01/06/2018
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So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ. Romans 10:17{AMP}
Forgiveness and Faith work together to
move the hand of God. If you do not forgive others for what they have done
towards you, God will not be able to forgive you therefore your faith is
diminished and nothing will happen.
Jesus gives a short lesson on
forgiveness and faith in Mark
11:21-26;
“In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, “Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!” Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” {The Message}
And remembering, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi (Master), look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered!” Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”] {The Amplified}
From this scripture we learn from Jesus the
following:
1. We must have Faith in God [constantly and
with NO doubting]
2. We need to EMBRACE [The God-Life] to be
effective followers of Christ.
3. When we PRAY in FAITH BELIEVING God will
provide [according to HIS WILL not ours].
4. We must forgive any grievance we may have
against anyone otherwise God will NOT forgive us and hear our prayers
We have the perfect example of forgiveness in Jesus, who, while in
agony on the cross, said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they
are doing." Luke 23:34 {GNT}
Jesus makes it clear that we must model our forgiveness of others on
God's forgiveness of our sins.
Here are a few lines from Scripture in which Jesus talks about the
grace of forgiveness and why it's essential:
- "If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done." -- Matthew 6:14-15 {GNT}
- "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in one day, and each time he comes to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him." Luke 17:3-4 {GNT}
- "And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done." --Mark 11:25 {GNT}
- "Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you." -- Luke 6:37 {GNT}
- "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?' 'No, not seven times,' answered Jesus, 'but seventy times seven…'" -- Matthew 18:21-22 {GNT}
- "Drink it, all of you; this is my blood, which seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." -- Matthew 26:27-29 {GNT}
Forgiving others will ensure that God
hears you when you pray. God will forgive you of all your transgressions,
giving you Faith in Him as your God.
All throughout scripture we see examples
of Faith and Forgiveness working together. It is through forgiveness and faith
that we can become effective prayer warriors and not prayer-ignorant believers.
Matthew
6:7-15{AMP} Jesus gives us an example of how we should pray –
“And when you pray, do not use
meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard
because of their many words. So
do not be like them [praying as they do]; for
your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our
Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And
forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors
[letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. ‘And
do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the
kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’ If you forgive others
their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins]; your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing
your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship
with God], then your Father will not forgive your
trespasses.
In Psalm
86:1-7{MSG} we learn from David that we need to humble ourselves, have
faith that God hears our cry for forgiveness and know that God is the Ultimate
Forgiver of all our transgressions.
“Bend an ear, God; answer me. I’m one miserable wretch! Keep me
safe—haven’t I lived a good life? Help your servant—I’m
depending on you! You’re my God; have mercy on me. I count on you
from morning to night. Give your servant a happy life;
I put myself in your hands! You’re
well-known as good and forgiving, bighearted to all who ask for help. Pay
attention, God, to my prayer; bend down and listen to my cry for help. Every
time I’m in trouble I call on you, confident that
you’ll answer.”
All too often people are being led
astray by these popular TV Evangelist that are only out to rob you of your
finances. They misquote a few scriptures even twisting scriptures to mean
something other than what God had intended, just to get you fork over all you
can to “Support” their ministry. Get that last part to stick in your head
please {“SUPPORT” THEIR MINISTRY}. If they were in the ministry for GOD they
would NOT need you to pay for their MILLION DOLLAR MANSIONS, EXPENSIVE SUITS,
EXPENSIVE CARS, JET PLANES and their EXUBERANT LIFESTYLE that is totally
against the WORD of GOD. God refers to these people as WOLVES in SHEEP’S
CLOTHING Matthew
7:15-20{MSG}, Jesus referred to them as vipers in Matthew
23{MSG} and in 1
Peter 5:8-11{AMP} we are warned to be sober because Satan sends out
messengers to devour us, and in 2
Corinthians 11:1-15 Paul lets the people of Corinth know
that they will never lump in with those money-grubbing “preachers”,
pseudo-apostles, crooked workers who are masquerading as servants of God when
indeed they are servants of Satan, the angel of light.
Look around you
at all the MEGA-CHURCHES popping up all across AMERICA that are giving people
Sunday Entertainment Hour, lacking any MEAT of the Word of GOD, and not
building your FAITH in GOD with the preaching of the WORD {Romans
10:17}. These “Churches” are NOT HOUSES of WORSHIP they are dens full of
thieves out to take every penny you have and leave you defenseless against the
attacks of the enemy because they have not imparted the Word of God through the
anointing of the Holy Spirit to teach you how to stand up against the enemy {Ephesians
6:10-18}.
If the pastor,
preacher, evangelist, prophet or teacher is NOT teaching from the WORD of GOD
to ask for FORGIVENESS, to FORGIVE others, and have FAITH in the knowledge that
JESUS CHRIST came into this world to SAVE IT FROM SIN {John
3:16-18}, then you need to find another church because you are sitting
under the teachings of a FALSE MINISTRY. If that minister claims to teach you
how to become wealthy according to the WORD of GOD, they are a liar and will
lead you on a path to hell if you continue believing in them.
Look at Matthew
7:15-20{MSG} with me and learn what a “FALSE” Man or Woman of GOD looks
like:
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a
lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off
some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who
preachers are is the main thing,
not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your
pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped
down and burned.”
So these TV Evangelist, Prosperity
Gospel Preachers and Teachers are all diseased trees that will be chopped down
and burned for their misinformation and falsification of the Word of God to
trick you into believing in their “GET RICH OFF OF GOD” schemes. Yes, our God
owns the cattle on a thousand hills {Psalm
50:10} and yes, our God will supply ALL your NEEDS {NOT WANTS} according to
His RICHES in glory through Christ JESUS {Philippians
4:19}. God NEVER PROMISES to make you RICH. I hear these men and women use 3
John 2 out of context saying, “God promises you prosperity as your soul
prospers, so live a good life feeding your soul with the goodness of God and
you will be prosperous.” WRONG ANSWER my friends!!!
The Apostle John was actually writing a
letter to Gaius of Ephesus about all the wonderful things he has heard that
Gaius and his church were doing. In his salutation to Gaius John said:
“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good
health {physically}, just as {I know} your soul prospers {spiritually}. For I was greatly pleased when [some of the] brothers came [from
time to time] and testified to your [faithfulness to the] truth [of the gospel
message], that is, how you are
walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual]
children are living [their lives] in the truth.” 3
John 2-4 John was praying for good things to continue happening in Gaius
Life, NOT that anyone would be getting RICH from anything.
No wonder James
had to write about the wars and quarrels amongst the people of God, they were
being taught just like these PROSPERITY GOSPEL MINISTERS today are teaching,
THAT IN GOD YOU CAN BE WEALTHY. In James
4:1-12{MSG} we learn exactly what happens to those who TEACH this way and
to those who follow them. James also teaches us about being humble before God
and standing bold against the devil.
“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? Why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It is common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?”
James also teaches us in James
1:5-8{MSG} to believe without doubt {have faith} when you pray and God will
answer your prayers.
“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”
God will give
you the wisdom to discern the FAKE {Phonies} from the REAL followers of Christ.
In Habakkuk
2:4{AMP} we learn very distinct differences in the two:
Look at the proud one,
His soul is not right within him,
But the righteous will live by his faith [in the true God].
His soul is not right within him,
But the righteous will live by his faith [in the true God].
We learn from Psalm
119{AMP} to live uprightly before God according to His statutes being
humble enough to know when we have failed God and ask forgiveness. We learn
that faith in the laws of God will lead you to salvation and forgiveness for
all your transgressions. We also learn the importance of waiting on the Lord
for direction and even correction in our lives.
In Matthew
21:21-22 Jesus tell the disciples to have faith in Him and the Father in
Heaven will hear their prayers.
Jesus replied to them, “I
assure you and most solemnly
say to you, if you have faith [personal trust
and confidence in Me] and do not doubt
or allow yourself to be drawn
in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even
if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will
happen [if God wills it]. And
whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
We learn in Matthew
14:30-31 that we will sink in the storms of life if we take our eyes off of
Jesus and lose faith in Him to see us through.
But when he saw [the effects of] the
wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save
me!” Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him,
saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you
doubt?”
In Hebrews
11{AMP}, we learn about some of the Triumphs of Faith throughout history up
to that time. I believe this chapter is the encouragement chapter because the
writer knew that people of God for all time would need to be encouraged along
their journey following God. Let’s examine the many truths about faith listed
in this chapter.
1.
Faith is the
assurance {title deed, confirmation} of things hope for {divinely guaranteed}, and the evidence of things not seen {the conviction of their reality-faith
comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses}. It was
that kind of faith that gave men of old {divine} approval.
2.
By
faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power,
wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were
framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their
intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of
things which are visible.
3.
By
faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which
it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with
God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through
[this act of] faith he still speaks.
4.
By
faith [that pleased God] Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have a glimpse of
death; and he was not found because God had taken him; for even before he was taken [to
heaven], he received the testimony [still on record] that he had walked with
God and pleased Him.
5.
But
without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever
comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He
rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.
6.
By
faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah, being warned by God about events not yet seen, in
reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this [act of
obedience] he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which
comes by faith.
7.
By
faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he
was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he lived as a foreigner in the Promised Land, as in a strange land, living in tents [as nomads]
with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise. For he was
[waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has
foundations, [an eternal, heavenly city] whose architect and builder is God.
8.
By faith even Sarah herself received the
ability to conceive [a child], even [when she was long] past the normal age for
it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word]. So
from one man, though he was [physically] as good as dead, were born as many descendants as the
stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand on the seashore.
9.
By
faith Abraham, when he was tested [that is, as the testing of his faith was
still in progress], offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises [of
God] was ready to sacrifice his only son [of promise]; to whom
it was said, “Through Isaac your descendants shall be called.” For he considered [it reasonable to
believe] that God was able to raise Isaac
even from among the dead. [Indeed, in the sense that he was prepared to
sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God] Abraham did receive him back [from the
dead] figuratively speaking.
10. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau [believing
what God revealed to him], even regarding things to come.
11. By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed
each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff.
12. By faith Joseph, when he was dying,
referred to [the promise of God for] the exodus of the sons of Israel [from
Egypt], and gave instructions concerning [the burial of] his bones [in the land
of the promise].
13. By faith Moses, after his birth, was
hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful and
divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s)
decree.
14. By faith Moses, when he had grown up,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, because he preferred to
endure the hardship of the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing
pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of the Christ [that is, the rebuke
he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than
all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God].
15. By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid
of the wrath of the king; for he endured [steadfastly], as seeing Him who is
unseen.
16. By faith he kept the Passover and the
sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the
firstborn would not touch them (the firstborn of Israel).
17. By faith the people [of Israel] crossed
the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; but when the
Egyptians attempted it they were drowned.
18. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they had been encircled for seven days [by Joshua and the sons of
Israel].
19. By faith Rahab the prostitute was not
destroyed along with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the
spies [sent by the sons of Israel] in peace.
20. And what more shall I say? For time will
fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and
the prophets, who by faith [that is, with an enduring trust in God and His
promises] subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings,
closed the mouths of lions, extinguished the power of [raging] fire, escaped
the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty and unbeatable in battle, putting
enemy forces to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and
others were tortured [to death], refusing to accept release [offered on the
condition of denying their faith], so that they would be resurrected to a
better life; and others experienced the trial of mocking and scourging [amid
torture], and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned
[to death], they were sawn in two, they were lured with tempting offers [to
renounce their faith], they were put to death by the sword; they went about
wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated (people of whom the world was not
worthy), wandering in deserts
and mountains and [living in] caves and holes in the ground. And all of these, though they
gained [divine] approval through their faith, did not receive [the fulfillment
of] what was promised, because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and
women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him]
apart from us.
Letting Faith operate in your life
according to the Word of God will produce the following things in your life.
Remember at this point you are actually living your life for God, walking in
forgiveness and allowing FAITH and PATIENCE to be PERFECTED in your life
through your hard work and studying of God’s Word.
Results of Faith and Forgiveness
operating in your life on a daily basis:
1. Over-comers – 1
John 5:4-5, Acts
26:17-18, Galatians
3 {overcome the law}, John
14:1 {overcome troubled spirit}, 1Timothy
6:9-12 {fight the good fight staying away from the temptation to fall in
love with MONEY.
3.
Become an
example to others – 1
Timothy 4:12, Titus
1:1-4{Promoting HOPE}, Isaiah
43:10 {witnesses}
9.
Salvation – Mark
16:16, Romans
10:8-19, Ephesians
2:8-9, Acts
16:31, Romans
1:16, John 1:12{right to become children of God}
18. Power to be courageous and strong – 1
Corinthians 16:3, 1
Thessalonians 3:7, 2
Corinthians 1:24, Isaiah
40:31{soar like an eagle}
21. Endurance/Perseverance – {Endurance - the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant
or difficult process or situation without giving way. Perseverance - steadfastness in doing
something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.}2
Timothy 4:7, James
1:2-18
It is my hope
and prayer that I have pointed you in the right direction in your journey to
become all God wants you to be. From reading God’s Word we learn that ALL HAVE
SINNED and fallen and continue to FALL short of the GLORY of GOD, however we
are made precious in His sight through Christ Jesus. Romans
3:22-25{AMP}
This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].
It is through faith in Jesus Christ that
we have eternal life and forgiveness for our sins. Jesus made the way as simple
as trusting in Him to be your Lord and Savior. I encourage you to call out to
the Lord asking Him to forgive you for all your sins and ask Him to be the Lord
of your life. Ask Him to teach you through the Word of God everything you need
to do in order to please Him and NOT what pleases mankind. We only have to
answer to God on Judgment Day not everyone around us. If you need to learn more
about salvation please message me. I would love to talk to you and help you
learn about my wonderful Lord and Savior. And YES, you can BE GAY {LGBTQ} and
BE A FOLLOWER of JESUS CHRIST ALSO.
Blessings and Peace,
Faith Scriptures for
further study
Matthew 17:20
Romans 1:17
2 Corinthians 5:7
1 Corinthians 13:2
Galatians 3:11-12
Galatians 5:5
Matthew 21:28-32
Forgiveness Scriptures for
further study
Colossians 3:12-13
Ephesians 4:31-32
1 John 1:9
Isaiah 43:25-26
Acts 3:18-20
Isaiah 1:18
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 1:7-8
Hebrews 10:17
Daniel 9:9
Colossians 1:13-14
Psalm 103:10-12
Numbers 14:19-21
Micah 7:18-19
Matthew 5:23-24
Acts 2:38
James 5:16
Luke 23:34
Psalm 130:3-4
Isaiah 55:7
Luke 6:37
Luke 7:47-48
Luke 24:46-47
Acts 13:38
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
1 John 2:1-2
Romans 12:19
Proverbs 17:9
2 Chronicles 7:12-18
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