Hi Mark & any other readers here today. Today I want to touch on the "word and faith" movement, which I believe is the best thing that's happened in the church in recent years. The only problem is that...some...have taken it to different levels, misused it, abused it, and out of greed used it for material gain, money, ect. This is where one can fall into pride and arrogance which leads to destruction. So with the help of God, let's see if we can glean the truth out of this precious practice. It is by no means nothing new...it was there all the time. These two words are very important; God's (word) and our (faith). So when we have established these two things and put them together, that leaves only one other ingredient that actually makes it work. And that is God's (Spirit) . which is the POWER that drives it all home.
The word is required for us to establish faith. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17 But without God (Jesus) we can do nothing. ".....for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life" 2 Corinthians 3:6. It amazes me how many don't bother to study the scriptures for themselves. They just believe what others tell them? Well, I suppose if they know who to listen to, it may be ok. But that's not my point here. My point is that the word is your sword....a very important weapon that we need. But if we don't know the word, how in the world are we going to use it? We must know how to withstand the wiles of the devil, and the most valuable tool we know is the scriptures. One thing I have learned about studying the scriptures is to "...rightly divide the word of truth". So when we are confronted (or do battle) with the devil ( and we will), it is necessary to stick to God's word, and with his power backing it up! To resist the devil means "DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!" Pay close attention to every word here...."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil. and he will flee from you" James 4:7 But that's not all. There is more. Let's go deeper.
When we speak of the Lord's salvation, it is indeed eternal life, but it is also for abundant life here and now. And we are talking about both spiritual and physical benefits from God. (Don't fall into the greedy material possession dilemna). "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION". Romans 10:10 O God please help me not to make this too long! Ok, what we have here is another level of 'mouth confession'. In other words...it is VERY IMPORTANT what comes out of our mouths. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof". Proverbs 18:21 First of all, if we keep confessing bad things in our lives and those around us...then those things are going to happen. The same is true with good things. So, at home, is there a chance that we might turn our arguing, fussing and complaining into praising and loving God, and each other, IN JESUS NAME?
When we begin to confess things in line with the Word of God, it will become a reality in our lives, if we believe and obey God's laws. Watch these words closely: "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this moutain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH". Mark 11:23 Notice just before this verse Jesus said to, "have faith in God".....and then the next verse after talks about praying to God....and then the next verse talks about forgiving others, so that the Father can forgive you. In closing, let's all confess the goodness of God instead of complaining about the faults of our neighbors! "Let the words of my mouth...be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord..." Psalm 19:14
In these hard times, in this world of much unbelief, mockery, tragedy & disaster, we really need God and all the things of God. I hope this little bible devotion today can help us all. However this is only an introduction into the "word and faith" movement. Hopefully at times we can cast a few more pearls out on this important subject. I believe this is what the Lord laid on my heart today.
May God bless you all,
CS
The word is required for us to establish faith. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17 But without God (Jesus) we can do nothing. ".....for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life" 2 Corinthians 3:6. It amazes me how many don't bother to study the scriptures for themselves. They just believe what others tell them? Well, I suppose if they know who to listen to, it may be ok. But that's not my point here. My point is that the word is your sword....a very important weapon that we need. But if we don't know the word, how in the world are we going to use it? We must know how to withstand the wiles of the devil, and the most valuable tool we know is the scriptures. One thing I have learned about studying the scriptures is to "...rightly divide the word of truth". So when we are confronted (or do battle) with the devil ( and we will), it is necessary to stick to God's word, and with his power backing it up! To resist the devil means "DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!" Pay close attention to every word here...."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil. and he will flee from you" James 4:7 But that's not all. There is more. Let's go deeper.
When we speak of the Lord's salvation, it is indeed eternal life, but it is also for abundant life here and now. And we are talking about both spiritual and physical benefits from God. (Don't fall into the greedy material possession dilemna). "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION". Romans 10:10 O God please help me not to make this too long! Ok, what we have here is another level of 'mouth confession'. In other words...it is VERY IMPORTANT what comes out of our mouths. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof". Proverbs 18:21 First of all, if we keep confessing bad things in our lives and those around us...then those things are going to happen. The same is true with good things. So, at home, is there a chance that we might turn our arguing, fussing and complaining into praising and loving God, and each other, IN JESUS NAME?
When we begin to confess things in line with the Word of God, it will become a reality in our lives, if we believe and obey God's laws. Watch these words closely: "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this moutain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH". Mark 11:23 Notice just before this verse Jesus said to, "have faith in God".....and then the next verse after talks about praying to God....and then the next verse talks about forgiving others, so that the Father can forgive you. In closing, let's all confess the goodness of God instead of complaining about the faults of our neighbors! "Let the words of my mouth...be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord..." Psalm 19:14
In these hard times, in this world of much unbelief, mockery, tragedy & disaster, we really need God and all the things of God. I hope this little bible devotion today can help us all. However this is only an introduction into the "word and faith" movement. Hopefully at times we can cast a few more pearls out on this important subject. I believe this is what the Lord laid on my heart today.
May God bless you all,
CS
