Abiding

“Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped for”

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

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:

“See John 20: 24-29 . The other disciples were telling Thomas they had seen the Lord but Thomas doubted and needed proof. He wanted to see Jesus’ hands, the print of the nails, and put his finger into the print of the nails and touch the Savior’s side or he would not believe it was Jesus. Jesus showed him his nail scared hands and allowed Thomas to reach his finger into His hand and to touch His side. Thomas then believed and his faith was strengthened. He shouted ‘my Lord, my God.’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed.’ 2 Corinthians 5:7 says: ‘We walk by faith and not by sight.'”

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.

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

The King is Coming [podcast]

Those who truly love their neighbor clearly prove they serve He who “is love.” “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief […]

The Book of Galatians Narrated [podcast]

Summary of Galatians. Justification by faith, not the works of the law. Memory truth. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16 No law-keeping at all is required for divine justification under the New Covenant. Justification is by faith in the blood of the only One to ever keep […]

"Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith" [podcast]

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67 WHERE O WHERE are we going to go if we depart from Jesus? …. does He, the eternal God and Creator of all things not hold the future of every living soul in His holy hand? FB Meyer on John 6:60-71 “THE SIFTING OF JESUS’ FOLLOWERS Christ’s pathetic question-Will ye also go away?-elicited from Peter a reply which proved that the inner meaning of His words had already broken upon their […]

Abiding

WHAT’S On Jesus’ Prayer List? [podcast]

What Did Jesus Pray for His People?

John 17 – knowing Him. Being one with Him and the Father and one another.

Jesus prayed the highest priorities of the Father for His people as is recorded in John 17.

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer – John 17

“Jesus’ prayer in John 17, often called the “High Priestly Prayer,” is a profound discourse to God before His crucifixion, focusing on His own glorification, the protection and unity of His disciples, and the future unity of all believers, emphasizing eternal life through knowing God and Christ, and asking for believers to be set apart in truth and one, just as He and the Father are one.

Having offered His precious, sinless blood to the Father for the redemption of the fallen race, Jesus Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for all of His saints.”

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” Hebrews 7:24-26

Due to His perfect sacrifice and redemption of fallen mankind, we who are His, are invited to “come boldly…”

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

As we “come boldly unto the throne of grace” the LORD is going to fill us with His grace and love.

Those most powerfully used by God to help others, are those who are set apart to Him, crying out to the LORD to be filled with His gracious Holy Spirit and to be made more and more one with Him.

Debbie Lord writes:

“GOD is our sustaining force via prayer:

The Holy Spirit praying for us from within,

Jesus, our risen Savior and High Priest praying for us at the right hand of God, Brothers and Sisters in Christ praying for us on this earth, and us praying for believers everywhere,

even those we’ve never met. Ephesians 6:18

Each member of Christ’s body should be assured of the constant prayer of other believers as well as lifting up in prayer other believers themselves.”

Memory Truth:

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

We grow in Christ’s grace to realize that our own misguided, unwarranted, self-righteous attitudes and actions of wrath on sinners, is not of God.

Pray to “grow in grace” (2 Peter 3:18). When we are growing in His grace in that abiding oneness, His ministry of grace will flow through us. It has been wisely stated that “We can never lead someone else to a place we aren’t ourselves walking in.”

“For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace…” Hebrews 13:9

WHEN we see something in God’s Word, such as the verse above, let us pray it – pray He will bring it fully into our lives.

WHO has God Used to Truly Minister to Us?

Did God use vessels of self-righteous wrath?

Or, has the LORD used crucified vessels who were full of His love?

Can we not reflect back on how God used others to minister to us? Who did He use? It wasn’t the harsh self-righteous ones He used but rather the vessels of His love – who when they spoke His truth, did it out of His concern and desire for us to truly come to Him… right?

There is so much evil in this fallen world. We are bombarded with words, attitudes, and images daily with the iniquity of fallen mankind. That will not change till Jesus returns. For now, we must abide in Christ, to seek Him to make us one with Him and the Father who are one in agreement, unison, etc. It’s only in being made one with the Father and Jesus that God’s love will fill and flow from us. May God settle us at His feet, truly.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of my LORD Jesus Christ. Please teach me Your ways and make me, and Your body, one with You. In Jesus’ holy Name, amen.

Pouring prayerfully over the prayer of our LORD Jesus recorded in John 17 would greatly benefit us saints.

John 17: Jesus’ Prayer, the Real “LORD’s Prayer”

The High Priestly Prayer of Our Savior: Beholding the Highest Divine Priorities in the Prayer of Jesus

“1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

The Gospel key to walking in God’s love is the cross. The Bible teaches us that “God is love” and it’s only the crucified vessel that will be full of God’s love and used effectively by the LORD.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18

All ungodly fear is cast out when we are full of the love of God. Being full of the love of God requires that we seek His face and become one with him (John 17). Fear is ejected when God’s love permeates our hearts via fellowship with Him (1 John 4:16-18).

Ministry from Heaven can only come out of a crucified vessel.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

Love is at the top of the divine list of priorities and can only come out of the oneness our Father desires us to have with Him (1 Corinthians 13). Are we asking Him to be made one with Him? (See John 17.)

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

Sister Debbie Lord offers us the opportunity to pray this Scriptural prayer: “Lord, I pray for your saints world over, that You would draw us closer and closer (increasingly) to Yourself as time grows short. Please help us give up and let go so that You can live in us fully and minister to us, in us and THROUGH us. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”