Is Seeing Believing? Part 1

One of the greatest hindrances that most people struggle with in the church today is believing whether or not what God says in His Word is for today. Does God really do today what He did through the early church? Is what God did in the early church to be expected in the church today? Well, I want to start by answering YES to both of these questions. How do we know this to be true? Through His Word. Here are some passages of scripture that we must consider...

• Psalms 89:34 No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said. 
• Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, your word stands firm in heaven.
• Psalms 138:2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your Word is backed by all the honor of your name
• Isaiah 55:11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
• Jeremiah 1:12 Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word."
• Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I do not change...
• Romans 4:17 Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn't exist before.
• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful…
• Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and still exist, by the Word of God.
• Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever…

All of the above passages show us something very specific concerning God and His Word. Time does not change Him or His Word! The only thing that we can remotely consider changing for a lack of better words is that God spoke His Word in a progression of revelation to man. In other word, He revealed His will, character, nature, purposes and plan in a progressive manner. This does not change His Word, it is only the manner in which God chose to reveal Himself to man. We also see this in His Word, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:1-3) 

God revealed His will, character, nature, purposes and plan in a progressive manner.though the Old Testament, but now has revealed Himself in full revelation through Jesus Christ. Keeping in mind the above passages, let's look deeper as to what this means. To do this we will consider the following passages of scripture...

• John 5:19-21 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
• John 6:38-39 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
• John 8:28-29 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.
• John 10:37-38 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.
• John 12:49-50 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

We can clearly see in these passages that Jesus only said and did the will of the Father. He even gets a little more personal as He reveals the unique and special relationship that He has with the Father, "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'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." (John 14:7-11)

The Bible clearly shows us that God and His Word does not change. We also see that Jesus perfectly reveals the Father's will, character, nature, purposes and plan through everything that He says and does. If we read the gospels, we will also find that there is absolutely no evidence that Jesus ever said that what He was doing and saying would ever come to an end or that it would only be for a specific dispensation. On the contrary Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Luke 21:33) Another thing that we can see revealed in scripture is...

• 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
• John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
• John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 
• John 10:30 I and My Father are one.   

With all we have seen through God's Word, we can clearly see that the living Word became flesh. His name is Jesus. The Word is God speaking. God and His Word are one. The Word is the will of the Father, just as Jesus, the Word made flesh was the will of the Father. What God says, is. What God says, will become. If He did not want it to be so, He would not have said it nor would He have sent it. The Word is always now, it is a present tense fact because God is always now. So why do some many in the church today question, whether or not what God says in His Word is for today and or does God really do today what He did through the early church? We have built a strong immovable foundation to be able to answer yes to these questions, but for many, these questions have created a stronghold in the mind.

In part  two we will expose this doubting mindset in hopes of helping people to come to a place of faith in the integrity of Gods never changing Word.

Giants in the Land

When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God their faith in God became the biggest issue that they faced. After seeing God's hand of protection while Egypt struggled under the plagues we see something in the scriptures that reveal God's true nature even before Israel began their journey to the Promised Land. First, we see God provision and favor on His people, "Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold. And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians." (Exodus 11:2-3) Next, we see God's desire and power to heal, "He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes." (Psalm 105:37) 

Take a moment to think about these things. Israel spent 430 years in Egypt (Exodus 12:40-41) were oppressed for 400 years (Acts 7:6) at the hand of Egyptians taskmasters (Exodus 1:11-14). Yet when they departed Egypt they left with the silver and gold of the Egyptians and not one person was lacking in physical or mental strength; none were frail or weak in any way. In brief, during their journey to the Promised Land, God leads them, protects them and preserved them from hunger and thirst, yet their faith or trust in God was little at best. The apostle Paul tells us that during their journey, Israel lusted after evil, some became idolaters, some committed sexual immorality, some tempted Christ and some murmured against God. Paul also tells us that these things should be examples that believers should not follow. (1 Corinthians 10:6-11)

There is one particular account of Israel's travels in the wilderness that I want to focus on. It deals with the twelve spies that were sent to spy out the land. Numbers 13 tells us that after 40 days of spying out the land they returned to the camp to give their report. (Numbers 13:25-26) At first, the spies report sounded exciting, "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit." (Numbers 13:27) This was the report that came from God even before Israel's deliverance from bondage in Egypt. (Exodus 3:8) However, ten of the spies rejected God's report and gave a report based solely upon what their senses understood rejecting God's Word, what He had said, "Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan." (Numbers 13:28-29) "...We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (Numbers 13:31-33)

The results of this bad report were the cries of doubt, fear and unbelief and the idea that being in bondage in Egypt or dying in the wilderness was a better alternative than believing that God was able to give them what He had promised. (Numbers 14:1-3) The sad thing concerning this entire account is that God's will for them was life and blessings not death and curses, (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) and in an unfortunate way, God permitted them to have what they asked for, "And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. Say to them,'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you..." (Numbers 14:26-28) Finally, the ten spies that gave the bad report were the first to die, but two of the twelve spies who believed God, Joshua and Caleb, remained alive. (Numbers 14:36-38) Remember, the apostle Paul told us, all that Israel did in the wilderness were examples so that believers do not repeat their mistakes, more importantly, that believers do not live in fear, doubt and unbelief as Israel did.

What giants do you face that seem to be so ominous in the natural that have robbed your faith in such a way that you also give a bad report as the ten spies? I hear church leaders all to often give a bad report that somehow God Himself has brought a trial such as sickness, disease or some sort of trauma into their life or the life of someone in the congregation that they serve. There are several reasons why this happens. I believe the main reason was spoken by the prophet Hosea, "My people are destroyed because they don't know me..." (Hosea 4:6 TLB) John's gospel reveal an important key to knowing God, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also..." (John 14:7) "He who has seen Me has seen the Father..." (John 14:9) "God has in these last days spoken to us by His Son...who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person..." (Hebrews 1:2-3)

Jesus is God in the flesh. Everything He did or said is an exact representation of the Father's will, nature, character, purposes and plan. (Hebrews 1:1-4) There is not one time revealed in the ministry of Jesus shown in the Gospels that He ever brought a trial such as sickness, disease or some sort of trauma into the life of anyone. As a matter of fact He did the exact opposite, because He was doing the Father's will, "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." and "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38) If you look deep enough into the scriptures you will see that God's Plan of Redemption began immediately after the fall of man (Genesis 3:15) and His redemptive plan was progressively revealed throughout the Old Testament until it was fulfilled through the meritorious work of Christ's death, resurrection and glorification.

If the Father's redemption of humanity began at the fall and was fulfilled in Christ and Christ did nothing but reveal the Father's will, nature, character, purposes and plan, how can anyone honestly believe that our heavenly Father would bring a trial upon one of His children especially in the form of sickness, disease or some sort of trauma? The fact is, trials are either brought on by the believer (James 1:13-18) or by the devil (Job 1:6-19, 2:7) not God! God however will permit these things happen because believers still have the freedom of choice plus the devil looks for opportunities to get place in the believers life although Paul warns us not to give him the opportunity (Ephesians 4:27) A trial is a place where the believer rises up as a giant in the land, believes and acts upon God's Word and in the name of Jesus stands victorious filled with joy. (James 1:2).

I myself have prayed the Word of God over a situation many times and believed for the answer only to see things grow worse. Did God do this? Certainly not! I know that I have an adversary that tries to oppose me and sway my faith. (Ephesians 6:12) However, I know that faith is not confessing and agreeing with the problem, but confessing and believing that God gave His Word and the blood of Jesus to overcome every circumstance no matter how large or small the circumstances may be. (Revelation 12:11) Sometimes our prayer may not see immediate results, but it certainly does not mean that God did not hear our prayer or that He has not sent the answer, "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)

The question comes down to, where is our confidence, in ourselves, in the problem, in others or what God said? Are we doing what Jude exhorts us to do, "...I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend (to strive for the mastery) earnestly for the faith..." (Jude 3) You see these things come down to an individuals faith. Have you contended earnestly for the faith, that is believed God's Word without contradiction, without question? Honestly, sometimes what we have asked of God comes immediately but sometimes it doesn't. When it does not manifest immediately, you must continue thanking and praising God for the answer even though it has not manifested. When we thank Him we are acting in faith, believing that His Word is true and that we have what He has promised even though we have no tangible evidence, "Abraham not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:19-22) We are acting like Abraham.

What I am revealing is true faith as the scriptures teaches. We are to believe God's Word even when there is not one shred of evidence in the natural. We believe because God said! This is what makes a believer a giant in the land. This is what makes a believer refuse sickness or disease to ravage their body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is what separates Christianity from every other religion on earth, we believe and act upon God's Word period! "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed and therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak." ( 2 Corinthians 4:13) I want to encourage you that no matter how long you have struggled in a trial, it did not come from God. All you need to do is find scripture that gives the solution to your problem and do as the apostle Paul said, "I believed and therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak." So speak to that mountain. (Mark 11:23) Call those things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). Then begin to thank the Lord that He has not only heard your prayer but has answered it even if you do not see the evidence immediately. Let's do as Abraham. Do not consider the natural although it is real, but "give glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform."             

The Real Transformers

In Paul's letter to the church at Galatia he makes an interesting statement, "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) Paul's desire was to see believers come to a place in their Christianity to where they were "Imitators of God." (Ephesians 5:1) His desire was not his own, but the very desire that God has for all of His children. In Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth he says the same thing in a different way, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (I Corinthians 3:18) Here we see the same desire of the Lord. But what does it mean for the believer to have Christ formed in them or to be transformed into the Lord's image?

The word transformed is the same as the word metamorphosis which means a complete change of physical form, character and or appearance.When most think of metamorphosis, they think of the transformation of a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. That is exactly what happens to a person who is born again. The transformation of a child of the devil into a child of God. It is being "delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love." (Colossians 1:13) The moment a person is born again they are immediately in Christ. Paul tells us, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Although all of this does take place the moment one is born again, the work of transformation is a continuous process in every believer. This work is called, sanctification. In short, sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer that progressively transforms them into the image of Christ. The more the believer gives himself to the influence of the Holy Spirit, the more the glory of Christ is reflected in their life, moving them from one degree of glory to another. It’s also a work of grace. Our part in this marvelous work is our cooperation and response to the Holy Spirit. According to Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, it says,  "Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18) Believers should experience a continuous filling of the Holy Spirit, that is, being transformed from glory to glory.

To be like Jesus should be the goal of every believer, but we must remember it is not about us working hard in our own strength trying to stop the old nature from having place, it simply comes down to what Jesus said,  "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34) and "Jesus said, I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." (John 5:30) and also "Jesus said, For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 6:38) As we see, to be like Jesus is to always seek to do the will of the Father not because it is an obligation, but as the Psalmist said, "I delight to do Your will, O my God...” (Psalm 40:8) as well as "Jesus said, I always do those things the please the Father." (John 8:29) Our attitude towards doing the Fathers will should be one of delight desiring to please the Him. Simply put, it is, “…Faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

According to 2 Corinthians 3:18, who is responsible for the transformation process? "...The Spirit of the Lord." The verb being transformed is passive which means that something is being done in us, not by us. Again, we come to the place of faith, depending upon and yielding to the Holy Spirit working in us transforming us. In his letter to the church at Thessalonica he tells us, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) In other words not only is God Himself doing the work from the time we are born again, but He wants to complete the process of sanctification in our whole spirit, soul, and body, so it is up to the believer to let Him do the work.

In Paul's letter to the Philippians he tells us, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6 ) If we give ourselves to this good work of the Holy Spirit in us, He will continue do the work until we either leave this life for the next or Jesus returns, which ever comes first. The transformation process of the Holy Spirit in each believer comes down to the value that one places on their relationship with God and His Word. It also takes faith to believe that God wants to reproduce Himself in every believer. Paul tells us that the believer is to, "…work out your own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 ) To “work out” is an imperative mood, which means it is a command. It is in the present tense, which means that the action is continuous. It is also in the passive voice, meaning that we have something to do, but the main action is done by the one sending the message, that is, God Himself. Being transformed into the image of Christ from glory to glory is simply letting God reproduce Himself in us. So let go of all the things that prevent you from experiencing more of God's glory and let Him complete the good work that He has started. 

A Labor of Love

Shortly after Jesus faced Satan in open combat (Matthew 4 and Luke 4) He began His earthly ministry. One of the first things that He did was to call to Himself followers, that is disciples and out of them He chose twelve that He called apostles (Matthew 4:18-22, 5: 1-11, Luke 6:12-16) Once this was completed He began to show His disciples the Father's will, nature, character, purposes and plan through His actions and Words, "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him, from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them..." (Matthew 4:23-25, 5:1-2)

Jesus had approximately three and one half years to impart Kingdom principles into His disciples before His departure from earth to return to His father. During that time He Himself would lead them into life situations and circumstances that would require them to look to the Father's abilities and not their own. They observed Him preach and teach but moreover, they watched as the Father released the supernatural through Him. He cleansed leapers, cast out demons, healed paralytics, restore sight to the blind, restore speech to the mute, "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matthew 9:35) and He raised the dead (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43, Luke 7:11-15, John 11:1-44) But the disciples saw something else about Jesus. Apart from all the teaching, preaching and miracles, "When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)

Many Christians are compassionate, but few have compassion. What is the difference? A person can be compassionate, feeling sympathy and concern for others, but do nothing about it. However, to have compassion is to have sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others and then do something about it. This is what the ministry of Jesus was about. It was revealing to humanity the true nature of the Father, compassion for humanity. Jesus had been sent by the Father (John 6:38) to do something about the fallen, oppressed state of human suffering under the tyrannical powers of darkness.  Next, we see that His compassion for humanity is revealed to His disciples, "Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38)

Interestingly enough many in the church today will pray this prayer because they are compassionate towards to state of humanity, but that is as far as they go. By praying for laborers, they expect God to answer their prayer by gathering others to go labor not thinking that they themselves are the laborers. Immediately after Jesus spoke to His disciples to pray in this manner, "He called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease."  (Matthew 10:1) He commissioned them to, "Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying,'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons..." (Matthew 10:6-8) The very prayer that Jesus had told His disciples to pray had now become an answered prayer through them. They were the very laborers that they were to pray for.

It is sad to here ministers tell believers that all they have to do is to pray this prayer and the congregation will grow because the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers. We don't know where these laborers are or where they come from, but somehow the Lord will bring in the harvest through these laborers. Jesus never meant this prayer to be a prayer of hope, but one of faith. Faith that "God is at work in the believer to both do His will and His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) That all believers, "are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) That all believers are to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded." (Matthew 28:19-20)

The church (all believers) is the only vessel on this planet that has the "Good News." The good news is not limited to being saved from sin (which is certainly enough) but that the moment one places faith in Christ, they become New Creations. (2 Corinthians 5:17) They are declared righteous and have peace with God. (Romans 5:1-2) They become a child of God (John 1:12) God has given them unlimited rights and privileges as His heirs and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) (to name a few points concerning God's Good News to humanity) Let's remember, "That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." (John 3:16)

I do not believe that there is one believer that would want to see even the most vile sinner perish without Christ. So let us keep in mind God's incredible power to transform lives and then release upon that transformed life all the wonderful promises that He freely gives. Let us move on from praying to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers only and believe that we are the very laborers that God is calling to go forth and reap a harvest of souls through His power working in us, all for the Father's glory. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)   

Who is in Charge Here

One of the most incredible things that Jesus did for humanity was to become a substitute and redeem humanity by "...opening their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ." (Acts 26:18)  The word redeem means, to compensate for the faults, poor performance or behavior of another; to rescue; to buy back; to ransom. In other words, God took upon Himself the liability of man's sin by deity and humanity coming together in Jesus Christ. Jesus became mans substitute by paying the price with His own life for the crimes of man thereby satisfying the demands of justice for man's crimes.  But it goes much deeper than this.

If Jesus only paid for man's sin, then man would still be faced with a dilemma. He would still be spiritually dead and the fallen, satanic nature would still be present within. But the reality of redemption is that God has made a way for humanity to receive His divine nature (2 Peter 1:2-4) thereby putting to death the old fallen, satanic nature. Jesus calls this transformation, "Being born again, being born of the Spirit." (John 3:3-8) The Holy Spirit speaking through the apostle Paul says it this way, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ..." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

The old spiritual nature that linked humanity with Satan has ceased being and a new nature, God's nature, is imparted to him. In destroying man's old nature and giving him a new nature, man has now been given the position as a child of God (John 1:12) with all of its rights and privileges. (Ephesians 1:1-23) This is great news but there is something that many believers have not fully understood. The believes spirit is born again, that is, recreated, becomes a new creation, not their soul (mind, will and emotions) or their flesh. This means that a struggle as to who is in charge, the mind and flesh or the recreated spirit is present. This no way indicates that man now has a dual nature, one of righteousness, the new nature and one of sin, the old nature. What this does mean is that man must let his recreated spirit dominate his soul and flesh.

The apostle Paul tells us, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."  (Romans 8:5-8) and "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." (Galatians 5:16-17) As we can plainly see, the flesh and soul are not recreated and need to be brought under subjection of the recreated spirit. They are enemy's to God because they want to acts out against God.

Believe it or not, there is a very simple way to bring ones flesh and soul under subjection to the recreated spirit. The Holy Spirit through Paul tells us, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:12-14 and, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) Believers are to offer their bodies to God for His service and not for their self seeking desires. They do this by, "...not being conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) and by "being renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Ephesians 4:23) Through constantly studying and meditating on the Word of God, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17) which builds the believers faith and also by rely on God's grace "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) which gives the believer the ability and desire to do God's Will.

James sheds some light on this very thing, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) The word implanted means to, firmly set, insert or embed as seed in the ground that takes root and causes growth. So, the Word of God implanted into the soul of man has the ability and power to save, heal, preserve, deliver and make whole the soul. The saving of the soul will bring the flesh under control because the recreated spirit will once again be the dominating factor in the believers life in the same manner that it was in Adam before the fall.

Now you may be thinking, "I do read, study and meditate on God's Word but I still struggle with poor thinking and the works of the flesh." Well James continues to tells us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." (James 1:22-25) Certainly, reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God is of the utmost importance, but it is only when we believe and act on God's Word that faith is built, grace abounds and the works of the flesh and arguments and renegade thoughts of the mind come under the dominion of the recreated spirit.

This is not at all difficult to the believer who truly wants to be and "Imitator of God as a dear child" who act on God's Word because they know that He is faithful and performs His Word. However, this is very difficult and almost unattainable to the believer who does not believe and act upon God's Word, especially when all they hear from church leaders is that they are still just sinners which promotes guilt, shame and condemnation. Unfortunately, they have either never been truly set free by the truth or they only expect God's love and favor to be upon them if they do enough good works. If this is you, then know this. God has already given you a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) and His grace (Ephesians 4:7) so all that is required is to believe His word and act on it. It will transform your life. 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)
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Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

A lie is define as, something that is false, untrue or meant to deceive. The apostle Paul tells us not to "be ignorant of Satan's devices, lest he should take advantage of us." (2 Corinthians 2:11) Satan's tactics have not changed from the beginning, "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..." (Genesis 3:1) Satan's greatest tactic is to twist God's Word (Truth) with the ultimate intent to keep God's Word from people. He knows that if he can keep people from the truth, they will succumb to his lies and live defeated lives. So, believers should not be ignorant of his device, but unfortunately many believers are. Listening to most sermons today, one would conclude that Satan and his gang of demons either do not exist or that they are only found in the slums of large cities. However, this thinking is quite far from the truth.

When looking at history we see a period of time that is called the Dark Ages, or the Middle Ages. The Dark Ages are defines by historians as, a period of intellectual darkness and economic regression that supposedly occurred in Europe following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire from about 500 to 1350 AD. This is very interesting to say the least. When looking at church history, it was during the Dark Ages that the hierarchy of the church disregarded the Word of God and embraced the doctrines of man. So we can assume that when or where the Word of God is absent that intellectual darkness and economic regression will be present. We may not want to admit such a claim, but the same thing is happening today. Darkness will always find its way into all sectors of humanity, including what we call the church. When the Word of God is not present or when the Word of God has been replaced with the wisdom or doctrines of man darkness is always present.

Jesus, when talking with the Jews who believed Him said this,"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32) Knowing truth and being set free from deception and lies comes by abiding in the Word. In their attempt to convince themselves that they were already free, the Jews refer to themselves, Abraham descendants. They even go as far as to say that God was their father. However, Jesus saw through the deception and their ignorance, and gets to the heart of the matter, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me." (John 8:42-45) Basically, Jesus tells the Jews that they listen to and have embraced lies, therefore are void of truth. They have bought into the deceptive lies of Satan.

The apostle Peter warns believers to, "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..." (1 Peter 5:8-9) This epistle is to the church! Look what Peter tells the believe as to how to resist the devil. First we must be alert and always watching in the way a sentry stands his post. A sentry stands and watches being  aware that the possibility exists that an enemy may try to breach even a secure perimeter. We are also to resist the devil in the faith.or be firm in faith. In other words, believers are to resist the devils devices by believing and acting on God's Word which is what the Bible calls faith. But think about this. If one is not being taught or learning the truth, then the only path that can be followed is one of lies. There is an old saying, "You would not believe the lie if it didn't contain a little truth." However, with that said, any truth that contains a lie is still a lie. Do we see the subtle deception?

As was with Jesus and the early church, believers today are also engaged in a conflict "...against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) The sooner that we realize that these forces are at work attempting to steel or twist God's Word, destroy our fellowship with the Father, and deprive us of our service which is to do the Father's will by enforcing and upholding all that Jesus did for humanity, the better our odds are that we will not fall prey to every wind of doctrine and the wisdom of man. When believers deal with the devil, they should always approach him from the position of victory and triumph. We resist him, exercise our faith, use the Word of God in the Name of Jesus and he must flee.

If you feel defeated due to circumstances such as sickness, worry, anxiety or financial struggles; If you feel that your life is hemmed in by the devil, then it is time to rise up in the mighty Name of Jesus and put the devil to flight. It's time to embrace God's Word, take your inheritance and receive deliverance from the deception and lies of the devil. Once this happens, go and set other free. Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)     .  

God, Why Did You Let This Happen?

One of the saddest phrases that comes forth from a Christians mouth when life trials come or a tragedy happens is, "God, why did you let this happen!" It is as though somehow God takes pleasure in the agonies that take place in humanity. Many will even say, "God is sovereign" (which He is) which to them means that God does whatever He wants whenever He wants, even if it means operating contrary of His Word. Many come this conclusion because they have been taught to think this way by church leaders who reason through life's adversities rather than exercising faith in the integrity of God's Word and understand what is actually going on. Peter tells us...
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:2-3)

Notice that God has given the believer "all things that pertain to life and godliness." This means that believers should have an understanding of how God operates in this life. He is a God of blessings and life not of tragedy and death. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) and "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)  In both of these verses the word life means, "life as God has it; that which the Father has in Himself." Although redemption is much far reaching than most in the church today understand, notice that one of the reasons for the incarnation was to give humanity life as God has it, life which the Father has! From this, to say that God has some mysterious purpose in the tragedies that happen in humanity, especially to the believer, His child, comes down to this, "My people are being destroyed because they don't know me." (Hosea 4:6)

Looking back on 2 Peter 1:2-3, notice that grace and peace are multiplied to the believer in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Also notice that all the things that God has given the believer that pertain to life and godliness, also comes through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This connects with what the Holy Spirit spoke through Hosea. One of the ways that people, even Christians, blame God for permitting tragedies or saying that tragic things are a part of God divine purpose is because they do not know Him, meaning, His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. Of course terrible things happen on the earth, but it is not God's will nor are they some sovereign purpose of God that we will never understand. We must stop blaming God for things that are not His will nor a part of His divine purpose. Sure God can use a tragedy and turn it for good, but to say that He somehow permits tragic things to happen to fulfill some mysterious purpose of His is utter nonsense. It would be like saying that Jesus did not fully satisfy justice for humanity, so God uses tragic situation to complete mans redemption.

Jesus said, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;" (John 14:7) and "He who has seen Me has seen the Father;" (John 14:9) Jesus is not saying that these men were not his disciples, but that they did not have an accurate knowledge of his nature, character, will, purposes and plan, which was actually the Father's. God has given us His Word, the Bible, so that the believer can know His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. We should start by looking at the four gospels. In them we will discover that Jesus is a perfect reflection of the Father's nature, character, will, purposes and plan which is to save, heal, deliver and bring abundant life to humanity not tragedy and death. Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18) but He does not use His authority to override mans will nor does He use His authority to operate contrary to His Word.

How can one honestly believe that our heavenly Father somehow has a sovereign purpose or plan to have one of His children perish at the hand of a drunk driver? It was the will of the drunk driver to reject what was right for what they knew to be wrong. It was the will of the drunk driver to get behind the wheel of a car and cause this tragedy. God will not stop people from exercising their will. He didn't in the Garden of Eden nor does He do it now. He does not force people to do His will, so yes, He does permit tragic things to happen, but it certainly is not His will or His divine purpose. Never forget, that sin has its consequences and unfortunately many innocent people suffer for it. Also let us not forget that Satan's hatred for God and humanity is the motivator behind such heinous things.

God is certainly in control, (sovereign) but He Himself is limited in that control...
"As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress." (Job 37:23) and "...For You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2) God does everything on absolute legal grounds and within the parameters of His Word so that none (man, angels, Satan or demons) can accuse Him of not being just or blame Him for permitting things to happen that are contrary to His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. He is limited by His own Word as well as the choices of man. Even in the Garden, God did not encroach Adam's will (free choice) to commit treason and yet God was just as sovereign then as He is now and will ever be.  Throughout Israel's history scripture clear shows us that they rejected God through their poor choices which were not God's will nor some divine purpose of God and we see that they received the consequences of those choices and yet God remained sovereign. God has made a way for man to be free from sin and Satan through Jesus Christ, but it does not mean that all people will Chooses God's plan of redemption, thereby permitting the destructive nature of sin and Satan to still have their way in humanity. Another thing to consider is that God is also limited by the choices that believers (the church) also make that are contrary to His Word. The church is the Body of Christ and therefore it is the voice and power of God on earth.

The Lord has given the church (believers) authority over sin and Satan. We must use this authority to enforce and uphold what Jesus has provided through His death, resurrection and glorification. We must stop taking tragedy on the chin and stand on God's Word knowing that God does not have some divine purpose in the destruction of His children. My friends, blaming our Great Heavenly Father for these things breaks my heart and brings me to tears. God's ingenious plan of redemption liberates all men and provides abundant life right here on planet earth while we wait in hope for the glory of heaven. Don't believe me? Study and meditate on God's Word being led by the Holy Spirit and see for yourself the true nature, character, will, purposes and plan of God and be set free. For who Jesus has set free (being born again) is completely free.

What Did I Miss

Did you ever have an event that you wanted to see or be a part of only to miss it. I am not one for high school reunions, but I remember when my 30th year high school reunion was coming up. I thought that it would be interesting to attend so I sent in the registration form stating that I would attend. The weekend before the event, I once again looked over the invitation but to my surprise the reunion was taking place that very moment. I had inadvertently placed in my mind that is was in one more week. Well, I was wrong. and I missed the reunion. Needless to say I make it a point not to repeat the same mistake again.

This brings me to my point. How many times have we placed within our mind something that we thought was truth but in fact it was contrary to it (the thing is, we did not know it at the time). Maybe some pastor or other church leader had presented what they believed was true but it could not be substantiated by the Bible. Maybe it was something that the mainline church has accepted as truth for years or even centuries but we cannot find chapter and verse to prove that it is so. Honestly, this happens all to often and continues to plague Christians with much misunderstanding of the the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit.

Hosea says it this way, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6) Another version of the Bible says it this way, "My people are destroyed because they don't know me..." This is certainly a sad commentary that God says that His people do not know Him and therefore suffer because of it. This is a prophecy concerning Israel but it is an unfortunate reality today. Look at what the apostle Paul states concerning the church and Israel, (for the sake of space I will narrow the scripture to the point) "Now these things became our examples...Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." (1 Corinthians 10:6-11) In other words, the things that Israel did or failed to do were written for the church so that we do not repeat their failures.  But it is apparent that Hosea's prophecy (Hosea 4:6) is as real today as it was when it was spoken. 

Today, many Christian leaders in colleges, universities and local churches are inoculating people with philosophies and psychology that has nothing to do with the knowledge of God. Many doctrines that the church still embraces are from the Mosaic economy, the Dark Ages or the old wine skin of the Protestant Reformation. Every now and then they are tweeted to make them seem like truth, but if we have to adjust doctrine then the chances are it is false doctrine. One example of many, concerns God's will, especially when it comes to healing. A great segment of the church does not believe that God heals today like He did in the early church. Many others believe that healing is entirely up to God, meaning that if He wants to heal He will if not, He won't.

The problem with this type of teaching, is that it is not found in the Bible. It is the product of church leaders lacking in understanding God's true nature, character, will, purposes and plan. It is a lack of knowledge that only comes by way of the spirit by exercising faith. When I talk about faith, I mean the Bible or God kind of faith that comes from the heart, not the mystical kind of faith that comes from the head nor the natural kind of faith that comes from the senses. The only way to operate and understand true Bible faith is to do as Jesus did, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4) We must live on God's every Word.

This means letting go of mans wisdom, your own personal reasoning and using your senses to understand the things of the spirit. The apostle Paul says it this way, "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) Paul is not only referring to those who are spiritually dead, but he is also addressing Christians who are carnal. You cannot expect to know the things of God through the natural mind. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) We can only discern or understand spiritual things through the spirit which requires true Bible faith.

So, if we do not want to miss the wonderful things that God has for His children then we must come to grips with what faith really is and shed all of the doubts that have been entertained in the mind. We must embrace God's Word with all of our heart. We must "...believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) and remember, "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) 

Which is Easier?

Not to long after the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and says, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." (Matthew 2:13) So Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt. After the death of Herod the king the angel of the Lord appears again to Joseph in a dream saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." (Matthew 2:20) and so he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. Luke adds something that is interesting to this account, "And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." (Luke 2:40)

 Next, Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary take Jesus, who was twelve at the time, to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. (Luke 2:41-42), and again we see something very interesting concerning Jesus,  He was "...in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers." (Luke 46-47) Luke records once again, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2:52) Point being, we see that from childhood Jesus increased in wisdom.

As we look through the Gospels, we see that the religious leaders who were in office during the time that Jesus walked the earth as the Son of Man were always looking for a way to discredit Jesus. Every time they did so, the wisdom of God in Jesus defused the entire situation and put the religious leaders to shame. Jesus certainly did not respond to their evil with any malice in His heart. He responses to them was because He was "...grieved due to the hardness of their hearts..." (Mark 3:5)  One particular time, Jesus got into a boat and went into His own city, "Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man blasphemes!" But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" — then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." And he arose and departed to his house." (Matthew 9:1-7)

There are a few lessons that we can learn from this situation. One of them is that many Christians for some time have been taught erroneous doctrine that have caused them to not believe God's Word. However, their are many other Christians who believe that God has not changed nor His Word. What He did through Jesus and the early church still applies today. Jesus tells the scribes that their hearts think evil. But look at the wisdom of God in operation. Of course it would be easier to say to someone "Your sins are forgiven you" because things are "easier said then done." But are they? Although the scribes do not respond to His question, Jesus says to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." The paralytic responds to Jesus' Word, "And he arose and departed to his house."

Jesus tells us, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) Today, as it was for Jesus then, it should be no more difficult to say, "Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk." The problem that many Christians have with such things as these, is something that has not changed since the fall of man. It is a lack of faith in the integrity of God's Word. Although the disciples that Jesus chose and named apostles observed His ministry for over three years, they too dealt with the same issue prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. They did not believe. Not only did Thomas need tangible evidence of the resurrection (John 20:24-25) but Jesus rebuked all the disciples after His resurrection due to the unbelief and hardness of heart. (Mark 16:14) Even though Jesus foretold the apostles of His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21); even though Mary Magdalene and the two disciples that Jesus met on the Emmaus Road told the apostles that Jesus was alive (Mark 16:9-13); it was a lack of faith in God's Word (Jesus' Words to them) that caused them to easily dismiss the will of God.

Sadly enough in many sections of the church today the same thing happens. There is an unpersuadableness, a lack of true Bible faith in the Word of God. Look at how the multitude responded to what Jesus did for the paralytic, "Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men." (Matthew 9:8) What a drawing card for those who do not know the Lord. Letting God perform the supernatural through His children as evidence of His great love and all that Jesus did for humanity. However, the only way that these things can be a part of the church today, is the doctrines of man that have created doubts and unscriptural mind sets must be dealt with and put to an end. They must be replaced with the revelation knowledge of the Word of God. Let us pray the prayer that Paul prayed for the church and believe, "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:17-18) and then be a doer of the Word...

Let's Get Down to Business

 Prayer is a vital part of the believers life. In his book, E.M. Bounds on Prayer, Bounds states, “Prayer is the medium of divine revelation. It is through prayer that God reveals Himself to the spiritual soul today, just as in the Old Testament days He made His revelations to the people who prayed. God shows Himself to the person who prays.” The Lord desires, not only to have His children pray to Him, but have communion with Him through prayer. Prayer has many meanings such as: to ask; to beseech; to call to one’s aid; communicating with God; an act of communion with God.

The act of communion with God involves more than just praying in a general sense. In fact Jesus tells us what ineffective prayer is,  "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words." (Matthew 6:7) He also tells us how to pray effectively,
"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)

The apostle John reveals a very important key for us when it comes to asking the Lord for anything, "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) So how can we know that what we ask Him is according to His will? How can we move from hoping that He will answer our request to having assured confidence that He will answer?

Peter says it this way, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:2-3) and the writer of Hebrews says, "Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:3)

Take notice to two important things here. First we see that "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." So when we pray we must believe that He has given us "all things that pertain to life and godliness." But how do we acquire "all things that pertain to life and godliness?" Through having knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is not sense knowledge, that which we understand in our minds, but revelation knowledge, that which is conceived in the spirit.

The other thing that we must understand is, upholding all things by the word of His power.  Notice that it does not say that power of His word. Literally, God's Word is His power or His power is manifest by His Word(s). A great example of this is in creation, "Then God said...and it was so." (Genesis 1). So, if His power is in His Word(s) (which it is) and His power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ, (which He has) then praying the Word of God is the way that we can, as John said, "...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.". His Word is His Will and His Will is His Word.

So, let us no longer just talk at the Lord with many words, but pray His word knowing, "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) God's Word get results every time if, one, "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..." In short, we pray His Word, believing that we have already received the petitions that we have asked of Him and His promise is, you will have them.            

Play it Again Sam

I wrote a recent article entitled "I Really Doubt It." In it I share a story of a women who became so discouraged that she left the church and began to blame the LORD when things did not go right. The discouragement had left her in a place where she did not expect God to fix any of her problems. This came as a result of reading a book by a well know Christian author who basically discredits the supernatural as not being a part of the church today as it was in the early church.  Unfortunately, this very issue has cropped up again and brought to my attention by another believer who struggles with understanding God's will when it comes to healing.

I received an email from a believer that asked me if I would watch a particular video that they included in their email which was linked to a particular website. The video was a discussion between two well known figures from Christian circles. As I watched and listened, I was excited to hear their opening statements concerning the power of God. The one person was praising God for all the supernatural things that He is doing around the world. All kinds of miracles, healing and deliverance from demons. However, shortly after all the praises of the wonderful things of God, (which happened to be what the video was really about) was this, "God doesn't heal everybody. He chooses who He wants to heal and who He doesn't want healed."  This statement was based on a young Christian woman that was seriously injured, received pray and was not healed. We must ask ourselves, "Why does God seem to do the supernatural all around the world but little to none in the USA?" There are many answers to this question, but the one that I believe is at the top of the list is a statement that Jesus made, "...Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

According to Numbers 19:23, "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?" In other words, God is incapable of saying anything but the truth. Jesus said, "...Your word (God's Word) is truth." (John 17:17) Furthermore, Numbers says, "...Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" In other words, God does exactly what His Word says. As He is eternal, so His Word is also eternal. It does not change with time and space nor does it change because people choose not to believe it or negotiate it away do to their personal belief or actually their unbelief.

The people in the video, like many others in the church today, made their statements about God not always healing with no regard to scripture, but personal experience. If this is not sad enough, they also indirectly made the church in the USA out to be an organization where healing is unpredictable because God picks and chooses who He wants to heal. Keep in mind Numbers 23:19 and look at what Jesus says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:7-11)

Take notice to the words in this passage, "For EVERYONE who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Does this sound like a God who picks and chooses who receives healing and who doesn't? Next, Jesus asks some questions concerning the care and desire of human parents to their children. He then concludes with a powerful statement and promise,  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"  Look what the apostle John tells us, "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) Observing these two passages (there are numerous other with the same thought) it should be obvious and unfortunate, that many believers do not know the will of God and therefore do not have the faith to believe Him for what He has given to the redeemed through Jesus Christ.

If we could take the best of the best parents on the entire earth and mold them into one super parent they would fall millions of miles short of the greatest parent of all, our Heavenly Father. Let's look at the statement again that was spoken on the video, "but God doesn't heal everybody. He chooses who He wants to heal and who He doesn't want healed." How many parents who had just given birth to twins would say to one, "I am going to make sure that you are always provided for and protected" and then say to another child "I chose not to provide for you or protect you." Of course no parent in their right mind would say something so ridiculous. The Bible repeated tells us that the believer is a child of God. (John 1:12, Romans 8:15-16,
1 John 3:1) Do we some how suppose that God will take care of one of His children and heal them and not another? Do we suppose that God is a respecter of persons when scripture says the contrary? (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11) Can you see the twisted human logic in a statement such as "God doesn't heal everybody. He chooses who He wants to heal and who He doesn't want healed." Notice that I said "human logic." There is certainly no faith in a statement like that, only human logic or reasoning.

Why is it that Christians do not want to admit that it is not God who is holding back, but a lack of faith in their own life. I believe the root stems from pride. Why do I say pride? James and Peter tells us, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5) Grace is the ability and desire to do God's Will (Philippians 2:13) A lack of grace due to pride results in a lack of the ability and desire to do God's Will. Plus there is one other thing to consider. It is difficult, especially for church leaders to admit that they do not have enough faith to lay hands on the sick for them to recover. They look for a disclaimer, that is, someone or something to blame (in this case the LORD, although indirectly) by saying that no one truly understands His ways. Of course they site Isaiah 55:8-9 which was 750 years before the restoration of humanity through Christ. They should consider what the apostle Paul says, "...but we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)

It grieves me to hear believers say that God's Will is a mystery when Jesus said, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also...He who has seen Me has seen the Father..." (John 14:7, 9) and the apostle Paul tells us, "having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself." (Ephesians 1:9) Honestly, God's Will is not a mystery. It's that God's children do not exercise faith by acting on God's Word. Instead of having an excuse let practice building up our faith in His Word, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10:17) and watch Him do the supernatural through the entire world using ordinary people like you and me who must have this one thing in place in our lives. We must believe and act on God's Word, period!!!

Is There a Doctor in the House

Medical science has made some incredible advances in recent years. For years physicians have help countless people through numerous physical ailments and have saved many lives. I respect physicians who truly have a desire to see sick people become well and believe that they deserve payment for their labors. However, I do draw the line with physicians whose only desire is to live well at the expense of sick people.A physician named Luke wrote two book found in the New Testament and shares some incredible stories of a Healer that did things beyond the minds comprehension.

Although Luke records a story concerning a particular woman who had a physical ailment for twelve years, Marks gospel gives more details which I think sheds more light. I am sure that most believers have read or heard the events of this story, but for many, they have not let these events permeate their spirit and therefore they struggle with various physical ailments.

"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. 
(Mark 5:25-26)

For twelve years this woman had to go through many painful things at the direction of physicians in order to be healed. She had also spent all the money she had, but grew worse. Isn't it interesting that today if you take your automobile to a mechanic (auto doctor so to speak) to have a problem fixed they too charge a fee for their labors and they have every right to do so. However, if the same problem reoccurs within a certain time frame, most mechanic will correct the problem and some will not charge an additional fee to correct the same problem. In this story we see just the opposite. Not one physician fixed her ailment, but they all took her money. I know of several believers who have had this very thing happen. They went to one physician who prescribe treatment, it did not work, so they went to another physician and then another, and unfortunately they met the same results as this woman. But let's look at what this woman eventually did... 

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." (Mark 5:27-28)

Notice that she had only heard about Jesus. This is one of those important keys to understanding God's will when it comes to healing. The four gospels reveal the ministry of Jesus as He walked on the earth as a man. The apostle Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10:17) As believers hear the Word of God we first must believe that it is truth and that it does not change. When this occurs, God's Word will build ones faith. This woman only heard about Jesus and it is apparent that whatever she heard began to build faith in her, For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." I am sure her mind was saying, "You saw many physicians and got worse, no one can help you," but her heart was saying, If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.

This is where many believers miss the healing that God has provided for them through Jesus Christ. They have either been trained that "healing has stopped because the church has the completed Word of God in the Bible and therefore God does not provide healing in the church today as He did in the early church" or they believe that God does indeed heal but have trouble releasing their faith and receive it.

The first of these issues is one that is not easily over come. It has been taught and accepted by many church leaders due to a poor interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (if you read this passage you will note  that healing is not even mentioned) and a lack of faith applied to the scriptures. The second issue is common among believers that do believe that God heals today but as mentioned,  may have trouble releasing their faith to receive their healing. Hebrews records, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith (which is now) make hope (which is future) a present reality even though there may not be any physical evidence. The latter issue totally rejects divine healing whereas in the former issue, faith can always grow and the believer can receive their healing. Let's look at the results of faith overcoming physical realities... 

Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  Her faith gave substance to hope and manifested the reality of Gods healing in the now. We must look beyond our minds saying something to this effect, "well that was her but it won't work for me." This is doubt working and will neutralize faith every time. God has provided healing through Jesus Christ and like the woman with the issue of blood all one needs to do is believe. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) Now let's look at Jesus response to the woman... 

"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." (Mark 5:25-34) Remember, this woman was motivated by only hearing about Jesus and by applying her faith in Him she was healed of her affliction. Beloved, it is just that simple. The LORD has not made it difficult for you to receive all that He has. He has only asked that we believe. 

"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) He who comes to God must believe that He is. That He is what? Savior, Healer, Deliver, Provider, Protector, etc. Paul tells us in Romans 10:9 "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." The word saved is the Greek word "sozo" which means to deliver, protect, heal, preserve, make whole, and so on. Romans 10:9 carries a far greater promise than regeneration only. However, most of the church today only uses this verse for salvation (in the sense of regeneration) and yet the Greek word for salvation "soteria" has the same definitions as does saved (sozo).

Again, I am not speaking out against physicians, but there are some sicknesses that medical science cannot cure. However, if you need a physician, then see a physician. It takes time for faith to develop in some areas of your Christianity. Sometimes a sickness may have a head start on your faith so don't let any one put you under any condemnation for going to see a physician. You must operate in the level of faith that you have, but do not stay on that level. Build up your faith through God's Word. Let His Word take up residence in your spirit and become part of you. In doing so, sickness will not be able to have place in of your life.

In short, the woman with the issue of blood heard of Jesus, turned hope into faith and then acted upon her faith by pressing through the sense realm of seeing is believing into the reality of the spiritual realm that believes without seeing. Please take some time and learn from the woman who had the issue of blood. Meditate on God's Word and then act upon it which will build your faith. Honestly, the same grace and faith that was present when you received Jesus as LORD and Savior is available for you today to be healed, delivered, protected, preserved and made whole, only believe...

Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 19

I always find it interesting how so many Christians see God in the Old Testament as having a completely different will, nature and character than He does in the New Testament. Many portray God in the Old Testament as one who has either no mercy or at best was limited in mercy; That He was not very forgiving; That He did not heal or deliver; That He was into cursing more than blessing; and that He was just waiting for someone to step out of line and wham, the hammer came down in the form of sickness, disease and all manner of destruction. Well, let's consider some things from the Old Testament...

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever." Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever." Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:1-4)

Other than the continuous praise that, "His mercy endures forever," we see something else right at the beginning of this Psalm that describes God's true nature, Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! He does not lack in mercy, in fact His mercy is great...
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him" 
(Psalm 103:11)
Not only is He good, but His goodness is great...
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19)

Next we see that God is ready to forgive ALL who call upon Him...
"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."(Psalm 86:5) and...
"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared." (Psalm 130:3-4)

We also see that God's nature in the Old Testament is healing and deliverance...
"He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20)

There is one Psalm that I believe is a good summation of God's true will, nature and character...
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
(Psalm 103:1-5)

WOW, what a wonderful Heavenly Father we have. Notice the word ALL; "Who forgives ALL your iniquities," That is, He is not only able but willing to pardon all of our sin. "Who heals ALL your diseases," That is, all forms of sickness and disease. If that was not enough, "Who redeems your life from destruction," That is, saving one's life from death when exposed to danger, or when attacked by disease. "Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies," That is, God's mercy and compassion is so abundant, it is something of beauty and honor as a royal crown. "Who satisfies your mouth with good things," Not just your physical mouth with food, but your desires, your entire life He brings delight to. "so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." The eagle is an emblem of vigor and as the moulting of an eagles feathers where its plume is renewed, so shall those be, whose God is the LORD, who place faith in His wonderful Word..

When looking at the Old Testament scriptures and meditating on what they say concerning God's true will, nature and character, it becomes very difficult at best to consider that the God of the Old Testament is anything less than loving, caring, nurturing, forgiving and flat out wonderful. However, it takes faith in the integrity of God's Word to come to this conclusion. We always must remember that Satan has not changed his tactic towards humanity. From the Garden of Eden and until Jesus returns, his greatest weapon of deception has been to defame God's nature and character. He wants people to reason in their minds, that is, to consider that there may be another truth. That God is holding back or is not disclosing the whole truth.

The Apostle Paul tells us that that these things are, strongholds, arguments and thoughts that exalt themselves above the knowledge of God and are to be assaulted and destroyed by using God's Word. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) His Word is truth and it is the ONLY gauge that the believer has to determine whether or not renegade reasoning is on the loose in their mind. The more one reads, studies and meditates on God's Word, the less chance there is for one to be deceived with Satan's wiles. Praise the LORD, for He never changes which also means that His faithful, never failing, Word never changes also!!!

Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 18

We have seen throughout the Gospel of John, our Heavenly Father's will and nature being perfectly fulfilled in and through the ministry of Christ. One of the scriptures that sums up Christ's ministry and the Father's will and nature is...
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)

Notice that Jesus "went about doing good", not bring judgment or condemning humanity, but doing good. What was the good that He did? "...healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil..." So take a moment and let this verse of scripture sink into your spirit. Now, if God is the One behind bad things happening, then why would He anoint Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power to do good? If some how one really believes  that bad things come from God, then we have to consider the following...

• Jesus lied when He said that He came to do the will of the Father...(John 4:34)   
• That Jesus was not a perfect image and reflection of the Father...(Hebrews 1:3)
• That Jesus was doing His own will...(Matthew 26:39)
• That the Father has more than one will...(Romans 12:2)
• That the Father and Son are not united as one...(John 10:30)
• The Father changes His will based on human circumstances or situations...(Malachi 3:6)

The list can go on, but these six alone are enough to send chills up one's spine.Can you even imagine how anyone could possibly serve the LORD if these things were so? The Bible clearly shows us that God never changes. Everything about  Him is immutable! (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17). Unfortunately, the things listed above are not taken into consideration when one has been taught or believes that bad things come from God. 

When I think of how many Christians have been taught by church leaders the exact opposite of what scripture reveals concerning God's will and nature, I become grieved. Many have been taught that the bad things that may happen to them is some how God's mysterious way of doing things, but the Apostle Paul tells us...
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself" (Ephesians 1:7-9)

 Many have been taught that God causes bad things to happen to bring judgment upon a sinful world and yet Jesus says...
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son." (John 5:22) and "You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one." (John 8:15) and "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17) 

I have found the biggest reason why so many Christians have been taught that God causes bad things to happen is because "whom the LORD loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:6) However, to chasten means to child train or train a child. Now think about this. Would you as a parent desire to have a debilitating disease come upon your child because he or she disobeyed you? Of course you wouldn't want that to happen. How about if you told your child not to touch the cooking element on an electric stove because he or she could get burned and then one day their curiosity got the best of them and they burned their hand so severely that they needed either a miracle healing or immediately medical attention, would you say, "I told you not to do that" or "That's what you get for disobeying me." Would you do nothing because they disobeyed? Of course not! You would do whatever it took to stop the pain and fix the problem. If you did anything less, you would be considered an abusive neglectful parent.

Well I've got some good news. Our Heavenly Father is not hiding Himself nor is He mysterious (John 14:7-9) He does not judge people in this life by sending bad thing upon them (Hebrews 7:27) and He is not and abusive parent but a loving and caring Father (Matthew 7:7-11) It is time for Christians to abide in God's Word, which will build their faith so they can receive the promise that Jesus gives to all who abide in His word..."And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)

Bad Things Do Not Come From God - Part 16

Now we will look at another very interesting situation in the ministry of Jesus. Remember that Jesus said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. "  
(John 6:38) In other words, if we want to know the Fathers will, nature and purpose, all we have to do is observe what Jesus said and did. He perfectly reveals the Father's will, nature and purpose in all things.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:1-5)

Notice that the disciples assumed that this mans condition was caused by his parents or his sin insinuating that God was punishing this man with blindness due to someones sin. Here is another issue that many Christians have been trained to believe. If they have sin in their life they can expect God to punish them with some kind of affliction. Now there are consequences to sin, but the consequences come because sin gives place to the devil. It is not an act of punishment from God. Remember, from the beginning of mans history God gave Adam a choice to eat of the tree of life and live or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and die. (Genesis 2:9, 15-17) God gave the same choice to Israel, chose life and blessing or cursing and death (Deuteronomy 30:19) The same principles apply today and will continue to apply until the end of time, choice.  But for the Christian, God's great love and mercy has provided away to close the door on sin taking away any advantage that Satan would try to use, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (John 1:9)

Now, notice Jesus' response to the disciples assumption, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." His condition was not due to sin, but that the true nature of God would be revealed. His true nature is one of life, healing, deliverance, provision, that is life and blessing not death, sickness, hurt, pain, affliction and cursing!  Unfortunately, another false teaching paints this situation from a twisted perspective. It says that God caused the blindness and now would show His mercy. This is total heresy because it says that God changes when in fact He is immutable, He never changes.

Next, Jesus reveals and important message for us to grasp, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me." The healing of blindness which was about to happen IS GOD'S WILL!!! There should be no question at all that God does not cause bad things to happen under any circumstances!

There is another important point that Jesus reveals, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." This is a prophetic statement. Jesus was not speaking of His physical appearance on the earth only, but is telling us that these very things, life, healing, deliverance, provision, blessings, etc. are always available for every person, especially believer because He said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) He is with us through the Holy Spirit.

However, once again we see the faithless religious reject God's will in Christ, "...The Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Unfortunately faithless church leaders today do exactly the same. They always look for a reason to discredit God's Word or His work. The sad thing is, like the Pharisees they are convinced that they are walking in truth. However, they operate in the same realm as Thomas, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I WILL NOT BELIEVE." (John 20:25) Why won't they believe? They themselves are blind. Jesus said, "...They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." (Matthew 15:14) I always find it interesting that everything pertaining to Christianity has it's roots in faith and yet it is the subject that most Christians have the least understanding of. There is a diabolical scheme that has gripped the hearts of many church leaders today which has caused them to refrain from teaching and preaching on true biblical faith.

Let's see how the matter unfolds, "So they (the Pharisees) again called the man who was blind, and said to him,"Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner." He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." Then they said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from." The man answered and said to them,"Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing." They answered and said to him,"You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out." (John 9:24-34)

Once again notice the hardness of the Pharisees hearts. They are working hard to discredit the very God who established a covenant with Moses who they say they know. There was no recorded history that a man opened the blind eyes of another and yet their unbelief, as we saw above, blinds them from reality. So their answer to the whole matter... Let's get rid of it, ""And they cast him out." Although this man being  rejected by his own people may seem to be a totally unfair, it actually became a wonderful blessing to him,
"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him." (John 9:35-38)

What a blessing. Not only did this man receive his physical sight, but he also received spiritual insight as to who the One was that opened his blind eye. Notice the man's response, "LORD I Believe!" He recognized Jesus as LORD and he believed. Although physical blindness was gone, this man's faith in Jesus is what truly set him free. Christians must exercise the same boldness and faith when church leaders threaten them to believe contrary to God's Word and Will. I believe that there are many Christians today who truly love the LORD but sit under the bondage of church leaders who teach that bad things do come from God. But there is wonderful news. Christians do not have to live under afflictions and bondage any longer. All they need to do is to let go of the wisdom of men and abide in the Word of God. In doing so their faith will increase (Romans 10:17) and they will walk in the abundant life that Jesus has already given.