What else if not by faith?

     “Sola fide“  is Latin for “by faith alone.” Scripture defines the word faith in Hebrew 11:1 and it is taught on Wednesdays, Sunday Schools, Bible College, in seminars, books, T.V. and radio programs. People have written a theology and created a movement. I wonder often if that was our heavenly Father’s will for us to do. 

Without Faith is impossible to please God

     One morning (at 4:30 a.m.) I sat at the table and dicided to read Hebrews 11. Why 4:30a.m.? That’s just the time I wake up to have quiet time and devotions. I began to read this chapter and I as read there was a phrase that kept jumping out at me, “It was by faith.”  When I read these verses the Holy Spirit spoke to me and ministered to my life right where I was at. I ask you to read these verses and let the Spirit of God speak and minister to your heart today. Forget about what others have said concerning these Scripture, just tune your hearing to the voice of God and let Him speak directly to you. He can do that, you know!

Hebrews 11
“4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. God accepted Abel’s offering to show that he was a righteous man. And although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us because of his faith.

“5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying — “suddenly he disappeared because God took him.” ^a But before he was taken up, he was approved as pleasing to God.”

“7 It was by faith that Noah built an ark to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about something that had never happened before. By his faith he condemned the rest of the world and was made right in God’s sight.”

“8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going”

“11 It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise.” ^b

“17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac”

“20 It was by faith that Isaac blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau. He had confidence in what God was going to do in the future”

“21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.”

“22 And it was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, confidently spoke of God’s bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. He was so sure of it that he commanded them to carry his bones with them when they left!”

“23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid of what the king might do”

“24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter“

“27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible”

“28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons“

“29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians followed, they were all drowned”

“30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days, and the walls came crashing down“

“31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies”

Let’s believe expecting with ALL confidence that what we are desiring WILL happen, although “we cannot yet see.” As a mentioned, let the Spirit of God speak to you this day!

I bless you in the matchless and wonderful name of Jesus!

-Hector

God’s Family

Ephesians 1:5 NLT

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure”

If God’s will is for all to be a family, why do so many believers prevent this from happening? What motivates God’s children to maintain division among themselves? Is the music? Pentecostal hairdoos? Speaking in tongues? Not speaking in tongues? Your suite or your dress? Or your jeans and shorts and flip-flops? Whether you are always saved or not saved? Whether you’re in the prophetic or not? It is sad to see these demarcation lines drawn so heavily and emphatically.  It pleasures God that we become united not divided. We teach and preach about One God, One Son (Jesus), and One Holy Spirit. Yet, what I find that unites believers is their traditions because they all have them.

I choose to be free of traditions. Free to the things that will prevent me from fellowshipping with other believers. I choose to be set apart from sin but not from other Christ believing Saints that along with me are awaiting Christ’s return.

Complacency

I was thinking about this word all afternoon yesterday and this morning. Just a few seconds ago I looked it up in Merriam-Webster online dictionary. I thought it meant to be satisfied where one is in relationships, careers, and life in general. But here’s the definition of the word complacency:

“having too high an opinion of oneself <they grew complacent and reacted badly to unexpected events> —  conceited“

So  being complacent in life is to be conceited thinking that you are better or above others in your circle of friends. The Bible says in Romans 12:16 (NIV);

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. DO NOT BE CONCEITED.”

Achieving a goal is not a time to be complacent, instead, lets do like the Apostle Pauls says in Philippians 3:14 (NIV); “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Let’s esteem the other more than ourselves; let’s server one another, and let’s love one another without motives but because Jesus first loved us!

Breakthrough Towards Your Miracle

The Lord is known by many names in the Bible and His names reveal His character.
To me He has revealed himself as;

     • My deliverer – (Ps18:2), he saved me and rescue me.
     • Jehovah Jireh – (Phil. 4:19) He has supplied all of my needs.
     • He’s my healer – (Ps. 103:3)
How have you come to know God, our Father? Who is He to you? In the book of 2 Samuel 5:20 the Lord is revealed as ’Baal- Perazim’ = ’Lord of the Breakthroughs’

Breakthrough = God breaks open a new realm in the Spirit and He brings us through.

I would like to share 5 Keys to Your Breakthrough

Mark 2:1-8

“When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?”

1. The first key to your breakthrough = Make room for Jesus (vv.1-2)
It happened when Jesus was ’in the house of Simon Peter. You have let him into your house, your heart, your mind. Make room for Him in your mind, heart, in your house.- Not just God’s omnipresence, rather His Manifested Presence (His Son, the word made flesh)

A Church (or a person) without the (manifested) presence of God has no communion with God. Has no intimacy, does not know Him. Let the Word abide in you! Rev. 3:20 (NLT) “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.”
One hour in the (manifested) presence of God will reveal any flaw in your most carefully laid plans.

When His manifested presence is evident, there’s no need for advertisement. I heard of pastors boasting about spending 6K-7K on advertising. But still can get his church to grow, why? They are content with the omnipresence of God rather than hungering for the Manifested Presence of God. And, when the manifested presence of God is present there is no need to advertise. The house will be full!

2. The second Key to your breakthrough= Overcoming your paralysis (v.3)

The crippled man did not have a ’defeat mentality’ – if he had, he would not have those four men take him to Jesus

• “The lame shall leap like a deer…” Isa. 35:6

• Perhaps some of us are ’paralyzed’ by condemning past, chronic fears and habitual sins. Something to think about: “Stop looking at where you have been and start looking at where you can be.”

• Just pick yourself up and make your way to Lord of your breakthroughs!

3. The third Key to your breakthrough = Be in the right company (v.3)

His friends weren’t skeptics; they had faith (v.5). Are your friends (not acquaintances) people who have faith? If not, ask God to place people of faith in your life! There is a saying ’Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future’ Mike Murdock wrote, “Those who cannot increase you will inevitably decrease you”

Something to think about: “Those who transfer knowledge are also capable of transferring error.”

4. The fourth key to your breakthrough = Refuse to be denied (v.4)

The 5 men did not turn back. They did not lose their focus (Jesus). “The only reason men fail is broken focus” – Mike Murdock
Rather be inconvenient and received a miracle than to be complacent and lose a blessing. The greatest enemy of faith is complacency. “You will never possess what you are unwilling to pursue.”

5. The fifth key to your breakthrough = Remove the lid of human limitation (v.4)

Clay = Humanity; Roof = Limitation
We may be limited by our backgrounds and human weaknesses (e.g. Moses) or perceived lack of preparation But God Can Do So Much With Less. Because with God less is more.

Therefore, God uses the nameless, faceless and the useless, so He gets all the glory 1 Corinthians 1:26-31(NLT) “26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”
• There are 5 men in the story and 5 = grace of God
• It’s not our impotence but God’s omnipotence!

REMEMBER

“Each act of obedience shortens the distance to any miracle your are pursuing,” therefore, let’s Get Up! And Look Up! And Rise Up!

Faith II

     There is power that works inside you, which is Christ on the inside. Therefore, you are able to do exceedingly abundantly and above all that you may think or imagine. That’s why, when you begin to walk with Christ on the inside of you, an entirely new realm of potential and possibility opens to you. That’s the favor of God.

     Favor means that the provisions are coming your way. As you walk in the revelation of Christ, you’ll see the favor of God upon everything that you do. It will affect the circumstances of yoru life. When Jesus needed money to pay taxes, He sent Peter who found it in the mouth of a fish.

     You see, walking by faith means that you allow the Word of God to control you. It is not really about your needs being met. It is about people getting saved, healed and delivered.

     Imagine going to the mall and the healing anointing of God comes over you when you see a person who is sick. So you lay your hands on them and they are healed by the might power of Christ in you! This revelation changes you as you let Jesus rule and govern your life.

     So what are you going to do with this? It’s time for you to look deep inside and see the Christ in you. Recognize that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in you in Christ Jesus. Therefore, nothing can stand in your way. No problem, no circumstance, no issue and no person can thwart the plans of God in you life. All you have to do is live a life of obedience to Christ. Sound difficult? It isn’t. Pray this prayer out loud to unlock the mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory.

     “Christ Jesus, I know that you dwell inside me. The promises of Scripture are true and I accept them as the guide for my life. Have full control, Jesus. Do with my life what you will. I’m yours. Thank you, Lord for choosing me. I declare my purpose is to live wholly for you daily. Receive my life in exchange for Yours I pray. In Jesus name, amen.”

We Live By Faith

     We must learn to live by faith in Christ Jesus in order for Him to live through us. We learn to live by faith in Christ Jesus and let Christ live through us when our flesh is brought to total weakness. The Apostle Paul wrote: (Philippians 4:11-12) “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I knowhow to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” The aspotle learned that no matter what the condition he was in, God was still in control and remained his source. Paul didn’t depend upon his own strength or talent; he depended on God.

     Paul discussed this in another letter, explaining that his own weakness served as the platform for Christ’s strength. Paul had prayed to the Lord about a “thorn in the flesh” that bothered him. Opinions abound as to what was that thorn in the flesh. Personally, I believe that Paul was referring to the people he previously mentioned who had caused him much distress. Regardless of the nature of the thorn in the flesh that was a messenger of Satan, Paul wrote: “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

     When problems have no answer, we’re forced to depend upon Christ who infuses us with His strength. He is on the inside, so when problems happen we have somewhere to go. No one likes problems, but according to Paul he delighted in problems because they caused him to depend on Christ within, rather than on his own ability, i.e. living from the inside out.

     Problems enable us to stop doing things on our own, and let Christ on the inside do it for us. Remember, “it is no longer I that lives, but christ who lives on the inside of me.” We allow Christ to live through us by obeying His word. We must obey His Word so that the ability, the dunamis (power) of God, is infused into our life: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundnatly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Inexhaustible Love of God

     We can never exhaust the supply of love that God has for us. His love is inexhaustible! Many fall and have figured out in their mind that there is no way God can forgive them. David was a recipient of that inexhaustible love. He sinned. He was confronted, and he repented. Many people like to label sin and divide sin into categories where some are worse than others. Let me say this, sin is sin. The Bible in the book of James 4:17 (NIV) says; ”Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” The prophet Nathan tactfully confronted David about his sin, even David’s cover up. David reacted in repentence. He expresses this repentance in Psalm 51;

“1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. “

David’s repentance was genuine.  He knew he had done wrong in the sight of God. David Youngren in his book “Life From The Inside Out” wrote the following:

“God’s unfailing love will never let go, regardless of all the wrongs committed against it. It is a kind of love that doesn’t push people away, no matter how much they’ve sinned against God. God still loves with a stedfast love.”

Let me share with you what God’s love is:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

This was just a thought I wanted to share today…

May God richly bless you and keep you!

Hector