Thursday, September 21, 2017

INDWELLING SPIRIT: THE SIDE EFFECT OF FAITH (FINAL)


NEW BOOK COMING SOON

EXAMPLES OF FAITH:
NOT “WHAT” YOU DO, BUT “WHY” YOU DO IT.
“…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…” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
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The first example of faith is creation. God demonstrates his FAITH in the POWER of his OWN word. “…Then God SAID, “Let there be light”; AND THERE WAS LIGHT…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB).
“…Then God SAID (God commanded with faith in his OWN word), “Let there be light” (Jesus, the Word spoke his command with faith); AND THERE WAS LIGHT (The Holy Spirit did what was spoken and commanded with faith)…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB).
God expresses his faith in his OWN word. “...So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). God says, I “…am WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB).
The FATHER’s WORD is POWER. Every journey of divine, supernatural faith starts out with the Father’s WORD and concludes with the manifestation of his POWER.
Let’s examine the story of the dry bones: “…The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.  I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
God gave a commanding WORD to Ezekiel. “…PROPHESY (speak) to these bones and SAY to them, ‘Dry bones, HEAR “THE WORD” of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord SAYS to these bones: I WILL make breath enter you, and YOU WILL come to life. I WILL attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I WILL put breath in you, and YOU WILL come to life…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
God commands and Jesus speaks with complete confidence and faith in his OWN WORD. God has NO DOUBT that what he says will happen; WILL HAPPEN. God KNOWS his own Word is PROOF that it “WILL” happen.…Faith is the substance (guarantee) of things hoped for, the evidence (Proof) of things not seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
God’s WORD is ALWAYS backed-up by the ACTION and  manifestation of his POWER. “…So I (Ezekiel) prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I 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).
God was absolutely confident that the dry bones would live and his word was proof. Examples of true faith will ALWAYS prove that THE FATHER’S WORD IS POWER. “MY WORD  …SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).  
The utilization of divine, supernatural faith leaves no doubt about God’s powerful word. “…I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then YOU WILL “KNOW” that I the Lord have SPOKEN, AND I HAVE “DONE IT” declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
You can witness THE FATHER’S WORD AS POWER in the example of faith where he warns Noah about a future flood. God tells Noah to build an ark, and promises to save his whole family. “…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). The RESULT: “…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).
You can witness THE FATHER’S WORD AS POWER in the example of faith where Abraham offered up Isaac as a sacrifice after being promised all his descendants would come through him. “…It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead…” (Hebrews 11 NLT)
You can witness THE FATHER’S WORD AS POWER in the example of faith where Sarah and her husband were promised a child in their nineties; WAY past childbearing years. It was BY FAITH that even SARAH WAS ABLE TO HAVE A CHILD, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.  And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them…” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
You can witness THE FATHER’S WORD AS POWER in the example where the children of Israel crossed the red sea and miraculously escaped from their enemies. “…It was BY FAITH that the people of Israel WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE RED SEA as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned…” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
You can witness THE FATHER’S WORD AS POWER in the many examples of faith in the Old Testament. “…BY FAITH … 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).
“…God … [ is FULFILLING]… THE WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJV). “…Faith which worketh by love…” (Galatians 5:6 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).
Why are these stories of faith written and recorded in the bible. “…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). “…Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV).
If you are a Believer you are an example of the work of faith WITH power, especially if you are saved. Are you saved? “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). It “…is THE POWER of God unto SALVATION …” (Romans 1:16 KJV). 
How were you saved? “….the gospel of Christ (the WORD) …. is THE [invisible]… POWER of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).  “… [The] Good News about Christ. It is the POWER OF GOD at work, saving everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 NLT).
You have witnessed THE FATHER’S WORD AS POWER in salvation. At God’s command, Jesus SPEAKS the WORD/gospel, and the HOLY SPIRIT, God’s POWER; does the WORK of SALVATION.
How were the dry bones saved from death? “…The Sovereign Lord [SAID through Ezekiel]… to [those dead]… bones: I WILL make breath enter you, and YOU WILL come to life. I WILL attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I WILL put breath in you, and YOU WILL come to life…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
“…Then [at God’s WORD] ….breath (SPIRIT) entered them; they came to life…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
Would you say the dry bones were dead people? “…The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
Were you dead before Jesus Christ saved you? Yes. “…YOU… were DEAD in your transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). “…YOU were DEAD in your sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV).  Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU were]…. DEAD[and]…LOST…” (Luke 15:24 NIV). You were“…SEPARATED from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).
How did the dry bones come ALIVE with LIFE again? “… [God’s]…breath (SPIRIT) entered them; they came to LIFE…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
How did the first man Adam come ALIVE? “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of LIFE (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).
How did you come ALIVE again?…God MADE you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God “….MADE [you]… ALIVE with Christ …” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU were MADE]…. ALIVE AGAIN…” (Luke 15:24 NIV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…the Holy Spirit gives “BIRTH” to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).
How did the dry bones respond to the Father’s Word of Power?  “…They came to LIFE…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). How did Adam respond to God’s power? “…man became a LIVING soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). How did you respond to God’s Word of Power? God “….MADE [you]… ALIVE with Christ  (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).
What actually MADE the dry bones, Adam, the first man, and You ALIVE? “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…Jesus said… I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).
Ezekiel was uncertain rather the dry bones could live but, he wasn’t uncertain of God’s ability. “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).  “…[Ezekiel]… said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
God’s word worked in spite of Ezekiel uncertainty? God’s word in Ezekiel’s mouth was the same as God’s word in his own mouth. “…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).
THE FATHER’S WORD IS POWER. God’s word works. Ezekiel didn’t know if the dry bones could live. However, He KNEW God was ABLE. God said: “…I will put my Spirit in [them]… and [they]…will live…Then you will know that “I” the Lord have SPOKEN, and “I” have DONE it, declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
God gave a commanding WORD to Ezekiel. “…PROPHESY (speak) to these bones and SAY to them, ‘Dry bones, HEAR “THE WORD” of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord SAYS to these bones: I WILL make breath enter you, and YOU WILL come to life. I WILL attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I WILL put breath in you, and YOU WILL come to life…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
“... [God]… asked [Ezekiel]“Son of man, can these bones live?” [He]… said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know…” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV). The dead, dry bones “… came to LIFE…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
The question screams out to EVERY believer “…can these bones live?”…” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV). Many face DEAD situations and circumstances in life and like Ezekiel we may answer “…Sovereign Lord, you alone know…” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV).
Ezekiel didn’t answer the question. His lack of an answer looked like doubt, but NOT necessarily complete doubt. Usually doubt and unbelief are interchangeable, but in Ezekiel’s case it is a “gray” area. “…But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something [or answer something, or do something,]… you are sinning if you go ahead and do it…” (Romans 14:23 NLT).
When you are uncertain about a matter; it is better not to answer or act on that uncertainty “… For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning…” (Romans 14:23 NLT).
Doing something or answering something with uncertainty is condemned because it doesn’t come from FAITH. “…And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.…” (Romans 14:23 KJV).
Doubt can be a “gray” area and not necessarily blatant rejection of God’s truth. Doubt or uncertainty can be the reflection of a man or woman’s falling and turning back to reliance on their OWN human ability, OWN human will, OWN human emotions, or OWN human mind. “….Don't put your confidence in … people (or self); there is no help for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).
In theses cases of doubt and uncertainty God’s mercy is needed. “…And you must show MERCY to those whose faith is wavering….” (Jude 22 NLT). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).
God is “... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “...O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD; for his mercy endureth for ever (1 Chronicles…” 16:34 KJV). “…he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14 KJV). “…The Lord is…plenteous in mercy…” (Psalms 103:8 KJV). “…Great is his mercy toward them that fear him…” (Psalms 103:11 KJV). “…The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting …” (Psalms 103:17 KJV). “…It is of the Lord's MERCIES that we are not CONSUMED, because his compassions FAIL NOT. They are NEW EVERY MORNING…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV). Therefore, “…you must show MERCY to those whose faith is wavering….” (Jude 22 NLT). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).
God showed mercy to the centurion while he struggle with faith. Struggling with faith is NOT always a sign of complete unbelief. The centurion expressed he needed Jesus’ help with believing. The Centurion said to Jesus (the WORD): “…I DO believe; HELP me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV). “…Have MERCY upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy TENDER MERCIES…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV).
God’s merciful kindness assures you, I will supply all your NEED” (John 12:32 KJV). Jesus’ disciples took pleasure in their insufficiencies. 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). In Hebrews 11 it 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). That’s why Ezekiel said, “…Sovereign Lord, you alone know…” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV).
After the Centurion asked Jesus to help him with his unbelief; he was empowered to receive what he asked God for. “…Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour…” (Matthew 8:13 KJV).  “…[You]… can do all things THROUGH Christ (the WORD) which strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
God’s divine nature was gloriously merciful toward Ezekiel. God does not condemn Ezekiel, or reprimand him, or judge him, or lose patience with him, or get angry in regard to his uncertainty. Ezekiel’s answer stemmed from his limitations, but NOT God’s. “…Sovereign Lord, YOU ALONE KNOW…” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV).
God in his merciful love told Ezekiel to do something. “…PROPHESY (speak) to these bones and SAY to them, ‘Dry bones, HEAR “THE WORD” of the Lord! …” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
Why did God do that? “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD…” (Romans 10:17 KJV). “…Now FAITH IS the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
I used this example of faith to demonstrate HOW God addresses areas of doubt or uncertainty. “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).
Not only did the dry bones HEAR the words of the Lord, but so DID Ezekiel. “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD…” (Romans 10:17 KJV).
The centurion also came to Jesus, the WORD. “…Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but SPEAK THE WORD ONLY, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under AUTHORITY, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so GREAT FAITH, no, not in Israel…” (Matthew 8:5-9 KJV).
Though the centurion questioned his faith Jesus didn’t. “…When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so GREAT FAITH” (Matthew 8:5-9 KJV). However, the centurion said, “…I believe; HELP thou mine unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 KJV). Later, “…Jesus said unto the centurionas thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee…” (Matthew 8:13 KJV).
In both examples of faith, Ezekiel and the centurion showed signs of uncertainty, doubt, or unbelief within themselves. Yet Ezekiel acknowledged God’s sovereignty and the centurion acknowledged his authority.
The situations seemed to them impossible, but yet they both KNEW “…the things which are impossible with men are POSSIBLE with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…He replied, What is impossible for people is POSSIBLE with God...” (Luke 18:27 NLT).
The centurion said, “…SPEAK THE WORD ONLY…” (Matthew 8 KJV). Ezekiel said, “…YOU ALONE KNOW…” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV).
The centurion and Ezekiel recognized, acknowledged, and humbled themselves under the ALMIGHTY God. “..Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord...” (James 4:10 KJV). Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…”(1 Peter 5:6 KJV).
The Christian journey takes you through difficult places or into situations with impossible human solutions, or in the middle of a valley of very dry DEAD bones. God may ask you “…Can these bones live?”…” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV).
In John chapter 11 Jesus shows up AFTER Lazarus is DEAD. After something or someone DIES there is sadness, pain, disappointment, hopelessness, and a looming sense of pending resignation.
When situations and circumstances appear dead, this is usually the time and place where many people “give up.” They may have even accused God of not working things out for GOOD the way HE claimed it would (Romans 8:28).
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 had concluded Lazarus was long dead and it was TOO LATE for Jesus, the WORD to do anything about it. She told him Jesus: “… Lord, by this time, he stinketh: for he hath been dead for four days …” (John 11:39 KJV).  “…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). LIFE. LIFE. LIFE.
God has“…dealt to every man 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).
What did the POWEFUL WORD of God do for Mary and Martha? Jesus asked Mary and Martha, “…where have ye laid him?..’ (John 11:34 KJV).  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).
What did the POWERFUL WORD of God do for the centurion? “… And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant WAS HEALED that very moment…” (Matthew 8:13 NLT).
What did the POWERFUL WORD of God do for Ezekiel? “…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 did the POWERFUL WORD of God do for YOU? …God MADE you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).
In these examples of faith, the bottom lines is: THE FATHER’S WORD IS POWER!!.

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