Faithful on Fridays Blog

One of the reasons I love reading the gospels is the variety of people Jesus ministered to: military or religious leaders, children, the blind or deaf, paralyzed, demon possessed, and the list goes on. However, there’s always one commonality: faith. These people with unique circumstances believed that God would save, heal, or rescue and Jesus always commended them. Remember, faith is a divine persuasion, trust, and certainty that God will do what He said He’d do,

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Only Luke recorded Jesus connecting the devil and faith in the Parable of the Sower; you may have missed it. When God’s Word is heard by a hard heart (8:11-13) the devil comes and snatches it, therefore, they cannot believe and be saved. Jesus reminded us that the devil has limited authority and stealing seed, His Word, from a hard heart is an easy task. But He continued that a shallow heart is also in spiritual trouble since there’s no root for faith, consequently, when testing comes they’ll believe for a while but ultimately fall away. 

There’s a fascinating story in Judges 3 that relates God testing Israel for the purpose of teaching war; that’s the lower story, in the upper story we’re in a war as well; we fight the enemy of our soul when we stand in faith during times of testing and troubles.

… when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 NLT

The disciples were tested by Jesus during a tremendous storm and their response to Him was (Mark 4:38), “Don’t you care?” Of course He cared but His higher purpose for them was to be fully persuaded that He cared; that’s true for us as well. There’s always a purpose in our testing and troubles but we learn to trust Him in the midst of it. 

Fear, as Jesus said, always leads to lack of faith, so our job is to stand in certainty that He’ll care for us in His time and manner.

A Jewish ruler named Jairus spoke words of faith to Jesus (Mark 5:22-43) about his 12 year old daughter who was almost dead from sickness, and in fact died, but Jesus was interrupted by another woman who had been battling sickness for 12 years. Coincidence? I don’t think so. One lived healthy for 12 years and the other lived sick for 12 years but both were miraculously healed because of faith. 

“Do not fear, only believe,” Jesus said.

Be encouraged today that faith and fear cannot live together; if you’re being tested, like Jairus or the bleeding woman, let faith fill your heart for the victory will eventually come.

Angels- Episode Two

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.” 1 Peter 1:12 NIV

It seems that angels have limited understanding of the things of God. He revealed His plan to the prophets and delivered it through angels but they couldn’t understand the full impact of their messages. Angels desire to understand this unique relationship mankind has with God. You can’t truly understand something you haven’t experienced.

Let’s look at what, exactly, they couldn’t possibly understand. Angels and mankind are both created but only mankind can procreate. Adam was commanded to establish a family; angels will never understand the idea of family. After our spiritual birth (John 3) God becomes our Father and Jesus our Brother. We are therefore co-heirs with Christ; what belongs to Him belongs to us. It was God’s idea to establish this whole new category separate from angels and they long to understand it all. God as a Father? How can it be?

When God created man in His image and likeness it was a foreign concept to angels. Beings who not only walk and talk with God but actually reflect Him? How is that possible? After the fall a promise was made that God Himself would take them back and restore that face-to-face relationship with Him. What? Restoration? They long to understand this new concept.

God gave up His divine form in heaven and took on the form of man in order to accomplish this rescue, and not only that, but He now lives in a believer! What is that about? Angels cannot fathom this relationship because it’s so far above their own. The divine union through the Holy Spirit that we experience is unique to angels. Yes, they are supernatural, yes, they travel between heaven and earth with divine assignments from God but they do not have God in them: we do. 

Angels are God’s connection, go-betweens, so to speak, between heaven and earth. Jesus mentioned that aspect:

And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. John 1:51 ESV

We won’t need that divine connection after the Second Coming of Christ because we’ll be with Him, in His presence, forever. Our lost paradise and dominion will be restored and I’m thinking the new heaven and new earth will have no separation; there will be no need for the present mission of angels. 

Yet You have made him (man) a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.
Psalms 8:5-6 NASB

Jesus ministry assignment was clear from the beginning: preach salvation.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 

It’s a simple message but, oh, how hard it is for some to humble themselves before God, however, Jesus was clear: repentance must come before faith but after that ‘all things are possible’.

Traveling through the gospels we find Jesus preaching inside a house and four men, whose friend was paralyzed, heard He was filled with power for healing (Luke 5:17-26). Those intercessors put steps to their faith when they couldn’t get in and hoisted the man to the roof lowering him down. When Jesus saw their faith He declared the forgiveness of sins and the healing of his body. The Lord always sees the upper story as most important, spirital wholeness, but He also cares about the lower story: our physical wholeness. 

While Jesus was dining with a Pharisee a sinful woman came weeping and anointed His feet. This step of faith and humility caused Jesus to respond to her:

“Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50 

Are you praying for someone’s physical healing and it hasn’t come? Maybe God is telling you to consider their salvation; it’s the most important step. Possibly, He’s asking you to take step of faith and share the good news that Jesus is the Savior as well as the Healer who loves them.

Patterning his ministry after Jesus, Peter saw faith in a lame beggar (Acts 3), declared healing, and the man began to walk. Giving glory to Jesus he declared:

“And His name—by faith in His name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

Paul also saw faith in a man of Lystra (Acts 14:8-10) who was lame from birth and listening to the gospel: Faith comes by hearing. Paul shouted to him,

“Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. Vs. 10

Preaching the gospel is designed to bring healing: physical and spiritual and there’s evidence to prove it. Even a Roman officer responded to what he had heard of Jesus because his servant was paralzed, suffering, and almost dead. He asked Him to simply ‘say the word’ and his servant would be healed. 

And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. Matthew 8:13

It’s exciting to see people believe and receive healing by faith in His Name and word; who needs to hear that good news from you?

Angels: First Episode

“I have to go to work” is a common phrase we hear in our homes since most people have jobs that require work of some sort. Angels are no different. The Hebrew word for angel includes work or business. Surprised? Yes, they are God’s messengers but that’s only a small part of an angel’s business. Angels represent God in word and action, however, their assignment is exclusively at God’s direction. 

Let’s begin at the beginning. God created the heavens to inhabit His forms of light; angels, the sun, moon, and stars were all considered the host of heaven (Gen. 2:1). 

Job 38:7 tells us that the morning stars were singing and the sons of God were shouting for joy! God was creating something out of nothing and worship broke out.

“You are the Lord, You alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships You.” Nehemiah 9:6 ESV

Scripture describes angels using word pictures to help us imagine their appearance. They may have human and animal characteristics: faces, hands, bodies, legs of a calf, or wings of a bird. Their appearance may display brilliant light or flames of fire and scripture tells us they have food (Ps. 78:25) and their own language (1 Cor. 13:1). Angels can be called living beings or creatures, morning stars, heaven’s armies, sons of God, cherubim, seraphim, and two of them had names: Gabriel and Michael. They’re seen driving chariots (2 Kings 2:12), sitting, standing, guarding (Gen. 3:24) or executing judgment (Ex. 12:23, 2 Sam. 24:16-17) on God’s orders. In fact, they are seen in Job 1 and 2 appearing before the Creator along with Satan. Were they giving report or simply fellowshipping with Him; we don’t know. 

As with mankind we know they were created holy and yet given the ability to fall (Is. 14:12-17 and Ez. 28:12-19). That’s an important difference between angels and God’s elect. Since Adam’s fall we’re born with a sin nature and given the opportunity to repent and be redeemed: angels are not. Once the anointed, guardian cherub (Satan) filled his heart with pride and was banished from heaven, there was no return. 

I suspect that angels wonder:

“When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4 ESV

Redemption, justification, holiness, adoption, and election describe aspects of our position with God and angels desire to understand (1 Peter 1:12) this unique relationship we have with God (Ps. 144:3). Next week we’ll delve into this topic of angels in greater detail to discover their diverse purposes. 

Let’s consider Jesus’ mother Mary this week when she visited her cousin Elizabeth also pregnant with John the Baptizer. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice John jumped for joy in her womb and a triple blessing flowed from her lips to Mary; here’s the third blessing:

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.” Luke 1:45 

Well, you may ask, what did the Lord say? We have to go back to that fateful day when the angel Gabriel visited Mary with prophetic words from God: “the Holy Spirit will come upon and overshadow you with power, a holy Baby will born, and He will be called the Son of God.”

(Gabriel continued) …“For nothing (rhema) will be impossible with God.” 

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:37-38a 

Mary believed the word of the Lord spoken through the angel: no-thing (or word) will be impossible with God; He will fulfill every word, every promise, and every matter that’s He’s spoken. This Greek word rhema (word or thing) means the living Voice speaking the living Word into our hearts creating faith. When God speaks, through His Word or into our hearts, we receive it as Mary did, being fully persuaded, trusting, and relying on His character. We find rhema (word) used in other places in the Bible as well.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

The word (rhema) is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word [rhema] of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess (the rhema) with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word (rhema) of Christ. Romans 10:17

Ponder that for a moment. Mary had God’s spoken Word; so do we. Mary was given power to believe; so are we. Mary was blessed in life for her faith; so are we. This isn’t only for salvation but for every word that God speaks whether from the Bible or directly into your heart. He gives us the divine persuasion for walking in the footsteps of faith and watch Him work as Mary did. The connection of God’s Word, believing, and faith is undeniable but notice that it needs to be spoken out loud. Your ears hear it over and over, you begin to believe it, and faith is imparted. Confession is simply being in agreement with His Word and saying the same things so consider what you’re confessing and believing today.

Sent into the World

The gospel of John has referenced the world eighteen times as we arrive at chapter 17 and what’s commonly called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. A priest is appointed as a mediator since he stands between people and God. Jesus allows us to look into His priestly heart right before going to the cross. 

First of all, He prayed for Himself. Jesus declared that glory comes from His obedience to His Father’s assignment which He accepted before the world was created. His sacrificial death on our behalf completed the Plan of Redemption and brought honor, fame, and recognition to the Father’s name. They share in the glory through their unity and it’s now imparted to us.

Secondly, Jesus prayed for His remaining disciples. They were chosen by the Father and given to Him; the phrase ‘given Me’ is used six times. The vital point was that God chose or elected Jesus’ followers and gave them the ability to believe in the Savior. 

I have revealed You to the ones You gave Me from this world. They were always Yours. You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. John 17:6 

John 17 was written that we also may believe we’ve been chosen by God and given the same empowerment for faith. Jesus is clear, He’s not praying for the world of unbelievers but for believers, those the Father has given Him. He’s not in the world anymore but they are, however, He won’t ask for them to be removed. Jesus promised to guard, preserve, and strengthen them with joy until their assignment in this world is completed. He repeated what was said previously, the world hates them because they are so different. They don’t behave, respond, or enjoy the same things worldly people do and that causes hatred.

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. John 17:16 

Lastly, Jesus prayed for us, future believers, and included all the benefits. In the world there are chosen ones who need to hear the word of truth from our mouths. That’s our final assignment. We testify of His love and care, teach and preach His Word, and display unity among other believers. We act like God. The unity in the Trinity is a beautiful picture of the unity in the Church for the world to see. When the world sees our relationship with God and others they’re either drawn to Him or rebel against Him; there is no in-between. 

I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me. John 17:23 

Jesus completed His priestly prayer by speaking of love. The mutual love and union the Father and Son possess is also a picture for the Church of our responsibility to show the world that we know God. That’s your mission if you choose to accept it.

We’ve learned that Abraham received words from God that sparked empowering faith to receive and respond to God’s assignment. Moses was no different but his mission was much broader.

Here’s the story. God appeared to Moses and spoke to him from a burning bush (Ex. 3) declaring Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His assignment (Ex. 3:10) was to deliver God’s people from Egyptian slavery (lower story); Moses was overwhelmed and scared. 400 years of slavery (that’s longer than America has been a nation) and he was going to end it? Yeah, right.

However, God gave him the empowerment he needed to convince his people and eventually Pharaoh to let His people go: he performed unmistakable miracles. Ex. 4 gives us the account of the miracles for one purpose: that God’s people may believe (vs. 5). He was told that his words would be as God to them (vs. 16). 

The upper story is the truth that we’re also in bondage to the slavery of sin before Jesus, our Deliverer, sets us free as well so we may believe and walk in faith. As the people of Moses’ day believed (vs. 31) we also believe in the words or Word of God. Faith means you’re fully persuaded God will do what His Word promises but we also may need to take steps of faith and He’ll give us evidence along the way.

In John 3 we find the familiar verse, “For God so loved the world …” but we fail to concentrate on the former verses that set it up:

But if you don’t believe Me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

John 3:12-15 NLT

Amidst the lower stories (earthly things) and upper stories (heavenly things) we  understand that Moses was His example. Numbers 21:4-9 describes a complaining people who met with poisonous snakes. After repentance they asked Moses to intercede for them. God’s instruction for healing was for the sinner to look at a bronze serpent on a pole; a lower story. The wonderful upper story is that Moses’ steps of faith caused the people to believe; it pointed to the Messiah becoming sin, pictured as the snake hanging on a cross, and receive eternal life.

The promise of eternal life, Jesus promised, is immortality and begins when faith is imparted to you by God. Eternal life begins now, it’s kingdom living, when you respond to His Word. We’re called believers because our faith rests in His promises whether or not we see them fulfilled today. Be encouraged, watch for the signs, keep believing: God isn’t finished yet.

Life in This World

If you want details on Jesus’ last week of life then John’s gospel is the place to be; almost half of the book is devoted to that world-changing week. The religious leaders who watched this Man perform miracles to prove His deity are getting concerned, “Look, the world has gone after Him.” All of humanity? No, but their world, their people were and, consequently, their way of life was threatened. 

Jesus made some outrageous statements in chapter twelve:

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:25 ESV

Jesus’ message was clear, His time to die in our place had arrived, therefore, He will experience the glory of God. Isn’t that true for us as well? We don’t have to die for our sins but we do have to die to the ways of the world in order to experience His glory. Forgiveness, grace, humility, or servanthood aren’t the world’s ways; they are God’s ways.

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself. John 12:31-32 ESV

The cross was on His mind at this point and He knew death was imminent for the sins of those who will believe. Will He draw all people, the whole world, to faith?  

Though He had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in Him. 

John 12:37 ESV

Eventually everyone will be required to look at the cross but few will receive revelation (vs. 38-39). Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah with sobering verses that declared God blinding eyes and hardening hearts so they could not believe. Outrageous. 

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. Galatians 6:14 NLT

How is that possible? How do we live in a world of unbelievers and yet not act like them? 

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 NLT

We look to Jesus through His Word and Spirit to receive the power we need to walk in the light and not remain in the world’s darkness. He declared that the ‘ruler of this world‘ was cast out, therefore, Satan has no power over you. Live in relationship with His Spirit and experience eternal life … Now.

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12b 

That’s what Paul wrote to Pastor Timothy; be an example of faith by receiving a word from God, like Abraham, and obey. It’s fascinating to read the account of Abraham’s obedience to God’s Word in Gen. 22: the sacrifice of Isaac. 

Abraham must’ve known that Yahweh wouldn’t command murder and yet He instructed His friend to offer his only son as a sacrifice. We can look back and see that this was a test of Abraham’s faith but he wasn’t privy to that information; he simply obeyed. 

How is that even possible? We can’t forget that Father Abraham had received several words from God Himself and they all included offspring. “I will make you a great nation and give the land to your offspring (Gen. 12:2, 7; 13:14-17)”, “offspring (as many) as the dust of the earth or the stars in the sky (Gen. 15:5)”, and “I will establish My covenant with you and your offspring, even Isaac (Gen. 17:1-21).” 

Abraham not only believed God then but his faith continued through that fateful day when God told him to kill his only son. I encourage you to read Gen. 22 carefully watching for the footsteps of Abraham’s faith. While knowing what God required of him, obeyed His voice, and prepared for Isaac’s death. He took steps of faith: cut the wood, journeyed to the place, and told his servants to wait since he and the boy would return. That’s faith. He prepared the fire, laid the wood on his son, and even raised the knife believing God’s promises to be true. He took footsteps of faith.

Are we responding to God’s voice, maybe a specific task or opportunity we have right now to obey Him? It’s a logical question since we’re supposed to be examples of faith. Has God given you a mission and you’re hesitating to step out? Are there opportunities available that He’s shown you with no response?

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.

Romans 4:20-21 NLT

The writer of Hebrew 11 listed twelve steps Abraham and his family took by faith; I have to wonder how many times my family and I would be listed. 

… and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 ESV

Let’s rest in the Spirit’s power to take those faith footsteps as we obey His voice, being fully convinced of His mission, therefore bringing glory to God in our family as well.