Spring Begins

On this first day of spring, March 21, 2009, I have been inspired to write and post as you've noted all the many posts from today's date.
Writing is like art, I have to be inspired. Today was my inspiration day.

Home alone? Yes!

Time with no distractions? Yes!

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.

Refrain

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.

Refrain

On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.

Refrain

To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Refrain

HARPING ON FAITH

Harping! What's that?
Harping is persistently and tediously on a particular topic. I had someone tell me once that I am always "harping on faith." I thought what a great topic to harp on. Faith IS worth harping on. Why is faith worth harping on?

So what is faith?

Faith is a complete trust or confidence in someone or something; and a strongly held belief or theory as complete trust in God based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

The Hebrew writer says "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith." Hebrews 11:1-2.

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrews 11:3

This is great and intense stuff. Take a look around you right now, what you are seeing was formed at God's command and He formed it by nothing you see. Now this is intense.

So, what are going to do about this "faith thing?" We've either got to believe in God who does things unnaturally or we don't believe.
"But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation."
– Hebrews 10:39


"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:17

"There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called..... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4: 4-6

Have you ever been ask, what faith are you? This question would not be asked if people knew the only one faith.

"But you my dear friends, must remember what the apostle s of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. There's that imagining thing again...even the scoffers imagine the evil they want). Now they are here, and they are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They live by natural instinct because they do not have God's Spirit living in them."
–Jude 17-19

"But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith." Jude 20 There's that foundation (Jesus Christ)and building on it with holy faith.

What is holy faith?
Holy is being dedicated or consecrated to God. In other words build with a sacred faith in dedication and consecration to God.

There will be some whose faith is wavering. Those with holy faith will show mercy to those wavering. Some you will snatch from the flames of judgment. Still there are others who you will need to show mercy, and the ones with holy faith be careful that they aren't contaminated by their sins." –Jude 20-23


KEEP HARPING ON FAITH!

Springtime Beauty

We speak the Truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
–Ephesians 4:15-16

As I am watching springtime come to life, it brings harmony and peace to my soul. Springtime begins today. My daffodils and crocuses are popping up and it is Truth. God formed the universe and everything in it. I didn't have to do anything to cause these little jewels to come to life. What intense beauty.
Then one fine day the sun shines and what fragrance and beauty to behold in these little jewels. The beauty of growing into maturity bring radiance to living a peaceful and harmonic life. Enjoy life and with all its intense depth.
Always appreciate the maturity in people, as well.

HOW DO WE OBTAIN IMMEASURABLY MORE?

What is immeasurably more?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.
–Ephesians 3:20,21 NIV

What is immeasurably more? Is it too large, extensive, or extreme to measure?

All that we ask or imagine.
Is there action from us? We have to ask and we have to imagine. You've heard the old cliche' if you don't ask, you don't get. So yes, indeed we must ask our heavenly Father whatever it is we want.
What is imagine? Oh, I see it is a mental imagine or concept. Is this something we suppose or assume? If we imagine something, do we not have any proof it exist? How many times have we led our children to believe that if they imagine something it most likely is a lie? Satan the evil one is so crafty. He messes with our minds; and then we in turn mess with our children's minds by misguiding their thinking.

Does this sounds like faith coming into this equation?

According to his power that is at work within us, is this power prompting us to ask or imagine things we can't do without His power working in us? And, in our belief, we receive immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. Has this ever happened to you?
You wanted something or needed something so desperately and you took the asking to the heavenly Father for it and you even imagined you would have what you asked for. And, one day out of the clear blue, you received a blessing so big that it was beyond your imagination.

Wow!

Is this how faith works in our lives when we practice it?

And, who benefits from this immeasurably more blessings?


Throughout all generations, for ever and ever. All generations? Really? It's not only for the biblical generations? Can I benefit from this, too? How long is for ever and ever? This is an opportunity for everyone who was and is and is to come. Wow!

Well, I am so thankful to have this fabulous opportunity to ask and imagine good things coming to me; because when each of us realize the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we all benefit beyond our wildest imagination. I didn't say that, God did. Just believe Him. God does not lie and He never breaks a promise.

How does the church benefit in this wildest of blessings?

To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout (there's that foundation we are building on).

God gets tremendous glory through His power living in His people!

You just can't get any better than this my dear friend.

And, so it is!

ARE YOU LIVING BY THE SPIRIT'S POWER?

Make the most of every opportunity for doing GOOD in these evil days. Ephesians 5:16

Rebuke and expose evil. It's our God-given and constitutional right to practice 'FREEDOM IN ACTION'. All agree....right?

How?
Why?
When?

Is it an attribute to expose and rebuke evil deeds done by our government; and yes, even those 'so called' churches who do evil deeds in darkness, and yet profess Christianity in the name of Jesus?
We are to expose evil and rebuke it in the name of Jesus regardless of who is oppressing God's people.

Is our liberty in jeopardy?
No! Our liberty is not in jeopardy when we ACT by exposing and rebuking the evil deeds of darkness brought upon people by its government and churches.

How?
By taking action, we are exercising our freedom in Christ. Thank you in Jesus' name that we can speak up and stand up for Truth. And, who is Truth?

Why?
Exposing evil deeds of darkness is a wonderful opportunity for God's people to shine and glorify Him. Amen

When?
NOW. We take action to expose evil by the Holy Spirit's power that lives in us. Amen

Stephen a man after God's own heart, had no problem standing up for Truth. Acts 6

Where are the 'Stephens' in the 21st century?

Wake up O sleeper,
Arise from the dead,
And, Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14

ARE YOU A LIGHTBEARER?

Are you living in the light?

For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds.

This is why it is said,

Awake O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you. (Christ will give you light).

Ephesians 5