LOTW CONVENTION DAY 5: OPERATING IN THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST
Recorded: 290618
The Holy Spirit
The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…..”
Once we accepted this love and Gift of God (Jesus Christ) — the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us (John 7:37-38) and takes His place. Thus, the Bible says, our bodies are the temple of the Lord (1 Cor 6:19-20) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit helps to manifest in the various gifts that God gave to us (1 Cor 12:1-7).
About the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord, There are different kinds of working but in all of them and in everyone is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Holt spirit is given for the common good — to one is given a message of wisdom — to another a message of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy — distinguishing to another Spirit — speaking in tongues — interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each, just as He determines.
To experience these gifts, we must present our bodies daily, as a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to Him.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the common good of others, i.e. to serve others, therefore, for anyone to have a continuous manifestation of the Holy Spirit he must be available to serve, beginning from the household of faith.
Are you for noble or ignoble purposes?
Daily or weekly church attendance does not make one a Christian — Christians who want to go to heaven must attend church regularly but must also do within their strength (spiritual, physical, mental and financial effort) to the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Remember you receive the Holy Spirit when you get converted into Christianity, so to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4) which culminates with the various gifts in th 1 Corinthians 12 you must :
1) Have faith that God is willing and able to give His Holy Spirit to you.
2) Earnestly desire these gifts or a specific gift.
3) Pray fervently (James 5:16)
Finally having received the Holy Spirit and HIS gifts, read 1Cor: 13 thoroughly and this will help to appropriate the gifts of the Holy Spirit in you.
Prayer; Lord help me to daily activate Your Holy Spirit to be strengthened in my inner man so that it will activate the gifting of the Holy Spirit you have given for the enhancement of the Kingdom of God within me. Holy Spirit thank you for teaching me your ways in Jesus name.
CFT
Your Faith in God
“Substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen”
I believe that a Christian cannot be cursed — this belief stems from my complete faith in the Living God and the Rhema Word as written in the scriptures.
If I asked the question what is faith? You’ll most probably answer that; “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” — Yes it’s true of the definition above according to Hebrews 11:1. If asked to define “substance” and “evidence” many people will be lost, especially if you are scientifically inclined.
The phrase substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen culminates in the fact that faith is “trust in God”. Belief however is different from faith. I can believe in something, yet do not have faith in it. Many Christians believe in God but lack faith in God. A Christians who is afraid of an idol, believes in God but do not have faith in God; to have faith in God is to trust what God has said whenever and wherever you face an idol, (Isaiah 44:9-11 & Psalms 115:2 — “All who make idols are nothing, the things they treasure are worthless. Those who will speak for them are blind, they are ignorant, to their own shame…………they will be brought down to terror and shame” (Isaiah: 44 9-11).
“Why do nations say where is their God?”…..their gods are silver and gold, made by the human hands. They have mouth but cannot speak, eyes they cannot see. They have ears they cannot hear, noses but cannot smell……those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them” (Psalms: 115:2-8)
Having faith in God means that you have trust in what God says in His Word and that it is exactly as He has said it without any doubt debate or philosophy. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him”. Many Christians today are not able to please God in their daily lives because they lack the substance to please Him which has it’s root in faith and ultimately in God.
You can never have faith without belief.
Romans: 10:17 confirms that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Christ). In other words faith comes by information through the message of God. Faith is therefore the vehicle to execute belief. You can be limited only to belief and not be able to operate in faith. Many Christians don’t have accurate and proper information about God, and that is why no matter what and how much you tell them about what God can and will do they do not and cannot understand.
Prayer: Lord open up my spirit and illuminate my heart and mind to the knowledge of Your ways and Your will. Help me to take every thought captive to obey You in all total belief and let my faith grow and rise in God daily in Jesus name.
Upholding Your Faith
“There is a great difference between belief, the Faith we say we have and the action Faith we really have.”
The measure of our faith is not in our “Talk” but in our “Walk”. It is more in what we do and not based upon what we say. We need to live faith and not just talk about it. The actions we partake in shows whether we believe in God who we pray to and verify His existence. He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek HIM.
“Abraham was called the father of faith, by what name are you called or known?”
James said “show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18) – Are you taking action that is in conjunction with you faith? Your faith is only as good as the object in which your faith is placed.
Where you spend your free time, your talent, your treasure and your thoughts will inadvertently determine your faith. Acts 4:12 says “Nor is there solution in any other, for there is no other name under heaven…..by which we must be saved.”
Prayer: Father help me to completely rely, believe and trust in Your sovereign guidance and direction. Help my belief in the fact that You have given Your rod and staff to comfort me wherever I am in Jesus name.
CFT
Your Promotion
Promotion processes are usually time consuming. However, they are required for the ultimate result.
It is God that wants to lead His children in the pathway of promotion. He has a purpose and a destiny for our lives. Now it is up to us to determine if we become promoted into the plan or position or not. Did you know that you were chosen in Him and not an accident because God foreknew you; (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
It does not matter where we are in life, who we are or what our conditions may currently be, God can and will promote you. Two tests come before promotion; the test of humility found in Proverbs 15:33 and that of faithfulness Matthew 24:45, Matthew 25:21. Are you ready for your promotion?
Prayer: Father, I banish all forms of laziness preventing me from being ready for my promotion. Lord help me to wake up to the consciousness of your Word in Jesus name.
CFT