Us all, broken pieces hiding shame, blame, scars
Like Dumpty waiting for the kings' men
Intsy tumbling down the water spout
No one sees the cracks, the scars from fall and tumble
Smiles deceive, dances divert, gait allures
But us alone, feel the bones through the skin
Us alone, shame and ashamed
I could not get it done, in one go!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
INFATUATION
Hot flashes, stolen kisses
Breathless wonder
Priceless surrender
Slave to your touch
Fluid movements,
Lazy stretches in the sunlight,
Darkened rooms,
Captured by your grace
Unhurried whispers,
Timeless moments
Intimate discovery
Arrested by your heart
Breathless wonder
Priceless surrender
Slave to your touch
Fluid movements,
Lazy stretches in the sunlight,
Darkened rooms,
Captured by your grace
Unhurried whispers,
Timeless moments
Intimate discovery
Arrested by your heart
Thursday, October 14, 2010
RIGHTEOUSNESS & PRAISE
Have you ever come across Isaiah 61:11, it says ‘for as the earth brings for the its bud, as the garden causes things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations!’ Quite a promise isn’t it?
God has deposited so much in our lives! From day 1-not the day you were born, I daresay not even the day you were conceived- but long before that. When He laid the foundations of the earth, long before time began. When He began to consider the creation of the cosmos, when He thought about bring the universe into being, He structures your end before you began. In Him you exist…! [Selah]
God never embarks on investments that will end in futility [Phil 4]. Every investment God makes yields positive returns. He watches over them to perform them! Like Pastor Paul Adefarasin would say ‘there is a Word over your life’ and God watches over this Word to perform it!
Every investment God makes in your life is like a seed sown into the ground. And like a true gardener He tends the seed/plant until the right fruit is produced- in this case righteousness and praise!
Jesus is our foundation, the Solid Rock upon which we stand! Indeed, you are hid in Christ in God! You are planted in Christ so to say! Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone! We have become the wheat fallen to the ground (Jesus- where we are planted), there we die (we are buried with Him- Rom 6:4), there- in Christ we experience the power of resurrection! In resurrection we find righteousness and praise!
The change from a seed to a tender shoot is a mystery. As is the change from a life that is dry, without form and void to a life of righteousness and praise! A wise man once said that only God know the mystery of the transformation of a man from a sinner to a saint! And so is the mystery of the crucified and resurrected Jesus!
It is a mystery, but God can and will perform this miracle! Everything revolves around Him. He is the one who draws us in, and causes (note this word was used twice in once verse, thus showing the emphasis on process and the fact that the change is totally wrought by God!) to be transformed to something beautiful (see Ecclesiastes 3:11a).
The only path to righteousness and praise in our lives is death! A death like Paul alluded to ‘I am crucified with Christ… but Christ lives in me..’ I am not saying go out and commit suicide! I am saying kill your flesh; let your flesh have no dominion over you any longer. Be alive to God and dead to the flesh!
The life of righteousness and praise is a glorious life! It’s Zoë- God’s kind of live. It is the touch of the divine! And the process righteousness and praise is: DEATH – BURIAL – RESURRECTION
Jesus could not be glorifies before He died, man cannot be imputed with this righteousness purchased by Jesus unless he walks the same path.
When we pray ‘lead me in the paths of righteousness’ we are literally saying ‘lead me in the paths of your death, through to your resurrection’ That was what Paul meant when he said ‘that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death! (Philippians 3:10). The power of resurrection is the full power of the Holy Spirit!
God has deposited so much in our lives! From day 1-not the day you were born, I daresay not even the day you were conceived- but long before that. When He laid the foundations of the earth, long before time began. When He began to consider the creation of the cosmos, when He thought about bring the universe into being, He structures your end before you began. In Him you exist…! [Selah]
God never embarks on investments that will end in futility [Phil 4]. Every investment God makes yields positive returns. He watches over them to perform them! Like Pastor Paul Adefarasin would say ‘there is a Word over your life’ and God watches over this Word to perform it!
Every investment God makes in your life is like a seed sown into the ground. And like a true gardener He tends the seed/plant until the right fruit is produced- in this case righteousness and praise!
Jesus is our foundation, the Solid Rock upon which we stand! Indeed, you are hid in Christ in God! You are planted in Christ so to say! Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone! We have become the wheat fallen to the ground (Jesus- where we are planted), there we die (we are buried with Him- Rom 6:4), there- in Christ we experience the power of resurrection! In resurrection we find righteousness and praise!
The change from a seed to a tender shoot is a mystery. As is the change from a life that is dry, without form and void to a life of righteousness and praise! A wise man once said that only God know the mystery of the transformation of a man from a sinner to a saint! And so is the mystery of the crucified and resurrected Jesus!
It is a mystery, but God can and will perform this miracle! Everything revolves around Him. He is the one who draws us in, and causes (note this word was used twice in once verse, thus showing the emphasis on process and the fact that the change is totally wrought by God!) to be transformed to something beautiful (see Ecclesiastes 3:11a).
The only path to righteousness and praise in our lives is death! A death like Paul alluded to ‘I am crucified with Christ… but Christ lives in me..’ I am not saying go out and commit suicide! I am saying kill your flesh; let your flesh have no dominion over you any longer. Be alive to God and dead to the flesh!
The life of righteousness and praise is a glorious life! It’s Zoë- God’s kind of live. It is the touch of the divine! And the process righteousness and praise is: DEATH – BURIAL – RESURRECTION
Jesus could not be glorifies before He died, man cannot be imputed with this righteousness purchased by Jesus unless he walks the same path.
When we pray ‘lead me in the paths of righteousness’ we are literally saying ‘lead me in the paths of your death, through to your resurrection’ That was what Paul meant when he said ‘that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death! (Philippians 3:10). The power of resurrection is the full power of the Holy Spirit!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Boldness
I spent some time studying Isaiah 49:1-2 ‘Listen, O coastlands to me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called me from the womb; from the matrix of my mother He has made mention of my name. And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He has hidden me, and made me a polished shaft in His quiver He has hidden me’. I was struck by how bold God is!! This may seem like something one ought to know (I know some people would be asking where I just dropped from- of course God is bold- He is God after all!!). But it really does stand out to me! Largely because I am expected to be mirror image of God here on earth, I am one of His rightful representatives- His ambassadors her on earth! And sadly ‘bold is not a word I’d use to describe myself!
People who serve God are not lily-livered, they are not timid or shy- scared maybe but this fear never dominates their lives. It never stops then from stepping out to fulfill their purpose. Deborah, Gideon, Elijah, Elisha, Nehemiah, David, Isaiah, Samuel, Paul, Peter, John … all had that quality of God. They were all bold- as long as a word came from Jehovah, they went on and proclaimed it!!
What gave these mere men this God kind of boldness? I don’t believe it came solely from the ‘laying on of hands’ nor were they born bold (look at Peter, Gideon and Jeremiah). We become bold when we know who we are in relation to God. When you know who backs up your words. When you have a living revelation of who God is (Dan 11:32) – ‘those who know their God shall be strong…’
Boldness in the heart of a disciple comes from revelation knowledge! A truth about yourself revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. We need revelation knowledge that:
1. God has called you!
You are part of ‘the called’ Paul referred to in Romans 8:28. You are called according to God’s purpose for your individual life, and you have a part to play in the salvation of the world. Say this to yourself a couple of times, believe it, and ruminate on the truth therein: ‘I am called, I am here on Purpose’.
2. God has put His word in your mouth!
Revelation! The Holy Spirit energizes the word in your mouth! (Don’t for one minute imagine that the Word is yours!) Hence Isaiah saying that his mouth is like a sharp sword.
This presupposes that the ruling factor of your life really is the Holy Spirit! He makes all things possible. In fact He makes the call possible! And this Word that God has put in your mouth does not just remain there, it goes forth to perform God’s (not your) purpose! The sword cuts, convicts, divides and destroys the works of the enemy. This Word cannot do anything without the Holy Spirit energizing it!
3. You are protected!
A Man/woman of purpose called in God’s will is dangerous to the plan of the enemy. Especially when you know the Word and the Holy Spirit and use this revelation to frustrate the works of the enemy upon the earth. Therefore God organizes supernatural protection for you! Nothing that happens to you happens without Gods permission and prior knowledge (see Job), He actually sanctions all that you go through and are going through right at this moment! SO please do not let fear cripple you, your calling or your destiny! If we really know this truth, then we can be strong and go ahead and do Gods will!
4. I am anointed!
He anointing is the Holy Spirit evidenced in your life! It empowers you and equips you to live in your full capacity as a child of God upon the earth. An anointed man always his target- hence he’s like an arrow! He’s designed to fly through the enemy lines and hit his mark- the sender’s purpose! When you are pulled from the quiver, you are called, God grants supernatural protected as He fires you and you sail towards your target on the strength of the Holy Spirit; then you hit your mark!
A realization if these points equip us to walk in boldness to fulfill our call and do our masters bidding!
Confession…
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! I am God’s battle-axe and weapon of war upon the earth! I have a word of reconciliation in my mouth and am called to a ministry of reconciliation! I am the called according to purpose and all things work together for my God!!
People who serve God are not lily-livered, they are not timid or shy- scared maybe but this fear never dominates their lives. It never stops then from stepping out to fulfill their purpose. Deborah, Gideon, Elijah, Elisha, Nehemiah, David, Isaiah, Samuel, Paul, Peter, John … all had that quality of God. They were all bold- as long as a word came from Jehovah, they went on and proclaimed it!!
What gave these mere men this God kind of boldness? I don’t believe it came solely from the ‘laying on of hands’ nor were they born bold (look at Peter, Gideon and Jeremiah). We become bold when we know who we are in relation to God. When you know who backs up your words. When you have a living revelation of who God is (Dan 11:32) – ‘those who know their God shall be strong…’
Boldness in the heart of a disciple comes from revelation knowledge! A truth about yourself revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. We need revelation knowledge that:
1. God has called you!
You are part of ‘the called’ Paul referred to in Romans 8:28. You are called according to God’s purpose for your individual life, and you have a part to play in the salvation of the world. Say this to yourself a couple of times, believe it, and ruminate on the truth therein: ‘I am called, I am here on Purpose’.
2. God has put His word in your mouth!
Revelation! The Holy Spirit energizes the word in your mouth! (Don’t for one minute imagine that the Word is yours!) Hence Isaiah saying that his mouth is like a sharp sword.
This presupposes that the ruling factor of your life really is the Holy Spirit! He makes all things possible. In fact He makes the call possible! And this Word that God has put in your mouth does not just remain there, it goes forth to perform God’s (not your) purpose! The sword cuts, convicts, divides and destroys the works of the enemy. This Word cannot do anything without the Holy Spirit energizing it!
3. You are protected!
A Man/woman of purpose called in God’s will is dangerous to the plan of the enemy. Especially when you know the Word and the Holy Spirit and use this revelation to frustrate the works of the enemy upon the earth. Therefore God organizes supernatural protection for you! Nothing that happens to you happens without Gods permission and prior knowledge (see Job), He actually sanctions all that you go through and are going through right at this moment! SO please do not let fear cripple you, your calling or your destiny! If we really know this truth, then we can be strong and go ahead and do Gods will!
4. I am anointed!
He anointing is the Holy Spirit evidenced in your life! It empowers you and equips you to live in your full capacity as a child of God upon the earth. An anointed man always his target- hence he’s like an arrow! He’s designed to fly through the enemy lines and hit his mark- the sender’s purpose! When you are pulled from the quiver, you are called, God grants supernatural protected as He fires you and you sail towards your target on the strength of the Holy Spirit; then you hit your mark!
A realization if these points equip us to walk in boldness to fulfill our call and do our masters bidding!
Confession…
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! I am God’s battle-axe and weapon of war upon the earth! I have a word of reconciliation in my mouth and am called to a ministry of reconciliation! I am the called according to purpose and all things work together for my God!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
TRUSTING THE UNFAMILIAR
Sometimes…- No! Most times we expect God to appear to us or lead us in the old way, in a familiar fashion – we always seek and require a formula ‘always two shakes and a twist of lime’, “one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s”’. All in our attempt to squeeze God into a box, to shrink Him whose feet are larger than the entire earth to fit into our image and expectations!
Moses knew God- talked to God face to face even! He knew God’s ways – yet he always went to God to inquire the next step- ever wonder why he didn’t just say ‘oh I know God, I’m familiar with His ways, I know He’ll do so and so this way or that way, He’ll react in this way in this situation, so that is what I’d do because I think that is what God would do!’
Abraham was called a friend of God! The only man in the entire bible given this lofty title! Abraham walked with God! He could testify to God’s goodness, God’s kindness, God’s generosity etc. He’d be the first to tell you that God is the source and giver of life. He’d even convince you that God was Life – as evidence he’s show you Sarah’s rejuvenated womb, and Isaac!! Yet he was asked of God to murder Isaac! Permit me to ask- ‘Abraham does this sound like the God you know and love?’ I wonder how confused this command (and it was a command from God not a suggestion!) made him? Many of us would have started ‘binding’ the devil telling us such lies! But guess what? Abraham obeyed!!! The instruction and method was not familiar, it was downright uncomfortable, and frightening but he obeyed!! Why? Because it came from God and Abraham trusted God! He recognized God’s voice. Do you know the voice of our Shepherd?
How does one turn away from the familiar and seek the eternal? Simple… -well not so simple because it’s all so easy to say it, but action in this vein is all so elusive! - TRUST!!
When a trusting wife notices that her husband is acting out of character towards her, when others would suspect some fowl play, she’s at peace because she trusts her husband. She knows that he’d never be unfaithful to her or do anything that would harm her! Proverbs 3:5-6 talks of ‘trusting God with all of your heart’ and not relying on what you already know (the familiar). Instead, in all things you do, you involve (acknowledge) God- the end result is that He’ll ever fail you; He’ll lead you and direct you! You won’t fall flat on your face when you go one way thinking He’s there when He’s not! Be so flexible in God’s hands that whether it is rain, sun, thunder, fanfare or silence you will not miss the voice of God. He can reach you in all of these ways – like a mighty rushing wind, a still small voice, a loud voice like trumpet, as the sound of many waters…Get familiar with God Himself – trust Him!!
In a nutshell, my keys for trusting God are:
Do not rely on what you think you already know!
God is beyond the laws governing our puny lives/nature, and He’ll break them to get to you if need be (Isaiah 43.3)
Always acknowledge (include) God in everything you do!
This is not only in major decisions! I rely on God to show me what to ware each day! He’s really interested in even the most mundane things in your life.
Moses knew God- talked to God face to face even! He knew God’s ways – yet he always went to God to inquire the next step- ever wonder why he didn’t just say ‘oh I know God, I’m familiar with His ways, I know He’ll do so and so this way or that way, He’ll react in this way in this situation, so that is what I’d do because I think that is what God would do!’
Abraham was called a friend of God! The only man in the entire bible given this lofty title! Abraham walked with God! He could testify to God’s goodness, God’s kindness, God’s generosity etc. He’d be the first to tell you that God is the source and giver of life. He’d even convince you that God was Life – as evidence he’s show you Sarah’s rejuvenated womb, and Isaac!! Yet he was asked of God to murder Isaac! Permit me to ask- ‘Abraham does this sound like the God you know and love?’ I wonder how confused this command (and it was a command from God not a suggestion!) made him? Many of us would have started ‘binding’ the devil telling us such lies! But guess what? Abraham obeyed!!! The instruction and method was not familiar, it was downright uncomfortable, and frightening but he obeyed!! Why? Because it came from God and Abraham trusted God! He recognized God’s voice. Do you know the voice of our Shepherd?
How does one turn away from the familiar and seek the eternal? Simple… -well not so simple because it’s all so easy to say it, but action in this vein is all so elusive! - TRUST!!
When a trusting wife notices that her husband is acting out of character towards her, when others would suspect some fowl play, she’s at peace because she trusts her husband. She knows that he’d never be unfaithful to her or do anything that would harm her! Proverbs 3:5-6 talks of ‘trusting God with all of your heart’ and not relying on what you already know (the familiar). Instead, in all things you do, you involve (acknowledge) God- the end result is that He’ll ever fail you; He’ll lead you and direct you! You won’t fall flat on your face when you go one way thinking He’s there when He’s not! Be so flexible in God’s hands that whether it is rain, sun, thunder, fanfare or silence you will not miss the voice of God. He can reach you in all of these ways – like a mighty rushing wind, a still small voice, a loud voice like trumpet, as the sound of many waters…Get familiar with God Himself – trust Him!!
In a nutshell, my keys for trusting God are:
Do not rely on what you think you already know!
God is beyond the laws governing our puny lives/nature, and He’ll break them to get to you if need be (Isaiah 43.3)
Always acknowledge (include) God in everything you do!
This is not only in major decisions! I rely on God to show me what to ware each day! He’s really interested in even the most mundane things in your life.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Power of Love
And I am not talking about the Luther Vandros song!
‘Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…. Romans 13:8
Something profound happened to me lately, when I was confronted with the choice between being bitter, resentful and unforgiving or loving the person who had hurt me. I am sure you all know (of have heard) how hurtful office politics can be, anyway needless to say that I was a victim of office politics. Oh! I had a pity party, shed a few tears of resentment, but I thank God for his mercy. While praying about the situation it was impressed upon me my debt to this person/s that had harmed me (they really did not harm be, but set me up for a major breakthrough) was to love them. Remember Paul saying that we owe no many anything but to love him? Romans 13:8.
God reminded me of my debt to them, to love them – no questions asked. Love inspite of the hurt, inspite of my tears, inspite of the fact that I had done nothing to deserve this treatment (sound familiar?)
I realized something, that when I make a case for myself, and fight for myself I effectively remove God from the equation? Are you aware that real children of God pray even for their enemies? (Matt 5: 43-45) It is expected of you to pray for them that persecute you!
Going back to my testimony, and experience of the power of love; to my utmost surprise when I accepted my duty/debt to pray for these fellows, I felt genuine peace flood my heart. To my amazement the bitterness was gone, the anger turned to laughter. And I got reassurance from God’s word that the scepter of oppression has been broken off my life and will not rest upon my portion. (Isaiah 14:5, Ps 125:3) And whatever oppression or injustice against me will not last! This is my promise, are you working in love? What is YOUR promise?
I am aware that many of us have years of hurt and pent up frustration and bitterness, almost like dark clouds perpetually looming over our heads. It’s almost oppressive – imagine the devil has used people to oppress you and YOU further compound this oppression by allowing unforgiveness and bitterness fester in your heart. Do you want to get out from under this oppression? Do you need confidence in the fact that you are a child of God in truth and practice? Then you have to love! Love them that hurt you, persecute and malign you. How do you love?
Pray- Pray for those who hurt you, bless them and do not ever curse them.
Speak God’s Word – Wage warfare with God’s word. Find out what God’s word says about you, your situation and your oppressors, and speak this same word in faith into your situation and circumstance. And please try to avoid speaking evil about these people.
Praise God – Give God praise. Worship Him in all situations – including the one you have found yourself
Remember that the weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. So fighting a fight of love, engaging the power of love does not make sense to the natural mind, but to the spiritual, it makes all the sense in the world. Capice?
‘Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…. Romans 13:8
Something profound happened to me lately, when I was confronted with the choice between being bitter, resentful and unforgiving or loving the person who had hurt me. I am sure you all know (of have heard) how hurtful office politics can be, anyway needless to say that I was a victim of office politics. Oh! I had a pity party, shed a few tears of resentment, but I thank God for his mercy. While praying about the situation it was impressed upon me my debt to this person/s that had harmed me (they really did not harm be, but set me up for a major breakthrough) was to love them. Remember Paul saying that we owe no many anything but to love him? Romans 13:8.
God reminded me of my debt to them, to love them – no questions asked. Love inspite of the hurt, inspite of my tears, inspite of the fact that I had done nothing to deserve this treatment (sound familiar?)
I realized something, that when I make a case for myself, and fight for myself I effectively remove God from the equation? Are you aware that real children of God pray even for their enemies? (Matt 5: 43-45) It is expected of you to pray for them that persecute you!
Going back to my testimony, and experience of the power of love; to my utmost surprise when I accepted my duty/debt to pray for these fellows, I felt genuine peace flood my heart. To my amazement the bitterness was gone, the anger turned to laughter. And I got reassurance from God’s word that the scepter of oppression has been broken off my life and will not rest upon my portion. (Isaiah 14:5, Ps 125:3) And whatever oppression or injustice against me will not last! This is my promise, are you working in love? What is YOUR promise?
I am aware that many of us have years of hurt and pent up frustration and bitterness, almost like dark clouds perpetually looming over our heads. It’s almost oppressive – imagine the devil has used people to oppress you and YOU further compound this oppression by allowing unforgiveness and bitterness fester in your heart. Do you want to get out from under this oppression? Do you need confidence in the fact that you are a child of God in truth and practice? Then you have to love! Love them that hurt you, persecute and malign you. How do you love?
Pray- Pray for those who hurt you, bless them and do not ever curse them.
Speak God’s Word – Wage warfare with God’s word. Find out what God’s word says about you, your situation and your oppressors, and speak this same word in faith into your situation and circumstance. And please try to avoid speaking evil about these people.
Praise God – Give God praise. Worship Him in all situations – including the one you have found yourself
Remember that the weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. So fighting a fight of love, engaging the power of love does not make sense to the natural mind, but to the spiritual, it makes all the sense in the world. Capice?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Put on that kettle...
Have you ever put a kettle of water to boil and come back in fifteen minutes to find to your shock and dismay the kettle and indeed the water therein still as cold as when you left it? Why? Because someone (you?!) forgot to light the fire or put the kettle on! This is a common occurrence for most people; we don’t get the desired result because we do not do what is necessary on the onset to get that result.
I spent some time reading the eleventh chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews a while a go and one thing that stood out to me was that reoccurring phrase ‘by faith’! You can also say ‘through faith’ or as a result of faith; meaning that faith must of necessity work on the raw material to give you a desired outcome or product! Therefore faith is an active agent! Faith is the electricity, the light, and the fire beneath the kettle that boils the water upon it! The texture, temperature, form and even characteristics of the water changes when you introduce the fire. The form, texture, and characteristics of your struggles, trials, and life can and will change when faith is brought into the equation.
I am dismayed when believers define faith as ‘the substance of things …’ literally quoting Hebrews 11:1 (we are all guilty of this I assure you!). Dismayed because we quote without personal knowledge! I believe this only gives us the quality and manner of faith, rather than the real form of faith. Because Faith is not faith until there is a corresponding action (lighting the fire beneath the kettle believing that that action will cause the water to boil!). Faith then is believing and acting on your belief! Simple isn’t it? What then do you believe? What action have you taken in light of your belief!
Then again, we need to examine what we believe! Wrong belief is like putting an empty kettle on the fire, you risk burning your home! The fire will burn, but there is no water in the kettle! The Bible tells us that we should believe only the report of the Lord! We should only take to heart and meditate on those things God has said. Therefore, what should you believe? You should believe that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, you are the head and not the tail, a victor and not a victim, you are healed by the stripes of Jesus, and the list goes on! If you believe anything other than this, you will not get your desired result of righteousness, a sanctified life, victory, success, health, kids, husband, job etc
Many of us are living beneath our potential because we do not realize the potential of faith. Hebrews 11:33-34 talking about the heroes of faith says:
“… who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
God has made you a King and a priest in this world, you not only can but are expected to subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain for yourself Gods promises to you, do everything in Heb11:33-34! And the doorway to these exploits is …you got it! –FAITH!! When you believe you can do these things simply because God says you can, and you live out your belief, practice and walk in the reality of the truth you believe no thing can stop you! You will get what you believe. Your faith will cause that that you have entrusted to it to change texture, temperature, form and even characteristics you will obtain the promise!
But where is the source of faith? Is it imparted by the laying on of hands, or is it gotten by inspiration? Faith quite simply is a gift from God, imparted in measure to believers. God gives every man a measure of faith, but you can increase your measure! You can build your faith; you can expand your horizons to receive even more from God than you hitherto have! You can your measure of faith by simple study and meditation (pondering and muttering Gods word to yourself until that word and the truth therein sinks into your spirit and your heart and you become one with the word) of Gods eternal word. Not just knowing the word, but KNOWING (as you know your breath and life) the word – bible scholars will call this Rhema!
I spent some time reading the eleventh chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews a while a go and one thing that stood out to me was that reoccurring phrase ‘by faith’! You can also say ‘through faith’ or as a result of faith; meaning that faith must of necessity work on the raw material to give you a desired outcome or product! Therefore faith is an active agent! Faith is the electricity, the light, and the fire beneath the kettle that boils the water upon it! The texture, temperature, form and even characteristics of the water changes when you introduce the fire. The form, texture, and characteristics of your struggles, trials, and life can and will change when faith is brought into the equation.
I am dismayed when believers define faith as ‘the substance of things …’ literally quoting Hebrews 11:1 (we are all guilty of this I assure you!). Dismayed because we quote without personal knowledge! I believe this only gives us the quality and manner of faith, rather than the real form of faith. Because Faith is not faith until there is a corresponding action (lighting the fire beneath the kettle believing that that action will cause the water to boil!). Faith then is believing and acting on your belief! Simple isn’t it? What then do you believe? What action have you taken in light of your belief!
Then again, we need to examine what we believe! Wrong belief is like putting an empty kettle on the fire, you risk burning your home! The fire will burn, but there is no water in the kettle! The Bible tells us that we should believe only the report of the Lord! We should only take to heart and meditate on those things God has said. Therefore, what should you believe? You should believe that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, you are the head and not the tail, a victor and not a victim, you are healed by the stripes of Jesus, and the list goes on! If you believe anything other than this, you will not get your desired result of righteousness, a sanctified life, victory, success, health, kids, husband, job etc
Many of us are living beneath our potential because we do not realize the potential of faith. Hebrews 11:33-34 talking about the heroes of faith says:
“… who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
God has made you a King and a priest in this world, you not only can but are expected to subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain for yourself Gods promises to you, do everything in Heb11:33-34! And the doorway to these exploits is …you got it! –FAITH!! When you believe you can do these things simply because God says you can, and you live out your belief, practice and walk in the reality of the truth you believe no thing can stop you! You will get what you believe. Your faith will cause that that you have entrusted to it to change texture, temperature, form and even characteristics you will obtain the promise!
But where is the source of faith? Is it imparted by the laying on of hands, or is it gotten by inspiration? Faith quite simply is a gift from God, imparted in measure to believers. God gives every man a measure of faith, but you can increase your measure! You can build your faith; you can expand your horizons to receive even more from God than you hitherto have! You can your measure of faith by simple study and meditation (pondering and muttering Gods word to yourself until that word and the truth therein sinks into your spirit and your heart and you become one with the word) of Gods eternal word. Not just knowing the word, but KNOWING (as you know your breath and life) the word – bible scholars will call this Rhema!
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