I Am Different!

What a wonderful priviledge to be a Christian. We have been redeemed from every nation by the LORD God Almighty through faith in His Son our LORD Jesus Christ and to Him we are special...
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (I Peter 2:9-10)

Think about this passage; Jesus tells us in John 15:16 that we did not chose Him but that He chose us (We are a chosen generation), Revelation 1:5-6 says, "...To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father..." (We are a royal priesthood) and in I Corinthians 6:11…But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (We are set apart – a Holy nation) then in
I Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (We are a special people – Gods private property) and finally Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (A people of praise)

Make no mistake, Christians are different and we need to act upon God's Word and live a Biblically correct life because there is a fallen world filled with the very people the Christ died for. It's sad to think of all the people who attend the various congregations throughout the USA that do not see themselves the way that Gods Word tells us as to who and what we are. Why do so many believers act upon their feelings instead of faith? Why do they say they believe God's Word but their actions and words prove other? Why is it that when some believers say that they are what the Word says they are, that they are considered prideful or boasting about themselves? Could the problem be what Paul tells us in his second letter to Timothy?
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
(II Timothy 3:1-5)

Although Paul mentions many things I believe that the last of these is the worst and greatest in the lives of most who attend congregational meetings on Sunday, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Unfortunately many people who consider themselves believers are destitute of the life of God in their souls and deny that a life filled with the power of Christ can  be experienced today. But again it takes Bible faith to really understand and live the true Christian life, "The just shall live by faith". This brings us to a very important question that we must ask ourselves, "Do you really believe that what you believe is really true?" Selah...

Assume the Position

Through Jesus Christ believers have been given many benefits. The reality of these benefits come by way of our faith in Him who has made all things possible, Jesus Christ. It has been said, "If God says that it is so, then it is so." This means that a believers faith must stand on the integrity of Gods Word. One of the benefits that believers get to enjoy is our position in Christ.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2) One of the areas that believers can rejoice in, is that through Jesus Christ exchanging His sinless life for our sinful life. We are no longer enemies of God but now have peace with God, that is, right standing before God through our LORD Jesus Christ.

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19 ) The phrase , nothing shall by any means hurt you is a mandatory binding provision, an essential action that never changes. It is binding, it has been executed by and is upheld by the one to whom all authority has been given in heaven and on earth, JESUS. Believers have been given authority over the devil and His gang. That means every firey dart of the devil, sickness, disease, poverty, etc.  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Another area of position that believers have is found in John 17:20-23.
Jesus is saying that believers can have the same relationship with the Father that He had while on earth. In Christ we have right standing with the Father, have been given authority over our enemies and can experience the same relationship that Jesus had with the Father, but it takes faith that comes from the heart not the mind.

These are only a few areas the God in Christ has given to believers. If only we could apprehend the truth and walk in our position that we have in Christ, which takes true Bible faith, it would only take a few believers to do what the early church did, "Turn the world upside down." PTL

Who Am I?

The Bible clearly shows us numerous times as to who or what we have become through our profession of faith in Christ. The born again person needs to understand in their heart that they are now a new creature.
"Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP)

Being a new creature in Christ is not based on ones feelings, thoughts or senses but fact as to what God Word says. The words “new creature” means created new, as to tear down an old building and replace it with a new building. Unfortunately many believers do not know or maybe do not understand that they are new creatures. They think that when they received Christ as LORD that God had only forgiven their sins and has given them eternal life. The problem with this kind of thinking is that it puts God in a box and falls way short of His plan of redemption in Christ. It causes believers to say, I am a sinner saved by grace" rather than I was a sinner saved by grace but now I am the temple of God, a new building, a new creature in Christ. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ( Corinthians 5:21) Hallelujah

This takes heart or Bible faith to embrace who the believe has become in Christ because thoughts, feelings, senses and or the devil will try to convince them that it's not so. The old creature was crucified with Christ. It was torn down and a new building has replaced it. We are no long to be slaves to sin, the old building, but are free from sin. We were dead, but now are alive in Christ. We are new creatures in Christ the old creature has died, it's deceased, it's torn down!!! (Also see Romans 6:1-7, 11).


True faith from the heart says, "I am a new creature in Christ because God says that it is so."
Whereas mental faith, the kind of faith that agrees with Gods Word but say, "I know I should be a new creature but for some reason I don't feel like one." Do you see the difference?


Jesus said, "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, 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) Doubt or faith will come forth from the heart. "...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34) True faith from the heart says, "I am a new creature in Christ because God says that it is so." Mental faith, or human faith, agrees with Gods Word but say, "I know I should be a new creature but for some reason I don't feel like one." Do you see the difference?


Believer, it's time to act as though Gods Word is true. Agreeing with Gods Word in our minds will never release God to do what He has said that He would do. Believers must believe in their heart, this is Bible faith, the kind of faith that makes the impossible, possible. (Matthew 17:20) 

Do You Really Know the LORD?

"My people are being destroyed because they don't know me." (Hosea 4:6 NLT) It saddens me when I listen to believers, especially church leaders make statements concerning the character, nature, actions and the will of God that are contradictive to His Word, the Holy Bible. When I hear contradictions several things are revealed, the top reason being what God reveals in Hosea, "They don't know me." This is very sad especially when He has revealed Himself through His Word.

Whe greatest means to know God is through His Word. His Word reveals His character, nature, purpose and His will. A lack of knowing His Word will hinder believers and keep them from living a victorious life for two reasons. First is a person cannot act upon God’s Word beyond their knowledge of it and second, if a believers does not know the LORD they will not know His will. The greatest assest of knowing Gods Word other than it's the best way to know Him, is that it provides the best resourse for believers to grow their faith, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17)

In one of Jesus' many confrontations with the religious leaders He exposes their lack of knowing God, "Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29) Even His disciple who basically lived with Him for 3 years struggled with knowing Him, "Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (John 14:5-9) There will be no mistake, if we know Jesus we know the Father. As believers observe the ministry of Jesus throughout the gospels, what He said and did, we come to know the Father, that is, His nature, His character and His will. We come to know HIM as well as growing our faith!!!



Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and is profitable (advantageous) to teach the will of God, to convince people of the truth, to straighten out false notions (concepts or impressions) and for tutoring mankind in faith in Jesus Christ. So that no one is lacking in integrity, in the knowledge of Christ, in faith in Christ, in loving God and man as well as being a successful preacher of the Gospel. (II Timothy 3:16-17 AMP) Wow, why would any believer not want to have a daily diet of knowing God through His Word?

Defeated No More (Part II)

Another wonderful circumstance revealed in the Bible of how right thinking produces great results is found in Mark 5:25-34. "Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Here we see that this woman “Had a flow of blood." According to Levitical Law (Leviticus 15:19) a discharge or a flow of blood from a woman was considered unclean and if another person touched her they were also unclean. Think about it, for 12 years she struggled with this condition. She also "Suffered many things from many physicians" which means that the physicians attempts to help her were painful. She also "Spent all that she had, was no better but rather grew worse." Let's try to put ourselves in this humilating, costly and painful situation if we can. Have you or a loved one ever experience such a costly and painful situation?

Well something happened in her life that radically change everything, she heard about Jesus. That's all, she heard about Jesus. We do not know what she heard, but we see that it produced an action, "She came behind Jesus in the crowd and touched His garment." Her action was a product of what she thought. This produced a confession "if I only touch His clothes", which then produced faith, "I shall be made well." Had she not acted upon what she thought, confessed and believed, nothing would have happened, nothing would have changed.

Her thinking, believing, confession and actions had come together based solely on "She heard about Jesus"  Notice that she exercised and acted upon faith first and then the fountain of her blood was dried up and "she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction." She believed without seeing any evidence that what she was hoping for would happen. But isn't that true Bible faith? Faith is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. (Hebrews 11:1 TLB)

Finally, we see what caused the healing to manifest in her, "Daughter, your FAITH has made you well.” Not only did Jesus tell her (us) what brought her healing, but He reassures her of her healing, “Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." Her faith went ahead of her healing, that is, thinking right, believing right, confessing right and putting action to what she believed and confessed. God will always do what He has promised to do when His people act in faith.


God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, 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) PTL

Defeated No More (Part 1)

It is simply wrong thinking, wrong believing, wrong speaking and wrong actions that defeats most believers. If our thinking is right our believing will be right. If our believing is right then our confession will be right and if our confession is right then our actions will be right. In Matthew 8:5-13 we see Jesus' encounter with a Roman centurion.

In Matthew 8:5-8 we find that some how this centurion heard about Jesus or observed Jesus as He ministered so he went to Jesus and pleaded for his servant who was "lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." Jesus’ response was immediate, “I will come and heal him”. There was no questions concerning the Father’s will to heal this mans servant. However, the centurion offers Jesus an alternative “Lord I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed.” This is important because it reveals some things concerning the centurion and Gods will.

First we see the centurion’s faith at work. He heard about Jesus or observed the ministry of Jesus, it produced thought, he believed and he confessed by offering an alternative to Jesus coming to his house and healing his servant. Next, Matthew 8:9, The centurion tells Jesus that he is a man under authority just like Jesus is. He knew that he could verbally command soldiers under him and they would obey because they recognized his authority. He had discerned the authority that Jesus had and in the same way that the centurion commanded soldiers he believed that Jesus could command healing on his servant without Jesus going to his house.

In Matthew 8:10-12 We see that Jesus marveled at this mans spiritual insight and then brings a word of conviction to those who were Gods children and should have faith in God. Could the same statement be said to the church today, "I have not found such great faith" and be true as it was then? Jesus equates this mans understanding of authority as having great faith. In other words, "I have not found such a great confidence in my power, even among the Jews, as this Roman, a Gentile, has shown himself to possess.”

Finally Matthew 8:13 shows us the results of this encounter. The centurion heard, thought, believed, confessed and now he acted, “Go you way”, and then he received, “His servant was healed that same hour.” The fact that the centurion changed the circumstance in which Jesus was to heal his servant also shows us that God is far more willing to do things than most believers have faith for. We do not know if the centurion was a follower of Christ or not, but what is evident is true faith is all that it takes to move our Heavenly Father as we ask in Jesus' name.

Believers can and should speak the Word of God with authority being fully convinced that what God has promised He is also able to perform. So let's begin right now by changing our thinking, believing, confessing and actions from being manipulated by doubt, fear and unbelief and place our faith in the integrity of God's Word. Let us declare right NOW that 2011 will be the most fruitful year that we have ever experienced for HIS glory...

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
(Ephesians 4:17-32)

The Apostle Paul clearly shows us the process of wrong thinking producing wrong believing producing wrong confession and finally producing wrong actions. These are all a product of the old nature. But believers are to put on the new nature. The attitudes of the heart and mind are to be renewed, edifying speech is to come from their mouths and their actions are not to be sinful. Believers need to pay close attention to verse 27. The devil cannot read minds but he hears our words and see our actions, which are a reflection of what is in our heart. He then lays out his deceptive game plan in hopes that the believer will greive the Holy Spirit through wrong thinking, etc.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26)

Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit in the believer produces wonderful attributes to live by. But the question comes as to whether believers are walking in the Spirit where the passions and desires of the flesh are squeleced? This is easily uncovered if believers are not living out Galatians 5:26 and Ephesians 4:31-32.
We simply need to get Gods Word into our hearts and act upon what it says. Acting upon Gods Word is faith in action. Again, it is wrong thinking, wrong believing wrong speaking and wrong actions that defeat most believers, not the devil. The devil has already been defeated and the weakest believer has the authority to overpower him if he is standing on the integrity of Gods Word and his faith is in Jesus Christ.

If our thinking is right our believing will be right. If our believing is right then our confession will be right and if our confession is right then our actions will be right. If one of these areas is wrong, then they all we be wrong…

Our Words Do Have an Impact

Jesus tells us that, "Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Matthew 15:18-19) But where do they orginate? The Apostle Paul tells us that believers deal with arguments and thought (II Corinthians 10:5) and anxiety (Philippians4:6). The Apostle Peter tells us that believers deal with various cares (I Peter 5:7) and Jesus tells us that believers deal with worry (Matthew 6:31), the opinions of man and the lies of the devil (Matthew 16:13, 23) to name a few things that affect the believers mind.

All of these things work in the believers mind and can have an adverse affect on their very core, their heart. Medical science is also discovering that negative thinking can cause physical ailiment and emotional distress that begin in the mind but finds its way to the seat of a persons very being, the heart. So now we can understand better what Jesus meant in Matthew 15:18-19. So when the heart is infiltrated from negative thought of the mind, out of our mouth proceeds negative speech or confession.

James 3:6 tells us, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that IT DEFILES THE WHOLE BODY, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." What an impact the tongue has on the believers entire being. However, Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" Believers are to have a good confession, a positive confession, a confession filled with faith. But if a believers mind hold fast to thoughts that breed doubt then their hearts (what they believe) will also be tainted and the natural course will be a confession of doubt and not faith.

There is something that can be done. Paul tells believers to "refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5) As believers "cast down" these things of the mind and replace them with thing above, they can expect to there confession to be one of faith and not doubt. When this happens believers will be imparting grace to those who hear their speech, that is, their confession.     

Come, Let Us Reason?

The battle that believers face on a daily bases is not so much the devil as it is with the way they think. A believers thinking will have a great influence as to what they believe. For instance, if you were taught that two plus two equals five and you believed this long enough, it would be very difficult at best to be convinced to believe that two plus two actually equals four. So then we can say that right thinking produces right believing but on the other side of the coin we can also say that wrong thinking produces wrong believing. Well this is the problem that Jesus encountered in Nazareth.

In Mark 6:1-6 we see Marks account of wrong thinking that produced wrong believing. Jesus taught in the synagogue and the people commented on what they had witnessed...
And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying,"Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! (Mark 6:2)

Although they witnessed these incredible events and were even astonished by them the next verse reveals their thoughts (their thinking)... 
Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. (Mark 6:3)
With wrong thinking comes the inevitable, wrong believing...
And He (Jesus) marveled because of their unbelief...(Mark 6:6)

The sad thing that we see through these events is found in verse 5...
Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. (Mark 6:5)
Notice that is does not say that Jesus “would not” do mighty works, but that He “could not” do mighty works due to their unbelief. It is the arguments, thoughts, reasoning and vain philosophy of the mind that Paul tells believers to take captive in II Corinthians 10:3-6. A person can only act upon what they believe or have faith for. These people admitted that Christ spoke with wisdom and performed mighty works but missed a move of God as it were because they did not believe. Faith does not come from the mind by from the hearts. However, what one thinks will determine what one believes.

Unfortunately the same dilemma is repeating itself among most believers today. We have Gods Word, the Bible, and we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in to all truth and yet there are very few times when the power of God is evident in churches throughout the USA. There is too little teaching today from most pulpits about true Bible faith. Instead of trying our best to be politically correct, it's time to rise up and become Biblically correct. But this will not happen without first putting down wrong thinking (arguments, thoughts, reasoning and vain philosophy of the mind) and exercise faith. This means believing God's Word over the words being spoken by many religious leaders from pulpits across the USA. The good news is, Peter and John had to make the same decision. (Acts 4:19-20)

It's time to put away churchianity and start living out true Christianity. We can start by taking serious the words of Jesus...
"..nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

Believing That God is Able

It’s been said in different ways that, “The faith that most believers have, needs to take an 18 inch trips south, from their head to their heart.” Most believers will agree mentally that Gods Word is true. We’ve been programmed to believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, yet many believers will confess that "I can’t understand why when I pray I do not have the answer to what I ask?" Let's look at a scripture that most believers know and refer to as "The Romans road to salvation"...
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)


According to verse 9 how is one saved? “CONFESS with your mouth the LORD Jesus, (His Lordship) and BELIEVE in your HEART,” not your mind. According to verse 10 how does salvation happen? “For with the HEART one BELIEVES and with the MOUTH CONFESSION is made,” again not believing with the mind. Ephesians 2:8-9 paints the pictures for ones salvation, "‘For by grace you have been saved, (Sozo: saved, preserved, healed, delivered, made whole) through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast..”

It’s been almost 2000 years since Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. No one living today were actual witnesses of these events. So explain to me what tangible evidence you have today that these things are so? What is the evidence of these things that we have not seen? Why do we believe in rebirth through Christ? Why are we so sure of eternal life? The answer lies in the verses above from Romans, “CONFESS with your mouth the LORD Jesus, (His Lordship) and BELIEVE in your HEART. In doing so "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself...And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son". (I John 5:10-11)

It is this same witness in our spirit that believers should experience today that we can receive "Anything according to His WILL". This is not limited to rebirth only but every promise of God. The same way that people are  born again "confess with the mouth and believe in the heart" is the same way that all the promises of God are released. However, most believers in the USA have been so trained in knowledge that it thwarts faith from arising from the heart and believing is more of a mental assent.

A believers desire to know Christ more is certainly a great desire, but believers must move past knowing His word, to knowing Him who is the Word (Revelation 19:13) It is in this place where trust is built in the name above all names. It is knowing Him that causes believers to not waver at the promises of God through unbelief. It is knowing Him where faith is strengthened, because it is this place where the believer is fully convinced that what God has promised He is also able to preform, believing in your heart...   

Now Faith IS...

The Bible clearly shows us one of the foundation stones of Christianity...
"For we walk by faith, not by sight". (2 Corinthians 5:7) "..."The just shall live by faith".
(Romans 1:17) "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)...it is faith. So why is there so much misunderstanding as to how faith works? How is it when a believer does not get their prayers answered they are told that they do not have faith and if a believer reports that the LORD gives him all that he ask Him for they have that flaky name it and claim it faith? Their are two great examples of how faith truly works.

JOHN 20:24-29 tells us the story of Thomas' refusal to believe the report that Jesus had risen from the dead and had appeared to some of His disciples. The time comes when Jesus stands before Thomas and Thomas finally believes because he now sees. But Jesus' response holds the key to living by faith, "Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

Faith is not receiving from God and then believe because we have received it, I have it, so now I believe it. This is what Thomas did, unless I see, I will not believe. Faith is believing that we have received it and then we get it, believing (receiving) without seeing. This applies to ALL things that Christ has acquired for humanity. Many people want to know first then believe it. I personally do not believe in healing because I saw brother or sister get healed, I believe in healing because Gods Word says healing is a part of redemption  (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17, I Peter 2:24) Think about from this perspective. If I already have something I would not have to believe for it, it’s already mine, it’s in my possession. For believers to come to a place where they KNOW that they already have what they ask God for, believe without seeing, they have to base their faith totally in the integrity of Gods Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

The other picture of what faith is and how it works is found in Romans 4:16-22. Notice the difference between Abraham’s faith and Thomas’ faith. Thomas’ faith was based on his mind, “if I can touch and see, I’ll believe.” (We need to understand that Thomas was present as evidenced in all 4 gospels at the Last Supper where Jesus spoke of His resurrection from the dead, but he had to be persuaded in his mind.) Abraham on the other hand did not consider that he was 100 years of age and that his 90 year old wife Sarah was barren and was well beyond child bearing years. It says, "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised." (Romans 4:20-21 AMP) Abraham believed God's Word, he did not question it, he did not doubt it, nor did he make up a reason why year after year for 25 years he did not see any evidence of what God had said. Abraham believed in his heart and did not let his mind breed doubt. Thomas believed in his mind and therefore doubted in his heart.

This uncovers the main reason why most believers do not see their prayers answered. They rely on faith that comes from their mind (mental assent) rather than faith that comes from the heart (the spirit). I have experienced several believers including pastors who refused to be healed because, "They DON'T BELIEVE in healing for today" or "They DON'T BELIEVE that Jesus healed everybody". Unfortunately their own words kept them from receiving what God accomplished through Christ at the cross. It is sad that we have to come up with disclaimers instead of admitting that our faith is weak. One of the advantages of admitting that one's faith is weak is that faith can always grow. So let's begin to believe that every word that is recorded in the Bible is Gods word, that His word is truth, that Jesus is the Word, and that He does not change.

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

Phobia's, the Worlds Answers to Everything

Did you know that Behavioral Science, the study of human and animal behavior, says that there are 530 types of phobia's among human societies? Phobia's are defined as, an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations. How many believers do you suppose fall prey to phobia's today? Although worry not a particular phobia it is based on a similar response. Worry is thoughts and images of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats, which can breed fear (Phobia) The main difference between the two are phobia's are usually long term and have a constant affect, whereas worry is generally short term and changes based upon a given situation or circumstance.

Worry is one of the greatest hindrances to faith that unfortunately way to many believers give place to in their daily lives. There is an old saying, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". In a similar way, if what man says, ie the media, people on the job, etc. cause believers to worry, then turn off the media excuse yourself from others and open your Bible to grow your faith!!!

In Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus deals with priorities in our lives and what we place value on. Verses 19 and 20 is not talking about monetary wealth only but anything that a person treasures or attaches great wealth or value to that will eventually perish. Jesus tells us how to fix this problem. Do not exhaust your strength or spend your days in this life on things that will perish but prepare ourselves for eternity. We are heirs of Christ and we are to possess the things of God that are not corruptible. 

Verse 21-24 reveals the truth behind what we value. The worldly minded persons (believer) life reveals that his affections (that what he treasures) are of the things of the world whereas a God minded persons (believer)life reveals that his affections (that what he treasures) are on the things of God. Jesus then uses the eye to illustrate what He is talking about in the above verses. The eye regulates the motion of the body. If your eye is healthy, that is fixed on heavenly treasures then your entire life will be steady and unwavering. However, if your eye is unhealthy, that is fixed on worldly treasures, your life is confused and uncertain. Jesus uses another illustration of the necessity of storing up treasures in heaven. This is based on a natural human law. It is humanly impossible for a person to put their utmost affections, their highest regard on two things at the same time. It is humanly impossible to serve the true God of heaven and earth and be engaged with worldly treasures. Be honest with yourself right now. Do you truly and honestly place your utmost affections, your highest regard on Jesus Christ?

In Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." Jesus really hits the nail on the head as He challenges us to put our utmost affections, our highest regard on Him and not another human being, but is it so? It take true Bible faith to do this. Why? Think of how many times we have allowed worry to fill our minds over another person especially a loved one. We some how do not make the connection with what we truly treasure and what Jesus is saying.

When we reduce worry to its lowest denominator (if that is possible) or no matter how we look at it, worry is still produced from a lack of faith in Christ and the integrity of Gods Word. Believers already have faith or they would not have experienced rebirth. The problem that many believers face is not being fully convinced that what God has promised He is able to perform. However, the good news is, we can come to a place in our lives where we become convinced that God is willing and able. This comes by do something in our lives that God has promised will build our faith. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Schedule daily time reading, studying and especially meditating on Gods Word and our faith will grow and worry will leave.    

Whose Report Do You Believe?

Isaiah 53:1 starts by asking a very important question, "Who has believed our report?" Why is this question important? Isaiah is about to tell us Gods plan of redemption through the coming Messiah. The question becomes significant to us today if we are to see and experience Gods entire redemptive plan manifest on the earth. However, the only way that believers will see and experience Gods entire plan of redemption is to see it through the eyes of faith.

Isaiah 53:4-5 shows us God plan of redemption. Although many today have limited redemption to rebirth, it is only a minute piece of the total plan of redemption. The Hebrew words for borne, griefs, carried, wounded, transgressions, bruised, iniquities, chastisement, stripes and healed opens a wonderful picture of what Messiah would come to earth to do. The following is a compilation of the definitions of these words placed in sentence form...

Surely He has taken away, carried away, cast away all of our anxieties, calamities, diseases and sicknesses (pains of the body). He has taken the burden of our pains of the mind, yet we esteemed Him stricken by Gods divine judgment and afflicted as though He had sinned. His skin was breached by violence because of our rebellion, sin and trespasses. He was beaten to pieces because of our perversity, evil and sin. Discipline and correction was brought upon Him so that Gods peace and favor would be upon us, and by His bruises, hurts and wounds we are cured, repaired and thoroughly made whole.

But interestingly enough Isaiah questions appears two more time in scripture. Once in John 12:38 and again in Romans 10:16. This time it is focused around not believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself faced unbelief mostly in the religious community, Paul was dealing with unbelief among the Jews concerning Christ and today unbelief has infiltrated the ranks of church leaders who pass it along to the church. Sure most evangelicals believe that rebirth is only through Jesus Christ, but what about healing of the body and mind or deliverance from being demonized. Why are these things pasted off as not Gods will for today when they are clearly as much of a part of redemption as rebirth?

John 12:39-40 reveal the reason why the religious community did not believe Jesus the Christ...
"Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." 
Romans 10:17 reveals why the Jews would not believe in Jesus as Christ...
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." 
I John 5:14-15 reveals why so many evangelicals today do not believe in the full plan of redemption...
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

Simply put, people unchurched and to many people who are churched just do not believe Gods report! Why? It takes faith

Listen or You May not Pass the Test

It seems like the closer we come to the return of Christ the farther more believers move away from faith. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith..." Paul was not exhorting believers in a nebulous general faith that stops at the day of rebirth, but a true faith in the gospel as well as faith in Jesus Christ, and in the promises of God through him. Paul also tells us that the gospel is the power of God to us who are being saved. Everyday in a believers life the power of the gospel should be experienced in a tangible way, being saved, delivered, healed, preserved, being made whole. But is this true for most believers? Are most believers "in the faith" as Paul is exhorting? Let's be honest, most believers in the USA are not functioning in the faith that Paul is talking about.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. (I Thessalonians 5:21) There are two important principles in this short verse of scripture that believers need to consider at all times. We will consider "Test all things" first. The Apostle Paul exhorts the church not to believe everything that is spoken through prophecy, teaching or preaching but to examine what is spoken. We examine these things through the weapons of our warfare that are mighty in God, His Word. The apostle John tells us, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(I John 4:1) The word spirit here is used to express the man who was teaching as to whether his teaching was influenced by the Holy Spirit or his human spirit.

Unfortunately today there is more teaching and preaching coming from pulpits filled with the human spirit than with the Holy Spirit. How can we know this? Let's look at Mark 16:20...
 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. When the Word is preached by inspiration of the Holy Spirit then it is confirmed through signs.

About four years ago I became frustrated and discouraged because church had become dull and I wanted to know why. The LORD spoke to me and said, "Preach my word, not your word, tell people of my plan not what you think my plan is or what you want my plan to be and you will see my works". Naturally I took a look at what I was teaching and preaching to get a better understanding of what the LORD was saying. I noticed that I was teaching and preaching from the Bible, but adding things that I had learned or thought to be true. I came to realize that I was actually inoculating myself and other believers with concepts that did not build faith, which brought me to repentance. From then my eyes have been opened to see a spirit of error that is growing in the USA that works at twisting Gods Word and is deceiving many believers especially leaders. It stands against the teaching and preaching of faith, because faith, faith in the name of Jesus is what releases all the promises of God. Satan knows this an is hard at work using his arsenial of deception to keep believers from having great faith.

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise.
(Hebrews 11:39) Do we see what is here? The Old Testament believers believed God but did not receive the promise of Christ. In Christ believers have been given everything that the Old Testament believers were only promised. Today, the promises of God are avaiable to every believer because they are a reality, they are fact! The world needs to see believers who truly put actions to their faith. Faith without corresponding actions is dead! Just because a teaching sounds good or preaching gets you excited does not mean it's the Word of God. So beloved, it is time to listen and "Test all things."

Can you HEAR Me Now?

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. (Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT) Have you ever made a promise that you either could not or did not keep? Many people have. Before I was saved I would make promises and sometimes failed at carrying them out. However, not long after I became a believer I completely stopped making any promises. Many believers
look at Gods Word and see things like, "For they (Gods Word) bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body" and marvel at the promise(s) of God. However, let's begin to see Gods Word as facts! This is what faith is built upon.

Luke 5 is one of numerous passages of scripture that paints a clear picture of hearing the Word of God and and responding to the facts. In Luke 5:12-15 we see a leper who asks Jesus if He is willing to heal Him. Jesus said, "I am WILLING, be cleansed". We see Gods willingness to heal this man but verse 15 holds a key that we need to see, "However, the REPORT went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to HEAR, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities."  Isaiah 53:1, John 12:38 and Romans 10:16 all ask the same question, "Who has believed our report"? We see in Luke that a multitude heard His report, believed and were healed. But a little further into Luke 5: 16-26 we see a different perspective towards God Word.

On a certain day Jesus was teaching and as He taught the power to heal was present. But why do we suppose that these men mentioned here brought a paralyzed man on a bed to Jesus? It should be obvious,  they must have HEARD and because they heard and responded, Jesus sees their faith in action. Understand, there was power to heal all who would hear, even for the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, but the scribes and Pharisees "began to reason."

"For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (Hebrews 4:2) This is contracting the promise that God gave Israel that Canaan, the Promised Land, would be a place of rest for them in the same way Christ is the ultimate promise of rest to those who believe in Him. Moses preached Gods promises to Israel and they did not mix it with faith (receive the Word as facts) and their unbelief caused a generation to die in the wilderness. When the Word is preached today the same danger exists. If believers do not hear the Word and let it penetrate deep into their hearts and act upon it, unbelief becomes the product and believers will be unfruitful. (See John 15:1-11).

There are many reasons why people, including believers, will not hear Gods Word and act in faith, but the effect is the same, unbelief. Think about this, "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)

Hearing and Believing, Part III

One of the best example that we have been given in Gods Word to help us understand the cunningness of the devil and his continuious assualts against believers to steal Gods word from their hearts is found where it all began, Genesis. Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. and the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:15-17)

This is a very clear and concise word that God gave to man. It was not figurative, it was not a parable, it was quite literal, very easy to hear and understand. Now if Adam were in a sinful enviroment like man is today, then maybe this command from God could be miss understood. However, he was in an enviroment where sin was completely absent. Adam did not know good and evil, he only knew God. Eventually God saw that is was not good for man to be alone so He made a helper for him whom Adam called woman.

We do not know the communication that Adam and Eve share with one another nor do we know the communicvation that God had with them, what we do know is that Eve had an encounter with the serpant, the devil. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1) We see that it was the devil who intitiated the conversation with Eve. His cunning approach to Eve was to get her to reason as to what God had said.

Eve's response, And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'" (Genesis 3:2-3) The first thing that we notice is that she adds to God Word "nor shall you touch it." This was possibly the very opportunity that the devil was looking for to cause Eve to doubt God as well as His Word. Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4-5)

Two things have now unfolded. Eve's interpretation of Gods Word and the devil's twisting of Gods Word to generate doubt. If the devil cannot steal the Word of God from the hearts of believers, he will try to twist it. If he can get believers to doubt Gods Word then the privledges and promises that God has given to them in Christ will never manifest because they can only be received through faith. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
(Mark 11:24)
 
Ephesians 6:10-12 reveals the battle that believers are in. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy to "fight the good fight of faith" (I Timothy 6:12) Believers are in a noble conflict against Satan. The conflict is centered on who shall have the authority and is directed at believers because we know that ALL authority has been give to Jesus in heaven and on earth. Satan will try to either steal the word from a believer’s heart or twist the word to get believer’s to compromise or have doubts about God and His Word. Believers can no longer afford to sleep in the sense of not being watchful…Peter says it this way, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (I Peter 5:8-9)
 
The devil may roar, but his power has been stripped from him by Christ through the cross (Colossians 2:15) Jesus would not have made as many statements as He did concerning how faith through His name saves, heals, delivers, secures and prospers, etc. if it were not so, then and now. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1), He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). If Jesus is the Word of God and He has not changed which means the Word has not changed, then why does it seem that most believers struggle with recieving the privledges and promises that God has given them in Christ? If you do not have an answer to this question, then you might want to read "Hearing and Believing", parts I, II and III again.
 
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

Hearing and Believing, Part I

In Mark's account of the Parable of the Soils, Jesus makes a statement that is very important for believers to grasp..."He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Mark 4:9). This is not to mean to only listen, but to grasp in understanding. Why is this so important? Because Jesus makes another statement concerning this parable that should cause one to hear, understand, grasp..."Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13) It is very important that believers really give ear to God's Word. The Apostle Paul said, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Faith in Christ is the result of hearing the word and then faith continues to grow by hearing the word.

Let's look at Mark 4:13 And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? from other perspectives. (My intent in the following is in no way trying to add or subtract from God's but to give us something to think about, to hear) so think about Mark 4:13 from this perspective...
Do you not have a full understanding as to what salvation is? How then will you understand kingdom principles like faith, grace, healing, deliverance, prosperity, baptism of the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc.

Do we really have ears to hear God (His Word) or do we tend to only have ears to hear what man says about God? Let's face it, the four gospels show us Gods will lived out in Jesus Christ, but many in the church teach that there are things which do not apply today as it did in the ministry of Jesus and the early church. For example healing. I like to reference healing because this seems to be one of the the biggest controversy's among evangelical believers. The controversy is whether God heals today or not or when people pray for the sick and they do not receive healing then God has a mysterious plan for them. If either of these are so, then why did Jesus spend so much time telling us about the incredible power that is release through faith? Why does the Book of Acts and the Epistles devote so much time talking about faith in the name of Jesus and how much incredible power that is released in His name?

Even Peter did not take the credit for healing the lame man in Acts 3 but it says, "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." The key is FAITH, not hope, not wishing, not demanding God to make good on His word, not saying it didn't work for me so it must not be for today, but FAITH. Jesus said, "If you have FAITH and do not DOUBT", "These signs follow those who BELIEVE", "He who BELIEVES in ME, the works that I do he will do also" (to name a very few).

Now if these words are true (they most certainly are) and Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" and Ephesians 5:30 say, "For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones" it appears we have a problem that is contrary to the Word of God. Could it be that many ministers in pulpits today say the word faith but do not teach it, preach it or demonstrate it? Could it be that much of the Bible that is being taught today is mingled with phychology to help us feel good about ourselves? Could it be that many in the church today do not have ears to hear God's Word and therefore do not believe? You decide...

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

I Won't Grow Up

The character of Peter Pan is most remembered by his constant attitude of wanting his own way. He verbalized this by saying "I won't grow up". The writer of Hebrews sternly challenges the church to "grow up" in Christ. He tells them that enough time has passed and they should be mature believers and yet they seem to be having difficultly moving beyond elementary Christianity. The Apostle Paul tells the church at Corinth that a time came in his life when he "Became a man and put away childish things".

When raising children, parents are to bring correction and direction to their children for the purpose conforming to a standard of right and wrong as well as to bring them into maturity, that is, to "Grow Up". But why does it seem to be the opposite in the lives of many believers in the church in the USA? Why do we read scripture that challenges us to maturity, yet act childish by rejecting correction and direction? Could it be that maturity is based on ones own standard and not the Word of God?

This appears to be one of the problems with some of the churches that the writers of the New Testament seemed to be dealing with as time progressed. Today we have God's Word to draw from to show us what we should do, how we should live and who we are to become. The book of Acts paints a wonderful picture of how the church should and can be in Christ when believers give up their ways and by grace through faith live in Christ.

The early church was a unified body of individuals; individuals sharing common interests, characteristics, policies, activities and joint ownership.To the early church, their Christian faith was a day to day reality not a once or twice a week routine. This was because the risen Christ was a living reality to them and it was evidenced in the resurrection power at work in their lives through the Holy Spirit.

“With one accord” speaks of the same mind or with one mind. The early church seemed to have an entirely different perspective of God's Kingdom than the church seems to have today. To them Christ is King, they were under grace not the Law, they lived through faith not feelings, were directed by the Word of God and continuously witnessed a demonstration of spirit and power. The very things that gave the early church unparalleled success are the very things that liberal theology and the wisdom of men have rejected as not for today. The same grace that was available almost 2000 years ago to save, heal and deliver, comes from the same God who DOES NOT CHANGE, and is available today for everyone who believes.

Today the USA has a president who has said that the USA is NOT a Christian country. Millions of dollars are spent each year to support missions abroad and yet the USA is deemed "NOT CHRISTIAN". (Selah) It is time for the church in the USA to put away childish things, grow up and be of one mind. The church is to turn the world upside down but is failing to do so in a country who believes (or maybe one time believed) that the USA is "One Nation under GOD"!!! Just think how powerful the church would be if we were more concerned about Jesus and His Kingdom than us and our kingdoms...

Don't Get Carried Away

The early church was a powerful witness of true Christianity. Acts 4:32-37 reveals some lessons that believers must embrace if they truly want to be like Christ. They were of one heart and one soul indicating that they agreed in all their views, that there was unity as well as great love and admiration for one another that caused them to be selfless. There was a continuous demonstration of signs, wonders and miracles as the Gospel was preached plus the entire church was experiencing great grace (the god given ability and desire to please God by doing His will).

We also see this life style reflected in their willingness to sell their own possession and give the money they received to the Apostles by laying it at the Apostles feet. The money was then to be distributed through the church so that no one had lack. Talk about giving. With all the resources that believers in the USA have available, I believe if those in the early church were with us today, they would probably consider most believers in the USA to be covetous and greedy. The difference is, the early church understood that they owned nothing and that all their possessions belonged to the LORD. When believers truly understand and live this principle, they will never struggle with the prompting of the Holy Spirit to sell all and or give all.

ACTS 5:1-11 reveals a husband and wife named Ananias and Sapphira who had conspired to deceive by lying to make it appear that they were connected in heart and soul with the other believers. However, the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter their deceptive scheme that was orchestrated by Satan. Peter explained to Ananias and Sapphira that they could have done whatever they wanted with the money that they receive from the possession that they sold.

The act of laying money at the Apostles feet was a symbolic declaration to God and man by believers that they trusted the Apostles with the money without question as well as declaring that they were giving the entire amount of the sale in obedience to the Holy Spirit. It wasn't about the money, they had corrupted of the act of laying the money at the Apostles feet and in doing so, they were in fact lying to God. Both Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead on the spot and were "carried away" by some young men and buried.

Finally we see that "great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things". The impact of these events brought a sobering awareness of what it really meant to be a Christian not only to those in the church but to everyone who heard these things. It is a good thing that no one in the church today lies to God isn't it? Think about it, out of all the ministries in the church today, have you ever heard of the young men's ministry of carrying dead believers out of a meeting because they have lied to God? Let's be honest, believers today do lie to God, but shouldn't we use the example of the fate of Ananias and Sapphira's to sober us up so that we can become a witness of true Christianity?