CHAPTER 11: AN
UNLOVED WOMAN’S HOPE
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"WHOEVER
BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS 10:11 NASB).
“…HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT… (ROMANS
5:5 NASB).
“…Now… FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, the evidence of
things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
*
Woman are often
disappointed when they HOPE in their husbands and their husbands let them down.
Husbands are NOT saviors. Husbands are finite. They WILL disappoint you deeply,
or hurt you emotionally, or break your heart; whether they do it intentionally
or unintentionally. SO “….Don't put your trust in mere human beings….”
(Isaiah 2:22 NLT).
Unfortunately, husbands will prove to be
imperfect and you will be disappointed in them many, many times. Their humanity
will come out and shine like a neon light.
They are ONLY human; just like a woman.
People (men and women) have limited power or abilities, they make multiple
mistakes, they get tired, they get dementia or Alzheimer, they lose interest,
change, are unforgiving, stubborn, prideful, walk away, or a number of other fleshly
things. Therefore, “….Don't put your
confidence in … people; there is no help for you there….” (Psalms 146:
3 NLT).
Therefore, from my
perspective, Human faith doesn’t inspire true HOPE, indwelling faith DOES. Human
faith is flesh and divine, holy, indwelling FAITH is Spirit. “…That which is
born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…”
(John 3:6 NASB). “…It is the SPIRIT who “GIVES” LIFE; the flesh
profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “…FAITH IS …the evidence of things not
seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…the invisible things (God’s power and nature)… of
him from the creation of the world are
CLEARLY SEEN, being understood by the things that are made…”
(Romans 1:20 KJV).
Human faith, because of
sin (flesh), is corrupted and falls short of God’s original glorious purpose. “…For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God…”
(Romans 3:23 KJV).
This failure of human faith (flesh) to
live up to its original created glory and ability is understood through Apostle
Paul. “The trouble is
with me, for I am all too human, a slave
to sin (flesh). I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I
don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not
the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I
know that nothing good (including human faith) lives in me,
that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within
me. Who will free me from this life that is
dominated by sin? …”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Who will free you from
a life dominated by sin (flesh) that has also corrupted your human faith? “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
I want to do
what is good,
but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN
(flesh)? Thank God! The answer is in
Jesus Christ our Lord (the indwelling Spirit)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
Human faith (flesh) is
limited to the natural realm ONLY. “…It is the
SPIRIT who gives LIFE; the flesh
profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “….Don't put your confidence in … people (flesh); there is no
help for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).
Without the indwelling
Holy Spirit you do NOT have the FAITH for the spiritual realm. “….Apart from Me (Jesus, the
indwelling Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). Therefore, God “…dealt (GAVE) to every man the measure
(amount) of faith...”
(Romans 12:3 KJV). One of “…the fruit of the Spirit is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…God has SENT
forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [Y]OUR… HEARTS…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).
What does the WORD say about your
NEW divine, holy, INDWELLING FAITH.
“…I will
put a NEW SPIRIT in you…”
(Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). One of “…the fruit of the Spirit is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…God has SENT
forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [Y]OUR… HEARTS…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given .. [you]… HIS
Spirit as PROOF that
[you]… live (are alive) in him and
he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1
John 4:13 NLT). Again, God has “…dealt to every man the measure of faith...”
(Romans 12:3 KJV). Therefore, “…If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old
things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS are become NEW…” (2
Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
“…The fruit of the Spirit is… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD …”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…The
Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…”
(John 3:6 NLT). “…It
is God who worketh …[FAITH]…IN YOU, both to will and to do of His good
pleasure”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…Walk in NEWNESS of life…” (Romans 6:4 KJV).
Divine, holy, indwelling FAITH is unique
to Christianity. Every believer is GIVEN or GIFTED an AMOUNT of FAITH. God “…dealt to every man the measure of
faith...”
(Romans 12:3 KJV). One of “…the
fruit of the Spirit is… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23
KJV). “…IT IS
THE GIFT OF GOD …”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…God
has sent forth the
Spirit
of His Son “INTO” [Y]OUR… HEARTS…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The
Holy Spirit gives birth to
SPIRITUAL LIFE (the life of faith)…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…Looking unto Jesus the AUTHOR and FINISHER OF [Y]OUR…
FAITH…” (Hebrews 12:2a KJV). “…HE
WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” (the work
of faith) IN YOU WILL “PERFORM”
IT until the day of Jesus Christ…”
(Philippians 1:6 KJV).
Divine, holy indwelling FAITH is a GIFT and
HIGHLY distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. “…the gifts of the Spirit…”
(1 Corinthians 12:1 NIV). “…It is the …Holy Spirit who
gives all these gifts and POWERS…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). God “…[GAVE]… to every man (believer) the measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). :...Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live BY the faith of the Son of God...." (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
ONLY Christians HAVE been given “…the
measure of faith...” (Romans
12:3 KJV). Christians can NOW do and hope for impossible
things “… according to the …[indwelling]…POWER that worketh in [them]…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV). This indwelling, divine, holy POWER “…work[s] in [them]… what is
pleasing to him, THROUGH Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
“…Now God gives us many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same Holy
Spirit who is the source of them all. ...There are many ways in
which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us
who are his. …He gives
special faith to another …It is the same and only Holy Spirit who GIVES all
these gifts and powers, deciding which each one of us should have…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
Human faith (flesh) is NOT divine faith (Spirit) and human
faith (flesh) operates independently from God. “….Apart from Me (Jesus, the indwelling Spirit), you can do
nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Divine, holy, indwelling FAITH
only comes or is activated by HEARING God’s WORD. “…[Indwelling]…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING … THE WORD OF GOD…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…That which is
…born of the
Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 NASB).
Therefore, to the unloved woman, God
promises you, through his WORD; “hope” and a “future” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “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…”
(Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
“…For
the Scripture says, "WHOEVER
BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE
DISAPPOINTED …" (ROMANS 10:11 NASB). “… HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL
NOT BE DISAPPOINTED … (ROMANS 9:33 NASB). “…To You [GOD]… they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted
and WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED ...
(PSALMS 22:5 NASB).
A woman who hopes in God expects him to
act on his unfailing word. Unlike with her husband; she does NOT expect to be
disappointed. She is confident she will receive from God what she hopes for
without fail. “…As
many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20
NASB).
“And this is the confidence that we have in him,
that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth
us…” (1 John 5:14 KJV).
“…You can
ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can
bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything
in my name, and I will do it...” (John 14:12-14 NLT). “…Not one of the good
promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB).
“…He has granted to [you]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB).
Therefore, a woman can “…walk by [indwelling]…faith...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). BECAUSE
"…WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS 10:11 NASB).
“…[God-given FAITH inspires]…HOPE …[that does]… NOT
DISAPPOINT… (ROMANS 5:5 NASB).
“…[God-given]…FAITH IS
THE [certainty]… OF THINGS HOPED FOR,
the evidence of
things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV). FAITH? HOPE? Is there a difference between the two?
These, I discovered,
are related terms and yet distinctive. FAITH is the powerful, indwelling
confidence, which is the POWERFUL Holy Spirit. “…The fruit of the [indwelling]… Spirit is … FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
HOPE is the response inspired by the powerful, indwelling confidence also
CALLED FAITH “…FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE (POWERFUL indwelling confidence
or assurance) OF THINGS HOPED FOR…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
Inspired HOPE emanates
or stems from indwelling FAITH. It is demonstrated by one’s confident expectation
that God WILL do what he says he will do; according to his WORD. “…Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we
do.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of YOUR
FAITH, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see!...”(Matthew
9:28-30 NLT).
No matter how long it’s
been, or what one has seen, or experienced, or how many days, weeks, months, or
years have passed; HOPE’s confident assurance fills the heart with Godly peace
“knowing” that God’s promise is yet to happen. “…As many as are
the promises of God, in Him (Jesus) they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20
NASB).
The indwelling,
God-given “measure of faith” “IS” the
CERTAINTY that inspires HOPE (Roman 12:3). “…FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE (confidence) OF THINGS HOPED FOR, the evidence of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…for we are saved by HOPE:
but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE:
for what a man (or woman) seeth; why doth he (or she) yet HOPE for: But if we HOPE for that we see not, THEN do we with patience WAIT for it…”
(Romans 8:24-25 KJV).
God’s people patiently
wait for the “…blessed hope…”
of Jesus’s return and they patiently wait for ALL other things they “…hope for…”
(Titus 2:13 & Romans 8:24 KJV). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB).
“…He has granted to [you]…
His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…Not one of the good
promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB).
Therefore, "…WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS 10:11
NASB). “…HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT…
(ROMANS 5:5 NASB).
HOPE inspired by
indwelling FAITH “WILL NOT” disappoint you. HOPE emanates, originates, or stems
from indwelling FAITH. “…God hath dealt
(GIVEN) to every man (and woman) the measure of
faith…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). In
fact, one of “…the fruit of the Spirit…is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “… FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, the evidence of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
The “…things HOPED for...” springs forth from
FAITH; the indwelling, POWER, which is “…the
evidence of things NOT
seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
“… FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE …”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “Substance” means certainty or
guarantee and can also refer to confidence assurance of something.
Thus HOPE is inspired by this
“substance” or “confidence assurance” called FAITH. “…THE SUBSTANCE
OF THINGS HOPED FOR …”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
“… FAITH IS
…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). FAITH
“IS”
implies that faith exists or is real.
FAITH “IS”
also implies assurance or certainty of things expected. “…FAITH IS THE …[certainty]…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
FAITH “IS”
implies that what is NOT seen is actually the thing that spurs HOPE. “…the INVISIBLE THINGS of him (indwelling FAITH) …
are CLEARLY SEEN,
being understood by the things that
are made (inspired HOPE)…” (Romans 1:20 KJV).
FAITH is the confident assurance
that inspires Christian HOPE, through the enabling POWER of the indwelling Holy
Spirit. “…It is God which
worketh …[faith]… “IN” [you]… both to will
and to
do of his good pleasure”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…TO WILL
(be inspired by HOPE) and TO DO (ACT ON THAT HOPE) of his good pleasure…”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Let’s
GO deeper. “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the [unseen]…Holy Ghost (Spirit of FAITH too): and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…”
(1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “…The fruit of the SPIRIT…is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). God
commands. Jesus speaks. The invisible, unseen Holy Spirit does the work.
In other words, God commands; Jesus SPEAKS
what God commands; the invisible, unseen Holy Spirit does what Jesus SPEAKS and
God commands.
God
is the FATHER. Jesus is the WORD of the father. The Holy Spirit is
the invisible, unseen POWER of the
father. “…THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV).
The FATHER’s (God) WORD (Jesus) is POWER
(Holy Spirit) and they are ONE. “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father (GOD), the Word (JESUS), and the Holy Ghost
(POWER): and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV).
FAITH is a FRUIT of the Holy
Ghost (Spirit), or it is another name for the invisible, unseen Holy Ghost
(Spirit), or it “IS” the Holy Ghost (Spirit). “…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the
Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
However you perceive it; indwelling
FAITH is the guaranteed assurance and evidence that inspires HOPE and the
expectancy that you will SEE God’s wonder-working POWER manifested according to
HIS WORD. “…I pray
that God, the source of HOPE, will
fill you completely.... Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power
of the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NLT).“…Not one of the good
promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God is “…watching over [his[… word to perform it…”
(Jeremiah 1:12 NASB).
The Holy Ghost (Spirit) DOES
what Jesus, the Living Word SPEAKS and God COMMANDS. For
example: “…Then God SAID, “Let there be light”; AND
THERE WAS LIGHT…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB). “…Then God
SAID (God commanded ), “Let there be
light” (Jesus, the Word, spoke his command); AND THERE WAS LIGHT (The Holy Spirit did what was spoken
and commanded)…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB).
“So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return
unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH (through the POWER of the Holy Spirit)
that which I please, and it SHALL
PROSPER (through the POWER of the Holy Spirit) in the thing whereto I sent it…”
(Isaiah 55:11 KJV). God says, I “…am
WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it (through the POWER of the Holy Spirit)…”
(Jeremiah 1:12 NASB).
“…The fruit of the Spirit…is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…FAITH
IS THE ..[certainty]… OF
THINGS HOPED FOR…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…you will abound in HOPE by the…
[indwelling]…power of the Holy Spirit…”
(Romans 15:13 NASB). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
This
INDWELLING “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING …THE
WORD OF GOD…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…Now [this kind of]… FAITH IS the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…the invisible [Holy Spirit,]…from the
creation of the world …is CLEARLY SEEN, being understood by the
things that are MADE (inspired HOPE) …” (Romans 1:20 KJV). “…you will abound
in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit…”
(Romans 15:13 NASB).
For example what
happens when God SPEAKS? “…AND GOD SAID, Let the waters under the heaven be
gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so…” (Genesis
1:9 KJV).
“…AND GOD
SAID, Let the earth bring
forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after
his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so…”
(Genesis 1:11 KJV).
The Holy Spirit
responds immediately when God commands and Jesus speaks. “…AND GOD
SAID …and it was so…” (Genesis
1:11 KJV). Faith COMES or responds immediately
when Jesus, the living WORD SPEAKS God’s commands. “…Faith cometh by hearing … the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
Whenever
the WORD SPEAKS, the POWER of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) IMMEDIATELY does the WORK.
For example, in the 37th
chapter of Ezekiel after the
BONES HEARD the WORD “SPOKEN,” the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT began to WORK
immediately “…Prophesy
(SPEAK), [Ezekiel]… and say to them: ‘This is what the
Sovereign Lord (jesus, the living word) says: My people …I will PUT my SPIRIT in you and you will LIVE …Then you will know that I the Lord have
spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’”
(Ezekiel 37 NIV).
“…As [Ezekiel]… was
prophesying (SPEAKING GOD’S WORD), there was a noise (THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGIN
WORKING, immediately), a rattling sound, and THE BONES CAME TOGETHER, BONE TO
BONE. [Ezekiel]…
LOOKED, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there
was no breath in them. …[then]… BREATH ENTERED THEM; they came to LIFE and STOOD UP
on their feet—a vast army... I HAVE DONE IT, declares the Lord…’”
(Ezekiel 37 NIV).
The
HOLY SPIRIT did, immediately, what God
commanded and the WORD (Jesus) spoke. It was “CLEARLY SEEN.” “…Since the creation of the world God’s INVISIBLE QUALITIES—HIS ETERNAL POWER
AND DIVINE NATURE—have been CLEARLY
SEEN, being UNDERSTOOD
FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE, so that people are without excuse…”
(Romans 1:20 NIV).
“… BY [indwelling]…FAITH we understand that THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED at God’s command, that what we now SEE did not come from anything that can be SEEN…” (Hebrews
11:3 NLT).
“…FAITH (the
indwelling POWER of the Holy Spirit) “IS” …the evidence of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV). THIS KIND OF “…Faith
cometh by HEARING … the WORD of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…What [you HOPE for WILL]…not come from
anything that can be SEEN…[but it WILL come from God’s command]…” (Hebrews
11:3 NLT). “…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the
Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). “…THEN…you will know that I the Lord have
spoken, and I have done it,
declares the Lord...’”
(Ezekiel 37 NIV).
The Holy Spirit is an
obedient servant to Jesus’ WORD, which is also God’s command. “…So shall [his]… word be that
goeth forth out of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish
(by the POWER of the Holy Spirit) that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper (By the POWER of the Holy Spirit) in the thing
whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).
The Holy Spirit, with
certainty and assurance, responds immediately to the WORD and does what God
commands. “…Then God SAID (God commanded), “Let there be light” (Jesus, the Word, spoke his
command); AND THERE WAS LIGHT (The Holy
Spirit did what was spoken and commanded)…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB).
Faith also responds to
the COMMAND of God and does what the Word SPEAKS. “…Faith cometh by HEARING … the WORD of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…FAITH IS …the evidence of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
The Spirit of FAITH
DWELLS in YOU. “…But the fruit of the [indwelling]… Spirit is
…FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…The
Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
“…you
will abound in HOPE by the power of
the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
God has gifted Christians
with a “measure of FAITH” which “IS”
his INDWELLING Spirit. “…God hath dealt
to every man the
measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). One of “…the
fruit of the Spirit is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…GOD IS
SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
“…The
Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
It is the indwelling
Holy Spirit or FAITH that inspires HOPE. “…FAITH (indwelling
Holy Spirit) IS THE
[certainty]… OF THINGS HOPED FOR…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
“…you
will abound in HOPE by the power of
the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
It is the indwelling
Holy Spirit or FAITH that RESPONDS to GOD’s WORD. “…Faith cometh by HEARING … the WORD of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…It is God (God is SPIRIT) which worketh “IN” [you]… both to will and to do of his
good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…TO
WILL (be inspired by HOPE) and TO
DO (ACT ON THAT HOPE)
of his good pleasure…”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV).
God has absolute faith in his OWN WORD. Therefore,
he imparts his OWN Faith to Christians through his indwelling Spirit. “…The fruit of the Spirit
is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…The
Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…God hath dealt to every man
the measure of
FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV).
“…you
will abound in HOPE by the power of
the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
God
imparts a measure of his OWN faith, to believers, as an assurance, or
guarantee, or a surety that what they HOPE for will HAPPEN according to his
WORD or PROMISES to them. “…So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of
my mouth: it
SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH (By the POWER of God’s
Holy Spirit) that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER (BY the POWER of his HOLY SPIRIT) in the thing whereto I
sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). God says, I “…am WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it (By the POWER of God’s
Holy Spirit)…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB).
He gives his people a measure of his OWN faith to empower them to HOPE in his word. God “…dealt to every man (believer) the measure of faith...” (Romans
12:3 KJV).
“…God… works …[faith]… in you to will (to inspire HOPE) and to act (on that HOPE) in order to fulfill his good purpose…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Indwelling
FAITH empowers believers to HOPE in God’s POWER. God’s power is surpassingly great and strong. God’s kind of POWER exceeds beyond the
possibilities known by man. God “… is able TO DO exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or
think…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…the things which are impossible with men are POSSIBLE with
God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing
too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).
The
measure of FAITH that has been IMPARTED to you, by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, “WILL” respond, with CERTAINTY, to God’s
WORD. “…FAITH COMETH by hearing, and hearing by the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
Your
God-given measure of faith HEARS and
RESPONDS to God’s Word. “…FAITH COMETH by hearing …the word of God…” (Roman 10:17
KJV).
EVERY true believer HAS
that measure of faith. “… God hath dealt to every man (believer) the measure of faith …”
(Romans 12:3 NIV).
This measure of faith does NOT originate from
YOU. It is imparted to you through the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…The
fruit of the Spirit is… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…GOD IS
SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
“…The
Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…you will abound in HOPE by the power of
the Holy Spirit…”
(Romans 15:13 NASB).
Therefore, “…Jesus “IS” the AUTHOR (originator) and FINISHER
(sustainer) OF [Y]OUR …FAITH…”
(Hebrews 12:2a KJV). “…HE WHICH HATH
“BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN YOU (work of faith) WILL “PERFORM” IT (by the POWER of
the Holy Spirit) until the
day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). “…you will abound in HOPE “by” the power of
the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
FAITH, therefore, is a
GIFT IMPARTED to you or DEPOSITED within you BY the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. “…God
hath dealt
to every man THE
measure of FAITH…” (Romans
12:3 NIV). Therefore, “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is
from God, why
boast as though it were not a gift?...”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
Understanding that
Godly FAITH originates from God’s indwelling Spirit and not you will revolutionize
your Christian journey. “…Jesus “IS” the AUTHOR and FINISHER OF [Y]OUR …FAITH…”
(Hebrews 12:2a KJV). “…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the
Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
Many Believers have felt they have sincerely
and wholeheartedly believed God for something or anything, but it didn’t
materialize. “…May HE (God) “GIVE YOU” the POWER
to accomplish all the good things YOUR FAITH (God-given
and responds to the WORD only) prompts (inspires) you to do…” (2
Thessalonians 1:11 NLT).
“…abound in HOPE by the
power of the Holy Spirit…”
(Romans 15:13 NASB).
Godly,
indwelling FAITH “depends on,” “responds to,” or is “inspired” by God’s WORD only!!!!
All true believers have
“…the
measure of faith …” but they don’t ALL know how to USE that faith (Romans
12:3 NIV).
The problem is not
faith, ALL Christians have “…the measure of faith…” (Romans 12:3
NIV). The problem is the perception of FAITH.
“The measure of faith” is IMPARTED to you through the INDWELLING
Holy Spirit. “… God hath dealt to every
man the measure of faith …” (Romans
12:3 NIV). Meditate on that.
This NEW “imparted” faith
is developed and activated by HEARING God’s word. “…Faith
cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
The
indwelling faith INSPIRES hope. Inspired HOPE assures the believer he or she
will receive the future and present promises and blessings of God. “…It shall be done to you according to your faith…"
(Matthew 9:29 NASB). “…FAITH
IS the substance (assurance) of things HOPED for, the EVIDENCE (Proof) of things not seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
Indwelling Faith depends
SOLELY on God’s Word. It develops and works, immediately, upon HEARING God’s
WORD. “… God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith …” (Romans
12:3 NIV). . “…FAITH COMETH by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
“….Apart from [Jesus I can]… do
nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Why does God give you a
“measure of faith”
(Romans 12:3)? God wants his people to make it to eternity. He knows they are
weak and finite. “…NOT that we are sufficient
OF OURSELVES to think any thing
as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5
KJV). “…it is God
who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…when I am weak,
then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV). BY FAITH “…
[people]… OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG….”
(Hebrews 11:33-34 KJV). “…MY POWER IS MADE
PERFECT IN WEAKNESS...”
(2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
God-given FAITH is God’s way of GUARANTEEING
you will be empowered to accomplish all the GOOD THINGS he has stored up for
you. “…To
... give you the power
to accomplish all the good things your faith
[inspires]… you to do…” (2
Thessalonians 1:11 NLT). “…That …God would ….fulfill EVERY
DESIRE for GOODNESS (toward you) [as
well as]… THE
WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJV).
In addition, “…BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings …in
Christ…” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV). “…it is your Father's GOOD PLEASURE to GIVE YOU the
kingdom (all that he has to share or all
the blessings of redemption)…” (Luke 12:32 KJV).
Further, God says“…The world
is MINE, and the fulness
thereof…” (Psalm 50:12 KJV). Jesus said to God, “…All mine are thine, and THINE ARE MINE…”
(John 17:10 KJV). Jesus said, “…He (the indwelling Holy Spirit)
shall receive of MINE, and shall
shew it unto you. All things that the
Father hath ARE MINE: therefore said I, that he shall TAKE OF MINE, and shall shew it unto
you…” (John 16:14-15 KJV). “…[God, through Christ]… freely give [you]… ALL things?...”
(Romans 8:32 KJV). “…ALL THINGS are
your's [in Christ]…” (1 Corinthians 3 KJV).
The “measure of faith”
assures, the believer, receives ALL the spiritual
blessings “IN” Christ (Romans 12:3).
“…To the saints …who are faithful “in” Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, WHO HAS BLESSED US with “EVERY” SPIRITUAL
BLESSING in the heavenly places
in Christ, just as HE CHOSE US in Him before the
foundation of the world, that we would BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS BEFORE HIM. IN LOVE
He predestined us to ADOPTION AS SONS through Jesus Christ to Himself,
ACCORDING TO THE KIND INTENTION OF HIS
WILL, to the praise of the glory of HIS GRACE, which HE
FREELY BESTOWED ON US IN THE BELOVED. In Him
WE HAVE
REDEMPTION through His blood, the FORGIVENESS of our trespasses,
according to the riches of HIS GRACE
WHICH HE LAVISHED ON US. In all wisdom and insight He MADE
KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL, according to His kind intention which He
purposed in Him. …In Him also we have OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, having
been predestined according to His
purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to
the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of
His glory. In Him, you also, after
listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also]believed,
you WERE SEALED
IN HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.... I pray that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in
the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working
of the strength of His might which He
brought about in Christ…” (Ephesians 1
NLT).
The “measure of faith” is
an expression of God’s love for you (Romans 12:3). “…Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1
John 4:10 KJV). “We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19
ASV). “For God
SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…” (John 3:16). God “…SPARED
NOT his own Son, but delivered him up FOR US ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “Now, most people
would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps
be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners…”
(Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “…There is
no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).
FAITH is the certainty, you WILL receive, all
the good things and promises HOPED for “IN” Christ, especially eternal life. “…God [WILL] ….FULFILL
all …THE
WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER [in you]…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJV). “…May the God of peace… that great Shepherd
of the sheep, EQUIP “you” with everything
good for doing his will, and may he work in us (faith with power)
what is pleasing to him, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
A “measure of faith” guarantees God’s goodness is
experienced by his people (Romans 12:3)? God is GOOD. “……The riches
of his GOODNESS….”
(Romans 2:4 KJV). “… [So
when] Moses said, “Now show me your GLORY.”
…The Lord said, “I
will cause all my GOODNESS to pass in front of
you…” (Exodus 33:16-23 NIV). One of “…The fruit of the Spirit is …GOODNESS….” (Galatians 5:22-23). “…for
the lord is GOOD…” (Psalm 100:5 KJV). “Thou are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…” (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…for he is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “..The
lord is GOOD…”
(Nahum 1:7 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “…For thou, Lord, is GOOD…”
(Psalm 86:5 KJV). “…Surely GOODNESS and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life…”
(Psalms 23 KJV).
“…Since the CREATION of the
world God’s INVISIBLE
QUALITIES—HIS
ETERNAL POWER AND “DIVINE NATURE”—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”…” (Romans 1:20 NIV).
“…The Lord is GOOD…”
(Nahum 1:7 KJV). One of “…The fruit
of the Spirit is …GOODNESS….” (Galatians 5:22-23).
One of the
reasons God gave you indwelling FAITH was because he WANTED to be GOOD to you
ALL the time. “Thou are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “…[So when] Moses said, “Now show me your GLORY.” …The Lord said, “I will cause ALL my GOODNESS to pass in
front of you…” (Exodus 33:16-23
NIV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…”
(Psalm 31:19 KJV).
God is so good, “…He causes His sun to rise on the
evil and the good,
and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous…”
(Matthew 5:45 NASB). “ …If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13 NASB).
God’s goodness is abundantly experienced
when believers “…walk
by [indwelling]…faith...”. (2
Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…” (Psalm 31:19 KJV). Therefore, “…God [WILL] ….FULFIL all the GOOD PLEASURE of his goodness [toward YOU]…” (2 Thessalonians
1:11 KJV).
God-given FAITH is the
assurance YOU will RECEIVE ALL that you HOPE for. “…Faith is the substance (assurance) of
things HOPED for …”
(Hebrew 11:1 KJV). “….The Lord is my
shepherd; I shall not want [for nothing]... ” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).
It PLEASES God to be good to you. Therefore
indwelling FAITH is needed. Without indwelling FAITH God is NOT pleased. “….Without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV).
God is ABLE to be and
do good to his people BY FAITH. “…It was BY FAITH that Enoch was TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN
WITHOUT DYING—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For
before he was taken up, he was known as a person who PLEASED God. And it is impossible to please
God without faith...” (Hebrews 11:5-6 NIV).
Jesus said, “…I do always those things that PLEASE HIM…”
(John 8:29 KJV). “…a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well PLEASED…” (Matthew 3:17 KJV). “…they that are in the
flesh CANNOT PLEASE GOD…” (Romans 8:8 KJV).
Without God-given FAITH, God is not
pleased or he is not happy. God is not unhappy for himself, but for you. “….For Christ “PLEASED” NOT
himself…” (Romans 15:3 KJV). “…Love …is NOT self-seeking…” (1
Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “…God ….is NOT WILLING that any should perish…”
(2 Peter 3:9 KJV). “
God is pleased when he can fully, lovingly
provide and care for people. Therefore, “…Faith …worketh by
love…” (Galatians 5:6 KJV). “…What is important is faith expressing itself
in love…” (Galatians 5:6 NLT). “…walk
by faith...” (2 Corinthians
5:7 KJV). “…live by faith, not by sight….”
(2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
He gave you a measure of faith as a sign of his love
and kindness (Romans 12:3). Also to ensure you have a guaranteed access to ALL
his blessings and promises.
God desires to be good
to you on purpose BECAUSE he loves you. Your happiness pleases God and your
unhappiness does not please him.
FAITH powerfully works “WITHIN
you;” inspiring HOPE and motivating action toward the GOODNESS of God. “…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT
to save his
family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things
that had never happened before (like the flood)….” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
“….God
…warned [Noah]… about things that had never happened
before….”
(Hebrews 11 NLT). “…FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE (certainty) OF THINGS HOPED
FOR…. [and]…evidence
of things not
SEEN…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
Noah’s indwelling FAITH
assured him of future blessings - to
save his family - based on God’s WORD and“…He
obeyed God….” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
FAITH worked “WITHIN”
Noah, inspiring his HOPE and empowering him to do and experience something
miraculous GOOD. “…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT a boat (ark) ….” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
Noah started building
the boat (ARK) before he ever SAW the flood or a flood had EVER occurred in the
history of time. “…So God said to Noah,
“I am going to put an end to all people …So
make yourself an ark (boat) of cypress wood; …. I am GOING TO bring floodwaters on the earth
to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of
life in it. Everything on earth will perish. …But I will establish my covenant with you,
and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives
with you….Noah
did everything just as God commanded him.
(Genesis 6:9-22 NIV).
Noah had never SEEN a
flood. “…FAITH IS THE …evidence of things not SEEN…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). You or nobody
you know has EVER seen eternal life, but the indwelling FAITH is the evidence.
Noah was certain it was
coming because God had warned him. “…FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE (certainty) OF THINGS HOPED
FOR…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
Noah’s indwelling FAITH
inspired his HOPE that God would save his family from the impending flood; so
he built a boat. “…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family
from the flood….” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
“…FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE (certainty) OF THINGS HOPED
FOR …” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). Noah’s
indwelling FAITH was FIRST FUELED by HEARING God’s WORD, which inspired his HOPE
that his family would be saved from the flood.
Noah HEARD the WORD of
God. “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
FAITH ASSURED Noah his
family WOULD be saved from the impending flood. “…FAITH
IS THE …[assurance]… OF
THINGS HOPED FOR …” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
Noah’s indwelling faith
inspired HOPE in God’s Word. God said: “…Everything on earth will
perish. I
am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life …But I will
establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons
and your wife and your sons’ wives with you….Noah did everything just as
God commanded him…”
(Genesis 6:9-22 NIV).
“…This is
the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and
he walked faithfully with God.
Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Now the earth was
corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God
saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted
their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an
end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am
surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So
make yourself an ark of cypress wood; …Everything on earth will perish. I am going to bring
floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life
under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything
on earth will perish. …But I will establish my covenant with you, and
you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives
with you…Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
(Genesis 6:9-22 NIV).
“…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God ….” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
Noah lived with HOPE inspired by indwelling
FAITH for days, weeks, months, and years (20+). “…FAITH IS THE
SUBSTANCE (certainty) OF THINGS HOPED FOR…. [and]…evidence of things not SEEN…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
After
MANY YEARS of not SEEING any visual evidence of a flood; the flood finally
came. “…And in the PROCESS
of time IT CAME TO PASS…”
(Genesis 4:3 KJV).
“…The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you
righteous in this generation.
…Seven days from now I
will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will
wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.” And Noah did all
that the Lord
commanded him. Noah was six hundred years old when
the floodwaters came on the earth. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark
to escape the waters of the flood. …And after the seven
days the floodwaters came on the earth. …And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. On that
very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and
the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. …Then the Lord shut him in…
(Genesis 7 NIV).
“…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God ….” (Hebrews
11 NLT). Noah was assured “BY FAITH” and
inspired with HOPE that his family would be saved and they were.
“…After
forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark
and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back
and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. …When the dove returned
to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then
Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He
waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not
return to him. By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and
first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the
covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was
completely dry. Then God said to Noah, “COME OUT of the ark, you
and your wife and your sons and their wives. …So Noah came out,
together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives
…” (Genesis 8 NIV).
Noah lived many years
empowered by FAITH and NOT by what he saw. It was done to him and his family
according to his powerful, indwelling FAITH. “…WALK
BY FAITH...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…IT SHALL BE DONE
TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH…”
(MATTHEW 9:29 NASB).
After MANY YEARS, the long awaited flood
arrived. After the flood, God kept his WORD to Noah. “…God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and
increase in number and fill the earth.
….Everything that lives and moves about will be
food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything…”
(Genesis 9 NIV).
“…ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH…”
(MATTHEW 9:29 NASB). WHAT faith? Divine, holy, and indwelling faith. “…IT IS THE
GIFT OF GOD …”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…What do you have
that God hasn’t given you? And
if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?...” (1
Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
Divine, holy, and indwelling FAITH is a
GIFT.
If
divine, holy, and indwelling faith is a gift then it is NOW “YOUR” faith “…It shall be done to
you according to your (gifted) faith…" (Matthew 9:29
NASB).
“…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT
to save his
family from the flood. ….” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
What did Noah HEAR God say? “…I am surely going to
destroy …the earth. So make
yourself an ark of cypress wood; …Everything on earth will perish. I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth….Noah did everything just as God comanded
him. (Genesis 6:9-22 NIV).
What HOPE did Noah’s
indwelling FAITH inspire within him? “…I am going to bring
floodwaters on the earth
to destroy all life under the heavens … Everything
on earth will perish. ….BUT I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter
the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you...”
(Genesis 6:9-22 NIV).
Was Noah’s HOPE disappointed
or did God save his family as promised? “…HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT…
(ROMANS 5:5 NASB). “…After
forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark
and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back
and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. … Then God said to Noah,
“COME OUT of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and
their wives…So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his
sons’ wives …” (Genesis 8 NIV).
Divine, holy, and
indwelling FAITH worked “WITHIN” Noah. “…It is
God which worketh “IN” [you]… both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…TO
WILL and TO DO of his
good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Divine, holy,
indwelling faith empowered Noah to build a boat. “…Noah
did everything just as God commanded him. (Genesis 6:9-22 NIV).
The WORD FUELED Noah’s indwelling FAITH. His FAITH
inspired his HOPE. His HOPE empowered his actions. His actions led him toward
the GOODNESS of God. “…So Noah came out, together with his sons and
his wife and his sons’ wives …” (Genesis 8 NIV).
Noah lived by indwelling FAITH, for years,
even before a flood, of any kind, had ever happened. “…I am
GOING TO BRING floodwaters on the earth…” (Genesis 6:9-22 NIV).
God’s WORD FUELED Noah’s
indwelling FAITH and enabled him to be absolutely certain of what he HOPED for;
the salvation of him and his family from the impending flood. “…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family from the flood. ….” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
Noah building a boat,
based on God’s word ALONE, is a genuine example of how divine, holy, indwelling
FAITH works within and through willing vessels. “…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT …He obeyed God ….” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…It is God which worketh “IN” [NOAH]… both to will (be inspired by HOPE) and to do
(BUILD) of his good
pleasure…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…And in the PROCESS of time IT (the FLOOD) CAME TO PASS…”
(Genesis 4:3 KJV).
Divine, holy, indwelling
faith empowers God’s people to do something based on the full assurance of
God’s Word. “…It is God which
worketh “IN” [NOAH]…
both to will (be
inspired by HOPE) and to do (BUILD) of his good pleasure…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS “ABLE” to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according
to the POWER that worketh in us…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
Indwelling FAITH
assures God’s people that they will receive the expected GOOD from God. “…FAITH IS THE …[assurance]…OF THINGS HOPED FOR…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…And in the PROCESS of time IT (the flood) CAME TO PASS…”
(Genesis 4:3 KJV). “…Noah CAME OUT,
TOGETHER with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. …” (Genesis 8 NIV). “…Then God blessed Noah and his sons …” (Genesis 9 NIV).
Noah’s actions
demonstrate how divine, holy, indwelling FAITH empowers and inspires you to
HOPE in God’s WORD. . “…Noah “DID” everything just as God commanded him…”
(Genesis 6:9-22 NIV). “…It is God which
worketh “IN” [you]…
both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Through the POWER of divine,
holy, indwelling FAITH, which comes from HEARING God’s WORD; Noah was fully
assured and convinced that what he “HOPED” for would undoubtedly come to pass. He
was CERTAIN God would be GOOD to him by SAVING his family. “…Noah did
“EVERYTHING” just as God commanded him.
(Genesis 6:9-22 NIV). “…And
in the PROCESS of time IT (the
flood) CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). Afterward the flood, “…Noah
CAME OUT, TOGETHER with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives.
…” (Genesis 8 NIV).
Noah’s story shows that
“… [The POWER of indwelling]…FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE (certainty) OF THINGS HOPED
FOR …” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…It
was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT
to save his
family from the flood. ….” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…Noah came out, together with his sons and his
wife and his sons’ wives. …”
(Genesis 8 NIV).
The POWER of divine,
holy, indwelling FAITH enabled Noah to do what God desired him to do. “…It is God which worketh “IN” [you]… both to
will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians
2:13 KJV).
Walking in the POWER of
divine, holy, indwelling FAITH resulted in Noah receiving exactly what he HOPED
for. “…It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to
SAVE HIS FAMILY from the flood. ….” (Hebrews
11 NLT). .“…Noah CAME
OUT TOGETHER with his sons and
his wife and his sons’ wives.
…” (Genesis 8 NIV).
The POWER of divine,
holy, indwelling FAITH worked “WITHIN” Noah. This indwelling FAITH enabled him
to HOPE and EXPECT God to ACT according to his GOOD pleasure. “…It is God which worketh “IN” [you]… both to
will and to do of his good pleasure…” (Philippians
2:13 KJV). “…It
was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT
to save his
family from the flood. He
OBEYED God….” (Hebrews 11 NLT). Indwelling FAITH gets the CREDIT.
The WORD of God is the FUEL
for divine, holy, indwelling FAITH. It is THIS FAITH that is the assurance of
things HOPED for. God said to Noah: “…I am going to bring
floodwaters on the earth...”
(Genesis 6:9-22 NIV). Did God flood the earth?
“…For forty
days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and
increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the
water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high
mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The
waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits.
Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild
animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils
died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was
wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and
the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The
waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days…”
(Genesis 7:17-24 NIV).
Did God keep his WORD
to Noah? “…Everything on earth will perish. …BUT I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter
the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you...” (Genesis 6:9-22 NIV). “…Only Noah was
left, and those with him in the ark. …” (Genesis 7:17-24 NIV).
How is divine, holy,
indwelling FAITH described? “…FAITH IS
THE SUSTANCE (certainty) OF THINGS HOPE
FOR …” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
Why was the account of
Noah’s FAITH recorded? “…Now
all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition (warning)…” (1 Corinthians
10:11 KJV). “…Whatsoever
things were written aforetime were
written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope…” (Romans 15:4 KJV).
“…It
was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT
to save his
family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things
that had never happened before….” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
“….God
…warned [Noah]… about things that had never happened before (the flood)….” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
“…He obeyed God ….” (Hebrews
11 NLT). Noah obeyed without ever SEEING
a flood.
“…For forty
days the flood kept coming on the earth, …Only
Noah was left, and those with him in the ark…” (Genesis 7:17-24
NIV).
An
unloved woman’s HOPE should be inspired by her indwelling FAITH, which is
FUELED by God’s WORD. “…FAITH IS
THE SUBSTANCE (absolute assurance,
certainty) OF THINGS HOPED FOR …” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…Faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
Don’t let the situations
or circumstances that have been happening for days, weeks, months, or years
steal your expectation of Good from GOD. God is GOOD and will DO “GOOD” by you.
“…Thou are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV).
Therefore, “….LET US NOT GROW WEARY while doing good, for in DUE SEASON we shall reap if we do not lose heart…” (Galatians 6:9 KJV). “…All things work
together for GOOD to them that LOVE GOD, to
them who are THE CALLED to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV). “…And in PROCESS of time IT
CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
There is HOPE. Some
Christian women ARE experiencing or have experienced Godly relationships with
the men in their lives. “…The accuser …has been thrown down … And [God’s people have]… overcame him because of the
blood of the Lamb and because of the word
of their testimony…” (Revelation 12:11 NASB).
My BFF talks about
growing up with her emotionally caring and Godly father. A First lady talked
about being married to an emotionally caring and Godly husband. Another
Christian woman talked about how she was led to teach her husband to emotionally
care for her and he does; they have been happily married for over 40+ years.“…HOW
MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? It
would take too long to recount THE
STORIES OF FAITH of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all
the prophets. BY
FAITH these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received
what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped
death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness
was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to
flight. Women
received their loved ones back again from death….”
(Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).
In John chapter 11 Jesus shows up AFTER
Lazarus is DEAD. When something DIES it causes sadness, pain, disappointment,
hopelessness, a jarring of one’s faith, and most likely, the decision to LET IT
GO!
When situations and circumstances appear
dead, especially after MANY, LONG years, this is usually when and where many
people “give up.”
For Mary and Martha, it looked like God
“DIDN’T work things out for GOOD after all (Romans 8:28). Therefore, Lazarus’
sisters felt IT was OVER and it’s ALL God’s fault.
Martha, Lazarus’s sister, said, “… as soon as she heard that
Jesus was coming … Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died… ”
(John 11:20-22 KJV).
Martha, like most
people tend to do, determined it was OVER, Lazarus was dead, and it was TOO
LATE for Jesus to do anything about it. She told Jesus: “… Lord, by this time, he
stinketh:
for he hath been
dead for four days …”
(John 11:39 KJV). However, “…the things which are impossible with men are possible with
God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
Jesus responded: “…..Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest
believe, thou shouldest
see the glory of God?” (John 11:40
KJV). “…Jesus said…I am the
resurrection and I am the life…..” (John 11:25 KJV).
“…THE WORDS THAT I
SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).
God has“…dealt to every man (and woman) the
measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “…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…” (Matthew 17:20 KJV). “…Believest
thou this?” (John 8:51 KJV).
It is easy to GIVE up
after so much TIME has passed. You’ve prayed and hoped for years and it seems
things went from bad to worst. You finally LET IT GO or LAY IT DOWN, but here
comes God. “…..Said
I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest
believe, thou shouldest
see the glory of God?...”
(John 11:40 KJV).
Here comes God asking
you the SAME thing he asked Mary and Martha, “…Where
have ye laid him?...” (John 11:34 KJV). Where have you laid your HOPE?
Where have you laid your EXPECTATION? Where have you laid your FAITH?
Mary and Martha took Jesus to the PLACE
where they had LAID down their HOPE. “…They said to Him, “Lord, come and
see.” Jesus wept
… So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a
cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus
said, “Remove
the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time
there will be a stench, for he has been dead
four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of
God?” So they removed the stone. Then
Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank
You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always
hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may
believe that You sent Me.”
When He had said these things, He
cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand
and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and
let him go…” (John 11:34-44 NASB).
Jesus’ presence strengthens
you when you get WEAK in the journey and LAY down your HOPE. “…When I am weak, then am I strong…” (2
Corinthians 12:10 KJV). “…[GOD’S]… POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
Jesus PICKS it up, removes the
disappointment or discouragement, and takes your HOPE to the finish LINE! “…. Jesus
said, “Remove
the stone.” … “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of
God?” So they removed the stone. …The
man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face
was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go…”
(John 11:34-44 NASB).
Jesus’ disciples took pleasure in their insufficiencies or
weaknesses. “…I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for
Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong…” (2
Corinthians 12:10 KJV). Hebrews 11 says that BY FAITH “… [people]… OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG….”
(Hebrews 11:33-34 KJV). God says “…My grace is sufficient for you, for MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS...”
(2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “…NOT that we are sufficient OF OURSELVES to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is
of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…..Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest
believe, thou shouldest
see the glory of God?” (John 11:40
KJV). “…Jesus said…I am the resurrection
and I am the life…..”
(John 11:25 KJV).
Without Jesus, it is
IMPOSSIBLE to make it to the FINISH line in our LONG journeys of FAITH and
HOPE. “…Apart from
[Jesus]… you can do nothing…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB).
What happened when
Jesus took Mary and Martha to the finish line? “…And he that WAS DEAD came forth,
bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a
napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go...”
(John 11:43-44 KJV).LOOSE THE HOPE AND LET THE "HOPE" LIVE ON!!!!
What happened when
Jesus took the centurion to the finish line? “… And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have
believed.”
And the servant (of the centurion) WAS
HEALED that very moment…”
(Matthew 8:13 NLT).
What happened when the
WORD took Ezekiel’s dry bones to the finish line? “…So
[Ezekiel]… prophesied as [he]… was commanded. And as [he]… was prophesying,
there was a noise, a rattling sound, and THE BONES CAME TOGETHER, bone to bone. [he]… looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on
them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then ….BREATH ENTERED THEM; they came to LIFE
and STOOD UP on their feet—a vast army…” (Ezekiel
37 NIV).
What happened when
Jesus took you to the finish line in your journey to redemption? “…God MADE
you ALIVE
with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians
2:13 NIV). “… AS MANY as received him, to them GAVE HE POWER TO
BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even
to them that believe on his name…” (John 1:12 KJV).
In these examples Jesus
will get you to the FINISH line. Don’t GIVE UP! He is your indwelling FAITH.
Indwelling FAITH inspires your HOPE. “…The Lord ….he shall SUSTAIN thee…”
(Psalms 55:22 KJV). “…HE “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG
to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “…Jesus [is]… the AUTHOR and FINISHER OF [your indwelling]… FAITH…”
(Hebrews 12:2a KJV). “…HE WHICH HATH
“BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” (of faith) IN YOU WILL “PERFORM” IT until the day of Jesus Christ…”
(Philippians 1:6 KJV).
“… [Faith
inspired]…HOPE DOES
NOT DISAPPOINT… (ROMANS 5:5 NASB). “… "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS
10:11 NASB). “… HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL
NOT BE DISAPPOINTED… (ROMANS 9:33 NASB). “…In You
they trusted and WERE NOT
DISAPPOINTED…. (PSALMS 22:5 NASB).
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