Sweet Sounds From Heaven

Let’s attempt to clear up some confusion in the body of Christ concerning Faith. We know the definitions. Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 But without Faith it is impossible to please Him for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

We also know how we get Faith. Romans 10:8-10, 13,14,17. But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the Word of Faith, which we preach; That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(The Greek and Hebrew word for salvation implies the idea of deliverance, safety, healing and soundness.) Therefore, Paul was saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto deliverance, safety, healing and soundness, Romans 1: 16″. For whosoever (are you a whosoever?, then you qualify) shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Faith is based on the Word of God. If we can find a promise in the Word, we can appropriate it in our lives. So why don’t we always get our answers when we’re standing on a promise in God’s Word? Several reasons: we could have head faith (mental assent) not HEART FAITH, saying it out our mouth and not fully persuaded in our heart, considering circumstances above the Word of God (looking at the things that are seen instead of looking at the unseen), getting Hope and Faith mixed up, not walking in Love and harboring unforgiveness (Galatians 5:6), and elevating our own desires above God’s plan for our lives, and these are just a few reasons.

So, we can see that people can have true faith and feigned (pretend) faith. I have not tried to walk on water. My faith would allow me to drown. Jesus said “don’t temp God”, so I stay away from things that are not in my Heart. Faith has to be stirred up. We keep it red-hot by putting our Faith into action according to what we can believe. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us, if we are HIS. He is a gentleman; He will guide and direct us. He will prompt and urge, but He will never force or control us. He won’t do anything until we put Him to work for us. For He is sent to be our helper. He is not sent to do the job, but to help us do the job.

Remember the woman with the issue of blood? (Mark 5) She believed in her heart and said with her mouth, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” She did and Jesus said, “Who touched my clothes?” She pleaded guilty and Jesus said, “Daughter, thy Faith hath made thee whole; go in peace and be whole of thy plague.” It was Jesus’ healing power, but her faith that activated that power and made her whole.

When we step out in faith, we may be shaking in our boots, but we must be fully persuaded that what God has promised, He will do. It’s good to mention that a delay is not a denial. Sometimes, things are held up in the spiritual realm because God has something wonderful ahead for us and the devil knows that and tries his best to stop it, but he cannot (Daniel 10: 11-13).

Act 16: 6-9 gives a good account of when the Holy Spirit forbade Paul to go forth. Paul thought one thing and the Spirit had another thought. Therefore, we must be sensitive to what the Spirit is thinking and saying. A lot of times, we may not know. That’s a good time to do nothing but spend time with God. When in doubt, wait until you find out, and when you know, leave no doubt. Go for it!!!

So, don’t follow someone else’s faith. Check inside where the Holy Spirit abides. Know that Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) The dividing line is clearly defined in St. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

There’s a good way to discern whether some thought is from God or the devil or our own carnal thinking (flesh). If it steals, kills or destroys, Bingo!! you’ve identified the thief. If it’s from God, it will line up with His Word, honor God and there will be good fruit from our efforts. If it’s our own plan, even though it may be a good plan, it may not be God’s plan. This is the most difficult to discern. Spending time with God until we know what God wants us to do, is the only sure way to victory.

No one hears perfectly, however the more time we spend with Abba (daddy) Father, communicating with Him, the better we will hear His Voice and Plan for our lives. His plans are always Good!!! If you have been married for a while, without caller I.D., your spouse can call you on the phone and you will know that voice because you spend time together. What makes you think God is any different? After considerable time together, spouses can communicate without words. They get to know each other so well, they often know what the other one is thinking. Scary, isn’t it, but it comes by intimacy.

To “worship” means to kiss towards. If you can kiss towards your spouse for cooking your breakfast, you can kiss towards God for giving you breath. We just need more intimacy with God, and not just on Sunday. We need breath daily. We need intimacy with Him daily. You think you can’t hear from Him?– you’re wrong!! You can indeed! Isn’t that good to know. So climb upon His lap, lean in toward His chest and hear His Heart Beat! It’s beating for you!!!

Filed under: Spiritual Insights