Put Your Faith to Work!
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 12:24-25.

We must remember that faith is like a muscle, we must make use of it and there must be an occasion for faith and a provocation to use it. My natural inclination is to try to escape the use of my faith. But I must put on the right kind of glasses or vision to see what God wants to do. There are called “eternal eyes” we see things that are not and call them as they should be. (I Corinthians 1:28).

Miracles occur when there is a tremendous voltage between need and supply. It’s like positive and negative particles that cause a thunderstorm. If I am to see God work dramatically, I must bring an acute need face to face with His supercharged supply. The need is always there as long as sin and men exist, but the missing element is the intensified power of supply. That is where God needs a conductor, a person of faith, like Moses, Elijah, or the Lord Jesus. Wherever they went they were the ‘natural lightning rods” that drew the power from God.

I must remember that faith decays from the lack of use. Quite often a person has little faith because they truly don’t believe in a miracle working God. Faith grows by being challenged. If our lives are so-so and average, faith does not come by praying. Faith comes by hearing and acting on the Word of God. I must have the courage to believe in God and confront challenges. This means exposing myself to the pains, hurts and headaches of this world.

A person without faith shows that he does not care for this world or the will of God to intervene with power. We demonstrate our faith by going about doing good and healing all those who are oppressed by the devil. (Acts 10:38). God wants believers not doubters. We should be like Abraham who was strong in faith giving glory to God (Romans 4:20). Calling those things that are not in the physical realm as though they are in the spiritual realm. Eternal eyes, do you have them?

Believing, Confessing and Living the Word of God!

Understanding Evil
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10.

I will never become a strong disciple of Jesus Christ until I properly understand my relationship to evil. Evil in my life becomes evil when I allow it to become so in me. A cancer is strictly a fibrous mass in my body until I become afraid; then it becomes evil to me. Jesus said of Satan, “The prince of this world cometh, and has nothing in me”. (John 14:30). The evil one attacked Jesus time and again, but never won any ground. That sets a pattern for me; I must not let evil invade me, violate me, spoil me. Even more, I must not even consider doing evil, for love “thinketh not (takes into account) evil.”. (1 Corinthians 13:5). Just as contemplating temptation is the beginning of sin, so contemplating evil action is the beginning of defeat. This begins the real journey into darkness!

That means I must not let evil dwell in my mind, my thoughts. That is where “the renewing of the mind” (Romans 12:2) must come into play. A renewed mind is God’s mind, and God will never allow evil to upset Him. Thinking like God thinks take effort, practice, and commitment. I must allow Christ to flow through every impulse of my being, then my mind will be automatically, continually renewed. (Acts 17:28).

Lord, I must never be naive and pretend evil does not exist. I must always recognize its existence but never its authority! The moment I bow to its yoke I start my slide downward. Whenever I turn from evil I can always depend upon Your support, for the “eyes of the Lord are always toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry”. (Psalm 34:15).

The way we THINK is the way we SPEAK. And the way we speak is the way we LIVE!

What it means to follow Christ in Afghanistan?
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Hebrews 13:3

The major religion in Afghanistan is 98.9% Muslims, with 90% Sunni and 10 % Shite.

Both local and national governments are highly antagonistic towards Christians. Extremist groups, including the Taliban and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) are active, and believers are also persecuted by their families, friends, and communities.

Afghan Christians cannot worship openly. They must worship in homes or other small venues, and evangelism is forbidden. Christians and seekers are highly secretive about their faith or interest in Christianity, especially since the resurgence of the Taliban. Beatings, torture and kidnapping are routine for Christians in Afghanistan. Although waves of Christians have fled the country to worship openly, some Afghan Christians have stayed to maintain a witness for Christ. A small number of Christians are martyred every year in Afghanistan, but their death generally occurs without public knowledge. A few are also in prison, but imprisonment is not common. Christian converts from Islam are often killed by family members or other radicalized Muslims before any legal proceedings can begin.

Over the years, my wife and I have supported this organization. We are asking you to pray for persecuted Christians in Afghanistan and support economically “The Voice of the Martyrs”. vom.org.

Conquering Pain!
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17.

Today if I am in pain, I must ask God to teach me what this means. The most painful thing about pain is its alienation, just as a sore thumb feels alienated from the body. That is why Jesus, at the deepest point of His suffering on the cross, cried out about feeling “FORSAKEN” (Matthew 27:46).

There are levels of suffering just as there are levels of glory. The ordinary man suffers just because he is a son of Adam. He suffers internally; he bears the pain in his body because he is alive. No other person need be involved. The next level of suffering is substitutional–pain borne of for others, like a mother burdened with the care of her child, or a solider injured in war, or the death of a loved one. The third kind of pain includes the second one, but goes beyond it. It is adopted pain. This was the kind Jesus suffered for us.

Jesus never became sick internally; He took what belonged to others and made it His own. It was inevitable that Jesus, in becoming man and with our redemption in mind, should have a direct confrontation with pain. It is also noteworthy that Jesus did not adopt our pains to remove them but to purify them. That is why His followers still suffer, still go through the fire, in what is called “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). In sharing our sufferings with Jesus, we must also share in what He did with suffering- turn it into a stepping-stone to glory.

I must never deny the pain I suffer for following Jesus because that would be denial of the cross of Christ. Nor must I fight pain, for that would be improper use of it. Jesus adopted it and conquered it and so must I. But I can never conquer it alone. I can only do it through Christ, who gives me the right to enjoy what He so gloriously accomplished.

Turning the Tide of Evil!
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

My reaction when I am confronted by evil must be more than negative; it must be positive. I must seize evil and turn it into good. Jesus did not just ignore Satan; He defeated him at the cross. (Colossians 2:25). We have another example of Josephs brother who meant to do him “evil”, but God turned it into good”. (Genesis 50:20)
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How do I do that? Isn’t it God’s prerogative to operate on evil and defang it? That is exactly what was accomplished on the Cross of Calvery. Jesus turned the tide of evil through offering Himself as penalty paid. This is REDEMPTION in its essence.

If I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, then I will manifest Calvary’s principle of compelling evil to yield victory given to me by Jesus. We must understand that we are COMPLETE in Him. We lack nothing. We have been redeemed from the curse of the law which is from spiritual death, sickness and disease, and poverty. We do this by Believing, Speaking and Walking in the Word of God. (2 Corinthians 4:13, Colossians 2:20, and 2 Peter 1:2-4, Galatians 3:13, Deuteronomy 28:15-46).

This means there has been declared on Heavens side a complete reversal of the works of evil and my attitude towards it. I am no longer afraid of Satan or his kingdom because his power has been broken over me. (Romans 6:14, Colossians 1:13). I have been transformed from a worried and fearful disciple into a bold believer walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:2-4).
I will be a living example as the saints of old like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and all the modern-day men and women who believe God and His Word. We believe, so we speak…(2 Corinthians 4:13).
How do we do this? By Believing, Speaking and Walking in the Word of God.

Shalom
שלום
PEACE

To some people, the idea of peace is a stress-free day. To others, peace is the serenity of a gorgeous sunrise or sunset. Whatever your definition, peace is something we all want. But do you pursue it? Do you see peace? Do you chase after it every day?

An ancient Jewish tradition, peace was valued more than truth. The rabbis would argue that if there was a situation in which truth and peace were against each other, peace should take precedent. Perhaps, this is because the Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom, which means to be holy unified with God and others. Among the rabbis, it was more important for you to be unified with God and others than to be right. I have a Jewish friend who puts this idea into modern terms when he says, “you are more important than my view” but how often do we get this the other way around and put our need to be “right” in ahead of people?

The first believers in God taught us that those who follow God should love peace, and pursue it, love their neighbors, and attract others to the God. This is the peace of Jesus Christ offered. He said of God-peace of God, and peace with each other. This sort of peace that attracts people to the truth. In this crazy world Jesus stated that, “in the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33). Peace is a place of true confidence in Jesus and how He overcame all problems through the peace that He brought through Calvary.

Does your life exhibit peace like this? How will you attract people to God today through the peace you display?

YESHUA-Salvation
ישועה-ישועה

Many people don’t understand the importance of a name. When people hear your name, what do they think about it? What type of person are you? What have you done to better the lives of others? What’s in the name?

You see, the name Jesus in Hebrew is Yeshua, which means “salvation”. So, when Jesus went to the house of tax collector named Zacharias and said today, “salvation has come to this house” He was making a point because “salvation”, Jesus came to Zachary’s house that day. (Luke 19:9).
The translation also gives us significance verses like surely “God is my salvation”, (Isaiah 12:2) also “the Lord has become my salvation”. (Exodus 25:2). The Hebrew translation of these verses would use the word Yeshua for “salvation”.

We all have a name. Our name identifies us, and for some of us it defines our credibility and even our reputation. But the Scriptures say that only one name can shine light in dark darkness, bring hope to hopelessness, and heal the brokenhearted. His name is Jesus, is our salvation. How would your life change if your identity and reputation was built on the name of Jesus? Can others see Jesus in you?

Will You Graduate?
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.

God wants no Christian men or women stunted in spiritual growth serving Him. Of course, the statue of a person is not a hindrance unless the hindrances have to do with their heart and mind. (Luke 19:1-10). God looks at the person not on their physical appearance. (I Samuel 16:7). God gives liberally to all that seek Him with a proper heart. (James 1:5). God’s mind and His plans are not ours (Romans 11:33-34). God’s love is everlasting. (Jeremiah 31:3). It is not wonder why Father God rejects disciples who are narrow minded, petty, and childish.

Smallness in a Christian is the result of largeness one’s ego. He sees himself as all important. He has not learned the law of detachment; he feels that he himself necessary to God’s work as is the instrument for God’s power. He does not understand that to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit is to walk in love. (Romans 13:8,10).

This is not all. If I am dwarfish towards others, it is because first I am dwarfed toward God. I can never be stingy, prejudiced, and opinionated if I am open to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. God is love and whoever does not walk in love does not know God. (I John 4:8). Paul’s words strike me forcibly, “Grow up…toward… Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Paul tells us to grow up. It is our responsibility to put away childish behavior. To end my spiritual dwarfism is to make continual progress to become Christ like. The end of this childlike behavior is not what we are supposed to be. We are to grow into strong men and women for Jesus.

If I am spiritually immature, it is because something has gone very wrong with my heart, my mind and my spiritual growth. Many Christians do not grow in maturity because they are in a perpetual state of babyhood. The question is will do mature? Will you graduate? Fixing our eyes on the Author and the Finisher of our faith is the key to on-going spiritual growth. (Hebrews 12:2). How do you measure up?

A Cheap View of Heaven!
Therefore, all who dwell upon the Earth whose names written in the Book of Life by the Lamb, who was slain from the beginning of the world, shall worship him. Revelation 13:8.

Forgive me Father for having a cheap view of heaven. I have rejoiced indeed that Jesus died to make a place for me there; but Your Word keeps reminding the difference of salvation and being a disciple.

Isn’t that what Paul means; “Christ…loved the church and gave Himself up for her-that He might present to Himself the church in all of her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

It is one thing to arrive in heaven by the skin of my teeth, but how much better to arrive there applauded! The right to be there is because what Jesus has done for me but also involves the work He has done in me. Simple faith in Him assures me of a place in heaven, but only firmly following Him confirms me being a disciple (2 Peter 1:11).

I must confess that I have been one of those who have cheapened your grace. I have led many to believe that the ease of accepting Christ as Savior also applies to the lived-out in my Christian life. God’s grace is not softness, as witnessed by Calvary’s wounds. God’s grace is simply permission, not qualification. It merely opens the door to God’s great school of training and discipline; it does not promise us it will not come with persecution and suffering.

I thank you Father God for your grace! Without it we would be suffering endlessly and hopelessly lost. Lord, may we never throw your grace to the pigs by living irresponsibly and sloppy here on earth will please You! (Matthew 16:25). Discipleship is a long road in the same direction to the cross.

Developing a Hardness!
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4.

If I am going to be an example of what a disciple of Jesus Christ I must learn to develop a hardness. Jesus Himself was a mixture of both tenderness and hardness. And unless I develop the same mixture I will drift off into sentimentality or else become very rigid.

Jesus never became hard to His Father’s will, but always towards the people who tried to prevent Him from doing that will. He set His face like stone to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). If I decide to follow Jesus I will be pulled in many directions, all supposedly for good to save me from myself. The disciple who does not deliberately develop a hardness will find himself too weak to resist the warnings from family and friends that he is too fanatical.

Jesus developed a hardness toward people even His closet friends, whenever they appeared to block His path in doing God’s will. Jesus made statements like “Get behind me Satan” (Matthew 16:23); “What is it to you?” (John 21:22). “Women, what do I have to do with you?” (John 9:24). If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me”. (John 13:8).

I must always be tender toward human need but incorrigibly hard against human short-sightedness. The person who is shortsighted will always want to take shortcuts around the will of the Father. I must walk both in love but with wisdom being on the lookout for those who would want me to become soft and self-indulgent. My strength comes from me setting my face like stone to accomplish the Father’s will. “Our sufficiency is of God,” Paul said (2 Corinthians 3:5). That is the sufficiency from God and the stubbornness of a person who will not be sidetracked from accomplishing the will of God. Paul stated when he encountered obstacles “I am ready not only to be jailed…but also die for the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 21:13).