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If you don’t understand how your vehicle works, why do you still drive it?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Is there “substance,” that which is substantial in our faith in God?

The Greek word from which “substance” is derived is hupostasis.

Definition:

hoop-os’-tas-is
From a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively): – confidence, confident, person, substance.

In the times, the seasons of testings, of attack, we are undergirded, supported by the substantial presence, the  supporting “substance” of this faith God has given us (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Sister Karen Cochran shared this on this topic of faith:

Fret Not

Ever see where the wicked plot against the just as they carefully craft questions in order to make their opponent, the righteous, to stumble? Then the wicked rejoice when the righteous can’t answer the question?

They are basically saying to the people of God – “If you can’t understand it, your faith is built on a lie and is futile.”

Is that true? No.

Once again … If you don’t understand how your vehicle works, why do you still drive it?

To say one must understand something completely to be able to enjoy, to experience it, would mean we’d have to cut out far more than half the things we use in our lives…. toaster, refrigerator, washer and dryer, all vehicles, TV, cell phones, computers, etc. Yet this logic is used by detractors, the unrepentant who don’t yet wish to get honest and repent, in a vain attempt to disprove God. Well following this to its logical conclusion means we would have to believe that toasters and washing machines and automobiles, etc., do not exist, all because we don’t understand them.

We all have faith that when we insert and turn the key in our vehicle, it’s going to start and it’s going to carry us to the location we desire, right? Right. And for the born again believer, he knows intrinsically, he is possessed with the substance of the faith of God, knowing that as he serves God by the “substance,” the substantial reality of the faith in his heart, that faith, that relationship is going to carry him into eternity with Christ and the Father.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

Answering questions with questions is something Christ did.

A good question for this type detractor would be something like: “So, basically, if you will follow your own logic to its conclusion, you will no longer drive your vehicle, right? After all, you do not understand the way your vehicles operates, so why do you still drive it? You drive it because it works right?  Yes. You are claiming that people shouldn’t believe in God due to not fully understanding everything about Him. Yet you don’t understand all about your vehicle, and you still drive it, right?”

You don’t have to understand something, the how, to know that something works!

The fact is, we are those who are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). We do not understand a mere fraction of what is going on in our own masterfully made bodies, much less the world and universe. Right? Right. Should that stop us from functioning in this world? No. Who ever came up with this idea that you have to understand something fully to enjoy or experience it? Such is a misnomer. If that were the case, that would mean we would do very little.

What we DO know, as Jesus’ regenerated saints, is that we are His and that walking with Him brings blessings untold (Psalms 68:19; 103:2; Matthew 6:33, etc.). We understand that God blesses all who put Him first. Jesus specifically promised He would.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

God’s blessings, His “benefits” are given exclusively to those who are His and they are vast, they are many.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” Psalms 103:2

God loads His children with His “benefits.” 

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalms 68:19 

You may wish to include in your witnessing arsenal this illustration of a car, key, and how it all operates and how we don’t understand the whole process and yet we still drive our vehicles because it works to transport us. In the same way, though we “see through a glass, darkly” in this life, that is, we do not yet see the full reality for what it is, nevertheless we have “the evidence of things not seen” with the human eye and will one day see all “when that which is perfect is come” (Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 13:10, 12).

Also, how about the wind. Can we see the wind? No. Do we know, are we certain it exists? Yes.

When you, as a child of God, are being assailed by questions about the universe, the natural things of creation, if you’re like most of us, you are not always going to have the scientific answer. Yet, you have the “substance” that is your faith – “the faith of the Son of God” – that is in you (Galatians 2:20). And this “faith” that possessed you is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

A review of our main verse:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

This “substance” of faith cannot be understood by those who do not have it, those who seek to trip you up, those who have not experienced it. Yet every true born again saint knows that he knows, in his innermost man, that God is real, that he is God’s child, that he is saved, and that nothing could be more dear nor more important.

Instead of just letting people fire questions at you, fire the Word of God at them by preaching it.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

When God’s Word falls upon a receptive, and obedient ear, heart, that person can repent and believe upon Christ unto salvation. The Word of God we plant in the hearts of others is that seed of faith by which we are born again (Romans 1:16; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

We are passing through this earth and until we are with Christ and the Father, we look for and see the things in His Word. We cannot see these things with our natural eyes, in the natural, and yet we behold them by faith via the Word. Example: The mansions Jesus is preparing for us (John 14:1-6), and our coming abode, the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21).

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“Death is not to be feared, it ushers us into eternity with God. Life with God eternally is what everyone of us should long for. In everything you do, have eternity in mind. If there is anything in your life that is drawing you away from God, you should realize that it is not worth it.” Unknown

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Your prayer should be as was the prayer of Christ’s original apostles …

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Luke 17:5-6

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of my LORD Jesus. Please purify this heart by faith and increase my faith and trust in You dear LORD. With Your psalmist I ask “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Abiding

Fruitful Life. Fruitful Evangelism. [podcast]


The Life God Blesses to Bear Fruit for His Eternal Glory

A fruitful life for God’s glory involves first being genuinely born again, abiding in Christ via the crucified life, bearing spiritual fruit—such as Christlikeness in character, good works, and evangelism—by remaining in vital union with Jesus, the true vine (John 15).

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16

JUST as Jesus multiplied the little with the boy who gave the loaves and fishes, so He does with our efforts. Jesus multiplied that little and fed 5,000 men, and that doesn’t count the women and children present. Try Him.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46

God blesses the lives of His faithful saints. His faithful saints seek His face continually.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

God prospers us according as we seek His face and stay upon Him. Of king Uzziah king of Judah, God’s Word says:

“As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

At times in this life there are season of uncertainty, where our vision may not be clear. We must “stay upon” the LORD.

“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14  And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

We’ve never been so reminded of this as of the miraculous events of late where beloved brother Juan dropped some plastic water bottles that hit me in the feet. Only God could have orchestrated this collision of Juan’s life and mine.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

Ask Him.

Recently brother Stacy Strother reminded me that God simply wants us, His people to be available, to pray and watch Him work!

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

It has been wisely stated:

“Show me a man’s prayer life, his life of prayer or lack thereof, and I will show you who that man truly is and who and what he loves most.”

All who are zealous for the LORD are zealous about His work, to do it. Not build a church, but to see Christ work in the hearts of men—to strengthen and equip His body and convict and save lost souls to Himself.

One source notes:

“Evangelism is the act of sharing the Christian gospel—the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—with the aim of inviting others into a relationship with God. It is considered a core mission for believers to spread this message of salvation, hope, and love, often stemming from Jesus’s command in the Great Commission.”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name, unite my heart to fear Thy name. Do your work in and through my life. I am all Yours. Maximize the fruit produced to Your eternal glory. You must increase but I must decrease. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Abiding

Washed. Sanctified. Glorified. [podcast]


“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John 13:8

Jesus’ true bride is known in that she is making herself ready for Him.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8

“This morning I read Psalm 45. Titled the Kings marriage. The story of the King and His bride. This is a beautiful picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Rev 19:7-9. The Bridegroom is adorned in glory, majesty, righteousness and truth. Sitting in His royal throne. Then enters the Bride. Holy, without spot or wrinkle. Wearing the righteousness of Christ. And Jesus says, you are in thy Father’s house and He desires thy beauty and worship. Wow! Because she is wearing the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). His attributes. And she is wearing gold. Fine gold because she has been tried in the fire of affliction. And she is one of the five wise virgins who is invited to enter into the King’s palace. What a glorious picture of all who make themselves ready and are clean and white before their King Jesus! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

The person who repents, puts their faith in Jesus Christ, and is saved, and continues rooted in Christ, continuing/abiding in Him, will confess any sin committed and be perpetually transformed by Him (Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 1:7, 9; 3:4-10).

Many have been misled. Jesus invented the term “FALL AWAY” (Luke 8:13). The Son of God does not lie. If falling away isn’t possible, why did Jesus say it is possible? Jesus is returning for those who are looking for Him by the way they live.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

Only those hearing and obeying God’s Word are being washed by it.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11  And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The explanation below is modified from another source and notes the following:

“‘Washed, sanctified, and justified’ (often replacing glorified with justified) describes the comprehensive spiritual transformation of a believer in 1 Corinthians 6:11. It signifies being cleansed from sin, set apart for God’s purpose, and declared righteous through Christ, moving from a past life of disobedience to a new identity and a life of obedience to God (2 Corinthians 5:15).

    • Washed: Refers to being cleansed of the defilement and stain of sin, often linked to baptism and the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
    • Sanctified: Means being set apart to God for His holy purpose. It involves both a position of holiness in Christ and a progressive, lifelong process of becoming more like Him.
    • Justified (Glorified/Righteous): Means being acquitted of all guilt and declared righteous before God on the basis of Christ’s finished work.

Contextual Meaning
    • Transformation: The Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they once lived in sin, their identity changed upon following Jesus.
    • The Power Source: These changes are accomplished in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God, not by personal merit.
    • Living the New Life: This transformation signifies that believers are no longer defined by their past sins, but by their new, holy standing.”

Prayer: Jesus, I know You are going to return for a Bride that is without spot, wrinkle, or sin of any kind. Purify this life LORD Jesus which I now submit to You without reserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Abiding

The Importance of Pureness of Heart [podcast]


“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

With pureness of heart, our words shall issue forth with grace and seasoning and be more readily received by those who hear.

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

David’s Prayer

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34

“A Clean Heart”

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalms 51:10-11

When we wisely join in fellowship, life with fellow truth seekers, such will assist the work of God who is quickening us to honestly admit, repent afresh and confess any sin God brings to light. Anyone else ever camped out on Psalms 51—the prayer of repentance and confession of the man after God’s own heart, David?

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:12-13

The New Testament believer is to ever examine himself to see whether or not he is in the faith.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

“If”

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, here and now if never before, I submit my life to You—to Your Lordship. From this moment forth I will serve You. Jesus You are the Master of my life from now on. I love You Jesus. Please use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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