Saying or Living?

Our walk counts far more than our talk, always!

George Müller

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Faith

Faith

 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:1 (KJV)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Heb 11:6 (KJV)

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 (KJV)

    Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. I’m sure you’ve seen this many places. Have you ever seen a Hindu, Islamic, or Buddhist doing their ritualistic chants—you know that they have faith because it is evidenced by what they do. It is not saving faith in Christ Jesus, but none the less it is faith. You can’t see someone’s faith, it is a substance of something you’re hoping for and evidence of things not seen.

      Jesus is the object of your Faith. The Holy Spirit is transforming us and conforming us to the image of Christ. All this is evidenced by our good works that now come from a heart full of love for our Master. That is faith. Faith is not merely belief, as many teach. Faith is precisely what God defines it in Romans 11:1—nothing more and nothing less.

       Without Faith it is impossible to please God. The one who comes to God must believe that God exists AND that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Do you believe God exists? That is a necessary requirement of Faith in Him. Do you believe that God rewards those who diligently seek Him? You must if you have Biblical Faith.

        Lastly, God has dealt to each Believer a certain measure (amount) of Faith. But even a mustard seed of Faith can move mountains! Don’t try to “enlarge” your Faith through unbiblical teachings or practices. Increase your Faith by walking with the Lord and digging into His Word.

 

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

 

       We don’t accept Christ because we understand everything God did through Jesus. There are many, many Scriptural prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, but we don’t have to know them all to accept Christ. We become Christians by Faith in Christ. We are to live by Faith, not by sight. You don’t need to be an “intellectual,” just to trust like a simple child—it’s by Faith.

You Are Known the Same Way Children are Known

You Are Known the Same Way Children are Known

 

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Prov 20:11 (KJV)

 

     A child is known by who he is. Does he do what is right and true? What’s his speech like? Is he kind? In the same way, we are known for who we are. Whether in the context of ministry, business, family, friendship, or serving, you are known by your doings—just like a child: whether your work is pure and whether it is right.

Real Faith

Real Faith

   A person who claims to be a Christian yet don’t believe that God is sovereign in all realms of life has a contradiction in their belief system. If God does not have any guidelines and plan for a certain area of life, then He is not a sovereign (all powerful) God. When this false mindset of having to take matters into one’s own hands is accepted, Faith is thrown out the window. This does not just apply in the issue of creation vs. evolution, but to the world of dating (take matters into my own hands and tests people out to find a spouse) vs. courtship (seeking the Lord first and listening to Him when he brings the right person along and confirms it through my authorities).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

 

I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me. Isaiah 45:5 (KJV)

 

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Isaiah 45:9 (KJV)

 

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Psalms 139:1-6 (KJV)

  

  God’s Word is inerrant (STOP AND READ: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Titus 1:2) and reveals that God wants to have a relationship with us where we are is fellowship with Him and guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus has left and He is coming back! But Jesus has not left us empty handed. He has given us a Guide, a Comforter, a Counselor, a Friend, a Convicted and that person is the Holy Spirit, the Helper and guarantee of our eternal inheritance. Read the verses below with a listening heart:

 

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father Galatians 1:3-4 (KJV)

 

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26 (KJV)

 

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Galatains 4:3-5 (KJV)

 

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV)

 

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 16:13-15 (KJV)

Yielded Ground

    Yielded Ground. The Bible tells us not to give place, that is opportunity to the Devil (Eph 4:27). When we do, we yield ground in the domain of our heart. Bitterness, lust, envy, fears, hate, discouragement, and depression our matters of our heart. They are the fruit of Satan getting his foot in the door. When we trust in the Lord, we have peace that passes all understanding. Is there something you’re struggling with? Examine your heart in the a quiet, solitary place before the Lord.

 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7 (KJV)

   Remember the things that you have learned in your Walk. Recall with Joy that your names are written in Heaven! Recall the fact that God is sovereign and reigns over all. There is no logical reason to worry when God holds everything in His hand. Nothing can defeat God’s perfect will.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you

Phil 4:8-9 (KJV)

 

     Have you surrendered “ground” in the domain of your heart to the world, the flesh, or the devil? Examine yourself in a quiet place. Get still before God. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you have violated guarding the gate ways of your soul (your eyes and ears that pave the way to your mind and heart). Some areas to consider if you have given Satan an opportunity in are: the music you listen to, the people you are buddy-buddy with, talk shows, podcasts, false prophets/teachers you sit under, books you read, television programs, advertisements, businesses, organizations/people you are partnered with.

      Re-read the Scriptures mentioned today. Are you letting the Peace of God reign in your life? Whatever is not of Faith is sin (Romans). Let the Peace of God rule (call the shots) in your life.

 

 

Thought 321: Only You from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 321

Only You

  Only you can fulfill your calling, because only you have the right equipment and experience given to you by God to overcome and accomplish all that He has for you.

  Do you know what your Spiritual gifting(s) as a Believer is? What talents do you have?—you have at least one  Most importantly, what is Holy Spirit prompting you to do right now, even if you feel totally unprepared: what is your passion? Pray about it, the Lord will direct you. God does want to use you as a light to others. Ask Him “how Lord?” Then see where He gives peace (even if you experience attacks of peace from the enemy, but now in your spirit that He has given you peace to do something).  When He answers, do what He says.

·        Act in Faith: that is, believe what God tells you.

·        Walk in Peace: that is, only go and do where God gives you peace in your Spirit. If you don’t have peace, don’t move.

·        Wait patiently and endure suffering as a good soldier of the Lord.

Lastly, GO and STAND (Matthew 28:19-20 and Ephesians 6:10-19)



 

Thought 312: As a little Child from Ryan's devotional book series Thougths

Thought 312

As a little Child

 

Faith, like a little child?

What can it mean?

      Children have great faith! They trust and believe that their earthly Daddy will take care of them. In the same way, we should come to the Lord with the heart and mind of a little child—gladly placing our faith in our Heavenly Father.

 

Thought 248: Our Expectations from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 248

Our Expectations

    Are your expectations in line with the Word of God? In our modern culture, rationalism and humanism abound. Rationalism trusts the mind of its user—logic is its all-consuming idol. Humanism vaunts itself up as a form of atheism which contributes success to your actions and yours alone by saying that God had no role in helping or equipping you to accomplish or excel. Amidst a world full of scientific rationalists and self-confident humanists it is very easy to fall prey to their philosophies. Today, take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to help you to examine your heart for any false expectations you have and delve into the Word to learn what God’s proper expectations are for you.

Thought 240: Hebrews 11 from Ryan's devotional book Thoughts

Thought 240

Hebrews 11

Really listen to this passage…

      Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

       By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

     But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

      By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

       These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

       By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.  

         By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

       By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

      And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11 KJV

Thought 236: Trials, Tribulations, and Faith from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 236

Trials, Tribulations, and Faith

  Trials are simply testing periods during our walk with God. Just like with Job, Satan, has to receive God’s permission to torment or take something away from you. The Lord sometimes grants these requests to our Enemy and it is often difficult to understand why (and if we ever understand it is usually after the testing has occurred). For example, did Abraham not understand why God told him to sacrifice his son—Isaac was a gift!—yet God told Abraham to sacrifice the young man. . The command of the Lord did not make sense, but Abraham knew that God was speaking to him, not some Satanic messenger. So Abraham OBEYED in faith. Abraham had faith because he lacked the reason or evidence of why God was asking him to do such a thing, yet he believed it.

 Ultimately, Abraham’s obedience foreshadowed the coming of Christ our Savior. Christ was the final sacrificial Lamb upon an altar to the Lord. Only the ultimate sacrifice of God’s very being, who was in a human form, can rapture us to the Lord after our earthly death. Remember, this world is not our home, and our earthly death is merely the beginning of our eternal bliss with a Loving, gracious, and Merciful Lord, who is also Sovereign, Just, and Eternal! Hardship was necessary for Abraham and our Lord Jesus, we need not fear it, but endure it and place our faith in God’s wisdom and plan.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” 1 Peter 4:12 KJV

Thought 229: 'name it, claim it'- WRONG from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 229

‘name it, claim it’- WRONG

  How many times have you heard the “name it, claim it” philosophy? The real question is, is it Biblically sound or not and does this mindset have anything to do with a something called Faith?

God will provide for all our needs, however, God does not say that He will provide everything that we want. Here are some Scriptures that prove it:

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25 KJV

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 KJV

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:1-3 KJV

²⁵ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

²⁶ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

²⁷ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸ And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹ And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Matthew 6:25-34 KJV

     Naming what you want and claiming it as yours is not Scriptural and it is not based on faith because real faith rests in the power of God to do His will, not in a God who is an order machine.

Thought 210: The Word from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 210

The Word

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:22-27 (NIV1984)

  Meditate on what this verse means in relation to your own life.

Thought 195: “Faith Like Potatoes” from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 195

“Faith Like Potatoes”

Wow! This is one of the great Christian films of recent times. It is a powerful movie, with real life struggles. Please make it your goal to access a copy of Faith Like Potatoes and watch it soon. Before you watch ask the Holy Spirit to speak you and listen for His voice.

Thought 192: We live by faith, not by sight from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 192

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV1984

       We don’t accept Christ because we understand everything God did through Jesus. There are many, many Scriptural prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, but we don’t have to know them all to accept Christ. We become Christians by faith in Christ. We are to live by faith, not by sight. You don’t need to be an “intellectual,” just a simple child—it’s by faith.

Thought 184: Mark 10:17 from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 184

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:17 (NIV1984)

Have you ever asked this question? It is the most important question of your life.

Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”  Mark 10:18-31 (NIV1984)