Let's Talk About Faith

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Hebrews 11: 1-2
¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for. ³By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (NIV)

The Reverend J.J. Bourne is a great man of faith. He said it like this: Faith is when you reach into nothing and pull out something. That means when you want or need something that you cannot see, feel, or touch; your faith or belief in God reaches into the invisible world and makes your request solid, and real.

I did not make that up. The New International Version of the Bible says exactly that. God commanded the universe to be formed by elements that were not visible in our reality. Yet we see the earth, the sky, the galaxies...all created from nothing. I can prove this by science.

Science claims that a Big Bang brought the world into existence. How many of you have ever looked into this claim? It is very interesting and absolutely confirms the Genesis story of creation!


Here is the link that will take you to the discussion about this image. http://members.tripod.com/~ssscott/BigBang.html

Genesis 1

The Beginning

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. ³ And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

For those of you who take the time to look into the Big Bang you will discover that there was nothing. Even the scientists believe that matter was compressed into nothingness. The suddenly for no reason something caused the elements to begin forming. A number of complex changes happened in less than one second. Then for the next three minutes something else happened. After three hundred thousand years of these complex changes, out of NOTHNG came LIGHT just like God commanded.

God brought the worlds into existence from his word. God is a God of order. You can see that in all His creations. Remember that faith is something you cannot see becoming a reality because of your belief without doubting that God can and will do it! Many times we give ourselves an escape clause by saying that we believe God CAN do anything. However, when pinned down we are not so quick to say that God WILL do something we have requested. Faith means you believe not only that God can, but that he will do what you request. ARE YOU A BELIEVER? Now is the time to make your petitions known to God and Believe with all your heart that God WILL answer in a timely fashion. Do not give up after the first day. Keep on believing!

Have Faith!

Change You Can Believe In!

CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!

Our president talkes a lot about CHANGE you can believe in. The changes he has brought about have inspired a great deal of fear and consternation in some circles.
Image Credit: www.whitehouse.gov



Newt Gingrich wrote a book called, REAL CHANGE! Newt's changes have nothing in common with the changes undertaken by our new president!

Credit: jeffreyricker.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/new.

CHANGE THROUGH PRAYER

We are going to change our world through prayer. PRAYER YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!

Jesus threw out a challenge to the world 2 millennia ago when he said,










Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Are you looking for change? Do you want to change the world? Today is the day! Now is the time!

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Through Prayer you will change yourself first, then you will change your personal environment, then your will enlarge your reach to your church, your city or town, and then the world!

Real Change comes from within. It starts with one person who catches a glimpse of what might be and commits to make that change a reality. GOD IS LOOKING FOR A PEOPLE IN THE LAST DAYS WHO NO LONGER ARE TIED TO THE REALITY OF THIS WORLD. He is looking for a people who have one purpose...that is to bring souls into the kingdom. God is looking for a people who BELIEVE WITHOUT DOUBTING that Apostolic miracles, signs, and wonders are ours for the taking! Are you a BELIEVER?

Hebrews 11

By Faith We Understand

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Do You Believe Prayer Works?

James 5:
¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. NKJV

My question to you is very simple. Do you believe that prayer works? Do you believe that fervent prayer works better? Do you believe that God is listening to the prayers of his people?

These are very serious questions to ponder. Many of us speak about prayer but we never seem to pray. This is a fact. We talk a good story...but as you know...talk is cheap. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT PRAYER WORKS?
If you REALLY believe that prayer works, WHY do you not pray? I understand that prayer is not easy. I understand that it is hard to focus your attention to the needs of others. I understand that it is hard to find time to make this commitment. I understand that you have many cares and problems that require your attention. I understand that live sometimes breaks you down.

God has the answer! God is the answer! Are you looking for miracles, signs, and wonders? Do you think about the Apostles and the power they had? If you have the Holy Spirit you have the POWER to do anything the Apostles were able to do. You just have to stir up the gift that is within you and go for it! This is your moment. I challenge you to become a PRAYER WARRIOR! Go For It!

You choose the live you live. No one makes these choices for you. You choose the life you live. Stop allowing your life to run you and react to life as it happens to you. YOU make the choice to change your world. Do it through prayer!

Dust On The Altar



Stand On The Word

PRAYER WARRIOR CHALLENGE

Last week I began thinking about being a prayer warrior. So I ask myself...what is a prayer warrior? Who is a prayer warrior? What does a prayer warrior do?

A prayer warrior is ANYONE who believes that interceding with God on behalf of others will achieve measurable results! The youngest child can be a prayer warrior if there is faith. The business world is outcome oriented with fancy metrics to discover these outcomes. You do not need a metric to discover if God has answered your prayers. God is looking for people who are willing to get beyond themselves and (1) make a choice to pray (2) make a commitment to stay with it.

A PRAYER WARRIOR prays! A PRAYER WARRIOR commits to daily prayer for others. A PRAYER WARRIOR is not defeated when things look their worst. A PRAYER WARRIOR knows that God may answer in many ways and that yes and no are not the only possible answers to a situation. A PRAYER WARRIOR does not whine about their own problems to the Lord. A PRAYER WARRIOR tells God all about it and moves beyond self to intercede for others. A PRAYER WARRIOR takes up the shield of faith and KNOWS without doubt that God is listening!

Be a PRAYER WARRIOR! Nothing you choose to do will compare with the battles you will win in the heavenlies!

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

I challenge you today! Take up the shield of faith and go forth to do battle on behalf of the church of God! Claim your lost children, your friends, and give spiritual covering to your church family in the Name of Jesus Christ!

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Faith

Faith is at the core of the belief system for every follower of Jesus Christ. So what is faith? Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ²For by it the elders obtained a good report.
The New International Version makes this even more plain: ¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for.

Hebrews 11:6
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.

Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews chapter 11 is a wonderful recounting of the patriarchs and early believers who followed God without reservation. These ancients demonstrated the value of living and walking by faith. Their lives were blessed and they received miracles of astounding greatness.

Hebrews 12: 1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our world is at a crossroad that may lead to the end of the age. But...we are not there yet! At this moment in time it is important to stand firm on your faith. Keep up your prayer life! Review your attitudes daily. Ask yourself what God is looking for in you? What can I do that will be pleasing to God?

To you older believers who have stood firm for your whole life...thank you. However, you must remember that the race is not run...the battle is not over...and the end has not come. While you may wonder what God can do with you at your time of life, you must make yourself available to the Lord. God is looking for prayer warriors. Prayer is the greatest thing you can do for yourself, your family, your church family, and your community! God will take your prayers and turn your church into a powerhouse and a soul winning station! It is up to you to take up the challenge and stand on the faith that you have carried with you through the long years of your life.

Be a PRAYER WARRIOR! Nothing you choose to do will compare with the battles you will win in the heavenlies!

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

I challenge you today! Take up the shield of faith and go forth to do battle on behalf of the church of God! Claim your lost children, your friends, and give spiritual covering to your church family in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Image Credits
Retrieved from Creative Commons Google and Yahoo Images May 19, 2009

How to Handle Tragedy

There are times in our life when something, sickness or death, or both stops us in our tracks and grabs our attention in the worst way. Sometimes fear comes upon us unexpectedly. At times like these it is important to stop the panic and distress. Step back and take a moment to review our situation in the light of the word of God. God's promises are true and faithful. We do not know why we must go through terrible trials. We may never know the answer. One thing I do know is that God has a plan for every one of us! You had a plan from the moment you were born. Sometimes plans get changed because of choices we make but there is always a plan.

The following exerpt from Psalms 55 has now become a prayer for help in time of tragedy and need. Pray this prayer when you are in doubt and distress. Dig deep in your faith and purpose in your heart to stand fast on the word of God. He loves you. His love never fails.

1. Psalm 55:22
   Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
   Psalm 55:21-23 (in Context) Psalm 55 (Whole Chapter)

¹ Give ear to my prayer, O God,
And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
² Attend to me, and hear me;
I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,...

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me,
And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me,
And horror has overwhelmed me.
⁶ So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
⁷ Indeed, I would wander far off,
And remain in the wilderness. Selah
⁸ I would hasten my escape
From the windy storm and tempest.”

¹² For it is not an enemy who reproaches me;
Then I could bear it.
Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;
Then I could hide from him.

¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
¹⁷ Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
¹⁸ He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.

²² Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

1. 1 Peter 5:7
   Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
   1 Peter 5:6-8 (in Context) 1 Peter 5 (Whole Chapter)

Does God Hear Our Prayers?

Do you feel sometimes that your prayers get no higher than the ceiling and that God is a million miles away? Do you wonder if God is listening or if he has turned his attention away from you?

These feelings are natural and part of the human condition. God is always listening. He does not always answer when WE feel that he should. Of course we need to remember that we are serving God and not the other way around. God does not serve at our pleasure. We serve Him!

^{Hebreews 4}

¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Sometimes it is hard to understand that just because God does not send an answer immediately, it does not mean that he is not listening. Walking by Faith is a hard task at times. When you decided to take up your cross and follow Jesus you made a hard choice. Included in that choice is the obligation to keep the faith even when your feelings get the best of you. Feelings will deceive you. They will make you think many things that are totally false.

Sometime God says, "My grace is sufficient." Not what you wanted to hear!

God is listening, take heart, soon you will have your answer!

Blessings!

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