Tag Archives: Faith

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Dealing With Doubt

FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013

By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

If you do not deal with your doubts, you will be given over to a spirit of
murmuring and complaining. You will live that way and die that way. Your doubts
cannot simply be suppressed, they must be pulled out by the roots.

Look at Israel just three days after their deliverance from Egypt. They had
been singing, shaking their tambourines and testifying to the power and
strength of a mighty God, boasting that He was leading and protecting them.
Then they arrived at Marah, which means “waters of bitterness.” This was to be
testing place for them.

God just keeps allowing crisis after crisis until we finally get the lesson. If
we keep refusing to learn it, a time comes when He gives us over to our own
bitterness and murmuring. “And they went three days in the wilderness, and
found no water. . . . And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall
we drink?” (Exodus 15:22, 24).

On Sunday, the Israelites were having a great time—singing, dancing and
praising. Then Wednesday came and they were in trouble. Another crisis—and
they were falling apart!

How could a people lose their confidence so quickly? Because they never had
any. They never had that foundation built under them. So again they failed the
test. They had learned absolutely nothing from their previous crisis and again
they missed an opportunity to shine forth the greatness of their God.

From that day on, Israel was beyond learning anything from God. They even began
to take His goodness for granted. They had no food, so He sent them manna from
heaven. He dropped quails out of the sky, piling them three feet high outside
the camp. But not a word of thanksgiving was heard! Instead, the people turned
to greed, hoarding all that God gave them. Israel became stiff-necked!

Oh, what a shame it is to go from crisis to crisis and learn nothing in the
process. It carries with it a curse that you will be given over to a spirit of
murmuring.

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/22722?src=devo-email

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Favor Makes For A Dangerous Life

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By Gary WilkersonThe angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and said “‘Greetings,
O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the
saying” (Luke 1:28-29).

I believe Mary was troubled when the angel spoke to her because she was aware
of her people’s history. She knew what had happened to the Israelites who
found favor with God. The result was blessed, true, but it wasn’t always
pleasant. Consider these examples:

Abel found God’s favor through his acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. But
Abel’s brother, Cain, was jealous because he did not find the same
favor—and Abel paid with his life.

Noah found favor with God. He lived righteously in an evil generation and was
spared the destruction of the flood. Yet every comfort that Noah knew in the
world was wiped out. The story of his building an amazing ark wasn’t some
children’s story; it was a sad story of judgment on a global scale. Although
Noah and his family survived, they lost everything they held dear.

Lot found favor with God and was able to escape judgment. God delivered him
from Sodom, a city poised to face fiery destruction. But by escaping, Lot lost
almost everything dear to him, including his wife.

Joseph found favor with God and was blessed with prophetic dreams. But the very
gift that marked Joseph’s favor also angered those around him.

My point is that favor is dangerous—and Mary knew this. The Hebrew Scriptures
made it clear in story after story: Favor can be accompanied by danger,
hardship, pressure, persecution, pain, and tribulations. Sadly, much of the
American church will not acknowledge this about God’s favor. Many pastors
teach that favor means being prosperous, having a nice house or car, never
being persecuted, living without difficulties, always being on top.

Mary knew better and it showed in her response to the angel: “Behold, I am
the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
That is the response I want to have! No matter how dangerous God’s favor is, I
do not want to trade it for an easy, comfortable life. I do not want to be off
the hook for trouble if it means missing His favor.

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21604?src=devo-email

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Focused Faith

By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]
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Jesus prayed to the Father: “All mine are thine, and thine are mine; I am
glorified in them” (John 17:10). “The love wherewith thou hast loved me may be
in them, and I in them” (verse 26).

Jesus makes it very clear: When we are one with Him, we enjoy the very same
love of the Father that He enjoys. God delights in us as much as He does in His
own Son.

The Bible also tells us God is our Father, just as He is Christ‘s Father. Jesus
testified: “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your
God” (John 20:17).

So, how hard are you striving to please God? Do you go through seasons in which
you feel you are delighting Him? And do you have “low” seasons when you feel you
are displeasing Him?

Beloved, you have to put facts ahead of your feelings. And the fact is, God’s
pleasure in you has nothing to do with your strivings, intensity, good
intentions or actions. No, it all has to do with your faith.

I believe God wants us to have what I call a “focused faith” that says, “All
your faith may be focused on the principle that if you wish to stand holy
before God, you must come to Him in Christ.”

The writer of Hebrews warns against having “. . . an evil heart of unbelief, in
departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). This is an issue of faith! When
we move away from the foundational doctrine of being accepted by God through
Christ, we are turning back to the law, the flesh and spiritual bondage!

“We which have believed do enter into rest . . . For he that is entered into
his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his” (4:3,
10). Scripture makes it clear: The evidence of faith is rest.

The only way to bring your striving, sweating, troubled soul into peace is to
convince yourself, “I am in Christ and I am accepted by God. He delights in me,
regardless of whether I am up or down. No matter how I feel, I know my position
in Christ—that I am seated with Him in heavenly places!”

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/20961?src=devo-email

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Know That God Is Good!

By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

God is good in your life, watching out for you and protecting you. There is not
one thing in your life, not one habit, one sin or one emotional difficulty you
face that Jesus does not have power over.

When Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and saw the terrible, broken-down condition of
the city, he led the Jewish people living there into a spiritual breakthrough
and time of rebuilding (see the book of Nehemiah). I can say to you today, just
as Nehemiah said to his people, that if you will trust Jesus, turn your whole
heart, energy and life over to Him, Satan and your enemies will be crushed,
conquered, and completely defeated. No enemy that is deeply lodged against you
behind any gate will be able to be protected. Those enemies are going to be
removed and made to flee.

Old habits, old fears, old addictions approach and afflict us and sometimes we
turn back to them. But God is saying to us, “Fix your eyes on Me! If you will
let Me be your victory, we will see the last of that.” Listen to what God is
saying!

If we will let Him be our victory then we have seen the last of our enemy. Oh,
the enemy will still buffet us just as he did Jesus when he left Him after the
temptations in the wilderness. But if you will keep Jesus on the wall of your
heart, the wall of your life, He will root out all those emotional
difficulties.

You may be living in fear of habitual patterns of sin, the things you might
return to. You know that you are cleansed from them but because they are so
close, you feel that any moment you may be drawn back to their bondage and you
are afraid.

I am here today to call you to a place of security and safety in Christ Jesus
when you trust Him with all your heart.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/20420?src=devo-email

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The Difference Between Faith and Works

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Isn’t it funny how there are basically two kinds of religions in the world? There are those religions of works, which are false religions. And then there is religion by faith, which is true religion. Those are the only two categories: works-based religion and faith-based religion.

Now, a religion of works says do. It tells you that if you accomplish XYZ in your life, you’ve done well. If you haven’t, then you’ve done badly. That’s how works-based religion determines the success of the follower.

But the faith-based religion, the religion of Christ (which is not a religion but a relationship) has already been done. It takes into account the fact that God is so holy and man is so sinful that there’s no amount of good works we can do to even come close to success. That’s why Jesus came… to live the life we couldn’t and give us His righteousness as He took away our sin.

When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” He said, “Done!” The work of salvation has been accomplished. And because of His faithful obedience which took Him to the cross, you can now have life in His name by placing your faith in Him!

CHRIST DID THE WORK YOU COULDN’T DO SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. SO THANK HIM TODAY FOR THAT WONDERFUL GIFT!

Pastor Graham

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A Training Course in Obedience

Luke 5:1-11

Decisions we consider insignificant may actually be important in God’s eyes. Obedience in the small details prepares the believer for obedience in all things. Today’s passage shows that Peter experienced a gentle first lesson in following the Lord.

Peter’s initial interaction with Christ seemed insignificant. We can assume Jesus asked Peter for the use of his boat, which meant that the weary fisherman put aside his cleanup duties in order to steer the craft for an itinerant preacher. It was a small decision, but the reward was noteworthy. Peter had a front-row seat for the message Jesus proclaimed to the crowd on the beach.

The future disciple was convinced of Christ’s authority because of what he heard. Therefore, he obeyed Jesus’ second request to let down the nets for a catch, even though doing so contradicted everything he knew about fishing. The results were miraculous–a catch so great that a second boat had to come and take part of the haul.

Jesus was gently easing Peter into a place of absolute obedience. The fisherman’s brief but compelling history of submitting to the Lord’s will and experiencing His blessing convinced him that giving up everything to follow Christ was the wisest choice. The rewards for that decision are both innumerable and immeasurable.

Peter’s experience of increasingly demanding calls to obedience and sacrifice isn’t unique. That’s how the Father teaches His children to follow His will. So don’t assume a decision is insignificant–God is setting you on a course to fulfill His good purpose for your life. Choose to obey Him always.

Dr. Charles Stanley

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The Beatitudes

Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine..

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. - Matthew 5:3-10

The Blesseds of the Scriptures shine all over the inspired pages, like stars in the midnight sky. The Bible is a book of beatitudes and benedictions. God’s mercy lies everywhere. Wherever we see Christ he is imparting blessings as the sun imparts light and warmth.

While He was here on earth He was always reaching out his hand to give a benediction to some life that sorely needed it. Now it was on the children’s heads, now on the leper, now on the blind eyes, now on the sick, now on the dead, that He laid those gracious hands, and always he left some rich gift of blessing,

Then we remember one day when those gentle hands were drawn out by cruel enemies, and with iron nails fastened back on the cross; yet even then it was in blessing that they were extended, for it was for our sins they were transfixed thus on the wood. As we see them thus stretched out as wide as they could reach, the attitude suggests the wideness of the divine mercy. Thus the arms of God are open to the utmost to receive all who will come to seek refuge. There is room for the worst sinners.

Finally, it is a striking fact that the last glimpse we have of the Savior in this world shows Him in the attitude of blessing. He had been talking with His disciples as He led them out, and then He lifted up His hands and blessed them : and while He was blessing them He was parted from them and received up into heaven. Surely there could bo no truer picture taken of Jesus at any point in His life than as He appeared in that last view of Him which this world enjoyed. In heaven now he is still a blessing Savior, holding up pierced hands before God in intercession, and reaching down gracious hands full of benedictions for our sad, sinful earth. If any life goes unblessed with such a Savior, it can be only because of unbelief and rejection

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Transforming Power

The Vine Today. Com..

Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter; - Mark 3:16

In a gallery in Europe are shown, side by side, the first and the last works of a great artist. The first is very rude and most faulty; the last is a masterpiece. The contrast shows the results of long culture and practice.

These two names are like those two pictures. “Simon” shows us the rude fisherman of Galilee, with all his rashness, his ignorance, his imperfectness.“Peter” shows us the apostle of the Acts and the Epistles, the rock firm and secure, the man of great power, before whose Spirit-filled eloquence thousands of proud hearts bow, swayed like the trees of the forest before the tempest; the gentle, tender soul whose words fall like a benediction; the noble martyr witnessing to the death for his Lord. Study the two pictures together to see what grace can do for a man.

It is not hard to take roses, lilies, fuchsias, and all the rarest flowers, and with them make forms of exquisite beauty; but to take weeds, dead grasses, dried leaves trampled and torn, and faded flowers, and make lovely things out of such materials, is the severest test of skill. It would not be hard to take an angel and train him into a glorious messenger; but to take such a man as Simon, or as Saul, or as John Newton, or as John Bunyan, and make out of him a holy saint or a mighty apostle, that is the test of power. Yet that is what Christ did and has been doing ever since. He takes the poorest stuff, despised and worthless, outcast of men ofttimes, and when He has finished His gracious work we behold a saint whiter than snow.

The sculptor beheld an angel in the rough, blackened stone, rejected and thrown away; and when men saw the stone again, lo! there was the angel cut from the block. Christ can take us, rough and unpolished as we are, and in His hands our lives shall grow into purity and loveliness, until He presents them at last before the throne, faultless and perfect.

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The Solution to The Worlds Problems

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Karl Menninger, the noted psychologist, once said, “Love cures people, both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.” Yet, so often in our materialistic, faithless world today, people only think of healing in terms of what they can see. But science has proven that there is a very immaterial, even spiritual, aspect to healing that takes place when love is given and received.

Now, you may be thinking, “Pastor, are you trying to tell me that love will fix all the world’s problems?” Well, I don’t think everything becomes perfect when we love one another. But I do believe that many of the problems we face in our world today would go away if we simply loved more.

But if that’s going to happen, it’s going to take real love—God’s love—because that’s the only kind of love that endures. You see, the world’s love runs out when it becomes difficult. But God’s love never lets go no matter what.

Do you want to be happy? Love others. Do you want to make a difference in the world? Love others. While it may not fix every problem, it’s a great place to start!

SHOW THE WORLD THE SOLUTION TO ALL OF ITS PROBLEMS BY LOVING OTHERS WITH GOD’S LOVE—A LOVE THAT NEVER FAILS!

Pastor  Graham
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Resting in God’s Grace and Mercy

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

I was reading a magazine interview awhile back about a woman who was supposedly the smartest person in the world. It was interesting to see what she had to say. So as I read this interview, I came across one question that made me stop. The interviewer asked, “If you could have anything you want, what would it be?” She responded, “Justice.”

Well, I beg to differ with this woman. I don’t want justice because when it comes down to judgment, I know what side of justice I deserve! Instead, I want the love and mercy of God. That love was displayed in splendor and glory, yet also in suffering and in agony at the cross.

In our flesh, you and I deserve nothing more than the wrath of God. Yet, it’s the grace of God that preserves us, allows us even one breath, and eventually draws us to Him. That’s not justice. That’s mercy.

It was at the cross that justice and mercy met. Jesus received the justice we deserved, and, in turn, purchased for you and me grace and mercy. Yet, so many today try to live a good life and not sin too much, hoping one day they’ll be good enough to make it to heaven. But the truth is that you are bought at an immeasurable price and given grace and mercy for eternal life. So live each day in that truth and share it with others as well!

JESUS TOOK YOUR JUSTICE AND GAVE YOU GRACE AND MERCY AT THE CROSS. SO INSTEAD OF TRYING TO WORK YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN, REST IN HIS GRACE AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!

Pastor Graham