"One of these days some simple soul will pick up the Book of God, read it and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed" – Leonard Ravenhill
Christianity is a message to be believed not dissected. The power of Christianity is not found in sharp intellect or quick whit but rather a burning heart.
Ever find yourself trying to explain the Word of God, hoping you can make people understand, only to finish feeling frustrated??? So often we start with the head (endless attempts at explanation and convincing) and it never moves to the heart (faith and belief), therefore it doesn't manifest into obedience in their life. We live for Christ from our heart. Perhaps this is why Jesus told us that so often our barrier to receiving from him is our need to become like children. Children live from their heart (belief). So often as adults we try to live from our head (knowledge).
The ability to quote scripture, teach without error, move in religious motion does not mean there is BELIEF. You can believe without fully understanding but you can understand and not believe! There are many things I still do not fully understand about God but believe - such as His grace in my life, the work of the Holy Spirit, His sovereignty, the list is endless!!! If I can only believe what I can explain I won't have faith for most of what God wants to do in my life!
I don't think the woman with the issue of blood understood how God would heal her but she believed. I don't think Peter really understood how Christ would turn him from a fisher of fish to a fisher of men but he believed. I don't think the thief on the cross understood how he would see Jesus in paradise that day but he believed. Don't misunderstand me we have a logic, we have a knowledge, but it is not from our head, but rather birthed from the Spirit of God in us (I Cor 2)
I encourage you...let open your heart. Let people see your passion, feel your love, sense your belief. This is the great need in church today. Let's dare to simply BELIEVE God's Word, and if we are in need let us join with the apostles in asking, "Lord, increase our faith!" (not our knowledge)
Blessings,
Darren
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
WIN / WIN
Dan 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." –NIV
We all know the story. Nebuchadnezzar has demanded that everyone bow down and worship the image of gold he has set up. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego flatly refuse. Things went from bad to worse. The furnace is heated up seven times hotter than normal and then the gauntlet is laid down – worship or burn.
How can this be a win / win situation?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s priority wasn’t their circumstances but their faith. Regardless of circumstances, whether good or bad, their determination was to honor, love and serve God. If that meant being delivered from the fire...wonderful, but if it meant being thrown into the flames, then so be it. Either way these young men had made up their mind what the priority of their lives would be…honoring God. Nothing or no one could take that away from them. No matter what, they could not lose. Miraculously delivered…we will declare the power of our God. Thrown in the furnace…we will testify to the faithfulness of our God. Either way…Win / Win.
Paul states it this way to the Philippians…
Phil 4:12-13
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I encourage you today as a believer to remember that your priority is to honor God. Nothing or no one can keep you from that so no matter what you face today, miraculous deliverance or a burning furnace, remember its WIN / WIN!
Blessings,
Darren
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." –NIV
We all know the story. Nebuchadnezzar has demanded that everyone bow down and worship the image of gold he has set up. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego flatly refuse. Things went from bad to worse. The furnace is heated up seven times hotter than normal and then the gauntlet is laid down – worship or burn.
How can this be a win / win situation?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s priority wasn’t their circumstances but their faith. Regardless of circumstances, whether good or bad, their determination was to honor, love and serve God. If that meant being delivered from the fire...wonderful, but if it meant being thrown into the flames, then so be it. Either way these young men had made up their mind what the priority of their lives would be…honoring God. Nothing or no one could take that away from them. No matter what, they could not lose. Miraculously delivered…we will declare the power of our God. Thrown in the furnace…we will testify to the faithfulness of our God. Either way…Win / Win.
Paul states it this way to the Philippians…
Phil 4:12-13
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I encourage you today as a believer to remember that your priority is to honor God. Nothing or no one can keep you from that so no matter what you face today, miraculous deliverance or a burning furnace, remember its WIN / WIN!
Blessings,
Darren
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