“For
out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt 12:34). We know
that what comes out of our mouths is what we believe and that our faith is strengthened
by hearing the word: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word
of God” (Rom 10:17).
So,
let’s build up our faith by hearing some words that God says about us. We are
sons and daughters of God, children of God and joint heirs with Jesus (Rom 8:14;
16-17). We are his (God’s) work of art (Eph 2:10). We are new creations (born again)
in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus was triumphant over all the powers of
darkness (Col 2: 15). In Christ we have the victory over those powers of darkness
(1 Cor 15:57). We have been conveyed from the kingdom of darkness into God’s
kingdom of light (Col 1:13) We sit in heavenly places with Jesus (Eph 2:6)
Greater is he (the Holy Spirit) that is in us than he (satan) that is in the
world (1 John 4:4).
These
words were written to us, about us; my, how God loves us. Meditate on these words
and speak them out, let them build up your faith.
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“And
ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Ex. 19:6; KJV).
These are the words that God spoke to Moses. One of the responsibilities of the
priests was to minister to the Lord in praise and worship.
As
you know things in the Old Testament are a type and shadow of things in the New
Testament. In 1 Peter 2:5 we read: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a
spiritual house, an HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”. Spiritual sacrifices refer to worship and
praise. In v.9 of the same chapter it tells us that we are a: "royal
priesthood" and that we are to proclaim the praises of God.
The
priests in the Old Testament led the praise and worship as I said but now, WE
are the: “royal priesthood”, so we can do this for ourselves, we can: “sing
unto the Lord a new song” (Ps 96:1), we can be a people: “singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19). It’s up to us though, we have to
make a decision to do it; our flesh doesn't always feel like it. However, it
says in Hebrews 13:15 that we need to make the: "sacrifice of
praise". I think that means we are supposed to do it whether we feel like
it or not.
In
Psalms 22:3 King David wrote that God: “inhabitest the praises of Israel”. This
has the sense that God comes down, settles down and invades our very presence when
we praise him! I don’t know about you but I surely desire that intimacy with
our heavenly Father.
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Check
out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way:
Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more
encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.
“Ye
are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith
shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and
to be trodden under foot by men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is
set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a
bushel, but on a candle stick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your father which is in heaven” (Matt 5:13-16; KJV).
As Christians,
we are to be salt, we are to shine as lights in the world we live in. Those who
watch us should see a difference, should be led to say, what is it about you, I
need what you have?
We
should not hide our lamp under a basket; in other words, we should not be
intimidated but be bold and shine. We should ask ourselves have we lost our
saltiness, are we shining brightly for the Lord?
His
love, his life-giving power and presence in us should shine out (Phil 2:13 and
15). Look at how God’s presence shone through Moses after he had met with God
(Ex 34:29). God wants to show his plan and purpose through us, his church, even
to all the evil principalities in the heavenly places. (Eph 3:10).
Let’s
allow Gods presence, his word and power to change us today and shine through
us.
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God
does not leave us alone (John 14:15-18). He sent us his Holy Spirit, his power
(Acts 1:8). Jesus received the same Holy Spirit when John the Baptist baptized
him in water (Matt 3:16). Jesus needed this power to flow from him when he
ministered upon the earth (Luke 8:46).
We
are told that this is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and that
this power will bring life to our mortal bodies: “But if the spirit of him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead
shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rom
8:11). This Greek word for power is where we get our English word dynamite (Eph
1:19-20). We have his dynamite power on the inside of us!
As
we discover God’s promises to us in the Bible and step out in faith, the Holy
Spirit can go to work to change us and use us. Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I
say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and
greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12).
Yes, he said that we are empowered to do the same works as he did on this earth
and even greater works! Let’s allow his power to change us and flow from us to
a hurting world.
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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
Isaiah
40:31 is a wonderful verse: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagle; they shall run, and not be
weary; they shall walk, and not faint” (KJV).
One
spring Jean and I were parked in our car on the south end of Waskesiu lake in
Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, having our prayer time.
There were 6 or so golden eagles feasting on dead fish out on the melting ice.
After a while the eagles took off and gave us 30 minutes of the most glorious
flying and gliding display right in front of and over our car. What amazing,
powerful and graceful creatures; such colors and majesty, such strength. Isaiah
40:31 truly came alive for us. God is so obvious to all in his creation (Rom
1:20).
This
is the strength he has for us. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isa 41:10)
It's God that does the strengthening and holds us with his hand. God tells us
not to fear, he is the one who fights our battles for us (Deut 31:6).
And,
yes, this is New Testament as well: "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me" (Phil 4:13). Did you notice that was all things not some
things? Trust God, cast your cares on him and lean on his strength today. We
can't do it on our own, my, how we need our God.
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this on to someone. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.