Fwd: "....Faith Is...."

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand...."(Ro. 5:1, 2a, from yesterday's first quarter reading)

My justification for acceptance into the Family and Kingdom of God is, "by faith," simply believing everything spoken, "through our Lord Jesus Christ," Who Himself is, "The Word of God."  Everything" integral to what the Bible calls, "the faith of Jesus," is, "the faith of Jesus," not of me.  Now I am called to exercise that Faith, but it is resident only in Jesus Christ.  Faith is believing, trusting, obeying Jesus Christ, "The Word of God;" forgive me, but it is that simple.  Now it is not as though I'm an expert, but I can read, and all my reading of the, "God-Breathed," Words tells me this.  For too many people the attempt at the "faith-life" is like pushing the old workout sled in football, grunt, grunt, grunt, "come on, five more yards!"  For too many, it is an attempt to find that right "worthiness," that right "confession," that right mental comprehension that will pivot us into the realm of, say, a Smith Wigglesmith, who is often referred to as "The Apostle of Faith." 

Yet there was nothing "magical," or cleverly formalized about Wigglesmith's faith.  He once said, "If it is in the Bible, it is so.  It's not even to be prayed about.  It's to be received and acted upon.  Inactivity is a robber which steals blessings.  Increase comes by action, by using what we have and know.  Your life must be one of going on from faith to faith....How can one come to possess great faith?  Now listen, here is the answer to that: First, the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.  Faith must grow by soil, moisture, and exercise" (emphasis mine).  I repeat, Fellow Believer, our faith is, "the faith of Jesus."

If Jesus Christ is resident in you and me, so is, "the faith of Jesus."  You and I need not struggle, conference and book ourselves to death.  "Be still, and know that I am God....We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."  He is saying to you and me today, "The faith you seek is My Faith, and, as I have said to you, 'If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.'"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I surrender any of my faith for Your Faith.  Amen.

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There Are Several Great New Prophetic Articles at: www.apf327.blogspot.com

Unreached People Group of the Day: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"....Faith on Man's Part...Generosity on God's"

"The whole thing, then is a matter of faith on man's part and generosity on God's.  He gives the security of his own promise to all men who can be called 'children of Abraham', i.e. both those who have lived in faith by the Law, and those who have exhibited a faith like that of Abraham.  To whichever group we belong, Abraham is in a real sense our father, as the Scripture says: 'I have made you a father of many nations'.  This faith is valid because of the existence of God Himself, who can make the dead live, and speak his Word to those who are yet unborn." (Romans 4:16, 17-- J. B. Phillips Translation)

I received a KJV from my paternal grandparents when I was six years old.  I started reading it as soon as I could, because, of course, my Granddad "hung the moon."  Anyway, when I was 15, my Dad gave me a Phillips Translation of the New Testament, and every night before I went to bed I read a chapter.  One night at our high school football camp, one of the guys noticed that I was reading from it as well as the old E.U.B devotional, "The Upper Room."  He asked what I was reading and when I told him, he said, "Why don't you read it to all of us."  The Senior cabin captain objected that it might offend his Serbian Orthodox tradition.  Whatever, Phillips had a great impact on my young life.

The text today reveals the great truth of Jesus' statement, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."  This is how Old Testament people were "saved."  They looked forward to the appearing of Jesus; we look "back."  They looked forward to the Cross; we look back.  But it is all about Jesus Christ, His Passion, His Blood, His Cross, His Death, His Resurrection, His Second Appearing.  Muslims all around the world are having visions of Jesus.  Just because we have not heard it ourselves, does not mean that it is not happening to Hindus, Buddhists and people of other religions.  Paul told the people of Lystra, "....but He never left them without evidence of Himself and His goodness."  Maybe some say, "What about those who never heard."  I say, How do you know they haven't?!?   

The Holy Spirit tells us in Galatians, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree') that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith....Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham?"  Prior to today's text, we read in the Amplified Bible, "For he is not a [real] Jew who is only one outwardly and publicly, nor is [true] circumcision something external and physical.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and [true] circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual and not a literal [matter].  His praise is not from men but from God."  This last statement it key.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am so very thankful that even though all of us Gentiles, "....at that time...were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without [You] in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  Amen.

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"First They Came For the Catholics": www.apf327.blogspot.com

Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

  

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"The LORD Is My Shepherd"

"The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)

I am taking some powerful meds for a bad sinus infection, and did not sleep well last night.  I was running through my head (and heart) some of the Psalms I have memorized.  Our text was one of them.  Glorious memorization of elementary days in Sunday School, but no one, not even super apostles, ever outgrows the blessing and need of this most famous of Psalms.

The Amplified says, [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack."  I heard Derek Prince once say that the literal Hebrew translation is, "The Lord-My Shepherd-no want."  The word, "want," means "no lack, no decrease."  Jesus is My Good Shepherd, and no one takes care of a sheep like, "The Lord My Shepherd," Jesus.  In Jesus Christ there are, "green pastures," and, "still waters," i.e., "waters of resting."  And what is so wondrous to all hurting people today, "He restores my soul."

Do you need restoration today?  You have "it" in Him, Jesus.  "He restores my soul," and the soul of all those who humbling seek Him.  Another Psalm of memorization says, "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek."  To all the humble who, "Seek ye my Face," restoration is yours.  What does, "Seek My Face," mean?  He does not tell us; it is ours to discover.

Father, in Jesus' Name, You are my Refreshing and Restoration, my, "green pastures," and my, "waters of resting."------------- "no lack," is mine.  Amen.

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"Our World and the Washington Establishment": www.apf327.blogspot.com

Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com ;

  

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"Men WILL Fear the Name of the Lord" Jesus Christ

"From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.  For He will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along." (Isaiah 59:19, NIV)

The KJV puts the emphasis on, "When the enemy shall come in...."  But from all I have researched over the years, the "emphasis" here is The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, "For He will come."  I know I emphasize this ad nauseam to some, but Biblical Theology reveals that there is only, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism," ----- not an Old Testament "Lord" and a New Testament, "Lord," or, "faith," or, "baptism."  God is One, Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  When Father speaks, it is His Word, as in the Word revealed in Revelation, "dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is the Word of God," Jesus.  I love sound theology.

Our text is of course prophetic.  Christ's first appearing was to the Jews and Gentiles, and, not the least, to Satan Himself, "like a pent-up flood that the breath (Holy Spirit) of the LORD drives along."  This was the Devil's undoing; this was the nations' undoing, and it was the undoing of rebellious Jews also.  In other words, Universe, you can get on or get run over, it is your choice and your choice alone.  But be assured, "He will come like a pent-up flood." 

Earlier in Isaiah 59 we read, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear."  So, you see, the section begins with a promise to, "us who are saved," and a threat to those who are unbelieving.  The passage goes on to reveal the utter moral depravity of the human condition, "rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived....Truth is nowhere to be found."  We are then told, "The LORD looked and was displeased," with all of this.  "He was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so His own arm worked salvation for Him, and His own righteousness sustained Him."  The passage concludes with our text; from the "four corners" of the earth, "men will fear the name of the LORD," Jesus Christ.  Hang in their, weary traveler, the dam is about to break!

Father, in Jesus' Name, Let it break.  Amen. 
Great Article on World Jewry: www.apf327.blogspot.com

Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

Welcome to Comfort Inn

"So He said, 'I will certainly be with you.  And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.'" (Exodus 3:12)

Notice that the Word of God always speaks of things done.  We tend to pray, think, and speak of things that might be.  Let me paraphrase.  "'And this shall be a sign to you,' concerning all I say.  When it comes to pass, and it certainly will, then you will know that My Words always come to pass; therefore, there should never be any doubt in your mind that what I speak is already DONE." 

I preached in Exodus 3 & 4 this past Sunday.  The phrase, "I will certainly be with you," has been staying with me.  It looks like a simple phrase, but nothing God says is "simple."  He wrote the book on profundity.  "Certainly," or beyond all doubt, or you can base your entire life on this, "I will be with you."  What more did Moses need? What more do you and I need?----- "Certainly, I will be with you."

What, "The Word of God," Who is Jesus Christ, spoke to Moses on the backside of that mountain, He would later say to His first century disciples, and to all, "those who believe in His Name....I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you."  This is unimaginable, unspeakable joy and glory.  This, my friend, is what the Cross made possible, "I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you."  In Jesus Christ, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me," is changed to, "for Thou art [in] me."     

If someone is with me, they may come and go.  Jesus Christ is in me; hence, His Presence does not.  He is "where" I am, not just somebody's meetings.  The Living Triune God, Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit is in me.  I don't leave His Presence or come to His Presence, because I do not leave Him or come to Him.  Because of the Cross, the Blood of Jesus, all Followers of Jesus can boldly say, "I will fear no evil; for Thou art [in] me."  In America we have a hotel chain called "Comfort Inn."  This is "Comfort IN"------------------- and you and I are there.

Father, in Jesus' Name, no greater miracle, no greater mystery, no greater joy than, "Thou art [in] me."  

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Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

"Righteous Among the Nations": www.apf327.blogspot.com
       

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2