Romans 8:24-25 “We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it.But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) “
Hebrews 11:1”Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see”. Substance of Faith is the assurance of the unseen.Faith is not what we see through our eyes to believe.Our belief in the thing that remains unseen is considered Faith.
Our God who creates new things out of nothing desire that we His children also have such eyes of Faith.Such Faith Filled generation God desires in these days. Let’s see about two personalities,who stood their ground on Faith.
Noah
Hebrews 11:7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith”.We have the complete life of Noah in the book of Genesis.At the times of Noah,God, Our Maker,regretted creating mankind on the earth due to their sinful nature and decided to destroy them,therefore God asked Noah to build an Ark.If we are given such a task will we willingly accept stands as a question?But God is in search of the Noah who believe in the things that remains unseen.God has a plan for our lives to in the surrounding that we live.Lets accept that plan thoroughly and implement it with Grace of God .In those days,though the people never saw rains and all discouraged Noah with words of unbelief,Noah stood strong and obeyed God’s words and did the work that was bestowed to him.God has also given many plans for us too.We have to be connected with God and complete the task entrusted for each of our lives.Through our obedience towards God’s plan May the Lord save our land from danger and fire.
Abraham
Hebrews 11:8 “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.”
From the nation of Chaldeans who worshipped idols Abraham was asked to leave his father’s house,his nation,his people and go to a place that God had asked him to.But God did not reveal the place that he needed to go to.Abraham immediately abandoned his all and left.This is Faith.
Romans 4:17,19”That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. – Romans 4:17 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead– and so was Sarah’s womb. – Romans 4:19
From these verses we see that Abraham,though he was advanced in his age did not consider.He believed that he will be made leader over every nation,though he was a nothing. I happened to counsel a couple who did not have a child for the last seven years of their marriage life.In the midst of my conversation with them God revealed something to me.I heeded to it and brought to them a newly born infant.After the couple held the infant in their hands I asked them to pray by Faith for their own unseen child.By God’s amazing Grace,the couple were eventually blessed with two children.To God be the Glory.
New Testament, Jairus comes to Jesus and says that his girl child is sick.When the people around spoke words of unbelief to Jairus,Jesus Christ looks at him and said have faith and went to his house.Jesus spoke to the already dead girl,that she is not dead but asleep and brings her back to life.God who works miracles.
In your life if you are gripped with hopelessness Our God who is able to turnaround the circumstances is mighty to save.we all regularly read Ezekiel 37,He is still Our God who brings dry bones back to life.
If Our locality or our family seems dead let us raise them up as Praisers to praise and worship Our God .Let’s raise people who can commit to serve God.Everything is possible with Our God,because Jesus Christ is Our God who can transform dry bones into a battalion of soldiers.
Danger is like a viper though it grips us and poisons us through our Faith In Christ we can shake it off.Amen
Two are better than one . . . . If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
Ecclesiastes 4:9
Søren Solkær spent years photographing starlings and their breathtaking spectacle: murmurations, where hundreds of thousands of starlings move in fluid motion across the sky. Watching this marvel is like sitting underneath an orchestrated, swirling wave or a massive, dark brushstroke flowing into a kaleidoscope of patterns. In Denmark, they call this starling experience Black Sun (also the title of Solkær’s stunning book of photographs). Most remarkable is how starlings instinctively follow their nearest companion, flying so close that if one were to miss a beat, they’d suffer mass calamity. However, starlings use murmurations to protect one another. When a hawk descends, these tiny creatures enter tight formation and move collectively, beating back a predator who’d easily pick them off if they were alone.
We’re better together than we are alone. “Two are better than one,” Ecclesiastes says. “If either . . . falls down, one can help the other up. [And] if two lie down together, they will keep warm” (4:9–11). Alone, we’re isolated and easy prey. We’re exposed without the comfort or protection of others.
But with companions, we give and receive help. “Though one may be overpowered,” Ecclesiastes says, “two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (v. 12). We’re better together as God leads us.
Although the author of Ecclesiastes isn’t named, he refers to himself as “the Teacher,” or qoheleth in Hebrew (1:1-2, 12; 12:8-10). Based on internal evidence, scholars believe that “the Teacher” is Solomon, “son of David” (1:1) and “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (v. 12). In the first six chapters, Solomon examines life as he’d lived it and discusses what makes it purposeful and meaningful. He talks about human achievements, pleasures, and wisdom (chs. 1-2) and how mortal men live out their time on earth in the light of eternity (ch. 3). In chapter 4, Solomon discusses social relationships. The solitary person lives a miserable, lonely existence without social interactions with other humans. In verses 9-12, the author extols the value, advantages, and mutual benefits of friendship, partnership, and companionship, making this passage a popular text for weddings. Solomon argues that friendships and community are needed for a meaningful life.
Dear God, please help me commit to being in community and extending Your love.
“Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27).
It is the expectation; commandment and counsel of the Lord for us not be unbelieving, but to believe.
It is only for the purpose of creating faith within us that the Lord has recorded all the signs and wonders that He has performed in the Scripture. He has also done great things in our life, and strengthens our faith. We are worthy to be called as Christians, only if we believe.
Although Thomas, the disciple of Jesus lived in close fellowship with the Lord, and had personally witnessed many signs and wonders of the Lord, he still did not believe in the resurrection of Lord Jesus. Therefore, in order to make him as a Believer, the Lord had to show His wounded hands and side.
The Lord said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27).
Faith is a creative power; whereas lack of faith has the power to destroy. Lack of faith limits the power of God to act in your life; as He cannot freely operate His signs and wonders where there is unbelief. The Scripture says, “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58).
Our Lord is the Lord of wonders. He does great things past finding out, and wonders without number. And He came down to earth for that purpose. But when people did not believe in Him, that unbelief prevented Him from doing mighty works in their midst. The people limited the Lord, by making statements such as, ‘Is He not the son of the carpenter; is He not the son of Mary?’.
On many occasions, because of their unbelief, the disciples could not cast out the demonic spirits. When they asked Jesus as to why they could not cast the demons, Jesus pointedly told them it was because of their unbelief (Matthew 17:19-20). Therefore , do not be unbelieving, but believing.
The Scripture says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Children of God, believe in the Lord with all of your heart. If you believe, you shall have the reward for every prayer. If you believe, the Lord who laid down His life for you, will perfect everything concerning you. The Scripture also says, if you would believe you would see the glory of God.
Verse for further meditation: “Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be fashioned according to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind.”
The word transformed is the same Greek word as in 2 Corinthians 3:18.
In 2 Corinthians 3 transformation is by the Lord Spirit, while in Romans 12 transformation takes place in our mind. This shows that transformation is accomplished by the Spirit through the renewing of our mind. If our mind is not renewed, we cannot be transformed.
Overthrowing Reasonings and Taking Captive Every Thought unto the Obedience of Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “As we overthrow reasonings and every high thing rising up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ.”
Many people may never have realized that there is such a phrase in the New Testament as overthrow reasonings. Have you ever overthrown your reasonings? Every day we have many reasonings; even at this moment we may have reasonings. To overthrow reasonings and take captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ is the real renewing of the mind.
Ephesians 1:18 says, “The eyes of your heart having been enlightened.” The eyes of our heart involve our understanding, which is a function of the mind. With our understanding there are eyes, not the physical eyes but spiritual eyes, and these eyes need to be enlightened. This means that our mind, our understanding, need to be transformed by being renewed.
In order to be renewed in our mind, we must first learn to overthrow our reasonings. Day by day there are reasonings and imaginations in our mind. These imaginations are like dreams. In our imaginations we can travel all over the world. We may travel to Canada in our mind, and two minutes later we are in America. If we check with ourselves, we will see that we have many imaginations and it is difficult to quieten and stop our mind.
We must learn the lesson to overthrow our reasonings and imaginations. We also need to take captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ. We do not realize how rebellious we are in our thoughts. We need to be subdued in our thoughts. Our thoughts need to be taken captive. We need to practice and exercise to do this.
Putting Off the Old Man by Being Renewed in the Spirit of the Mind Originally, our soul was something in the old creation, but the Lord’s salvation transforms it into something of the new creation. Most of this transformation is in our mind. Our natural mind is too old. Because we have the mind of Adam, our mind is as old as Adam. Even a young brother has an old mind. Therefore, we need a change of mind.
1Corinthians 2:16 says that we have the mind of Christ. By our old nature we have the mind of Adam, but by the new birth we have the mind of Christ. After we are regenerated, we need a change of mind. This change of mind is the meaning of repentance.
Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “That you put off, as regards your former manner of life, the old man, which is being corrupted according to the lusts of the deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man, which was created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the reality.” Putting off the old man and putting on the new man depend on our being renewed in the spirit of our mind.
The old man is mainly the soul, and the mind is a part of the soul, so the mind is a part of the old man. The old man has been crucified on the cross. Now we need to recognize this fact and put off the old man. This is simply to put off the old mind with its thoughts. If we recognize the fact that we as the old man have been crucified on the cross, we must act on it by rejecting and giving up the reasonings and thoughts of our old mind, reckoning that our mind has been crucified. If we do this, the Holy Spirit will do His part; He will renew what we put on the cross. To renew is simply to resurrect. If we put our mind on the cross, the Holy Spirit will renew it by resurrecting it from death.
We must learn the lesson to reject our reasonings and our old thoughts. We do not realize how much we are controlled, directed, and governed by our mind. We must realize that we, the old man, the self, the soul, have been crucified, so our mind and our thoughts have to be put on the cross. If we do this, the Holy Spirit within us will renew our mind. He will come into our mind and take possession of it, causing it to be renewed. At this very point, the Spirit will even fill our mind. Our mind will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
We cannot understand the Scriptures with our old mind. Moreover, because our mind is wrong, we often misunderstand the ministry of the word. Therefore, when we come to read the Scriptures, we must learn the lesson to reject our old thoughts and our old way of thinking. We do not realize how much we bring our own thoughts into our reading of the Scriptures. To come to the Word with an old mind means that our mind has not been renewed.
I once stayed in the home of a brother and sister. This couple loved the Lord, but they were not of one mind because it was hard for the sister to submit to her husband. One morning I asked the sister what she had read in the Bible. She said that she had read
Ephesians 5. I asked what help she had received, and she replied that she received the light that husbands should love their wives. I turned to the brother and asked the same thing. He said that strangely he had read the same passage and had received the light that wives should submit to their husbands. No doubt, the sister already had the thought in her mind that husbands should love their wives, and when she came to the Scriptures, she brought her thought with her to get a confirmation. It is the same in principle with the brother. He had the thought in his mind that his wife should submit to him, and he came to the Scriptures to get a confirmation. This demonstrates that people come to the Scriptures with their old mind.
Because our mind is occupied by all our human thoughts and reasonings, it is difficult to understand the Word. It is difficult to get something new, heavenly, and spiritual. We cannot get something from the Scriptures because we bring something to them. This is because our thoughts and mind have not been renewed. This is our problem. After we are regenerated, we need to be transformed by the renewing of the mind. Then when our mind is renewed, our mind influences our emotions and our will. If our mind is transformed, our whole soul, including our emotions and our will, also will be transformed.
In the same principle, we must learn the lesson to reject our natural will and emotions. Many times when someone comes to us or when something happens to us, we cannot control our emotions. We are so influenced and directed by our emotions that we are beside ourselves. We must learn the lesson to reject our natural emotions. Then something will happen in our emotions. They will be renewed by the working of the Holy Spirit. It is the same in principle with our will. We need to learn the lesson always to subdue and reject the natural will.
The mind, emotions, and will are the parts of the soul, and the soul is the old man which has been crucified on the cross. We have to realize this fact and reject the old elements of the old man. If we do this, the Holy Spirit will honor what we do. He will renew our mind, will, and emotions, which we have rejected. This results in transformation. The Holy Spirit with the divine life, which is the Lord Christ Himself, will take possession of our mind, emotions, and will. He will heal our entire soul with Christ as our life. Then the element of Christ will be not only in our spirit but also in our inward parts, our soul. Christ will be the infilling factor in all our inward parts. The Holy Spirit will fill our inward parts with Christ Himself. This is the transformation in our soul.
Prayer Lord I receive the Grace to renew my mind. Let my mindset set my destiny. Work on my mind Lord in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life.: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee ,nor forsake thee”. Joshua 1:5
The verse promises us that no human being can defeat us all the days of our lives.Though unseen the Lord is with us all the time and we are greater than any other great people in this world., because we are great by His grace. This greatness was gifted to Moses and Joshua. It is also gifted to us, who are His children.
1John4:4 says”….. greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”.
This encouragement should empower believers not to fear satan, but rather trust the Lord and obey His commands. By doing so we can overcome the powers of darkness and walk with boldness in this life.Isaiah54:17 says” No weapon formed against us shall prosper “.
He makes us more than conquerors. Romans 8:37”In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” We only need to yield to Him and resist the enemy of our soul. We do not use force or violence or the methods of our enemies, but Lord guarantee our victory.
Deutronomy 20:4 “For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” God was with Moses and led him step by step on the journey to freedom and to the promised land. He did the same with Joshua.Today the same God is with us and He says” I will never leave you nor forsake you”.Hebrews 13:5, Deutronomy 31:8
Our personal relationship with the Lord is the source of our happiness, victory, deliverance, blessings and strength. We can be confident that He will lead us to victory and provide whatever we need for our journey . The worldly people live on the basis of money and prosperity, but people of the Word,who is God, live on the basis of God’s promises. The Word becomes our source of strength, inspiration, guidance, wisdom and hope.
The enemy always plot to attack us or steal our peace and happiness. Lord goes ahead of us and cover our back. The battle belongs to the Lord. So the plot of the enemy won’t be successful as our pilot and escort are both Almighty God.Our battle is not physical but spiritual, in prayer and supplication and meditating and claiming His promises.
Heavenly Father we thank you for the promises which help us to overcome the world and become victorious. Thank you for your promise that “ I will never leave you nor forsake you”. In Jesus name I pray , Amen
“Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.”Isaiah 51:10-12“
Are you not the same today, the one who dried up the sea, making a path of escape through the depths so that your people could cross over? Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? “Our God is the one who dried the depths of the sea and made a way for the ransomed to pass by.
Human mourning types Job 14:1″How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble!
Psalm 31:10 “I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within”.
Psalm 39:6“We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. “
Psalm 90:10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.
”Ecclesiastes 4:4“Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless– like chasing the wind.
Lamentations 3:32-33“Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
“Zephaniah 3:18″I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more.
”Jeremiah 31:13“I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.”How to overcome our everyday sorrows of this world?
Deuteronomy 28:20“The LORD himself will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in everything you do, until at last you are completely destroyed for doing evil and abandoning me.”If we obey His commands and hear his voice he will bless our lives more than the rest of the world.
1 Samuel 1:10“Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD.”Hannah went and bitterly cried and prayed to the Lord .Her sorrow disappeared.
Psalm 142:2“I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. “Call to God during the times of trouble.
1 Samuel 1:15″Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD.”Pour out your heart like Hannah in God’s sanctuary .
Esther 4:16 When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it. –
Esther 4:4 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” Like Esther, we must hold on to our Faith and fast for God’s righteousness
.Daniel 6:3,10“Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.” “But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.”
Like Daniel,We must be honest ,blameless and preserve our relationship with God.If we abide by all that is said above God will surely shower His eternal joy on our head.we will be happy and joyful.Sorrow and mourning will disappear forever.Glory to God
“I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, …”So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.” — Malachi 2:16
Thoughts on Today’s Verse….My heart breaks for those who hear these words of this verse and feel a shattering in their souls because of what they have endured. God hates the pain, damage, loss, sorrow, and physical damage you carry. We mourn with those who had to leave their marriage to find spiritual, emotional, and physical protection.
In our throw-away world, God hates when people are abandoned and when we break our lives through our unrighteous behaviors. We want our spirits to be holy. We don’t want our hearts corrupted by selfishness and resentment. We choose NOT to break faith by treating those closest to us with contempt, neglect, or abuse.
When people are broken by what causes divorce and the consequences of it, let’s find them, include them, and bring them home to God’s family for healing. Let’s especially be sensitive and supportive of children caught between divorcing parents. Let’s remember that God hates divorce and what causes it, but he does not say, “I hate the divorced.”
All sin is forgivable when we genuinely repent and reorient our lives to God (1 John 1:5-10, 2:1-2).
My Prayer…Almighty God, please make our words strong, our commitments lasting, and our lives faithful to our promises to you and each other. Bless those whose hearts have been shattered by spouses who have treated them unfairly, abusively, and unfaithfully. Thank you for the beautiful examples of many who have had strong marriages. Thank you for those who have stumbled but come back to you, confessed their sins, and gone on to build godly relationships and marriages. Please bless me and my house with a legacy of faithfulness that lasts generations after us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
All the testimonies that we have in our Life today had been mountains in our Life at some point of time. What do these testimonies actually show ? It shows that mountains had appeared in our paths which we have now overcome and had victory over them in JESUS’ name.
When we overcome a mountain, does that mean that no mountains will come in our paths ? No. New ones will appear. And the mountain that has passed gives us more confidence in the Lord to face new mountains that will come in future.
Just like we see in the life of David. When he was a shepherd boy he had killed the bear and then killed a lion to save his sheep. He didn’t know at that time that God was preparing him to face a much bigger mountain, that is, the giant sized Goliath to save Israelites from him.
Similarly, when we see our lives maybe we have seen many mountains in the past in different areas like physical, financial, social or mental areas but with the Lord’s help and His faithfulness in our life, those mountains today have become a distant history. We don’t even remember they ever existed.
So, let’s see what the Bible teaches us about how to turn our Mountains to Miracles.
Humans beings always want 100 % in their lives in all aspects. But the problem is when they see 80% good in an area and 20 % bad, very naturally human beings focus on the 20% and forget about the 80 % blessings. They like to focus more on the lack than the abundance that they already have. If you ask them how they are, they will have only this answer, ” yeah everything is okay but… Or they ll say My job is good. I have a very good salary but my boss is mean and unfair. Everything is good and fine but I have an incurable disease I have a nice house, I have everything but my husband is a drunkard. Actually people are not enjoying their life because their focus is not on the 80% blessing they have but their focus is on the 20% they don’t have and day and night they only think about the 20% lack. This 20% is what is taking away or stealing their peace of mind and their sleep. This 20% destroys their happiness and joy and unknowingly they totally forget the many blessings they already have which is a distant dream for many.
But the Bible is such a lovely book it teaches us to give thanks in all situations. In all situations means you have to be grateful and thankful to God for your 80% as well as for your 20% also. Because the Bible declares that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD ie our 80 and the 20% both together.
Let’s call this 20% BUT FACTOR
How do we handle such “But factor or mountain” situation.?
Let us see some Bible scriptures to understand this mountain or this but factor situation better.
2 Kings 5:1 is a very famous story of Naaman. The Bible says, Now Naaman, Commander of the army of the king of Syria was a great and honourable man in the eyes of his master because by him the lord had given victory to Syria, he was also a mighty man of valour but he was a leper Now when you read this first verse, you can see 80% of the verse talks about the best of Naaman. It says he was a commander of the army of the king of Syria. Next, he was great and honorable in the sight of his master and then, by him the Lord had given many victories. Imagine the Lord gave him victory over Israel too. And then it says he was also a mighty man of Valour and finally we read about the 20% of Naaman’s “not so good life”, it is said, but he was a leper. So Naaman’s ‘but factor’ was He was a leper.
But the truth is If his “but factor” had not been there, Naaman would not have made it to the Bible. Because of his “but factor” today we read about Naaman in the Bible.
Now, there are many people, if you read the Bible who have made it into the pages of The Bible only because of their “but factors”.
Let’s see a few of them who had “but factors” as their hindrances or excuses.
When God called Jeremiah, he said, Lord how can you call me? I am but a youth. So what was his “but factor” he said, I am so young. Then we see when God called Moses he said, “Lord, how can you tell me to be the spokesperson? I am a stutterer. So his “but factor” was that he was a stammer. And then when we talk about the Israelites facing the Jericho wall, that was their mountain or their but factor.
And then we also see in the new testament the mountains or but factors in the lives of so many people. For eg: But Jairus’ daughter was dead, But Lazarus was dead and four days in the tomb, But the woman had the issue of blood for 12 long years. Etc etc
Today, when we look at our Life what is our “but factor or mountain” that we are too focused on that’s giving us unrest and sleepless nights and is stopping us from fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives?? Are we complaining to the Lord saying, But Lord I have not been promoted. But I have a health issue. But I don’t have a good partner. But I have more enemies than friends. But I am always broke. But I am in huge debts. But I am good for nothing. But I am physically challenged. Etc etc…
Well, if we read Numbers 13 there’s a very interesting incident where we see two kinds of people. Moses chose 12 people, one leader from each tribe and instructed the 12 to go to the land of Canaan and spy out the land and bring back reports of the place.
The 12 came back after spying for 40 days but all didn’t have the same report.
Incidentally, the land they spied was the same but there were two reports. One report of Fear and the other of Faith.
10 of them gave a bad report out of Fear and only two i.e. Joshua and Caleb gave a good report out of Faith in God.
The ten, out of Fear saw the little mound as a big mountain whereas the other two because of their FAITH in GOD saw the big mountain as a little mound.
That’s why Jesus said in Mathew 17:20, Assuredly, I say to you, if you have FAITH as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
You only need a small sized FAITH for huge mountains.
Which Caleb and Joshua had.
Check the report as a result of Fear of the ten. They said, the land truly flows with milk and honey but( now this was their “but factor” ) everything is good about the land but the people who dwell in the land are strong, the cities are fortified and very large, we saw the descendants of giants there. We are not able to go up against the people for they are stronger than us and we are like grasshoppers in our own sight and so we were in their sight.
Hearing this report of Fear, the people of Israel got fearful and were so scared, they lifted up their voices and cried and they wept that night and the children of Israel murmured against Moses and complained saying, Why the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, won’t it be better for us to return to Egypt.
Sadly they simply wanted to quit the journey when they were so close to their miracle.
Many quit because of their “but factor”.
Now let’s see what report Caleb and Joshua brought.
They first quieted them, just like how Jesus always did when there was a storm. He would first say, Fear not. Be not afraid. And then he would speak to the storms to calm down.
Then Caleb and Joshua said in Number 13:30 This is very interesting.. Let us go up at once. Meaning let’s not even delay and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it. In 14:8 and 9 They said, this land is exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us then he will bring US into the land and give it to us. A land which flows with milk and honey.
Numbers 14:9 is an important verse This is applicable to us even now. It says, only do not Rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land. FOR THEY ARE OUR BREAD their protection has departed from them and the Lord is with us, do not fear them.
Imagine, they addressed their mountain or but factor as BREAD!!
See your mountains as BREAD.
Just eat it and get strong and move forward and upward.
What a report !!
And we know what happened thereafter, the Jericho wall came tumbling down and they possessed it.
The same was the case with Naaman. At the instruction of the Prophet Elisha, he went and dipped himself 7 times in river Jordan and he was totally cleansed of leprosy. Had he quit, which he was almost going to do, he would have been so close to his miracle and would have lost it forever.
That’s why Jesus said, in Mark 11:23 Truly, (the one who is THE TRUTH when He says truly then THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE TRUTH) I say to you, whoever SAYS to this MOUNTAIN, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him”
GLORY !!
When you face your “mountain or but factor”
Jesus says, Speak to it boldly to move into the sea.
Talk TO IT and Not TALK ABOUT IT to 100 people. It’s no use. Your mountain will remain there and not move an inch.
Speak TO IT in THE NAME IS JESUS Command it to move.
And the verse says It will move into the sea not river. In the river the mountain will still be visible but in the sea..there won’t be any evidence of it being there. No trace. It’ll be history as though it never existed. And You will have a glorious testimony for the GLORY OF OUR LORD JESUS.
FOCUS ON YOUR BLESSINGS AND ABUNDANCE RATHER THAN FOCUSSING ON THE LACK OR PROBLEMS.TURN YOUR MOUNTAINS TO MIRACLES.
Prayer
Heavenly Father I thank you for all your blessings in my life. Let us not be so pre - occupied by the little mounds in our lives that we forget to see all our blessings. As Caleb and Joshua said, we too declare that the Lord delights in us we do not want to rebel against the Lord. We see our mountains as Bread and as stepping stones to move to the next level. And in the mighty Name of JESUS we command these mountains to move and be gone. May our BUT FACTORS turn into beautiful testimonies for YOUR GLORY ALONE.In JESUS' name we pray. Amen.
Remove from your midst . . . malicious speech. (Isaiah 58:9)
It can be easy to think these words don’t apply to us.At one time or another, we have all thought and said spiteful things like this. But all is not lost! Jesus has the power to help us treat people with the same love and respect that he has for us. In fact, he promises to help us if we cry out to him.
Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight. Often we need to look at why we say the things we say. And that’s where Jesus comes in. He helps us look inside our hearts to see the root causes of our hurtful speech.
Because that’s where a lot of it comes from. Ask any counselor, and they will tell you that people who have been hurt often hurt other people. Or they will tell you that our hurtful words tend to arise from our own self-centered desires and our frustration that people aren’t treating us the way we think we deserve.
Maybe you are struggling with unforgiveness or resentment. Or maybe a wound from your past continues to affect some of your relationships. Or maybe you just want what you want—and right away! Whatever the case, Jesus can help you. He can shine his light into your heart and convince you that he has your life in his hands—so you don’t have to lash out. You don’t have to go on the attack or become extra defensive because Christ is more than capable of caring for you. He is more than able to heal your hurts and strengthen your heart.
We often think that Lent is a time when we do things for God. But it’s also a time when God wants to do things for us. So ask him to help you put away unkind remarks and reactions. If you slip up, think about what may have caused you to act in that way. Then ask Jesus to heal you—and trust that he can. “Jesus, heal my heart so that I speak only words of love, encouragement, and mercy.”
*“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”* (John 4:24).
When Jesus told the Samaritan woman everything she had done, she could see that Jesus was a prophet. She asked Him a doubt where to worship God whether on that mountain as done by her ancestors or in Jerusalem as claimed by the Jews. Jesus replied to her that *the place is not important for true worship,* and God wants the true worshippers to *worship Him in spirit and truth because God is Spirit* (John 4:24).
Paul says, *”I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”* (1 Timothy 2:8).
We can pray anywhere with reverence and faith. Jesus stated that the essence of authentic worship is not found in places but rather in spirit and truth. Being concerned with spiritual reality is what it means to worship in the spirit. To worship in the whole counsel of God’s Word is to worship in truth.
The Psalmist says, *“Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!”* (Psalm 96:9). Regardless of our circumstances, we must always worship God because of His holiness. God created us again in Christ and is currently producing the lovely fruit of holiness in us. He loves us and sees us as holy and faultless in Christ. *We must worship God in the beauty of His holiness and in the beauty of our own holiness in Christ.* Is it not marvelous?
Jesus states, *“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”* (Matthew 15:8-9).
True and effective worship involves keeping the commandments of God wholeheartedly. Worship turns into vain if the laws of men are given importance. Outward worship is not accepted by God because He wants the worship to be with all our hearts.Many people worship without knowing who or what they worship.
Paul said to the Athenians, *”The One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.”* (Acts 17:23). What a pity that people worship traditionally *without proper understanding or conviction!*
The Bible declares, *“Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”(Revelation 14:7). He who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water alone should be worshipped, not any other powerless being. *Do we worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness?*🔹 *Are we truly worshipping the LORD with all our hearts?*
The *LESSONS* we learn:
1️⃣ *The essence of authentic worship is not found in places but rather in spirit and truth.*
2️⃣ *We must worship God in the beauty of His holiness and in the beauty of our own holiness in Christ.
*3️⃣ *True and effective worship involves keeping the commandments of God wholeheartedly.*
4️⃣ *He who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water alone should be worshipped.*
