Jesus Loves You More Than You Can Ever Imagine

Beloved, Jesus loves you more than you can ever imagine. His love for you is an everlasting love, and His kindness towards you is an unfailing kindness. (see Jeremiah 31:3). If Jesus loved you and died for you while you were still a sinner, be convinced that He loves you even more so, because you are righteous in Him. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21, with Romans 5:8-11). During His earth walk, Jesus truly demonstrated His love for the poor, the sinful, the sick, and the downtrodden. Jesus never condemned sinners nor shunned their company. He never judged sinners nor made them feel guiltier than they already felt. Look at the stories of the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the fishermen, the blind, the lame and the sick that Jesus encountered. All He did was love them in a way that brought them to repentance and forgiveness, healing and transformation. The Bible says that God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance. (see Romans 2:4). No wonder Jesus was so kind to sinners! He never made any sinner feel more guilty or ashamed than he already felt. Indeed Jesus was a friend of sinners. On a certain occasion Jesus went out of His way just to meet with a Samaritan woman — a sinner (see John 4:1-42). The Samaritan woman’s name was not mentioned in the story because she represents every sinner; she represents who I was and who you were before we came to Christ. What motivated Jesus to meet with the Samaritan woman was love, and love is what motivated Him to meet with us in our own personal encounters with Christ that has given us eternal life today. And so today love should be the force that motivates or compels us to also share the gospel of Christ with others. The Bible says that Jesus considered it a must or a need to go through Samaria, as He left Judea and departed again to Galilee (see John 4:3-4). And the obvious reason was that He had an imperative divine appointment with this Samaritan woman — an appointment that would bring her the good news of the Kingdom of God and change her life forever from a rotten, shameful, lonely and empty sinner, to a delightful, joy-filled, unashamed, and effective evangelist heralding the sighting of the Messiah to the men of her city and leading them to saving faith. What an amazing transformation the love of Christ brings! And what an amazing expression of love from Jesus our Lord to this Samaritan woman!

It is important to note also that this woman in the story wasn’t just a sinner, she was a Samaritan. And the Jews, during this period in history, considered the Samaritans as enemies — as dogs, as demons with whom they had no dealings (see John 8:48; Matthew 15:26; John 4:9). And so, for Jesus to visit this Samaritan woman, Jesus needed not only to break the gender barrier that was very prevalent also during this period in history, but the racial, religious, social, as well as political barriers between the Jews and the Samaritans. And He did! By meeting and interacting with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus gave her a firsthand experience of His love — the kind of love that knows no bounds. Jesus gave her not just a taste, but a full serving of what it means to be wanted, to be cared for, and to be loved selflessly. Jesus showed this Samaritan woman His great love, and gave her grace. He knew every sin she had ever committed, and still reached out to her and loved her anyway. This Samaritan woman had a thirst for true love that no man had been able to satisfy until now. She had been abused and used by many men in her village as she was married and divorced by five men, one after another, and the man she had now was not even her husband. (see John 4:17-18). Jesus knew about this Samaritan woman’s thirst for everlasting life and for true love — the God kind of love — and He satisfied that thirst, just as He has satisfied your thirst and my thirst, and will satisfy the thirst of all who are willing to embrace Him. As Jesus Himself told the Samaritan woman, whoever drinks of the water Jesus gives will NEVER thirst. But the water that He shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. (see John 4:14).

Indeed, Jesus is the ultimate lover; He is Love. Today I recommend Jesus to you if you haven’t accepted Him yet as your Lord and Savior. He is the cure for your lonely heart. He knows everything about you and loves you anyway. If you thirst for everlasting life, if you thirst for true love, come to Jesus, because He alone can satisfy your thirst; He alone can fill the void or the emptiness within. If you rely on man for love, or if you drink from human relationships alone, you will thirst again; only Jesus can satisfy the thirst of your soul for true love and eternal life. And Jesus is reaching out to you today just as He reached out to the Samaritan woman, just as He reached out to me. He says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (see Matthew 11:28 NIV). Then He adds for the benefit of those who still find it difficult to come; He says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20 NIV). What an amazing invitation to a love feast, to a love relationship and fellowship with Jesus! What an amazing love Jesus has for us! He loves you, and He wants to fellowship with you if you're willing to have Him. He has extended an open invitation to everyone. He loves you greatly. But, you see, He will never violate your free will by forcing you to accept His love. Jesus’ love extends to people of all race, age, gender, or creed. His love and warmth always attracted all manner of people to Him during His earth walk. It made faithful disciples out of the worst sinners. It attracted parents to bring their little children to Him for blessing. And boy, how Jesus loved these little children! On a certain occasion when His disciples rebuked and tried to prevent the little children from coming to Jesus, the Bible says that “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (see Mark 10:13-14). In fact, this was one of the few times Jesus was angry, indignant. Jesus loves it when we, His little children, come to Him, because He loves us greatly. And so He gets angry with anything or anyone who tries to prevent us from coming to Him. May you come to Him today to drink from His fountain of love, so that you will never thirst. Amen.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

You are Dead to Sin, So Live For Righteousness

As new creations in Christ, the Bible says that we were baptized into the death of Christ (the death He died to sin once for all); then we were buried with Him through baptism into death, “that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life.” (see Romans 6:3-4). Hence we are dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ. (see Romans 6:11). Because we died to sin (with Christ), we can no longer live in sin. (see Romans 6:2). We have been raised with Christ to walk in love, to walk in the light, to walk in good works, to walk in the newness of life. Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we, having died to sins, might LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (see 1 Peter 2:24). "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." (Colossians 3:5 NASB). If in this life, we call ourselves believers and desire to be vessels for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, then we have to depart from iniquity and live a life that brings glory to God our Father. Paul in his second letter to Timothy said, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “LET EVERYONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY.” But in a great house there are NOT only vessels of gold and silver, BUT also of wood and clay, some FOR HONOR and some FOR DISHONOR. Therefore IF ANYONE CLEANSES HIMSELF from the latter (that is, dishonor), he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and USEFUL for the Master, PREPARED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. Flee also youthful lusts; but PURSUE righteousness, faith, LOVE, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:19-22). When we walk in love, we will not walk in selfishness, envy and pride; we will not sin, and we will flee youthful lusts — we will depart from iniquity, and make ourselves useful for the Master as vessels for honor, prepared for every good work. The Bible says, "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." (James 3:16). This means that self-seeking, together with envy is the opposite of everything love stands for. Hence, the Bible says, “Owe no one anything EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, for HE WHO LOVES ANOTHER HAS FULFILLED THE LAW. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, ARE ALL SUMMED UP in this saying, namely, “You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore LOVE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us CAST OFF THE WORKS OF DARKNESS, and LET US PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT. Let us WALK PROPERLY, as IN THE DAY, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and MAKE NO PROVISION for THE FLESH, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:8-14).

Beloved, you cannot walk worthy of your calling in Christ or walk in the newness of life without first putting on the Lord Jesus Christ or knowing and being conscious of who you are in Christ, without first knowing that you are the light of the world, without first knowing that you are a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) created in true holiness and righteousness (see Ephesians 4:24), created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that you should walk in them. (see Ephesians 2:10). Throughout the New Testament epistles, we are exhorted to rest in the reality of our NEW NATURE in Christ and to “die daily” and allow Christ to live in us. (see Galatians 2:20). We don’t have to struggle to be like Jesus, because we are already as Jesus is in this world (see 1 John 4:17) — He is the Vine and we are the branches (see John 15:5); He is the Head and we are the Body. (see Colossians 1:18). All we need to do then is to remain in Him and allow His life to flow in us and through us. This is our true calling, and this is true Christianity! We are to walk worthy of our calling (see Ephesians 4:1) — walk in love as Christ has loved us (see Ephesians 5:2); walk as children of light (see Ephesians 5:8-14); walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise (see Ephesians 5:15); walk in newness of life (see Romans 6:4); walk in good works (see Ephesians 2:10); etc. Unfortunately believers who don’t have a full revelation of who they are in Christ would approach every one of these instructions as a law or work to be accomplished by self-effort. But for the New Covenant believer, these are all good works that God has prepared beforehand for us to walk in them, through the power of the Holy Spirit that is in us.

In Ephesians 4:17-24, Paul tells believers: “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should NO LONGER WALK as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, BECAUSE OF THE IGNORANCE THAT IS IN THEM, because of the BLINDNESS OF THEIR HEART; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. BUT YOU have NOT so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you PUT OFF, concerning your former conduct, THE OLD MAN which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND, and that you PUT ON THE NEW MAN which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17-24). The legalistic or carnal Christian, or believers who walk “in the flesh” will read these verses and say, “You see, we must behave as Christians; we must work hard not to be lewd, unclean and greedy. This is what God requires of a Christian. We must keep the Law to be righteous and holy. If you do all of these in obedience to God, you will be blessed.” Have you encountered that kind of thinking? That kind of approach would be similar to a baby trying to walk before learning how to sit!

When read in its context, however, it becomes clear from the verses that unbelievers walk in lewdness, uncleanness and greed because they DO NOT have the revelation of the gospel. Their MINDS have been DARKENED. You, however, HAVE the revelation of the gospel. When you believed in Jesus Christ you became a new creation. You received a new nature in Christ — the new man. This new man is created in true righteousness and holiness (in the same nature as God). Your sinful self — called the old man has been crucified on the cross and no longer exists. Because you have this revelation, you have learned how to sit. Hence, these verses are not about a Christian trying to keep the law to try to be righteous and holy. Rather, it is about what Christ has already done — He has made you righteous and holy so that you can live a life of holiness, and practice righteousness. Therefore, your part is to know and believe (or rest in) this truth and be perpetually conscious of your holy and righteous identity. When you are conscious of your new identity in Christ, it means you have put on the NEW MAN. And the Holy Spirit (who is at work in you with the full power of God — see Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 3:20) will cause you to walk in your new nature — in true righteousness and holiness. This is what it means to walk in the Spirit and be “led by the Spirit.” Those who keep the law to be righteous are walking “in the flesh” (or self-effort) and are not led by the Spirit. The Bible says that all of us who are led by the Spirit are not under the law (see Galatians 5:18). And because the Spirit leads us, we walk in the Spirit, and do not walk in the lusts of the flesh. (see Galatians 5:16). Galatians 5:24 emphasizes that, “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Thus, because we’re led by the Spirit, we do not fulfill the desires and passions of the body; we walk in the fruit of the Spirit, which is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (see Galatians 5:22-23). And the Bible says against the fruit of the Spirit, there is no law. In other words, the fruit is greater than the law. For example, the law says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” but it does not empower you to obey it. Nor does it empower you love your spouse. Only the Spirit can empower you to both stay away from adultery and love your spouse at the same time, as you get a revelation of how much Christ has loved you, and allow His love (which is the fruit of the Spirit) to flow through you to your spouse and to others.

As believers in Christ, our understanding is now enlightened so that we can walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise. (see Ephesians 5:15). We cannot be friends with the world  (its lusts and pleasures) anymore, because we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God. (see 1 Corinthians 2:12). The Bible says that friendship with the world is enmity with God; and so whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (see James 4:4). As believers, we are in the world but not of the world (see John 15:19; John 17:16); we are of God. (see 1 John 4:4). God has put His Spirit in our hearts (see 2 Corinthians 1:22), so we have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to open the eyes of our understanding. When we walk in the wisdom that the Spirit gives, it will reflect in our conduct. James asks, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show BY GOOD CONDUCT that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13). Many Christians, rather than walk in the wisdom and understanding of God, try to walk in their own wisdom and understanding (that comes from self) — be it from their education, or years of life experiences. But the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and LEAN NOT on your OWN UNDERSTANDING; In all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him, AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS. Do NOT be wise in your OWN eyes; Fear the Lord and DEPART FROM EVIL.” (Proverbs 3:5-7). A person who trusts in his own wisdom will naturally reject the wisdom of God when God gives a new revelation or direction. Needless to say, that is a dangerous way to live. In all the wisdom of the learned Pharisees, they did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah (or the Christ). In all the wisdom of Saul (Paul), he persecuted the church of God, and he did it in all good conscience. (see Acts 22-23:1).

Before we can walk circumspectly as wise, we need to rest (or trust) in the fact that Wisdom is a person, that Jesus is our wisdom. Paul says, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us WISDOM from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB). Jesus is our wisdom, and since Jesus lives in us, wisdom lives in us. The Spirit of wisdom and revelation is at work in us, and the Bible declares that we have the mind of Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). So when we rest in the reality of Christ living in us, when we depend on the Holy Spirit who is in us, we will begin to walk in true wisdom which is of God. And when we walk in the wisdom of God, we will not behave as fools by living in sin. We will walk as children of light, which we truly are. (see Ephesians 5:8-9). Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

Harness The Law of Faith

Beloved, catch this important revelation, and come to understand how things work in the spiritual realm. There are spiritual laws in place in this world, just as there are natural (or physical) laws. There is the law of sin and death, and there is the law of the Spirit of life or the Law of the Holy Spirit -- (see Romans 8:2). As believers, the Bible says we have been delivered or made free from the law of sin and death, and are now under the law of the Spirit of life (the Spirit of life being the Holy Spirit). We are led by the Spirit (see Romans 8:14). Today, all believers are to live and walk by faith and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, there is such a thing as THE LAW OF FAITH. (see Romans 3:27). The Bible says,

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. BY WHAT LAW? Of works? No, but by THE LAW OF FAITH." (Romans 3:27 NKJV).

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, IN YOUR MOUTH and IN YOUR HEART ” (that is, the WORD OF FAITH which we preach):" (Romans 10:8 NKJV).

"And since we have THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK" (2 CORINTHIANS 4:13 NKJV).

All of these verses quoted above concern the LAW OF FAITH. The LAW OF FAITH says, “BELIEVE in your heart, and then SPEAK.” (see 2 Corinthians 4:13). And whatever it is you're speaking will manifest or come into physical existence. That is how God created the world—"God, who gives life to the dead and CALLS THOSE THINGS WHICH DO NOT EXIST AS THOUGH THEY DID” (see Romans 4:17 NKJV). God created the world by the Law of Faith. In the same token, you can create your own world or chart the course of your life by harnessing the Law of Faith.

The LAW OF FAITH is always at work, whether we recognize it or not, whether we believe it or not. Indeed, THE LAW OF FAITH is at work right now whether you are aware of it or not, whether you believe it or not, just like any other law, such as THE LAW OF GRAVITY. Whether you believe in the existence and operation of the law of gravity or not doesn't change the truth that it is there and at work. If you doubt the law of gravity and thus jump off a tall building or a cliff right now (in the natural sense), you won't even arrive shattering on the ground to your death before you're convinced about the law of gravity. And so, in the natural sense, if you believe in the existence of the Law of Gravity, you will cooperate with it, and it will work for your benefit. But if you don’t believe it, then it will work against you. There are some people who say (when it comes to spiritual laws), that if you don't believe it, it won't work for you. But that is not the entire truth. If you don't believe it, IT WILL WORK AGAINST YOU. Now, that's just the truth.

Beloved, you will live a miraculous life if you harness the law of faith. Your “normal or natural” will become somebody's “supernatural.” You can command things to happen, and they will, as you walk by the Law of Faith.

Indeed, for a miracle to come forth by your command (or your word), your heart must work in agreement with the Word spoken from your mouth. For instance, "Be healed" or “Get up and walk” will have no impact on the sick or the paralytic, unless it springs forth from faith that is in your heart. It has to be a heartfelt and faith-filled command. The mouth and the heart must work in agreement in faith. This is what the Bible means when it says, “the word is near you, IN YOUR MOUTH and IN YOUR HEART” (see Romans 10:8). It is also what the Bible means when it says, “we also BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK" (see 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13 NKJV). It is again what the Bible means when it says, “WITH THE HEART ONE BELIEVES unto righteousness, and WITH THE MOUTH confession is made UNTO SALVATION.” (see Romans 10:10 NKJV). Salvation in this context is an all-encompassing word that includes every positive thing you want to see happen in your life. If you can believe anything in your heart (based on the Word of God) and speak it with your mouth, it will happen just as you believed and spoke it. (see also Mark 9:23; Matthew 17:20). When you believe in your heart and utter a command (with no doubting), you will have the desired results.

Some people think if they say something over and over long enough, they will come to believe it, and then it will produce the desired results. But the truth is that, you have to believe it to say it. You say it because the Word of God (which is not a lie) says so, and you believe the Word. And so you don't stop confessing or saying it because you don't see a manifestation of it in the physical realm. You keep saying it (whether it manifests in the physical or not), because as far as you are concerned, what you are saying is the truth (or the reality), because the Word of God says so and you believe the Word, as opposed to whatever it is you are seeing or hearing. This is how you get the desired results in the spiritual realm.  But unfortunately, many people are like Thomas -- they want to see it first before they believe it, before they say it. Jesus said the blessed ones (or the ones who always get the desired results) are the ones who have not seen and yet have believed. (see John 20:29). The same law of faith applies in prayer. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE them, AND YOU WILL HAVE them." (Mark 11:24 NKJV). "...ask in FAITH, with NO DOUBTING, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:6‭-‬7 NKJV). Whatever it is you want, you have to believe in your heart first that you have it (because all things are yours -- see 1 Corinthians 3:21), then speak it or call it into (physical) existence, and believe you have received the desired results; and you will see it manifest. That is the secret, if it is a secret at all. The Bible says, “The secret of the Lord  is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” (Psalm 25:14 NKJV).

Beloved, when it comes to healing, for example, don't say you are healed just because you think by saying it over and over you will be healed. Believe first that you are healed, and then keep saying it based on the truth of the Word of God. The Bible says, "By His stripes we are healed" (see Isaiah 53:5), and that settles it. Believe it. I believe it. And so it doesn't matter if, for instance, my head aches with the strongest ache ever recorded or experienced by man, it doesn't matter if the doctor tells me I have cancer, I am not going to change my confession to say that I am sick.  No. I'm an inhabitant of Mount Zion (see Hebrews 12:22). The Bible says, “And no inhabitant [of Zion] will say, “I am sick”; The people who dwell there will be forgiven their wickedness [their sin, their injustice, their wrongdoing]. (Isaiah 33:24 AMP). And so I won't say I am sick. I will talk to the condition or the pain, and say, "You pain, you don't belong in my body. Be gone now in Jesus' name. By His stripes I am healed." Then I will keep saying I am healed, no matter how the pain intensifies. I will confess my healing (and not the pain or sickness, if you may), because I believe the Word of God which says I am healed. I don't confess it in order that, perchance, I may believe it for it to come to pass; I confess it because I believe it has come to pass. My healing already occurred in the past. Thus Peter said,”...by whose stripes YOU WERE HEALED.” (see 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV). I was healed, and I am still healed. I own the healing. It is mine. How can I try to get what is already mine. I just have to lay hold of it or possess it, by believing and confessing it is mine. Then the Supreme Justice of the universe who enforces all spiritual laws -- the Lord God Almighty -- will enforce my healing and bring my healing into its physical manifestation, just as I have believed and confessed. Indeed when I know and believe any promise or blessing of God that is mine, and I confess it, no one can take it from me. Hallelujah! The Bible says, “all the promises of God in Him are YES, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God THROUGH US.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV). Begin to harness the law of faith, and lay hold of all the promises of God. Begin to possess your possessions. The Bible says, “See, I HAVE GIVEN YOU this land. GO IN AND TAKE POSSESSION of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.” (Deuteronomy 1:8 NIV). What are you waiting for, beloved? God has spoken; just do whatever He’s telling you to do. “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (see Galatians 3:29 NKJV). God has already given you every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. (see Ephesians 1:3). Your responsibility is to just possess them or lay hold of them by faith. May you assume that responsibility today. Jesus said, “IF YOU CAN BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE to him who believes.” (see Mark 9:23 NKJV). You are the one who believes. Remain blessed.

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

Faith is at the Core of Our Christian Walk

Clearly, spiritual things can only be perceived by our re-created spirit (through faith). Our physical senses can't discern spiritual things. Therefore, faith is at the core of our Christian walk. Throughout Jesus' ministry on earth before and after His resurrection, His emphasis was always on faith, and not on sight. Even the nature of His birth takes faith to accept: He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin, and a lowly virgin at that. Although Jesus was the “Mighty God” (see Isaiah 9:6) who had come into the world incognito, He chose not to arrive on earth in some grandiose style. The world He Himself had created even made no room for Him when He arrived in Bethlehem; all the inns were full, so that He was born in a manger. The Lord of the whole universe was born in a manger. Then His birth was announced not to the kings of the world, but to lowly shepherds. When He came of age and started His Ministry on earth, Jesus was referred to as the "carpenter's son" by those who sought to deride Him by his humble background. Thus, when one considered the physical background and circumstances of Jesus, it took faith to recognize that He was God. Those who were looking to accept Him by sight were obviously disappointed. And it was in such manner that Jesus conducted His entire earthly ministry.

Let's consider a few instances where Jesus emphasized Faith as superior to Sight. John the Baptist had introduced Jesus twice as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (see John 1:29; John 1:36). Yet, when John was imprisoned, he started to harbor doubts about Jesus as the Messiah. So John sent messengers to Jesus to ask Him if He was indeed the Messiah that was to come. (see Matthew 11:1-3). Jesus could have satisfied John's quest for a confirmation by just saying “Yes” to his question. But that was not Jesus' style. He sent back the messengers to John with a message pointing John to the prophecies in the Scriptures about the works of the Messiah (as recorded in Isaiah 35:5-6) and the fulfillment of those prophecies in Him. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their 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. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Matthew 11:4-6 KJV).

Again, when Jesus rose from the dead, He never showed Himself to a single person who wasn’t already one of His disciples. We would think it would've been great for Him to have walked the streets of Jerusalem and into Pilate's palace so that the multitudes that had witnessed His crucifixion would see Him in His resurrected body and believe that He was indeed the Christ. But that’s not the nature of our God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Even when Jesus appeared to His disciples on the road to Emmaus (on the day of His resurrection), He prevented them from seeing Him as the risen Christ. Instead, He opened their eyes to Scriptures that pointed to His death and resurrection. (See Luke 24:15-16; Mark 16:12). And upon hearing those Scriptural teachings about Christ, their hearts burned within them. (see Luke 24:32). “Is not My Word like a fire?” says the Lord.” (see Jeremiah 23:29). No wonder the Bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. (see Romans 10:17). Jesus would later appear to all His disciples and declare to Thomas (who had previously doubted the other disciples' account of an earlier visitation by the resurrected Christ) that "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (see John 20:29). Indeed, in the eyes of God, faith is truly superior to sight.

My dear reader, the Christian walk is a walk of faith. Every benefit of the finished work of Jesus is received by faith, because it is only by faith that we access grace (the undeserved, unmerited favor of God). And without faith it is impossible to please God. (see Hebrews 11:6). Thus, Romans 5:2 says, “We have access BY FAITH into this GRACE in which we stand.” Hence, we're saved by grace through FAITH in Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:8-9). We're made righteous by FAITH in Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17; Romans 3:22). We're healed by FAITH in Jesus Christ. (see Mark 10:52; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). We inherit the blessings of Abraham by FAITH in Jesus Christ. (see Galatians 3:14-15; Romans 4:13-16). We move the mountains (of our problems) by FAITH in Jesus Christ. (see Matthew 17:20). We overcome the devil by FAITH in the blood of Jesus. (see Revelation 12:11). We fight the good fight of Faith (see 1 Timothy 6:12). Paul admonishes us in Colossians 2:6-7, "AS you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, SO WALK IN Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in THE FAITH, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." Since we received Christ by GRACE through FAITH, and not by the law or through the works of the law, Paul is basically saying we should walk the Christian walk in the same way we got saved and received the Spirit of God —  that is, by GRACE through FAITH (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Hence, Paul was angry with the Church in Galatia when they started moving away from Faith to the works of the Law. And he said to them, “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the WORKS OF THE LAW, or by the hearing of FAITH? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3). Like the Church of Galatia, there are many believers today who just can’t bring themselves to accept the truth that righteousness is a gift that must be accepted by faith in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:20-22; Romans 5:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Many believers insist on being under the Law and working for their own righteousness rather than accepting (by faith) that they are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately, it appears that faith is more difficult for many people than works of the law. But Paul said, “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” (Galatians 2:21). Beloved, we cannot walk the Christian walk by the flesh (or self efforts at keeping the Law of Moses); we are to walk by faith in Jesus our Savior. We are to grow in our dependence on Him — from faith to faith. We're also not to respond to our natural circumstances and situations with human effort, but with faith in the finished work of Christ. God is pleased when we live our lives by faith in Him, in spite of the circumstances in which we may find ourselves. It is only by believing everything the Bible says about who we are in Christ that our lifestyle or conduct will reflect that reality. If we believe right, we will certainly live right. Faith is how we walk in the Spirit. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). “The just shall live by faith.” (see Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38; Habakkuk 2:4). May you live and walk by faith. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

What Type of Follower Are You Among the Great Multitude of People Following Jesus Today?

“Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And A GREAT MULTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE FOLLOWED Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’  Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’  For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (Luke 23:26‭-‬31 NKJV, emphasis mine).

The Scriptures quoted above show that A GREAT MULTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE FOLLOWED JESUS as He was led away to Golgotha to be crucified, even though, as we can glean from their behavior at the scene of the crucifixion, not all of the multitude of the people followed Jesus for the right reasons. Some only followed Him to mock Him (see Mark 15:29; Matthew 27:39-40) — they didn’t follow Him because they believed in Him. Others followed just to look on. (Luke 23:35). Similarly, there are many people today that only follow Jesus to mock Him; many false believers and false prophets are following Jesus — mocking Him. Others are following Him just out of curiosity, looking on. And yet, there are many true followers too who genuinely love the Lord. And so we are told that among the multitude that followed Jesus were WOMEN WHO ALSO MOURNED and LAMENTED Him. But Jesus told them not to weep for Him, but to weep for themselves and their children. (see Luke 23:28). Indeed, we (mankind in general) cannot read or listen to the account of Jesus’ crucifixion and weep for Him. No, we should rather weep for ourselves and for our children, because we are the ones that are pitiful, not Him. We are the ones that have sinned and are bound for hell. We are the dry wood — alienated from the life of God. (see Ephesians 4:18). Jesus is the Green Wood — sinless and full of life (see John 5:26) — who stepped in on His own volition to save us. (see John 10:18). He laid down His life out of His own free will — out of His great love, having come into the world for this very purpose; so there is no weeping for Him. But we should weep for ourselves and for our children, especially those who hear the good news of Christ and the eternal life He offers, and yet refuse to accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Jesus asked, “for if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (see Luke 23:31). In other words, if they treated Jesus the Green Wood this way; if they subjected the sinless one in whom is life to such cruel punishment and suffering, imagine what would be done to the dry wood — the sinners who have no life in them. Indeed, such sinners would cry and beg for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them, than for them to face the fiery wrath of God that would be revealed in the last day. In the Book of Revelation, we are told that when the sixth seal was opened, “the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:15-17).

May you be counted among those of us who have genuinely repented of our sins and follow Jesus because we sincerely believe in Him as our Lord and Savior. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

The Word of God Endures Forever

Beloved, God’s Word is truth, and it does not change. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35). God’s Word will never change nor pass away. God does not change. (see Malachi 3:6). Whatever He is, He is permanently. He is the same yesterday, and today and forevermore. (see Hebrews 13:8). So whatever He said yesterday is true today, tomorrow, and forevermore. In the beginning, He was the Word, and He is still the Word. He (the Word) became flesh (a Man), and He is still a Man in Heaven today. (see John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16, with 1 Timothy 2:5). He is a Spirit, and He is still a Spirit today. (see John 4:24). And He is forever a triune God. Godliness is a mystery. (see 1 Timothy 3:16). God is unchanging. He is His Word. Hence, His Word is unchanging; it endures forever. (see Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25). The Psalmist says God has exalted or magnified His Word above His name (see Psalm 138:2), and it's all because He is His Word. God and His Word are one. Believing in His Word (which you can see and read or hear) is how you believe in God (whom you cannot see). This is why you should always believe that you are what God's Word says you are; you have what God's Word says you have; and you can do what God’s Word says you can do. Believing the Word and doing the Word is how you walk in the truth; it is how you walk in the Spirit. The Bible says God’s Word is alive and active (see Hebrews 4:12). That is why we call it the living Word. It is always alive. And whenever we lift a Word from the pages of the Bible and place it on our lips, that Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts through every darkness — every problem, every difficulty, every hopelessness, and it sheds its light abroad. This is why the Bible is also called Good News. When words from the Bible are spoken in faith and with love, news begins to happen — sinners get saved, the sick get healed, the lame leap onto their feet, the dead come to life; and news is made: good news! And this is all because, God watches over His Word to perform it. (see Jeremiah 1:12). The Bible says, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11).

Beloved, trust God's word, because it does exactly what it promises, when mixed with faith. God's word happens when believers act on it in faith; it is always a “Now” Word; it accomplishes whatever it is meant to accomplish, "For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37 NIV). God's word is always potent; It is always alive, and it always causes the thing for which it is sent to happen. It prospers in the thing for which God sent it. For example, if it is a word for healing, the healing happens once the word is received or acted upon in faith. Therefore, make the Bible your closest companion and your final authority on all matters: read it, believe it, meditate on it, and act on it. Know the Scriptures and speak its promises over your life; be a doer of the Word. Let your zeal for the things of God be according to knowledge, so that you will not err. Walk in the truth.

The Bible says that on a certain occasion, Jesus was responding to a question raised by the Sadducees. "And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" (Mark 12:24 KJV). Jesus spoke these words to the Sadducees — men who felt in their own estimation that they were learned men and gatekeepers of the Law — and yet, how accurately it applies to us today. How accurately it applies especially to many of these man-ordained, self-proclaimed gatekeepers of the doctrines of the Church. And how relevant and timeless it is as a caution to everyone of us against not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. We err or go wrong and wander from the truth when we don't know the Scriptures. And when we don't know the Scriptures, then we also are not able to get a deep revelation and an experiential knowledge of the power of God. The apostle Paul also made such an observation of Israel and said, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that THEY HAVE A ZEAL FOR GOD, BUT NOT ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE. For they being IGNORANT OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS, and SEEKING TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, have NOT SUBMITTED to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:1-3). Clearly, zeal for God without right believing based on knowledge of the truth of God’s Word, cannot save anyone. But unfortunately this is also the problem we have among professed Christians today. I bear many professed Christians witness that they have a zeal for God and for the things of God, but not according to knowledge, and so they err. This same doctrine of righteousness by faith that Paul preached about is being rejected by many professed Christians today who seek to establish their own righteousness rather than submitting to or accepting the righteousness of God which is being offered as a gift to all who believe in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:21 with Romans 5:17). And this is just one of many areas where otherwise zealous Christians are erring because of a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures and of the power of God. Today there are so many false doctrines and teachings that have been wrapped around a thin layer of truth — I call it the false doctrine burrito — and are being fed to believers who know no better, because they themselves are not reading the Scriptures and verifying things for themselves. These so-called believers are so unlike the Berean Jews in the early Church, whose zeal for God was according to knowledge. These Berean Jews were more fair-minded and would not buy into just any doctrine without going into the Scriptures and verifying things for themselves. The Bible says, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY TO  FIND OUT WHETHER THESE THINGS WERE SO." (Acts 17:11). You see, the Bible describes people who receive the Word with all readiness and search the Scriptures to verify things for themselves as more fair-minded or noble people. I wonder what the opposite of that is.

Beloved, don't just accept my teaching because it's coming from me. Make sure you verify everything I say by searching the Scriptures for yourself. This is also the reason why I provide a Biblical reference for everything I say. In fact, I cannot emphasize this enough. Don't just accept any teaching you hear (as truth) without verifying the Scriptures for yourself. And don't allow anybody to convince you that they have their own private interpretation of the Scriptures, and that they are the only people who have the credentials and the right to tell you what the Scriptures mean. Learn from Elihu when he says, “I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.” (Job 32:7-9). The Scriptures mean one and the same thing even when read by a child. The Bible says, we all should know "this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:20-21). Read the Scriptures for yourself. It is the Holy Spirit who inspired the writers of the Scriptures, and you also have the Holy Spirit to help you understand the Scriptures. The apostle John, assuring believers that we have the promise of eternal life, said, "These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing (that is, the Holy Spirit) which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him." (I John 2:26-27). Don't allow yourself to be deceived, beloved, and do not be self-deceived either, because you will err if you don't study the Scriptures yourself and come to know the power of God. The blame is squarely on you if you allow anyone to deceive you and lead you to hell with false doctrines and philosophies of men. From my experience, those who clamor for the biggest religious titles are often the ones who have no revelation knowledge of the Scriptures; they are often the ones who try to comprehend the Scriptures by human reasoning, and they often preach or teach sense knowledge, and not revelation knowledge. Nothing is true or makes sense to them (spiritually), unless they can logically explain it. One time Jesus asked a group of such people — who were called the Pharisees — some questions about what the parentage of the Christ is according to the Scriptures, but they couldn't answer Him. (see Matthew 22:41-46). The Bible says, “And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.” (Matthew 22:46). Ironically these men saw themselves as the learned men and teachers of Israel. Prior to this, they even had the nerve to ask Jesus by what authority He was teaching and conducting His ministry. (see Matthew 21:23). On another occasion Jesus also questioned another Pharisee whose name was Nicodemus; He asked, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” (see John 3:10). Indeed, it is baffling!

If I could only tell you one thing in conclusion, I would echo the inspired words of the apostle Paul, that "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..." (Colossians 3:16). And I can promise you that the Word will build your faith (see Romans 10:17), reveal and multiply grace to you (see 2 Peter 1:2), and give you an assurance of salvation (see 1 John 5:13). Indeed, the Word will “build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32).

But how can God's Word dwell in you richly in all wisdom? Paul again gives us the answer in his second letter to a young pastor named Timothy. He said, “STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). This is right in line with what God told Joshua in the Old Testament. He said, “This Book of the Law SHALL NOT DEPART FROM YOUR MOUTH, but you shall MEDITATE IN IT DAY AND NIGHT, that you may OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN IN IT. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8). In other words, Joshua was being asked to study the Word of God and meditate on it until the Word becomes his consciousness, until everything he spoke and did was right in line with the Word of God. Joshua was to make his home in the Word of God. God is telling all of us the same thing. In fact, Jesus said to His disciples that we are to abide or make our home in Him (and of course, He is the Word, just as John 1:1, 14 says, and Revelation 19:13 affirms); we are also to allow His words to abide or make their home in us. (see John 15:7). We are all to STUDY the Word of truth or the Word of God to understand it so that we can rightly divide it in a way that is approved by God. We are never to speak anything that is not in agreement with the Word of God, but are to meditate on God’s Word day and night, that we may be doers of the Word. (see Joshua 1:8, with James 1:22). And we have the Holy Spirit to help us accomplish this. Thus, if you truly desire to walk in truth, you need to STUDY the Word of God with the help of your Teacher — the Anointing or the Holy Spirit — who abides or remains in you. You have to let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

When the Word of Christ dwells in you richly in all wisdom, it will show in your speech and your actions: you will be a transformed man; you will not speak like the rest of the world do; your speech and actions will not conform to the speech and actions of unbelievers or those who are of the world. (see  Romans 12:1-2). You will be unique and distinct from the world, because you will be a man sanctified (or set apart) by the truth, which is the Word of God. (see John 17:17). You will have the mindset of the righteous. You will be as separated from the world as light is separated from darkness. (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-15). Your light will so shine before men, that they will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. (see Matthew 5:16). This is the reason Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14). You will SHINE in this world and STAND OUT as a city on a hill, when you walk according to the truth of God's Word. When Jesus walked on this earth, He stood out as Light in this dark world, because not only was He the truth, He also walked in the truth. To the Jews who did not believe in Jesus and sought to kill Him, Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44). Here, Jesus gave us a very important revelation about Satan (the devil), and the revelation is that the devil DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH. This means that when you stand in the truth (of God’s Word), Satan will not stand with you. When you walk in the truth (of God's Word), Satan will not walk with you. In other words, Satan is afraid of the truth. This is why every believer must stand and walk in the truth. The only safe ground in this world is the truth, and the Truth is Jesus Christ (see John 14:6); the Truth is the Word of God (see John 17:17). James says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). Submit to the truth.

Many people often quote the last part of James 4:7 and ignore the first part. But the point is that you cannot resist the devil without first submitting to God, without first submitting to the Truth. To resist anything, you must first be leaning on something stronger. For instance, in order for you to successfully resist a strong wind, you must be holding on to and allowing yourself to be held by a rock or an object which cannot be moved by the wind. Similarly, God and for that matter, our Lord Jesus Christ, is our Rock (see 1 Peter 2:6-8; Isaiah 26:4), He is the truth (see John 14:6), and we have to submit to and lean on Him in order to successfully resist the devil. Submitting to God and to the Lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ is accomplished by submitting to the Word of God, which is the Truth. We have to submit to or agree with and walk according to what God’s Word says about who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, and what we can do through Christ and with the power and authority that we have in Christ. When we believe God's Word and do (or act on) God's Word, then have we submitted to God, then are we leaning on the immovable Rock, then are we walking in the truth or standing in the truth; and Satan will not stand with us, because he does not stand in the truth. Satan flees when we resist him with the truth of God's Word. When we walk in the truth, we can successfully resist the devil, we can successfully resist every attack and every temptation of the devil. Indeed we know we have truly submitted to God when we have full assurance in our heart that the Bible is in truth the Word of God, and thus renew our minds with what the Bible says. We have to make God’s thoughts our thoughts and His opinions our opinions. After all, the Bible says we (i.e in our spirit) have the mind of Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). We should make this truth manifest in our body through the renewal of the mind of our body with the Word of God. When Jesus walked here on earth, He was able to resist the devil by leaning on the truth of God's Word when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness. (see Luke 4:1-13). Because the devil does not stand in the truth, he fled when Jesus continually confessed and did what the Word of Truth says, as opposed to what Satan wanted Him to do. Confessing and doing the truth (which is God's Word) is how we resist the devil. Satan may also know the written Word of God and may even quote it sometimes, but the truth is that he does not have the revelation and an understanding of the Word, so he cannot rightly divide the Word of truth; nor does he stand in the truth or do the Word. This is why the ministers of Satan who have infiltrated Christian churches today are not able to preach the truth and do the Word. Yes, they can quote the Scriptures alright, but because they themselves don't understand it and cannot rightly divide it, they deceive their followers with their teachings. On a certain occasion, when the disciples of Jesus asked Him why He spoke the way He did (and in that particular context, why He spoke in parables) to the people, “He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, BUT TO THEM IT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, NOR DO THEY UNDERSTAND.” (Matthew 13:11, 13). Indeed it has been given to every believer to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and  to understand the Word of God, and by submitting to it, resist the devil, and he will flee from us. May you submit to the truth of God’s Word, for the Word of God endures forever. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

How to Grow and Strengthen Your Faith

Beloved, God does many things for us, but He has also given us the ability and the responsibility to do certain things for ourselves, and exercising, strengthening, and growing our faith is one of them. As a believer, you don't need to struggle to have faith; the Bible says that you already have the measure of faith. (see Romans 12:3). Every Word from God is filled or loaded with FAITH. This faith cannot be invented or manufactured by man. It is a gift (see Ephesians 2:8) that can only come from God through the hearing of His Word. Therefore, one can receive FAITH only as it is imparted to the heart by God Himself through the hearing of His Word. (see Romans 10:17). And the good news is that God is always giving or imparting the gift of faith as we hear His Word preached, and as we read the Bible for ourselves. It is ultimately up to us to receive or accept and lay hold on the faith God gives us through His Word. Right now as you read or hear the message in this piece, faith is being imparted to you. Thus, it is important what you allow yourself to read or hear on a regular basis. Are you continually hearing the Word of God which will build or grow your faith? Or are you hearing the philosophies of men that will plant doubts in your heart?

Indeed, as a believer you were saved by grace through FAITH. (see Ephesians 2:8-9). This FAITH was gifted to you when you heard the Word of God. Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...” (see John 6:44). So God drew you to Jesus by giving you faith through the hearing of the gospel of Christ. God opened your heart to heed the message of the gospel. You couldn't have been saved without faith. Therefore you should know that you have faith. God didn't take the faith away from you after you got saved. No, God’s gifts and His calling are irrevocable. (see Romans 11:29). This is why Romans 12:3 says God has given to each believer the measure of faith. We all begin our Christian walk with the (same) measure or amount of faith. And that faith is enough to move a mountain if we would simply exercise it. (see Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6). Nothing will be impossible for us if we would just put that faith to use. Just as that faith came to us when we heard the Word of God, continually hearing the Word of God is how we can GROW that faith. Also, exercising our faith or putting our faith into practice is how we STRENGTHEN our faith. Begin to do everything the Bible says you can do. Begin to lay hands on the sick in the name of Jesus for them to recover. Begin to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. Begin to speak in new tongues in the name of Jesus, if you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said these signs will follow those who believe. (see Mark 16:17-18). Ask yourself if these signs are following you, and if they’re not, are you really one of those who believe? If you are in Christ, you are among those who believe. You don't need to struggle with faith; neither should you focus on your faith; just do what the Bible says you can do. When you study and focus on the Word of God, the Word will build your faith. (see Romans 10:17). When you act on the Word of God, the Word will strengthen your faith. Take the Word of God for what it is — accept God's Word as true, and act on it. That is faith.

Beloved, you are what God's Word says you are. You have what God's Word says you have. And you can do what God's Word says you can do. Just believe God’s Word and act on it. Faith is simply believing that God’s Word is truth, and then acting on God's Word. Be a doer of the Word. Never pray for faith or for God to increase your faith — that is sheer unbelief; and it is unacceptable under the New Covenant. On a certain occasion when Jesus’ disciples asked Him to increase their faith (see Luke 17:5), Jesus essentially pointed out to them that it wasn’t an increase in faith they needed, but that they just needed faith, period! I mean, how can you increase what you don’t have? And so Jesus said, “IF  you HAVE FAITH as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (see Luke 17:6). On another occasion Jesus also called his disciples “FAITHLESS and perverse generation.” (see Matthew 17:17).  But under the new Covenant, we have received the measure of faith, so we are not “faithless generation,” and we cannot ask the Lord for faith or to increase our faith. Asking God to increase your faith is just like asking your natural father to help you to believe or trust in his word or help you trust in him more. Every father will take that as an insult, and yet many believers do it to God without seeing anything wrong with it. As believers, we have been born into God’s family. Faith should be as normal and natural to us as it is in any beautiful family. We don’t have to be faith-conscious; we just have to be love-conscious. We have to know that our dear Father (God) loves us deeply and cares for us greatly. His love should give us confidence in His promises. His love should make us rest and trust that He will provide for us whatever we ask in the name of Jesus. (see John 16:23). We have to become as trusting of God as children are of their natural parents. I don't know of any child who struggles to find faith to receive anything from their father. Children don’t even think about faith when asking for something from their father; they just think about their father’s love for them. So why should believers struggle for faith when we need something from our Father? Oh what a difference it would make if we would just think about the Father's love instead of thinking about our faith! What a difference it would make if we were just as convinced as Paul that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (see Romans 8:38-39).

Indeed, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (see Romans 10:17). So just as you go to the gym to strengthen and grow your muscles, reading the Bible, meditating on it, and being a doer of the Word is how you grow and strengthen your faith. Nothing else will do. You cannot pray to God to give you muscles, because He has already given you muscles. Neither can you pray to God to give you faith because He has already given you the measure of faith. (see Romans 12:3). You cannot pray to God to increase your muscles because you can increase it yourself by exercising it. Similarly, no amount of prayer and fasting can increase your faith. Only the Word of God can, because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (see Romans 10:17). The Word of God is God; the Word of God is Jesus Himself (see John 1:1, 14). Revelation 19:13 says, “His name is called The Word of God.” And He is the author and finisher of our faith. (see Hebrews 12:2). Get into the Word today and see your faith grow. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

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