Sunday, July 22, 2012

Faith Challenge
Principle #2:
God Can Do What He Says He Can Do!

 

Hello friends!! How was your week? I am thankful to say that mine was a whole lot better than last week!!

I am so excited to share with you the nuggets of truth that I have found in this week's chapter of "Believing God" by Beth Moore. Last week we discussed the first principle of our Faith Pledge which is "God is Who He says He is" this week we take that principle one step further to say that "God Can Do What He Says He Can Do". In fact, Beth Moore states that...

God can do what he says He can do precisely because He is who He says He is. Most of the biblical titles for God...connect who He is to what He can do.

For instance:
As Savior, He saves
As Deliverer, He delivers
As Redeemer, He Redeems
As Master, He assumes authority
As Bread of Life, He provides
and
As Almighty, He exerts divine strength



 What glorious hope we can have as Christians if we were to really believe that God is capable of being and doing all of these things. Think about your current situation, what if you believed even for a fraction of a second that God could do what He has said He can do in your circumstance. What would that mean for you? Believe it friend, because if God IS even a fraction of what He says He is, then He has to be EVERYTHING He says that He is. Which means that He is TRUTH (John 14:6) and therefore what He has said He can do He TRULY IS able to do! We cannot believe part of what He said without believing ALL of what He has said.

In Luke chapter 4, when Jesus began His public ministry, he went into the Synagogue and read from the book of Isaiah (Ch 61), proclaiming that this Scripture was now being fulfilled before the people's very eyes. Beth Moore, in her "Breaking Free" series states that in reading this scripture, Jesus actually took complete ownership of his 'Job Description'.

This is what that scripture says:
The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me,
Because He Anointed Me to Preach the Gospel to the Poor,
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
And recovery of sight to the Blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
Luke 4:18-19

In another scripture, John the Baptist, while he was in prison, sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was really the "one they had been expecting". You see, although he had declared that Jesus was indeed the Christ, had even heard confirmation from Heaven that He was the son of God, John's circumstances were such that he was now beginning to question if Jesus really was who he had thought He was. Anyone ever been where John was?? I know I have!!

Jesus reply to John was as follows:
Go report to John what you hear and see:
The blind receive sight and the lame walk,
The lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear,
The dead are raised up,
and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matthew 11:4-5


So, what about these miracles that Jesus performed? Were they just something that happened in 'Bible Times'? Or what about even before Jesus came to earth? Like Abraham's receiving a son at the ripe old age of 100 (Genesis 21), or the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry land (Exodus 14), or three Hebrew boys walking around in a fiery furnace yet never getting burned (Daniel 3). I dare to believe that the same God that brought these biblical miracles to life is the God that I serve today, and therefore He is able to do the same for you and I as He did for them.

So Beth Moore offers two reasons why we may not see as many miracles today as we once did, they are as follows:

1. We are a dreadfully unbelieving generation

"We are caught in a tragic cycle. We believe little because we see little, so we see little and continue to believe little..."

2. God may just be waiting for us to muster up some corporate belief and start asking Him for our miracles.

"If in reality we are seeing few wonders of God in the midst of His people and through His people, shouldn't we...inquire why?
 Are we not equally desperate?
 Is God no longer willing to intervene miraculously and wondrously in our behalf?
We are surrounded by a dying and depraved world,
 mounting violence and threat of mass destruction, disease, plague, enticing false religion and a surging fury of satanic assault and seduction.
 We are desperate for the wonders and miracles of God.
We need Him to show His mighty arm and tell the world that He is alive, active, and very much with us.
We are told churches are in terrible decline.
 Many pastors and leaders are depressed. Oppressed.
 Throngs of clueless people encircle us.
We need more than the best programs and planning can accomplish.
In fact, we need more than we have the courage or imagination to ask. 

Oh that the church would fall on it's face and cry out the words the prophet Habakkuk cried: "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known"

Even as I write this today I am dealing with my own areas of unbelief, questions that I don't know the answer to and fear of what the truth might be.
I ask the Lord, as the father in Mark 9 (v 22-24) asked...
"But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us".
Jesus response to this man...
"If You can? All things are possible to him who believes".
 In other words, it's not a question of IF He can, the question is...
 Do We Believe He Can!!
Then the cry of our hearts must be the same as this father's was...
 "Help my unbelief".

As I end for this week, I'd like leave you with a song entitled "Do it Lord". What if we truly believed we would someday see the things in this song come to light! Would you dare to believe with me that the Lord can "Do it"?
  

Remember this friends:
 "The God we serve is able (Dan 3:17). Everything is possible (Mark 9:23). Nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). We can always hope and pray diligently for a miracle. If, in God's sovereignty He chooses to accomplish His purposes another way, let it not be that we have not because we asked not (James 4:2) or that we have not because we believed not (Matt 9:29)
Beth Moore, Believing God, pg. 61

Praying for you until next week, that your faith will be increased!!

Love and blessings,

Tammy JOY

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Faith Challenge:
Principle # 1: "I AM"
 God Is Who He Says He Is!!




What a Week!! I once heard Pastor Brian Brown preach a message entitled "Different Levels, Different Devils". Well, I think when I wrote that blog last week I introduced myself to a devil from a different level, because I have faced fiery darts this week that I was definitely not expecting; And yes, some of them pierced into old wounds that had already been struck one too many times. There were moments I thought my shield was going to drop right to the ground. But God IS faithful, and in the midst of struggle he has always provided me with the people and resources I have needed to get me through. At one point this week, when I really didn't know where to turn next, I went to my promise box and pulled a promise - praying it would offer some encouragement that things would be ok. This is what it said - "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God." Revelation 3:12. And on the back side - "Our Father, help us to hold fast to our faith in you. Give us strength not to give up under the pressure." Tell me my God is not real?? You may call it coincidence that I pulled the very words that I needed to hear in my hour of need, I call it God, speaking to me through the instruments he has chosen to use in my life.

So last week I introduced a faith challenge from Beth Moore's book "Believing God". This week we will focus on the first statement of our faith pledge which is "God is who He says He is". In order to help us remember each statement we will count them off on each finger of our right hand. After going through all five you will be able to hold your hand high as a symbol of your sword of faith. Let this first statement be your thumb principle. As Beth states "The thumb principle is the most crucial because all others hinge securely upon it." (Believing God, p. 44). Just as our thumb is the strong point of our hand, our belief in who God IS will be the basis on which our faith is grounded.

Jesus asked two very important questions to his disciples when he was on earth, the first being "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (Matt. 16:13). Well, in today's society that is becoming more and more of a loaded question isn't it!! Who do people say He is. Actually, some people say that HE isn't at all, arguing there is no such thing as God. Others will try and fit Him into the description of what they "think" he is rather than what He really is.
Here is what Beth Moore says about those who try to define God within their own limited realm of knowledge...

All human attempts to define God cannot help but minimize Him. We somehow want to neatly package God and make everything about Him explainable.  We decide that what's not explainable is not plausible. We try to make God behave and fit into our textbooks.  We want Him to calm down and not be so...God-ish.

All attempts to take away the mystery and wonder that surround God leave Him something He is not. We cannot tame the Lion of Judah. There is a mystery, a wonder, and yes even a wildness about God we cannot take from Him. Nor would we want to if we could grasp the adventure of Him.

I don't know about you, but THAT is the God that I want to know. The God that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think!! And friend, I can guarantee you, THAT is the God that I DO know!!

This brings us to the next question that Jesus asked His disciples in the book of Matthew..."Who do you say that I am?".

As a child, I was "rocked in a Pentecostal cradle" as some would say. As I grew older, my love for church continued to grow as I became an adult. In fact, the church became my haven, the place that I would look to for refuge, shelter from storms, recovery from tragedy. I took my burdens to my church family and they prayed me through...I thought that was how it was supposed to be...right?!?

When my marraige began to fall apart, I guess a part of me expected the same love and understanding that I had received from my church family and friends as in any other situation. I was shaken when I began to notice that people stopped looking me in the eye, stopped asking me how I was doing...for fear that I just might answer! Some decided they had all the answers for me - and gave me direct instructions for exactly what I needed in order to make things work, others advised me that "God hates divorce" and so I needed to "seek God" more in order to save my marraige.

Needless to say, I was devastated. What had happened to all of the people who KNEW me?? Hadn't the life I had lived over the years meant anything in this situation? Did people not know that I had not gotten to this place in the blink of an eye? I thought the church was supposed to support you through everything?

Talk about having my faith shaken!! Everything I had ever believed in seemed to be crumbling! The life I had known, the God I had served seemed to be failing me in the hour that I needed him most!!

So what did I do?? Well, I did what any irrationally thinking, broken, and hurting woman would do in the situation, lol! I got angry with God!! How could I have lived my life for this thing called "christianity" when all it did when you needed it most was slap you in the face! I mean, seriously, did "God" not know what I was going through?? Had He not seen my efforts to make things work a different way?? What a waste of my time...what a waste of my life!!!


In my anger, I slowly moved away from God! I stopped going to church, I stopped praying, and if anyone suggested I "give my burdens to the Lord", I very clearly advised them that Him and I were not on speaking terms at the present moment!!


Of course, as you can imagine, life did not get better! In fact, it got a whole lot worse!! I was miserable, and even my non-christian counselor finally got to the point where she said "I don't know how you are going to do it, but  somehow, you need to find your way back to the faith of your childhood". Thank God for that Pentecostal cradle!!


Slowly, as I began to turn my heart back towards God, I realized something. All my life, I had placed the greater portion of my faith in the church. Suddenly God was showing me that the church was made up of people - people trying to make it in their walk of faith, sometimes stumbling, sometimes not really willling to open their eyes to the truth of various situations, sometimes slow to listen and quick to judge...sometimes, people just like me!!

Fortunately, He did not stop there. Instead, He whispered gently into my ears and into my Heart that I did not need to put my faith in people, but rather in Him. He was the one that was capable of binding up my broken heart, He was my redeemer, He was my Wonderful Counselor, He IS my Prince of Peace. He loves me no matter what my life looks like - not for what I am because of who He IS!

As difficult as those days were, I can look back now and say that I am better for them. Because as a result of them, I have fallen in love with a Jesus I never knew before. My life has been completely changed. Why? Because He was all I had left to hope in, and when I began to believe in the truth of who He is, He began to show Himself to me in a very real and powerful way. 
When Jesus asked his disciples "Who do you say I am?", Simon Peter answered Him and said "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". And Jesus response to Him - "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah...you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of Heaven" (Matt 16: 15-20) Peter believed that Jesus was who He said He was, and Jesus blessed him for it. He will do the same for you, if you are willing to believe in Him!

 
What is your personal battle today? Did you have a rough week as well? Ruth Graham, daughter of the great Billy Graham penned it well when she titled one of her books "In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart". Isn't it true - so many broken, so many hurting. Searching for something to ease the pain of their awful situations. Friend, I would like to challenge you today. Believe God Is Who He says He is. Feel you have nothing left? I invite you to seek Him and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.


Priscilla Shirer is a fantastic women's bible teacher. Last year I had the opportunity to take advantage of a video bible study in which she was a part of. I am attaching a portion of one of those videos here in which she powerfully describes some of the many things that "He is". As you listen, think about who He is to you, think about who He has been, and then think about who you need Him to be. Then believe...He will not let you down - His word is true, and He IS who He says He IS!!


"He is everything for everybody, every time, everywhere, and in every way!" That just gets me excited!!

Friends, I am hoping you will have a wonderful week! I pray that you will believe God to be all that you require for your present situation!

Blessings until next week when we learn "God can do what He says He can do"

Love

Tammy JOY

Monday, July 09, 2012

Faith Challenge:

Holding Up the Shield of Faith


Once again, I am nose-deep in another book by Beth Moore and my spirit has been stirred as she talks about faith and "Believing God". I sit here reading this evening and I am quickened by the truth that so many of us ("us" - meaning myself included!) as Christians believe IN God without actually BELIEVING GOD; and that there are so many promises and so much power available to us as Christians if we were to only grab a hold of our shield of faith and raise it high in the confidence that God is Great, and He is OUR Great Deliverer, the Author of the Story that is Our lives. He is waiting with p ower from on high - waiting for us to walk in the victory that has been won for us through the death of His Son, Jesus.

I'd like to share with you an excerpt from Beth's book entitled "Believing God" in which she describes the importance of faith in fighting our battles and going forward in victory...

Among the strategically prescribed pieces of armor the King James Version (KJV) tells us, "Above all, taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (v.16). Why "above all" do we need to learn to use our shield of faith? Because the shield is the  armor's armor. The ancient warrior hoped the fiery dart never reached the helmet or the breastplate. A direct hit on any of the other defensive covers could still stun and bruise even if it didn't wound. The warrior's goal was to extinguish any oncoming dart with his shield in order to diffuse all potential damage. When the warriors shield was down, the other pieces of armor were vastly more vulnerable. The same is true for our warfare. Our toughest battles will invariably concern matters of faith - times when we're tempted to think God's word and His ways won't work for us, that He has abandoned us, let us down, or failed to come through for us. If Satan can get us to drop our shield of faith, he knows we can't remain standing for very long.
Firsts have great importance in Scripture. Do you know the first recorded words that ever came out of the Serpent's mouth?
"Did God really say...?" (Gen. 3:1)
He used the spade of deceit to sow doubt. Satan, posing as the serpent, couldn't keep Eve from believing in God so he did the next best thing. He baited her, tempting Eve not to believe God or trust His motives. Her walk was crippled, her doubt was contagious,and the couple lost the land God had placed under their feet. You see, when Eve dropped her shield of faith, every other piece of spiritual armor became vulnerable. Satan knew she wouldn't remain standing for long. When she fell, she fell hard. I know the feeling. 
"Above all" you and I need to learn to take up our shield of faith. We also desperately need to know the Word of God and wield up the Sword of the Spirit so that when the enemy slyly suggests "Did God really say...?" we can know the answer emphatically. When we respond to attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit with the truth of God's Word, the fiery dart is extinguished and the enemy takes another hit"
(Believing God; Beth Moore; pgs 26-27)

So obviously, we are not living in the Garden of Eden today, and our own particular battle does not involve a fruit tree. However, we do share the same enemy, and he is still in the business of trying to knock us down with the fiercest of darts. So what do they look like? They are different for all of us, yet really the same. Our fiery darts are aimed at the areas of our lives where the enemy knows we are weakest, that one spot in our shield that maybe was hit once before, or where our arms are getting tired and we are holding it up with the last bit of strength we have left in us. And we are beginning to doubt that God really is who He said He was, able to do what He said He would do.

My heart aches when I think of what those darts look like in the lives of my friends, family, and my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. I'm sure so many of us can relate to what they are - Empty Cradles, Broken Homes, Unexpected Lay-Offs, Insufficient Funds, Positive CT Scans, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction. They are so ugly, and yet all too familiar to so many of us. Too often I have felt the angry force as one of them or another knocked my own shield down, causing me to fall to the ground - my faith shattered, my fight gone. Asking God "why", or thinking to myself "is He really going to supply all my needs? Because I don't see any way out of this one!"

But I am here to tell you today that there really is victory in and through the blood of Christ our Saviour. And I have learned that putting your faith in God can transform the story of your life from one that is broken and defeated to one that is beautiful and exuberant! God just requires that we hand the pen of our lives to Him, and trust Him to do what only he can - take our chicken scratch, nursery rhyme life stories and turn them into a Shakespearean classic, written in the finest of penmanship. That's the business of our Lord - trading beauty for ashes, sorrow and shame for the joy of the Lord.

So here is your challenge - and it may be for only one person - I don't know. But I truly believe that this message is for someone. If you are going through a battle, the darts have beaten your shield so low that you are struggling to stop yourself from falling...Friend, it is time to get your shield back up in the air!! High - not of your own strength - but out of the power that has been provided for you as a Victorious Soldier in the Mightiest of Armies.

In "Believing God", Beth outlines a pledge of faith that I am challenging you to memorize as an act of faith and a means of strengthening the power of your shield. There are five statements and I am challenging you to memorize one a week for the next five weeks. Beth has dedicated a chapter of her book to each individual statement, and so I am committing to walk beside you for the next five weeks with tidbits from the book that I believe will help you on your journey to complete and total surrender to God's faithful provision.

The pledge is as follows:
      1. God is who He says He is
      2. God can do what He says He can do
      3. I am who God says I am
      4. I can do all things through Christ
      5. God's word is alive and active in me
Of course, these statements, in and of themselves have no power. They are simply truths brought forth by a woman who has proven God's faithfulness over and over, through the darkest of battles and the fiercest of fiery darts. Your greatest power will come from the Word of God - and so the other challenge is to find a promise - be it a scripture verse, particular psalm, or section of scripture that speaks to your heart or is applicable to your situation and memorize it. Write it on your heart. WRITE IT ON YOUR SHIELD!! When Jesus was tempted in the desert, it was the Word of God that He used to ward off the temptations of the enemy. Three times He fought back with the following statement "It is written...". Let's follow His example and use the Sword of the Word to fight back against the enemy's angry darts!

After a lifetime of wishing, hoping, and longing, I have finally enrolled myself in some formal online Biblical Training. My first course is a study of Genesis. It's funny how stories that you have read over and over, and learned in Sunday School can suddenly shout something you had never even realized was there before...this happened for me in the story of Abraham and Sarah. After waiting a lifetime for a child, Sarah had pretty much given up on the idea of having one of her own. It's really no wonder that when she was well past the childbearing age that she laughed when the Lord told Abraham that in the next year they would receive a son. God responded to her laughter with a question..."is anything too difficult for the Lord?". Just as he had promised, in the next year Sarah became mother to a bouncing baby boy, and her words were as follows: "God has made laughter for me, everyone who hears will laugh with me". Somehow I get the feeling that Sarah's laughter was a little more genuine the second time around. Sarah may have doubted - but Abraham was faithful! He held tight to his shield of faith, and God honored his faith by giving him and Sarah the object of their heart's desire - a child! Abraham and Sarah named their boy 'Isaac' - guess what the name means..."He laughs". Sarah never forgot how God turned her snickering laughter of doubt into an overwhelming laughter of joy.

Where are you in your battle my friend? Do you laugh at the thought that God could possibly show up now and turn your losing battle into a victory? My prayer for you is that you will take hold of the shield of faith and claim victory over the fiery darts of the enemy - so that one day you will be able to say like Sarah - "God has made laughter for me" - and when I hear your story I promise to laugh along with you.

Love and Prayers,
Tammy JOY!!