Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 17

Recently I attended a large conference consisting mainly of church leaders from across the USA. During one of the main sessions the speaker made a comment concerning Hurricane Katrina. He said that the LORD had warned them (various pastors) two years in advance that a hurricane would hit New Orleans. The hurricane was from the LORD to cleanse the city of its corruption. The speaker went on to say that some ministers mentioned to him that the hurricane was not judgment from God, but he insisted that they were wrong.

They began to warn the churches of this impending storm and told the people to be sure that their home owners insurance would cover their losses in the event of a catastrophe which Katrina turned out to be. Naturally I was somewhat taken by such a claim. Although I have discussed some of this previously, I want to address this particular claim, as to whether God brought judgment on New Orleans to cleanse it from corruption or not.

Remember, it was Adam that was given authority and dominion over the works of God's hands and that the only one in all creation that Adam had to answer to was God Himself, the Creator. Everything else was subordinate to Adam (Psalm 8:5-6) We also saw that Adam freely chose to disobey God and thereby giving his authority and dominion over to God's enemy, Satan, placing himself and all humanity under Satan's rule (Luke 4:5-6) This act of treason by Adam brought a curse on creation (Genesis 3:17-18) So first we see that creation took on the new nature of its new master, Satan. That which was once pure, peaceful, filled with love and harmony had now become a place filled with adversity, affliction, calamity, grief, hurt, harm and trouble, that is, all matter of evil.

Further along in the Bible, we see God disclose to Abraham, His covenant partner, what was about to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah because "their sin was very grave." (Genesis 18:20) If God truly brought Hurricane Katrina upon New Orleans then we have to assume their sin was very grave and it was above the sin of every other city in the USA. If God were bringing judgment upon a wicked city in the USA, then it would be logical that He would bring it upon the most wicked of cities, wouldn't it? However, as we look further into this matter, Abraham pleads with God not to permit the destruction of those cities for the sake of the righteous who may live in them. God's response is the same every time Abraham make a plea, "If I find in Sodom any righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes." 

(Genesis 18:16-33) 

If God did bring Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans then we have to also assume that there was not one covenant partner, that is, there must not have been one believer in New Orleans. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) In other words, there must not have been one righteous person in New Orleans. We also have to assume that Abraham was under a better covenant than the New Covenant in Christ, because God would not have permitted the destruction Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of the righteous under His covenant with Abraham. But we know that this is not true. The New Covenant established in Christ is the fulfillment of every other covenant and Hebrews calls it "a better covenant."

Now let's consider the "Ten Plagues" that came upon Egypt when Moses was sent to deliver Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh. (Exodus 4 - 11) There is no record that shows Israel suffering through the ten plagues with the Egyptians. No, these plagues fell upon the Egyptians only. The point, if God brought Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans to bring judgment, then He would have protected His people from judgment as He did with His people Israel. The believers in New Orleans would not have experienced anything destructive that a hurricane would bring, including darkness, the lack of electric, "The Egyptians did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." (Exodus 10:23) Although electric had not been discovered as we understand it for approximately 3200 more years, point being God protected His people.   

Let us now consider the account of Jesus rebuking the wind and the raging water when a windstorm came down on the lake as as He and His disciples were in a boat crossing over to the country of the Gadarenes. His rebuke caused the wind and raging water to cease and there was a great calm. Did God cause this storm? If He did, then Jesus would have been rebuking His father. No, let's face it, the god of this age is behind the destruction not our heavenly Father. Another point that we should consider in this account is that Jesus said to His disciples, "Where is your faith." (Luke 8:22-25) It is apparent that if the disciples exercised faith they would have experienced the same results that Jesus had with the storm. No, let's face it, the god of this age is behind the destruction not our heavenly Father. It seems to me, if God announced that a storm would be coming then He is calling His people to action. Winning souls away from their wicked life styles in an aggressive manner and exercise faith by speaking to the mountain (impending hurricane) before it even manifested would have been a more biblical response. 

Finally, if God is bringing judgment upon the world today then it means one of two things. First, Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, ascension and glorification did not fully satisfy justice and therefore man is not fully saved but must continue to suffer judgment from God or secondly, we have entered the Tribulation. Neither of these is true. Humanity has not entered the Great Tribulation and Jesus did in fact satisfy justice. Therefore God is not condemning humanity (John 3:16-17) for its corruption by bringing catastrophe's, yet. (See Revelation)   

Although I do not know where his statistics came from, the same speaker reported that sadly enough the city is more corrupt today than before Hurricane Katrina struck. Something else to consider, judgment did not come upon Sodom and Gomorrah to bring them to repentance, but to completely destroy them. However, if we look at Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-20 we will find the primary objective of the church. In short, the church is to bring sinners to repentance. No New Orleans, God did not bring Hurricane Katrina upon you, although after such a disaster one would think that all who have rejected the LORD Jesus Christ and have turned to their own ways would have repented and today be reaping the blessings of the LORD. Hurricane Katrina is the result of a fallen world under the influence of Satan, the god of this age and therefore like every other person who does not see God's true nature as it is revealed in scripture, that of blessings and life, will continue to blame God for bad things happening.

I could have shared many more passages of scripture as proof of God's true nature, but space would not permitted it. But I will say, from the "In the beginning" of Genesis to the "Grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" of Revelation, God's desire was and is to bless man and have fellowship with him throughout eternity. It has been the destructive nature of sin and Satan since man's fall that has tainted and twisted God's true desire for humanity. However, the good news is, God Himself has pursued man to restore him to his sinless position with Himself. Those who reject His offer to be a part of this will feel the repercussions of the unpardonable sin, separation from God forever in a lake of fire. Those who have accepted His FREE gift of salvation will experience paradise in His presence forever. If you have not received God's FREE gift of life, then please do the following...

"...confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) In doing so, you can have the calm assurance to what Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)

If you have confessed Jesus Christ as LORD and have received Him as your Savior, then please seek a Bible believing congregation that will disciple you to grow in faith, "For without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6)
 

   

Who is on Your Throne?

A great lesson that believers seem to fail to grasp was spoken in James 1:2-3, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Two things that believers must understand, first, God does not bring trials on His children and second, a trial is a testing of ones faith. A trial will reveal what a believers faith is resting upon. The Apostle Paul tells us that faith will rest either upon the wisdom of men or on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) One of the greatest New Testament examples of faith resting on the power of God is seen in the lives of Paul and Silas.

The Bible records in Acts 16 that Paul cast a spirit of divination out of a woman which used the woman to bring her masters a means of income. At this, a multitude rose up against Paul and Silas, their clothes were torn off, they were beaten with rods, thrown into the inner prison and their feet were fastened in stocks. Again, God did not bring this trial upon them. In fact, James 1:13 tells us, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone."

Think about it. Why would God use Paul to preach the gospel in obedience to his calling in Christ, then use the authority in the name of Jesus Christ to cast out a demon all for the purpose of God bringing a trial upon him. Not only would that be unlogical but also a great misunderstanding of the will and nature of God. We can see that Paul and Silas understood that this trial was not from God but from their enemy the devil by their response to their situation...

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25)

Paul and Silas chose not to murmur or complain to God or to one another about their situation. They chose to pray and sing hymns to the LORD. In fact they prayed and sang so loud that the prisoners were listening to them and something incredible happened, …

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. (Acts 16:26)

This all happened at “midnight”. However, midnight is also symbolic of tests, trials and seemingly the darkest of times of ones life. Most believers do not have trouble praying or singing when they have minor issues to deal with, but it takes real faith to minister to the LORD in a dark and seemingly hopeless situation, which Paul and Silas exhibit here. Believers must understand that LIFE MAYBE HARD, BUT GOD IS GOOD, HE IS FAITHFUL AND HIS WORD NEVER FAILS!!!

Paul and Silas were not overcome by their circumstance but were delivered from them. Unfortunately many believers face defeat because they let the circumstanced run over them, joy is sapped from them and they have no strength because there faith was not in the One who is both willing and able to deliver.

The storms of life come and every storm that comes will reveal just how much or how little faith a believer has. A believer’s attitude during the time of tests and trials makes all the difference. Our attitude should be something like this; “LORD, things are not going the way I would like them to go, but I choose not to fret about it and trust that you will work it out because…

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Getting Pumped

The Bible shows various ways that believers can grow in and be built up in faith. Naturally the number one way to do this is found in Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. This is not to mean everyone who hears the Word of God responds favorable to it. It means that faith is present in the Word of God. When the Word of God read, studied, meditated upon, taught and preached faith is present. However, Acts 14:6-10 shows us an interesting situation. Out of a crowd of people who heard the Word of God preached, only one man received the Word and was healed. The explanation of Parable of the soils by Jesus also bears witness to this point. Not everyone believes it, receives it and retains it. However, the more of the Word that believers hear, the more faith will grow. Not just reading it, but studying and especially meditating on His Word daily grows faith.

Romans 12:3 reveals to us that "God has given every believer a measure of faith." 1 Corinthians 12:9 The Apostle Paul presents nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit in which the "gift of faith" is one. It is no more difficult to receive the gift of faith than it is to receive any other gift. How do we know this?
1 Corinthians 12:7, 11 tells us that the manifestations of these gifts are distributed to any believer at any time as the Holy Spirit wills. The Holy Spirit gives supernatural faith at times to accomplish the impossible as He wills. Also I Corinthians 14:1 tells believers to desire spiritual gifts (plural) because they are an advantage for the common good of all.

Next we see that within Galatians 5:22-23 among the "Fruit of the Spirit" is faithfulness. It is the same Greek word that is translated faith elsewhere. The Holy Spirit is at work in us growing faith in our lives.
According to James 1:22, 2:14-18 "faith without corresponding actions is dead." Faith also grows by putting action to God's Word. For instance, if I truly believe that Gods will is to heal, then I put action to that by laying hands on people and pray for healing. Last but certainly not least Jude 20 tells us that by "praying in the Holy Spirit," that is our pray language, an unknown tongue, believers can "build themselves up in faith."

So, if a believers faith does not grow, it is certainly not Gods fault. His Word increases our faith, He has given every believer a measure of faith, the Holy Spirit manifests the gift of faith and the fruit of faith, our faith grows when we act upon Gods Word and we build up our faith through praying in the Holy Spirit. However, this all hangs upon what each individual believers understands or misunderstands about God. If believers do not believe (interesting thought) certain things that the Word of God says are true, then they limit their faith from growing and releasing the things that God has given to the church and every believer. Honestly, how can a believer even think that God's Word does not work today like it did in the early church. The only way that happens is that some how God has changed, HE DIDN"T, His will has changed, IT DIDN'T or just maybe believers have been taught to doubt by leaders who have no faith, MOST LIKELY. So let's exercise our faith and get ourselves pumped up in HIM!

Does Anyone Want a Fig?

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark present some wonderful lessons on faith. We will look at one particular instance and begin in Matthew's gospel and then look at Mark's account of the same events that take place.

Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, let no fruit grow on you ever again. Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, how did the fig tree wither away so soon? (Matthew 21:18-20) There are many points to consider here but I want to focus on the disciples response to what they saw and then Jesus' answer. The fact that the diciples asked Jesus a question concerning what they saw, should trigger something in believers. Rather than just being amazed as to what happened and moving on, they wanted to know, "How the fig tree wither away soon quickly."

A point to consider here is, why do so many believers read the Word of God, which is a very good thing to do, but do not question the LORD when they do not fully understand certain things in the Bible especially when Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would guide believers into ALL truth. (John 16:13) The disciples really wanted to know and understand this marvalous thing that has taken place...
So Jesus answers and said to them Have faith in God. 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 11:22-24)

"Have faith in God" literally means have God kind or God like faith. This was exactly what Jesus was doing. He was exercising "God like faith". Doubt would respond something like this, "Well that was Jesus and that is why He was able to have God like faith." However, we need to consider the next two verses and not let doubt neturalize faith. Jesus' resonds by saying, "WHOEVER says...and does not DOUBT in his heart, but BELIEVES...” What Jesus says is not figurative, it is not rhetorical, there is no subliminal, hidden, mysterious message that has to be figured out nor is it because He is the Son of God. Jesus tells them that His ability to do what was done to the fig tree is to simply to believe, have God like faith.

Jesus continues, "...but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says." Keep in mind that Jesus has also presented an even greater miracle in the beginning of this Verse (23)..."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..." Jesus is telling His disciples as well as the "Whoever" that they will have the ability to do miracles like what happened to the fig tree and also be able to move mountains by simply having faith without doubt. Jesus reveals something important to the disciples and us. It is obvious that the Father’s will is much greater and diverse than most believers have faith for. Jesus continues…

"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." WOW, what an incredible statement of fact that Jesus makes here. It does seem from what Jesus says here, that believers are to determine what it is that they want to happen, believe that they have received and then they will have it. We must keep in mind that the things that we believe and ask for for must be according to the will of God. "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." (1 John 5:14-15) But the fact remains that if believers act in faith without doubt that they will receive.

It also seems that the one thing that will prevent God from answering whatever we want according to His will is simply doubt. Unfortunately, many believers are waiting for God to reveal His will and His purpose, when in fact God is waiting for believers to exercise their faith and receive what He has already given in Christ. The faith that Jesus is talking about, is not mental assent or head faith, but faith from the heart (the spirit). The difference is, faith from the heart believes without question, whereas head faith says I believe BUT...

If you are born again you already have faith, so now it's time to assault and destroy the doubt(s), (the buts)!

If I Just Had More

All to many time believers defeat themselves for a number of reasons. But one of the ways that believers are defeated is because they have a lack of understanding as to what they have been given in Christ. There is a lack of standing in faith and receiving Gods Word as the truth whether situations, circumstances, feelings and even what our senses may dictate. The following list (not inclusive) shows us what the Father has restored, that is, what He has given to believes through Jesus Christ...

   • We have been given power through Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)
   • We have been given the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Acts 2:5)
   • We have been given peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)
   • We have been given love in our hearts through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5)
   • We have been given the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwelling in us (Romans 8:11)
   • We have been given faith through Jesus Christ (Romans 12:3)
   • We have been given grace through Jesus Christ (Romans 12:6)
   • We have been given salvation through Jesus Christ Romans 10:9-10)
   • We have been given the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 12:7-11)
   • We have been given the Fruit of the Spirit through Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:22-23)
   • We have been given the ability to do all things through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:13)
   • We have been given the right to come before the throne of God through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 14-16)
   • We have been given wealth and health through Jesus Christ (III John 2) 
 
The list goes on and on, Hallelujah. Look at this list and meditate on these verses. What a wonderful inheritance that believers have in Jesus. If Christians would just start believing that the Bible is true and act like they believe it, the devil would not stand a chance. The first thing that would happen would be the restoration of the church. Church leaders would put away their persuasive words of human wisdom, walk by faith in demonstration of the Spirit and power. This will squelch all the twisted doctrine that has infiltrated the church through partial revelation mingled with the wisdom of men and a lack of faith. The disunity would be dispelled, we would be in one accord and those held in captivity by the devil and his gang would be set free through the gospel and power of Jesus Christ.
 
Deuteronomy 32:30 says, "How could one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight unless their Rock had sold them and the LORD had surrendered them?" Do we see the implication in this verse? Think about every true believer putting away their pet doctrine(s) and really believing Gods Word? O what power would be released on the earth, O what glory the Father would receive and O how the name of Jesus would be exalted. This can happen, but believers must put faith in Gods glorious Word and not the wisdom of men that unfortunately comes forth from many pulpits throughout the world especially from the pulpits, seminaries and Bible colleges in the USA.
 
With that said, here is some food for thought...
"...Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

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?

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)

A Law in Disguise?

Hold on to you faith, because we are going to address an issue in the church that should not be, but still causes confusion and mixed feeling among many believers today. Believer's today must throw aside the laws that the "wisdom of men" has so cunningly slipped in among the ranks if believer's are to truly experience the freedom that Christ has paid for, that is grace. So, what does the Bible say about tithing? Is tithing the standard of giving in the church? Is tithing an obligation for every believer? Is tithing part of the Law? Naturally this controversial subject will take some time to discuss, but hopefully by the end there will be no more questions or confusion when it come to giving in the church.

In this article we will look at the first of two passages of scripture that the evangelical church uses to support tithing by believer's as a standard and or obligation because both passages of scripture show tithing before the Law.

GENESIS 14:15-24 Abram goes out to rescue his nephew Lot from the king of Elam and other kings that join him to overthrown Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram defeats these kings, take all their goods, rescues Lot and all of Lot’s good and as he was heading back to his dwelling place is met by the priest of God Most High, whose name is Melchizedek. God is about to make a covenant with Abram, so Melchizedek meets Abram with bread and wine, a Biblical symbol of covenant. In turn Abram gives Melchizedek a tithe of all. What is the all that Abram gave him?

HEBREWS 7:4 tells us that the tithe was the "spoils" or the goods that he took after he defeated the kings while rescuing his nephew Lot. This is an important key, because this is one of two passages of scripture that is used to support tithing as an obligation or standard for the church prior to the Law. Let’s not only consider what Abram did, but also what he did not do as well, which is equally important.

• This appears to be a one time act and not an on going obligation or standard...
• Scripture does not reveal that Abram ever tithed again for the rest of his life...
• Note that the tithe (tenth) that Abram gave to Melchizedek was not from his personal possessions or wealth but the spoils that he took from the kings...
• We also see Abram giving the 90% of the spoils to the king of Sodom so that the king of Sodom could not boast the Abram wealth was from him...
• Next this tithe was voluntary. There is no indication that he was obligated to do this. There is no indication that God or anyone else had told him to do this...
• Scripture does not indicate at all that Abram taught his son Isaac to tithe...

You may also find it interesting that for approximately 2000 before Abram the Bible is silent concerning tithing. Now you may have your reason(s) for this but I find it altogether interesting that if tithing was so important to God, why was it not a part of man's economy from the beginning? Why is the Bible silent on this issue over 2000 years? Well as we can see in the above scripture, what is taught in the church concerning tithing being a standard or obligation of giving prior to the Law is not what the Bible clearly shows.

LORD willing we will eventually uncover what the Bible teaches concerning tithing as a standard or obligation verse cheerful, bountiful giving through grace. So what do you think?