Faith Is The Main Ingredient!

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

 

The beginning of the beforementioned Scripture also tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  So, the basic definition of faith, is simply believing in God’s goodness and believing that He rewards the people who seek after Him.  This passage describes a conviction that already takes custody of what we hope for and what God has promised us in the future. This present-day ownership of things hoped for and promised in the future is an inner reality. Right now, amid a global pandemic, financial crisis, and social unrest, as our world seems to be falling apart,  but we who have faith can stand on the unshakeable promises of God’s peace, provision, mercy, grace, and salvation. His Word can be trusted. We can have full confidence in the Lord’s promises because they are real and a firm foundation for this life.

Another definition of faith contains the same two aspects: intellectual acceptance and trust. Intellectual acceptance is believing something to be true. Trust is actually relying on the fact that the something is true.   The analogy of a chair is often used to help illustrate this. The acceptance is recognizing that a chair is in fact a chair and agreeing that it is designed to support a person who sits on it. Trust is actually sitting in the chair.

We grow our faith by experiencing examples of God’s faithfulness. We can start by choosing a promise from the Bible that says if we do one thing, then some specific result will happen, even though the result might not make any sense. Each time we do this and find that the promised result really happens, our faith in God grows. The next time it’s easier for us to do something even when the result seems even more farfetched.

Sometimes, we get the wrong idea when we look only at the end results of a long process. It would be like looking at an Olympic runner and saying you could never run that far or fast.  We have to understand that no one starts out at the Olympic level! And as Christians, our faith doesn’t start there either.

Another way to show our faith is by giving. it is the one thing in the bible that God actually wants us to test Him on! Malachi 3:10 it says:

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

As we start the new year, let’s exercise our Faith and see what God will do as a result of our trusting in him despite what we see or feel.

Spiritual Gift – Discernment

(Test the spirit by the Spirit)

 

Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments. ~~ Psalm 119:66 (NASB)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.  ~~ Ephesians 5:6-10 (NIV)

 

Discernment is defined as the ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well. In the case of judgment, discernment can be psychological, moral or appealing in nature. In the Bible Discernment is defined as one of the quieter gifts. Those who have the gift rarely speak up unless they discern it’s safe to do so. It is a gift to the church to help us dismiss confusion. Whether you have the gift of discernment or want to become more discerning, studying God word will stretch your discernment muscles.

The bible is always the place to start when it comes to discernment. It provides the basis for sound theology that protects us from error.  It acts like the guard rails on a mountain road, steering you in the right direction.   It also gives general principles for Christian living, because followers of Christ must use wisdom to discern how to apply those principles to the issues of their lives.

The book of Proverbs is a great help in this regard. It helps define “the skill of godly living,” which one must thoughtfully discern, apply, and practice in order to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

One thing we need to be aware of, parties on both sides of an issue often use the bible to support their position.  This is where the gift comes in, we need to be able to discern who’s right.    In the process of Christian spiritual discernment God guides the individual to help them arrive at the best decision.

Throughout the bible the ability to discern is spoken of, it was the ability to discern good from evil, judgment, and to discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people.

I remember growing up as a kid, we were told to use our better judgment when we were away from home, of course I didn’t think about it then, but I believe this is where discernment played a part.  We had to make the choice between good and bad, right and wrong.  This carried over into our adulthood where we are exercising the gift or that discernment muscle to make sure that we were living the way that was pleasing to our parents and subsequently the Lord.  During the course of life, that muscle was weakened by the cares of this world, but if we stayed the course, it was the foundation that would bring things back to our remembrance.

This month as we explore the Spiritual gifts, now is as good a time as any to reexamine ourselves – to really know what our gift(s) are, not just for the sake of knowing only, but for using our gift for the sake of the Kingdom.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, help us to use discernment so that we do not believe every spirit, but that we test the spirits to see whether they are from you.  Help us to not judge by mere appearance, but instead judge correctly.   Give us insight to deepen our understanding of the gift you have given us so that we use them for your glory.  It’s in Jesus’ name we pray – Amen!

Patience and Self Control

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.  Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…” Titus 2:11 (NIV)

Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  We all need to be patient in life. And that’s because, without patience, it impossible to serve God. … Patience is the ability to hold back and persevere through all forms of temptations and trials. It is one of the main qualities we need to put on as Christians.

Self-Control is the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.  Self-control is essential in behavior to achieve goals and to avoid impulses and emotions that could be negative. Self-control is an effort that is intended to help achieve the goal of success. Failing to control oneself often leads to failure.

As we look at the two differing, but very similar definitions of these two words, we have to ponder whether we can have one without the other.  Let’s take a look at the life of some of the biblical characters who exhibited these virtues.

Patience

  • Abraham and Sarah trusted God and they waited patiently for him. This doesn’t mean they waited perfectly. They took matters into their own hands at times. But God’s grace covered them, and He still fulfilled His promise, in His perfect timing.
  • Joseph trusted God while we waited. He could have been scared and angry at what his brothers did to him and how he ended up in jail because of a lie. But he faithfully worked with a good attitude while he waited through life in Egypt. He became friends with the king and God used his new relationships to provide for his family.

 

  • Hannah was constantly mocked because of her inability to become pregnant. This went on for years. However, Hannah demonstrated grace and dignity by holding her tongue and continued to pray for a child. God honored her diligence and patience, and Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Samuel.

Self-Control

  • Nehemiah showed self-control and didn’t fight back when his enemy came against him. Instead, while working to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem, Nehemiah strategically stationed some of his men to be guards while the others worked. Nehemiah knew that God would protect them. He acted calmly and with self-control
  • David could have killed Saul, who was trying to kill him! David showed self-control because he knew that God still wanted Saul to be king. David said to Saul, “For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands”. 1 Samuel 24:11
  • Jesus exhibited self-control when Satan offered Him control over the whole world, but Jesus knew that God’s kingdom would eventually be the only kingdom. Jesus is the perfect expression of all the fruits of the Spirit, including self-control. The bible tells us that while Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He instructed His disciple to have some self-control when he wanted to fight those coming to arrest Jesus.  ~~ 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:52-54

To be successful in life we need both of these virtues, they go hand in hand:

Self-control can help reduce impulsive behavior, eliminate bad habits, improve mental focus and enhance your decision-making capacity.

Patience helps you make thoughtful decisions, cultivate lasting relationships, find inner peace and learn to be kind to others.

Do you see the similarities? The question remains, Can You Have One Without the Other?

Mary Magdalene: The Scandal

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. ~~ Luke 8:1-2

Mary’s nickname Magdalene may mean that she came from the town of Magdala a fishing town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in Roman Judea.

The Gospel of Luke 8:2–3 lists Mary Magdalene as one of the women who traveled with Jesus and helped support his ministry “out of their resources”, indicating that she was probably relatively wealthy. The same passage also states that seven demons had been driven out of her, a statement which is repeated in Mark 16.

Mary Madelene has been depicted in many movies about the life of Jesus.  Jesus is said to have loved her more than any of the others because of her understanding. Some readers have interpreted Jesus’ “love” as physical, not just spiritual, and that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were intimate — if not married.  Beneath centuries of misinformation and conspiracy it is said that she was Jesus’ wife whom he fathered two children with.  In another movie “The Chosen”, we discovered that the character called Lilith for most of the episode is Mary Magdalene.  The Episode showed how the demons were cast out of her by Jesus.  The Gospels never refer to Mary as Lilith, the creators of The Chosen probably chose that name because it is associated with demons in Jewish traditions. Also noted in this movie, Mary is in the “Red Quarter”, implying that she is a prostitute, again the Bible never suggests Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. However, some biblical interpreters mistakenly labeled her as such because the story before Luke 8 is about a sinful woman who was forgiven. Over time, the label stuck and now many adaptations depict her that way.

One thing the scripture does say about Mary and that is she played a starring role in one of the most powerful and important scenes in the Gospels. When Jesus was crucified by the Romans, she was there supporting him in his final terrifying moments and mourning his death and she was the first woman that Jesus appeared to after his resurrection.

9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. – Mark 16:9-10

When Mary told the Apostles that Jesus had risen, none of them believed her. Yet she never wavered in her belief.

She gives us an example that as Christians, we too will be the target of ridicule and distrust, and that all manner of untruths may be spoken about us, we must hold on to our belief in Jesus, that he is the way and that he will show himself to us, when we are at the lowest point in our lives.

My question to you today is:  When you are faced with challenges as Mary was, how will you respond?  Will you stand firm in your belief or will you succumb to the ways of the world and hide out in hopes that no one notices that you are a follower of Jesus?

Jesus said, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26

Deborah: The Warrior

“She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.” Deborah was a woman of great wisdom, revelation, and discernment.   Judges 4:5

Deborah, also spelled Debbora, is mentioned in the Old Testament (Judg. 4 and 5).  She was a Prophetess from the Tribe of Ephraim and of Jehovah God. According to the Book of Judges, Deborah was the fourth Judge of Israel pre-monarchical Israel and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible.  Her Hebrew name goes back to the times of the Bible where she was known as “the honey bee”, or a mother in Israel.  Deborah’s spiritual meaning once instilled a sense of pride in the people of Israel when morale was at an all-time low.

Deborah was renowned for her wisdom.  The people knew that if she was consulted for guidance or judgment, that she would meditate on scripture and seek God in prayer before giving her answer.  She was not only well-known for her wisdom, but for the place she chose to give court as well.  Those who sought her could find Deborah under a palm tree between Ramah and Beth-el known as, “Deborah’s Palm.”

Deborah was obedient and didn’t question God’s voice or wonder what others would say or think, she simply had the faith to do what God told her. Whether people followed or not was not her concern. Her only concern was doing what the Lord called her to, and not letting anything get in the way of that. She inspired the Israelites to a mighty victory over their Canaanite oppressors (the people who lived in the Promised Land, later known as Palestine).

For those unfamiliar with Deborah’s story, we can sum it up as follows:

Deborah was chosen by God to serve as the Mother of Israel and lead His people to victory. Deborah’s success was due to her faith in God. She served God by utilizing her values and Spiritual gifts. Due to her faith, God called her, a woman, to lead His people to victory.

God’s people were living in Canaan, which was ruled by a cruel king known as Jabin of Hazor.  His second in command was an equally cruel general known as Sisera. Often, in their desperation, the people would come to Deborah’s Palm to hear her words of encouragement and wisdom.  Deborah, a God-fearing prophetess was told by God how to deliver His people from the grip of Jabin and Sisera.  Deborah then called for Barak, a military commander who would lead the charge against Sisera.  Barak agreed to follow Deborah’s plan, but with one condition, that she went with him into battle.  Deborah agreed, but told Barak because of his fear, the credit for the defeat of Sisera would go to a woman.  Deborah then went into battle with Barak, and their enemy was destroyed.

Some Scholars saw this as Barak being spineless while others saw it as Barak making a smart decision since Deborah was a mediator between God and man. Either way, they were successful in the mission God sent them to accomplish.

When we answer the call of God, we too can be successful in the battles that we face.  Don’t be afraid, if He brought you to it, He will see you through!!  Believe in the one who can do anything but fail.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, thank you that, unlike man, you do not discriminate between who you choose to use for your service. You God are not a respecter of men, you provide every person with the opportunity to receive the blessings available through your plan for their life. Help us to see this and move forward knowing that you are always with us.  It’s in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

The Lord our Banner

We live in times of great distress. Our health is threatened daily and every time we decide to step out our doors. Our brothers and sisters of all races are threatened every time they decided to go outside. Sadly, even inside their own homes.
 
Today, we look at our GOD as our Jehovah Nissi. He is our Lord, our Banner. Any time we feel those feelings of uncertainty, weakness, and even of terror, our Jehovah Nissi bans everything and anything from coming near us that can hurt us.
 
 
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. Exodus 17:15
 
 
What does a banner do for us? Protects us, covers us, lets us know no matter what comes or is thrown our way, He covers us, He protects us, He bans those things from destroying us. The dictionary describes a banner as a flag or other clothing bearing a symbol or slogan. This makes me think that when life comes and threatens us, it can only go so far because GOD’S banner is recognized and stops things in their tracks. God is our defense and He promised never to leave us or forsake us.
 
 
As we see in the first chapter of Job anything that happened to him first had to be allowed to happen when GOD knew and there was a limit to what could happen to him. As with Job, it doesn’t mean that life doesn’t happen or that we will not have tears and pain. What gives me great comfort is that unconfused and unconditional peace in knowing that in the midst of it all, my Lord, my Banner is there holding my hand, your hand. And He does not let it go, even if we let go of His.
 
 
 
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

The Light Shines in the Darkness

We may have all experienced one or two dreadful thunderstorms during our lifetime. This can cause power to go out leaving us in total darkness.  It is then that we find ourselves at the mercy of not just the thunderstorms, but the darkness which also creates the potential of us hurting ourselves.

Terrible and all kinds of hurtful things occur when the power is out, such as stepping on those lego pieces not put away, stubbing a toe, hitting ourselves against the drawer that was left open when we grabbed the flashlight, or stepping on our dog or cat; the list goes on and on as to how much harm we may be subjected to when the power is out. Have you ever experienced this? Total darkness, soul darkness.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shinning ever brighter till the full light of day.  But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness, they do not know what makes them stumble. Proverbs 4:18-19 (NIV)

Imagine how relieved we feel when the power comes back on. Now we see clearly, that which we couldn’t see in the darkness.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5 (NIV)

Just as the thunderstorm that caused the power to go out and create all kind of chaos, Satan works the same way.  Trying to blind our mind, spirit, and soul with all that is evil. We begin to doubt, hurt others, be unforgiving to others and ourselves; the list goes on.  All these things take place when we don’t activate the light in our lives, that is Jesus.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

If we are so relieved when the power comes back on, how much more joy should we feel and experience when we invite Jesus to be the light in our lives. For it is then that we can plainly see who satan really is, “the big deceiver”.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 (NIV)