In order to believe, we need to have faith. Why? Because as the Bible states, faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please our Lord God and Saviour. For he or she that comes to Jesus must first believe that He is. That our Almighty King -- Jesus is the rewarder of all them that diligently seek Him.
Further, faith is a gift. It is in this context that Jesus has given to every one of us a measure of faith. Faith comes by hearing and the hearing by the Word. The Word -- Jesus. (I John 5:7) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us!" (John 1:1-18)
Thus, faith is not something that we can conjure up in our minds. If it were, then faith would be akin to works. But the scriptures repeatedly state that faith is not of works but a gift of God. To obtain that gift, we have believe. Only believe, the scripture saith. But believe in whom?
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:4-9)
"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (I Corinthians 1:21)
Therefore, as the apostles so oft proclaimed "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
Therefore, as the apostles so oft proclaimed "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
But there is so much more when we abide in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- when we take Him at His w/Word, and believe in His instructions for our day to day. Why? Because our salvation is found in Him -- when God prepared for Himself a body for sacrifice. But He did not stay on that cross, for if He did, we would be without. However, as so many witnesses proclaimed, Jesus is risen from the dead, because death could not keep the King of kings and Lord of lords captive.
Thus, "in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise .... and what [is] the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ..." (Ephesians 1:13-19)
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)
Don't be like the fool today who has said in his heart that there is no God. Look around - touch and see that the Almighty -- the same Almighty who created us in the beginning and then later as an act of love for His people shed His holy Spirit blood on the cross for our transgressions -- He is everywhere, omnipresent, yet desiring to have a family comprised of those who desire His purpose in their own lives.
Don't be like the fool today who has said in his heart that there is no God. Look around - touch and see that the Almighty -- the same Almighty who created us in the beginning and then later as an act of love for His people shed His holy Spirit blood on the cross for our transgressions -- He is everywhere, omnipresent, yet desiring to have a family comprised of those who desire His purpose in their own lives.
His handiwork for one and all to behold!
Most of all, look to Jesus as your Lord and Christ too. For He is the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. In the beginning God. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Let the Word -- Jesus -- arise in your heart today. Hear His whisper saying, "Look to Me all you people for I AM the Lord your God. Beside Me there is no Saviour."
Most of all, look to Jesus as your Lord and Christ too. For He is the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. In the beginning God. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Let the Word -- Jesus -- arise in your heart today. Hear His whisper saying, "Look to Me all you people for I AM the Lord your God. Beside Me there is no Saviour."
Stand in the offering plate.
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