To pray powerfully and effectively, we must first deal with sin in our lives. We must turn and flee from sin, understanding that as God responds to our cries, people will give Him greater glory.
We must pray expectantly, knowing that God will ultimately change us. Isaiah 65:24 says, "... before [you] call, I will answer ..." God gave us prayer to connect us with His plan for our lives to make an impact on all creation!" - Tony Evans
Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 4:2-6
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
"In the third century Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, wrote to his friend Donatus, “It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people, who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians . . . and I am one of them.” If you have repented of your sins and have received Christ as Savior, then you, too, are one of them." - Billy Graham
Prayer for the day
Today, Lord God, I remember all those Christians who have gone before me and thank You for the inspiration of their memory. May I never take for granted the heritage I have in Christ Jesus.
If You Found This Inspirational Take A Look At These:
"Most likely you have one in your family—the extremely loving caring person always looking out for others and helping them in every and any way possible. They usually always have a smile on their faces and will stop what they're doing and help you at the drop of a hat. Everyone always enjoys being in their company and loves the feeling of love and happiness they share with those around them.
We love them. We're inspired by them to be more loving ourselves, but too often we forget to give back to these people the love that they've given to us.
They, of course, would never ask for anything from us, as serving others truly makes them happy, but they need to receive love just as much as they need to give it. Yet too often, we take them for granted, and sadly, sometimes even take advantage of their kindness.
Look around at your friends and family and remember to look out for and love the selfless ones. These selfless individuals mirror the love of God to us; we need to be sure to mirror God's back love to them as well." - Tony Evans
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin.
—1 John 1:7 (TLB)
"I received a letter from a man in Charlotte, North Carolina. He said that, until our Charlotte Crusade, he was filled with hatred, bitterness, and prejudice toward people of another race. He had joined one of the extremist organizations and was on the verge of engaging in violence. Out of curiosity he came to the meetings, and one night he was gloriously converted. He said, “All bitterness, hatred, malice, and prejudice immediately left me. I found myself in the counseling room sitting beside a person of another race. Through my tears I gripped the hand of this man, whom a few hours before I would have detested. My racial problem has been solved. I now find that I love all men regardless of the color of their skin.”
Only Christ can solve the complicated racial problem that is facing the world today. Until people of all races come to accept Christ as Savior, they do not have the ability to love each other. Christ can give supernatural love, which enables you to love even those whom you otherwise could not love." - Billy Graham
Prayer for the day
Heavenly Father, fill me with that supernatural love of Jesus that enables me to reach out to the myriads of people who, in and of myself, would be impossible to love.
This week the Lord lead me to discover a sermon by pastor Steve Smothermon of Legacy Church in Albuquerque. I really feel that his message about how the spirit of the antichrist is spreading through society is something everyone needs to hear.
As the pastor says: "when you take the word of God out, absurd ideas fill the void." (I'm paraphrasing)
Understanding the difference between the antichrist and the spirit of the antichrist is crucial. We are either being influenced by the Spirit of God or the spirit of the antichrist.
Society calls out for equality. (sameness, likeness, uniformity; everybody is the same)
But the BIBLE calls for equity! (impartiality, justice, legal fairness)
Imagine that you are sailing on the ocean of a lake. When you look toward the shore a figure appears. After staring for a few moments you deduce that it's a man. As you continue to watch you realize, much to your surprise, that the man is actually walking toward you on the water.
The man gets closer and closer. That's when you realize that the man is Jesus. As He gets to within fifty yards or so He stops. He motions for you to step out of the boat and come to Him on the water,
That's when I would have a big problem.
I have to confess that I have two fears, heights and water. When I was a toddler my brother and sister-in-law took me to the beach. I was so excited to see the ocean that I took off running into the water. Before my family could catch me the incoming tide knocked me down and I went under. I honestly don't know if I was ever in any danger of drowning or not, but the experience terrified me. Of course, as could imagine, my family scooped me out of the water safe and sound.
Needles to say, that experience has stayed with me and I have never learned to swim.
I think you can understand the dilemma I would be faced with. Even with Jesus right in front of me I would have a hard time stepping out of that boat. I know in my heart that Jesus wouldn't let any harm come to me. Yet, that old lingering fear would hold me back.
It's ridiculous when you really think hard about it.
As I sit here right now, I'm imagining the situation and I can feel the anxiety. It's a telling sign of just much my faith needs to grow. Even with Jesus standing in front of me, I would be scared to walk out on that water.
It makes me wonder just how many miracles I have missed out on due to a lack of faith.
The water is a perfect example of the hurdles that life throws at all of us from time to time. Everyone has some form of fear or phobia that holds them back from experiencing a full and happy life. If we could only learn to have true faith in God there is nothing that would cause us to be fearful of anything.
I would like to believe that if I actually saw Jesus face to face that I would be so overcome by emotion that I would be able to step out of the boat and walk, maybe run, to the Savior. I believe that could happen.
As Jesus said in Mathew 17:20 - "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Don't let your fears hold you back. Step out of the boat and experience the miracle.
Do you have that step of faith in you? Ken Husley took step of faith by moving to louisiana from california. Even when it seemed that the move could not happen he kept his faith and God provided a way.
Posted by Journey Church on Wednesday, September 9, 2020
>One very important thing that I forgot to mention was that despite all the financial problems Terri and I had we never stopped tithing. On one occasion we actually tithed all the money we actually had at the time believing in our hearts that God would take care of us ... and He did. We never suffered. We always had food, shelter and the amenities that we needed.
I'm not going to lie, it was hard. Initially I was very reluctant to tithe at all. It took a lot of faith and trust in God to actually give the ten percent of our income. It was a challenge. A big challenge. Ultimately our actions were rewarded. True to His word God was faithful to us when we stepped out and were faithful to God.
In the clip I mention receiving a large sum of money at the exact moment we needed it. That is actually what happened. I can tell you however that the old saying is true, 'money comes and money goes'. The money God blessed us with was spent in the ways it was intended for and we now find ourselves living on faith once again. God is always teaching us about money and faith. Most importantly not to put our faith in money but to fully trust God. This is the real message. Again, we never suffer and our needs are always provided for.
There was a lot of content that didn't make it into the video. It started out with me trying to explain taking a leap of faith using scenes from Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars) and The Last Crusade (Indiana Jones). Perhaps its better for everybody that my ramblings ended up on the cutting room floor so to speak.
David was the anointed king of Israel, but before he could enjoy the realization of God's promises, he had to go through a season of testing and waiting. During this time, he was forced to hide out in caves and literally run for his life. King Saul, who was bent on David's destruction, continually hunted for him. Perhaps the Lord has given you a promise through His Word. You are ready to see it unfold, but it hasn't happened yet. Though you have waited, it seems that there is no hope on the horizon. Remember, God's timing is perfect.
He knows what you need, when you need it. He knows that if we are going to learn how to walk with Him in the daylight or the good times, we must learn first to trust Him in times of darkness.
At some point, each of us has waited for God's promises to come. David may have wondered when the Lord would open the door to blessing. However, he never allowed his thoughts to turn to doubts. In fact, in Psalm 18:17, 19, he praises God for the victory he knew would be his one day. "(God) delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me … He brought me forth also into a broad (or spacious) place, He rescued me, because He delighted in me."
When God delivers you from trial and trouble, you can be sure that He will bring you out into a spacious place of joy and delight - one that also will glorify Him and add encouragement to your life. Have you been pushing and shoving in an effort to move God on to the place where you think you should be? If so, stop and be determined to wait on God. The time you spend waiting in darkness will one day be rewarded by the Father of lights (James 1:17). - Tony Evans
Psalm 18:6
6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God . . .
—Matthew 6:33
A man or a woman who has been focusing all attention on financial gains, or business, or social prestige, or who has centered all his affection on some one person, experiences a devastating sense of loss when denied the thing that has given life its meaning. In these tragic moments, the individual recognizes how terribly and completely alone he is.
In that moment the Holy Spirit may cause the worldly bandages to fall from his eyes so that he sees clearly for the first time. He recognizes that God is the only source of real power, and the only enduring fountainhead of love and companionship.
From out of the depths, Lord, my eyes have seen that only You are unchanging, eternal love. Help me to put You first in everything I do. - Billy Graham
Faith is believing something is so when it’s not so until it is so! Faith has substance. Substance brings Stability and Hope is the confident expectation of a positive future in spite of your present circumstances because our hope, foundation, and substance are in Jesus Christ. Faith has Substance and that Substance is Jesus Christ. (Matthew 7:24, NKJV; Matthew 7:25, NKJV; Matthew 16:18, NKJV)
There are two results that are evident when we have the right faith: The right Faith has the right Substance which results in Stability. When our Faith has the right Substance, we are Steadfast! (1 Corinthians 15:58. NKJV)
You can’t see Jesus physically, but you can see Jesus spiritually. (Matthew 5:8, NKJV) You will see the evidence of God and His working. When your faith is right it’s Evident by the way you see others. (Titus 1:15, TLB; Job 16:19, NKJV)
The things you see were not framed by the Word of God. If God speaks it, it comes about. Three steps to help us frame God’s Word in our life: If you want to increase your faith, increase the Word of God. (Romans 10:17, NKJV) Trust God’s Word. (2 Peter 1:4) Ask God to increase our faith. (Luke 17:5-6, NKJV; John 1:1, NKJV)
The enemy tries to shape our thinking –one rock at a time until we are imprisoned to the lies. The enemy’s goal is to place distance between you and God by getting you to depart from the Truth. (John 8:44, NKJV; Romans 3:4, TLB; 1 John 2:26-27, TLB) If we abide in the Truth (Jesus), believe the Truth, and obey the Truth Satan has no power over us.
Intentionally change what you think by taking your mind and thoughts captive. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NKJV) Our life is a reflection of our thought life—change your thinking and you will change your life. (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV) Focus on God’s promises, not the problem—you will become fearless. (2 Peter 1:4, NKJV)
Simple steps to help us defeat the strongholds in our life.
Identify and admit your stronghold—we cannot defeat what we cannot define. Claim the Truth or Promise that demolishes that stronghold. (Ephesians 6:15-17, NCV) Believe the Truth over the lies. (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)
