Faith That Overcomes

 Faith That Overcomes

I think we have to, like you said, trust GOD (who is inside us) through these troubles & trials. But also keep in mind all throughout the bible, everyone went through tons of times where saints were in all kinds of troubling situations and they all wondered or said "GOD where are you?"  I've done this myself many times....

I think its normal to have thoughts like this, we feel (at times) abandoned or "why did this happen?"  or the enemy in our mind says: "You know if you were a true believer, you wouldn't be having this problem".  Or the enemy says "why don't you just curse GOD an die?" (Job 2:9) "My GOD My GOD why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1 and Mark 15:34) These thoughts are human/normal for all of us. We know, of course that these thoughts, undermine our rock solid connection with the SPIRIT who is in you always/forever and who is AS you. You are that connected - as one.  

And, in this negative state, I think we have to strengthen ourselves in the LORD (in the I AM) just like David did in 1 Samuel 30:6.  because the world can deal us quite a blow at times. So we go back and remind ourselves how we got through other impossible times and with HIS love working for me, I will and have already gotten through this "now" problem.   

David gets threatened and chased off his throne and out of his castle as his son Absalom vowed to kill David (his father).   David says at that time of running and fleeing both Absalom and the entire army that Absalom swayed over to his side and are hell-bent on killing the king! 

David prays /says this" LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me. Many are saying of me "GOD will not deliver (save) him".

David later (during this time of fleeing and hiding from Absalom) prays (imagines) Psalm 23 and says "HE restores my soul"  meaning GOD brings me back to where I started and restores my life, castles, losses, dignity, wellbeing, etc... David was now strengthening himself in GOD.  Read all psalm 23 and see how he (David) sees himself as a sheep with GOD being the ever present and loving shepherd.

Hebrews 11 talks about living the life of faith (faith is simply trusting GODS faithfulness)  HE actually gives you faith in HIMSELF! 

Now in Hebrews 11 talks about all these great people of faith from Enoch taken from life without dying and Noah building an ark on dry land. To Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and  Joseph to the walls of Jericho to Rahab the prostitute to Gideon and Samson to David and Samuel and all the prophets.

Hebrews 11 :31-35 .."who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection..."

This part haunts me "..refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection"    

Haunts meaning this scripture plays wonderfully on my mind, it means so much.  Our faith is not mystical like we are trying to conjure something up or make GOD do something that HE is unwilling to do.  Our faith is in HIS faithfulness.  I've said this before but If my wife calls and says she is going to make pizza for dinner, i trust in her trust worthiness, meaning she makes amazing home made pizza and when she says she is going to make it (me and our boys are over-joyed) but we know its going to happen, we simply trust (have faith) in her ability and her willingness and her honesty.

JESUS looks at faith - how?

 

We know HIS promise is to heal. Its the same word as "saved".  If you are saved, that word is Sozo and it means delivered, set free, provided for, healed, strengthened. Saying that and I've seen lots of it in my family we  are right it (healing) can seem elusive, at times, 

I've seen it come real fast and other-times painfully slow. There are times when I'm talking the words just fly out powerfully and other times, I don't even seem to make sense to myself let alone others.

I thought of this verse when listening to your video...the SPIRIT prompted me by saying this (in my inner (kingdom of heaven) thoughts)  was "How did JESUS see faith?"

Which brought me to Luke 5.  Its the story when the guys brought their paralytic friend and couldn't get into the house because of the crowd. So they got to the roof and lowered their diseased friend through the tiles and roof down to JESUS in the middle of the crowded room and as the scripture says in Luke 5:20 "When JESUS saw their faith..."    Faith was simply reaching out to JESUS.  Simply throwing yourself at HIS feet.  The friends helped their paralytic buddy to get there - was FAITH.  They placed their friend at HIS feet.

Notice JESUS then says still in verse 20 "Friend your sins are forgiven.."   Note; the term "friend" in the Bible was not a Facebook "friend" we use the word friend so easily. The word friend was ONLY to be used with someone that is in covenant - you are a friend if you are a covenant keeping person, that would do anything you can for your "friend".  I no longer call you servants but friends.(see John 15:15) these are covenant keeping brothers/sisters.  You can tell the guys lowering the paralytic down were real friends trying to do anything for their fallen buddy. Covenant! 

The other time I could find was JESUS getting on a boat in Matthew 9 and when He got to the other side in vs 2 "Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When JESUS saw their faith..."  Here it is again.  Faith was simply taking JESUS at His word - I'm coming, I'm here and HE sees faith because HE IS the faith.  HE responds to faith just like you do.  When someone reaches out to you in love with some need we say it was done in "good faith" - you respond, you WANT to help or do what you can.     its the same thing...

Pray the way you were never taught

 

David said in Psalm 5:3 "Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."  I think like the father in the prodigal son story in Luke 15. This father was watching/expecting his son to return (one-day).   When you got saved, how did you know?  You just believed it and said yes - amen its mine.  The moment you sinned, did you doubt your salvation?  Healing and Salvation are the same "Sozo" word.   We seem to have no problem believing our sins are forgiven but have a hard time believing we are healed!   When JESUS walked on the earth, they had no problem believing JESUS healed but stumbled and refused to believe that HE can forgive sins (the opposite).   

They complained that ONLY GOD can forgive sins. "“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2:7

I think we struggle at times believing the good news (gospel) at how good it really is.  Its supposed to be so good that you can't contain it.  Its supposed to be so good, you cant help talking about it to everyone.  Its supposed to be so good you would praise GOD and cheer when in prison (chains-Paul did)... So that your faith isn't based on some amazing prophets words, my words, some pastors words, or even the words of the bible but that your faith would rest on the SPIRIT'S power.  

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:5   Too many churchy folks are trying to rest their faith on what someone said or some pastors word-of-faith, rather link back and remember seeing a time of GODs power, some miracle and say like David - I have killed lions and bears, (protecting his sheep) and I will do the same to this pagan Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God. 1 Samuel 17:36

Who is the thief in John 10:10?

  I think the devil /demons are real but to us they are easily removed (by true believers) because they are defeated by the blood (we overcome by the blood and testimony Revelation 12:11) .This scripture talks about the thief that comes to kill, steal and destroy but many quote it (wrongly) like this 'the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy'.  Now we have 100% authority over demons & devils but I say all that to say that these thieves in john 10:10 are not SATAN but rather the religious leaders, pastors, clergy, teachers that teach the law and not Grace (which is the Gospel the really super duper Good-News) and so JESUS and HIS Grace become a stumbling block to many, they are scandalized by Grace.

JESUS had his warnings and harshest words but they were not to his disciples, not to the sinners, not to the simple folk, not to children, and not to even the devil - it was to the religious leaders and "experts in the law".  Are we experts in religious laws? Or Grace givers?

These "thieves"  JESUS calls "strangers" so they are foreign to Grace, they are not sacrificially loving but rather on the take> Note: "thieves" do not own anything, they think they own things but its stolen and NOT theirs. They think they own the flock the think they can control people.  

JESUS warned about this in Luke 20:47  "But they cheat widows out of their homes and then pray long prayers just to show off. These teachers will be punished most of all."

And yet in churchianity we adore some of these folks, we give big tithes and offerings thinking it will buy GODs favor or at least a mention from Pastor - this legalism (meaning self effort) and the religious leaders are the biggest trouble to Grace, as it uses Human effort to try to achieve favor with GOD. 

It is already yours, all things are yours (1 Corinthians 3:21) so why are you trying to "receive" what is freely given and already yours?

 You know when we say (because I've said it & others have mentioned it) that GOD isn't a Santa Claus, and HE isn't....but I will say that HE is better and will be at times like Santa. Here me out, if Santa is loved because he gives "good gifts' and we say they are good gifts because they are what we wanted/needed or timely.

I would answer that I've seen GOD give things and they could be almost fun things not necessarily spiritual things.

As a Dad myself its not always gifts like socks and underwear (practical and necessary) we have wants and needs.  Food is needed but sometimes going out and being served, is not just food but the experience, I would say going out like that and fine dining is a want & need, both.  Ontario where I am at, they have had lockdowns and have deemed things "non-essential".  So stores may have areas roped off, that you can not buy because they say "its not essential".  What I learned is everything is essential and you can't tell another person what essential is. Telling a drunk that alcohol is not "essential" doesn't help anything and to that person at that time it may be really essential. 

JESUS changes us.  

Deeming what is essential or not, does not.

I know we live in a "i want this" world (for many of us) and the Bible talks about being content in every situation (relying on HIS Godliness in us) is great gain 1 Timothy 6:6  But I would argue that GOD still is the originator of Good Gifts, HE is the most perfect and best gift as HE gives HIMSELF.  If you were friends with a super rich man and you were legit friends, maybe you grew up together and that friend stayed true but became wealthy later.  Well having a friend like that, you would get to use and benefit with everything that friend has (his home, his pool, his circle he lives in) you would benefit.

So we have a Friend.

We have a wealthy FATHER.

A DAD that creates out of nothing.

One that fills my life with good things.

I guess what I'm trying to say is have big faith, most of the times when we ask we ask too small or thinking religiously that we don't deserve it or that doesn't sound "spiritual".

Remember that the scripture is in Luke 11: 13 "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

And Matthew 7:11 "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

When I looked up both scriptures in the Greek, the one in Luke was "give the Holy Spirit" and in Matthew it is "give good gifts".  My point is the SPIRIT of GOD is the GIFT and the GIVER of good gifts. When you get HIM or realize HE is in you from day one, expect good things, and good gifts as you get more of HIM.

Grace wins but under the Law is failure

 

The entire Bible (and actually everything in life) is Law vs. GRACE.  

When folks ask things like - 'where do we get this new teaching?'...or 'wow, I've never heard this before, is it new?'

Yes, it is New as in NEW Covenant.

Churchy folks have been going to a building listening to a pastor that mixes Old Covenant (your works) with NEW Covenant (GOD works).  Or put in another way.  Mans effort or SPIRITS effort. 

This is exactly what JESUS warned about when HE said:  "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees" Matthew 16:16

You can be having the worst day - cussing, fighting, crabby, un-loving and GOD will still answer your prayer, heal you or work miracles through you.  Romans 5:20 encourages us "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,"    You can not out-sin GODS Grace. 

If you ask folks "why was the law or commandments given?"  When thinking about it, most folks will think its because it will decrease sin. But we just read that it was given to INCREASE sin/trespass...Paul argues in Romans 7 that he never knew about coveting but when the command came "Thou shalt not covet". Sin, using the commandment to gain power made Paul or rather showed Paul how covetous he was. The Law like a mirror shows us how broken we are or how messy we look but like a mirror can not ever make us look good or better us.

So being bankrupt with nothing, It starts to dawn on me, that HE (the GOD HEAD) is actually IN me, and very much likes me, in fact will never leave me, and is crazy-like for me and really really loves me.  Nothing I did, Just as I am, faults, warts, wretched, poor and broken. see Revelation 3:17.  With many trials and troubles and stuck in that miry clay (Psalm 40:2)  

But the ONE who came to rescue me, lives inside me and empowers me to say and do, what I couldn't and make me think and live and soar.  

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Righteous because you did something or because you are something!

When we start to realize and know (meaning coming from experience and not "head knowledge") we start to walk it out, which is faith. (or keeping in step with the SPIRIT or walking by faith not by sight).  2 Corinthians 5:7   We start to live it by trusting what GOD has said.

There has been times when I've asked the LORD to help me/minister to me/say something (profound/special) to me. I needed help....And at one time HE answered and said "Son, how would you minister that to others?"   In other words,, minister to yourself.

How would you say it/pray it/do it when ministering to others - now speak to yourself.

Not trying to name-it-claim-it, those are mere words, rather you need to take it as a fact you are righteous because I am saying that, but more importantly GOD (PAPA/FATHER)  is saying it to you!

Now you are, take your step (next steps) if you fall down get right up - we have a saying around here "Quick Down - Quick Up" actually that was first quoted by Norman Grubb, we like it and use it ourselves.

There are 2 verses that explain more about how you would minister to yourself. In 1 Samuel 30:6 we find David at this moment pretty much hated by everyone, they are actively talking about just getting rid of him and stoning him (they were that angry) "Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God."  Sometimes you have to encourage yourself by remembering how GOD by HIS SPRIIT got you through other dangerous/troubling times. 

Another verse sort of like that is 1 Timothy 4:6 "As you lay all these things before the brothers, you will be a noble minister of Christ Jesus, nourishing yourself in the precepts of the faith and that noble teaching which you have followed."  This is "nourishing yourself in the precepts (things you learned, ways to conduct yourself) of the faith and that noble teaching which you have followed."

Same sort of thing, try it yourself, when you need it.

This again is not saying it one thousand times over and over again. Babbling like the pagans do thinking they will be heard by their many words. Matthew 6:7  Rather this is taking GOD's promise or words, as a fact and stepping out like its already done. 

Are you the righteousness of GOD because you did or will do something? Or are you the righteousness of GOD because HE is the highest court in the universe and HE has decreed it!