Paycheck to Paycheck

Let us not live Paycheck to Paycheck in the Spirit.

Are we preparing for the future in our faith or are we just going day to day? Ps 90:12; Heb 12:12,13

Build for future.

Without a vision the people perish. Prov 29:18; Hosea 4:6

Encourage others God's coming through for you. Isa 35:3,4; Job 4:4; Heb 10:25

When trials come to knock you out of faith, your vision/faith gives the the anchor and strength to carry on. Heb 6:19; Rom 5:5

Spend time with Jesus (in truth, not just marking time) to solidify your faith. The more you spend with Him the stronger your faith grows. John 15:1-8

All the great saints lived with abandon. Eccl 9:10; Phil 3:7,12,13; Matt 13:44

Kingdom experienced by zeal. Don't live nonchalant, live with zeal. Live in zeal from the Word of God. Isaiah 9:7; Isa 59:17

But some say, "I'm doing all I can."

Do it calling out to God. Do it holding fast to the promise, help is on the way. Do it praying in tongues. Do it crying out to Jesus.

Some say, "I don't pray in tongues." The Holy Spirit is there for you. Receive Him or open up to Him. He will baptize you. Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4

Don't Quit. God backs up His word for those who believe Him. Ps 119:89; Ps 19:7-9; John 11:40

If you got pain, Jesus is a pain taker. Isa 53:5

Do you have chains, Jesus is a chain breaker. Ps 68:6; Ps 107:14

If you feel lost, Jesus is a way maker. Prov 4:18; Ps 23:4

If you need freedom, Jesus is a prison shaking Savior. John 8:36; Eph 3:12 (taken from Zachariah Williams)

Believe and Speak

Isaiah 51:16 “I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, Your are My people.”

Exodus 33:22 “and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.”

Isaiah 49:2 “He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a select arrow.”

Some may say this is speaking of Jesus, it is not applicable to us. John 20:21 “... as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  It is God's purpose for us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Jesus  is the first born from the dead. Col 1:18 We also can live as Jesus leads us from His example  because, we are new creatures in Christ. 2 Cor 5:17

We can walk in the same anointing as Jesus had. It was after Jesus was baptised in water that the Holy Spirit came on Him. Matt 3:16 It was after the temptations in the wilderness that Jesus ministered in the Holy Spirit and power. Luke 4:14

Our baptism in the Holy Spirit allows the power of God in our ministry as we believe. Each trial brings us to perfection as we set our mind on the Spirit and not the flesh. James 1:2-4

Believe God: Verses from John on Belief #6

Hidden Path

 John 14:12
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

Belief starts the new life. Belief allows us to live effectively in this life. We have all we need now to serve as we are called. It is understanding what we have and believing, that will allow us to do the works Jesus has called us to. Jesus called us to follow His steps. What Jesus did we can also. 1 Peter 2:21 There will also be suffering. To follow Jesus means you are willing to pay the price. The reward is far greater then any suffering we go through. Romans8:18

 John14:29
“Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.

It is easier to believe when we see. Faith allows us to believe when we don't see what we need.

 John 16:9
concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;

Whatever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23 Everything we do should be done in faith. Do everything by the direction of God. When we turn from following God, what we turn to is sin. Look to Jesus and follow Him.

 John 16:30
“Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.”

Because of Jesus ministry with the disciples and the time He spent with them, they came to know Him and believe in Him.

 John 16:31
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

Belief can be shaken. The disciples would be scattered after the crucifixion. Make sure your belief is sure so that problems won't knock you out. We make our belief sure by not relying on our strength, instead we rely completely on Jesus.

 John17:20
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

What you believe in will spread to others. We talk of what is valuable to us. Truth will be acceptable to those who are looking.

Ask yourself what you talk about. You talk of what you believe.

 John 17:21
that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

It takes Christ living within to be in unity with others. We all have our ideas and experiences. Differences of opinion will arise. Unity shows the world we are the real deal.

 John 19:35
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.

The testimony of truth will cause people to believe.

 John 20:25
So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Thomas decided that unless he saw he would not believe. Don't do that. God might have mercy and give you a sign you are looking for. Belief that rests on Jesus and His word, can't be shaken. God's word will always be there.

 John 20:31
but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

People have read the Bible and believed without hearing anyone preach. When the Bible is preached more will believe. When the Bible is preached and love is shown even more will believe.

Let Bible teachings be in your mouth mourning, noon, night and in the middle of the night. Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:148 This builds belief.

Believing God: Verses from John #5

Bald Eagles 

 John 11:42
“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.”

Jesus didn't need to pray this prayer before He raised Lazarus from the dead. He already believed and had the authority to do the work. He prayed so others would believe.

 John 11:48
“If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

A life lived for God will cause others to follow. Therefore, we will receive persecution from those who don't believe.

Is there evidence to show you believe?

 John 12:36
“While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.

Don't wait to believe. Hear and believe right away. If you wait, you might lose your opportunity.  Don't let the birds eat the seed newly planted in your heart. Don't let time cause the word you heard to fade away. Luke 8:5 When you hear a message that speaks to you, pray for God to make it real in your life.  Prayer will solidify what you hear. Then confess what you believe. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Then go and do it. James 1:22

Becoming sons of light follows belief. We are sons, but we won't live as sons if we don't believe.

Do others know you believe?

 John12:39,40
For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40" he has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them."

The parable of the sower deals with a heart that won't receive the word of God. Mark 4:20 (See my booklet on this.)

 John12:44
And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.

When we believe in Jesus we also believe in God the Father. They go together.

John 12:46
“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.

Jesus is the light. His word is light. Psalm 119:105 As we walk in the light we have fellowship with others. 1 John 1:7 Darkness is in the realm of Satan. His people prefer the dark. John 3:20,21 Believe Jesus and start walking in the light He gives.

The answers to life come from the understanding or light that Jesus gives.

 John 13:19
“From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.

We  have the testimony of the Scriptures. When we believe, they are true and active in our life.  As you study the Bible you will find many prophecies that have been fulfilled and will have much to believe in.

  John14:1
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

Make a decision not to be troubled but to instead believe what God has said. It is a decision to believe and not be troubled.  Study Philippians 4:6-9. (I have a study on this passage soon to be posted.)

John 14:6 “ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

We come to the Father by believing in Jesus.

Jesus had a number I Am statements.
John 6: 35, 48 I am the bread of life.
John 8: 12, 9:5 I am the light of the world.
John 8: 58 Before Abraham was, I am.
John 10:9 I am the door.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd.
John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life.
John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life.
John 15:1 I am the true vine.

 John 14:10
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

Jesus taught under the authority of the Father. We can believe what Jesus said because we know Jesus is the real deal.

 John 14:11
“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.

Believe Jesus because of what He said, or believe because of what He did.

Believing God: Verses from John # 4

 John 6:30
So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform?

They were looking for some great sign to believe. Belief comes from exchanging your life and getting a new one from Jesus. Being born again. John 3:16

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

When you are really thirsty you speak about it. When we have a refreshing drink to quench our thirst we also speak of how good it is.

We come to Jesus by serving Him. We come to Jesus by opening the Bible and reading it. We come to Jesus by prayer. We come to Jesus by meeting with other Christians. We come to Jesus by searching for Him in the Scriptures and in life. And we come to Jesus by worshipping Him with our mouth in trust that He will provide.

Do you thirst for more in life? Go to Jesus and learn from Him.

 John 6:36
“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.

There is a saying that seeing is believing. Seeing is not believing. It is the opposite. When we believe than we see. Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say to you. All things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”

First you pray, then you believe and then you see! If you wait to see to believe, you will be disappointed. If you believe Jesus before you see the answer, you won't be disappointed. Romans 10:11

John 6:40
“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

When we come to understand who Jesus really is and believe Him we have eternal life. We also have the hope of this eternal life continuing in heaven. Eternal life is not just going to heaven. Eternal life is a new life in Christ that starts at our new birth. We can live in this eternal life, or we can ignore it.

Let us look to Jesus and believe Him for the issues of our life today.

John 6:47
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

Belief brings life to our soul. Life flows from God, so belief opens our minds and changes our speech and actions to be about kingdom business.

 John 6:64
“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.

One of Jesus' disciples who did not believe was Judas Iscariot. Not all that claim they are Christians are truly saved. It is those who have believed. So speak with belief. If you aren't believing, go to God for renewal. As Christians, we can live for a while with unbelief. That is called being asleep.

Don't sleep. Wake up and believe God to move in your life.

John 7:38
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'”

Belief brings living water. What is this living water? It is the vitality of life. It is the fulfilment of life. It is the joy and the sustaining ability of God. How does this water flow? It flows as we act on our belief in faith. Confess what you believe and act on it.

What are you believing God for?

 John 8:24
“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

If we don't believe, we die in our ability to live for Jesus. Romans 8:6 “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

 John 8:30
As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.

Belief comes from hearing and receiving with an open heart.  Mark 4:20 “And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold." Bearing fruit is doing good works that are instructed from the word you hear.

 John 8:46
“Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me?

The Pharisees did not accept what Jesus taught. But it was not because of not being true. It was because He threatened their power. Let us believe what Jesus teaches. It will give us true ability to live for Him. Don't let your position in life keep you from believing what Jesus says.

What Jesus says is true. And our belief will cause us to speak God's truth. Truth is not always seen in the natural first.

 John 10:26
“But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.

The decision to believe and the decision to follow Christ go together. If we don't believe we won't last. Isaiah 7:9

 John 10:37
“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

Works show there is something to believe in. Jesus showed us by His death and resurrection that He is the Son of God. Jesus shows us today that He lives within by the comfort we receive from Him. And Jesus will show us His power as we follow His leading.

 John 10:38
but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”

Believe because of what Jesus says, or believe because of His works. Realise that Jesus is from God and does the works of God. He does not do them just in New Testament times, but also He continues to do them today.

 John 11:15
and I am glad for your sake that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.”

Lazarus died while Jesus was by Jericho near the Jordan river. This would be a long days hike from Bethany. When Jesus got there, Lazarus had been dead four days. This was an opportunity for Jesus to show His glory by raising Lazarus from the dead.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

There are 2 types of life and 2 types of death. We live naturally after birth and spiritually when we are born again at salvation. John 3:3,16 We die a natural death and a spiritual death if we have not been born again. The result of our rejection of Christ or ignoring Christ is to be cast into hell, the lake of fire. This is the second death. Those who believe don't experience this death.

John 11:26
and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?

This belief causes us to not die the second death. We are free from the wages of sin. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus paid our wages by dying for us.

 John11:40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Belief causes us to see the glory of God. The glory of God brings the power of God. We will see God's power when we believe. Jesus showed Martha and Mary His glory and power by raising Lazarus from the dead.

Are we quiet about what God has promised, or do we believe?

Go to the next lesson.

Believing God: Verses on Belief in John #3

Osprey 

John 4:48
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”

In John there were 7 signs:

Changing water into wine at Cana in John 2:1-11 - "the first of the signs"
Healing the royal official's son in Capernaum in John 4:46-54
Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-15
Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14
Jesus walking on water in John 6:16-24
Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7
The raising of Lazarus in John 11:1-45

People won't believe, if their heart is set against it. So let us soften our heart before God so we will be able to believe. We speak what is on our heart. Listen to what you are saying. Do you speak belief or unbelief?

John 5:24
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Hearing the word of God brings belief. (Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”) and Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.”

 John 5:38
“You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.

To believe is to accept what Jesus says. When we accept what Jesus says, we are then abiding in Jesus. This abiding allows us to get our prayers answered. John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My word abides in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. We can't accept what Jesus says and disregard what He says at the same time.

When we have God's word abiding in us, we will speak these words. Joshua 1:8 says that we are to have God's word in our mouth. Instead of questing God's word, think on it and speak it into your life.

 John 5:44
“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?

To believe Jesus is to be focused on Jesus and not yourself. When we receive glory we are focused on our wants. Jesus is the source and all we are able to do comes from Him. Speak of Jesus and His faithfulness. Deflect the praise others would give you by speaking of  Jesus.

 John 5:46
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.

The Pharisees thought they believed Moses. But they really were not believing in what Moses wrote but were instead using his writings as a way to maintain their power.

 John 5:47
“But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

In the end it is either all or nothing. We can't accept part of the Bible and reject other parts. For they all come from the same source.

 John 6:29
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

It takes work to believe at times. Sometimes we have to overcome our pattern of thought. This is done by meditation on Scripture and as we renew our mind in the Bible our mind is changed from stinking thinking to life giving belief. Romans 12:1,2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We renew our mind in the Scriptures. What we believe we speak.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 is another passage that we can use to fight for belief. Reject doubt and decide to believe what God has said. Philippians 4:6-9 is another passage that will move us from fear to belief. Verse 8 shows we control our thoughts and speech.

This war in our mind is managed by speaking what we believe. If we don't speak it we don't believe it. 2 Corinthians 4:13 “But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed, therefor I spoke,' we also believe, therefore we also speak.”

Go to the next lesson.

Believe God: Verses on Belief in John #2

John 3:18
“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

What we decide to do with our life brings results. If we decide to follow Jesus we have life. If we neglect Jesus, or decide against Him we remain in judgement. It is the belief that moves us from the judgement and the domain of darkness to God's light. Colossians 1:13

John 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Belief and obedience are contrasted. Belief is not just an idea. To believe means we will act as well. To not believe with obedience results in our staying in the judgement that the world is under. We move into God's realm, His kingdom, when we obey.

 John 4:21
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.

Jesus is saying that His statement is true. We should accept what Jesus says as the truth.

 John 4:42
and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Testimony will bring a person to Jesus. As they learn from Him their belief will be solidified into a stronger belief.

 John 4:48
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”

In John there were 7 signs:

Changing water into wine at Cana in John 2:1-11 - "the first of the signs"
Healing the royal official's son in Capernaum in John 4:46-54
Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-15
Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14
Jesus walking on water in John 6:16-24
Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7
The raising of Lazarus in John 11:1-45

People won't believe, if their heart is set against it. So let us soften our heart before God so we will be able to believe. We speak what is on our heart. Listen to what you are saying. Do you speak belief or unbelief?


Next post in this series.

Believe God: Verses on Belief in John

 John 1:7
He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.

Testimony builds belief. Jesus' life was a testimony of the light of God, the truth of the gospel and the hope of salvation.

 John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

We receive Jesus by turning our life over to Him. (John 3:16; Romans 10:9,10). We then have the right to be children of God. We choose to live for Christ Jesus. It is belief in Jesus that changes us from being of this world and instead being accepted into God's family.

 John1:50
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Nathaniel believed, because Jesus saw him. There will be many things from the Scriptures and that happen in our life that will solidify our belief in Jesus.

 John 3:12
“If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

Nicodemus came to Jesus to inquire about His ministry. Jesus turned the conversation to belief, salvation and new birth. Nicodemus questioned what Jesus was saying and this questioning was an act of unbelief. We can't believe if we question what Jesus says. Belief accepts what Jesus said and is saying to us. Don't reject what the Scriptures say, instead ask for insight into the meaning.

John 3:15
so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

Belief brings eternal life. As we believe we come to know Jesus. (John 17:3) Belief is not only an idea, but is also an experience.

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

It is God's love that made a way for us to have eternal life. Without Jesus dying for us, we would not have access to God or His eternal life.

Verses quoted from NASB.

Next in this series.

2 Corinthians Highlights

2 Corinthians 1:20

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”

How many promises of God are there? 1000's
2 Peter 1:3,4 We are granted everything pertaining to life and godliness. It is through the true knowledge of Him that we gain access to these promises to be real in our life. It is as we live to the manner we are called to give God glory and excellence.

In Him. What does it mean to be in Him? In Jesus. 2 Cor 5:17 Being in Jesus is being a new person in Christ. When we receive Jesus as our savior we have become in Christ. When we set our minds on Christ and the things He desires for us and take them off our flesh and the things we want, we allow the promises to become active in our life. With this situation the promises become yes. The promises are real but only work when we believe them.

Amen can be said when we believe. Amen is used as an ending to a statement. But it is much more than that. It is saying that what we have said is going to happen. Amen is a confession of faith that what we have asked will happen. Let us believe the promises with an emphatic amen! Let us not quit our belief but remain in belief and stand by what we first believed.

It is through Christ we can state with belief that we believe. We can't believe in ourselves. But we are not of the old. We are of the new. We are a new person, a born again person with God within us. It is through Christ that we state our belief. It is through Christ that we believe. We have Christ and because we have Christ we can believe. As we renew our mind in the word, belief springs up and faith is released. This is why it is important to meditate in Scripture during the day. As we let the word soak within us our old way of thinking is replaced by a new and living way of belief in God's promises.

To the glory of God. This is the purpose of the new creation. To glorify God. Test yourself to see if you are in the faith. 2 Cor 13:5 Are we believing to glorify God? Or are we believing to better ourselves? Is our purpose to glorify God? If it is, all the promises are active. If it is not the promises are hindered because of wrong motives. James 4:3

God will work through us to do great things as we live to glorify God. How do we shift from being focused on ourselves and be focused on Christ? Set as your purpose to serve God and rely on Him to take care of you. If you take care of His business, He will take care of your business. Matt. 6:33 Trust and believe.

Do We Walk by Faith or by Sight?

Walking by faith vs. walking by sight. 2 Cor 5:7 Our goal, our direction from the Bible, our plan, our strength is to walk by faith.

What is the difference between walking by faith and walking by sight? To walk by faith is to walk by the promises of God and not by experiences or what is possible. To walk by sight is to walk in the natural. It is to walk in the possible. Christianity is an impossible life. We are now in the Christmas season, and thinking people reject the Christmas story because of the virgin birth of Jesus. That is impossible they say. How can a baby be born if Mary did not have relations with Joseph. Thinking people say Joseph and Mary must have had relations and they just covered it up with this wild story.

This is why I say Christianity is an impossible way of life. That is unless there is a God who is not dead. We believe this story of a virgin birth and go even further and believe that Jesus was not only born of a virgin but also raised from the dead.

Thinking people just mock these ideas. These are ridiculous ideas if all there is, is the natural.

Then Christians go on to say the Bible was written by God through man. Jonah and the whale. Noah and the ark. Moses parting the Red Sea. Jesus walking on the water. I could go on and on about the miracles in the Bible. These are just stories, they are just children's fairy tales, thinking people would say. The Bible can't be believed,

In 2 Tim 3:16 it says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” Thinking people would reject that and say it is just man's attempt to present morality. Accept the morality but reject the stories. That is what thinking people would say.

Are we thinking people or people of faith? Now I am not saying people of faith do not think. On the contrary people of faith do a lot more thinking than the so called thinking people do.

God speaks and interjects His power on earth daily. The Bible is true and every man is a liar. Romans 3:4 If the Bible is true would we not be wise in waiting as it tells us to?

The natural man lives by what he sees and what is possible. The man of faith lives by the teachings of the Word of God and obeys the leading of the Holy Spirit as He is directed to. The Holy Spirit brings to us the word of God and teaches us the Scriptures. In John 6:63 it says, “"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

We can live and walk by the promises of the Bible. 2 Cor 1:20 says “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” and because of this we can be assured in God and walk in the confidence and rest of faith.

And so when we walk by faith and not by the natural what are doing? We are trusting in, relying upon, and clinging to Jesus that He will back up His word in our life. Jeremiah 1:12 “Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it."

The fight of faith 1 Timothy 1:18 is the rejection of all the doubt that comes when we walk by faith. This is explained in 2 Cor 10:3-5

Are we people of faith or do we just live like the so called thinking people?

God will enable us to live for Him and not live in the past. Let us be obedient to God in faith today!

Charles Capps The Tongue A Creative Force - Notes

It's not christian science, it's Christian sense.

-don't deny the existence of the mountain, deny the right for it to exist in your way. Live by faith not by sight. You see the mountain but when you get there it will be gone.

-Jesus said you can have what you say, and you say its getting worse or its still there. You will have what you say.

-Plant the seed. Prayer without faith won't work.

-Grace and peace are multiplied through the knowledge of the word. 2 Pt. 1:2

-2 Cor 4:13 faith speaks.

-2 Pt 1:3 God has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness.

-If you say what God says until it gets into your spirit then you'll get it.

-James 1:21 the word of God grafted into your spirit will save you.

-2 Pt 1:4 we are partakers of the divine nature by the promises.

-The tongue can stop the course of nature.

-Everything can be tamed by the tongue.

-Man can't tame the tongue but we can speak by the spirit.

-Peter's tongue changed after Pentecost.

-Don't deny disease, deny the right of the disease to live in your body.

-We are free from the curse.

-I beg your pardon, the Word says you are healed.

-How you feel has nothing to do with God preforming His word.

-They prayed in faith, I know they prayed in faith and I believe God, I'm getting up in the name of Jesus. (While they don't feel any different)

If you have lack and you confess the word of God which says God supplies all your needs. Are you telling a lie or are you confessing the truth? God's word is truth.

There is a process of weeding out religious traditions from the truth.

And having done all to stand. Watch what you say and stand. Stand on the word and your confession.

-Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Watch your idle words.

-If you don't feel healed, go to the Word of God and get some feelings.

-Prov 4:22 God's word is healing to all our flesh. WOW

Romans 3:4 "that thou mayest be justified in thy sayings?  When people would disbelieve what we say in faith!

-!-! Matt 10:32 If we confess God before men Jesus will confess us to the Father. And if we are confessed before the Father we will have the answer. 1 Jn 5:14,15

-When the dry winds of doubt come just proclaim more boldly what God has said to your spirit.

-Speak what God says and not what you think.

-Putting the tongue to our faith ignites it to power. The word of His power. Hebrews 1:3

-Acts 1:8 we receive power by Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit causes us to be witnesses of the word of God.

-We overcome the world by our faith. Faith works from obedience. And obedience starts with our confession.

-Proverbs 6:2 You are ensnared by the words of your mouth.

-God releases His faith in words. Heb 1:3; 11:3 Gen 1:. We are to imitate God Eph 5:1 so talk and act like God.

-We are doing the binding, and God stands behind what we say in faith. Matt 16:19 Mark 11:22-24

-Words are containers they carry faith or fear and they produce after their kind.

-Prov 4:20-22 Ps 107:20 God's word is medicine to all our flesh.

Your faith can't rise beyond your confession.

Prosperity and Peace

Prosperity and peace go together. If you don't have enough, there is tension because you are striving to get the basic needs for your life. Peace is hard to come by without having what you need.

Jesus said in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 

This verse presents a different dynamic to peace and prosperity. God's word will bring peace to us as we live by faith, not by sight. The world has problems, but Jesus has overcome the world. How has He overcome the world for us? "And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith." 1 Jn 5:4b

In the spiritual, we overcome by faith. The natural will present problems, but faith in the word of God will overcome the problems in the natural.

Ps 122:7 seems to be talking of peace and prosperity in the natural. Yes, the two go together. It is hard to have one without the other. In the spirit there is a different dynamic. Life can be superseded by the word of God.

At times spiritual peace and natural peace look the same. You can tell the difference when trials, tribulations and troubles come our way. Spiritual peace will shine during the trial, but natural peace will crash.

There is no strength with natural peace. It is just enjoyed as it happens. Spiritual peace, on the other hand, is not reliant on circumstances or others. There is a joy and peace given by God to those who walk with Him by faith. They are not looking at what is seen but what is not seen. Their life is hid in God. Life circumstances don't shake them. Why? Because they are living according to the promises of God. Their concerns are given to God and they receive peace according to the promise given in Phil 4:6-9

Yes, God offers prosperity, but we are not to focus on prosperity or seek it as a primary object.  1 Tim 6:9 gives a warning. "But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction." In fact, we are to flee riches and seek the things of the spirit. 1 Tim 6:11

That is not to say that blessings aren't a by-product following God. Yes, blessing will come, but the example and lessons of Job show that we are not to judge others who have not entered into the life of prosperity.

(What are the quick lessons of Job?
1 Things aren't always as they look.
2 Don't be quick to judge.
3 Job came closer to God through trials.
4 Job was healed when he prayed for his friends.
5 The good generic counsel of Job's friends didn't apply to him.)

We are to use the blessings and prosperity we have received to minister to others for the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 9:8  "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."

What do you do if your basic needs aren't met? Go to God in prayer, receive peace from Him, walk in faith and joy, not in your circumstances but in your relationship with God.

Phil 4:11 Paul learned to be content in whatever circumstance he found himself. "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." When he wrote that he was sitting in a jail cell. 

We can be content wherever we are as we have a close relationship with Christ. Only our walk with Christ fulfills, not the abundance of stuff. 

Desire contentment; seek for contentment. It is a rare jewel. With contentment comes peace, allowing us to advance in the kingdome of God.

Psalm 33:17 "A horse is a false hope for victory nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength."

People look at having things and investments for security, yet it is not our ability in the natural that will give us victory. Victory comes through the Lord. We should not reject the natural means as led by God but use it to serve the Lord. Keep in mind the natural is only a tool the Lord uses. 

Serve God, walk in peace and prosperity, minister to others and live in a peace that is not reliant upon circumstances but on Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Go in peace,

Scott

John 4:14

John 4:14 "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

There are many issues here:
Whoever
drinks
Jesus gives water
thirst
well
springing
eternal life

Whoever: Salvation is not for the few but for whoever will accept the water from Jesus. John 3:16 whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life. 2 Peter 3:9 God does not want any to perish but for all to come to eternal life.
Isaiah 55:1 "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and mild without money and without cost." Salvation is free for whoever wills. It will change your life.

Jesus is offering water and it is the one who drinks that will benefit. Drinking is taking into our being and being sustained by it. When Jesus gives us a word we are sustained by it as we believe. Drinking is believing in the words of Jesus. Drinking is being sustained by the words of Jesus believing in them even when the circumstances of life are such that we could doubt the words of Jesus. But we reject the circustances and believe Jesus. Not that we hide our head in the sand and refuse to deal with current situations. But to believe is to not accept the current situation but to look to Jesus to fulfill His promise to us.
Be ready to receive the water from Jesus by having our heart ready. A soft heart ready to recieve the word and not a hard heart, which rejects the word of God.

Jessu gives water. This water is the word of God. It sustains us spiritually day by day. We need some each day. But are we willing to spend time with Jesus to receive water? Do we neglect Jesus and instead stay busy with our many details.

Thirst is desires. God's word will satisfy our desires. Even in the midst of acute need, the word of God will reach into our very soul the center of our being our spirit and satisfy us. We can be content in the midst of the trials of the world with the wrod of God. We have hope with the word. We have healing with the word. We have faith with the word. We have life with the word. We have eternal life with the word. Our thirst is quenched when we have Jesus. He is the word. Let us have soft hearts so the word will not run off the top of the soil but penatrate within.

As the deer pants for water so my soul pants for God Psalm 42:1.
Isaiah 49:10

Well. As we hide the word of God in our hearts we have a well of this water within. And it can be drawn upon in times of dryness.

Springing. The water in the well will spring up as the Holy Spirit moves in us. As we believe in the life giving power of the Word of God. We will have an abundance because of the word in our well. We have an abundance because Jesus gives us an abundant life.

Eternal life. Eternal life is knowing God. Jn 17:3 Eternal life starts at salvation not when we get to heaven. Eternal life happens when we are believing in the word of God given to us by Jesus. Eternal life is living in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is not eating, drinking, or words. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy and power. The kingdom of God brings people to salvation because of the word of God is the power of God for salvation. Jesus started preaching the same way John the Baptist did. Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.