dickbraswell

          Faith really does work.  However, we need to un­derstand some basic principles about the Spiritual world and the Natural world.  Faith is a spiritual force.  It works first in the spiritual world before it is manifested in the natural world.  Let me attempt to explain.

          There are, right now, two separate and dis­tinct worlds in existence and they are existing simultaneously.  They are real.  They exist side by side and they exist now.  The one world we are most familiar with is the natural world.  This is the world that we see.  This is the world that relates to our five physical senses.  This world is easy to believe and re­late to because we can see it, feel it, hear it, smell it and taste it.  It is the natural world. 

However, there is also an­other world, just and real and just as vital as the natu­ral world.  It is the spiritual world.  It is more difficult for us to understand and relate to because it is unseen.  It does not relate to our physical senses.  It is invisible and spiri­tual.  But just be­cause we cannot see it does not mean it is “not there.”  We cannot see air, but we know it is pre­sent.  Electricity is invisible (apart from lightning) but we know it is real.  We cannot “see” many of the suns, moons, stars, planets and galaxies that are in our uni­verse, but we know they are there and they are real.   We cannot see our brain or our heart or our mind or our internal physical organs, but we know they are there because we are alive and functioning. Therefore, just because we can­not “see” something does not mean that it is not “there.” 

The Bible tells us about things that are in­visible.

For the invisible things of him from the cre­ation of the world are clearly seen, being under­stood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without ex­cuse: Rom. 1:20   

Who is the image of the invisible God, the first­born of every creature: Col. 1:15  

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and in­visible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Col. 1:16   

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisi­ble, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1Tim. 1:17    

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Hebr. 11:27  

          The spiritual world is just as real as the natural world.  Physical forces and physical beings work in and relate to the natural world.  Spiritual forces and spiritual beings work in and relate to the spiritual world.  Faith is one of the spiritual forces that works in the unseen spiritual world.   Here are some interesting verses that of­ten cause trouble for the Believer:

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 18:19    

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matt. 21:22    

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glori­fied in the Son. John 14:13  

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14  

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7  

And in that day ye shall ask me noth­ing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. John 16:23  

          May be we have “asked” and nothing seemed to happen.  We may have even “asked in Jesus’ Name” and still nothing appears to have happened.  Did you ever sin­cerely “ask in prayer, believing” and still got “no answer?”  Perhaps the Word abides in us as far as we can tell, and when we pray, no answer seems to come.   What is wrong?  What is the matter?  What is the hold-up? 

Look at it this way:

          We did get an answer.  We just cannot “see” it yet.  It was just as God said it would be in His Word.  The thing we need to understand is that the answer came in the spiritual world.  This is the world we cannot “see” into.  But it is real.   It is just as real as the natural world.  Now, what we must do is see it with our “faith eyes.”  Remember what the Bible says about “walking by faith?”

For we walk by faith, not by sight:  2Cor. 5:7    

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2Cor. 4:18   

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1   

          We need to be totally convinced that it (the an­swer that is presently in the spiritual world) is “on the way” to being manifested in the physical world.   We do not need to keep on pray­ing about it and asking for it be­cause we do not “see it” in the natural world with our natural eyes.  The Bible thing to do is to thank God for the answer and praise God for the answer even before you ex­peri­ence it in this world.  It really is on the way.  When will it get here?  Remember the delay Daniel’s prayer had because of the conflict in the heaven­lies?

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to under­stand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Dan. 10:12   

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia with­stood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Dan. 10:13  

          Actually, three things are happening as we wait for our answer.

First, God is working. 

He never puts us on “hold.”  He hears and He begins to work in our be­half.  We may not know it or be aware of it, but He is doing things and moving things and working things out in the spiritual realm that will answer our prayer and mani­fest our miracle.  Thank Him for actively “processing” your case.  Give Him time to get it done.  Do not blame Him for not hear­ing.  He always hears.  He never slum­bers or sleeps.  His ear is always inclined toward us and our in­terces­sion.

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, there­fore will I call upon him as long as I live. Ps. 116:2    

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall nei­ther slumber nor sleep. Ps. 121:4  

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isa. 65:24   

Second, Satan is fighting.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph. 6:11  

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph. 6:12   

          The powers of darkness are warring against our an­swer.  They will fight, complicate, hold up and hinder in any way possible just to keep us from receiving our an­swer.  Just as the Prince of Persia withstood Daniel’s prayer, so will these same prin­cipalities and powers with­stand our praying, our asking and our believing.  But that does not mean that God has not heard and that He has not an­swered our asking.  Satan is fighting.  demons are warring.  Principalities and powers are resisting and complicating and hindering.  But we have power over all the powers of the devil.  Therefore, we can bind and we can loose and we can keep on be­lieving.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and what­soever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.   Matt. 16:19    

Third, our patience is being developed. 

This is probably the hardest part.  Waiting.  Waiting without get­ting discouraged and disappointed.  Refusing to get mad at God or to blame God or to doubt His Word… all these are very hard to do if we do not see immediate results to our praying and be­lieving. 

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Rom. 8:25   

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebr. 10:36   

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:3  

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4  

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who pros­pereth in his way, be­cause of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Ps. 37:7  

          Here are some things we can do while we wait:

          We can understand that our waiting is developing pa­tience: (hupomone “cheerfulness, en­durance, con­stancy”).  According to James we should count this “all joy” (Jas 1:2)

          Hold on to hope.  Hope believes that better things are on the way.  Hope knows that changes for the better on coming soon.  Hope is optimistic and expectant. 

          Know that God is faithful (trustworthy).  God will honor His Word.  God will al­ways perform what He Promises.  “God is faith­ful…”  is the Magna Charta  of the New Testament Church.  He will not fail us.  He will not forsake us.  He will show up and deliver us in time and at the right time.  

The Bible is a record of God’s faithfulness.  “In the full­ness of time…”  There is a “time” set aside for every pur­pose and every answer.  Do not frustrate God’s Grace by getting impatient.  Impatience has birthed many Ishmaels.  Taking over before God gets through can be disastrous.  Let “patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect (teleos: com­plete, full grown) and entire (complete in every part, perfectly sound, whole), wanting nothing…”  (James 1:4)

          There is a way of escape.   God is faithful.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Cor. 10:13  

He will not allow us to be tempted more than we can stand.  But with every temptation, He will also make a Way of escape.  Remember, Jesus said:  “I am the Way…”  (Jn 14:6)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the en­emy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19  

          Nothing shall by any means hurt us.  No evil shall come near the place we dwell…

Because God is faithful!

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thou­sand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.  Psa 91:7     

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isa. 54:17  

Remember the Word.  Recall  the Word.  Rehearse the Word.  Exercise it like you exercise your mus­cles.  Use it.  Let it rise up out of your spirit.  Temper the Word with aggressiveness.  Be offen­sive and attack your hard situation with the Revelation God gives you in His Word.  “It is writ­ten…”  “God says…”  “The Word declares…”  “God, you said…”  “Father, You promised…”   Say the Word and say it out loud so that God can hear it and you can hear it and your situation can hear it and the devil and demons can hear it. 

          Quit worrying.  At least 99% of the things we worry about never happen.  Settle in your heart that ev­erything is really all right.  Remember… “All is well.”  Satan exaggerates and intensi­fies and magnifies the negative.  God is in control.  The devil is a liar.  So whatever he tells us, the very op­posite is the truth.   If  he says you are going to lose, then the truth is you are going to win.  If he says you are going to fail, then the truth is you are going to succeed.  If he says you are terminally ill, then the truth is you are going to live and not die.  

          Worship Jesus.  Seek Jesus… not the answer to your problem.  The more we worship Him the less we think about our problem.  Sing.  Pray.  Bow before Him.  Pray in the Spirit.  Prophesy to your­self.  Worship God.

          Let’s summarize some of the things we have learned about Faith:

1.  We have faith.   God gave us faith.  Our faith is a gift from God and we have it right now if we are born again. 

2.  Faith is an attribute of God… it is a part of God’s nature and as God’s children we have received a nature like that of our Heavenly Father.  God is a Faith God and we are “partakers of His Divine Nature…” 1 Pet 1:4

3. Faith is developed by Hearing the Word of God.  Where the Word is abundant, Faith is strong and miracles happen.  No Word means no faith.  Little Word means little faith.  Much Word means great faith.  Faith is proportionate to hearing, be­lieving and doing the Word.

4. Faith has more power than facts. Faith is a first order force… it was here before facts were here.  God used Faith to make facts.  Faith has more power than facts.  Therefore, functioning faith will change, alter and negate facts.  Faith will cause facts to agree with the Word of God.

5.  Faith works.  Faith works for every believer.   If faith is not working for us and elevating us to the position of Reigning in Life, it is our own fault and failure.  We need to recognize this and correct it. 

NEXT: What Faith Does

Word for Today:  March 26

What God has sown

What God has planted in you is destined to come out of you.  It may be in seed form now, but it is time for the seed to grow into its fullest manifestation.

It’s in there.  It’s time for it to come forth.  It’s up to you.   Who will you be?  A King or a Kid?  A Seed or a Tree?

Name your dream.  Declare your intentions.  Speak with your mouth words that make things happen.  Faith words.  Word words.  God Words.  Heaven Words.

You will never exceed your declarations.  Your declarations determine your direction. Your declarations determine our destiny.  What you speak out of your heart will create or destroy.  Words are instruments of creation or destruction.  Words make things.

There are Life Producing Forces (seeds) inside every believer.  These forces are put in us by the Work of the Holy Spirit at the time we are Born Again.  They are seeds destined to grow and produce.  They are forces that need to be released into the world.  Into our families.  Into our relationships.  Into the total experience of our lives.

They are in me.  They are in every Believer.  However, seeds are worthless unless they produce.  One seed is not sufficient to sustain life by itself.  It takes many seeds which are planted in good ground to bring forth a crop that is sufficient to sustain victorious living.

The real challenge is to grow these seeds into maturity.  As God plants these Seeds in us, the enemy plants weeds. The purpose of the weeds is to choke out the seeds.

These seeds are the building blocks of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus prayed for the Kingdom to come and for the Will of God to be done ON EARTH just as it is presently being done in Heaven.  These Seeds will produce God’s Kingdom on earth when and if they are planted in good ground and if proper conditions for growth are present.

There is Something great in you

What Faith is

Faith is believing and believing is faith

There is an interesting Greek word used in the New Testament to de­fine faith.  If we really want to understand what faith is, it is necessary for us to look at the original language that is used to describe and explain it.  228 times of the 245 times “faith” is translated in the New Testament, this par­ticular Greek word is used.  It is pistis. And it means “con­viction of the truth of anything; believing.”   It means trust.  Confidence.  Assurance.  The word “believe” and “faith” come from the same Greek root and can be used interchangeably in the New Testament without corrupting the intended mean­ing of the term. 

Faith is a Gift from God

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it (faith)  is the gift of God:    Eph. 2:8   

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. Rom. 12:3  

          God gives us the gift of faith when we get born again.  When we were saved God made us partakers of His divine Nature.

Whereby are given unto us exceed­ing great and precious promises: that by these ye might be par­takers of the divine nature, having es­caped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Pet. 1:4   

          God imparted to us His very Nature at the time of our new birth and part of that divine Nature is the God-kind of faith.  Faith is an at­tribute of God.  Just as we received certain biological and genetic contributions from our parents when we were born naturally, we received certain Godly characteristics when we were born supernaturally.   We are   “re-gened” with God-characteristics at the time of our “regeneration.”  God birthed miracle-working and miracle-producing faith in us .  You have faith.  I have faith.  We have faith.  It is a gift from God to us.  It is the God-kind of faith.  It is supernatural and it will work miracles.

          Faith is believing God with corresponding action.  Faith is acting on the Word of God.  Faith is believing that God really means what He says.  Faith is the key to receiv­ing from God and Faith is the only way to please Him.

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  

          According to the Word, if we are saved, we have faith. God has given us this gift (Eph 2:8) and we have “the measure

of faith.” (Rom 12:3)

How much is a “measure” of faith?  It is enough.  Our measure of faith is enough.  It was enough to get us saved and that is the greatest mir­acle in all of creation.  If it was enough to get us saved it is surely enough to get us healed.  Or delivered.  Or made free.   Or anything else God has for us.  

Faith believes that God is a rewarder.  A rewarder is a giver.  The Biblical perspective of faith sees God as a good God.  As a loving God.  As a giving God.  As a father God.  God does not do bad things and the devil does not do good things. 

          Jesus said that if we had faith like a grain of mustard seed, we could speak to mountains and they would move and that nothing would be im­possible to us.

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matt. 17:20  

          Notice that Jesus said “if we had faith AS a mustard seed.”  He is not talking about quantity.  He is talking about quality.   In other words, Jesus is encouraging us to have faith like a mustard seed has faith.   What kind of faith does a mustard seed have? 

What is “mustard-seed” faith?  What kind of faith will it take for us to be able to speak to mountains and command them to be moved out of the way?   What kind of faith will it take for us to move into the “nothing shall be impossible to you” place?  It is to have the same kind of faith that the mustard seed has.  The mustard seed KNOWS that it is going to be a tree.  It may not look like one, appear to be one, or even resemble one.  But the mustard seed knows that it is, in reality, a tree. 

Because it knows that it is a tree, it acts like it is one… even before it is fully mani­fested.  Mustard-seed faith calls things that be not as though they already are.   And then, it acts on the reality of the Promise of God.  That is the kind of faith Jesus en­courages us to have.  Faith like the faith of a mustard seed.

How Faith is Developed

          Faith can be and needs to be developed.  According to the Bible, there are different kinds of faith.

          Great faith.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matt. 8:10  

When Jesus heard these things, he mar­velled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke 7:9  

          Little faith.

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? Matt. 6:30  

And he saith unto them, Why are ye f fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and re­buked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Matt. 8:26   

Matt. 14:31   And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among your­selves, because ye have brought no bread? Matt. 16:8   

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? Luke 12:28  

          No faith.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40  

Limited faith.

And he did not many mighty works there be­cause of their unbelief. Matt. 13:58   

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. Mark 6:5  

And he marvelled because of their unbe­lief.  Mark 6:6   

          Polluted faith.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebr. 4:2   

          Shipwrecked faith.

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made ship­wreck: 1Tim. 1:19  

          Great faith needs to be exercised in order to stay great faith.    Little faith needs to be developed into great faith.  No faith should be re­pented of and changed into great faith.  Limited faith needs to get out of compromise and away from doubt. Polluted faith needs to be puri­fied by the Word.  Shipwrecked faith needs to be repaired and protected. 

          Primarily, faith is developed by Hearing the Word of God. 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10:17  

Hearing (Akoe) means more than being aware of sound.  Hearing in this context means un­derstanding.  It also implies corresponding action.  Once the Word is heard, according to the Bible meaning of “hear” it is followed by corresponding action. 

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?   James 2:20     

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  James 2:26  

          So, when the Word is heard (acted on, fol­lowed by corresponding action) it develops faith.  Faith is devel­oped by hearing the Word of God.  As we “hear” the Word of God in this book, and then determine to do something about what we hear that will get our mind, our mouth and our body in agreement with the Word, our faith will grow.  As our faith grows it stimulates more faith.  Faith in operation begets more faith.  Like begets like.

          Where there is an abundance of the Word, there is an abundance of faith.  Where there is an abundance of faith miracles happen.  Where there is an abundance of faith, signs and wonders follow the ministry of the Word.  No Word means no faith.  Little Word means little faith.  Weak Word means weak faith.  Much Word means great faith.  Faith is proportionate to hearing, believing and do­ing the Word.

NEXT: How Faith Works

Word for Today:  March 25

We are made out of dirt.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Ps 103:14

We are all created from (out of) the dust of the earth.  Dirt is necessary for the mass production of any harvest.  Seeds are put into the dirt.  Seeds that are alive and that have full and complete potential for maturing and producing a harvest are planted (put into) in Dirt.  Soil.  Ground.

Jesus gave a parable about how our heart is like ground.  He said the condition of the ground determines the success of the crop.  When the condition is “good” there will be a bountiful harvest.  “Some 30, some 60 and some 100 fold…”

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it;  (puts it together)  which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Mt 13:23

The heart condition must be characterized by (1) hearing the Word (2) understanding the Word and (3) doing the Word.   Hearing is more than listening.  It is hearing with the heart.  Understanding is more than knowing.  It is revelation.  Revelation is powerless unless it is acted on.

What God has planted in you He has destined to come out of you.  It may be in seed form now, but the seed has the power to grow into its fullest manifestation.

In the parable of the Sower (Mark 4), there is an interesting word that is translated “sow.”  It is spi’ ro  and it is derived from a primitive Greek verb which means “to draw out.”

The Bible concept of sowing is DRAWING OUT or PULLING OUT what God has PUT IN.

It does not necessarily mean to scatter or throw out or to cast out it means to “draw out” or “pull out.”  In order for the Seed of God to produce, the ground must PULL OUT of it what GOD has PUT IN IT.

Paul tells the Philippians to “work out your own salvation.” (2:12b)  And this is the idea of “working out” or “pulling out” what God has put in.

In order for sown seed to produce the GROUND has an important responsibility. It must PULL OUT what God has put in.

Work out (pull out) your harvest

For if by one man’s (Adam’s) offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Rom. 5:17   

          Notice some contrasts in our text:

          1.  JESUS and LIFE

          2.  ADAM and DEATH

What is reigning?  

The Greek word for “reign” is basileuo  and it means to “rule from a source of power” as a king rules over a country.  It means to be in charge; to be in control; to have and exercise au­thority.  It means to be in command;  in power.  It means to have dominion;  to subdue, to restrict; to rule.   It means to be able to live as a king and to exercises kingly power and kingly authority over all areas of life. 

Jesus has made it possible for all believers to reign (rule, be in charge, and exercise power, control and au­thority) over every area of life.  That is life now as well as life to come.  We do not have to wait until we die and go to heaven to rule and reign.  We do not have to wait until the Millennium to rule and reign.  The Bible says that we (believers) shall “reign in life” by Christ Jesus.  

For if, because of one man’s trespass (lapse, of­fense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive (God’s) over­flowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness (putting them into right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life through the One, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One…  Rom 5:19 Amp. 

Remember: what God did in Christ is greater than what Satan did in Adam.  Jesus undid what Satan did in Adam.   If we are certainly sinners at the first birth, we are more certainly the Children of God at our second birth.

Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound…   Rom 5:20   

But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and in­creased the more and superabounded… Rom 5: 20.   Amp .

          Your life right now is either in control, out of control or under control.  This means everything about you… your mind, your body, your desires, your family, your finances, your future, your state of being.  You are this minute in control, out of con­trol, or under the control of demonic forces, powers of darkness;  habits, thoughts, inclinations, worries, fears, weak­nesses, sickness, disease, appetites, etc.     

God wants you in control.  Jesus wants you in control.  The Holy Spirit wants you in control. I want you in control.  And you can be in control!  You can reign in life!

Foundation Principles

          God has set forth some principles in His Word that will work.  They will work anytime and they will work all the time.  They will work for you and me to keep us alive and well and prosperous.  They will protect us and keep us and provide for us… re­gardless of our situation or cir­cumstance.  They will work regardless of the time, place or conditions around us.  These principles are not sub­ject to the World System.  They are from God to us and they are guaranteed to work.  The power that enforces them is the Blood of Jesus Christ.

          The sooner we learn that God, God’s Word, God’s Will and God’s Principles are not influenced, controlled or subject to the kosmos (world system)  but are supe­rior to the world sys­tem, the sooner we will be able to move into complete victory.  God has given us everything and all things that we need to Reign in Life. 

The main thrust of the Christian Faith is victory.   Victory over sin, victory over sickness, victory over poverty, victory over failure, victory over defeat, victory over death, victory over lack, victory over sadness, victory over depression, victory over worry, victory over anxiety, victory over fear….  Victory that will enable you to Reign in Life.

          There are at least five major areas of Revelation that the believer needs to have fully functioning in his spiritual walk  in order for him to reign in life.  These are functioning principles.  It is not enough to merely know about them… it is necessary for them to be fully functional and con­tinually operating in our daily life.  Here they are:

          1.   A Revelation of FAITH

          2.   A Revelation of the WORD

          3.  A Revelation of the BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY  

          4.  A Revelation of the GOSPEL of CHRIST

          5.  A Revelation of the PURPOSE of GOD

          Perhaps we need a brief explanation of what is meant by Revelation.   Of course, we are not re­fer­ring to the New Testament Book that is called by this name.  We are instead, referring to a dimen­sion of comprehension.  The word revelation  comes from the Greek apokalupsis which means to lay bear, to disclose, to un­cover; to reveal things before unknown,  and it can be used of events or facts which hitherto have been withdrawn but are now made visible and un­der­stand­able.  A good example of this can be found when Simon Peter came with Jesus and the other disciples into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi:  

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  Matt. 16:13  

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  Matt. 16:14  

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Matt. 16:15   

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.   Matt. 16:16  

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.   Matt. 16:17  

          Peter spoke a truth that was beyond his natu­ral rea­soning.  He made a declaration that came di­rectly from God and one that stated a truth he was totally con­vinced of.  He literally spoke out of his heart and not out of his head.  This is revela­tion.  A revelation is a truth that is revealed from God to the inner most heart of the believer.   It is a Knowing.  It is a Knowing that goes be­yond reason­ing or natural thinking.  It is a surety.  It is a cer­tainty.   It is an assurance.  It is this kind of knowing that is essential to Reigning in Life.  It is a revela­tion of Truth.  This is what we mean by revelation.

NEXT: The Revelation of FAITH

Word for Today:  March 24

What are Storms?

Storms are circumstances and situations.   Storms are problems.  Storms are crises.  Storms are hindrances and delays and disappointments.  Storms are situations that plague us and harass us and attempt to destroy us.  Storms are sicknesses and physical attacks. Storms are Family conflicts and marriage troubles.  Storms are difficulties and impossibilities in the work place. Storms are addictions and habits that keep us in bondage.  Storms are demonic.

Where do Storms come from?  What causes them?

Storms are caused by the devil.  They are demonic attacks.  They are designed to do what the devil wants to do to you… to kill you, to steal your goods, and to completely destroy you.  Storms are planned and birthed in hell.  They are crafted for you personally by the devil and his demons.  They are intended to keep you as far away from God and God’s Purpose as possible.

What is the Purpose of Storms?

The purpose and intent of storms is to stop you before you get where God wants you to be.  Storms arise and winds blow in the process of ministry and spiritual growth.  When you determine to obey God and be a blessing to others is when you will find yourself in a storm with the devil attempt­ing to sink your boat.

The moment you decide to go to the Other Side with Jesus, satan will send a storm to stop you and capsize your boat.  You hear the voice of God… the challenge… the command… (This is point A) and you start out toward point B which is the place where God wants you.  And on the way…. You run into a STORM.

How do we Calm the Storm?

The Word spoken in faith and prayed in faith always creates a calm and produces peace.  When Jesus found Himself in a great storm, He “rebuked” the wind and “said” to the sea… (Mark 4:39)  There is a time to pray and there is a time to arise and speak the Word.

Faith-filled words will make the Natural submit to the Spiritual.  If “no-faith” which is what the dis­ciples had (“how is it that ye have no faith…?”) yields to the destructive power of storms then Faith (which is what Jesus had) makes the de­structive power of storms submit to the Power of God.

Talk to YOUR storm

Your crop can be increased  

God wants it increased.  You need it to increase.  The world waits to see the increase.  Going into all the world with the Gospel demands an increase. 

God provides the Seed.  You provide the ground.  It is your responsibility to “draw out” of the seed what God has put in the seed.  You can increase your crop or you can decrease your crop.  You can make it grow or you can make it stop. 

The increase is up to you.  Knowing and understanding the Seed Principle is necessary to increase your crop.  Not hearing only, but seeing what you hear and doing what you hear will increase your crop.  When you work the Word (Seed) the Word (Seed) will work for you.  If you do nothing with what you hear you will receive nothing at harvest time. 

When your crop is increased there will be ENOUGH to go around.  There will be no lack and no shortage.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the POWER (seed) that worketh in us… Eph 3:20   

The purpose of the increase is to reach the World with the Word.  Jesus called the Church to preach the Gospel to all nations.  This will require an increase in our crop.  It will take more money.  It will take more material.  It will take more personnel.  It will take more prayer.  It will take more commitment.  It will take more determination.  It will take MORE. 

We have some, but we can have MORE.  We have a little, but we can have ENOUGH!  Jesus can take your small seed and produce a big crop!  Jesus can take a little and make a lot out of it!    He took two fishes and five loaves and fed 5000 with 12 baskets of leftovers!  He is the Same today!!

Little is much when God is in it

          Labor not for wealth or fame

There’s a crown and you can win it

                             If you go in Jesus’ Name[1]

Here are some suggestions on how to increase your crop:

Water what you plant with the Word  

Water it with the uncompromised Word…the infallible Word…the Inerrant Word…the  inspired Word.  The ground of your heart needs watering.  Watering will keep it soft and make it easy for the seed to break through.  Watering it will release the in-born nutrients in the ground that will cause the seed to grow strong and healthy. 

Once your dream is planted, you keep it nourished and watered with the Word.  Saturate your mind and your body with the Word.  Get in the Word.  Stay in the Word. 

See what you plant before it comes up 

The farmer will look at the package containing the seed he plans to sow.  The seed package has a picture of a healthy, fully matured, producing plant on it.  That is the goal the farmer is shooting for…. a healthy, fully matured, producing and reproducing plant.

When he plants the little seed, he can already see in his heart what the healthy, fully matured producing plant looks like.  He sees hundreds of them. Thousands of them. They are all lined up in neat rows and they are unrestrained and unrestricted… no fungus, no bugs, no imperfections, no weeds….. he sees the PERFECT FINISHED product IN HIS HEART. 

To increase your crop SEE what you SOW.  See it in the completed, God-created form!  See it finished and complete.  See it with your eye of faith. 

Take heed (blepo:  to see)   what you hear, with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you; and to you that hear shall more be given.  For he that hath (the Word) to him shall be given; and he that hath not (the Word), from him shall be taken even that which he hath…  And He said, So is the kingdom of God…    Mark 4:24-26    

Here the Word tells us to “see” what we “hear.”

We are told to walk by Faith (believing) and not by Sight (reasoning).  When we walk by Faith, we see the finished product with our Faith Eyes …  We see it just like God created it to be!  

Be willing to wait  

You don’t have to hurry the seed.  The production time is programmed in and it is just as dependable as God is dependable.  Waiting for your crop to come up will develop your patience and James reminds us to let

…patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing…   James 1:4  

This is the probably the hardest thing to do in crop production.  It is not too hard to plant.  It is not too hard to water.  It is not too hard to expect a harvest…But it is next to impossible to wait, with patience, until God will produce in us the “wanting nothing” condition! 

You will be tempted to dig the seed up every day to see “if anything” has happened.  This is your carnal, reasoning man over-riding your Spirit Man and trying to get you to depend on “sight” instead of faith!   God HAS SAID that we would:

reap in due season IF we faint not… Gal 6:9

In Hebrews the Word declares:

 For consider Him (Jesus)  that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds…  Hebrews 12:3 

 “Contradiction” here is anything that appears to disagree with God’s Promise.  It is the “high thing” that exalts itself against God that Paul writes to the Corinthians about (2Cor 10:5).   The contradictions are what cause our patience to waver.  The things that seem to make God and His Word out to be a lie are the things that attack our patience.

Rejoice in the answer before it comes

 “IT is finished!”   It is done.  It is settled.  It is established.  It is MINE!   How would you react if your crop came in today?  What would you do if your miracle manifested right here at this moment?  Would you be quiet?  Would you be still?  Would you be unmoved?  How would you act if your crop came in today?

I believe you would show some outward emotion and response.  I believe you would rejoice and praise God with total abandonment!  You might even go so far as to shout and run and dance.  Possibly your reaction would be like the one you would have if your favorite team won the national championship. 

So…. Go ahead and rejoice in God RIGHT NOW just as if your harvest has come in and your dream has come true!  

 Conclusion

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Word Seed!  If you are not continually reaping a Word crop, it is because the ground is not right.  And, remember, you are the ground!   If the ground is not right nobody can fix it and make it right but YOU!  If your ground needs to be fixed, then now is the time to fix it.  

          Everything that God has in Heaven is in the Word.  Whatever is in Heaven is in the Word.  Heaven potential is in the Word.  There is LIFE in the Word.  There is HEALING in the Word.  There is DELIVERANCE in the Word.  There is PROSPERITY in the Word.  There is SUCCESS in the Word. 

When the Word is SOWN and the ground condition is RIGHT, the Word will produce what God produces.  There are no restrictions in the Word.  Absolutely nothing that is GOOD is held back! 

For the Lord is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly…  Psalm 84:11   

          Jesus said that if we would abide in Him and if His Word (Seed) would abide in us, that we could ask whatever we will and it would be done unto us (John 15:7).    Seems that everybody wants to be in the “ask what I will” place and the “be done unto me” place but few are willing to be in the “abide in Jesus” place;  and even fewer are willing to allow His Word (Seed) to abide in them.   

To ABIDE means to dwell,  to stay, to reside, to remain.  It means to CONTINUE without quitting or becoming discouraged.  It means to PUT THE WORD FIRST.  It means to stay in the Word… not just reading it, but putting in into life situations.   

There are more ways to stay in the Word than merely reading it or studying it.  Believing it is good.  Saying it is great.   DOING it is best of all.  We have developed a generation of hearers with itching ears, but sadly, they are not willing to move the Word outside of the church building or their denomination or their tradition.  Unless the Word (Seed) is planted in daily living, you will continue to be victimized by the devil and demons. 

          I do not believe you can truly abide in Jesus without abiding in His Body.  I do not believe you can successfully allow the Word to abide in you if you do not abide in His Body.  The average Christian’s attitude toward the Church leaves a great deal to be desired.  “What do THEY want from me now?”   “What do THEY expect from me anyway?”  “Don’t THEY know I’m not made out of money!”  “I get so tired of THEM begging and pleading for more money.” “All THEY talk about is money.” “Why don’t THEY just leave me alone!”  “Don’t THEY know I’ve got other responsibilities?”

 Your attitude toward THE CHURCH is a reflection of your attitude toward God.  Your feelings toward The Church are a reflection of your feelings toward Jesus.    Be thankful for your church.  Pray for your church.  Brag on your church.  Respect your church.  There are literally tens of thousands of believers in other parts of our world who would give anything to have the freedom of worship we so freely enjoy.  God has blessed us with a great privilege…. Don’t speak evil of the one thing that is dearest to the heart of Jesus…

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it… Eph 5:25

Here are some concluding suggestions:

• Be a Doer (hearer) of the Word and not just a listener!
• Be a Believer and not a doubter.
• Trust God all the time in everything and though everything and in spite of everything.
• Never take a step back.  Never retreat.  Never give in, let up, back up or give up.
• Be optimistic… Expect GOOD things to happen.  Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative!
• If you fall, get up and go again.  And again.  And again.  Remember, you never fail until you quit trying. 
• Determine to never be ashamed of Jesus or His Word.
• Be Thankful every day and all the time.  Literally Live in Praise.  And:

You will Live and Keep from Dying!

---

[1] Words and Music: Katie L. Suffield, 1924

Word for Today: March 23

Don’t Stagger. (Rom 4:20)

The temptation is to stagger.  The overwhelming impossibilities are sometimes more than we can carry without staggering.  Staggering speaks of weakness.  It is doubt.  It is wavering.  It is unbelief.

Whatever you are facing…. do not stagger.  Instead STAND.  “Having done all… STAND!”  Some will stagger under the burden.  Others will stagger in unbelief and doubt.  Many will stagger in discouragement and disappointment.  Some will be impatient.  Staggering is the symptom that comes just before falling and falling is failing.    Falling is giving up and backing off and turning back.

Abraham “Staggered not…”  He stood.  Even when there was no “hope”, he hoped anyway!  He called those things which were not as though they already were.  God is not geared to the fickle world.   He is a God who Changeth Not.  Regardless of what is happening in the World,  Wall Street or Washington.

Make up your mind to “stagger not,” instead, believe God.  Abraham did.  He stood. When he was one hundred years old he still believed he was going to have a son… Not because he “felt like it” but because God said he would. He chose to doubt his body and believe God.  God’s Promises are not dependent on your body, your mind, your strength, or your ability.

It is your faith that reaches out and brings God’s Promises from the Spiritual World into the Natural World.  Therefore, don’t waver.  Resist doubt.  Cast out the spirit of impatience.   Trust God!

These are days of great possibility and potential.  In the face of problems and obstacles and hindrances that the world calls impossible… God reminds us that all things are possible!

Don’t stagger.

STAND

How do we protect the Word-Seed we plant? When we Sow the Word which is the Seed of God, it needs to be protected from the enemy who is determined to prevent it from germinating and producing a Spiritual Harvest.   How can we safeguard the Seed of God we have sown?  What can we do to guarantee an abundant harvest?  Here are some suggestions:

         

1.  You protect what you plant by Surrounding yourself with solid, Word teaching and ministry.

You don’t need to be around false teachers and false teaching.   Get as much of the true Word as you can get.  Stay in church.  Stay in a good church.  Go to Bible class and small group Bible teachings.  Be in the every service.  Listen to good teaching on CDs and watch Bible Centered television channels.  Play worship music in your home or on your automobile audio system.     

          2.  You protect what you plant by Personal Intimacy with the Father. 

Seeking God protects the Word Seed that you plant.   If  you want to “find God” and fellowship with Him, you need to seek Him.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.   Jer. 29:13 

          When you spend quality time with God you will safeguard the Word in your heart.  Practice the presence of God.  In addition to your scheduled “prayer” or “devotion” or “quiet” time, stay in communion with the Father all the time.  Paul admonishes all believes to “pray without ceasing.” 

Talk with Him.  Practice His continual presence. Pray in the Spirit. Instead of talking with yourself, talk with the Holy Spirit.  Let your natural man consider His presence by your side as you go through your normal daily routines.  Let Him “sit” with you.  Walk with you.  Ride with you.  See Him with you all the time in whatever you do.  Carry on personal conversations with Him.  Communicate with Him.  This is personal intimacy… be as personal with Him as you are with any close friend… or as close with you as a family member.  Practice His Presence with you all the time in every situation and in all circumstances.   

          3.  You protect what you plant by Continually Speaking the Word. 

Saying what God says keeps the Word Seed safe.  When you say the Word you are literally agreeing with God.  When you agree with God you are able to walk with Him.  As you walk with God the Word Seed is protected.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?  Amos 3:3   

          4.  You protect what you plant by Keeping your Mind Renewed by the Word and by casting down “ imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.”  

Right thinking protects the Seed.  Right thinking is Word thinking.  Don’t get caught up in a day-dream-imaginary world. Get out of fantasy land.  Your mind is always active.  It never shuts down.  Keep it focused on God stuff.  Get some Word CDs and listen to them as you sleep at night.  Keep your mind submerged in the Word.  This will protect the Seed.

          5.  You protect what you plant by being Aggressive and militant… by standing your ground. 

Don’t be a wimp.  Don’t be a push-over.  Don’t be easy on the devil.  Don’t wait for demons to show up… go after them. You do not need to be defensive… be on the offensive.   Refuse to be ashamed.  Don’t be in the “silent majority” be in the “out-spoken minority.”  The more you stand up the braver you will become. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.   Rom. 1:16 

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  Matt. 10:32 

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  Acts 4:29  

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  Phil. 1:20  

          6.  You protect what you plant by “observing to do all that is written therein (the Word)…” 

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  Josh. 1:7   

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Josh. 1:8 

          Obeying God’s Word protects the Seed.   Doing the Word is living the Word.  Keeping the Word is obeying the Word.  The most important thing you can do to insure that the Seed is protected and that it grows and produces is that you DO WHAT IT SAYS. 

7.  You protect what you plant by Believing the Crop is coming in!   

Believing is expecting something good to happen.  It is knowing that God will honor His Word.  Knowing is the substance of things hoped for.  It is knowing you have the crop (and acting like it!) before you have it!

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Mark 11:23   

          8.  You protect what you plant by Being Diligent and Persistent. 

Remember the woman with the issue of blood? Diligence is determination.  Persisting is keeping on keeping on.  Refusing to quit or back down or ease up no matter what the difficulty may be protects the Word Seed.  Constantly confess: “I will not quit.  I will not stop. I will not give up.  I will not ease up.  I will not grow weary and faint.  I will fight until I win.”  Be stubborn and hard-headed about going on with God.  Don’t allow the flak from the devil deter you.  Press on toward the mark for prize of the high calling of God.

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Mark 5:25-29

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,   

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse   

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

          9.  You protect what you plant by Praying in the Spirit. 

Praying in Tongues safeguards the Seed.  This is your special gift from God to help you build up your faith and to keep you strong.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,   Jude 20   

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.  1Cor. 14:15  

          Praying in the Spirit is correct praying, accurate praying and effective praying.  You can pray in tongues anytime, anywhere and no matter what is going on around you.   Your mind is not involved.  It is your recreated human spirit that will be talking to God with utterances that cannot be understood by the natural man. 

          10.  You protect what you plant by Rejoicing in God,  through heart-felt worship and praise and by keeping a thankful heart. 

Singing, rejoicing, worshipping, praising, dancing, shouting, making a joyful noise unto the Lord… all these are ways to keep the seed safe and secure.     There is freedom where the Spirit of the Lord is.  God’s Presence induces joy unspeakable and filled with glory.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.   Neh. 8:10 

Word for Today: March 22

What God has sown

What God has planted in you is destined to come out of you.  It may be in seed form now, but it is time for the seed to grow into its fullest manifestation.

It’s in there.  It’s time for it to come forth.  It’s up to you.   Who will you be?  A King or a Kid?  A Seed or a Tree?

Name your dream.  Declare your intentions.  Speak with your mouth words that make things happen.  Faith words.  Word words.  God Words.  Heaven Words.

You will never exceed your declarations.  Your declarations determine your direction. Your declarations determine our destiny.  What you speak out of your heart will create or destroy.  Words are instruments of creation or destruction.  Words make things.

There are Life Producing Forces (seeds) inside every believer.  These forces are put in us by the Work of the Holy Spirit at the time we are Born Again.  They are seeds destined to grow and produce.  They are forces that need to be released into the world.  Into our families.  Into our relationships.  Into the total experience of our lives.

They are in me.  They are in every Believer.  However, seeds are worthless unless they produce.  One seed is not sufficient to sustain life by itself.  It takes many seeds which are planted in good ground to bring forth a crop that is sufficient to sustain victorious living.

The real challenge is to grow these seeds into maturity.  As God plants these Seeds in us, the enemy plants weeds. The purpose of the weeds is to choke out the seeds.

These seeds are the building blocks of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus prayed for the Kingdom to come and for the Will of God to be done ON EARTH just as it is presently being done in Heaven.  These Seeds will produce God’s Kingdom on earth when and if they are planted in good ground and if proper conditions for growth are present.

There is Something great in you