I've often wondered why Jesus would make a such a statement about a man that undoubtedly was a true man of God, but yet was a man that was still born under the curse of sin. Here is what the Lord gave me on Saturday two weeks ago.
As I was studying for my Sunday morning message, my studies took me in the direction of this verse, Matt. 11:11. And, again I read this verse and was puzzled once more. However this time the word that came to my mind was in no way my own, but was a word from the Lord. At no other time had the thought, the answer to what had alluded me for some time, ever come to me before.
John the Baptist was of course the "forerunner" to Christ. One who baptized with water, but was laying the foundation for the one who would baptize with the Holy Ghost, only for those who would truly believe. At this time John was asking a question about if this was the real Messiah or should they be looking for another. Jesus answered by saying that they, (Johns Disciples), need to carry back to him the message of what they had heard and had seen done. Now, Jesus speaking to the multitudes, made the proclamation "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
This is what is meant, John the Baptist was brought to light in the New Testament but was the last of the Old Testament prophets. He, like others before him, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah, prophesied of a coming Savior that would take away the sins of the world. However, what is different is, only John the Baptist was the only Old Testament prophet that saw Christ face to face, and was the only one that was able to physically touch the Savior. What an honor John had to be the one that would actually see the one that he prophesied about, and to actually touch him. John the Baptist was no doubt a very persuasive prophet to have disciples himself and to persuade others to believe one that would come later on. We know that today we have to be persuasive ourselves to get others to believe what they can't see. However we know where the Spirit of God is anything is possible.
I would like to see your comments, whether they be positive or negative.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Lord Is Still Working !
This past Sunday was a great day in the House of the Lord! One of our members granddaughters came for her second visit and came to know the Lord as Saviour. Please pray for her boyfriend, he acknowledged his need for salvation, but did not come forward for salvation. I will continue to deal with him about his need. His name is David. Please pray for Mary as well. The devil no doubt is already working on her and she really needs your prayers.
We also had one baptized as well. He has been coming for some time and said he needed to be baptized. He knew he had been saved some years back, but never was baptized. Praise the Lord for both blessings!
Why do I mention these things? Is it to brag about our progress in the Lord? Is it to puff out my chest and say "look at me"? In both cases, a stern NO!!! I mention what the Lord has done to give him honor and glory. In no way is it me or is it anyone in the church. It is all of the Lord! We are the tools, the instruments that he uses to bring them in and then to deliver the word, but it is all Him. I thank God that he sees me even worthy to proclaim his message. I thank God that he would even use one such as me to carry the Gospel to others so they can hear of his unconditional love for them. It truly humbles me and I stand in awe of his mighty, miraculous mercy and grace! He is so worthy to be praised!
GOD IS SO GOOD ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!!!
We also had one baptized as well. He has been coming for some time and said he needed to be baptized. He knew he had been saved some years back, but never was baptized. Praise the Lord for both blessings!
Why do I mention these things? Is it to brag about our progress in the Lord? Is it to puff out my chest and say "look at me"? In both cases, a stern NO!!! I mention what the Lord has done to give him honor and glory. In no way is it me or is it anyone in the church. It is all of the Lord! We are the tools, the instruments that he uses to bring them in and then to deliver the word, but it is all Him. I thank God that he sees me even worthy to proclaim his message. I thank God that he would even use one such as me to carry the Gospel to others so they can hear of his unconditional love for them. It truly humbles me and I stand in awe of his mighty, miraculous mercy and grace! He is so worthy to be praised!
GOD IS SO GOOD ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What Must I Do To Be Saved
The jailer in the book of Acts 16:30, asks a question that we all would like to hear each and everyone that we know that is lost ask, "What must I do to be saved". A question that did not go unanswered. Paul and Silas said simply, "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". Not only would he believe, but his whole house would be saved and baptized.
So the question still remains, what must I do to be saved. This can be answered in the following ways.
First, we must see the need for our need for salvation. Rom.3:23, 5:12, Gal. 3:22, Heb 2:3, John 3:18, 36.
We all have come short of the glory of God. This glory was seen in the Old Testament in the pillar of the cloud that lead the children of Israel, the congregation of Kadesh, and in the Temple of Solomon. In the New Testament it is seen in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only in life but in and through his acceptance of the death, burial, and resurrection of his son. We are all born under the curse and bondage of sin due to Adams sin. Eve transgressed but sin came into the life of future generations when Adam accepted the fruit and therefore sinned against God. The only way out of this bondage and out from under this curse is by accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Secondly, we must see him as our substitution. Rom. 5:8, John 3:16, and John 15: 13.
I am so glad that he, Jesus, commended his toward me! This means that he not only said that he loved us enough to give his life for us, but he demonstrated this love as well. Not only did he die for me, but he died for the church, Eph. 5:25, and he died for the world, Heb 2:9. In the Old Testament, and the Old Testament being a shadow of things to come, and always pointing to a Saviour, this same type of love was demonstrated in the truth of Abraham and Issac with the ram being the substitute. What a wounderful illustration this is that God would love his own that he would provide a complete substitute.
Thirdly, we must see the penalty for sin. Rom.6:23, and Gen 2:17.
You may ask yourself why Genesis as a reference? Well this is explained easily. It is here that we not only see the first sin, but we see the first mention of a penalty for sin. It was to Eve who first transgressed in the form of painful childbearing and in the complete subjection to Adam her husband. It was to Adam in the form of having to toil and labor by the sweat of his brow that he would find Gods penalty for sin. Both were faced with the same penalty, and that being death. Death is a physical seperation of the body from the soul, and the spiritual death being the eternal seperation from one another and from God in the Lake of Fire,Rev. 20:15. If people do not see the penalty for sin, then salvation will not be named among them.
Fourthly, we must see there is a sure salvation. Rom. 10:9-10, 13, John 1:12, and 1 John 5:13.
Truely the only way to gain salvation is by believeing in Jesus Christ as not only your Lord but as Saviour. There never has been any other way but through him. Not of works, for we could not work long enough or be good enough to gain our own salvation. Salvation is what occurs on the inside and is manifestedon the outside by the visible changes that take place. Salvation constitutes, 1. deliverence, 2. safety, 3. preservation, 4. healing, and 5. soundness. Salvation works in three phases: 1. From the guilt and penalty of sin, 2. from the habit and doinion of sin, and 3. From the final results of sin. If salvation does all of this, why would anyone not want it?
I'm afraid that we as its recipients are not doing a very good job sharing what salvation will take away, but what it will give them if they would but receive the one who has given his life for it. GOD HELP US ALL TO SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH OTHERS, AND THAT YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE FOR THEM !!!
So the question still remains, what must I do to be saved. This can be answered in the following ways.
First, we must see the need for our need for salvation. Rom.3:23, 5:12, Gal. 3:22, Heb 2:3, John 3:18, 36.
We all have come short of the glory of God. This glory was seen in the Old Testament in the pillar of the cloud that lead the children of Israel, the congregation of Kadesh, and in the Temple of Solomon. In the New Testament it is seen in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only in life but in and through his acceptance of the death, burial, and resurrection of his son. We are all born under the curse and bondage of sin due to Adams sin. Eve transgressed but sin came into the life of future generations when Adam accepted the fruit and therefore sinned against God. The only way out of this bondage and out from under this curse is by accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Secondly, we must see him as our substitution. Rom. 5:8, John 3:16, and John 15: 13.
I am so glad that he, Jesus, commended his toward me! This means that he not only said that he loved us enough to give his life for us, but he demonstrated this love as well. Not only did he die for me, but he died for the church, Eph. 5:25, and he died for the world, Heb 2:9. In the Old Testament, and the Old Testament being a shadow of things to come, and always pointing to a Saviour, this same type of love was demonstrated in the truth of Abraham and Issac with the ram being the substitute. What a wounderful illustration this is that God would love his own that he would provide a complete substitute.
Thirdly, we must see the penalty for sin. Rom.6:23, and Gen 2:17.
You may ask yourself why Genesis as a reference? Well this is explained easily. It is here that we not only see the first sin, but we see the first mention of a penalty for sin. It was to Eve who first transgressed in the form of painful childbearing and in the complete subjection to Adam her husband. It was to Adam in the form of having to toil and labor by the sweat of his brow that he would find Gods penalty for sin. Both were faced with the same penalty, and that being death. Death is a physical seperation of the body from the soul, and the spiritual death being the eternal seperation from one another and from God in the Lake of Fire,Rev. 20:15. If people do not see the penalty for sin, then salvation will not be named among them.
Fourthly, we must see there is a sure salvation. Rom. 10:9-10, 13, John 1:12, and 1 John 5:13.
Truely the only way to gain salvation is by believeing in Jesus Christ as not only your Lord but as Saviour. There never has been any other way but through him. Not of works, for we could not work long enough or be good enough to gain our own salvation. Salvation is what occurs on the inside and is manifestedon the outside by the visible changes that take place. Salvation constitutes, 1. deliverence, 2. safety, 3. preservation, 4. healing, and 5. soundness. Salvation works in three phases: 1. From the guilt and penalty of sin, 2. from the habit and doinion of sin, and 3. From the final results of sin. If salvation does all of this, why would anyone not want it?
I'm afraid that we as its recipients are not doing a very good job sharing what salvation will take away, but what it will give them if they would but receive the one who has given his life for it. GOD HELP US ALL TO SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH OTHERS, AND THAT YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE FOR THEM !!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday
We had a great day in the Lord at the House of the Lord yesterday. We were encouraged to see three new visitors. I am more encouraged to see that our members are out inviting people to come to the House of the Lord. I have found it to be somewhat of a difficult task to get people interested in our soul winning classes. I have tried to make these classes as easy as possible and at a time where everyone could attend, but, I realize that not everyone will have it in their heart to attend or go with us on our door to door efforts later on. Help me pray for these people to gain this most needed desire for souls.
We are in a predominately catholic area. It seems that there is a catholic church on every corner here in Owensboro. We run up against this each and every time we go out to visit and to win souls. I do believe it does discourage our people when they have more rejections than they do acceptance. However ouir mission is still the same, to seek and to bring in those that are lost. It's difficult to believe but there are people here that have never stepped foot inside of a church building or have even heard the good fundamental bible preaching and teaching that we offer to them.Our church does support missionaries, but we do not need to go far to see the mission field. It is right here at our door step. I do ask for your continued prayers for us as we work the field here in Kentucky, and our efforts as we try to glean souls for the Lord.
We are in a predominately catholic area. It seems that there is a catholic church on every corner here in Owensboro. We run up against this each and every time we go out to visit and to win souls. I do believe it does discourage our people when they have more rejections than they do acceptance. However ouir mission is still the same, to seek and to bring in those that are lost. It's difficult to believe but there are people here that have never stepped foot inside of a church building or have even heard the good fundamental bible preaching and teaching that we offer to them.Our church does support missionaries, but we do not need to go far to see the mission field. It is right here at our door step. I do ask for your continued prayers for us as we work the field here in Kentucky, and our efforts as we try to glean souls for the Lord.
Monday, February 23, 2009
A Time To Stand
In this current day that we live in it is now that Christians need to stand more than ever. Our new President and those in Congress are on a whirlwind of change and sadly not for the better. The stimulus, or spend-u-lous plan, has created a far worse condition than we started off with. Just as with other problems in our country the Federal Gov. believes that the best way to deal with it is to throw money at it. Now, there is only three ways that the government can obtain the monies needed for this type of plan. We will either be taxed, the money will be borrowed, or the money will be printed, which is what the government is currently doing. I am sad to say that if things do not change we will possibly see the days of our great grandfathers and mothers.
Ephesians 6 tells us that we need to stand and stand clothed in the whole armour of God. Now this particular scripture also says that we war against the principalities, and the powers of the air which we know that to be Satan and his demonic servants. Why do I mention this? I mention this because of the weakness of man. Though we as Gods children are saved, and that to be for eternity, are still in the flesh and in the flesh, in the sin nature. Satan will tempt us with these times to turn us away from the faith and the truth of the word which plainly says that he, through the spirit, will never leave us nor will he forsake us. The same promise that he gave Joshua when he became the leader of his people, he still gives and provides to us today as the new testament church. I am glad to know that his promises never fail. One never knows what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow. I believe that in the months to years ahead we will see more of a falling away, the great apostasy, from the church and from the only true way which is Jesus Christ. We need to be in a manner of prayer every day that if and when we are tempted to follow those who will no doubt give in, that we are strong enough to withstand his onslaught of fiery darts and stand showing ourselves and others that the devil can't get us all. We will need to be a modern day Job. My prayer is not only for myself, my family, my church. my friends, but for all of my spiritual brothers and sisters to withstand in this ever changing time.
I'll pray for you, please pray for me as we journey on to the kingdom that is yet to come, a kingdom not made with hands.
Ephesians 6 tells us that we need to stand and stand clothed in the whole armour of God. Now this particular scripture also says that we war against the principalities, and the powers of the air which we know that to be Satan and his demonic servants. Why do I mention this? I mention this because of the weakness of man. Though we as Gods children are saved, and that to be for eternity, are still in the flesh and in the flesh, in the sin nature. Satan will tempt us with these times to turn us away from the faith and the truth of the word which plainly says that he, through the spirit, will never leave us nor will he forsake us. The same promise that he gave Joshua when he became the leader of his people, he still gives and provides to us today as the new testament church. I am glad to know that his promises never fail. One never knows what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow. I believe that in the months to years ahead we will see more of a falling away, the great apostasy, from the church and from the only true way which is Jesus Christ. We need to be in a manner of prayer every day that if and when we are tempted to follow those who will no doubt give in, that we are strong enough to withstand his onslaught of fiery darts and stand showing ourselves and others that the devil can't get us all. We will need to be a modern day Job. My prayer is not only for myself, my family, my church. my friends, but for all of my spiritual brothers and sisters to withstand in this ever changing time.
I'll pray for you, please pray for me as we journey on to the kingdom that is yet to come, a kingdom not made with hands.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Christian Maturity/ Forgiveness
Forgiveness; being defined it means, "the act of forgiving; to pardon an offender by the which he is considered not guilty".(Noah Websters American Standard English Dictionary).
Forgiveness, and true forgiveness, can only come by having a personal relationship with Christ. It was his forgiveness that allowed us to have a personal relationship with him. Pretty elementary biblical principle. However, when we do come to a personal relationship with Christ, then we also must understand that he expects us, actually requires us to follow in his footsteps. Why should we forgive others? I've listed below three reasons that we should forgive others.
1. Christ commands us:
a. Mark 11: 25-26: Jesus speaking here explains to the disciples, and, to us as well, that if we cannot forgive others, then his father, God, will not forgive you. A statement that is not made of man but of Christ himself.
b. Luke 17: 4: "thou shalt forgive him". No matter even if it is seven times he comes to you and repents of his wrong against you, Christ says then seven times "thou shalt forgive him". When Christ uses these two words, "thou shalt", it leaves no room for any mis-interpretation.
2. Paul compels us:
a. Eph. 4: 25-32: In this chapter and in these verses, Paul speaks of five things that we were once bound in or in bondage to in the former life before Christ, and the things we need to do to replace the former things now that we have a new life in Christ,(I'll leave it up to you to search these things out). The one thing we need to do is to forgive others. At one place in our life we would not forgive, but now that we are in Christ a new creature, we need to forgive others and work out what it is that brought us to the point of having to forgive and be forgiven. Verse 17 Paul says that "I testify in the Lord" in other words he is only restating what Christ has already said. He is compelling us to get to the point of our christian maturity that we can forgive. Ephesians 2:2 & 4:22 also compels us to this end.
3. Love constrains us:
a. Col. 3: 12-14: Here Paul speaks of Christian Virtues, and virtue being strength and morality. We are to be able to "forbear" and to "forgive". We are to bear with others and during this we are to also forgive. Understand that we all are developing our virtues and maturing in our walk that there will be times that others will do something that will either hurt our feelings, or, do something that will get to us, but we are to at that time be able to forgive. The problems that we have in this area is that we to often allow things to grow and grow until we get to the point that we have a difficult time talking with the individual let alone forgiving them. This should not be in the Christian life. Christians can disagree without being disagreeable.
b. 1 Cor. 3: 13: It is here stated that charity, love, is the greatest, even of faith and hope. When we love right then we will live right. We cannot love right if we do not have the love of Christ living and dwelling within us. 1 Peter 4: 8 says that "charity shall cover the multitude of sins". We will not continue to re-hash over and over what has been done to us if we love correctly. We will not talk to others about the issue before we talk to the one who has created the issue according to Matt. 18: 15-17. Love will truly cover our sins if we only live in the realm of a Christ like love.
I encourage everyone who reads this blog to examine yourself and see where you stand in the area of forgiveness, I know that I have.
Forgiveness, and true forgiveness, can only come by having a personal relationship with Christ. It was his forgiveness that allowed us to have a personal relationship with him. Pretty elementary biblical principle. However, when we do come to a personal relationship with Christ, then we also must understand that he expects us, actually requires us to follow in his footsteps. Why should we forgive others? I've listed below three reasons that we should forgive others.
1. Christ commands us:
a. Mark 11: 25-26: Jesus speaking here explains to the disciples, and, to us as well, that if we cannot forgive others, then his father, God, will not forgive you. A statement that is not made of man but of Christ himself.
b. Luke 17: 4: "thou shalt forgive him". No matter even if it is seven times he comes to you and repents of his wrong against you, Christ says then seven times "thou shalt forgive him". When Christ uses these two words, "thou shalt", it leaves no room for any mis-interpretation.
2. Paul compels us:
a. Eph. 4: 25-32: In this chapter and in these verses, Paul speaks of five things that we were once bound in or in bondage to in the former life before Christ, and the things we need to do to replace the former things now that we have a new life in Christ,(I'll leave it up to you to search these things out). The one thing we need to do is to forgive others. At one place in our life we would not forgive, but now that we are in Christ a new creature, we need to forgive others and work out what it is that brought us to the point of having to forgive and be forgiven. Verse 17 Paul says that "I testify in the Lord" in other words he is only restating what Christ has already said. He is compelling us to get to the point of our christian maturity that we can forgive. Ephesians 2:2 & 4:22 also compels us to this end.
3. Love constrains us:
a. Col. 3: 12-14: Here Paul speaks of Christian Virtues, and virtue being strength and morality. We are to be able to "forbear" and to "forgive". We are to bear with others and during this we are to also forgive. Understand that we all are developing our virtues and maturing in our walk that there will be times that others will do something that will either hurt our feelings, or, do something that will get to us, but we are to at that time be able to forgive. The problems that we have in this area is that we to often allow things to grow and grow until we get to the point that we have a difficult time talking with the individual let alone forgiving them. This should not be in the Christian life. Christians can disagree without being disagreeable.
b. 1 Cor. 3: 13: It is here stated that charity, love, is the greatest, even of faith and hope. When we love right then we will live right. We cannot love right if we do not have the love of Christ living and dwelling within us. 1 Peter 4: 8 says that "charity shall cover the multitude of sins". We will not continue to re-hash over and over what has been done to us if we love correctly. We will not talk to others about the issue before we talk to the one who has created the issue according to Matt. 18: 15-17. Love will truly cover our sins if we only live in the realm of a Christ like love.
I encourage everyone who reads this blog to examine yourself and see where you stand in the area of forgiveness, I know that I have.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Faith
I spoke to our congregation last evening concerning faith. Jude 3 was were I took my text. "ye should earnestly contend for the faith". In this passage Jude points out what was needed for the Christians of that day and one that spills over to present day as well.
What is faith? We notice in Hebrews 11:1, the author, of which I believe to be the apostle Paul, gives us both a definition and a description of what faith is and what it gives to the Christian.
1. Faith is substance. Of what? It is the substance of hope. Hope in the coming of our Lord to redeem his Church. Hope in that his word is sure. And hope of the future glorification of his saints.
2. Faith is evidence; Of what? It is the evidence of seeing the Lord work in the lives of those around us as well as in our life itself. We see the evidence of this faith when one comes to know the Lord as Saviour. We see evidence of faith when we see the Lord answer prayer.
Jude 3 again tells us to "earnestly contend for the faith" The word contend means to "fight for". I am reminded of a prize fighter who wants to win the title. He prepares himself months in advance to fight with all he has for that title. He realizes that there is possibility that he might be knocked out or be cut to the point of not being able to continue on, but the fears do not stop him. He trains and trains until the night of the fight. When he steps into the ring and now faces the opponent, he is relying on all of the training, all of his preparation to carry him through to win the title. That is what Jude is saying to us as well. We have been training and training, preparing ourselves to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Temptation is on every side, without faith in the Lord to give us the strength that we need to withstand and to resist, we would no doubt fall and fall again every time temptation is there. Test are a part of every Christians life. There have been times that the test have been tough. And times that I did not think that I would get through them. It was my faith in the Lord that carried me through. Others encouraged me to keep going on and it was there faith, directed towards me, that helped me through. When others see that our faith works, and that things are accomplished through faith, then it gives them more reason to "contend for the faith".
Jude 20 says that we are to build ourselves up in our "most holy faith". We do this through prayer and time with the Lord. We do this by getting into Gods word and not just reading it, but studying it the way we should. What great mountains are moved with just a little faith, but what greater mountains are moved with greater faith. I have never noticed in the bible where the Lord said to be mountain climbers, but he has said in his word that with faith we can tell the mountain to move and it will be done. Why then do we want to be mountain climbers when through faith the mountain can be removed? Abraham and Issac are brought to mind when speaking of mountains. Abraham is to offer Issac as a sacrifice. Now, not only was it the physical mountain Abraham and Issac were climbing, but I believe in a greater since was the spiritual mountain that they were both climbing. Issac not yet realizing that it would be he that would be offered, and not yet seeing the sacrifice that he had been used to seeing at the times of sacrifice. Abraham, wondering why God, whom he loved, would want him to do such a thing to his son, a son of promise. Abraham's obedience is no doubt seen in this truth of the word, but I see his faith as well. I see it when he says to Issac, "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering", Gen 21:8. The Lord will never tempt us with evil but will test our faith. Abraham, after the test, would no doubt have more complete faith in God by seeing what God would do when he was faithful to God. This was also a learning lesson for Issac, that when you are faithful and obedient to God that He will supply all of your needs.
Col. 2:7, Paul says to be "stablished in the faith", meaning to be established in faith. There is one reason that Christian people cannot ever win the battles in their lives and that is that they are not established in the faith. They do not believe that the Lord will do for them what he said he would do. Therefore they never exercise their faith. Faith is like a muscle, if it is not used, then it becomes weak and then when you really have to apply it , it will not be able to hold the wait. We must be established in our faith. It was good enough to save us, it is good enough to keep us, and it will be good enough to carry us through.
Faith, what an amazing gift that the Lord gave us and continues to give us on a daily basis!
What is faith? We notice in Hebrews 11:1, the author, of which I believe to be the apostle Paul, gives us both a definition and a description of what faith is and what it gives to the Christian.
1. Faith is substance. Of what? It is the substance of hope. Hope in the coming of our Lord to redeem his Church. Hope in that his word is sure. And hope of the future glorification of his saints.
2. Faith is evidence; Of what? It is the evidence of seeing the Lord work in the lives of those around us as well as in our life itself. We see the evidence of this faith when one comes to know the Lord as Saviour. We see evidence of faith when we see the Lord answer prayer.
Jude 3 again tells us to "earnestly contend for the faith" The word contend means to "fight for". I am reminded of a prize fighter who wants to win the title. He prepares himself months in advance to fight with all he has for that title. He realizes that there is possibility that he might be knocked out or be cut to the point of not being able to continue on, but the fears do not stop him. He trains and trains until the night of the fight. When he steps into the ring and now faces the opponent, he is relying on all of the training, all of his preparation to carry him through to win the title. That is what Jude is saying to us as well. We have been training and training, preparing ourselves to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Temptation is on every side, without faith in the Lord to give us the strength that we need to withstand and to resist, we would no doubt fall and fall again every time temptation is there. Test are a part of every Christians life. There have been times that the test have been tough. And times that I did not think that I would get through them. It was my faith in the Lord that carried me through. Others encouraged me to keep going on and it was there faith, directed towards me, that helped me through. When others see that our faith works, and that things are accomplished through faith, then it gives them more reason to "contend for the faith".
Jude 20 says that we are to build ourselves up in our "most holy faith". We do this through prayer and time with the Lord. We do this by getting into Gods word and not just reading it, but studying it the way we should. What great mountains are moved with just a little faith, but what greater mountains are moved with greater faith. I have never noticed in the bible where the Lord said to be mountain climbers, but he has said in his word that with faith we can tell the mountain to move and it will be done. Why then do we want to be mountain climbers when through faith the mountain can be removed? Abraham and Issac are brought to mind when speaking of mountains. Abraham is to offer Issac as a sacrifice. Now, not only was it the physical mountain Abraham and Issac were climbing, but I believe in a greater since was the spiritual mountain that they were both climbing. Issac not yet realizing that it would be he that would be offered, and not yet seeing the sacrifice that he had been used to seeing at the times of sacrifice. Abraham, wondering why God, whom he loved, would want him to do such a thing to his son, a son of promise. Abraham's obedience is no doubt seen in this truth of the word, but I see his faith as well. I see it when he says to Issac, "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering", Gen 21:8. The Lord will never tempt us with evil but will test our faith. Abraham, after the test, would no doubt have more complete faith in God by seeing what God would do when he was faithful to God. This was also a learning lesson for Issac, that when you are faithful and obedient to God that He will supply all of your needs.
Col. 2:7, Paul says to be "stablished in the faith", meaning to be established in faith. There is one reason that Christian people cannot ever win the battles in their lives and that is that they are not established in the faith. They do not believe that the Lord will do for them what he said he would do. Therefore they never exercise their faith. Faith is like a muscle, if it is not used, then it becomes weak and then when you really have to apply it , it will not be able to hold the wait. We must be established in our faith. It was good enough to save us, it is good enough to keep us, and it will be good enough to carry us through.
Faith, what an amazing gift that the Lord gave us and continues to give us on a daily basis!
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