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| The Faith 'OF' God |
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The Faith OF God
Let me start this blog by apologizing in advance for it's length. There is no way I can say everything that's on my heart this morning, and keep it short. I pray that you will stay with me long enough for me to get to the main point. And that point is that we don't need greater faith. In fact, it's not even our own faith that we are operating on. Yet it is the very faith of The Son of God.
This country needs revival in a huge way. The hearts of men and women, both young and old, need to be turned towards God. I think we can all agree on those statements.
I also believe that yes, we need to be spending much time in prayer. Prayer is a very powerful means of getting our hearts in line with the will of the Father. Prayer changes us. But we don't need to be in prayer in order to get God to move. I have news for you, God is not the one who is stuck. God wants revival more than we could ever want it.
I personally believe that what we need in this country is a greater manifestation of the miracle working power of Jesus Christ. We need to be operating more in the supernatural. We need more signs and wonders. We need to be raising the dead, healing the sick, and casting out demonic forces.
Jesus used miracles to confirm His message time and time again. He used healing like a bell to draw people unto Him. What makes us think that we can reach people simply by our words alone? If Jesus himself used miraculous signs to prove that He is the Son of God, then I say we need to follow suit. In fact, that's what we have been commanded to do. God wants revival. We want revival. I guarantee that when we begin to start seeing blind eyes pop open, deaf ears opened, and people jumping out of wheelchairs, we'll have all the revival we can handle.
Here are several examples of Jesus explaining this truth:
But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Another great example is found in Mark Chapter 2 when the sick man was lowered through the roof:
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Jesus says here, quite clearly, that the reason He healed the sick man was to prove that He has the power on earth to forgive sins. It is easier to say that your sins are forgiven than it is to say rise up and walk. Why? Because you cannot see when a sin has been forgiven. There would be no proof of that. But you can see instantly when someone is healed. He used this healing as a means to verify and validate His message. In other words, if He can heal the sick, then He can most definitely forgive sins.
Let's look at one other example of this:
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
The gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to us for a reason. The reason is so that we can in turn use these gifts to perform signs, wonders, and miracles. Now if Jesus and the first century Christians needed the power of the Holy Spirit to confirm the message they preached, then we would be operating in extreme arrogance today if somehow we believe that our message alone is enough to win souls for the Kingdom. I say if that's the way they operated, then that is the way we are also to operate.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Oh, how many times I have pondered on these verses. There is no question mark at the end of either of these statements. Jesus told me that I shall do these things. While I may not be operating in the fullness of the power that has been given unto me yet, I am bound end determined to do so. God placed the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead within each and every one of us who is born again. And what the world needs, is to see this power manifest. People are searching. They are looking. They want something tangible and I fear that if we do not begin to do that which we have been commanded to do, then the open doors of false religions are going to be stealing the hearts of our loved ones, at an even greater rate.
Whew.....finally I can get to my point. Faith.
There are two kinds of faith that come to mind. The first is what I am going to call human faith. We often hear people say that faith is what we use when we sit down in a chair. We have faith that the legs are going to hold and the chair is not going to fall over. That's human faith. And then there's the faith that we exercise while driving through a green light, while we may take a glance to see if the way is clear we have faith that the opposing red light is going to stop traffic and allow us to pass through the intersection. Again, that's human faith.
Operating in human faith will only produce human results.
Then we we get to the second kind of faith and that is a supernatural kind of faith. A God kind of faith. It is only through supernatural faith that we can operate in the supernatural realm. We, as believers, have been given this God kind of faith. We don't need more faith, or greater faith, we just need to release and act upon the faith we already have.
Looking 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.
I highlighted the word our in the above verse because in my bible this word is italicized meaning that it was not part of the original translation. Jesus is the author and finisher of faith, period. We have the same faith that Jesus had.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Praise God for His grace, and for His faith! In the verse above what is it that is being spoke of that is not of ourselves? Faith. This faith didn't come from us, it is the gift of God! You got saved because of His faith, not yours.
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
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.
Your faith is not just in God, it is of God. And to each and every believer he has already granted unto you all the faith you will ever need. What you need is less unbelief. Unbelief is what negates the power of God from manifesting into the natural.
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. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
This is the passage that follows the disciples being unable to cast out the demon in the boy with epilepsy. So many times I hear it preached that it was their lack of faith the hindered them. Yet, Jesus said here that it was their unbelief, not a lack of faith. I mean they had faith, they had cast out demons before. Jesus is talking in this passage about unbelief and He says that this kind of unbelief comes out only by prayer and fasting, not this kind of demon. If any demon won't come out in the name of Jesus then we are all in big trouble. You can have all the faith in the world but if you have an equal amount of unbelief pulling in the opposite direction then you make the Word of God of none effect.
Anyway, I didn't want to get sidetracked into all that but it is important. What I am talking about here is the supernatural faith that we have available to us. It is by this releasing this faith, the God kind of faith, that we begin to flow and operate in the gifts of the Spirit.
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
And, one of my personal favorites:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Paul had a great revelation of this faith, this God kind of faith. The faith of Jesus. Brothers and sisters it's so important that we understand that we have the same exact faith that Jesus has dwelling on the inside of us. We do not need more faith. We need less unbelief. Everytime you hear someone say that the gifts have passed away and are no longer for today, then that seed of unbelief has been planted. Denounce that thing as fast as you can.
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.
I have certainly not arrived at my full potential. I have so very far to go, but at least I have left. I pray that this message today helps you to realize that the faith you have is beyond human. You have supernatural faith on the inside of you. I, for one, and bound and determined to begin to more fully operate therein. If we are not operating in the supernatural, then we are superficial. We, as born-again believers, are no longer only human. One third of us is wall-to-wall Holy Ghost. Are we comfortable operating at 66%? That's a failing grade in the schools I came up in.
The world needs what you have my friends. They are searching for something. They want to see signs. I am afraid for this nation, seriously afraid. There are way to many so-called alternatives being presented to the people today. Other religions are on the uprise and I am deeply concerned that we, as the Body of Christ, are failing to impose upon them the life-changing power of the Gospel.
Jesus used signs and wonders like a bell and so did His disciples. Let that sound ring throughout our country and throughout the world. The early church turned the world upside down in 30 years. We need to do that very same thing. When we turn the world upside down then all of the junk will fall out and only that which is attached to the vine shall remain. Of course, this is going to happen regardless, but we have an obligation nonetheless to do what we were commanded to do.
Is healing for today? Absolutely! Are miracles for today? In the words of Sarah Palin, "you betcha". Can we raise the dead? So says the Word. Can we cast out demonic forces? Jesus says we can. Jesus Himself certainly could. Jesus had amazing faith. And you know what He did for us? He gave us His faith as a mighty and powerful tool. I say it's time to go to work!
How about you believer? What sayeth ye? Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Amen
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| To add a comment to "The Faith 'OF' God" |
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| October 26, 2008 |
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| awesome! I am thankful for his faith He put in me......and it is a gift! |
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| October 26, 2008 |
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WOW...how long did it take for you to put this together, you really need to be printing these out and keeping them in a book somewhere Because these are preaching sermons your writing...seriously...Awesome stuff Michael...
Maybe it was because I was so young but I knew it was the faith of Christ that came into my body to help save my soul. I was so damaged I didn't believe in anything...God was the only thing I could grab onto and boy did I. I didn't hear the message of Jesus until a few years later...and I was like, "So that is His name"...I remember that so vividly....
I will tell you that up until listening to Andrew Wommack I thought my unbelief in situations or God to be exact is what affected my level of faith and that I had to build it back up when the meter went down so to speak. This concept has really opened my eyes...that it is not my faith that changes...I will always and do believe in God and the Word...that is my faith...BUT circumstances like pain do affect my belief...God help me! See that is where I learned how effective it was to actually speak to pain and remind myself how much the Lord has done for me...where He has taken me over the years and remember His faithfulness to me on the roads we have traveled. I remember and know keenly where He is making my rocky paths straight, I remember His personal care for me and then just the love He has for me floods me...THAT in turn affects my lack of belief because He has cared for me and I know He does each one of us, we all have our personal testimonies....
So to reiterate what you have said Michael...I too have not understood what I have dwelling inside of me. How is it that I can speak of Gods healing power when I go around crippled and wracked with pain like I have since my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?...see I am learning to eradicate this the effects of this disease out of my body. It started with stopping 13 meds I was on because I knew...I am healed, to take those medicines denied that fact. I also refuse to live in pain anymore, and if that means I have to speak to it multiple times a day and sometimes I do like this morning,k I do it. This morning I honestly could hardly stand up straight. I spoke to my back, and pain, and body and commanded it to come into line. On days like this I use to go to bed the whole day. Within two minutes I started making banana bread from scratch, baked potato soup from scratch, and I have yeast rolls that have now risen (as I did) and are ready to pop in the oven. My whole house is clean and my children are now in church...it has been a great day! Symptoms don't discourage the facts of what Christ did on the cross for me any longer. I don't know how I can be any more bold about it but those are the facts. I no longer put a pill in my mouth to deal with symptoms...and I am more active than ever....
I wish these things were taught more in the church, I know there are many like me sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have been saved jeez 41 years or something crazy like that, I should have known this by now...but I am glad at least I got a hold of at least this truth that has literally set me free from sickness....
I wanted to add a tangible example to back up what you posted Michael....this is what sayeth I... |
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| October 26, 2008 |
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I am wondering what took longer Lori, me composing this blog or you composing that comment!
That was awesome, seriously.
Praise God for you. I am so very proud of you. It takes a lot of courage to step out of the boat like you have. Not only have you stepped out of the boat, you are practically water-skiing on the truth you have found.
"See that is where I learned how effective it was to actually speak to pain and remind myself how much the Lord has done for me...where He has taken me over the years and remember His faithfulness to me on the roads we have traveled. I remember and know keenly where He is making my rocky paths straight, I remember His personal care for me and then just the love He has for me floods me...THAT in turn affects my lack of belief because He has cared for me and I know He does each one of us, we all have our personal testimonies...."
AMEN
A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Thank you Lori, you always bring so much additional fruit to the table!
Andrew has some very powerful healing testimonies on his website. I would encourage all to take some time to view these. I think Lori would agree.
http://awmi.net/extra/healing
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| October 26, 2008 |
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When I viewed those healing testimonies I stopped my meds, I told no one for 2 weeks that I was med free. I could NOT take hearing the onslaught AND deal with the side effects I knew I would more than likely have come my way. I needed to be quiet, hear no doubt, and keep myself full of the "right" stuff. I didn't watch TV, or blog. I read the Word and listened to tapes. I worked and took care of my family, during this time I really only talked to people who would lift me up, it left me with one friend...and my kiddos but my kids did not know.
Sometimes it takes drastic action to get drastic results...I just praise God I was lead to these teachings and the truth of how to DO it....
I only hope it helps for people to read this...
Michael it really didn't take long at all, it flowed out of me....:) Nothing like the time it took for you to post that blog...how awesome! |
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| October 26, 2008 |
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"Sometimes it takes drastic action to get drastic results"
Amen |
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| October 26, 2008 |
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When we operate in worldly ways, we get worldly results!
Again brother, excellent! |
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| October 26, 2008 |
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I just have to say this. I just read a blog about healing and how it really is a farce basically...and written by a master of theology at that, no Word of course to back up his side. This just saddens me. It is such an example of where the church is today. They have been fed so much theology and doctrines people have become ignorant of what the Word says...
People can debate healing all they want, but let me tell you...YOU get sick or one of your children...and you will be searching for a saving truth....some people may say..."OH, your healing is not real it is not spontaneous" My healing was obtained 2000 years ago on the cross. It is in my daily walk that I have to learn to walk it out. See, I agree with something Nicki says on those videos you have a link to...we all have our issues, for some it is addictions, my issue is learning to walk in daily healing. I too easily instead of relying on what is already in me have been relying on medicine...I had to learn to stop doing that...that is my process, the healing is not, that was done instantly....that is the distinction I want people to really get. Symptoms are not disease. I no longer have disease and more often than not I don't have symptoms either, they are lessening all the time. I would have never held on to my healing thou if I hadn't learned to fight the symptoms of illness...
If you miss this distinction it is no different than missing the distinction on faith vs belief. For me until I got the differences here I stayed ignorant and for me that meant sick...One day I will blog and be more bold but right now I'm in the middle of this story unfolding in my life and I feel very protective of it...it is like a newborn baby that I just don't want to take to church yet...just not ready for all the exposure... |
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| October 29, 2008 |
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Amen Lori.
God will be the God that we believe Him to be.
Our thoughts about God do not change who God is but we are only able to receive from God to the extent that we believe Him. |
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