I Have Faith

The Gospel according to Luke shows us an important story that concerns faith. This same incident is also shown in Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:35-41. I am sharing it from Luke due to how Jesus challenges the disciples with a simple yet powerful question. "Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (Luke 8:22-25)

Jesus' question, "Where is your faith" should provoke every believer, everyday. Why? Recently it came to my attention through a Christian social media discussion group, a discussion concerning the Christian life beyond conversion. This was due to the common belief among most Evangelicals. Evangelical meaning, a Christian church believing in the Bible as the sole source of authority for the church. The major focus is in salvation only through conversion and spiritual regeneration. I believe this to be true for Bible believing churches, but once one is converted the majority believe and teach, "We are all sinners and even as born-again believers, we sin every day in thought, word and deed. Yes, we should strive for spiritual perfection, but we will never achieve it as long as we are in our earthly body." Is this statement in alignment with the scriptures? Well, if you are a typical Evangelical, then this is true. But if this is true, then that would mean that once one is converted that they have a dual nature. The nature of God and the nature of the devil, the sin nature.

Few have realized what the believer's legal position in Christ is; who they are in Christ; and how the Father sees them in Christ. I have posted only a very small number of scriptures to help you understand that once you are born again you are no longer a sinner in God's eyes. The apostle 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." (Corinthians 5:17) First, we need to see that God says that the believer is a New Creation. What does that mean? The Apostle Peter tells us, "God has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 2:4) The believer, through the born again experience immediately becomes a partaker of God's nature for a purpose. To escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. To escape sin and its author, Satan, the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4)  

The apostle Paul continues, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." This means that the old man (old satanic, sinful nature) has died, has been put away, and now the believe has a new nature, "...the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24) If the believers new nature is the divine nature created according to God in true righteousness and holiness, then how can the believe be a sinner any longer? According to the Apostle John, "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God." (1 John 3:9) How can this be? You have been told your entire Christian life that you are a born again sinner and will always be a sinner as long as you live on planet earth. But this is not what the Bible teaches through the Apostles Paul, Peter and John' writings.

So what is the problem? The problem exists in two areas. First, the church has been very strong in teaching man his need of righteousness, but also teaches his weakness and his inability to please God, but has been sadly lacking in bringing the church forward to the truth of what and who the believer is in Christ. This is due to looking at the flesh (the five senses) rather than growing ones faith through the Word of God to believe God and not fleshly experiences. Secondly, it is coming to the knowledge that it is ones spirit that is born again and not the soul (mind, will and emotions) or the body. This is evidenced in many scriptures. For example, "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. And do not be 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 12:1-2) The Apostle Paul tells us to present our bodies to God and renew our minds. Naturally, we renew our minds through the Word of God which builds our faith (Romans 10:17) and is able to save our soul (mind, will and emotions (James 1:21). 

The body does not sin in and of its self. The body responds to sin as an act of the will, a result of the unregenerate soul, a mind the is not being renewed with God's Word. Therefore, a mind that is not being renewed with the Word of God, results in ungodly thoughts which will be acted upon in the body, which translates into sin. (James 1:14-15) When believers are constantly told that they are still sinners, they will continue to sin because they become filled with a sin consciousness. Trying not to sin, they always think of not sinning, becoming more cognizant of sin than righteousness. They let their thoughts rule their lives rather then their recreated spirit have the ascendancy over their soul and body. This is not grace at work, but the works of the law. Even if a believer thinks or acts out in sin, it no way means that they have a dual nature, one of God and one of the devil (sin). As a matter of fact, it is a believers choice to sin. (Romans 6:11-14) However, if they do, they can be forgiven and have the unrighteousness removed by God through repentance. (1 John 1:9)

Many have come to believe that the Apostle Paul was a sinner due to poor interpretation of Romans 7:15-23. In order to believe that Paul was a born again sinner based on this one passage of misinterpreted scripture, we would have to eliminate everything that he spoke in the seven and one half previous chapters of the Book of Romans, the rest of Romans, not to mentioned everything else that he spoke that is contrary to this erroneous belief in his other letters to the church. The Holy Spirit reveals to Paul and he records for us one of the most monumental things that refutes such teaching and sets the believer free, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

The old sinful, satanic nature of Paul (actually Saul before his conversion) was crucified with Christ, when Christ was crucified. Christ, not sin lived in Paul. Then he drives the point home, "the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Although Paul still lived in a body of flesh, he was more than a conqueror, (Romans 8:37); the body of sin was done away with (Romans 6:6); sin did not have dominion over him (Romans 6:14); he was recreated in the image of God (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24). So, how could he say these things, which are true, and live free of sin? He lived by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If you go back and carefully read the Book of Romans, you will no longer live in the realm of defeat due to sin. Instead you will live in victory through Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:57) You will truly understand what Paul meant when he said, "For freedom, Christ has set us free. Now walk in it." (Galatians 5:1) You will also begin to see how God sees you in Christ, not in your flesh. Because the real you, is your spirit. 

This is called "identification." Identification scriptures are throughout the New Testament and can be found in all the verses of scripture that say, "In Him"; In Christ"; In Whom"; and "Through Christ." Please take time to search the scriptures for these wonderful nuggets of truth and find your true identification as the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), not a sinner with no hope or no ability to please God our Father. Keep in mind, to believe Gods Word takes faith. The faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6) is spiritual and comes from a recreated spirit, not reasoning or intellectualism from a unregenerate mind. (The above barely touches the tip of the ice burg, if you will, when it come to who and what the believer is in Christ and how the Father truly sees them). Enjoy your freedom in Christ!!! 

Words

Did you ever notice that when you are around a person or group of people who talk negative, how it seems to weigh on you? For the most part, negative speech comes from people whose heart, their most inner person, has been either hurt or has been inundated most of their life with negative speech from those around them. Jesus tells us, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

Negative speech usually comes in three forms, blaming, murmuring and or complaining. People who continuously play the "blame game" blame everyone else for the problems in life that they experience. Basically, one goes through life not taking responsibility for anything. All they do is blame someone or something. This certainly is nothing new. As a matter of fact, the blame game started in the Garden of Eden immediately after the fall of man. "Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:9-13) Notice that the Adam blamed the woman and God and the woman blamed the serpent.

Murmuring is very similar to complaining. The difference is that one who murmurs speaks their distress, displeasure or discontentment in a low voice so that they are the only one that can hear clearly, whereas one who complains voices their distress, displeasure or discontentment loud and clear. The children of Israel were notorious for their murmuring and complaining against God, especially His way of doing things. "Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord..." (Numbers 11:1) "And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron..." (Numbers 14:2)

In the incidences shown above, we see that blaming, murmuring and or complaining come with consequences. Solomon tells us, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) For Adam and the woman, they lost their perfect and pure standing before God; were banished from the Garden; lost their spiritual dominion to their soul (mind, will and emotions); became spiritually dead and eventually died physically. (Genesis 3) For Israel, they took themselves out from Gods provision, protection and blessings and became prey for their enemies, both natural and spiritual, to have their way with them. (Deuteronomy 28)

It is very important that believers stand watch over their tongue for the same reason. Our words will either takes us captive, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth" (Proverbs 6:2) "A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." (Proverbs 18:7) or they will put us over, "A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth," (Proverbs 12:14) "He who guards his mouth preserves his life" (Proverbs 13:3) "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4) As we can see, negative speech has serious consequences whereas wholesome speak releases blessings.

The Apostle Peter tells us, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing" (1 Peter 3:8-9) Unfortunately, many believers never receive the blessings (promises) of God due their their constant blaming, murmuring and complaining. If you find yourself in the position of always looking at something or someone to blame, always murmuring and or complaining due to your distress, displeasure or discontentment, then it is time for you to have heart surgery. Not with a surgeons scalpel, but with the Word of God.

The Bible tells us, "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20)  "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) God's Word is so powerful that it heals the heart by revealing to us the things that are of the mind, will and emotions, which have not been born again, and the spirit, which has been recreated in the image of God in righteousness and true holiness. So. let the Word of God rule and reign in our heart so that we no longer "Let corrupt words proceed out of our mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all...        
   

Laboring Through Love

According to the United States Department of Labor, Labor Day, which falls on the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. From a life perspective, Labor Day for most means, summer vacation is over, students return to school, college and universities to begin a new year of learning, which labels Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer.

In a similar way, believers are called also too celebrate Labor Day but for more than one day a year. The Apostle Paul tells us, "And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) Who they were is not mentioned. However, it is evident that the church was not left without appointed persons to equip the saints for the work of ministry. We know that there were elders ordained over the church at Ephesus, and over the churches in Crete (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5), and that there were bishops and deacons at Philippi (Philemon 1:1), and here, "who are over you in the Lord" would lead us to believe that similar leaders would have been appointed in every newly organized church. 

In the King James Version of the Bible the phrase "recognize those who labor among you" is "know them which labor among you." This gives the idea of not only church leaders, but also those who labor as coordinators or head over ministries, those active in ministry, as well as elders, bishops and deacons. The word “know” carries with it the idea that the believers in the local church were not to make themselves strangers toward those who labor in ministry or to be ignorant of their needs. They should also seek to be personally acquainted with them and trust them concerning their own personal life as well as spiritual matters.  

"And admonish you" means, to put in mind; and then to warn, entreat, exhort. It is a part of the duty of church leaders to put the people in whom they serve and lead in mind of the truth; to warn them of danger; to exhort them to perform their duty; to admonish them if they go astray. As those who labor perform these duties, believers are to respond by "esteeming them very highly in love." Church leaders who are faithful in their office and function, can expect high regard from the believers they lead and serve, not because they deserve it, per se, but because of their unwavering labors. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy something similar, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." (1 Timothy 5:17)

Paul tells, of these laborers, "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) Here is a striking illustration of what church leaders are to do concerning the people they lead and serve. Church leaders are to labor over the people until Christ reigns wholly in their hearts. Church leaders who are truly called into the ministry will labor over the people they lead and serve not as a labor of struggle or because it is their "job," but as a labor of love. Paul tells us, "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1) The phrase "who are strong" means the strong “in faith” not limited to, but most likely church leaders who should not be novices, but be mature, strong in faith. They ought to bear; to lift up; to bear away; to remove; to bear with; to endure patiently, the weaknesses of the weaker believers. Church leaders should be willing to deny themselves to promote the happiness of others. 

So, this Labor Day let us be mindful, that as Christians, especially those called into the ministry, we are not to observe a day free of labor, but we are called to labor with one another in love, until Christ is formed in you. Happy Labor Days...   

Let's Talk Miracles 2

In part one we saw that an Angel of the Lord met with Gideon and Gideon blamed God for something that He did not do. Israel was under the oppression of an enemy, but God did not do this to them. The fact that Israel was under the oppression of their enemy came about through their choice to "do evil in the sight of the Lord" (Judges 6:1) which took them out from under God's protection and provision and opened the door to enemy oppression, the very thing that God said would happen if they were to reject Him. This also is one of the ways that the believers enemy, Satan, can get place in their life and cause all manner of havoc, that is, sickness, disease, etc. However, in the same way that Israel would be received back into God's provision and protection, the believer can also be restored to fellowship with God if they have permitted darkness into their life. It is through repentance.  (1 John 1:5-9)

The Angel of the Lord proceeds to tell Gideon, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:14) Also remember the Angel of the Lord had said, “...The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” However, look at Gideon's response, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15) Gideon's statement reveals another area in which many believers find themselves. Many either feel or have been taught that they are nothing more than sinners saved by grace. That they must muddle through life weak and beggarly because they will never be worthy before the Lord until they leave this life. That once born again, they just walk through life and no matter if things are good or bad, it is their lot in life. That they cannot expect any blessings or miracles to happen in their life unless God shows them some special, mysterious mercy. That all they can do is have hope for heaven where they can finally find relief from this cruel miserable life here on planet earth. This was pretty much the same sentiment that Gideon had.

The problem lies in the fact that Gideon as well as many believers do not see themselves the way God sees them. We know that God is incapable of lying, so when He said to Gideon, “...The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor! and "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” He meant exactly what He said. The unfortunate reality for most believers today, is, although the Bible gives almost countless references to who they are in Christ; their position in Christ; their rights and privileges that the Father has given them through Christ; and how the Father truly sees them, they do not believe it. In many sectors of the church, in order to teach righteousness, they have majored in teaching sin which has left many believers with a sin consciousness which promotes, guilt, shame, condemnation and inferiority. This in turn causes believers to live a life of faithlessness which has also opened the door to the devil who ravages them with his deception and lies.

For Gideon to be convinced that the Lord was with Him and that the things He has spoken were true  the Lord provided a sign. (Judges 6:17-22) God will not ask us to do something that his grace cannot give us the ability to accomplish. Honestly, His grace is in abundance and it gives us the power and ability to do His will. However, this was not enough for Gideon. He also asks God for another sign. The sign of "putting out the fleece." (Judges 6:36-40) Although Gideon may have lacked in faith in the Word of the Lord, God still proved Himself through a sign. For the believer, the Apostle Paul records, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17) and the Apostle James tells us, "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) It is God's Word that builds our faith. God Word is like a seed that is to take root in our lives. When this occurs it saves, (satisfies, cures, make well, preserves, protects) the soul, (mind, will and emotions).

Finally, Gideon gathers an army of thirty two thousand men, but for the Lord to do a miracle and for man not to claim that is was through their abilities, the Lord reduces the army to three hundred men. (Judges 7: 1-7) The army that far outnumbered Israel was now defeated by the Lord and fled. Although it took some time for Gideon to muster the faith in a miracle working God to set Israel free from the enemies oppression, he still went forward and witnessed the strong and mighty arm of the miracle working God.

God has not changed! (Malachi 3:6) His Word has not changed (Hebrews 13:8) God has not stop performing miracles. But like Gideon at first, many in the church do not believe that God still performs miracles through His church. They also struggle to believe what the Bible says concerning who they are in Christ; their position in Christ; their rights and privileges that the Father has given them through Christ; and how the Father truly sees them. The good news is, this can all be changed. Gideon had to seek for a sign, he did not have the Bible, he was he filled with the Holy Spirit nor did he have the use of the Name of Jesus, but believers have all of these things. Instead of being like the Apostle Thomas, have such great doubt that we have to see to believe (John 20:25)  we simply need to believe God at His Word and act upon it. We simply need to, "...hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) and our God, the miracle working God will once again work many miracles, even unusual miracles through His Children. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) PTL...          
    

Let's Talk Miracles

When we look throughout the many sections of the church, we find that there is generally three thoughts. Some believe that miracles can happen, but it depends as to whether God wants to do a miracle or not. Some believe that miracles past away along with the Apostles of the early church and some believe that miracles are still a vital part of the church. When we look through the Old Testament, the earth ministry of Jesus and the ministry of the early church, there is no doubt that God is a miracle working God. That He not only used Jesus to perform miracles, but also ordinary, frail and imperfect people. But God sees people in a way that most do not see themselves. The Apostle Paul tells us, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty." (1 Corinthians 1:27) This is not saying the people that God uses are foolish to Him, but they seem foolish to people who think they are so wise and knowledgeable. The Book of Judges tells us of such a story. 

Not to long after God had given Israel the promised land and warned then who it was that gave them "...large and beautiful cities which they did not build, houses full of all good things, which they did not fill, hewn-out wells which they did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which they did not plant and when they had eaten and were full, not to forget the Lord who brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage." (Deuteronomy 6:10-12), but they did. (Judges 6:1) In doing this, they had taken themselves out of the Lords protection and provision and fell prey to their enemies. During this time an Angel of the Lord appeared to an Israelite name Gideon who was hiding from the Midianites in a winepress threshing wheat. The Angel of the Lord said to Him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” (Judge 6:11-12) 

Gideon's response it typical to many in the church today, "Gideon said to Him, O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." (Judges 6:13) Many feel as though God doesn't care. That He has brought sickness, disease and disaster upon the earth. After all, if God is all powerful, if He is a God of love, why does He let these things happen? Let's remember, Israel forsook the Lord and went their own way. They chose to take themselves out of the Lords protection and provision, which opened the door to their enemies. This was not God's doing but their poor choice. As a matter of fact, at the conclusion of Judges, even after all the chaos that came with their poor choices we read, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25)

We also see in Gideon's response to the Angel of the Lord, that he accredits God as a miracle working God based on the reports that had been spoken from one generation to the next. The fact is, God had not stop performing miracles, Israel lost they faith in a miracle working God by choosing to follow the way's of the world. We also see Gideon blame God for the present state of Israel. He says, "...the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." Once again, we see in the words of Gideon, the typical response of many in the church today. Although they may not directly say that it is Gods fault, they say the same thing that Gideon said indirectly by saying it this way, "this sickness, disease, disaster, etc., is God's Will, so I just have to accept it. The reason for this thinking is always followed by "God is sovereign." The fact is, God is the supreme King. He has all authority. However, we must always keep in mind that God does not use His sovereignty to operate above or outside of His Word. 

The Bible records many references of the steadfastness and immutability of God's Word. For instance, "My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips." (Psalm 89:34). "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89) Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Mark 13:31) God's Word is just as powerful and unchanging today as it was when it was first spoken and it will always be. Like the children of Israel, believers today fall prey to and are taken advantage of by Satan and his demonic forces due to their misunderstanding of God and his Word. Also as Israel, they have learned to put their faith in the world more than in the unchanging, miracle working God. As Jesus said to the religious of His day, "Jesus answered and said to them, are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?" (Mark 12:24) 

The Apostle Paul tells us that the believer is to "Put off the old nature (sinful nature prior to being born again) and to put on the new nature which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:17-26) He goes on to tell us that when believers give place to their old sinful nature that it gives place to the devil, the enemy. (Ephesians 4:27) The oppression that Israel faced was just that. They rejected the Lord and lived life by doing was seemed right in their own eyes, the fallen, old nature. Though they were not born again, they were still God's chosen people and He promised to take complete care of them if they walked in His ways. For the enemy oppression to be lifted from Israel, all that was required was for Israel to repent from their sin and turned back to God. (2 Chronicles 7:14) 

The same is true for the believer today. The Apostle John tells us that sin (darkness) breaks fellowship with God (1 John 1:1-6) But if the believer "walks in the light as the Lord is in the light, they have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses them from all sin." and "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7, 9)  Satan has no place in the believer who walks through faith in Jesus Christ. In the same manner, God will work miracles through believers who have faith in a miracle working God. Of course this takes faith in the integrity of God's Word. The Apostle Paul tells us, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) PTL...

God's Giants

After Israel was supernaturally delivered from the bondage of Egypt by the mighty hand of God we see something very notable that took place at their departure.  "He (God) also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes." (Psalm 105:37) Not only did they leave Egypt with great wealth but their was not one person lacking in physical or mental strength and vigor. While Israel made their way through the wilderness, God not only led them, but provided for their every need. Finally, they reached the wilderness of Paran where the Lord instructed Moses to send out twelve spy's, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Numbers 12:16, 13:1-3) Upon the return of the twelve spy's we see that the report of ten was, "...we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants)..."(Numbers 13:33) These giants were giants in the physical sense. But God has raised up other giants. Men and women who were giant (so to speak) in the spirit. 

Looking back at the history of man in the Old Testament, we see the Lord revealing Himself supernaturally through frail, imperfect people. The earth walk of Jesus reveals God the Father's will again through the supernatural. The gospels reveal numerous miracles through Jesus that, like in the Old Testament, it was God the Father's way of revealing Himself. Also, during His earth ministry He gave this supernatural power to His Apostles as well as seventy other disciples. Finally, the earth ministry of Jesus ended, but it was not over. In the Book of Acts and on the Day of Pentecost the ministry of Jesus continues to be carried out in the church. We get to see some of these spiritual giants such as, the Apostles Peter and Paul as well as Stephen and Philip. We also see the supernatural power of God working through them. Men who were by no means perfect in the natural sense, but who were being perfected through their faith, love and desire to serve the Lord Savior, Jesus Christ. 

From the Day of Pentecost and continuing to present (until the return of Jesus), we find documented evidence of men and women who decided one day to believe the Scriptures rather than the doctrines of man and were used of God in the realm of the supernatural. These spiritual giants were no different than those in the early church. They also were frail and imperfect, but they also had an affinity for God above all else. Like their predecessors, they also lived with persecution, not just from the world, but unfortunately, from the religious within the church. Some finished their course well and others not so well. Yet the impact that they had globally, especially in the church still lives today. 

Church history reveals many of these giants of faith were raised up by God to bring reformation and restoration to the church which also impacted the world. Shortly after the civil war, once again God raised up many of these giants of the faith. The impact they they brought is what we call revival. Millions gave themselves to the Lord. Countless numbers received miracles and some raised from the dead, just like the ministry of Jesus and the early church and yet they were greatly criticized by the faithless religious. Some of these giants are, John Alexander Dowie, Marie Woodworth-Etter, Evan Roberts, Charles F. Parham, John G. Lake, William J. Seymour, Smith Wigglesworth and Aimee Semple McPherson.  

The Lord used these believers and others to usher in one of the greatest moves of the Holy Spirit since the Day of Pentecost. In fact, this move of God was named the Pentecostal movement. It was a reflection of the daily activities of the early church with the glory, presence and power of God manifesting, which brought much of the church, in a sense, back to its beginnings. Unfortunately, ignorance, unbelief and complacency has once again crept back into the church to where the supernatural works of God are once again downplayed, despised and rejected by another generation of the religious in the church. But the good news is, the supernatural has not left the church. The Apostle Peter tells us, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:19-21)   

The times of refreshing and restoration will come to the church before the Master returns. He is coming back for a church filled with faith, fully dedicated to Him. A church that is sanctified and cleansed by His Word (not mans doctrine). A glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but a church that is holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-28) So, if need be, let us repent from our lack of faith and be like John the Baptist and prepare the way of the Lord. 

The Battle Is Ours

The Bible makes it quite clear, that the church is in a battle against darkness. However, it is important for believers to see their position in Christ so that they can "fight the good fight of faith." (1 Timothy 6:12) Typically, there are three views that believers have of the church…

The Defeated Church: This view is based on experience, on what the five senses can comprehend and assimilate. Even though the Bible says it to be true, if I don’t experience it, then no matter what happens, good or bad, it must be God’s will. It comes out of ignorance of the believer’s position in Christ. When a believer does not know their position in Christ, their faith is neutralized.

The Militant Church: This view depicts the church as still battling and trying to gain our victory over an enemy. It acts as though the enemy has not been fully defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ. This view comes by taking Matthew 11:12 out of context and producing an unscriptural meaning or interruption.   

The Triumphant Church: This view is the Biblical view of the church. Believers know their position in Christ; that they are seated with Christ in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (Ephesians 1:20-21, 2:6) The believer who knows their position in Christ is not defeated nor do they need to be militant. They simply uphold and enforce their redemptive rights and privileges in Christ.      

To some, this may be easily said, but most often difficult to carry out. Believers need to be fully convinced that what God’s Word says is absolutely true now and forever. "My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips." (Psalm 89:34) "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89) "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

God's Word is just as powerful today as it was when it was first spoken. However, Satan does not want the church to know this fact. So, he uses the same tactic today as he used in the Garden of Eden, “Did God Say?” (Genesis 3:1) His tactic is for believers to question the integrity of God’s Word by getting them to reason, “Did God really say…Is it really God’s Will…You do not deserve God’s promises…If God really loved you this would not have happened…No matter what the devil says or how he says it, it is always an attacked against the integrity of God’s Word.

With all the demonic activity that goes on, it is vital that believers know what their redemption in Christ entitles them to. Believers need to be fully convinced that they have been given the same authority over all the works of the devil in the same manner and level that Jesus had when He walked this earth. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19) Matthew tells us what Jesus said after His resurrection and before His ascension. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18) If all authority has been given to Christ, then it stands to reason His church also has authority because we are His body.

The Bible lists 30 names given to Satan which reflects his nature, such as…
The adversary (1 Peter 5:8); A Thief (John 10:10); A murderer and liar (John 8:44); The accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10); The ruler of this world (John 12:31); The prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2); The god of the world system (2 Corinthians 4:4) It is Satan who is the author of all sin, all sickness and disease and all manner of evil, not God! Unfortunately, many believers have accused God of being the author of evil based on one verse of scripture."I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things." (Isaiah 45:7 KJV) This tells us that God directs judgments, disappointments, trials, and calamities; he presides over adversity as well as prosperous events. The passage does not prove that God is the author of moral evil or sin, and any teaching that promotes such attacks the character and nature of a Holy God.

The Bible tells us that God is…
The God who sees (Genesis 16:13); God Almighty (Genesis 17:1); The Lord who provides (Genesis 22:13-14); The Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26); The Lord our Banner (Exodus 17:15); The Lord who Sanctifies (Exodus 31:13); The Lord who does not lie (Numbers 23:19); The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24); The Lord who does not afflict (Job 37:23); The Lord our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1); The Lord who is good (Psalm 34:8); The Lord our deliverer (Psalm 34:17); The Lord who is merciful and gracious (Psalm 103:8); The Lord who is full of compassion and good to ALL (Psalm 145:8-9); The Lord our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6); The Lord who does not change (Malachi 3:6); The Lord who gives good things (Matthew 7:11); The Lord of life (John 10:10); The conqueror of Satan (Colossians 2:15); The Lord who is faithful (Hebrews 10:23); The God of love (1 John 4:16)…The conqueror of death and hell (Revelation 1:18)… To name a few…

Jesus said, "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
The church has the keys; the church has the authority; the church has the name above all names, Jesus; the church has been endued with the power of the Holy Spirit; and the church has God's Word that is living and powerful. So, let’s take our position as the triumphant church and uphold and enforce all that Jesus did. Let us never again give Satan even an infinitesimal amount in our lives, our families nor the church and take our position in Christ as the triumphant church that we are…