Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Watering the Word


A seed planted in the soil needs watering. And a seed planted in the soil of our heart needs watering also. The word of God gives us faith if we accept it and believe what God has said to us. Psalm 119  gives us ways of watering the word in our heart.

A seed without water will die. So the spiritual seed of God's word in our heart will die if it is not watered. These are some ways I have gleaned from Psalm 119 that we can water the seeds of faith in our heart.

Seeds and small plants in the ground will die if weeds or competing plants use up the soil, nutrients and water that are available to it. So also, the seeds of faith and the small amount of faith that is starting to grow in our heart will die if the weeds of worry are not rooted out by our focusing on the promises in the word of God to counter the unbelief of worry.

Psalm 119:1 Walk in the law.
Psalm 119:2 Observe His testimonies
Psalm 119:2 Seek Him with all your heart
Psalm 119:4 Keep word diligently
Psalm 119:6 Look upon your commands
Psalm 119:7 Learn righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:11 Treasure word in heart.
Psalm 119:13 Told of your ordinances.
Psalm 119:14 Rejoiced in the way of your testimonies
Psalm 119:15 Meditate on your precepts
Psalm 119:15 Regard Your ways
Psalm 119:16 Delight in your statutes
Psalm 119:16 Not forget your word.
Psalm 119:18 Behold wonderful things from Your Law
Psalm 119:20 Longing after ordinances
Psalm 119:30 Chosen the faithful way
Psalm 119:30 Placed ordinances before me.
Psalm 119:31 Cling to God's testimonies.
Psalm 119:32 Run the way of your commands.
Psalm 119:42 Trust in your Word.
Psalm 119:43 Wait for your ordinances
Psalm 119:45 Seek Your precepts.
Psalm 119:48 Lift up my hands to Your commands.
Psalm 119:51 I don't turn aside from your law
Psalm 119:54 Statutes are my songs.
Psalm 119:59 Turned my feet to Your testimonies
Psalm 119:87 I did not forsake your precepts
Psalm 119:95 Consider Your testimonies
Psalm 119:97 Love Your law.
Psalm 119:103 Your words are sweet to my taste.
Psalm 119:111. Your words are a joy to my heart
Psalm 119:112 Inclined my heart to preform your statutes.
Psalm 119:120 I am afraid of your judgments.
Psalm 119:128 I esteem right all your precepts.
Psalm 119:148 My eyes anticipate the night watches that I my meditate on your word.
Psalm 119:161 My heart stands in awe of your words.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoiced at your word.

Of all these methods, Psalm 119:148 is the most outstanding. I enjoy sleeping after a hard day of work and exercise. If my eyes are anticipating the night so that I can meditate instead of sleep, then I will be consumed with God's word. A life of faith needs the word and water to maintain trust in the Lord. This will counter the many obstacles the enemy will throw our way as we walk in the faith. Without our desire to counter the obstacles that come our way faith will die. Faith is maintained as we fight, but if left to grow naturally, faith dies. So in the middle of the fight I desperately need to be encouraged. These verses of Psalm 119  show ways to encourage ourselves like David did of old. 1 Samuel 30:6

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Life Comes From Death

The idea that life comes from death.

Before life there must be death.

Soil is composed of decayed plant material. This material is full of the nutrients plants need for growth.

We are new people in Christ. 2 Cor 5:17  This new life comes after we die to our old life. Christian baptism shows this concept. Baptism represents the burial of the old man and coming up out of the water represents the new man resurrected with power in Christ.

We are not able to serve God effectively if we have one foot in the world and another foot in God's kingdom. We need to make a break from the world and go for God 100%.

Jesus goes so far and says if we are a friend of the world we are hostile towards God. James 4:4; 1 John 2:15

A seed dies before it gives life.
We die before we give life.

Choosing death to our old life gives fertilizer and vitality to our new life. If we hold back from giving up our old life then there is no power in serving God in our new life.

Repentance is turning from the old way of life and deciding to follow Jesus in living a new life in Him.

Let us not shrink back from turning from our sin and living a victorious life. Heb. 10:39

2 Cor 1:9 Death to ourselves gives us the ability to trust God.

The kingdom of God has this idea presented in parables of The Field with a hidden treasure Matt 13:44 and The Pearl of Great Price. Matt. 13:45 We sell all to get these.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Complaining





How does one express dissatisfaction? It will bring disrespect. My purpose is not to bring disrespect but to show that I am not fitting in with what is going on.

What brings life? What brings the answer? What brings direction?

What do I do with complaining? There is always problems, otherwise there would be no need for work. For when you see something to complain about you have 2 options:
You can complain.
or
You can roll up your sleeves and go to work.

Complaining comes from lazy people.

What if yo are already working? Then you are not working from a position of faith. Complaining shows a lack of faith.

Rejoice, I am the Great I am.
Bring all to Me Point yourself to the Blood of Christ. Don't worry come to Me.

This is the day you will behold My light. I will carry you to the mountain top, so rejoice in Me says the Lord God almighty.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Family Alter


“Then the LORD said, ‘shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen Him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him’” [Genesis 18:17-19].

I get tracts in the mail every once in a while from different places. One track taught the ‫importance of having a family alter.  So I got on the internet and found some web sites that talk of this discipline.

There is an old statement that says that a family that prays together stays together. But going one further a family that worships together will stay together. Family alters are a time of worship, reading and studying the Bible and prayer.

Many will say there is no time for a faimily alter. We are so hurried. This reminds me of my son who did not want to sleep becuase he would miss out on something. Yes we will miss out on something if we take time to have a family alter. If we don't take time, we become sick the same happens when we don't take time to sleep.

Life is full of stuff. We need to choose what to partake of and what to cut.

Of course a family can't have a family alter if they are not Christian. The family alter is an expression of Christian life.

Hebrews 2:3 "how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, " Salvation is not just a start. It is a beginning of life. and a family alter will nurture that life.

The family alter: builds family bonds, teaches and exaults the Word of God, gives a place for prayer together, sets an example for others, children can be taught life skills, and all can grow in the grace of God.

Sources for this article:
http://www.brfwitness.org/?p=208

http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=49668

How to Have A Family Altar by Norman V. Williams


http://www.latterrainassembly.org/articles/Family_Altar.pdf

Areas for Discipleship / Christian growth



Salvation
Assurance of Salvation
Sanctification
Communion
Water baptism
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Confidence in the Bible / Scriptural Authority
Bible reading
Recognize the voice of the Lord
Hearing God
Faith to live by
Bible Study
Sound doctrine
Refute those who teach wrong doctrine
Bible meditation, memory
Tithing / giving
Fellowship
Worship
Being yoked with Jesus
Lordship of Jesus
The Cross of Christ
Being yoked with others
Loving others
Unity of the Faith
Submitting to others
Willingness to roll up your sleeves and go to work
Operating in the fruits 1 Peter 1, Gal 5
Operating in the gifts of the Spirit 1 Cor Eph Rom 12
Understanding personal calling
Relationship with the Lord God Son and Holy Spirit.
Quiet time
Time of Prayer
seeking God
fasting
Living in expectation of God doing something in the next moment of your life.
Waiting and Expectant for God's movement
Divine encounters with other people
Prayer list and pray for those throughout your life.
Have a journal of life experiences, hopes victories concerns failures.
Repentance
Forgiveness
Steps of discipleship: from new convert to a leader and functioning in gifts God has called them.
Money - 5 Aspects - poverty, stewardship, abundance, contentment, job/carrier
Meet the needs of the poor
Spiritual warfare / intercession


Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Meditation
Prayer
Fasting
Study
Simplicity
solitude
Submission
Service
Confession
Worship
Guidance
Celebration

Anyone have any additions or comments?

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Faith Laws

Laws of Godly Faith Romans 3:27

Romans 12:3 Each of us is given faith.

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1. Without forgiveness we can't have faith. Matt 18:21-35
2. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Prov 18:20,21
3. Command the problem to go.
              Believe you will receive and not doubt.
              It will be granted Mark 11:22,23
              Pray for an answer.
              Believe it's already done.
              And it will be granted. Mark 11:24
4. Search for God with all your heart. Jer 29:13
5. Praying day and night builds faith. Luke 18:1f
6. Pray in the spirit builds faith. Jude 20
7. Faith comes by hearing the word of God Rom 10:17
8. Faith works through love. Gal 5:6
9. Faith is sown in peace. James 3:18  Faith has God's peace. John 16:33
10. Faith can't coexist with a double mind James 1:6f
11. Each of us are given faith. Romans 12:3
12. Faith needs works James 2:17
13. When your prayer of worry turns to praise. Phil 4:6f You have prayed through.
14. Faith prepares for the future. Noah
15. Faith endures. James 1
16. Faith understands authority. Centurion Luke 7:1-9
17. Faith does not take no answer, or lame reasons as an answer of no. Syrophonicion women. Matt 15:21f Mark 4:24f
18. Poor are rich in faith. James 2:5
19. Fix our eyes on Jesus. Heb 12:2
20. Jesus is the author of our faith Heb 12:2
21. Jesus is the finisher of our faith. Heb 12:2
22. Pride and faith can't coexist. Hab. 2:4
23. We can't believe and seek glory for ourselves. Jn 5:44
24. God opens the door of faith. Acts 14:27
25. Serve with no thought of self, increases faith. Lk 17:5-10
26. Faith is assured of the promise. Heb 11:1
27. Faith does not consider a report against God's promise. Eph 6:16
28. Praising God defeats unbelief. Rom 4:20,21
29. Faith can rest. Heb 4:1;
30. You got to fight for faith. 1 Tim 6:12
31. Faith works in Jesus not the concept. 2 Cor 1:20
32. Faith is kept 2 Tim 4:7
33. Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. Heb 10:23
34. The fear of man brings a snare. Prov 29:25
35. An evil report does not shake faith Ps 112:7
36. Faith is not disappointed Rom 10:11
37. Whatever is not of faith is sin. Faith is required. Rom 14:23
38. Faith is made strong in weakness. Heb 11:34 2 Cor 12:9
39. Imitate peoples faith because of the good outcome. Heb 13:7,8
40. You can't try faith you have to believe. Because the tests of faith will cause those who try faith to quit.
41. Faith is perfected by works James 2:22
42. Making Jesus Lord builds faith. Romans 10:9
43. If faith is lacking that means love is also lacking.
44. Oral Robert's 3 steps- God is your source Phil 4:19 Sow into your need 2 Cor 9 Expect a miracle Mark 11:22-24
45. Faith is a decision on our part or why would we be commanded to have it. Have faith in God. Mark 11:22, Deut 30:19,20
46. We speak about what we believe in. I believe therefore I spoke. 2 Cor 4:13
47. God answers Prayer. John 14:14
48. Faith is content in the present and believes for the future. Phil. 4:11
49. Became mighty in war Heb 11:34 not before war!
50. I must die to myself if I am to live by faith. Gal 2:20
51. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for we must believe He exists and rewards us. Heb 11:6
52. If you have faith you will live by your faith. Hab 2:4 Matt 4:4
53. Faith is ours and we can grow it 1 Jn 5:4
54. Prayer and fasting build faith. Matt 17:20,21
55. Crying day and night for an answer expresses faith. Luke 18:1-8
56. Faith lives by the word, has a dream, is adventurous, not affected by the world. Cho
57. Faith works for what, in the natural, would be a waste. Noah.
58. Faith needs courage 2 Cor 5:6-8
59. Faith stands, before God and against Satan.
60. Faith is strengthened by encouragement from others.
61. Faith is bold Eph 3:12
62. Faith is not led astray by the enemies success or power Deut 13:1-3 or faith withstands a test from God. Judges 20:18f Faith continues after defeat Judges 20:18f63. Faith trusts God.
64.Your Faith will be Tested 
65. Pray for your faith to be increased. Luke 17:5
66. The alternative to faith is rational thinking.
67. Start in the flesh and look for HS to help you, when God has already told you to do something in the word. Wigglesworth
68. Faith is based on the hope of the Scriptual promise. Hebrews 11:1
69. Faith will continue to the end, it will hold fast. Heb. 3:6; 3:14  James 1:2-4
70. Faith thrives as you are in communion with God.
71. Faith is Now Hebrews 11:1
72. Mustard Seed - Faith starts small; Faith grows with the right start
73. Faith starts with God not with works. Works won't build faith if faith is not there to start with.
74. Faith is perisable Heb 2:1 Use it or lose it by Roy Hicks
75. Faith is not presumption.
76. Faith is confident.
77. The word will not profit if it is not united with faith. Heb. 4:2
78. Faith and fear can't co-exist. Faith believes and fear doubts. Luke 8:50
79. Doubt will kill faith if left unchecked. 2 Cor 10:3-5 So counter doubt with the promise of God.
80. Meditation fertilizes the word of God. Faith is maintained by keeping your mind on the word and rejecting the problem. 2 Cor 10:3-5; Phil 4:6-9
81. Faith does not fear death. Dan. 3:16-18; Matt 10:28
82. Christ dwells in your heart through faith. Eph. 3:17