A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH

(By Beth Moore)  “A Taste of Believing God”

This is Chapter V

 

 

 

God’s Word is alive and active in me.

 

 

This study is to help develop an active-verb faith that invites the exhilaration of holy participation.  An ongoing relationship with God through His Word is essential to the Christian’s consistent victory!  Great statement.  Making the study of God’s Word a priority is undoubtedly the best place to start. I agree with that!  Beloved, we can’t presently and actively believe God in our day-to-day challenges if we are not presently and actively in His Word.  Romans 10:17 offers the most obvious link: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (KJV). God’s direction for our lives will escape us without the Word of God as “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105). Here is another good point! Ignoring God’s Word is in excusable if we honestly seek to live for Him. Amen.

 

I do love the scripture (Hebrews 4:12) “for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. “  

 

I love the KJV, but let’s look at the AMP version too “ For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. God’s Word is powerful!

 

Unlike any other text, the Word of God has supernatural effects for those who receive it by faith.  When we receive it by reading it, meditating on it, believing it, and applying it, the life of the Word becomes lively in us. The power of God’s Word becomes powerful in us. The operations of the Word become operative in us. The energy of the Word becomes energizing in us. The effectiveness of the Word becomes effective in us. In fact, according to Hebrews 4:12, when we receive God’s Word, it invades every part of our being, even the marrow of our bones and the motives of our hearts.  That’s powerful! 

 

I know my spirit is in love with God’s Word, because I sense the joy of gladness when I read it. I am overwhelmed with a peace in my whole being. There is a joy in reading His Word; there is peace, healing, uplifting, and a sense of directions in your life, because God’s Word possesses accomplishing power and achieving power. Beth talks about her place to be with God on her back porch; mine is while I am alone driving down a highway looking at God’s creation, it is so peaceful for me. Sometimes, I sense such a peaceful moment I just cry because I feel His embrace.

 

I want to add this before I end this chapter; God says His Word is alive and powerful, and I believe Him.  We started out hearing Beth say God told her to believe Him, not just believe in Him.  He also says His Word is alive and powerful when it’s in us. (Me); a bundle of faults, fears, and insecurities. Just think! My weakness is not strong enough to wound God’s Word. Neither is yours.  God does His job. He speaks to accomplish.  We don’t have to make Him. We just need to let Him.  AMEN!

 

Question: 

 

1. What have you experienced in reading this book?
2. What happen when you read the Word of God?
3. Can you give a summary of this study?

 

 

Thanks Beth Moore for this awesome powerful little book.  I pray that God will continue to bless you with the ability, insight, knowledge, and whatever you need to write more in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Thanks to all who studied with me, even though we didn’t get to chat. This study has been an inspirational to my spirit. I was not studying as I should, or as I like, but it has given me a desire to continue my Bible study, even though none go with me.

 

My next study is another little powerful book, very old, but powerful “Changing the Seen and shaping the Unseen” by Charles Capps.  It has six chapters and sixty-six pages.  I’ve read it, but would like to study it more.

 

 

A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH

(By Beth Moore)  “A Taste of Believing God”

This is Chapter IV

 

 

 

I can do all things through Christ:

 

 

Philippians 4:13: (NKJV)

“I can do all things through Christwho strengthens me.”

 

 

AUTHORITY IN CHRIST CONFESSION:

 

I recognize and believe that there is only one true and living God who exists as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I recognize that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. I believe that He came to destroy the works of the devil and that He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them having triumphed over them.

I have been created in the image and likeness of God. I have been given dominion over all the earth and over every living thing. I will be and do all that God has destined for me because I am His handiwork created in Christ Jesus for good works.

I have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son therefore; Satan has no power over me.

God has redeemed me from the control of darkness and He has seated me in heavenly places with Christ, far above all rule, and authority and dominion. In obedience, I will take up my authority, speak God’s Word, and rest in the power of His Word.

For I will present my body as a living sacrifice to God – holy, devoted, and consecrated to please Him, which is a part of my spiritual worship to Him. I will not be conformed to this world’s way of thinking, but I will continually be transformed by the renewing of my mind. For I have the mind of Christ.

I have been made to be a kingdom and priest to serve my God and to reign and rule on the earth.

Therefore, I will rise up in the authority of who I am in Christ Jesus and I will exercise that authority in my sphere of influence. I also take authority over every demonic assignment against my life. I push back the enemy in the name of Jesus. For the word says if I resist the devil he will flee from me.

I am a child of the Most High God and I declare that because of God’s unlimited resources, I will be empowered with inner strength through his Spirit; Christ will make his home in my heart as I trust in him; and my roots will go down deep into God’s love and keep me strong.

 

“For I declare that His mighty power is at work within me, to accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think. So, I choose to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. I put no confidence in the flesh, for the weapons of my warfare are not carnal or of my flesh, but divinely powerful to the pulling down of strongholds.”

 

 

In this chapter Beth talks about three of my favorite guys, Joshua, Abraham, and David.  These guys made the Hebrew 11 hall of faith.   Quoting her now, “I was surprised and somehow refreshed to think that a measure of their challenge to walk by faith was likely found in continuing to believe what God said about them in spite of fears and failures.”  Can we say that about our lives today?   Isn’t it encouraging to realize we’re not alone in our struggles?  This is one of the reasons I wanted to do a study on this book, because of my struggle now. I realize I am not alone, and desire to connect with others who feel this pain too, so we can encourage one another in God’s Word.   Joshua’s life helps us understand and accept our fourth statement of faith:  I can do all things through Christ.  Through the might of the living God, Joshua did what he knew he could not do.  Like us, he was told in advance he’d be able.  We might call it preassurance rather than reassurance.   Let’s look with Beth on this preassurance in Joshua 1:1-9:

 

 

        “1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,

² Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.

⁷ 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 withersoever thou goest.

⁸ 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.

⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

I shared this one because I just love Joshua’s life as a strong person, but then if it were not for God, he couldn’t have done what he did, amen.  We need God to help us do all things in our lives too, so we can be like Joshua, not super-man, but a strong person in the Lord.  And, we must remember what the Word said,

Zechariah 4:6  (KJV)

^“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.  Yes, it is by the Spirit of God; Joshua couldn’t do it by himself, but through God.”

On page 46, Jesus told His disciples not to be afraid in the storm, the reason wasn’t the removal of their frightful circumstances but the presence of their Savior.  “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).  I enjoyed this to, “Remember, faith is never the denial of reality but it a belief in a greater reality.  In other words, the truth may be that terrifying or terribly discouraging circumstances surround you.  The reason you don’t have to buckle to fear and discouragement is the presence of God in the middle of your circumstances.  Great!  Call upon Him to step His One and Only shoes onto your territory and take over like the commander of the Lord’s army (Joshua 5:15).  Hear Him say to you the words He said to Joshua: “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” That place, that circumstance, is holy because God stand on it with you. You don’t have to fill His shoes, Dear One.  Take off your sandals and walk barefoot in His wake.

Beloved, whether or not you want to admit it, God gifted you out of His glorious grace and for His name’s sake.  Christ has spoken over your life as His present-day disciple: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).  Perhaps, like me, you have grievously failed God in the past. Perhaps, like me, your prior confidence was unknowingly in your own ability and determination to stay on track.”  I typed that because I do get off track sometimes, I feel so many time I have fail God. Isn’t it strange that we all feel that way! I agree.  Beth said, “we don’t have to sin grievously to feel that we’ve failed. So true my friends. We don’t have to sin grievously to feel like we’ve failed. Sometimes all it takes is feeling like we’ve proved ineffective and untalented too many times to try again. I have been encouraged to hold on to God’s unchanging hand, because I can do all things through Christ Jesus my Lord as I have faith in Him, and in His Word. This week I have listen to the DVD of the whole Bible, and it has blessed my spirit so much. God’s Word help me to accomplish God’s plans for my life as Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Questions:

1. How can you be mighty in your generation?
2. Why do we so often balk at the task?
3. How can we overcome the feeling of failing God?

A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH

(By Beth Moore)  “A Taste of Believing God”

This is Chapter III

 

 

I Am Who God Says I Am:

 

 

 

For years I have been taught that the book of Ephesians gives us the profession of a Christian. I am who God says I am!

 

I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly place in Christ (Eph. 1:3)

I am chosen by You, my Father (Eph. 1:4)

I am holy and without blame (Eph. 1:4)

I am Your child according to the good pleasure of Your will (Eph. 1:5)

I am excepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6)

I am redeemed through the blood of Jesus (Eph. 1:7)

I am a person of wisdom and prudence (Eph. 1:8)

I am an heir (Eph. 1:11)

I have the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ (Eph. 1:17)

I am saved by Your grace (Eph. 2:5)

I am seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6)

I am Your workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am near to You by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13)

 (Eph. 2:13)

I am a new creation (Eph. 2:15)

I am of Your household (Eph. 2:19)

I am strengthen with might by Your Spirit (Eph. 3:16)

I allow Christ to dwell in my heart by faith (Eph. 3:17)

I am rooted and grounded in love (Eph. 3:17)

I speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15)

I am renewed in the spirit of my mind (Eph. 4:23)

I am Your follower (Eph. 5:1)

I walk in love (Eph. 5:2)

I am light in You (Eph. 5:8)

I walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15)

I am filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18)

 

 

 

That is just a few to mention.  How can we let Christ dwell in our hearts?  I see here that it’s by faith that we allow things to happen in our lives.  Beth speaks of that faith.  This faith is a taste of believing and taking God at His Word.  We are who God says we are, and we can do what God’s Word says we can do.   We as individual Christian have to believe that!  I have read the Ephesians’ Declaration for months during my devotional time. I read it every morning for months, so I could get it in my spirit. When I feel like the enemy is trying to make me believe God don’t care or God is angry with me, or even my faith has weaken, then I read this over and over again each morning while I do my devotion.  It’s a blessing!   Beth says, “Believing I am who God says I am necessitates choosing what God says over what I feel. Glory to God!  When I was young and foolish, I always worried about what people thought of me, always. That play a negative part in my life for years. I start to feel what others thought about me was true until God revealed this to me. I am what God says I am!  Not what people say I am. What a different that made in my life. Listen to what Beth says here, “If I’m really serious about believing God, I have to believe God about me.”  Let’s look at this on page 31, “So, who does God say we are? Who are you in Him? If we’ve received Jesus as our personal Savior, the sum of our identity is found in First John 3:1: “Look at how great a lovethe Father has given us that we should be called God’s children.” And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. Amen!

 

 

1 John 3:1: (KJV)

 

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

 

I love the KJV, because it speaks to my spirit-man more than others versions do.  I want to read a couple of other versions, ok.

 

1 John 3:1 (NASB)

 

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

 

 

1 John 3:1 (AMP)

“See what [^[a]an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.”

 

I almost took out the parentheses, but then they really explain the statement more, (recognize, acknowledge).

  

And one more;

 

1 John 3:1 (WYC)

“See ye what manner charity the Father gave to us, that we be named the sons of God, and be his sons. For this thing the world knew not us, for it knew not him [For this thing the world knoweth not us, for it knoweth not him]. 

I want to explore the explorer Joshua a little.  She mentions him concerning something I never would have noticed now. I believe in my studies of the bible I have known this, but it’s good to explore again. Joshua’s old name was Hoshea which means “deliverer” while Joshua means “Jehovah delivers.” She went on to say, “If I were chosen by God to lead a grasshopper people into a land of giant opposition, I’d want to know He, not me, was the true Deliverer.  I’d like to suggest that Joshua not only needed to know who he was but he also needed to know who he wasn’t” That is so true!  “He wasn’t God, neither are we!”

 

At the end of chapter three, she talks about Simon Peter. “Peter believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, just as Abraham.  Sometimes the hardest biblical truths to accept are about us.  Believe you are who God says you are and fathom the double blessing of God crediting it to you as righteousness. I know that is easy said, then done. But pray to the Father for support and help through His Holy Spirit.

 

Prayer:

Father, You are wisdom personified.  Please forgive me for my short coming, for the times I have failed to believe Your Word about me because I look away from it. Pride lured me into thinking I could handle situations over my head and my thinking, instead of choosing to believe Your Word and listening to You. I choose to think that I am who You say I am.  I long for wisdom, Lord, that I might reflect Your true character, and live my life as the person You say I am, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

 

 

Questions:

1. Who does God say we are?
2. Why did Christ pray specifically for Simon Peter’s faith not to fail?
3. Name a few truths Beth mentioned about us.

A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH
(By Beth Moore)  “A Taste of Believing God”

 

This is Chapter II

God can do what He says He can do:

The past few years that I have been a Christian has really convinced me that God can do what He says He can do, and my faith in Him has blessed me because He has answer my prayers continuously, He has kept this nation from going under, because of the few faithful ones that are praying; He has allowed us to see Him move on our behalf. God can do what He says He can do, and that is a true fact; let’s look at what Beth has to say about that on page eighteen.
In the first paragraph I like what she says, “Most biblical tiles for God inseparably connect who He is to what He can do. For instance: as Savior, He saves; as Deliverer, He delivers; as Redeemer, He redeems; as Master, He assumes authority; as Bread of life, He provides; and as Almighty, He exerts divine strength. In short, God can do what He says He can precisely because He is who He says He is.  That blessed my heart! 
 

I wanted to understand these words (cessationism and sensationalism).  My computer didn’t recognize the word cessationism.   I looked it up and this is what it says, “In Christian theology, Cessationism is the view that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophetic utterances and faith healing, ceased being practiced early in Christian Church history. Cessationists gene rally believe that the miraculous gifts were provided only for the foundation of the Christian Church during the time between the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, c. 33 AD, as described in the 2nd Chapter of Acts, and the fulfillment of God’s purposes in history, usually identified as either the completion of the last book of the New Testament (Book of Revelation), or the death of John the Apostle, the last of the Twelve Apostles. The counterpart to Cessationaism is Continuationism which teaches that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit have remained available for use by the church ever since Pentecost. Disputes over Cessationism versus Continuationism have since led to denominational schisms within the Church.”   Then I looked up the word sensationalism, and it says this “Sensationalism is a type of editorial bias in mass media in which events and topics in news stories and pieces are over-hyped to increase viewership or readership numbers. Sensationalism may include reporting about generally insignificant matters and events that don’t influence overall society and biased presentations of newsworthy topics in a sensationalist, trivial or tabloid manner.
Some tactics include being deliberately obtuse, appealing to emotions being  controversial, intentionally omitting facts and information being loud, self-centered and acting to obtain attention.  Trivial information and events are sometimes misrepresented and exaggerated as important or significant, and often includes stories about the actions of individuals and small groups of people, the content of which is often insignificant and irrelevant relative to the macro-level day-to-day events that occur globally. Furthermore, the content and subject matter typically doesn’t affect the lives of the masse and doesn’t affect society, and instead is broadcast and printed to attract viewers and readers.
   
 I am going to read more now; As I read more I saw where she said that, “Sensationalism suggests that everything possible is also probable, while cessationism accepts only the presently probable as the presently possible.   Either extreme is wildly offensive to God!”  I felt she would say that after reading this far.  Ok, listen to this, “perhaps the most serious offense of sensationalism is its overwhelming tendency to be man-centered rather than God-centered, prioritizing what God can do over who He is.”  Well said, Beth!

This is a good little book!  Beth gives us some scriptures in this chapter, and I want to explore them now.  Let’s look at them now.  Start with………………..

Matthew 16:4:    “Wicked and adulterous generation.”
If the modern body of Christ is set on cessationism or sensationalism, our choice is whether we’d rather be an unbelieving and perverse generation or a wicked and adulterous one. Both options share a commonality; Experience over faith is their underlying problem.  Sensationalism seeks an experience, and cessationism believes only what it personally sees and experience. 

As said earlier, either extreme is wildly offensive to God.  She also shared these scriptures too………

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.”

Daniel 3:17: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”

Mark 9:23:  “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”

Luke 1:37: “ For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
James 4:2: “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”

Matthew 9:29: “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”

I really enjoyed what she said on page 21; Beloved, God is “Wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6). In fact remove the wonders from God, and you can no longer call Him wonderful, AMEN! The wonderful factor of God still exists!  We must believe Him, not just believe in Him.
If I’ve missed sharing some good points, please feel free to share anything you get after you have read the scriptures, or the book. Thanks.

This was a good point for me on page 23 second paragraph, “Please don’t misunderstand that believing God only involves believing Him for dramatic miracles. If we don’t include believing Him for the miraculous, however, can you imagine the tragedy of all we could miss?”    Read on page 25 through 27, which raps up chapter II for us.   This is so important for us to remember, “We are surrounded by a dying and depraved world, mounting violence and the threat of mass destruction, disease, plague, enticing false religion, and a surging fury of satanic assault and seduction.”  Those really describe our world today!   We are desperate for the wonders and miracles of God. We need Him to show His mighty arm and tell the world that He is alive, active, and very much with us.  I love that statement!  Then she ends it by saying this, “Believe that God can, Beloved. He is still in the miracle business.”   I don’t know about you, but I have really enjoyed this little book!  See you in chapter III

QUESTION:

1.   How do you know God can do what He says He can?
2.   What kind of Christian do you want to be?
3.   Will  you share a miracle with us today

A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH

(By Beth Moore)  “A Taste of Believing God”

 

This is Chapter I

 

 God is who He says He is.

 

In chapter (1) “God is Who He says He is”  shed some light on my faith, because if God is who he says he is, then we are who He says we are, and we can have

whatsoever we say according to His Word.

 

 Scriptures:

 

  I read (Gen. 15:7; 17:1-2, Ex. 3:6-8; 3:14; 6:6, 8).  This is on page 9-10.  Knowing is so important. 

 

I have learned and still learning each day to put my trust in Him through knowing Him and Who He is in my life. That is why we must have a personal relationship with Jesus. “Know that the Lord is God”   I had to know in my knower that God was Who He said He was, I had to believe Him for myself, I had to change my percept  on Who God was in my life.

 

“Your Perception of God Controls Your Life”

 

 I enjoyed this chapter reading.  She talked about the patriarchs Abram and Moses, (Geneses 15:7, 17:1-2; Exodus 3:6-8, 3:14, 6:6,8). God constantly kept His identity and subsequent ability fresh in their minds. He kept reminding them of Who He was. “I am the Lord” Knowing that God is who he say He is, He is YHWH, our covenant Maker, He is Elohiym, The God over all creation.  In other words, you and I have got to know, not just hope or think that the One who cut covenant with us through the torn flesh of Jesus Christ is the same One who sits upon the universe’s throne, having spoken the worlds into existence.  Surrounded by a society that spouts many gods but at best nobly agrees to equate them, you and I can know that the Lord is God.  Question, Why is this important?  Christ was concern about His disciples knowing Who He was; In Caesaria Philippi, Christ gathered His disciples around Him and asked them two vital questions that beg answers from us as well,  First, Christ asked, “Who do people say the Son of Man is? (Matthew 16:13).  Christ knew the potential power of popular opinion.  This is a good book!  Who we believe God is greatly affects our eternal destinies!  We must beware of recreating an image of God that makes us feel better. That’s for sure; If in our pursuit of greater knowledge God seems to have gotten smaller, we are deceived.  Wow!  We must be careful. 

 

Then there is one more question, “Who do you say I am?  (Matthew 16:15-20)
“ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

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. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 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. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.”

As we consider God as Whom He says He is, we’re wise to ask ourselves the question: Who do I say God is?  Many people and factors can influence who we’ve come to believe God is: That is so true, Beth!

In her last statement in Chapter one, Beth says this, Beloved, God invites us to participate in kingdom authority under the rule of His righteous will.  He extends staggering power to those willing to think with the mind of Christ rather than the mind of man.  God will also empower His children to bind untold evils and strongholds if we’d believe Him and cooperate with Him.  Where does this kind of existence begin?  With biblical answers to the pivotal question, “Who do you say that I am?”  God is looking for stewards willing to bind their own unbelief in the mighty name of Jesus and loose a fresh anointing of faith.

Questions:

1.  What your perception on God?
2.  What was revealed to Peter?
3.  What is revealed to you?

A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH
(By Beth Moore)  “A Taste of Believing God”

 

 

 

Introduction:

My first question was “What is Faith?”

 

Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
In her introduction, Beth said, “God spoke to her heart and said, “You believe in Me, Beth. Now I want you to “believe me.” That is faith to me!

Let’s Pray:  “Father God, we come to You in praise and worship to You.  Father, in the name of Jesus, we approach the throne of grace boldly and confidently. May the Word of God come forth accurately and in love during our study? We ask You to anoint each person that participate with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of this study, so each can share what You give them through Your Holy Spirit.  We pray that as we study, we will have ears to hear the wisdom and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s start with that, because that statement was a blessing to my heart!  You know, this is how God speaks to us; well, I know He speak to me that way.  I could just hear Him.  Once upon a time I was hanging out clothes where I was living with an elderly woman who had a dryer, but wouldn’t let me use it; I was out there hanging out those clothes just complaining away.  I heard God say in my spirit, “Claudia, you asked me to send you to a far-away country to help the, needed, but you are complaining about hanging out clothes because she has a dryer, and want let you use it.”  How can you go to those far-away countries, and live among them the way they live and can’t even hang out clothes on a line?  I was so shock!  You may say, why did you say that?  I just heard it that way. A true statement.  Listen to it again, “You believe In Me, Beth. Now I want you to “believe me!”  
Yes, we all believe in God, even the devil believes in God, amen.  That is what Jesus told his disciples. I enjoyed reading the introduction.   When I read it I was thinking about faith, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Also its weapon for us to use as in Ephesians 6………………..

Shield Faith What we see are Satan’s attacks in the form of insults, setbacks and temptations.  But the shield of faith protects us from Satan’s fiery darts.  With God’s perspective, we can see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours.  Glory to God!  Let’s examine FAITH.

What is the different between faith and believing?

Faith: Noun  (notice this)
1.    Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
2.    Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

Believing: Verb (notice this)
1.    Accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of: “the superintendent believed Lancaster’s story”.
2.    Accept the statement of (someone) as true.

In Beth’s introduction, she talk about faith is the way believers jump on board with God and participate in countless wonderful things He has a mind to do. Faith happens when believers believe.  She challenges us to grow in faith as quoted from Apostle Paul.  As we study this book we will find the five-step as follow……….

1. God is Who He says He is
2. God can Do What He says He can do
3. I Am Who God says I Am
4. I Can do all Things Through Christ
5. God’s Word Is Alive And Active In Me

You can have divine directions and peace in the midst of the storm.

Scripture Reading:     Matthew 14:22-33

 

“²² And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.²³ And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.²⁴ But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. ²⁷ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. ²⁸ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. ²⁹ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. ³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? ³² And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ³³ Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God

 

A Miracle took Place:

Here we see where Jesus had feed the five (5) thousand men beside women and children off five (5) loaves bread and two (2) fish, and then they took up twelve (12) full baskets of left overs.  That is a miracle!

 

Notice:

In verses (22-24) tell us that after Jesus had feed the five thousand; after the miracle took place, then the storm came into the lives of His disciples.

In verse (22) it says, “He sent them away, because it was time for Him to pray to the Father “before” the storm came-Jesus knew the storm was coming! 

 

(Why Wait?) Yes, why wait to pray.  Jesus didn’t.

 

Verse (24) says, “²⁴ But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.”  The wind (storm) was contrary. 

What do contrary means?  It mean opposite in nature, directions, or meaning.  Wow!  Also there is another meaning, perverse; self-willed, unfavorable, and opposite in position or direction, as said earlier. 

Pray while you have the strength, and chance before the wind of trouble come your way,  before the storm blow into your life; make preparation before it comes (Why wait?)

 

Jesus is our example:

 

Scripture Reading:            Psalm 32:6

Be careful of the east wind, Jesus knew a storm was coming, and when it came He was not worrying, but in faith because He had prayed to the Father for strength, directions, power over nature, comfort, and just to be in God’s presence. Because in His presence is fullness of joy, amen. 

Verse (23) “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”  After reading that I knew Jesus was teaching us to fix our eyes on Him, which is God’s Word.

Now let’s look at Peter who was fishing and not praying.  At first Peter was in faith when he walked on that water, but when he took his eyes off Jesus he begin to sink, (this is when all kinds of trouble come into your life) he took his eyes off Jesus.   Jesus knew the storm would rage, and he wind would blow.  And, He also knew they were under His control.  We must know this too!  (Why wait?)

 

Pray while you have the chance.  Fix your eyes on Jesus.  The storm of life will rage, the wind will blow, but hey will not come near you, and they can be under your control with the help of the Lord.  Fix your eyes on Jesus.

 

Know that yesterday’s miracle will bring tomorrow’s storm and wind, so make preparation today.  (Why wait?) 

 

Question:

 

How do we make preparation before the storm and wind?

 

1.   A Secret Place:

1. a.      Go before God for divine directions.  Looking up to heaven in a secret place, find a desert place ( Luke 9:10)
2. b.      Leave the old associations (Genesis 12:1; Luke 5:16, 6:12).
3. c.       Go aside privately in your heart, because God hears the heart prayer. (Proverbs 16:1)

 

2.   Spiritual Preparation:

 

Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Our faith has to rest in God, not in our preparations. And above all, we need to love God just as much during and after a crisis as we did before it. These are all reasons why spiritual preparation is so important.

We first need to understand that God is in control of our personal and national destinies. Joseph in the Book of Genesis understood this. He realized that his personal trials—being sold into slavery, wrongfully accused of adultery and sent to prison—were all part of God’s greater plan to place him in a high position in Egypt, where he was able to prepare a nation for famine and save many lives. (Genesis 37, 39, 41; 45:7-8; 50:20)  Preparation precedes blessings.  We must seek God.

 

Steps required in a spiritual preparation:

 

Isaiah 7:2 “And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.”

 

2 Chronicles 19:3 “Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.”

 

Yes, we must prepare for the blessings in the midst of the storm by

 

1. 1.   Retirement in God’s presence.
   1. a.    Sit down in God’s presence, depart from everything, be alone with God, rest in His presence (Matthew 15:29) (Mark 6:31-32).
   2. b.    We must give up the ghost (John 19:30).
   3. c.    We must bow our spirit, soul, and body.  Turn completely control over to the Lord.
   4. d.    Return unto the Lord (Luke 1:17).
   5. e.    Turn your face to the wall, and seek God

 

Isaiah 38:1-2: “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, (Why wait?)

 

This message was given to me from the Holy Spirit before I faced this particular situation, and I was told to pray now.  After praying I felt strong in the Lord, I felt secured in the Lord, I knew I was about to face a storm, but didn’t know when and where or what it was.  I cried out to God and God heard my cry and answered me with peace in my heart through the whole situation.  God is our peace in the midst of any storm.   When Jesus was sleeping down in the bottom of the ship He was not worried when the storm came (Luke 8:23-26)

 

“But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.²⁴ And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.²⁵ And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.²⁶ And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.”

 

Also read (Mark 4:37) “³⁷ And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.³⁸ And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? ³⁹ And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?     Don’t wait to pray:

 

Prayerfully yours,

Evangelist Claudia Jordan

Rejoicing, Praying, and Giving Thanks

 

Bible Verses (RcV)

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always rejoice, (17) Unceasingly pray, (18)

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; Let them shout for joy forever; And may You spread a cover over them; And those who love Your name will exult in You.”

 

Words of Ministry

 

[1 Thessalonians] verse 16 says, “Always rejoice.”

 

Rejoicing includes calling on the name of the Lord. We simply cannot rejoice in the Lord without uttering His name. Hence, the name of the Lord is implied in Paul’s charge to always rejoice. When we rejoice, therefore, we rejoice with the Lord’s name. In verse 17 Paul says, “Unceasingly pray.” This is to have uninterrupted fellowship with God in our spirit. It requires perseverance with a strong spirit. In verse 18 Paul continues, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” We should give thanks in everything because all things work together for our good that we may be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:28-29). The clause “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” modifies all the three preceding items. God wants us to live a rejoicing, praying, and thanking life. Such a life is a glory to God and a shame to His enemy. The sequence in verses 16 through 18 is according to Paul’s experience. Paul knew that first we rejoice, then pray, and then give thanks. The will of God in Christ Jesus for us is that we rejoice, pray, and give thanks.

I’ve been away, but will return soon to post. Thanks for stopping by.  God bless you!  Keep the faith.

 

Powerful Easter Verses