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John 3:16 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him
will not perish but have eternal life". (NLT)You may have heard this highly quoted scripture. Some have heard it often enough that they can quote it themselves. Did you know quoting God's word does not automatically bring the power it possesses? You must believe what you are saying and that God is able to do what He says He will do.
You can't believe God or His Word without Faith. In Hebrews 11:6 we see this, "6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him". (NLT)
..."everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life"
There are some preachers who have taken the powerful Word of God and replaced it with a watered down, compromised message; a deception to say the least. Giving non-believers a false sense of security to live like the world and somehow still go to heaven when they die.
GOD'S WORD IS POWERLESS - TO NON BELIEVERS.
Having knowledge of the bible and even quoting God's Word, or going to church does not make you a Christian. Nor does it give us access to all the promises of salvation; protection, deliverance, prosperity, health and power to live our lives in the victory that God promises to those who believe Him.
You may say, "I don't believe God's Word says that". You will get what you believe. You can believe what you want, but God does not force us to believe Him or His Word. But if we want the power to overcome situations in our lives, or if we want the blessings He promises in His Word, we must seek the truth and act on what we believe.
A test of what we believe is 1 Corinthians 1:18. "18 I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God". (NLT)
When you hear scripture that says God wants you to prosper, walk in divine health, or be delivered from anything and everything that holds you back - how does it sound to you? Are you a Believer or Non Believer? Are you a true Christian? Are you born again with the absolute guarantee of going to heaven when you die?
Believing there is a God alone does not make you a Believer.
Nor will it get you to heaven.
You may ask the question, "I believe there is a God, does that make me a Believer?" Simple answer - No! Or, "I believe there is a higher power, a greater intelligence than human life”. Some people even put time and study into UFO's or alien life as possibly the higher power, over God.
Some really lose it and believe they are "THE HIGHER POWER" possessing greater intelligence than the rest of the human race, " The chosen ones". Maybe you know some of these people?
The bible is true, whether you believe it or not.
This includes all the good things God promises us, when we believe Him, as opposed to all the destruction coming to us when we live like there is no God. His plan for salvation is available for anyone who will believe Him and His Word.
It's like having a car. You know that you have the car. You may even "believe" it can provide transportation, but it will not get you anywhere just knowing it can get you somewhere. You must act on what you believe and get in, put it in drive & hold on!
The same is true with God's Word when we get into it by seeking the truth. When we hold it in our hearts and act on it, its power is released in our lives. Faith is an action word. Only believing portions of God's Word does not release the full power that is available to us as Believers. You must make a choice to believe all of God's Word, and then act on that choice.
Who is a Believer then? Anyone who has faith, that is, anyone who believes God's Word (the Bible), and chooses to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Lets read Romans 10:8-10 "8 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):9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation".
So if we say we are a Believer, then we need to prove it to God, to the world and to ourselves. How? By acting on what we believe; putting our "money where our mouth is" so to speak.
The bible says in James 2:14 "14 Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone". (NLT)
Reading on in James 2:19-20 we read. "19 Do you still think it’s enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! 20 Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless"? (NLT)
Do you still only believe there is a God?
Or do you believe in God?
Rena Mae and I daily lift up in prayer our church staff, our partners, and all whom God is calling here in Whitehorse and around the world through the our website. My prayer for you today is in agreement with Paul as he wrote in Ephesians 1:16-23 " 16 I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. 19 I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. 22 And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence". (NLT) In Jesus name, Amen!
Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. If you want to get to know God you must invest time in His Word and prayer so as to develop a relationship. Hearing His Word causes your faith to grow. Growing your faith allows you to walk in the power and blessings of His Word.
God has a wonderful plan for each one of us if we will simply believe. In Jeremiah 29:11 we read. "11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.” (NLT)
When I see the state of the world we live in and even closer to home the city of Whitehorse, with the homeless and "abused" due to drug and alcoholism, it can seem overwhelming. Where do we start to help the "helpless"? It starts with believing in a big God. The "power to change" our world starts by believing that He can do what He said He will do through us.
I continually let God know it is my desire. I choose to be in His perfect will- His plan for my life. I know that as I believe His Word and that He does work through me; we can make a difference in the north. One person at a time.
If God is speaking to you today after reading this article I encourage you to develop your relationship with God. Find out what He is saying in His Word, the Bible, concerning all the blessings that are ours to share with those around us. Remember, we must first believe to be able to receive all the Blessings from God's Word.
If you have made a decision to step out in faith and believe God will work miracles through you, according to His Word, say this prayer / confession below. Say it out loud, so that God hears it, you hear it and your world hears it. Believe it and take a step to act on it.
Prayer / Confession of Faith
Lord, I believe you and your Word. I believe Jesus died so that I would have life, and life everlasting. I believe you want more for me than what I have experienced so far in my life.
I choose to act on what I believe, therefore the power of your Word is working in my life. I choose to align my will with our will for my life. The plan you have for me is coming to pass & I have victory in every area of my life. Amen.