Fixing A Belief Problem

This morning I felt led to read from the prophet Malachi. There are several verses from Malachi that are very familiar, but today my focus is on the verses just following the verses on tithing.  Here are the verses - Malachi 3:6-15 NIV:

[6] “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. [7] Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. 

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 

[8] “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. 

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ 

“In tithes and offerings. [9] You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. [10] Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. [11] I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. [12] “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty. 

[13] “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the LORD. 

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 

[14] “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? [15] But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’ ” 

Recently I have been reflecting on unbelief, and wrong-belief, and the last two verses are a great example of believing wrongly.  In fact, the first eight verses speak of actions aligned with this same belief.  If I believe it is futile to serve the Lord, then why would I ever tithe? There is clearly a belief in place that serving God is a waste of time, resources and energy, which is a message from the depths of hell.  Clearly the people had a belief problem and God was trying to get them to recognize that fact.

Generally our belief systems don’t just happen, but are built up over time.  In this case the people probably had some of the following experiences: 

1) Expectations that weren’t fulfilled.  

2) Difficult times where there was no rescue or answer.  

3) Seemingly unanswered prayers.   

4) A litany of disappointments rolling through one’s thoughts.

All of these are ways the enemy tries to convince us that serving God is futile.  We are at the center of all of these, and we are told our view is proof, even though our view is from a pit of self-pity and self-focus, we can’t see anything beyond our own wants, and frustrations.

Recently our Pastor spoke on promises and how they almost away are fulfilled differently than we would expect.  We expect them to be fulfilled exactly the way we want, and in the time frame we set, and when that doesn’t happen we can be tempted to believe lies about God, the one who spoke the promise.

The problem is that we think the world revolves around us.  We have wrong beliefs about our purpose, about God’s purpose and plans and even about the core values of Christianity.  It's no wonder that life doesn’t make sense, and we can end up frustrated.  

So how do we change?

What is the path forward?

First, we need to change our belief about who God is.  He reveals Himself in Scripture, and primarily through Jesus.  He is not some angry judge waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us.  I am reminded of several verses where God reveals His character.  The first verse to pop into my mind is the following - Exodus 34:6 NIV:

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,"

The second set of verses is new of my all time favorites - Isaiah 55:6-9 NIV:

[6] “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” 

[8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Taking these two sets of verses we can create a base level of understanding, a foundation that we can stand on and a grid through which we can view our circumstances and life.  God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.  His ways and thoughts are not like ours, but they represent His character.  If the thoughts running through our mind don’t line up with these basic truths, then we need to recognize we are believing wrongly. We have to be open to the idea that maybe our perspective and our beliefs are skewed, and possibly wrong.  

I feel like this is related to the recovery from addiction, its not possible to be successful unless we admit that we have a problem.  In the same way, we won’t be able to really move forward in our beliefs unless we come to a point of recognizing that we might have a belief problem.  

Once we come to a realization that we have a belief problem, the Lord can start to rebuild our foundation, or make adjustments to our belief structure.  I remember the first time I realized that I might not have it all figured out, and might be wrong on a few points. It was humbling, but at the same time freeing, for I recognized that there was more to God than what I was experiencing.  

These days I welcome the opportunities for my thinking to be corrected, and for me to expand my beliefs to align with God’s character and plans and purposes.  My desire is to become more like Christ in every way, and anything in me that isn’t like Him, I am willing to change.  The Lord is compassionate (See the list above from Exodus) and does not require me to know or recognize all the things I need to change at once, instead He works with me to slowly make the corrections and adjustments.  

One thing I can say with confidence, I know more now than I did when I thought I had it all figured out!  I also can confidently say, what I know is almost nothing when compared with the magnificence of God!  His goodness, kindness, faithfulness, love, compassion, mercy, patience, and perfection are so much better than I know or can imagine!  His plans and purposes are so much better than anything I could ever work up or think up! He is worthy of everything I can bring to Him, and really all He wants is my love in return. 

This morning I am encouraged to continue to look at my life to see where I have belief problems.  I am encouraged to ask God to help me to change the way I think and act, so that they might better align with who He is!  I am encouraged that following the Lord and serving Him is the best thing I can do with my life!

Amen!

Wrong-Belief

Last night in our home group we were talking about unforgiveness and being offended, and how that is a form of unbelief, or believing wrongly.  This tied in well with some of the recent sermons on the promises of God and being clothed by God (and how we deal with our mistakes).  Anyway it was a good conversation and as we were talking I was reminded of some verses I had read a few days earlier, from Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV:

[5] “This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, 

who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 

[6] That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; 

they will not see prosperity when it comes. 

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 

[7] “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 

[8] They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. 

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. 

It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

I remember the first time I read these verses, the message was so clear, if we try to do things our way, we will screw things up.  If we trust tin the Lord, things will go well.

The reason I was reminded of this was that we were talking about how unbelief is often times believing the wrong thing, or believing the wrong voice.  Going back to Scripture, the first case we have of this is found in Genesis, where Eve believes the snake instead of God (see Gen 3:1-6)!  

In our daily lives we often find this subtly at play in what voice we choose to listen to?  The old devil and angel on one’s shoulder is a humorous example of what many if not all of us deal with, often without our knowledge, or awareness.  I know in my life I have learned to be aware of where my thoughts originate, for not all appear to come from my brain.  

There are times when I will be assaulted with thoughts condemning someone, or judging someone and none of it with evidence to support it,or previous thought lines that would lead me to end up there.  Often these thoughts are accusing in nature, and when that occurs, I have learned to identify these thoughts as originating with the accuser (Rev. 12:10).

Other times I find myself not trusting God’s plans.  One of the things our Pastor said, in talking about Promises of God, is that they don’t look like we think they will, and that is a problem for many of us.  We think God should act a certain way, based on His promises, or on something we heard someone say, and when that doesn’t pan out we start doubting whether God loves us, whether He cares at all, or even whether He exists.

I recently had a long struggle with the Lord in that I didn’t like the way it appeared His plans were leading me, and I tried for several years to change things through my own efforts, none of which were successful.  I found myself more and more frustrated, and thinking, “seriously Lord, this is your idea of fulfilling your promise?!”  Not exactly a prayer of faith!

As I was struggling through this time, I found myself often thinking accusatory thoughts about God, and one day He stopped me and said, “am I on trial, if so, which side of the courtroom are you on, the prosecutor or the defender?”  I immediately knew I had been listening to the wrong voice, believing the wrong voice and repented and asked for forgiveness, for I was judging God, “Yikes!” something I am fully incapable of doing at all!  

Surprisingly, very shortly after that experience all of a sudden the path the Lord was leading me down changed and I could see the fulfillment of the Promise coming towards me, better than I could have imagined, or certainly accomplished on my own.

This morning I am encouraged to carefully consider my thoughts and actions, my motivations and expectations.  I am encouraged to ascertain the original source of what I am believing and pursuing.  I am encouraged to make sure I am trusting in God and not in man-made ways, whether of my own creation of someone else's. 

Lord, I pray that You open my eyes to any areas of unbelief, or wrong-belief in me, that I might be aware so that i can change my thinking and my actions! Help me to recognize and reject the accusations of the accuser, and hold firmly to Your Word and Promises!

Amen!

Forgiveness and Being Offended

This morning the theme of my prayer time is forgiveness.  I don’t think I have many struggles in this area, but I might be wrong. Lord, please open my eyes if I do. I know that forgiveness is certainly something that many people struggle with in their lives.  I started reading in Jeremiah and ran across a few verses where Jeremiah is asking God to strike down his enemies and as I read them I was thinking that these prayers were very un-Christ-like.  Here are the verses - Jeremiah 18:19-23 NIV:

[19] “Listen to me, LORD; hear what my accusers are saying! [20] Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember that I stood before you and spoke in their behalf to turn your wrath away from them. [21] So give their children over to famine; hand them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives be made childless and widows; let their men be put to death, their young men slain by the sword in battle. [22] Let a cry be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring invaders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet. [23] But you, LORD, know all their plots to kill me. Do not forgive their crimes or blot out their sins from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.”

My first thought on reading these verses was that this sounds like some of the well-known modern day prophets that are prophesying against cities or regions or people that are known for being sinners.  My second thought was that this is clearly not one of those parallel verses we find in both the Old and New Testaments, nor a shadow of what is to be fulfilled through Jesus.  Rather this is exact opposite of what Jesus demonstrated in His life.  Instead of calling down vengeance, Jesus called down forgiveness - as described in these verses from Luke 23:32-34 NIV:

[32] “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. [33] When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. [34] Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Jesus, in addition to living out a very different approach to sinners (He died for them all, taking their punishment upon Himself) taught several times on forgiveness as well, and we are encouraged to embrace His words, and examples.  Probably the most pointed teaching came during His sermon on the Mount, here recounted in Matthew 6:14-15 NIV:

[14] “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

He said these words prior to His passion, death, resurrection and ascension, but we cannot ignore them, for every word Jesus spoke was at the Father’s direction. This clearly speaks of the importance of forgiveness, and becomes clearer through the further teachings of Paul in his letter to the Colossians 3:12-14 NIV:

[12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Forgiveness for our sins is a gift we receive when we believe, and we are called to forgive others as we have been forgiven!  What we have received we should extend.  Paul wrote more thoroughly about this all in his letter to the Romans 3:21-26 NIrV:

[21] “But now God has shown us his saving power without the help of the law. But the Law and the Prophets tell us about this. [22] We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for the Gentiles. [23] Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory. [24] The free gift of God's grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. [25] God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of his blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that he does what is right. He is a God of mercy. So he did not punish for their sins the people who lived before Jesus lived. [26] God did all this to prove in our own time that he does what is right. He also makes right with himself those who believe in Jesus.” 

This grace gift, this forgiveness of our sins, is something that should fill us with gratitude every day of our lives.  It is something that should inspire our actions towards others, we should be demonstrating that which we have received in freely forgiving others, and that is where many of us struggle.  We don’t want to forgive, we want vengeance for wrongs done to us!  Jeremiah demonstrated this spirit in his asking God to smite his enemies, and it seems this is not far from our thoughts and prayers when we have been wronged, and this is clearly not what Jesus taught us.

Unforgiveness is a very dangerous sin, for it can lead to other things like unbelief and bitterness. (See Heb 12:15)  We can begin to accuse God of not loving us, or not caring for us!  We can take His seat as judge and call down condemnation on those who have wronged us.  All of this is so dangerous, and the absolute opposite of the type of witness we are called to bring.

One other area, which is more common these last few years is the area of being offended. In reality, I believe this is just unforgiveness with a different name, and closely tied to unbelief.  Someone’s words hurt us so we choose to judge them unworthy… or evil.  People were regularly offended at Jesus, for He didn’t do what they wanted, or meet their expectations, but instead did what the Father told Him to do. It is interesting that in Mark’s Gospel, we find being offended and unbelief (or lack of faith) tied together.  Here are the verses - Mark 6:1-6 NIV:

[1] “Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.” 

[4] “Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.”

There are so many verses that I could quote and reflect on, but I think I will stop and just quote these few verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:26-27,29-32 NIV:

[26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold.” 

[29] “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Oh Lord, help me to embrace forgiveness, to extend forgiveness and to walk in peace, faith and mercy.

Amen and Amen!

Standing and Overcoming

This morning I opened my Bible to Romans 8, and started reading some of that rich chapter.  There is plenty to reflect upon, but this morning I was encouraged by the following verses - Romans 8:31-35,37-39 NIV:

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?’ 

[37] “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

These are such hopeful verses, especially for anyone struggling through difficult times.  Anytime I run into difficult times, I immediately think, even though I know better, that I am being punished for something I did wrong.  So often, I associate difficult times with God’s displeasure, and that is just not true at all.  As Paul writes above, God has justified us through the blood of Jesus, He isn’t going to go back and take this justification away from us when we make a mistake or sin.  Jesus already paid for all of our sins, took every punishment upon Himself.

The prophet Isaiah wrote about this in Isaiah 53:4-6,10-12 NIV:

[4] “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

[6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” 

[10] “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 

[11] After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 

[12] Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote the following - Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV:

[11] “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. [12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. [14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” 

[15] “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Finally, going back to the verses from Romans, the other verse that caught my attention were the following -  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?’ “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”  (Rom 8:36-37 NIV). 

Becoming conquerors over difficult situations seems easy to say, but difficult to live out.  Not that this isn’t true, the difficulty comes in believing, and holding onto this truth in the midst of the difficulty.  The enemy works over-time to convince us that since the difficulty comes from God, there is no sense resisting or trying to overcome.  Standing on the truth is key to our ability to overcome.  Paul writes the following in his letter to the Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV:

[10] “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” 

[13] “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

This morning I am encouraged that overcoming difficulty and struggles is absolutely possible.  They are not from God and He gives me strength to stand, overcome and conquer, coming through to the other side victorious. 

Amen! 

Dealing With Spirits

This morning I am back in some verses from Luke that I was reading yesterday.  I do like spending time in the Gospels, as I can never get enough of the life of Jesus.  I like to read large chunks of the Gospels, but usually find something that makes me stop and think, and today is such a time.  Here are the verses - Luke 4:38-44 NIV:

[38] “Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. [39] So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 

[40] At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. [41] Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 

[42] At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. [43] But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” [44] And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

I have been spending plenty of time looking at some of the significant healings in the early church, and her we find Jesus, early in His ministry doing plenty of similar healings.  His ministry was marked by healings and authority over evil spirits (demons) from the very start of His public ministry. This particular chapter mentions the demons acknowledging the fact that He was the Son of God a couple of times (See also Luke 4:31-37), and that got me thinking.  I asked myself the question if the early church experienced a similar ministry of healing and setting the demonically oppressed free, and I was reminded of a few verses, but want to do a deeper dive.

The first set of verses I remembered is the following story from Acts 19:13-20 NIV:

[13] “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” [14] Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. [15] One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” [16] Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 

[17] When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. [18] Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. [19] A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. [20] In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

Obviously this is a bit more intense, but does clearly show the same world-view and ministry.  This type of ministry was so wide-known, that others were trying to copy it, but doing it without the relationship and required authority in the Name of Jesus.  

Looking at some other verses we do find these types of healings mentioned several times - Acts 5:12-16 NIrV:

[12] “The apostles did many signs and wonders among the people. All the believers used to meet together at Solomon's Porch. [13] No outsider dared to join them. But the people thought highly of them. [14] More and more men and women believed in the Lord. They joined the other believers. [15] So people brought those who were sick into the streets. They placed them on beds and mats. They hoped that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he walked by. [16] Crowds even gathered from the towns around Jerusalem. They brought their sick people. They also brought those who were suffering because of evil spirits. All of them were healed.”

• And - 

Acts 8:4-8 NIrV:

[4] “The believers who had been scattered preached the word everywhere they went. [5] Philip went down to a city in Samaria. There he preached about the Messiah. [6] The crowds listened to Philip and saw the signs he did. All of them paid close attention to what he said. [7] Evil spirits screamed and came out of many people. Many people who were disabled or who couldn't walk were healed. [8] So there was great joy in that city.”

• And -

Acts 19:11-12 NIV:

[11] “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”

While certainly not conclusive, I think its safe to say that dealing with the demonically oppressed and those affected by evil spirits was a part of the ministry of the early church.  I have done plenty of reading of more modern ministers who had great success in praying for healings (Smith Wigglesworth and John G. Lake) and both said that a large percentage of the sick they prayed for were so affected, in fact if I remember correctly I believe Smith Wigglesworth said he thought that close to 75% of those He prayed for were so afflicted.

I think its safe to say that we, as Jesus’ representatives, need to be aware of this spiritual reality and equipped to deal with these types of situations, as the people so afflicted need healing too. Jesus gave His disciples authority over demons and evil or impure spirits.  Matthew 10:1 NIV:

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”  

We should not be afraid nor filled with some sort of demon-hunter mentality, but we should expect that as we minister in Jesus Name, we will encounter such afflicted individuals.  I heard one teacher describe dealing with the demonic as similar to cleaning toilets, not some glorious thing but something that needs to be done to get rid of the affects.

While not a common encouraging topic, I do believe we will see more and more of the enemies activity as we press into God, working to extend His Kingdom.  It was true back then, it is true in the world today, in the non-westernized cultures, and I believe its an important world-view that we need to embrace, for  greater effectiveness in representing the ministry of Jesus.  As a last encouragement I  quote Paul in his letter to the Romans 8:38-39 NIV:

[38] “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Amen and Amen!

Be Alert!

This morning I was reading through 1 Peter.  It definitely is different reading Peter’s letter than Paul’s, for the flow of thought is different, no less inspired, just thoughts coming from a different mind.  I do so enjoy reading other authors who are writing about things I am thinking about, as it is helpful to get a different perspective. 

This morning I was reminded of these great verses from Peter, which have been helpful to me at many times.  The idea that the enemy is prowling looking for someone to devour is helpful.  I need to remember that my life exists in a battleground, and I am in danger. 

We were talking recently about the fact that there is a spiritual realm, and many of us, myself included, are unaware what is happening in this realm the majority of the time.  Peter calls this to mind and encourages us in the midst of our struggle.  Here are the verses -  1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV - 

6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

I think it is helpful to know that dealing with temptation, as described in verse 9 (resist him) is common to us all and it does feel like a form of suffering.  Denying ourselves, denying the flesh, holding our thoughts captive, resisting what seems so attainable and desirable, agreeing with God’s plan and promise, rather than trying to force our way through, all are forms of suffering.  Waiting on the Lord to do what He said He will do is definitely a form of suffering… of enduring… of trusting in Him. 

I find my biggest battles are to hold onto the Lord, and resist the temptation to agree with the accuser.  I find that he is constantly accusing God or others with some evil intent, some hurtful thoughts, some plan not in my best interest.  I have come to recognize this is a form of vain imaginations, for most people around me are not thinking about me, nor do they have evil intentions for me.  

Clearly the Lord is always thinking about me, but not as a punishing God, but as one who has loved me since the beginning of the world, who died for me, who shed his blood for me!  He is interceding at the right hand of the Father for me, not whispering in the Father’s ears how they should smite me for my sins… 

Paul writes of this same theme in his letter to the Romans 8:31-34 NIV:

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Clearly the Lord is for us, and if we hold onto Him, stand firm in our faith, He will help us.  He will strengthen us, make us firm and steadfast and give us hope. I love Peter's admonition to be alert and of sober mind.  I definitely need to be reminded to pay attention to my thoughts, holding onto the ones that are towards the Lord and resisting those that bring accusation.

Lord, I thank You for Your amazing love, Your help, and Your encouragement this morning.  I thank you for giving us simple directions to help us walk through our life, staying on the path You have set for us.  

Amen and Amen!

Set Free From Shackles

Yesterday during worship I had a distinct impression that the Lord wanted set people free.  I opened my Bible and the first bit I saw was where Peter was imprisoned.  Here is the story - Acts 12:1-10 NIV:

[1] "It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. [2] He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. [3] When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. [4] After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 

[5] So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 

[6] The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. [7] Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 

[8] Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. [9] Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. [10] They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him."

I love this for many reasons and I think it is a great witness to the Lord's ability to reach into our circumstances and provide miraculous release.  If there was a hopeless situation, this was it, and Herod was taking no chances, and planning to kill Peter as he had James. He was chained, guarded by 4 soldiers, and not going anywhere, except the Lord intervened. 

I love the bit where Luke, the author of Acts, added the note about the church earnestly praying.  Our prayers matter, and this Holy Spirit inspired note is there to encourage us to pray!

Anyway, back to the theme of the Lord setting people free, the understanding I had was that the Lord was releasing people from the chains that bind them, from hopeless situations, from situations whether physical, emotional, spiritual or a combination of all three!  Jesus is the one who has all authority (Mt 28:18) and power (Col 2:10), who broke every chain (Acts 16:26) and defeated the power of sin and death (Rom 8:2) and set us free their power.  When He intervenes, nothing can stop Him, no chain, no guard, no power of hell!  

The enemy will try to convince us that we deserve our chains, deserve our pain, deserve our punishment, but Jesus set us free from all of that!  Paul writes, 

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14 NIV).

Jesus said the following about Himself,  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV).  

And lastly, Paul writes, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." ( 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV).

This morning I am encouraged that God desires to set us free, anyone that finds themselves bound by whatever chain that keeps us from Him, from the freedom He desires for us, from the life He brings!  As He says,  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV) 

Lord, I pray that You might send angelic help, even as You did for Peter, to set us free from that which shackles us!  I pray that Your payment, Your sacrifice might be applied to each and every situation being brought before you in prayer today!  You are the only one who has all authority, all power and intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father! (Rom 8:34)

Amen and Amen!

Oppressed Set Free

Yesterday my honey and I were talking about a friend of ours who recently revealed struggles with an abusive work situation that had rekindled trauma related to abuse they suffered in their childhood.  We were discussing how some people just seem to attract certain types of bad behavior towards them, almost as if they are marked.  Looking at this situation with spiritual eyes, we know that people can be afflicted spiritually, and this particular situation seemed to have that look and feel.  

A spiritual world view is very common, less so in the western mind-set, but certainly a perspective that is clear in scripture.  Jesus regularly dealt with people who were demonized or spiritually afflicted and oppressed.  Without getting into a full analysis of all the different stories and the different types, or stages of demon or spiritual affliction, suffice it say that Jesus certainly believed in this, as did the writers of the Gospels and other New Testament authors, in fact the word demon is used 72 times in the NIV version I use, and evil spirits 8 times.  An example of a verse follows - Matthew 8:16 NIV:  "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick."

If we were to look at all the stories in scripture, there do appear to be different levels of affliction and oppression that are spiritual in nature.   This certainly was the world-view at the time of Jesus and that world-view continues to be held in much of the world.  

In our conversation we were talking about how certain woundings can be related to types of spiritual affliction.  In the case we were discussing it was evident that mental and emotional abuse were commonly experienced by this individual, but others around them who were interacting with the same people were treated completely differently.  It was almost like this individual was wearing a "kick-me" sign on their back without their knowledge.  I commented that it was like they had a target painted on their back, and as I said that I was reminded of a recent sermon we heard where our pastor described anointing as being painted with oil.  This "anointing" or being painted with oil is a beautiful example of how God desires to bless, and make His favor evident.

In the case we were discussing, I saw in this type of situation that the person was experiencing almost the exact opposite, it was like they were painted with defilement (a nicer word than what I actually said). In the military, they speak of painting a target, using a laser or other technique to shine or identify the intended target so that the incoming bullet or missile hits exactly where they want.  What we have seen and experienced, like this individual's situation, is something similar, but in the spiritual realm.

We have known many other people who seem to attract bad behaviour to them without any activity of their own, and we do know that for many of these people there was a spiritual component to that attraction.  Jesus actually described something like this in the following verses found in Matthew 12:43-45 NIV:

[43] “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. [44] Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. [45] Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

While these verses seem to describe a hopeless situation, Jesus clearly dealt with demon afflicted people regularly and set them free.  In other words, when the underlying spiritual situation was dealt with, the attracting of bad actors or spirits ceased.  For instance, one women we know was sexually abused as young woman and it seemed that everywhere she went that men would approach her with bad intentions.  It was only after dealing with the trauma she experienced earlier, through prayer, walking through forgiveness, and casting out the spiritual oppressors in Jesus' name, that she was set free from the constant affliction and abusive intentions and actions, and no longer has these same experiences.  She is no longer marked.

We see an example of dealing with the underlying spiritual issue in the following verses - Matthew 9:32-33 NIV:  While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. [33] And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”   

There are many examples of people with greater and lesser afflictions,  of oppressed people being set free by Jesus, and the Apostles.  This ministry is one of the identifiers of the Messiah, as prophesied by Isaiah and proclaimed by Jesus, about Himself in the following verses - Luke 4:16-21 NIV:

[16] "He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 

[18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 

[20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

This morning I am encouraged that Jesus can still set any of us free from that which binds, that which oppresses, that which afflicts and in some cases, possesses. He has all authority and power (Matt 28:18) and demonstrated regularly His ability to cast out the spirits that afflicted the people He encountered.  Jesus empowered His apostles and disciples to do the same, in His name, and as His followers, we have this same ministry available to us today.  

It is my prayer that all who are so afflicted, oppressed and struggling might find freedom in Jesus Christ, the one who was anointed by God, painted in oil, to set us free!

Amen and Amen!

A Nation In A Moment

Last night I was at a prayer meeting and I was thinking about the God's throne and looking for a scripture related to that, and I cam across the following verses which seem to tie back to the theme's of the last few days, the conversion of many people in Jerusalem as the result of the healing of the man born lame (see Acts 3:1-10 and Acts 4:4).  The verses are from Isaiah, and that book  was written between 600-700 years before Christ, which to me shows the incredible plans and purposes of the Lord.  Here are the verses - Isaiah 66:1-2,7-13 NIV:

[1] This is what the Lord says:

 “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? [2] Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." 

[7] “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. 

[8] Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? 

Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? 

Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. 

[9] Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. 

“Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. 

[10] “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. 

[11] For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

 [12] For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; 

you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. 

[13] As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

The imagery and message of verses 7-9 speaks of a rapid move of God!  One could say the Kingdom of God, of which the earthly kingdom of Zion is a type and shadow, was birthed rapidly following Pentecost and the healing of the man born lame.  As I mentioned in an earlier writing, assuming the numbers of converts in Acts 2 and Acts 4 are additive, that 8000 people came to believe in Jesus, and were joined to the Kingdom of God in less than a few weeks, which in the grand scheme of time certainly seems like a moment (especially if you are looking at it from 600 years away). 

I was just struck by the heart of God, releasing prophecy of His intent to touch Jerusalem again, to see her blessed and comforted!  For surely Jerusalem did encounter the blessing and comfort, the gracious mercy of the Lord!  They experienced first-hand His love and forgiveness, and His compassion for them, but in a spiritual sense as the Kingdom of God, rather than as an earthly kingdom.  (I hope that makes sense).

Isaiah was looking forward prophetically and seeing the Lord's blessing pouring forth on Jerusalem.  His language was about an earthly Kingdom, as it wasn't clear that God had better plans, a Kingdom hidden in the hearts of men with no geographic boundaries, able to span every earthly man-made border.  He saw what looked like earthly blessings and provisions, the wealth of nations, and to some extent that was true, but I think this represents the abundant gifts of the Holy Spirit being poured upon the Kingdom of God, upon this new Ekklesia, the signs and wonders, the healings, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.  He correctly identifies there is a river of peace flowing out of Jerusalem, but doesn't understand that is the Gospel!  He prophesies the coming comfort of God not fully understanding this is the forgiveness of sins, repentance and the restoration of relationship with the Loving Father!  

Going back to the theme of rapid moves of God, I am reminded of a couple of other verses - Isaiah 48:3-7 NIV:

[3] "I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. 

[4] For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze. 

[5] Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, 'My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.' 

[6] You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. 

[7] They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, 'Yes, I knew of them.'

- and - 

Amos 9:11-15 NIV:

[11] “In that day “I will restore David's fallen shelter---I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins---and will rebuild it as it used to be, 

[12] so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name, ” declares the Lord, who will do these things. 

[13] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, 

[14] and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. 

[15] I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God."

I love both of these sets of passages for the Lord speaks of seasons of acceleration, of rapid changes and movement!  He has pans for hundreds of years, and yet they can come to pass in a day, a week or in a moment!  He truly operates from outside of time, and His perspective.  I am reminded of something Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV:

[8] But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

My prayer is that we would encounter the Lord in one of these moments where His plan and purposes are quickly fulfilled!  I pray that we might see His mighty outpouring of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion over us, over our churches, over our cities!  I pray that we might encounter the magnificence and glory of Jesus, revealed in an instant as Jerusalem did when the man born lame was healed and completely restored before their very eyes, and none could deny it!  I pray that the Name of Jesus would be shouted in joy, that forgiveness and repentance would flow,  and that the Kingdom of God would flourish and expand rapidly to all!  

Amen and Amen!

  

Where We Set Our Foot

This morning I have been following the threads of some of our conversation we had last night at our home group, and some of the imagery I had in a dream last night, and came across the following verses - Deuteronomy 11:13-15,22-25 NIV:

[13] "So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today---to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul--- [14] then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. [15] I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied." 

[22] "If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow---to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him and to hold fast to him--- [23] then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you. [24] Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea. [25] No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go."

This past December, I spent some time looking at possessing the land and how it related to the ministry of the early church. Here is a link to the first of a couple of my blog entries on this subject: https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2024/12/possessing-land-and-eternal-life.html

I find myself back in this theme this morning with some additional perspective.  Last night in our home group we were talking about how healing and miracles can change the atmosphere of a city, or even a region.  We were looking at Acts 3 - 5, and how the healing of the man born lame, through Peter and John, caused a massive conversion of 5000 people.  

Looking at that event this morning through the lense of the verses from Deut., I think this was a dispossessing of the spirit of unbelief over Jerusalem.  I love the promise found in verse 24 above, "Every place where you set your foot will be yours"!  What an incredible promise, and one that for the most part went unfulfilled in the Old Testament.  Israel never possessed all of the land mentioned, which was one of the signs of the fulfillment of this promise.  One wonders if that means this promise was for the Church, for clearly the Church has impacted almost all the known nations and peoples!  I say almost, because there are definitely unreached people groups, and groups we might think are outside the reach of the Gospel.

Last night we talked about pressing in to see the Lord work signs and wonders, to have our faith increased that we might be vessels through which the Holy Spirit might move and bear witness to Jesus Christ as our Messiah and Savior!  This morning I am encouraged that this is right and good in the eyes of the Lord!  His heart is for expansion, for increase, for dispossessing the spirit of unbelief, and the spirit of this age.  He is about Glorifying the Name of Jesus for all the world to see!  

Lord, thank You for calling us to continue Your ministry, to bear witness to who you are, to the fact that You are the Messiah, the Savior, the Christ!  Thank You Holy Spirit for bearing witness to all of this through us, and in us!  Help us to expand our perspective, increase our faith and step into all that You have purposed and planned!  You have promised that every place where we set our foot will be ours, and we only want to step where You tell us to step!  

Amen and Amen!

Faith Which Comes Through Him

This morning I am back in the Book of Acts, chapter 3.  My meditation yesterday morning is continuing to produce fruit in my mind and spirit, so I figured it is good for another day! :-)

Here are the verses I am reflecting on this morning - Acts 3:6-16,19-20 NIV:

[6] "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." 

[11] "While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see." 

[19] "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you---even Jesus."

I just love this story, for the miraculous restoration of the man's legs, his muscles, tendons, ligaments and the ability to use them in an instant is just not possible outside of God's intervention.  The best medical science we have today, could not accomplish this!  Even if you completely surgically replaced his legs, with working ones, and were able to reattach all the nerves so that they worked perfectly, it would take the man months of rehab, to learn how to walk, as He had never been able to do so from birth.  In an instant he is completely restored, and not only are all the muscles and connective tissues working, he is able to stand walk, and even leap!  The people were rightly filled with wonder and amazement!

What is every bit as wonderful is that God is doing similar things even today!  He has never stopped working miracles, and healings in the lives of people, we just don't hear much about them, unless they happen in our immediate relationships, or go searching for them.  There are three ministries that I am aware of that regularly see miracles and healings.  The Ministries of Randy Clark and Global Awakening, Bill Johnson and Bethel Redding, CA, and Heidi Baker, and Iris International.  I know there are many other ministries, but these three are good places to start if you want to hear and see what God is doing, even today.  Randy Clark, specifically, has worked hard to bring medical verification into the church, so that we are presented not just stories, but medically verified proof.  Each of these ministry web-sites have healing testimonies, and are worth checking out.

Secondly, the verse that really caught my attention was verse 16 - "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."   I like the New King James version of this verse a little better - Acts 3:16 NKJV:  And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

The idea that the faith comes through Jesus is interesting.  In my past I have heard how its the faith of the individual, or the faith of the one praying, but here we see that faith comes through Jesus.  It is as if Jesus is supplying the faith, to have faith in His name and faith that brought healing and restoration.  He really is the whole solution, if I could say it that way.  He is able to do what only God can do, because He is God!   

Lord, I pray that once again You would stir up faith in Your Name, faith that You are the Son of God, faith that You are able to heal, faith that leads to healing and restoration, faith that leads to times of refreshing and repentance!  Lord, we want to fully experience Your sovereignty, authority and power that we might bear witness to You, and to Your Name!  We pray that once again people would be filled with wonder and amazement at Your works in our lives.  Help us to walk in that same faith, the faith You provide, the faith that comes through You!

Amen and Amen!